“Aye, you.”
Finlay shook his head. “Forgive me, Max. I don’t understand. You’re leaving tomorrow morning.”
“Correct.”
“And you’re asking me to finish up here.”
“I am.”
“Are you unwell?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m fine. I have a private matter needing my attention, that’s all. Am I asking too much of you?”
“Of course not. It’s the fact that you’re asking that has me worried. It’s an unusual request, to say the least.” Fin narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure you’re all right? You’ve been a little off kilter since we left Northcott.”
Maxwell grimaced. “Has it been that noticeable?”
“Only to me, I’m sure. To the rest, you’re just your usual ruthless self.” He cocked his head. “A private matter, you say? Dare I ask if you’ve seen the light with regards to Louisa? If so, it’s about bloody time. I was beginning to suspect my genius of a brother was, in reality, a complete arse.”
Maxwell scowled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. And you’re wrong. It’s not an unusual request, it’s bloody well unheard of. Just promise me you won’t bugger things up.”
Finlay smiled and drew a cross over his heart. “I promise I won’t bugger things up, Max.”
“Good.” Maxwell tugged on his earlobe. “Actually, Fin, I might be relying on you more and more in the months to come. I’d like you to take over some of my business responsibilities, with the appropriate compensation, of course. I trust you’ll be willing?”
The smile turned into a grin. “Bloody hell! You have seen the light, haven’t you?”
“Just answer the damn question.”
The grin remained. “Damn right, I’m willing.”
“That’s what I hoped to hear.” And it was, though Maxwell couldn’t help but feel a touch of angst. “In the meantime, I’ll look forward to receiving your report when you return.”
Finlay’s expression sobered. “Louisa’s a fine lady, Max. You’re a fortunate man.”
“I know I am.” Maxwell gave his brother’s shoulder a squeeze. “Enjoy your nightcap. Only the one, mind. You need to be clear-headed tomorrow, though I think we’ve covered everything of note. You might want to reiterate the legal requirements regarding the export—”
“Goodnight, Max.” Finlay winked. “Give my regards to Louisa.”
A short while later, Maxwell stood by his bedroom window and looked out over the wet, gaslit streets of Sheffield, waiting for something to happen. An earthquake, perhaps, splitting the ground apart. Or a host of thunderbolts, raining down like flaming arrows from cloudy skies. But no. The earth remained intact, and the skies remained empty. Obviously, then, he had no cause to worry. Asking Finlay to act on his behalf had not resulted in some kind of cataclysm. The world had not ended.
Indeed, for Maxwell, at that moment, it felt rather like a new beginning.
Chapter Sixteen
Despite the blueskies and sunshine, the day of Maxwell’s departure four days before had been a gloomy one for Louisa. After he left, she’d returned to her bed and, beset by misery, stayed there till noon. In her daydreams, Maxwell told Ashbridge to go to Sheffield without him. Then he’d returned to where she stood, hoisted her in his arms, and carried her back to bed, declaring she was the most important thing in his life, and that he’d reschedule the Glasgow meeting.
But daydreams they were. The reality was far different. Her spell of melancholy lasted till the afternoon, when she shrugged it off and allowed Archer to primp and pamper her. Feeling a little less wretched, she’d wandered out into the garden and had a chat with Reuben before spending the rest of the day with her nose buried in a book.
Tuesday and Wednesday brought ceaseless rain, effectively trapping Louisa indoors. By Thursday morning, she was ready to escape the confines of the house, no matter the weather. Fortunately, the rain had stopped, and by lunchtime, the sun had reappeared.
Louisa hurried out to the stable, waiting with some impatience as McKinney tacked Byron.
“I trust you’ll be heading up onto the moor, ma’am,” the man said, leading the horse to the mounting block.
“Yes.” Louisa settled herself into the saddle and gathered up the reins. “I’m going to give this fellow a run and then spend a couple of hours at Highfield. I’ll be back before dark.”
“Might I have Henry ride with you, ma’am? For your own safety, that is. It put down a lot of rain these past two days. Ground’ll be sopping-wet.”
