Page 67 of The Moonstone Marquess
“It will be. Your Mr. Dowling is also a reliable manager, but I’d like you to see Mr. Weston in action so you can better understand Dowling’s duties when he reviews the Crawford accounts with you. Also, you must go to your country estate to see firsthand how the farms are run. Tend to this first, before you design any grand plans for your expeditions.”
He nodded again. “I see—take care of two birds with one stone. See to my sisters, as you’ve previously advised, and at the same time deal with matters of my properties.”
“Exactly. And if Arabella is as clever as you believe she is, let her accompany you when Mr. Dowling takes you around.”
Richard stared at him, obviously surprised by the notion. “But she’s a lady.”
“So? Who better to trust than your sister? I would not be surprised if she were already involved in running the Crawford properties. After all, she also benefits if they are well managed. A secure home. Perhaps a more generous dowry. An ample purse to cover the expenses of launching her into Society.”
Richard shrugged. “Do you think James ever allowed her that much authority?”
“Why wouldn’t he? Especially in giving her the running of the Crawford farms. He was not well enough to travel these past few years. You were not supervising anything. So why not rely on Arabella?”
Cormac pushed away from his desk and rose. “Care to be formally introduced to Lady Phoebe and her sister? They have invited us to join them for luncheon. You will also be meeting my nieces. I warn you now, do not dare take a step out of line around them.”
Richard nodded. “I will be a proper gentleman.”
Cormac was not pleased to have him along, but he could not avoid the formal introductions any longer. “All right. Make sure you are.”
They rode over together and reached Moonstone Cottage in a matter of minutes.
Mr. Hawke came running out to take their mounts. “Good day, m’lord.”
“Good day, Mr. Hawke. This gentleman is my friend, the Earl of Crawford.”
“A pleasure to meet you, m’lord. Never you worry, I’ll take good care of both beasts. Lord Burness, the ladies are on the beach with your nieces. I’m sure they’ll be up shortly. M’wife has put on a lamb stew, and it should be ready soon. Shall I ring the bell to alert Lady Phoebe of your arrival?”
“Not necessary. We’ll go down to them,” Cormac said. “It’ll do us good to stretch our legs after being cooped up in my study all morning.”
They strode around the side of the house and descended the stairs leading down to the beach. The sun was bright, but the light breeze kept the temperature comfortable and the waters calm.
Cormac caught sight of the four of them, all wearing large straw hats to shade themselves as they built a large sandcastle beside the shore. His nieces were dressed in pink cotton frocks, digging their little toes into the wet sand.
When he reached the bottom step, Cormac noticed four pairs of dainty shoes lined up beside the step. In London, a young lady walking barefoot would cause quite the scandal. Here, it was a natural thing, and he was not about to make an issue of it.
He hoped Phoebe and Chloe would not fuss over the fact that their toes were also wiggling in the sand and visible to all.
The girls saw him approach and immediately ran over to him, their little hands full of wet sand, which they now slathered on his pants as they clung to his legs in greeting. They began to chatter at him at the same time. “Uncle Cormac, we’re making a castle. Look how big it is!”
It must have seemed gigantic to Imogen, who was such a little thing. Ella was not much bigger. “An excellent job. Why, I’m sure it is as tall as the sky!”
They giggled.
Chloe and Phoebe scrambled to their feet and walked over to greet him and Richard.
Cormac’s heart was as light as air and as bright as this Cornwall sunshine.
Seeing Phoebe and his nieces brought him a happiness he had not experienced in years. Too many years. Even a few hours’ absence had him desperate to see them again. He quickly introduced them to Richard, who seemed quite charmed by all of them. Who could resist their big-eyed stares and welcoming smiles?
“We were just finishing up,” Phoebe said, then turned to glance at the waves rolling onto shore. “Alas, the tide is coming in and will probably wash away all our hard work by the time we are through with our meal. Well, we’ll rebuild tomorrow. Right, girls? I hope you came here hungry, Lord Crawford. Our Mrs. Hawke has prepared something special for us.”
He nodded. “Looking forward to it.”
She turned to Cormac and cast him a sparkling smile. “Shall we go up?”
“I believe we are to have lamb stew,” Chloe added. “I can assure you, Mrs. Hawke is the best cook in all of Cornwall. It will be delicious.”
Cormac eased his nieces off his legs and lightly tickled Imogen’s belly. “As delicious as you, duckling?”
