Page 17 of Saving a Scoundrel
The rain beat against the louvered windows that ran all along the front and back walls of the second story of the cavernous brewhouse. They wouldn’t be able to be opened for ventilation with today’s weather, which meant that the great copper boilers wouldn’t be lit either. Today would have to be a day for malting or racking. Lucius passed by the kilns on his way to the back stairs. He paused a moment and took in a deep breath of drying barley. Nothing smelled better except maybe when they received a fresh shipment of hops.
He reached the far side of the building and climbed the metal staircase to a wide balcony. Lucius turned and knocked on the door to Mac’s office.
“Come in.”
Mac wasn’t alone this afternoon. His daughter Katy leaned on one side of the desk. Lucius quickly tried to slip his jacket back on. “Pardon me. I didn’t know you were in here, Miss Macdougal.”
“Oh, you’re soaked!” She came toward him with a look of concern. “Don’t put that back on just for formality’s sake.”
Mac rose from behind his desk. “Take a seat by the stove and dry off. Katy, take his jacket and hang it up to dry.”
Lucius smiled at Katy and handed her the wet jacket. “Thank you. The downpour caught me unawares as I walked over.”
Katy clucked her tongue. “I thought fancy gentlemen always took carriages when it rained.”
Her teasing made him chuckle. “Haven’t you heard? Second sons aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. I’ll stick to walking.”
She slid a flirtatious glance over her shoulder as she hung his jacket on a wooden peg. “I wouldn’t mind walking if you took me out this weekend. I’ve just bought a new gown that needs to be shown off.”
“Katy-girl. What have I told you about being forward?” Mac frowned at his daughter.
Lucius was fond of Katy Macdougal. She didn’t mince words and said what she meant. She was easy on the eyes as well. He always flirted just a bit just to make her smile. Not that he would pursue Mac’s only daughter. He had far too much respect for his mentor. Besides, Katy was just nineteen and wanting to get married.
She had a habit of hanging around his desk while he balanced the books, asking him dozens of questions about hisfancy friends, as she called them. Did he know lots of dukes? He’d chuckled at that one. No, not lots. His friend, the Duke of Hartwick, was the only one.
Hartwick’s generous friendship had helped keep him afloat this past year. Hart never asked outright about his financial situation, but he had invited him to spend last summer at his estate after Lucius had been cut off. And he often asked Lucius to join him for dinners at the club or sit in his box at the races. He was a good friend.
Katy turned around, a pout on her pretty face.
“Gel, go home to your mother. She’s probably wondering where you’ve gone off to.” Mac rose and pulled over a chair next to Lucius’s in front of the stove. The older man gave him a wink as he sat down.
Katy stuck her tongue out but laughed. She came over and kissed her father’s whiskered cheek. “Fine, I’ll leave the two of you to discuss your beer.” She gave Lucius a saucy smile. “Mr. Grisham.” She curtsied before sweeping out the door.
“So Castell ordered another dozen barrels last week. Three of them were your brew.”
Lucius nodded. “I’m glad he liked it.”
“Don’t be so modest. You should be proud. You have the knack, son.” Mac slapped him on the shoulders. “New brews mean more sales. Always good news to my ears.”
“Thank you, sir, for giving me a chance to make my own formulation. I appreciate the confidence you have in me.”
“Listen, I have been wanting to discuss something with you.” Mac leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. He threaded his fingers together. “You know that my Katy is rather fond of you.”
Lucius straightened and met the man’s gaze.
“And when she gets it her mind to want something, she is tenacious. So here’s a fair warning to you, she’s decided she’s wanting you.”
“Pardon?” he croaked. His throat was suddenly dry as dust.
“Now I’m telling you because I want you to think about it. You’ve worked here these past eight months and proven you have a head for numbers and the business. I can teach anybody the ways of brewing. You’ve shown a knack for that, too.” Mac sat back and ran his hand over his bushy ginger beard. “I’ve no sons to pass along my business to, but I like the idea of keeping it in the family.”
Lucius opened his mouth, but no response came out. He needed a new plan for his life, and here Mac was, laying one out. Marry his daughter, become his successor. Lucius had several businesses he did the accounting for, but the brewery was his favorite place. The numbers always came easy for him but learning the complex nature of brewing, of finding the perfect balance of hop and flavor, had been fascinating and satisfying.
“Listen, son, all I’m suggesting is take her out on the town, see if you two suit. You have my permission to court Katy.”
Did he want permission? Mac’s eyebrows lowered and the beginnings of a glower formed. Lucius swallowed hard. He better say something soon, or Mac was going to be insulted. “It would be an honor, sir.”
His boss’s expression brightened. “Excellent.” Mac rose to his feet and clapped Lucius on the shoulder again. “Once you’ve dried off, get to work.” With that, he strode out of the office to check on the work below.
