Chapter 4 #2
He half-smiled in a disconcerting way. 'I'll have those names put on the legal documents that I intend to have drawn up.'
He set off up the left-hand staircase and they were obliged to hurry after him as his stride was so much longer than theirs. Poor Annabel had to run in order not to be left behind.
They arrived on a spacious gallery which overlooked the hall. There was a passageway directly ahead, luxuriously carpeted, and it ended in a massive, curved window which allowed light to pour down. Along this corridor were a series of closed doors.
There was another narrower passage to the left of the gallery and an identical one on the other side. Sofia thought her entire house at Laycock would fit in the hall and gallery.
James was already halfway down the central corridor. He glanced over his shoulder. He was stationary and raised his voice. Not something a gentleman should do, and especially not inside the house.
'For God's sake, don't dawdle there. I've better things to do than wander about up here all day.'
Annabel was about to run to join him but Sofia grabbed her arm. 'No, he can afford to behave like this, we cannot. We shall walk briskly; ladies do not run unless they're playing cricket.' She'd spoken quietly but he'd heard her.
'I should add to that caveat, my dear, unless you're being chased by a bull.'
Annabel giggled. 'Or a tiger, or a crocodile, I'd certainly run from them.'
Now he turned and was laughing down at them.
'Did you know, girls, that if being chased by a crocodile you should make your escape in a zigzag pattern.
I've been reliably informed – I can't remember by whom – that crocodiles are very speedy when running in a straight line but cannot turn a corner successfully. '
Sofia nodded solemnly. 'Thank you for that sage advice, I'm certain it will come in useful next time we are travelling across Africa.'
He ignored her answer but the corner of his mouth curved demonstrating he was amused.
'My housekeeper didn't know if you wished to share your accommodations. There are three interconnecting bedchambers here, plus a pretty sitting room for your exclusive use. Each of the bed chambers is spacious enough for you to be in one or, if you prefer, to be separate.'
Sofia made the decision for Annabel and her sisters. 'I have had my own room since I put my hair up three years ago. Colette has been sharing with Lucille but I think she should have her own space now. Annabel, you can share with my younger sister as you're identical in age to her.'
*
James didn't rise to the bait. This delightful, infuriating, young woman would soon learn that she was fighting a losing battle.
He nodded. 'In which case, Sofia, I suggest that you take the larger room. It's the one with windows overlooking the rose gardens. Lucille can take the one adjacent to yours and Colette and Annabel this one here.'
Her eyes flashed and he looked away to hide his smile. 'I noticed that there were no trunks belonging to you, Sofia.'
'I have only the ensemble that I'm wearing and two others. I've no riding habit.'
'That can be fetched from Hilltop House when we bring Colette and your aunt here.'
She shook her head. 'No, I don't own a riding habit. Such an expense was beyond us. Lucille dislikes horses, Colette prefers to drive, I acquired men's attire and rode astride.'
She looked at him defiantly assuming that he was about to tell her in no uncertain terms that she'd ride astride and in men's attire over his dead body.
'I'm sure something can be borrowed from one of the footmen that will suffice until I can employ a seamstress to remedy your wardrobe.'
Her look of shock was everything he'd hoped for. Then he regretted his impulse.
'Thank you, James. Do I have your permission to ride every morning as long as I remain within your estate? Am I required to take a groom with me?'
'My estate is over a thousand acres – obviously you cannot roam freely over all of it. There are several suitable paths around the gardens, more than sufficient for you to enjoy your morning hack. You can ride without a groom.'
There was something about her expression that set alarm bells ringing but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
'Come along, Annabel, let us examine our new home.'
She opened the door to the nearest room, not the one he'd suggested she took for herself which was at the far end of the passageway, before he could say another word they were gone and he was standing alone.
Thoughtfully, he strolled back to the gallery and made his way to his study where his man of business would be waiting. He also had an estate manager; his holdings and lands were far too expansive to be successfully managed by just one person. He, naturally, had the final say on any decisions.
Michael Haven was the second son of Lord Stonham, no title to inherit and not much in the way of lands or property either, therefore he was obliged to make his own way in the world. So far James had been impressed by his diligence and loyalty.
'I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Michael. Did anybody tell you where I've been and why?'
Michael nodded. 'They did. Having four young ladies, plus an elderly one, added to your household will make it livelier if nothing else. I assume that it's to do with your wards' property that you wish to speak to me.'
Over the next half an hour James explained that he wanted the mortgages cleared, the staff retained, and suitable tenants found. 'The girls will be well provided for, they won't need the income, but it was their home and from what Miss Brotherton has told me they've been happy there.'
'From my enquiries I've discovered that it's no more than five acres, my lord, but it supports twenty people if you include the families of those that work there. They produce everything they need. What they didn't have was sufficient income to pay the overheads.'
'I need you to go immediately and speak to the aunt and the youngest sister. Instruct them to pack their belongings and be ready to remove here. Miss Brotherton informed me that she enjoys riding. Do they have horses there?'
'They have two cobs that are both plough and carriage horses. I must assume that Miss Brotherton rides one of them.'
'Excellent, I've a suitable mare that will be ideal for her. Quiet, goes sweetly, and I needn't fear that she'll be run away with.'
'I'll go immediately to Laycock and introduce myself. Do they know of their good fortune?'
'I doubt it. I can't see how they could as I only knew their whereabouts myself yesterday.'
Smithers was in Bath overseeing the smooth transition of the Avon estate affairs, and checking all the documents had been included. His secretary would have no idea that Miss Annabel Sinclair was now part of the package.
It occurred to James that he must take legal steps immediately to ensure the girl wasn't snatched back by Sinclair. The man could hardly refuse as he wouldn't wish to reveal the fact that he'd been cuckolded seventeen years ago.