Page 16 of A Lady to Reveal (Sherton Sisters 4)

Chapter Six

“Inever asked before, but I’ve been wondering, what does the estate do? I’ve seen a lot of sheep while out riding with Adelina. Do your tenants deal in wool?”

“Yes, Rathnelly is actually becoming quite well known for the quality of the wool.”

“That must feel rewarding.”

Gilbert frowned over her words. Itwasrewarding. He felt his chest swell with pride whenever he thought about it. And all the other ventures that he had tried and succeeded at since he had inherited. But most gently bred individuals would not agree with that sentiment. Somehow, nobles were supposed to grow money on trees, not on animals. If his peers knew that he was venturing into industry, it carried a very real threat of scandal, especially for his daughter in the next few years.

It crossed his mind once more to wonder why the chit at his table was always so watchful. She was far too intelligent and well informed to be a simple paid companion. His suspicions of her were a worry. But he had no basis for dismissing her. Already, Adelina was truly attached to the young woman. So, Gil would need far more than sneaky suspicions to go on before he could rid his household of Miss Felicity Jones.

Her watchful gaze reminded him that he hadn’t responded to her statement.

“The villagers are quite skilled,” was all he finally said. He watched as she absorbed his words while nodding, as though in comprehension.

“I would love to know more. Do you know what they did? Is it merely that they’ve learned how to market their wares or did they do something to the sheep to improve the quality of the wool? Do you know if they changed the animals feed or some such?”

Gil stared at her. He had never known a woman to be so curious as she seemed to be. A part of him longed to tell her everything he knew and exactly how he had discovered it. But he had learned a long time ago that he couldn’t trust anyone, especially not females. He shrugged.

He would tell her to ask in the village. He was reasonably certain the villagers fully understood his desire to keep his involvement a secret. And he was very sure they would report to him everything that was said. It was part of why he was so suspicious of her. She was far from the first to come sniffing around for information. He realized he hadn’t answered her, yet again.

“It was probably a combination of things. I do know that more of the villagers have involved themselves in their enterprises so perhaps, as the saying goes, in the multitude of counselors there is accomplishment.”

It didn’t appear as though he had been able to distract her from her curiosity, though. She still appeared to be absorbed in thoughts of the productive sheep. Gilbert was glad he hadn’t told her about any of the other industries on his estate.

“Why are you so interested in enterprise, Miss Jones? Have you tried raising sheep before?”

This seemed to work to break her thought process, as she instantly blushed and shook her head, suddenly looking very young and uncertain.

“No, of course not, but I cannot be Lady Adelina’s companion forever. I will have to have some other plan in place eventually. It is good to gain as much information as possible and ensure I have options.”

“You would consider going into trade?” Gil could hear the supercilious judgment of centuries of dukes behind him in his voice and almost cringed. It was exactly the sort of reaction he dreaded to hear directed at himself. He could hardly believe he was doing it to her.

To his great surprise her chin rose in defiance, and she no longer looked like an uncertain young woman. “Of course, why shouldn’t I?”

She did not simper or cower. Gil was impressed.

“A young woman on her own would face many challenges. I do hope you won’t feel compelled to leave Adelina any time soon, my dear Miss Jones. She is just getting attached to you.”

And once again, with just a few words, he had brought her back under his control, but it left Gilbert feeling monstrous. He didn’t wish to crush the modernizing thoughts of such an intelligent young woman. It was on the tip of his tongue to apologize, but again the young woman’s face changed.

“I am growing quite attached to her, as well,” she answered with a sweet, simple smile. “It is even more fulfilling than I expected.”

Gilbert felt his breath catch over her sweet smile. It was the most attractive thing he had seen, maybe ever, but certainly in years. He had to blink away his reaction. He didn’t want to be attracted to anyone, let alone his young daughter’s companion.

“What do you mean? I thought you had experience as a companion.”

Gilbert’s suspicions about her grew as her face flooded with colour, and an expression of guilt flitted across her face.

“But not to a young child, Your Grace. Surely, you realize it’s a unique situation. Most children have tutors or governesses, not companions. It is most often a family’s maiden aunt who hires a companion. And I’m certain I mentioned that I didn’t actually have a great deal of experience. Surely, you realize I’m not nearly old enough to have much actual experience.”

The starchy tone of her voice sat oddly on such a young woman, and it made him want to laugh. He ignored the sensation, determined to remain vigilant lest she be another saboteur sent to interrupt his enterprise. Gil knew he ought to terminate her employment as the strange attraction he felt toward her was completely distracting and most inappropriate, but he also knew his daughter would be bereft.

He really ought to have spent more time in the hiring of the woman. Something that seemed too good to be true usually was, he admonished himself. But it was never too late until it was too late, he reminded himself.

“Now that you’ve had time to get to know Adelina, what do you intend to do with her?”

Miss Jones skewered him with an assessing gaze. “Is that not for you to tell me, Your Grace? I am her companion, not her parent, nor even her governess. A companion keeps one company.”

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