Bewitching the Duke

Selina took a long breath in and held it for a moment. Slowly she released it and made her decision. No one would force her to renege on her duties to this land and its people. Not even the Duke of Northrop.

“Very well, Mrs. Roberts. I believe we can make this work.”

Chapter 6

Colin tried to listen as his steward discussed the cost of wheat this year, but his attention was elsewhere. It was Friday. The wagon should be at her cottage. Within a few short hours, she would be on her way to Hart’s lands. There she could live happily for the next two months. Perhaps she would be so content there she would decide to remain on Hart’s estate for good.

And he could forget her and all that she represented.

Therefore, he should return his concentration to his steward.

“As such, Your Grace,” Mr. Hughes said, “I recommend reducing the percentage of wheat the tenant farmers receive.”

What did he miss? “Excuse me, Mr. Hughes, I am not quite certain I understand why you would have me do such a thing.”

“Sir, you will greatly increase your profits if you reduce their percentage. Even half a percent decrease to the tenants would increase your wealth substantially.” Mr. Hughes closed his ledger as if their conversation were finished.

“Mr. Hughes, this estate is my most profitable already. Part of the reason for my success here is that I give a very reasonable portion to my tenants and they continue to work the land as if it were theirs. I will change nothing.”

Mr. Hughes glanced down at the desk. “Yes, Your Grace.”

Colin watched Hughes’s face as he attempted to say more but did not. “What else, Mr. Hughes?”

“Sir, it’s just that you have sent away our wise woman. There is a chance that with her gone, your lands may not produce as they did in the past.”

Colin banged his fist on his desk. He was so damned tired of everyone on this land treating her as if she was some sort of goddess. “Miss White does not toil on this land. The tenants do. They will continue to do so for generations whether Miss White is here or not. She has no mystical powers. Her departure will not impact our crop output.”

Mr. Hughes nodded. “If you say so, Your Grace.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I should take my leave now.” Hughes stood and gathered his things.

“Speak your mind, Hughes.”

Mr. Hughes stared down at his boots. “If the tenants are unhappy that you’ve sent away their healer, they may take their displeasure out on you. They might deliberately set out to ruin the wedding, or worse, the crops.”

“They would do no such thing,” Colin said harshly. Although, as he thought back to the day he entered Mrs. Godwin’s home, the reception had not been cordial. And then there was the way most of the tenants turned their backs on him when he rode past. None of that mattered, he decided. This was his land and he would do what was needed. “Good day, Mr. Hughes.”

“Good day, Your Grace.”

Dammit! Colin picked up a teacup and hurled it toward the fireplace to ease his frustration. The sooner she left, the better. Just to make sure she really intended to leave, he decided to verify her whereabouts.

He strode to her cottage. The dark clouds overhead suited his mood perfectly. As he walked, he realized his ankle must be completely healed. It didn’t even ache with the approaching rain.

He stopped a short distance away and watched the scene. One of his wagons sat in front of the house as many of the tenants assisted her with her things. She brought out a small trunk and placed it in the back. As if she knew he stared, she turned and spied him. She only shook her head and walked back into the house.

He approached the house slowly. Several of his tenants nodded but none muttered much more than a quick greeting. He felt their anger as they loaded her possessions. Perhaps Mr. Hughes might be correct with regard to the tenants’ reactions.

“Did you come to check on me?” Miss White asked as she brought out a satchel.

“I came to say good-bye,” he said as a slice of guilt knifed him in the stomach.

“Very well then, good-bye, Your Grace.” Her emerald eyes shone with unshed tears. She dropped the satchel in the wagon and then walked back inside.

He knew there was nothing more to say, and yet, he had no desire to return to the loneliness of his home. He heard a quick giggle as someone said something to her. The sound of her laugh warmed his heart.

Gradually, he walked away, knowing he was not welcome there. He stopped at the reflecting pond and looked over the land that was his only because he happened to be born at the right time and fathered by the right man. Had his father been a tenant on the land, he’d be assisting Miss White instead of forcing her to leave.