Jade Lee by Winning a Bride Read Free Book Online

mind.”
    The boy nodded and was about to turn back to the house when Will gripped his arm.
    “How’s your papa faring? Can he walk yet?”
    The boy’s face darkened. “Just round the house and the like. The knee was bad enough, but his hip won’t hold him after his fall.”
    “That’d be hard on a man like him.”
    The boy nodded but didn’t speak. It was clear that the family was going to struggle without the father’s work on the farm. Even worse, Hank had no interest in farming. He preferred to toil at the manor and was hoping to be butler there one day. And he’d be a much better one than Ransey, but not if he had to quit to work his family’s farm.
    “You know, Coop’s two boys are looking for work. They’re a mite young, but I know their ma would appreciate getting them off her hands.”
    Hank shook his head. “We can’t pay them—”
    “You leave it to me and your papa to figure out the pay. Now go back to Ransey and tell him I’ll be there in a lick. And that I’d like a word with him if he’s a moment to spare.”
    The boy nodded, excitement warring with hope on his face. “Yes, sir! Right away, sir!” He started to turn, but then stopped suddenly to shake Will’s hand. “Thank you. Thank you!”
    Will smiled, knowing he was committed now. He would have to find a way to make the money work, even if it meant supplementing from his own pocket. But it was the right solution, and so he didn’t begrudge the money.
    At least he didn’t begrudge it much , though he wondered again if his brother had saved any money. If together they could buy back what should never have been sold. If… If… If…
    He clamped down on his thoughts and turned his attention to the coming meeting. He walked steadily, as was his habit, and arrived just as the butler was opening the door for him.
    “Master William! You didn’t need to come so quickly, sir.”
    “Didn’t I now?” he asked, his expression on the cool side of friendly.
    “No, sir. The call from Hisself was not urgent. But Hank said you wished to speak with me?”
    “I did.”
    “We can go into my sitting room. His lordship is in his library, but he can wait. Especially as the room isn’t all that pleasant right now. Much nicer in my parlor.”
    Will frowned. “There is something wrong with the library?”
    “Terrible shame. Seems a maid spilled some rotten cream. Fumble fingers, but Hisself frightens the staff, you know.” Ransey gave Will a sly wink, showing that he had been the one to purposely spill the cream. “In any event, come along here, Master Will. Mary’s even made us a pot of tea.”
    William didn’t respond until the door was shut behind them in the butler’s sitting room. It wasn’t a large room by aristocratic standards, but for a butler, it was huge. He shared it with his wife, Mary the housekeeper, and at one time he and Grant had played here with their children. Will knew every stain in the floorboards and mark on the wall. Hell, he’d been the one to put most of them there.
    But unlike Mr. Ransey, he also knew that children grew up, land changed hands, and that a man either adjusted to the new wind or was destroyed by it.
    “Well now, a little cream then with your tea, Master Will?”
    “No thank you, Mr. Ransey, I’m afraid I won’t be staying that long.”
    “Hisself will wait. Rest easy on that.”
    William looked about the room. He saw his childhood here, and he saw everything that might have been. Like a vast panorama, he remembered it, knew the dreams he’d had, and in one mental sweep of his arm, he threw it all away. It would never be, and it was damn well time for everyone to see it.
    When he spoke, his voice was cold and clipped as had never been heard by this elderly retainer. Especially since this man had been more father to him than his own.
    “Hisself is Lord Lawton and the master of this house,” he snapped.
    “Well he shouldn’t be! You are the rightful lord here with your brother gone. The