“And if any landismortgaged, are you familiar with the disposition of those funds? If they are in bonds, then the current interest rate must be monitored regularly. Then there are the varying rights to be managed…things like timber rights crop up now and again. I doubt that mining rights are important in this area, but I am aware of some landowners who exercise their water rights when mills are involved…”
Silence fell as she concluded. She remained calm, keeping her gaze on Piers Crawford’s face.
He finished his sherry. “I am told you have an uncanny knack with figures, Miss Nightingale. You will admit that it is unusual, to say the least.”
Disliking his attitude, and with the confidence of someone who had nothing left to lose, Jessie rose and walked to him, staring him right in the eyes, ignoring the quiver of awareness that once more shot through her body.
“If women were permitted an education equal to men, it would not be so unusual, sir. And to eliminate any other matters that might prey on your mind, I am not your father’s mistress, nor his whore. I am not interested in being anyone’s mistress and, given your narrow-minded display of masculine superiority, I would never evenconsiderbeing yours.” She glanced at Sir Gerald. “It would be my honour to serve as Crawford Hall’s estate manager, but since the current owner is Sir Gerald, not you, whether I assume that position or not is entirely up to him. For which I am devoutly thankful.”
If she could have left the room on a flounce, she would have, but fortunately the butler chose that very moment to announce that dinner was served.
Sir Gerald, a grin twitching his lips, held out his arm. “Shall we, Miss Nightingale?”
She walked to his side, allowing her face to display her shared amusement. “We shall, Sir Gerald. Indeed we shall.”
