Lord of the Manor by Anton Shari

Author:Anton, Shari [Anton, Shari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2011-07-15T04:00:00+00:00

“Bring the remains of your meal to your hut, Lucinda. I have a chore in mind for you and wish to discuss it in private.”

On the small table in her hut, Richard spread out the accounts of his holdings. All but two of the holdings had once belonged to Basil.

Richard stood behind her, looking over her shoulder, almost touching her, but not quite.

“I see you know these holdings,” Richard said, his warm breath teasing her ear.

“Aye,” she said, struggling to concentrate on the parchment in front of her and not the man behind her. “I see many of Basil’s former English holdings. You wish me to verify these for you?” she asked, thinking it the only reason why he would expose the extent of his wealth.

“Aye, but I also wish you to take over the recording. Soon the spring rents and goods will arrive. I like receiving them, but dislike recording them.”

Delight warred with disbelief. “You would trust me with your ledgers?”

“You know exactly what to expect from each holding. I have no doubt you can keep the ledgers in order.”

She turned slightly to study his face, now very close to hers. With little movement on her part, she could wrap her arms around him, kiss him, draw his attention from the ledgers. But ’twas the ledgers they’d come to her hut to discuss, and the man was actually serious about his offer.

“You do not fear I would steal funds from you?”

He shook his head. “I also know exactly what to expect from each holding, and will check the recording once completed. Should you try some scheme, I would know of it.”

Richard didn’t trust her completely, but that didn’t bother her. A smart lord checked his underling’s work, particularly when it involved large sums of coin. She took it as a compliment that he would even show her the ledgers.

These ledgers were beautifully done, neatly lined, the words and numbers scripted in a bold hand. Richard’s hand.

“I would find great pleasure in helping you with these accounts. My thanks.”

He reached around her to pull one of the papers forward, brushing against her arm, sending a delicious tingle racing through her limbs.

In the woods, he’d promised an unhurried “next time.” She’d waited for two days for him to come to her again. This morn, when she’d wakened to find him in her hut, she hoped he’d come for such a reason.

Could he have more on his mind now than these ledgers? She dearly hoped so. She certainly did. Her body burned for want of his touch, more so than it had in the woods. Now she no longer only wondered about shared pleasure, she knew what Richard could make her feel—and craved more.

His mouth moved in the most provocative manner. “You will find I have made changes. Durwood no longer supplies chickens, but pigs. And Southton’s…Lucinda, do you hear a word I say?”

“Aye. You like chicken.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “I prefer piglet.”

“How nice, then, that you can get them from Southton.

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