Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
LUKE
J essy is quiet, unusually so and I hope it wasn’t because of my inappropriate behaviour in the hall before Steven interrupted a moment that shocked me as much as it apparently did her. I’m not sure what Steven will think of it. Not that he would tell me, anyway. He keeps his thoughts to himself most of the time, but he misses nothing. He will wonder why I’m so drawn to a complete stranger who I’ve only just met, and I couldn’t even tell him if he asked. I have no idea – but I like Jessy Potter and I don’t know why.
We head into the study of what I’m assuming was the late Lord Townsend because its masculine interior would never be the choice for a woman.
Jessy stares around with interest as I turn on the small light suspended over a wooden desk that has several water marks and scratches deeply ingrained within the wood.
“Why are we here?” She asks, more with interest than suspicion, and I point to the huge oil painting in a gold frame above the stone fireplace.
“I wanted to check this landscape out. It could be worth something.”
“Luke.”
Jessy rolls her eyes and laughs softly. “If you consider we are the best people to trip around your home and value it, you’re very much mistaken.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Calling in a professional, of course.”
“Who would probably rip me off.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Because people do when you have money. They value services higher and things for sale lower.”
“Not in my world, they don’t.” Jessy’s expression softens, and she appears worried.
“I never thought of it like that. It can’t be nice thinking the worst of people.”
“You get used to it. If anything, it’s best because then you’re not disappointed when they prove you were right all along.”
We stand side by side and stare at the magnificent landscape and Jessy adds, “I wonder who painted this?”
She peers closer and then laughs softly.
“What?”
I move beside her and stare at the scrawling signature at the bottom of the painting and chuckle, “Well, this painting is going nowhere, then.”
“It appears the lady of the house was a keen artist. She was good, though.”
Jessy reaches out and runs her finger over the signature and appears thoughtful.
“A lot of artists live in Dorset. The surroundings are an endless source of inspiration.”
“It is very beautiful.”
I can’t stop staring at her as she loses herself in her thoughts, giving me time to outline every one of her features in my mind for later. Since meeting her, Jessy hasn’t left my thoughts for long. I am fascinated by her quiet beauty, her soft smiles and honest expression. What you see, you get with Jessy Potter and I am definitely not used to that.
“I’m curious, Luke.” She whispers, as she gazes at the painting, apparently somewhere else in her mind.
“About what?”
“Why you inherited the estate? I mean, I hope that doesn’t rude, but I don’t believe you’re related to the Townsend’s at all by blood and I was under the illusion that only blood relatives could inherit Granthaven.”
I lean back against the desk and sigh.
“My father is – sorry, was – Lady Townsend’s brother. They fell out several years ago for reasons I was never told. Anyway, Lady Townsend, Christabel, my aunt, married the Lord, but they never had children of their own. His own brother died of cancer before he could provide an heir, so the line stopped with my aunt’s husband. She was never going to leave this place to my father and I suppose, out of spite, left it to me instead, although I’m guessing it would have been more vengeful if she had left him to deal with this.”
I shake my head against the pity in Jessy’s eyes. “Don’t feel bad for me. I know it sucks being left thirty million pounds’ worth of misery. Life’s a bitch along with the tax man.”
“The tax man?”
I blow out a huff of frustration. “If I’m right, the tax owed on my inheritance is several million pounds before I can even begin to bring the properties back to life. Add it to the costs of the restorations makes for many sleepless nights.”
“I was wondering about that.”
Jessy moves and leans against the desk and we stare at the painting as we contemplate the madness of my life right now.
“You should speak to your estate manager, Geoffrey Knight. He will have access to the information you need.”
“What information?”
Jessy turns to me and I experience an incredible urge to reach out and tuck a stray piece of her hair away from her face and as I wonder how she will react to that, she says carefully, “Inheritance tax only applies to the profits or the amount left after all the debts are taken into consideration. Granthaven may not have many debts, or it may have many. Geoffrey would know and be able to give you a ball park figure about the state of the accounts.”
“Why are you so clever, Jessy?”
She raises her eyes. “I’m not clever, Luke. It’s just an area I studied in for the past four years. It’s fresh in my mind, but I don’t understand how things work – not really.”
“You know more than me though, which proves that I did the right thing in appointing you as my business manager.”
“You may regret that decision.”
The soft curve of her lips is all I can think of, and her business brain is definitely not the first thing I’m picturing right now. I’m overwhelmed by the urge to kiss her, but she sighs, turns away, and after gazing at the painting and taking a deep breath, she says resolutely, “Okay.” You call Geoffrey and set up a meeting, and I’ll spend the afternoon drawing up a business plan.”
“Why?”
I must have missed something here, and she says firmly, “Because you must make a business plan, Luke. It may be necessary to approach the bank for a loan, mortgage or anything along those lines. Investment is what you need and we can’t rely on crowdfunding to restore the village. If you are serious about this, you must act on it and while I’m at it, I’ll look into the logistics of setting the campaign up online. There is a lot to do.”
She moves away from the desk and smiles apologetically. “I’m sorry, it’s a lot to think about and I expect you’ve got more important things on your mind, like your ankle. Leave this with me and I’ll report back when I’ve done my homework.”
She peers around and then says softly, “If something is worth the struggle, nothing else matters and you do everything in your power to make it successful.”
She swings her eyes back to me and I note the hardened edge in hers as she says with determination.
“Leave it with me. I’ll work out a plan and if we fail, it won’t be because we didn’t try.”
She smiles. “If that’s everything, I’ll leave you in peace.”
She is waiting for an answer and I want mine to be, ’No! That is definitely not everything because I don’t want you to leave.’ If she does, she will be on my mind anyway and I hate the desperation in my voice as I say quickly, “But you’ll be back later on today.”
“Why?” She is genuinely confused and I search for any sane reason why she must be. “Because of the meeting with Geoffrey. I need you here to take, um, notes.”
“But you haven’t even arranged it, and Geoffrey may be busy.”
Her eyes widen with confusion and I flash her a blinding smile. “Shall we say four pm back here in this study?”
“Okay, not a problem, but text me if he can’t make it.”
She spins on her heels and as she leaves the room, my heart trails after her like a lovesick puppy.