Page 16 of Lady Controversial
Isolda blinked at him. ‘Why?’
‘I cannot prove it but I believe Brooke is attempting to purchase, or shall we say acquire, a swathe of properties that run from your father’s estate to a point beyond this cottage.’ The earl paused, looking unnaturally serious. ‘And this cottage and its grounds are right in that path.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Isolda blinked. ‘Actually, I do not. Why does he want to acquire the land?’
‘I am endeavouring to see the vowel that your father signed. If it only specifically names Crawley Place then he would have no claim on anything else and probably realises that you are astute enough to know that the cottage is not his. Nor would it seem gentlemanly if he attempted to snatch the only home that two well-bred young ladies have left from beneath their feet. He is very aware of his public image, you see, and cannot be sure that you do not have friends who would make such mean behaviour public.’
‘Either that or he assumes we will tire of living in poverty when we are used to so much better. He is biding his time in the hope that we will belatedly accept his invitation to return to our childhood home, even though it is no longer ours.’
‘Very possibly.’ The earl rubbed his chin and took a moment to reflect. ‘As to his use for this land, that is something I have yet to ascertain. Lord Brooke is currently in London, attempting to refute the cheating allegations by suing his detractors, but that will not detain him for long. I predict that you will receive a visit from him very soon, along with a charming invitation to quit these premises for something more prepossessing.’
‘Then he will be disappointed,’ Isolda said with asperity.
‘Will he, if he approaches your sister, or perhaps your aunt? They will play upon your natural desire to see your sister well settled in order to force your hand. Those prospects will be vastly improved if she has a more acceptable address.’
‘Perhaps, but even so I—’
‘Bear in mind that your father killed himself rather than face up to his debts. That in itself will reflect badly upon the two of you, which is most unfair, but it’s the way these things work.’
‘Do you think I am not aware of that?’ Isolda asked indignantly.
‘Don’t shoot the messenger, my sweet. Believe it or not, I am on your side.’
‘Sorry.’ Isolda deflated, wondering if she was more depressed by the possibility of Lord Brooke’s duplicity or heartened by the earl’s determination to help her. Perhaps a little of both, she decided. She glanced at the destructively attractive earl, a man who ought to look out of place in this shabby kitchen but who seemed perfectly at his ease in his occupation of it. She, by contrast, was a bundle of nervous uncertainty. ‘We are on the outskirts of Chichester,’ she said in a considering tone, ‘and the city is expanding. Could that be the reason for his lordship’s acquisition of so much land, do you suppose? Does he intend to build houses on it?’
‘If he does then he is destined for disappointment, since my estate lies slap bang in the middle of his acquisition. AndI hold considerable sway in the area. He will not fell a single tree in his pursuit of monetary gain if I have any say in the matter.’
Isolda sent him a quizzical look. ‘Then development cannot be his purpose.’
The earl grunted. ‘You might as well know that Brooke and I are not on the best of terms,’ he said.
‘Oh.’ Isolda was gratified but not surprised to learn that the earl’s opinion of Lord Brooke was as low as her own. ‘May I ask why?’
‘Let us just say that accusations of ungentlemanly conduct at the gaming tables is the least of the crimes I would hold against him.’
Isolda rolled her eyes. ‘In other words, he compromised some young lady upon whom you had fixed your affections.’
The earl threw back his head and roared with laughter. ‘You really do have the most active imagination, Miss Crawley.’
‘Very likely.’ Isolda had probably overstepped the bounds but felt no pressing need to apologise. This conversation, the entire situation, was sufficiently unorthodox to make the ordinary rules of conduct irrelevant. ‘Well, I don’t suppose you will tell me what he actually did to offend you, presumably because you are concerned for my sensibilities when you really need not be. However, I have already admitted that I don’t entirely trust Lord Brooke. I never really have, and not just because I do not believe that he and Jane would suit. I rather think that he might have fixed his interest on my sister, you see.’ She frowned. ‘My aunt adores him, but I have always felt that there is a calculating side to his character.’ She fixed his lordship with an inquisitive look. ‘Does that make any sense?’
‘It makes perfect sense and I am glad you feel that way. Brooke can be charming and is popular with the ladies. Well, ladies who don’t have the sense to see through his superficial appeal. Those anxious to claim a connection to a marquess’s younger son will overlook just about anything.’
Brutus stirred from in front of the range, to which he had lain close enough to singe his whiskers. He stood and shook himself and then trotted over to the earl’s side, who leaned a hand down—a hand that had so recently entrapped Isolda on his horse’s back, she couldn’t help recalling—and scratched the dog’s ears. Brutus rolled on his back in ecstasy, making them both smile.
‘Do you imagine,’ Isolda asked after a considering pause, ‘that Lord Brooke is attempting to acquire all the land surrounding your own estate in order to either irritate or threaten you?’ She wrinkled her brow. ‘It seems a little extreme.’
The earl fixed her with an unnaturally serious look. ‘That is precisely what I think,’ he replied sombrely.
‘Good heavens! But that will cost him a king’s ransom!’ Isolda widened her eyes in shock. ‘Your estate is huge. Whatever did the two of you fall out about to set Lord Brooke on such a collision course with you? I fancy it has to be more than a dispute over a lady’s favours. I said I would not ask, but since it could well indirectly involve me…’
The earl rubbed the back of his neck, and Isolda thought at first that he wouldn’t answer her question. There was no reason why he should, other than the fact that he seemed concerned that she would cede ownership of this cottage to Brooke. Although the cottage itself was derelict, it came with several acres of land which, if the earl’s suspicions regarding Brooke’s intentions were correct, were in a vital position in terms of access. Not only was there a direct opening to the track Isolda always used to get to the village, which she now knew formed part of Lord Finchdean’s estate, but there was a pathway to the main road into Chichester from the opposite side.
‘He will need my land if he intends to build,’ she said, nodding her understanding.
‘Quite so, and that cannot be allowed to happen.’
‘People have to live somewhere,’ Isolda said quietly. ‘Now, are you going to tell me why Lord Brooke dislikes you so much?’
