Beaumont turned and began to pace away once more, and as they followed, Hero gathered the nerve. “Lord Ayr…Ian, I could perhaps be of assistance to you, if you’d like.”
“In what way?”
Careful not to look at him lest she lose her nerve, Hero kept her gaze focused ahead. “While Robert adored Cuilean, he wasn’t fond of the business of running it. The accounting bored him to tears and he disliked dealing with the tradespeople, the conflicts between the gamekeeper and the orchard’s gardeners, or the park’s groundskeeper’s disputes with the grooms exercising the horses on the lawns.”
She could feel his solemn scrutiny but refused to look up. Let him think what he would, she thought defiantly. She was a smart woman and proud of her accomplishments.
“And?”
She drew in an unsteady breath. “Perhaps I could assist Jennings in familiarizing you with the estate’s operations.”
Silence reigned for what seemed an eternity before he spoke. “I would be pleased for any assistance you might offer.”
It was Hero’s turn to study his profile as they emerged from the southerly end of the hedges and continued toward the more informal pleasure gardens. He seemed serene enough, but she couldn’t decide if he was genuinely accepting her offer or merely patronizing her.
“I ran this estate for almost seven years, you know.”
“That long?”
“I could be a real help to you.”
“I believe you. That’s why I accepted your offer.”
With a sharp inhale, she prepared to defend her position, but before she could speak, she caught the twinkle in his eye and the hint of a dimple on his cheek. “You’re teasing me.”
“Only inasmuch as I find your indignation amusing.”
“But I could truly help you.”
Ian stopped and pulled her to a halt as well. “Look at me, Hero.” She lifted her gaze to meet his. The laughter still lingered in his eyes but there was sincerity there. He repeated gently, “I believe you. That’s why I accepted your offer.”
“Really?”
“Did I simply acquiesce too easily?” he teased. “Were you expecting me to interview you ruthlessly, or require some demonstration of your knowledge, or perhaps even a written recommendation before I accepted your word on the matter?”
Hehadgiven in too easily. And yes, she’d been prepared to argue her suitability to the task before he accepted, just as she’d had to with Robert before he finally let her sit in with Jennings. At the very least, she’d expected the usual “don’t worry your pretty little head about it” admonishment.
The new marquess was certainly an unusual man to have agreed without a more substantial establishment of her skills. Hero shook her head in disbelief, an action Ian misinterpreted.
“You were, don’t deny it,” he scolded with laughter in his voice.
“I won’t say anything more on the subject other than to offer my thanks,” she responded primly. “I will try not to disappoint you.”
“I doubt you could even if you tried.”
She looked back at him curiously, but Ian was now refusing to look at her.
“You know, I’ve ridden my horse across the lawns a dozen times since I’ve been here,” he said. “I suppose I oughtn’t have done that. I wouldn’t wish to upset the groundskeeper.”
Hero allowed the subject change with an inner smile. “You are the laird. It is your right to ride your horse anywhere you’d like.”
“Through the gardens?”
“If you chose to.”
“In the library?”
With a feigned shudder, Hero shook her head. “Never there! Even I wouldn’t brave Mrs. Potts’s wrath by marring her floors.”
