The Lady's Second-Chance Suitor by Scott, Regina (christmas read aloud txt) 📗

congenial of places. Just the one with the fewest memoriesof his family.

The paperwork his steward brought him that afternoon heldmemories enough. His father’s will left Rob everyproperty—the house in London, the country house in Wiltshire, a hunting box inScotland, and the Lodge between Grace-by-the-Sea and Upper Grace. All hadstaff. Some had tenant farmers working the land.

Then there were the investments. He hadn’t realized hisfather had been such a visionary, or perhaps that had been the contribution ofhis older brother, Thomas, but Rob held stocks in companies that imported teaand silk, built bridges and roads, and constructed machines like a steam enginefor transportation. Keeping everything on stable footing depended upon soundjudgement.

Something no one had ever praised in him.

“Just one more signature today,” his steward, PercivalMercer, said, slipping a sheet of parchment in front of him as Rob sat at hisfather’s desk in the study. “This is the agreement to buy the land that runsfrom the Lodge down to Grace Cove. Your father would be verypleased you managed to wrest it from Howland after all these years.”

Rob glanced up at him. Mercer was a dark-haired, sharp-nosedfellow with a manner far larger than his short stature and slender physiquemight attest. “And is Lord Howland pleased to have the land wrested awayfrom him?” Rob asked.

“Very,” Mercer assured him with a smug smile. “The Howlandestate is in dire financial circumstances. The Peverell estate, I am pleased tosay, is not.”

Because of Mercer’s recommendations and his father’s wisdom.He was his father’s son. Surely some of the man’s abilities had passed down tohim along with the responsibilities.

He signed the deed, and Mercer snatched it off the desk asif concerned Rob would sully the page.

“Are we finished?” Rob couldn’t help asking, gaze wanderingto the window. The sun was beckoning.

“Nearly,” Mercer said, tucking the paper into his blackleather portfolio. “I have always looked on it as my duty to keep the viscountapprised of any information that might be of use.”

For one ridiculous moment, he thought the man would tell himwhere to find Hester. He shook the thought away. Mercer had been his father’ssteward seven years ago, but he and Rob had never spent any time togetherbefore his change in circumstance three months ago. He made himself lean backin the stiff leather desk chair.

“And what information have you discovered now?” he asked asif the matter held no concern whatsoever.

Mercer drew himself up. “I have been informed that someone hasbeen docking at the Peverell pier below the Lodge. The ship arrives in the darkof the night and disappears by morning.”

Rob raised a brow. “Dark of the moon? Smugglers then.”

Mercer eyed him, then licked his flabby lips. “Then my lordhas an aversion to smugglers.”

Every syllable shouted his doubt. The fellow was right toquestion him. Once, Rob would have thought it great fun to encourage smugglers,perhaps even to travel with them on one of their illicit runs.

“My lord has no interest in smugglers,” Rob agreed as firmlyas possible. “James Howland is magistrate now. If we discover anything of use,we’ll inform him immediately.”

Mercer nodded, though he did not look relieved. “A wisecourse, my lord. I’ll do my best not to trouble you further until next week.”

He almost asked why, then remembered. Tomorrow was Sunday, aday he generally spent sleeping late after a night of frivolity. Now he mustaccompany Elizabeth to services.

They had never attended St. Andrew’s in Grace-by-the-Seawith any regularity, so none of the dark box pews bore a brass plaque with thename of Peverell on it. Some part of him whispered he had no business in thelittle chapel. The Howlands had donated the silver cross on the steeple and thestained-glass windows on one side. They had their own pew near the front.Dressed in their Sunday best, the villagers filled the other pews, exchangingsmiles with friends, family, and neighbors. The spa visitors also gathered nearthe front, gentlemen in fine wool, ladies in silk. Perfume wound through theair like incense.

He ushered Elizabeth into an empty pew near the back. Shecast him a glance as if wondering why he didn’t claim a spot closer to thealtar, with the rest of the wealthier attendees. He could not tell her that hewas simply grateful to be here.

And he could seek guidance from the back of the church justas well as the front.

Indeed, he heard little of the service. His thoughts carriedheavenward, searching for insights. Thomas had been the oldest, the heir. He’dreceived all the tutoring in what it meant to be the viscount. On occasion, hisfather would attempt to interest Rob in family matters. His mother would alwayswave a hand.

“Stop pestering the boy, Peverell! Our Rob was meant forfiner things.”

She’d hoped he might join the church. When it was obvious he was unsuited, she’d encouraged a commission inthe army. Neither had appealed to Rob. The truth was,little had appealed to him. It was as if he had no purpose, no real place inthe world.

You made me for something, Lord. It might not have beenthis, but this is what I must do now. I could use Your guidance.

The Lord didn’t see fit to speak to him. Neither didElizabeth, until he helped her up into their carriage afterward.

“In such a hurry to leave?” she asked.

He took his seat across from her. “Do I appear to be runningaway? Dear me. I’ll have to try harder.”

She shook her head. “You needn’t have pelted. Mrs. Toddwasn’t there. I looked.”

He started. “Mrs. Todd likely attends St. Mary’s in UpperGrace.”

“Ah.” She settled into the seat. “Perhaps we can go therenext week. It’s just as close to the Lodge by road.”

Worship would be even more challenging if Hester was nearby. “St. Andrew’s is visible from the Lodge. Itmakes more sense to go here.”

“As you wish.” She tugged down on the cuffs of her greyredingote. “We should make our presence known. We could visit the vicar, tourthe spa.”

He nodded. “Whatever amuses you.”

Her mouth quirked. “Then let’s start by seeing the dameschool in Upper Grace tomorrow.”

“What are you up to, Elizabeth?” he challenged.

Her eyes widened in the look their mother had always calledtoo innocent by half. “Nothing! But if