Page 24 of The Heir’s Return

Fox inclined his head. “The praise is appreciated, but I must say that I find it odd that you would have sought me out to deliver it. Were you hoping to make a purchase for your cellars? Those inquiries can be directed to my man of business.”

“Actually, my purpose is the other way around; I have an offer for you.”

“Do tell?”

“From what I’ve gathered, your business is growing quite quickly, and expansion may soon be necessary to keep up with supply. I’ve been told every tavern in the vicinity carries your product, and you do not strike me as a man who is content with settling for small success when more lies beyond the horizon.”

“You have surmised as much within two minutes of meeting me?”

“A man called ‘Fox’ is not usually one who is content with a life of idleness; he seeks out opportunities and takes pleasure in besting others.” The other man’s brow twitched, but he said nothing. “I am here to offer you an opportunity for expansion. Ravenshire Manor currently possesses forty acres of well-established orchards.” Harry held out the canvas sack he’d so carefully transported to Fox’s home. The man accepted it after a long moment of hesitation and pulled out the most perfect apple Harry had ever seen. He had traversed the orchard alongside its manager and selected the ripest, choicest fruit to offer to Fox as proof that the land would be worth the purchase.

The man held the fruit to his nose and closed his eyes as he inhaled deeply. “You are offering to become a supplier for my project?” he inquired.

“No. I am offering you fifty percent of my orchards for a reasonable price.”

“How much?” Fox asked bluntly, eyeing the color of the apple and testing the skin with his thumbnail.

“Two-and-a-half thousand pounds.”

Fox’s eyes met Harry’s over the unblemished apple he held in his hand. “For twenty acres?” Fox asked flatly.

The amount was a bit higher than Mina’s estimation had been, but Harry thought it was better to begin the negotiations higher than lose money from the start. Every little bit of income mattered with their deadline approaching.

“The land has proven to be healthy and productive. I can provide you with statements to that effect as well.”

“What if I desire more than twenty acres?” Fox asked, raising a brow.

Harry hesitated. It wasn’t a possibility he had considered, but he felt in his soul that he wanted to remain true to what he’d told Mina. “There is some negotiation possible, but all forty acres will not be sold. We might be able to arrange where there is additional land included to allow you to erect the buildings necessary for production, but it is vital that the estate retains some of the established orchard for personal use and employment of the tenants. I must add that part of the agreement will stipulate that the work on the orchard must continue to be sourced from its current employees. I will not allow the people to suffer because the estate has sold some of its holdings.”

Fox eyed him thoughtfully, though his face was a mask that successfully hid which way he was leaning.

Suddenly, the man took a large bite of the juicy apple he held in his hand and chewed it slowly, examining the pulp and juice dripping from the fruit as he did so. “I will want to see the land, review the reports, and speak to the men who know the orchards best before I make my decision.”

Harry’s heart leapt. “Of course; I would expect nothing else.”

“I know where Ravenshire Manor is located. Has the harvest begun?”

“Next week.”

Fox nodded in approval and took another bite of the apple. Harry interpreted that as a good sign.

“My men and I will call in two days.”

Harry nearly crowed with joy at this progress, but he settled for offering his hand for Fox to shake, thanking him for his time, and took his leave. As he thundered down the road and turned toward Ravenshire Manor, Harry’s cheers of triumph were carried away by the crisp autumn wind whipping around him.

CHAPTER 14

With only two weeks left before the deadline set by the Marquess of Townsend, Mina and Harry lumbered through London in the carriage that had followed him to Ravenshire Manor with his belongings. For six weeks, they’d foregone sleep, missed several meals, and done everything they could to find a resolution that might save the estate and bring it back from the dire straits into which her father had placed it. Through their efforts, they’d managed to collect a sum of five thousand pounds and compile what Mina believed to be enough evidence to show that the estate could prove quite profitable, given the right amount of time and resources. In all, Ravenshire Manor had been returned to the right path and could eventually become what it once was. Mina wrapped her fingers more tightly around the thick stack of ledgers and papers she’d carefully wrapped in oilskin before they’d departed Kent.

“You are nervous,” Harry stated rather than asked.

Mina looked away from the crowded buildings and bustling traffic passing by outside of the paned glass window. She’d never ridden in such a luxurious vehicle, nor had she ever been to London before, but it was difficult to enjoy when so much depended upon their ability to convince Townsend that what they had accomplished was satisfactory.

“Of course, aren’t you?”

“No.”

“No?”