The Whispers on the Moors Collection by Sarah E. Ladd

Author:Sarah E. Ladd
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2014-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

“So here it is,” muttered William as he dismounted Angus, planting his feet firmly on the iced grass. “Latham Hill.”

He heard Carlton dismount behind him, his boots crunching the unmarked snow.

“Yes.” Carlton groaned, his breath heavy from the exertion and puffing white in the frigid air. “Very nice, indeed.”

Riley walked in front. The raw wind swept from the bare birch branches and caught his great coat, billowing it behind him. “See, Carlton, just as I told you. The river is down past those trees. See there? The trees will need to be removed, but there is a shortcut that runs along the river to town square. Even a bridge. Nothing extravagant. Ideal location.”

Carlton pivoted on his heel, surveying the land along Sterling Wood, a greedy gleam in his eyes. “Yes. And what’s that over there?”

William followed the direction of his nod. Rosemere’s stone chimneys rose above the barren tree line, and the new stable was visible through the black branches.

William said, “That’s Rosemere.”

Carlton raised an eyebrow. “Tenants of yours, I presume?”

William nodded. “Yes, sir. It’s a school run by the Creighton family.”

Riley folded his arms across his chest and looked toward the school. “That bit of land is the jewel in the Eastmore property crown, is it not, Sterling?” A smile spread across Riley’s broad face, but his voice held a hint of . . . something. Contempt? Annoyance? Riley turned back to Carlton. “But he’ll not sell it. No, sir. Won’t sell this land either. Believe me, I’ve tried to buy it myself a time or two.”

William gritted his teeth, then relaxed his jaw. “Like I’ve said before, the land is not for sale. Besides, Rosemere is leased. If you want to buy a horse, I can help you, but the land is off limits.”

The older man shifted his weight and looked out to the moors. “Everything has a price, lad.”

A sickening feeling swept over William. If he would sell even a portion of his land, his problems with Rafertee would be over. Like that. But the fullness of unfulfilled expectation weighed on him. If he had any pride, any dignity left, he needed to keep his birthright intact. Or at least have a better reason for parting with it than covering his gambling debt.

William studied Carlton, watching the portly man’s every movement. He walked over to the edge of a large boulder and rested an arm on top of it. “We are discussing a partnership, not a land sale. If I am mistaken, make your intentions clear, for I have other matters to attend to.”

Riley stepped between them, holding his hands out as one would to a horse. “Gentlemen. Sterling’s right. Nobody is going to buy or sell any land. We just need a location. And this one should suit nicely.”

Carlton seemed to let his argument go. He knelt down, brushed the snow away, and dug a clump of loose, frozen dirt and rocks out with his stocky fingers. “It would take awhile to get supplies up here to build, but once we did, shouldn’t take too long.

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