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‘You’ve succeeded brilliantly Miss Neville told me you are viewed as afor you, I can readily understand why But…’ he hesitated, not wishing to insult his host or insinuate he was angling for the position, ‘I’ve seen first-hand what an exhausting job it is Perhaps, while you rest and recover, you ht consider that it is now time to step back and take a less active role’
‘Hire that full-tier, you mean?’
‘That’s exactly what I’ve been urging, Mr Anders!’ Althea cried ‘And not just to ease Uncle Jah we all trust it will be e takes over for hier to assist him’
‘Much as I hate to ad said, surprising Greville ‘I probably should start searching for a good ht nificant look
Was Bronning thinking of hih hie and complex an operation as Ashton Grove… But as he considered it further, the excitement faded
He would be considered by society aswith the daughter of house Even worse, he would be here to see her co with the success of her first Season, perhaps affianced And later, when she returned as a bride, then a young wife, bringing her children on a visit to their grandfather
At those iasped aloud As challenging and interesting as the as at Ashton, he could not bear to re for a woman he’d deliberately sent out of his life
Paradoxically, asher share her life and her bed with anotherAshton, where the hills and hallways reverberated with the echo of her voice, her laughter
Where he could ride nearly every day past the track leading to the Neville Tour, halt in the shadow of the tower, sed, panting breaths as he pleasured her…
As, soon, some other overn soe
‘Ashton is so well known an estate, I’e of qualified applicants,’ he said, tacitly answering Bronning’s unspoken question
‘Well, we must wish you luck hatever enterprise you undertake,’ Bronning said, the eager light in his eyes fading ‘I shall always be grateful for your assistance, and rest assured, you will find a elcome whenever you visit Ashton Grove’
‘You honour me, sir,’ he replied Much as he hated to disappoint his host—and te Ashton Grove—as soon as he was certain Lord Bronning was beyond danger of a relapse, he ress of his release from naval service and consult with him and the Admiralty about what came next
London…where A to see her again swept through hi her news fro and fulfilling as she’d always hoped? A heated excitement flared within his chilled heart at the prospect
‘Well, Uncle, I see you’veinto the soup,’ Althea’s tart tone interrupted his thoughts ‘No lingering over brandy, though! It’s time for you to retire’
‘See what I must endure, Mr Anders? She scolds like a fish-wife and is as persistent as rumbled, but with a twinkle in his eye Nor did he demur as she called his valet to help him to his chamber
‘I suppose you’ll be returning to your books,’ Althea said a touch wistfully as they walked out
‘As you’ll return to yours in the library?’
‘Not if I can persuade you to a ga so hard, I think you deserve part of an evening to rest…and entertain rin
It had been hts since he’d allowed himself any diversion It wouldn’t hurt, this once, to put off for a while his nightly wrestling with the ledgers and his see for Amanda Neville ‘Very well’