A Lord for Olivia Read Online Free Page B

spot. It was, quite simply, the difference between good husbandry and bad.
    As he rode back to Beaumont, he remembered Ormhill saying his sister managed her farm herself. He’d have to have an understanding with her on that score before their marriage. There was no way he could sit on his hands and watch such potentially fine land go to rack and ruin.
    The subject of his musings sat at the breakfast table when he returned. He checked at the door, and hardly knew whether to feel relief or further dismay, for she had a friendly, even eager look on her face, and in the morning light he could see that she was older than he had supposed, being well on the shady side of forty. She must be young Ormhill’s half sister, he thought, to be so much older.
    â€œMiss Ormhill,” he said, bowing to her from the doorway.
    â€œLord Edmund. Come in, come in. Don’t look as if I might eat you. I know last night’s folly was Jason’s doing. A naughty brat, to be sure, and apt to get up to anything when he is in his cups. Perhaps you may bring him into line, sir, if this marriage goes forward.”
    Edmund smiled vaguely and, after a moment’s hesitation, went to the sideboard to fill his plate. When he approached the table, he took a place across from his prospective bride.
    â€œYou are in favor of the marriage, then? For I assure you, I would not be a party to anything that smacks of force.”
    â€œAs if Jason would, or could, do that! Indeed, yes, I am in favor. I have heard of your reputation as a soldier, sir, and knew your father and mother. Good people. ’Tis a shame you could not have inherited instead of that stiff-rumped half brother of yours.”
    Edmund choked on his ham. “That would require displacing a good deal more than merely my brother, Miss Ormhill. I am—”
    â€œI know. Fifth in line, after Heslington, his three sons, and your other brother. Doesn’t matter, though, whether you succeed to the title. A courtesy title will be sufficient. Just so your wife can be addressed as ‘my lady,’ all will be right andtight. Lady Edmund will do nicely.” She smiled at him before addressing herself once again to her breakfast.
    Miss Ormhill’s acceptance of her father’s unreasonable requirement for her marriage astounded Edmund. It was as if she were speaking of someone else.
    â€œThere is one matter that we must discuss,” he said.
    â€œWhat is that, Lord Edmund?”
    â€œThe question of the management of your land.”
    â€œOf my land? What business is that of yours?”
    Edmund grimaced. “Ormhill told me that you had been made quite independent, and I can live with that, but I must have the management of your land.”
    â€œManagement?” Miss Ormhill sputtered indignantly. “Management of my land? Why, the nerve!”
    â€œIf you were managing it properly, I would say nothing. But the condition of that farm is a disgrace. To be sure, I am no expert, though I would like to be. I will consult young Ormhill’s estate agent, for he clearly knows what is what. You would have been better served to have allowed him to manage your farm. I could not stand by and watch your fields deteriorate further. Nor should you want me to. After all, your prosperity will only be enhanced by better management.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œIt is all very well for a female to manage her household, and even to hold the purse strings, if need be, but I feel strongly that the management of your farm belongs in masculine hands. Specifically, in my hands. I must insist upon this point.”
    â€œAs a condition of the marriage?” Miss Ormhill asked, her face wrinkled most unbecomingly with an irritated frown.
    â€œYes. You may well say I am not in a position to lay down conditions, but—”
    â€œWell, you certainly are not in a position to lay down conditions to me, nor why you should wish to do so, I cannot tell. In