Page 14 of The Moonstone Governess
“Should they not be my responsibility?” She was not comfortable with his taking over every aspect of her home’s restoration, although it was quite silly on her part. If the man wanted to storm through her house like a big, commanding bull and insist on taking on all the expenses, why should she care?
He cast her a look. “Miss Angel, it shall be my cost, and that’s an end to it.”
“But—”
“Mine,” he said with an arch of his eyebrow, daring her to challenge him.
“Very well,” she grumbled, her lips twitching at the corners in a smile, because they were both being stupidly stubborn. She was the more foolish because he was wealthy and this cost was nothing to him, whereas it was a significant expense to her. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
Mr. Priam merely watched them in confusion.
“My Uncle Simon is a builder and can handle this list of repairs for you as well as the painting,” she offered, finally giving in, since this was the sensible thing to do. “Do you wish to see his references?”
Daire chuckled. “No. You Angels are a close-knit family. I doubt he would do anything other than his best work on your home for fear your constable uncle would lock him up.”
“He won’t mind being locked up by Uncle Malcolm, but he will howl and put an ancient curse on us if Uncle Joseph—he owns the Three Lions Tavern—ever barred him from enjoying a pint there again,” Brenna said with a light laugh. “That threat would be far more effective. But I merely jest. My family is honest and hardworking. Uncle Simon will always do his best, even if it is for you, a stranger none of us trust yet.”
Daire chuckled. “You have such a flattering way with words, Miss Angel.”
She held up her journal. “Shall we decide on the colors for these rooms to be painted? Does your mother have a particular favorite?”
He shrugged. “I have no idea. What do you suggest?”
She shook her head. “You cannot leave the choice to me.”
“Why not? What do I know about home decorations? Choose your colors, and if my mother does not like them, I shall have the rooms repainted at my expense.”
“For pity’s sake, you toss your coin around with such little care.”
He shook his head. “On the contrary—I am well aware of everything I spend, and all of it is carefully considered.”
She sighed. “It does not feel as though you have given careful consideration to this undertaking at all. Don’t you think you are behaving rashly?”
“How is wanting a beautiful house made fit for my family in any way rash? Besides, as I’ve told you, it is something I can easily afford.”
The rest of their tour went much the same way, with his being annoyingly agreeable to her suggestions and insisting on footing all of the bills.
“The garden will require upgrading as well,” she said, wondering whether he had reached his limit of patience yet.
He merely nodded. “Who maintains the Kestrel Inn’s gardens? They are quite excellently done.”
“That is my cousin, Felicity Angel.”
“A woman?”
She tipped her chin up. “What is so wrong with a woman taking charge?”
He grinned. “Nothing. But you are delightful when indignant, and I take perverse pleasure in riling you just to see that little chin of yours shoot to the moon. I do not care who does the work, so long as it is done well and completed on time. Engage your cousin for me, and need I say it?”
She frowned. “Say what?”
His voice was rich and resounding as he said, “I shall be responsible for the cost.”
“Very well,” she said, unable to hold back another lilt of laughter. “I shall make certain Mr. Priam includes it on the list of your responsibilities under our lease. You really don’t mind that a woman will be in charge of your garden?”
“Not in the least. When it comes to engaging workers, my only requirements are that the person I hire is competent to do the job, reasonable in price, and reliable. In truth, I find women generally to be more reliable than men. They are always better organized and able to handle more than one task at a time.”
“That is surprisingly forward thinking of you.”
