Page 66 of The Moonstone Marquess
Why could she not tell him?
Chapter Thirteen
After breakfast withPhoebe, Chloe, and his nieces, Cormac rode back to his manor in time to oversee the departure of his unwanted guests. By the scowl on Lord Rothmere’s face, he expected more vicious rumors to spread throughout the London ballrooms about him. Not that he cared what anyone other than those few he loved thought about him.
Removing himself from London was the best thing he could have done for himself. Only urgent business matters or sessions in the House of Lords would get him back there again.
Otherwise, his life would be centered here, and hopefully with Phoebe by his side.
Lord Crawford stood beside him as they waved the carriages off. “Lord Rothmere was not happy you left him tied up all night. But I did come down a time or two to make certain nothing was amiss and found him sleeping, so he could not have been all that uncomfortable. Since he and Lady Rothmere do not seem to like each other, I doubt he would have joined her in her bed had you permitted him other sleeping arrangements.”
Cormac snorted. “More likely he would have spent the night with Lady Hopewell. Sleeping with another woman while his wife was right next door. Lord, what a miserable way they have chosen to live their lives.”
“I see your point. It does leave an ill feeling in one’s stomach.”
Cormac nodded. “Theirs is truly a barren existence. I know James was hoping for far better for you.”
“I know. Fortunately, he left the Crawford holdings in good stead, so I am free to marry for love. It is a relief not to worry about having to marry an heiress. However, I would not mind falling in love with one. Why not have it all, if one is fortunate enough to marry right?”
“Just do not rush into anything, Richard. Marriage is a lifetime commitment.”
Lord Crawford shrugged. “Not necessarily. If it does not work out, we could follow the example set by Lord and Lady Rothmere and each live our separate lives. It is not ideal, and I cannot imagine myself sinking as low as they have done. I like to think I would show more respect for my wife and take pains to be discreet in my liaisons.”
“Or you could find the right woman and make a happy marriage of it. Then you would never need to stray.”
“Says the man who has made his way into half the female boudoirs in London.”
Cormac stiffened. “That is all in the past. Come on. Enough of this conversation. We have work to do.”
“Yes, let’s train me to be a decent earl. I am in desperate need of guidance, since I’ve never looked at a ledger or ever dealt with matters of business. It really is much easier being the spare, especially when you have a generous brother who does not stint on your allowance. James was really very good to me.”
Cormac nodded as they walked back inside. “Come into my study. I’ll give you your first lesson on managing your assets.”
As soon as they were in his study and had taken seats beside his desk, Richard spoke up again. “I really wish you would reconsider marrying my sister, Arabella. Then I could leave all my affairs in your capable hands and attend to my archeological discoveries knowing all would be handled properly. I cannot imagine anyone with more capable hands. Er…” He glanced at Cormac’s missing arm and sighed. “You know what I mean.”
“I do, Richard. It is all right. But stop pushing your sister on me. It is not going to happen.”
He made a gesture of surrender, waving a nonexistent white flag. “I understand your feelings, especially now that I have caught a glimpse of Lady Phoebe. What a magnificent pair of legs on the girl. Can you imagine them wrapped around your waist?”
Cormac emitted a low growl. “Watch yourself.”
Richard’s hands were still raised in surrender. “I’m just pointing out how convenient it would be if you preferred Arabella.”
“And you took Phoebe?” Lord, Cormac should have sent the man off with the others when he had the chance.
“Well, the thought had crossed my mind. Do you think she would like to travel the world? As my wife, of course. I think I could be a good husband to her. I would not be inclined to stray if I were married to her.”
“Put it out of your mind.”
“All right. I’m merely suggesting you think about it. Arabella is also a lovely girl.”
The man was as stubborn as a dog with a bone when he sank his teeth into an idea. “Enough. Let me show you how to read a ledger.”
Cormac spent the next few hours educating Richard on matters of finance and farming. The man was obviously clever, just not at all interested. Still, it was important he make the effort to understand his holdings and how to protect them, or even his best workers would start to slack off. After all, if their lord did not care, then why should they?
Cormac closed his ledger book as noon approached, knowing Richard could not absorb any more about finances today. “I’ll take you around to the Duke of Malvern’s estate tomorrow so you can meet his estate manager, Mr. Weston. He’s an excellent man and will walk you through the daily duties he undertakes on behalf of the duke.”
Richard nodded. “I suppose that would be beneficial.”
