Page 28 of The Heir’s Return

Mina took his silence as permission to continue. “There have been a number of improvements implemented in the last six months alone.” Mina produced her carefully compiled list with its dates, figures, and projections, and laid it on the desk to face Rockford before going on to explain them. Harry watched as his dark eyes skimmed the list, and he interpreted that as promising. The man wasn’t ignoring the information; he hadn’t outright dismissed Mina. Harry’s heart swelled with pride for her.

“Ravenshire Manor has historically produced thirteen thousand pounds per annum. With the reforms already underway, it is expected to produce between fifteen thousand and sixteen thousand pounds. The sale of half the orchard acreage has already brought in an influx of several thousand pounds, and there is the potential for an ongoing arrangement wherein the estate will receive an income from buildings that will house cider production machinery. Additionally, the new leases that have been drafted will increase rental income; not to mention the estate itself is worth upwards of one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds.”

Rockford eyed the two of them, seeming to gradually come to the realization that Harry was not simply another hopeless aristocrat asking for a loan to save his reputation; Ravenshire Manor is, in fact, a valuable estate with a temporary liquidity crisis. The American leaned back in his chair and considered them thoughtfully. He spent a long while reviewing Mina’s ledgers and asking Mina questions about a manageable interest rate and expected returns and why there were debts in the first place, all while Harry was content to sit back and allow Mina to shine. He was sure the love he felt for her radiated from his soul as he marveled at her genius, her rock-solid spine.

“I am interested.”

Harry nearly choked when he heard what Rockford said. “You are?” he managed to eke out.

He could tell Mina was biting back a smile when she looked at Rockford and said, “I am so pleased to hear that.”

Rockford glanced at his timepiece before scribbling directions on a card and handing it to her. “Here is the information to my solicitor’s office. Tell him what you told me and have the papers drafted up. Once they are to your satisfaction, I will sign.”

“I am grateful for your time,” Harry said, standing and offering his hand to Rockford. The other man shook it and inclined his head toward Mina.

“It is a boon to thwart the Marquess of Townsend, but you owe more gratitude to your steward. She certainly knows her stuff. I’d poach her myself, but I don’t think you’ll be letting her go anytime soon.”

“No,” Harry replied before turning and smiling at Mina. “No, I don’t think I will.”

They’d done it. The debts would be paid off, a new loan with agreeable terms would be secured. Ravenshire Manor would remain intact, and the debt would be owed to Rockford rather than Townsend. Despite the involvement of yet another party, Harry felt nothing but relief. It was one thing to owe money to a ruthless man who hoped you would fail; it was another to form a business partnership with an investor. Harry was hopeful. He was optimistic. He was relieved. He was so bloody grateful for Mina that words could never properly express it.

CHAPTER 16

Two days before the deadline the Marquess of Townsend had set to repay the debt on Ravenshire Manor, there was a violent hammering at the front door of the London townhouse that made both Mina and Harry look up from where they’d been taking stock of their trunks to return to Kent. They’d remained in Town longer than anticipated because of the new contract with Rockford, but it had been worth it. Both were eager to return to the country and continue with their plans for the estate, but it seemed as if fate had other plans.

“I demand to be granted entrance,” snarled a haughty voice, the volume reverberating through the entryway and up the stairs.

Despite telling Townsend and Rockford that Mina was his steward, he’d informed his staff to treat her as an honored guest. She was given grand accommodations in a guest suite, though she only ever used it to bathe and change. She and Harry hadn’t spent a single night apart, both realizing they slept better with their limbs entangled and the even cadence of the other’s breathing ushering them off to their dreams. Together, they descended the stairs to find an irate marquess shoving his way past the butler and shoving an accusatory finger in their direction.

“How dare you?” he bellowed.

“How dare we…?” Mina asked with exaggerated confusion. “How dare we ban kippers from being served? How dare we enjoy the occasional serving of coffee rather than tea? How dare we⁠—”

“You know bloody well to what I am referring!” Townsend advanced a few menacing steps, but Harry quickly descended the last of the stairs and placed himself before Mina.

“How dare you come into my household and verbally assault my staff?” Harry growled. “How dare you speak that way to Mrs. Brown? I strongly suggest you lower your finger as well as your voice.”

Townsend’s complexion deepened to scarlet as he said, “The debts! I was informed a bank note was delivered, and it was sufficient to satisfy the balance.”

“I wasn’t aware that that would be an issue,” Mina said in an innocent tone over Harry’s shoulder. “Is that not the point of debts? To have them paid?”

Townsend clenched his fists and roared his frustration to the ceiling.

“I wasn’t aware he desired Ravenshire Manor so desperately,” Mina commented in a stage whisper.

The Marquess turned his rage-filled eyes back on her. “You think you’ve won? I will bury you in other ways. I will reveal to all who will listen the sorry state of the Ravenshire earldom, the mismanagement, the idiocy that allowed debts to be secured against Ravenshire Manor in the first place. You will be mocked—paraded about as the fool you are.”

Unease bloomed within Harry’s chest, but it truly exploded when Townsend’s glare bounced between them. “And I will be sure to tell everyone that the Earl of Ravenshire is fucking his steward. You have not been as subtle in your dealings as you think you have, traipsing around London together. And what man would place a woman in such a prominent position if she wasn’t spreading her legs for him?”

“Enough!” Harry roared. It was taking every thread of control remaining in his body not to throttle the Marquess.

“Let him tell them,” Mina said resolutely.

“What?” Harry turned to her.

“A man who has restored his estate through legitimate means is nothing to be ashamed of,” she added, crossing her arms beneath her breasts. “And I am not the least bit fearful of what a few self-important idiots may say about me. It matters not one bit what their opinions are, because I know how I feel.”

Chest aching with the love he felt for Mina, Harry turned back to Townsend. “You heard her…and I suggest you leave. Now.” Immediately, Townsend was flanked by Harry’s footmen. They paid no mind to the protesting, flailing Marquess as they practically shoved him from the door and into the street.