Page 56 of Impossible
“She certainly sounds good at farming,” he said evenly. “However, Max doesn’t know a thing about running the estate. He needs someone with experience. I was able to come up with a list of candidates.” He stood and went to his desk.
Ada clasped her hands in her lap and stiffened her spine. “Too late. Mrs. Tallent has already started in her position.” At least Ada hoped so since she and Max were supposed to have met that afternoon. She wondered how that had gone and wished she’d had more time to help them. Perhaps she should have stayed another week.
To spend more time in his arms?
She ignored the overzealous part of her brain.
“Could we at least send someone to guide them?” Lucien asked, his brow furrowing and his jaw tightening.
“You entrusted this mission to me. I don’t know that his lordship would appreciate another meddling figure. It took me some time to win him over.” And she still wouldn’t consider the war won, just the battle she’d been sent to fight. Whether Max would continue on the path to being more amenable was anyone’s guess. He had so many things to work through—the sleeping and nightmares, the eating, the not riding. Ada felt a pang of guilt at leaving him with regard to the sleeping in particular.
“You truly won him over?” Lucien asked.
“I think so.” She wasn’t about to say more than that. “I will write to him and ask how things are progressing with Mrs. Tallent—the new steward. If he indicates he needs help, we can offer to send someone.” Or Ada could learn what needed to be done and return herself…temporarily, of course.
Lucien came back to the chair, his expression still weighted with disbelief. “I can hardly countenance him responding to you, let alone indicating he needs help. What did you do to him while you were there?”
“I was merely my usual cheerful self. I think I wore him down. Lest you think it was easy, I assure you it was not. He was most reluctant.”
“That’s the Max—er, Warfield—I know.” Lucien gave his head a shake. “Sometimes I forget he’s the viscount. I’ve always known him as Max, and we never expected him to inherit. His brother was quite healthy.”
“You haven’t said how he died. I know their father was ill.”
“It was a terrible tragedy. Alec was thrown from his horse. He hit his head and seems to have died immediately, which is a comfort, I suppose.”
Ada thought of Max’s refusal to ride. Was that why he’d sold nearly all the horses at Stonehill? Or was it just whatever had happened in Spain? Likely, it was both. Her heart ached for him, especially since riding had seemed to have been something he’d enjoyed in his youth.
Since she’d written to Lucien about Max’s horse, she decided it was worth discussing. They both cared about him. “I wonder if that is part of the reason he no longer rides.”
“I hadn’t considered that.” Lucien looked to the side, frowning. “I’ve tried to be a good friend, but I’ve done a rather poor job.” His gaze met hers again. “I did find his horse. I know the gentleman who bought him, and I believe he’ll sell him to me. Do you suppose Max wants him back?”
“I have no idea. But I do think he should ride again.” The same way she should get in a boat again. Just the thought of that made her quake with fear and unease.
“I can still scarcely believe he doesn’t ride at all. He is one of the finest horsemen I’ve ever known. I think I’ll pay him a visit in a few weeks. Perhaps I’ll bring Arrow as a peace offering.”
“Does peace need to be made?”
Lucien leaned back in his chair, slumping slightly. “I’m not sure, but I don’t think Max has appreciated my meddling. He definitely wasn’t thrilled about you coming to Stonehill.”
“Yet you sent me anyway,” Ada said wryly.
“I knew it would benefit him. Or it would be a colossal failure. You were my last hope.” He smiled, and it carried relief. “I’m so glad you found success. I hope he appreciates it. And you.”
“I think he came to.”
Lucien stood. “I’ll buy the horse.”
“I hope he accepts the gift.” As much as Ada thought she might have come to know Max, she acknowledged there was far more of him that was a mystery to her. She truly had no inkling how he might react to receiving his former horse. She rose.
“Are you coming into the club for a bit, or are you tired from your trip?”
“I think I must step into the members’ den and the library, at least,” she said, taking his arm as he offered it.
They left his office and made their way toward the front. “Drinks first, and you know the best is in the library.”
“Of course I do.” She slid him an amused glance. “Who ensures we have those beverages?”
Lucien laughed heartily. “This club would fold without you. While I’m glad you agreed to do this errand for me, you were sorely missed.”
