“That woman , as you refer to her, is a well-bred young lady from a fine family.”
“I don’t care. She’s all wrong for Bryce. I know it, you know it, and soon Bryce will know it, too. I intend to make quick work of Luanda Talbot.”
“I’m sure you will. But getting back to the immediate issue, how did today’s meeting with Mr. Lyndley go? How did you fare?”
Hermione’s smile faded a bit. “As well as could be expected, given the circumstances. At least he heard me out. I was half afraid he’d bolt before I’d finished.”
“You told him about the guardianship?”
“No, Chaunce, I didn’t dare mention that—yet. ʼTwas enough that I asked him to inherit Nevon Manor and all it entails. That in itself was a shock. I shudder to contemplate what his reaction would have been had I proclaimed the rest in the very same breath.”
“So that’s all you discussed—inheriting Nevon Manor?”
“That and revising my will. He had a dozen questions about Thane and my motives.”
“We knew he would.”
“Yes, we did. In any case, I’ve given him a great deal to mull over. He’s met the staff. Knowing Bryce’s level of compassion, he understands what I need of him—and why.”
“But not all of it.”
“No, not all of it.”
Chaunce pursed his lips. “Still, I do believe I can discard our original plan, devised before the duke’s passing. His Grace is no longer a threat, and Mr. Lyndley is very much here. So no creative methods will be necessary.”
“True.” Hermione sighed. “Such a stubborn man, Richard was. He could have reveled in the splendid man his son has become. And instead …” She broke off with a shrug. “What’s done is done. Richard is gone, along with all the pain he inflicted on Bryce’s life. Now ʼtis time for me to change the course of things, to rectify the future. I’d undo the past if I could, but I fear such a feat is beyond even my capabilities. But the future … ah, now, that is another matter entirely.” She paced about, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “We’ll continue our strategy with arrangements for lunch. Chaunce, make sure Gaby is seated next to Bryce.”
“It’s already been arranged, my lady. Also, with regard to Miss Gaby, you’ll be pleased to learn that she has yet to return from showing Mr. Lyndley to his quarters.”
“Wonderful!” Hermione clapped her hands together. “That was an excellent touch, Chaunce, arranging for Gaby to show Bryce to his room. You’re becoming quite adept as a matchmaker.”
“You’re a fine instructor, madam.”
“I’ve had years of self-tutoring in preparation for orchestrating Bryce and Gaby’s future. I mean for this plan to succeed. Thus far we’ve confronted and conquered step one. Nevertheless, we have a long way to go. Tonight, after Bryce feels a bit more settled in, I’ll proceed to step two: elaborating on my earlier request that he oversee the estate after my death. I’ll ask you to fetch your meticulously kept household accounts for the three of us to review together. Once that’s been done, I’ll explain to Bryce the provisions I’ve made for my staff—provisions I want him to ensure. Finally, and most crucially, I’ll reveal to him the single most significant part of my bequest.”
“The guardianship?”
An exhilarated nod. “The guardianship. At which point, Chaunce, you and I must hold our breath, gauge Bryce’s reaction, and await his decision—a decision I pray will be the one we seek.”
Delicately, Chaunce cleared his throat. “And if it’s not?”
Hermione’s smile was the essence of confidence. “Then we’ll simply have to change his mind.”
Chapter 3
G ABY’S FINGERS DANCED OVER the keyboard, her eyes sliding shut as the melody seeped inside her, pervading the room along with the late afternoon sunlight. She’d come here straight from Crumpet’s warren, where she’d lingered only long enough to verify that he’d stayed put, as commanded, since just
“I don’t care. She’s all wrong for Bryce. I know it, you know it, and soon Bryce will know it, too. I intend to make quick work of Luanda Talbot.”
“I’m sure you will. But getting back to the immediate issue, how did today’s meeting with Mr. Lyndley go? How did you fare?”
Hermione’s smile faded a bit. “As well as could be expected, given the circumstances. At least he heard me out. I was half afraid he’d bolt before I’d finished.”
“You told him about the guardianship?”
“No, Chaunce, I didn’t dare mention that—yet. ʼTwas enough that I asked him to inherit Nevon Manor and all it entails. That in itself was a shock. I shudder to contemplate what his reaction would have been had I proclaimed the rest in the very same breath.”
“So that’s all you discussed—inheriting Nevon Manor?”
“That and revising my will. He had a dozen questions about Thane and my motives.”
“We knew he would.”
“Yes, we did. In any case, I’ve given him a great deal to mull over. He’s met the staff. Knowing Bryce’s level of compassion, he understands what I need of him—and why.”
“But not all of it.”
“No, not all of it.”
Chaunce pursed his lips. “Still, I do believe I can discard our original plan, devised before the duke’s passing. His Grace is no longer a threat, and Mr. Lyndley is very much here. So no creative methods will be necessary.”
“True.” Hermione sighed. “Such a stubborn man, Richard was. He could have reveled in the splendid man his son has become. And instead …” She broke off with a shrug. “What’s done is done. Richard is gone, along with all the pain he inflicted on Bryce’s life. Now ʼtis time for me to change the course of things, to rectify the future. I’d undo the past if I could, but I fear such a feat is beyond even my capabilities. But the future … ah, now, that is another matter entirely.” She paced about, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “We’ll continue our strategy with arrangements for lunch. Chaunce, make sure Gaby is seated next to Bryce.”
“It’s already been arranged, my lady. Also, with regard to Miss Gaby, you’ll be pleased to learn that she has yet to return from showing Mr. Lyndley to his quarters.”
“Wonderful!” Hermione clapped her hands together. “That was an excellent touch, Chaunce, arranging for Gaby to show Bryce to his room. You’re becoming quite adept as a matchmaker.”
“You’re a fine instructor, madam.”
“I’ve had years of self-tutoring in preparation for orchestrating Bryce and Gaby’s future. I mean for this plan to succeed. Thus far we’ve confronted and conquered step one. Nevertheless, we have a long way to go. Tonight, after Bryce feels a bit more settled in, I’ll proceed to step two: elaborating on my earlier request that he oversee the estate after my death. I’ll ask you to fetch your meticulously kept household accounts for the three of us to review together. Once that’s been done, I’ll explain to Bryce the provisions I’ve made for my staff—provisions I want him to ensure. Finally, and most crucially, I’ll reveal to him the single most significant part of my bequest.”
“The guardianship?”
An exhilarated nod. “The guardianship. At which point, Chaunce, you and I must hold our breath, gauge Bryce’s reaction, and await his decision—a decision I pray will be the one we seek.”
Delicately, Chaunce cleared his throat. “And if it’s not?”
Hermione’s smile was the essence of confidence. “Then we’ll simply have to change his mind.”
Chapter 3
G ABY’S FINGERS DANCED OVER the keyboard, her eyes sliding shut as the melody seeped inside her, pervading the room along with the late afternoon sunlight. She’d come here straight from Crumpet’s warren, where she’d lingered only long enough to verify that he’d stayed put, as commanded, since just
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