Page 74 of The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child
Once they’d sat and been served a creamy celery soup, Gray confirmed his intention to stand for Parliament. “Consequently, given the property qualification, a house I must have, and via an agent, I’ve been looking for a suitable place for months.”
“And…” Therese waved at him to continue.
He set down his soupspoon. “There’s a house not far away that, I believe, will be perfect.” He described why he felt that was so, elaborating on the house itself as well as its highly convenient location.
While he did so, Edwards removed the soup plates and served the main course of mutton, vegetables, and freshly baked bread. They ate as Therese and Devlin asked questions, and Gray replied.
“Northwest of Stamford.” Therese frowned. “I admit I’m not familiar with the area.” She directed a questioning look at Devlin.
He shook his head. “I’ve ridden the fields while hunting, and I know the area this side of Stamford reasonably well, but I’ve rarely ventured to the other side.”
Therese shifted her bright gaze to Gray’s face. “Does the house have a name?”
He nodded. “Tickencote Grange.”
She sat back and looked at him, an odd expression on her face. After a moment, she asked, “Did you know that’s Isadora’s old home? The original seat of the Earls of Exton?”
Stunned, Gray stared at her. “You’re joking.”
She shook her head. “Remember I told you that the late earl had broken the entail and mortgaged the estate to the hilt, and after his death, the family were forced to sell the place?”
“I remember you telling me that,” Gray admitted, “but I had no idea the estate involved was Tickencote Grange.” He related what he’d learned from the publican.
Devlin nodded. “That sounds right. I remember hearing that a banker at the bank holding the late earl’s mortgage snapped the place up, possibly for less than it was truly worth.”
“Well, by the sounds of it,” Therese pointed out, “that didn’t do the banker any good, given he eventually sold the place, too.”
“And now it’s on the market again.” Gray frowned. After a moment, he looked at Devlin and Therese. “Do you have any feeling for how the current earl—Izzy’s brother—would react to me buying the grange?”
“I doubt he would care,” Therese replied. “By all accounts, his experiences with his father soured his affection for the place, and I understand he’s very happy at Lyndon Hall—the house his grandfather-in-law bought for him and his wife.”
Gray narrowed his eyes in thought. “That fits with what I’ve gleaned from Izzy and her family regarding her brother—that he’s happy where he is.”
Devlin concluded, “So from that direction, there’s no impediment to you purchasing the place.”
Not from that direction, but…Gray looked at Therese.
“Before you ask,” she promptly said, “I have absolutely no idea how Izzy would feel about you buying her old home. I can tell you she spent much more time there than Julius did, given he went away to school and university. Other than that”—she grimaced—“it’s a subject most of the ton have avoided discussing, especially with the Descartes ladies.”
Gray grimaced as well. “Understandable, I suppose.”
They had finished the meal and rose from the table.
He’d expected Therese to press him further regarding Izzy and was cravenly grateful when she refrained.
He paused in the hall. “I need to go. I arranged to leave the horse I hired at Uffington and Barnack station for the stable to pick up, and I don’t want to miss the train.”
Devlin clapped him on the shoulder.
Therese stretched up and pecked his cheek. “Good luck—with everything.” She caught his eye with such a meaningful look that he had to laugh.
Saluting her and Devlin, he left them for the stable, where he’d left the hired horse.
Soon, he was riding over the fields, on his way to the station.
He’d spent the ride to the priory reviewing everything he’d seen and felt about Tickencote Grange. He’d expected niggles of uncertainty to arise, but they hadn’t; if anything, by the time he’d reached the priory, he’d been even more convincedthathouse was the one he needed to own.
Now…he honestly didn’t know.
