Formidable Lord Quentin by Patricia Rice

Author:Patricia Rice [Rice, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Regency, humor, romance, aristocrats, horses, family
ISBN: 9781611384444
Publisher: Book View Cafe
Published: 2015-03-31T07:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

The groom in the stable eyed Quent askance when he appeared in all his sooty glory, but the stoic man pointed out the well and pump and the barrel the stable boys used for a cold shower. Quent admired their ingenuity as the water sluiced over him. Even though the skies had clouded over and started to mist, the August heat was still oppressive. Besides, the shower was just the thing to cool off his ardor.

He needed to strip Bell down to her bare self as she had done to him, he decided. But he had to do it in a way she enjoyed. He whistled happily as he scrubbed his face.

He ought to feel guilty for not raising the cash for his father’s roof. His family shouldn’t suffer for his father’s sins. But if Quent was forced to choose sides, he would choose Bell, he had to admit. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but for now, he ignored the castle roof.

Besides, the Hall needed work too. He could feel the coins trickling from his pockets—and he still whistled. Chasing after Bell was even more interesting than steam engines, although considerably less profitable.

A footman—thoughtfully provided by Bell, he assumed—carried his valise into the stable. Once dressed, Quent refilled the water barrel so the men could enjoy it at the end of a weary day.

Undeterred by Bell’s admonition that he remove himself from the house, he talked to the groom, examined the new horses Bell had bought for her siblings, and determined that this part of the estate was almost in decent order. Stables were simple in comparison to houses. Feed could be bought, hands could be hired. The roof could be repaired, but a little rain wouldn’t harm a dirt floor in the meantime.

Wickedly, he gave permission for the head groom to hire a roofer and buy canvas to protect the feed. He’d been slow to realize the leverage he could employ if Bell truly wanted to redeem the family manse. The estate belonged to his family. He had a responsibility to aid with the repairs. He added another negotiating point to his side of the ledger.

His pursuit of Bell damned well surpassed his father’s demands. Choosing his own path instead of his family’s for a change felt good, as if a small planet had been lifted from his shoulders. He could almost taste freedom.

He’d never realized he’d felt like a beast of burden until he’d shaken off part of the load. Rebellion had its positive sides. What could his father do—cut off his non-existent inheritance?

Well, the old man could take him to court over the guardianship, but a lot could happen in years of fighting. He’d take his chances. He’d made his fortune by taking calculated risks.

Knowing the servants wouldn’t lock the doors until dark, Quent entered the side door of the house without knocking. Now that he knew where Bell’s chamber was, he could find his own. He slung the hand with his valise over his shoulder and began exploring.

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