Chapter 7
The Wendley ballroom was stuffy to the point that Nellie could barely breathe. Or perhaps it wasn’t so much the heat in the ballroom as it was her nerves that made the atmosphere unbearable. Lord Wythers had sent a note earlier in the day asking what function she would be attending. He told her he would meet her later in the evening and would give her his decision.
Nellie prayed he’d realize how beneficial it would be to have her manage Red Oaks instead of letting it go to ruin. She prayed he’d have enough faith in her that he’d give her the opportunity to prove she was capable of keeping Red Oaks profitable.
Nellie looked from where Frannie spun on the dance floor to the groups of guests gathered about the large hall. He was there, in the same spot where he’d been for the past several minutes, talking to his friends. The same friends who’d been with him when he fell from the terrace.
He turned his head, and their eyes locked across the room. Nellie’s heart raced. To say that he was handsome was an understatement. He was devilishly good-looking, but even more, he was utterly comfortable in his imposing physique. Each time he moved, it was as if he’d struck a calculated pose, ready for some artist to capture him on canvas. And yet, the result was completely natural and nonchalant.
She couldn’t fathom why he wasn’t married. She couldn’t understand how he’d avoided being snared by one of the many beautiful females in Society whose purpose was to find a husband. Nellie knew if she were as pretty as any one of her sisters, she would have done everything in her power to get him to notice her.
But such thoughts were folly. Having someone as handsome as Lord Wythers show an interest in her was a dream that would never come true.
Her heart seemed to jump to her throat, and she couldn’t stand it any longer. She needed to get this over with. She needed to know what he’d decided.
Nellie watched him until she was certain he saw her, then she turned to the closest set of double doors and stepped out onto the terrace.
Cool air swirled around her, and she welcomed its calming effect. She stepped to the far side of the terrace and waited. It didn’t take long and he was there. She turned.
“Good evening, my lord.”
“Lady Annalise.”
He came near her, and she was forced to lift her gaze when he stopped before her. He was that tall.
“Would you care to stroll in the garden?” He extended his arm, and Nellie placed her fingers atop his sleeve.
She hoped he couldn’t feel the trembling of her hand but knew he probably could. She was that nervous.
“I know you’re anxious to hear my decision,” he said when they were far enough from the house that they wouldn’t be overheard. A lovely pavilion stood near a small pond, and he led her there. They stepped up the two steps to a wooden bench that rimmed the perimeter of the whitewashed railing. He sat beside her. “Are you sure you wish to do this?” he asked when they were settled.
“Quite, my lord.”
“Then I will accept your proposition,” he answered.
Nellie was so relieved she thought she might not be able to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over her lashes. She brought her hands up to her mouth to stifle her cry of joy.
“Thank you, my lord. You don’t know what this means to me.”
Nellie watched as Wythers rose to his feet and stood with his back to her. He faced the small pond with his hands clasped behind him. He stood with his legs braced wide and his shoulders rigid. To Nellie he looked like a battle-ready warrior.
“I have one stipulation to my agreement, however,” he said.
His voice was harsh, his words firm. It was obvious that his stipulation was extremely difficult for him to make. She surmised it would be equally difficult for her to agree to it.
“Very well,” she said. “What is your stipulation?”
He turned. “I feel it’s essential that we come to an understanding of all the details concerning our agreement. We must both understand what we’re getting into.”
“That seems wise,” Nellie answered.
“These are the basic details I agree to,” he said, taking his place beside her. “I give you complete control of Red Oaks Estate to do with as you see fit. This includes the land, the livestock, the manor house, and everything else included on the grounds of the estate.”
The air left Nellie’s lungs. “But I—”
“Please, hear me out.” He paused for several moments. “As I made clear to you before, I have no intention of ever retiring to the country. The house will be yours forever. Or for as long as you want it. It’s not such a far distance from your father’s estate that you cannot regularly visit.”
“Do be careful, Lord Wythers. You make it sound as if you’re giving me the estate”
“I am.”
Nellie was in shock. He was giving her the estate? Why would he do something so irresponsible? “That was not what I intended when I offered to manage it.”
“I know it’s not what you intended, but it’s what I want. It’s important that I make it clear that I will never reside at Red Oaks. Since you will make all decisions concerning the estate, it is best that Red Oaks be in your name. Once you take up residence, I will seldom visit. If ever.”
Nellie lowered her gaze to her lap. Did he think she was hoping she might have opportunities to occasionally see him if his name were affixed to the deed of the estate? “I understand, my lord. You will never be required to visit Red Oaks after I move there. And ownership of the estate will revert to you upon my dismissal, or when I leave.”
He nodded. “Now, about your payment.”
“I require little other than the manor house to live in and the staff that is already there to take care of the stable and the gardens. I would require no more than one hundred pounds per annum.”
“Surely, you expect more, Lady Annalise.”
“I shouldn’t think so, but if something unforeseen comes up, I will send word, and we can discuss it then.” She paused. “I’m sure you will want to know the previous year’s profits so you will have an approximation of how much you will have to spend while in London. I will have that amount for you as soon as I peruse the ledgers. I would assume though, by the size of the estate and the condition of the grounds, that your worth will be extensive.”
“My father indicated as much,” he said, then rose to his feet.
Nellie missed his nearness. There was something very reassuring when he was close. Something comforting. Having him close allowed her a glimpse of what it might be like to have someone on whom she could rely. But such thoughts were foolish, and she shook her head to erase them.
“Is there anything else you can think of that we need to discuss, Lady Annalise?”
“No, my lord. Other than I don’t know how I can ever repay you for the trust you’re placing in me.”
The corners of his mouth lifted to form a small smile. “I don’t know why, my lady, but I have no doubts as to your competence. You seem to be the kind of person who can do whatever you set your mind to.”
Her heart swelled with the unexpected accolade. “Thank you, my lord.”
“When would you like to begin?” he asked.
“I think immediately,” Nellie answered. The sooner she could assure Franklin that he was needed to manage the Earl of Lyman’s estate, the sooner Colette could rest easy. “Yes, immediately. Within the next week.”
“Very well,” he said in a tone that sounded strangely serious. As if he was resigned to something he didn’t want to do.
He turned.
“I will get a special license then, and we will be married within the week.”