Page 35 of To Heal a Broken Earl
He held up the jar once more and inhaled the subtle fragrance.
He had to make thisright.
He replayed his words—his tone, his dismissive attitude, and his accusation that she didn’t like the smell.Hell!No one liked the smell, most especially him. After all, who wanted to smell like a dead animal allowed to lie fallow in the sun for days?
“We have to fix this, Finn,” he said, looking down at the dog and rubbing its head. “You should have stopped me from making such an arse of myself.”
The dog cocked his head to the side and gave him a quizzical look.
“I know. It’s not your mess. But perhaps you can take pity on me and help me.”
His traitorous dog yawned.
“So, I see that’s a no,” Michael said, raising an eyebrow. “Honestly, Finn, I can’t blame you. But look what I have.” He took a small biscuit from his pocket and handed it to the dog, who, rather than take it like he usually did, stared at it as if Michael had asked him to dance. “It’s not a bribe,” he added quickly.
Finn blinked but didn’t take the biscuit, as if Michael had handed the dog a plate of cooked spinach.
How am I going to fix this?Stuffing the biscuit back in his pocket, he began to walk away, and a tightness gripped his heart. Doubts clouded his mind as he pondered what to do. The weight of uncertainty felt like a familiar yoke around his neck, and the fear of failure and embarrassment loomed over him. Each step he took felt heavier.
I need to do something, but what? And can I repair this without making it worse?
~*~
Chapter Fifteen
The next day
“The stonemasons have repaired the worst parts of the wall that were crumbling,” Michael said, pointing to three different sections on the drawings he’d laid out on the billiard table.
“Good idea to add five feet in height,” Wright said. “It’ll provide more privacy as well as deterrence. Like you, I’m hoping the project will be completed quickly.”
“Indeed,” Michael said. “They are working swiftly and efficiently. Thank you for recommending Bradford.”
“He’s exceptional, and his apprentices are as hardworking as he is,” Wright agreed.
“My lords, forgive the intrusion,” Stanhope said from the open wall panel that connected the gaming room to the study.
Michael looked up from the plans and stood. “Not a problem, Stanhope.”
“Lord Wright, your aunt, Lady Margaret Chipperly, has arrived along with a Mr. Craig Burns.”
Michael glanced at Wright. “This should be interesting,” he quipped, arching a brow.
Wright groaned in frustration, raking his hands through his hair. “I love my aunt dearly, but she just can’t resist interfering. She said nothing when we discussed Mr. Burns’s coming to interview Lady Emma and Katie,” he said.
“One might think she feels a sense of ownership.” Michael snickered, clearly amused. “Show them to the drawing room, Stanhope, and please inform Lady Emma. We’ll be there shortly.”
Emma hadn’t said a word to Michael since he had spoken so ruthlessly to her in the stable. She had avoided him atdinner, sending Stanhope word that she was turning in early and choosing to have dinner in her room. This morning, she’d avoided the breakfast room as well. Michael had been tempted to knock on her door to apologize and beg her forgiveness. But Wright had arrived back from checking on his ship and his men and they’d thrown themselves into a discussion on the plans for the walls and other necessary repairs around the estate. They hadn’t expected the artist to arrive until tomorrow. Clearly, Lady Chipperly had hurried things along. He still needed to apologize to Emma, but it would be even more difficult with a house full of people.
“Very good, my lord. I will ask Mrs. Peppers to prepare tea and a light repast,” the retainer said, his lips twitching as he turned to leave, uncharacteristically trying to hide a smile.
“Is your aunt by chance acquainted with Lady Beadle?” Michael asked his friend as he began to roll up the designs they had been examining.
“Are theyacquainted?” Wright snorted. “They are lifelong rivals. Ever since their first London Season forty-five years ago!”
“Well, we might have a bit of a conundrum, then,” Michael said.
“Why?”
