Page 49 of The Gentleman's Deception

Thankfully, Allard arrived on his nag shortly thereafter. Lucas hailed Finch and introduced him to Allard, and then the three of them joined Thomas and Isaac inside the farmhouse. Over the next few hours, they explored the property, and Finch took copious notes. Lucas kept himself at a distance most of the time, unsure he’d gained enough control over his emotions. Every time he looked at Thomas, in particular, he felt violent.

“Are you well, Lucas?” Isaac asked, taking him aside while Allard was showing Thomas and Finch the old wind pump workings. “You seem out of sorts, and yet you were in high spirits when we set out.”

“I’m well enough.”

“Are you sure? It really seems to me that something is amiss.”

“I’m well enough, Isaac,” Lucas said more firmly. “Let us be about our business and return home, shall we?”

He walked away from Isaac and arrived at the wind pump in enough time to hear Allard and Finch discussing what parts would be needed to get it back into operation. “That’s one thing settled,” Finch said cheerfully, oblivious to the tension in the air. “Mr. Allard also assures me that there are enough men in the area to make quick work of restoring the farmhouse at least. They were all employed here, and Allard knows them well.”

“Aye, good men and lads, they are,” Allard said. “All I need is the word and the work can begin.”

“Excellent,” Lucas said. “I have assured my betrothed, Miss Fernley”—he shot a disparaging glance at Thomas—“that I would apprise her of our findings before any plans are put into action. I’ll get word to you within the next day or so.”

All four men looked perplexed by Lucas’s words. “Begging your pardon, but what precisely do you mean?” Finch asked. “I was under the assumption that we were to begin work immediately.”

“What he means,” Thomas said, “is that he is being led around by the petticoats of a—”

“Allard, Mr. Finch, will you excuse us?” Lucas said, interrupting his brother before he could say anything more.

Allard and Finch had enough sense to excuse themselves and leave.

Lucas kept his eyes on Thomas until he was sure Allard and Finch were beyond earshot. “I will have your apology,” he said. “Yours too, Isaac.”

“For what?” Thomas asked, locking eyes with him.

“What do you think? Petticoats? Brazen? Discreetly setting Lavinia up in her own household? I would have your apologies!”

Isaac’s face had turned beet red. “I’m sorry you overheard that exchange, Lucas. It was just talk between brothers, truly. But surely you realize Miss Fernley’s looks have a remarkably, uh,singulareffect on others. Regular people need time to . . . adjust.” He seemed to be stumbling over his tongue in his search for the right words. “I’m truly sorry, Lucas.”

“It’s your turn now, Thomas,” Lucas said.

Thomas drilled him with his eyes. “I apologize for speaking in an unflattering mannerinprivateabout someone who is a guest of my parents in their home.Myhome. I shall do my best in future to keep my opinions to myself. That is your apology.”

“That is no apology. What right have you to judge her in such a manner on such short acquaintance? Was her dress immodest in any way? Was her bearing? Her speech?”

“Not at all,” Isaac assured him. “Quite the opposite. Isn’t that right, Thomas?”

“I daresay the woman could be completely hidden under draperies and she would still look—”

“Thomas,” Lucas said in warning.

“Never mind. I take your point, little brother. I shall refrain from speakingabout the lady and will allow that I have no cause to judge her on such shortacquaintance,” Thomas said.

“Excellent,” Isaac said, looking relieved. “I believe we have what we need and can return to Alderwood; don’t you agree, Lucas?”

“For now,” he replied, his words holding a double meaning. Lucas wasin no way satisfied with Thomas’s words, but they would have to do for thetime being.

They spotted Finch and Allard standing near their horses at the front of the house in an animated discussion about the renovations that would soon begin.

“Ah, Mr. Jennings, sir,” Allard called to them as they approached. “Me and the guv here are in agreement about how to proceed, if that meets with, er, your lady’s approval. I can get some men started on the farmhouse straightaway, and once we get the parts for the wind pump, we can get that up and running too. It’s too late to be starting regular-like planting, but if we’re lucky, we might get a few quick-growing crops into the ground.”

“Mr. Allard is very enthusiastic,” Finch said. “We have yet to discuss the costs involved, however. But he’s right in that if we can get some acres drained and planted posthaste, there may be enough income brought in from that to offset the initial costs of restoring the house, at least. And that gets things off to a good start.”

“I will take a good start where I can find it,” Lucas said. “We all will, won’t we?” He looked over at his brothers. He hoped the meaning of his words wasn’t lost on them.

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