“Bah. In France it would not happen. I received les lettres d’amour all the time before we had to flee.”
The only thing he knew to be true about her was that she came from a titled family in France. That had been proudly confided to him by the Austrian diplomat he’d stolen her from. Normanby didn’t know, and doubted he ever would know, what had caused her to become a courtesan. Perhaps it had something to do with the love letters.
“Bah! Kiss her where everyone can see you. Then she will have to agree.”
“I would if we were ever alone. She’s more closely guarded than the crown jewels.”
She stamped her dainty foot now covered in a poorly made shoe. “Mon Dieu, Normanby! Can you not bribe her maid?”
“Footman.” The damned footman. “Her guardian does not allow her out with a maid. She has a footman who’s large enough to stop anything I might try.” He pulled Celeste into his arms. “It won’t be long. I promise. I am walking with her again today, and tomorrow evening I will ask her.”
Celeste pressed against him as sinuously as a cat. He wished she didn’t have to leave. “I shall wait. Mais, if this lady does not wed you, you must take la bourgeoise, oui? I am serious when I tell you this cannot last.”
It was better to compromise Lady Alice than marry Miss Greenway. But he was not going to argue about it with Celeste, and it would be a last resort. “I understand.”
“Bon.” She glared at the plain, straw bonnet before donning it. “I shall see you tonight.”
“I’ll be waiting.” As he always was.
She threw a playful smile over her shoulder. “I know, mon cher. I know.”
He’d have to marry Lady Alice quickly. Mr. Greenway had already had the first of the banns read. Normanby felt as if a noose was tightening around his neck. Damn his parents for putting him in this position. He watched the gentle sway of Celeste’s hips as she strolled through the door. If she had money, he’d marry her. She wouldn’t be the first Frenchwoman in the family.
* * *
Giff arrived at Hatchards before Alice. He was happy to see the table and the area where the estate books were kept was empty. Fortunately, he didn’t have long to wait. One of the many things he’d recently noticed about her was how prompt she was.
She smiled at him. “Shall we get to work?”
“Yes.” As he had earlier, he held her chair, then took one across from her. “I am more concerned about the changes I might have to make to Whippoorwill Manor than the estate in Scotland. There is a family who has been the stewards for at least a century. The position is passed from father to son.”
“Really? How interesting.” Alice tilted her head as she leaned forward. “I have read about that, but I had no idea it still occurred.”
“Um. I do need to know how things are done, but I’m concerned that Whippoorwill has been left alone for too long. There might be problems there.”
She nodded. “It is never good to ignore an estate or leave the management completely up to someone else. What would you like to know first?”
Giff groaned. “Everything. How the prices are set, who does the selling, and everything else.”
She pulled at her bottom lip with her straight, white teeth, and he almost groaned again. But for an entirely different reason. His desire to kiss her, to touch her, was constant. “You will need to consult with other large landowners.”
“Such as your brothers-in-law?”
“Yes.” She appeared pleased he’d caught on so quickly. “All the crops you are selling are sold to a middleman. He will want to buy as cheaply as possible, and you will want to sell as high as possible. You will end up settling on a price somewhere in the middle. Therefore, you need to know what the going rate is for, oh, say apples.”
This wasn’t as difficult as he thought it might be. “That way I’ll know what is a good price and what is too low.”
“Exactly.” Her smile almost blinded him. “The other thing you should do is gather together as many of the local farmers and possibly other larger landowners so that you have more negotiating power.”
He was tempted to reach across the table and take her into his arms. “For some reason I thought it would be more complicated.”
Her finely arched brows drew slightly together. “The important part is to find a middleman who is trustworthy. Where is Whippoorwill Manor?”
“About three hours north of Town.”
Her forehead cleared. “If there is a problem, I might be able to help you. It is a long story, but we know of a company in that area.” She placed her elbow on the table and cradled her cheek in the palm of her hand. “If you are interested, I could introduce you to the owner.”
It was amazing the things she knew. “I wonder if the estate is already a client.”
“There is only one way to find out. We will go speak to him.”
“Now?”
“Yes. Why wait? It will probably take a few days for him to find out if they do work with Whippoorwill Manor.”
“Do we need to go into the City? I did not bring my carriage; do you have yours?” Giff had already stood and was helping Alice rise.
“No, it’s not far. I will tell you some of the story on our way.” She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Before I forget, I am meant to inform you that Theo thanks you for the books. She is finding them quite interesting.”
Did her family educate the girls by bringing them into their conversations and starting their educations early? “Were you interested in animal husbandry when you were her age?”
Alice stared off somewhere as her forehead puckered. “Not as much as Theo. Eleanor, Madeline, and I were still more interested in fashion, but we were being introduced to the management of an estate and other important matters. Augusta married when we were fifteen. Charlie was on his Grand Tour, and Grace decided it was time for us to learn. We were the eldest ones at home. Walter and Phillip were at school.”
Giff had felt disconnected from his family when he’d been at school. “I remember returning from school and so much had changed. My sisters married when I was away and were no longer there. It was very strange. But your brothers were present.”
“Yes.” Alice nodded. “Matt sends a coach for them whenever there is a holiday or school break.” She appeared thoughtful for a moment, then said, “Now, you are going to meet Bobby Fields. He’s still quite young but has a good head. His father was a middleman. After his untimely death, Bobby inherited the business. He is being trained in it as well as in the end result of what happens to the produce. The whole story is rather long. I will tell you it some other time.”
They made their way from the bookstore to Bond Street and a grocer’s shop. A boy was speaking to customers as an older man looked on with approval.
