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Seb’s chest tightened at the very thought of strangers wandering around his house ‘No!’

She hurried on ‘I don’t mean open access but “pay in advance and reserve your place” tours Put in a farm shop and nature trails and play parks We could convert soes and bridal accommodation’

‘With what?’

‘There’s some capital left’

He stared ‘You want amble what’s left, finish what my father started?’

‘Not gamble, invest’

‘Meanwhile I’ earl, the public face of Hawksley, like some medieval lord of the manor’

‘You are the lord of the manor’

‘It’s all about publicity with you, isn’t it? You say you don’t want it but you can’t see any way but the obvious—photos and newspapers and the public’

‘No’ She was on her feet ‘But with a place like Hawksley the right kind of publicity is a blessing’

‘There is no such thing as the right publicity’

She stared at him ‘Come on, Seb, you know that’s not true Look at your books!’

‘They’re work, this is ht

Daisy bit her lip, her eyes troubled ‘You can’t see past your fears You are so deters your way you won’t even consider any alternatives!’

His ust ‘Is this about those damned TV lectures?’

‘They would be a great start’

Bitterness coated his ht you understood’

‘I do But you want ive you an heir An heir to what? To worry? To debt? To fear? Or to a thriving business and a home with history—and a roof that doesn’t leak?’

He pushed his chair back and stumbled to his feet ‘Hawksley is ht’

Her eyes were huge ‘I don’t get any say?’