Page 67 of Saving a Scoundrel
Ellie watched him walk down through the gate and down the lane in the twilight before she turned back to the house. She was exhausted, and her bed was calling her name.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Lucius and hisbrother-in-law pulled their horses to a stop in the stable yard. He glanced over at Daniel. “Thank you for coming to see it. I value your opinion.”
Daniel dismounted. “I think the mill house is in sound condition and large enough to grow with the operation. And you’ve got a freshwater source right there. Mr. Finely has wanted to sell that place for some time. They haven’t run the mill in years since he switched his fields to growing hay.”
Lucius nodded. “I hope he will accept my offer. You don’t think this idea of mine is ridiculous?” He also dismounted and let the stable boy take the reins from him. He had discussed his plan to open a brewing operation with Daniel last night over brandy. But in the light of day, even with all the research he had done, and the long talk he’d had with Mac about the logistics and feasibility of the plan, Lucius felt very nervous about the undertaking.
“It’s not ridiculous. I think it’s a fine plan. I had no idea you knew anything about the brewing business.”
“I have been working for Macdougal Brewing since last year, shortly after my father cut me off. Your brother gave me a character reference as he invests in Macdougal’s business.” Lucius and Daniel walked to the house. “I’m glad you like the idea because I have a business proposition for you.”
Daniel raised one eyebrow.
“I know you have been attempting to bring this estate back to profitability. And I propose that you plant barley. I will be your best customer. There would be no shipping costs involved and a guaranteed sale at the end of the growing season.”
He held his breath. This was the best solution for him. The cost to ship in the barley needed to make the beer was considerable. If Daniel converted even half of his acreage to barley, it could be a boon to both of them.
Daniel stuck out his hand. “You have a deal.”
Lucius stared down at Daniel’s hand. “I do?”
“Yes. The land here has lain fallow for a decade. I just hadn’t decided what I wanted to do with it yet. I’d love to be a part of your new business. And moreover, I understand what it is to be the spare. We are not handed everything to us on a silver platter. We have to make our own way. I was lucky to have been left this estate, and I would like to make it profitable again.”
Lucius shook Daniel’s hand. “Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
Charlotte looked up from her needlepoint when they entered the sitting room a few moments later. “Hello, you two. How did the trip turn out?”
“Excellent. I think the space will be just right.”
“Papa, look at my picture.” Daniel’s daughter Josie ran over from where she sat at Charlotte’s feet, drawing with charcoal on a large piece of parchment.
Daniel squatted down to her eye level so he could properly appreciate the drawing. Lucius peered down at the drawing. Were those birds flying in the sky? He was certainly no expert when it came to deciphering children’s artwork.
Then Josie turned her smile to him. “Uncle Lucius, do you like my birds?”
“They are fantastic, Josie darling.” He ran his hand down over her soft brown curls.
“Come on, poppet, let’s go see if Mrs. Howell has baked any of her delicious biscuits.” Daniel and Josie walked out to find the housekeeper.
Charlotte patted the spot next to her, and Lucius dutifully sat down next to his sister.
“How is Josie’s mother doing? I haven’t seen her since I’ve been back.” Phoebe Darlington had been ill for some time but still lived well past what the doctors had expected. She and Josie had come to live with Daniel last year after she learned she was ill. Phoebe had married Daniel’s foreman Mr. Henry and both couples shared the raising of Josie in an unusual but loving family environment.
Charlotte shook her head. “Not well, I’m afraid. Poor Mr. Henry has taken her to the seaside again. It seemed to improve her lungs last summer. Phoebe doesn’t want Josie to see her in such bad condition, so she left her here with us.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“She has lived far longer than the doctors expected. I feel there is still fight left in her. But now I want you to tell me what is going on with you. You have been home two weeks and busy as a bee with this new project. I have never seen you so determined. What has brought all this on?”
He had been keeping the details to himself because he hadn’t been sure that he could even pull off starting his business. But bit by bit, as he made plans and calculated the numbers, he began to feel like this could be possible.
“I’m in love with Ellie Spencer.”
His sister’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. “What? When?”
“The last few months in London we spent quite a bit of time together. She had this list of adventures she wanted to accomplish, I agreed to help her with it, and she quite seduced me, the minx.” He sucked in a deep breath. “And you see, this is all for her so that we can have a future together.”
