“Julian, I must tell you…” Her voice trailed off when a man wearing a light green overall came striding toward them.
“Begging your pardon, my lord, but I heard tell in the village that our Lord Viscount was down by the creek with his bride.” The older man with weather-worn skin, graying hair, and kind blue eyes smiled at them.
Using his hands to push himself up, Julian came to his feet before dusting himself off. “And whom do we have the pleasureof addressing?” He held out his hand and offered the man a firm handshake.
“Folks around these parts call me Farmer Brown, my lord. But my full name is Billy Brown. I used to work these lands before your cousin, may he rest in peace, took over from your uncle.”
Pushing herself up, Lily quickly came to her feet and joined the conversation, forgetting everything that had just been said. “So, you are more familiar with these meadows than anyone else, I would presume?”
The man seemed a little shocked at the sudden address but nodded. “Yes, my lady, I know these meadows like the back of my own hand. Fine lands for grazing.”
Julian quickly exchanged a look with her before turning back to Mr. Brown. “And what kind of farming do you do at present?”
Taking off his hat, Mr. brown bowed his head solemnly. “Well, that is just the matter I wished to discuss with you, my lord. My family and I used to be sheep and pig farmers until your cousin removed us from our portion of land. It was a profitable business, if I do say so myself, but the former viscount did not see the need to keep up with the maintenance.” He twirled his hat between his hands and sighed.
“And you have a family?” Lily asked, lowering her voice in sympathy.
“Yes, my lady, a wife and five children. It has been hard supporting them since we lost the farm, but I have always hopedand prayed that someone worthy of the title would come along and give us a second chance.”
Turning to Julian, Lily spoke without needing words.
They would keep the cottage and save the portion of the estate.
Chapter 21
Julian watched as Lily leaned over his desk in the small study and pointed at a few figures in the ledger. He still did not know who Oliver was, or how he was related to Lily, but he did not want to push the matter and make Lily feel as if he did not trust her. Yet he could not help but wonder if he had been a former love interest of hers or a possible suitor
“Here, we can cut costs by ordering fewer of these supplies and allowing the farmers to graze their animals in the unused pastures. It does not make sense for us to sell land that can be used.” She ran her fingers slowly down the page and moved her lips as she added figures in her head.
Julian quickly pushed his troubled thoughts aside and attempted to focus on what they were doing.
A few days had passed since their visit to the meadow with Farmer Brown, and since then, Lily had proved to be indispensable with her ability to quickly work out sums and come up with plans. Even the estate steward had remarked just how impressive it was to see Lily work.
She had been so helpful that Julian had even brought an extra desk and chair into the study and given her very own station.
“Do you not agree?” She looked up at him with hopeful eyes. Her sheer determination to save each and every farmer touched his heart, reminding him of how lucky he had been to find her. No other woman in London would have fit his life better thanshe had done in such a short time. She fit in so perfectly that he could not possibly imagine his life without her.
“I do. In fact, I think we can make things even easier on the farmers if we lessen their rent for a few months. They had a hard time under my cousin’s rule, and we should make things right. If we can manage, six months should give them plenty of time to recover.”
Turning her head toward him, Lily gazed up at him with a fond expression, and just for a moment, Julian wondered what it would be like if she fell in love with him.
Would she look at me like that?
His heart slammed against his chest as he fought the urge to reach out and touch her cheek. She was more beautiful than when he had first seen her, and if it was possible, she was far more beautiful and breathtaking when she was not wearing a fancy ball gown. It scared him how close he suddenly felt to her, and even more so that he wanted to get to know her better.
Averting his gaze, he attempted to focus on the ledger again. “And where do you think we should allow Farmer Brown and his family to live?” He pointed to the map of the estate that had been spread out beside the ledgers.
“Right here,” Lily reached out, accidentally touching his hand in passing.
Something strange shifted in his chest as he turned to look at her. She seemed just as embarrassed as he did, yet she has rested her hand against his.
Does she want me to kiss her?
His heart began to pound in his chest as he drew closer to her. Dropping his gaze, he mentally traced a path over her perfect lips with his eyes. There were so many things that could go wrong if he allowed himself to give in to his desires, yet there were so many things that could go right as well.
Her chest began to rise and fall with every breath as she slowly lifted her gaze to meet his. There was something between them now, he was sure of it. No one had ever looked at him the way she was doing.
Feeling his heart slam against his ribs, he gently turned his hand until their palms were facing.