Mrs. Graves’s best china, teapot, and a plate of the fresh biscuits occupied the larger table. It looked inviting, but Dominic resisted joining them. If George hadn’t been with him, he might have.
“It wasn’t necessary to drive yourself, Miss Jenner. You could have asked a footman.”
Her welcome smile wavered, but she straightened her back. “I saw no sense in taking staff away from their duties, my lord.”
He smiled. “Michael is a lazy fellow. Encourage him to earn his keep.”
She returned his smile. “I shall find something to occupy him when I return.”
“Good.”
Mrs. Graves begged them to sit. “May I offer you gentlemen tea?”
“No, thank you, Mrs. Graves. Mr. Yardley and I will go in search of your husband. I’m keen to see how he has fared with the last of the hay baling.”
As they mounted up, George said, “Why is your housekeeper visiting your tenant farmers? Surely that’s not her role? You’d best watch yourself there, Dom.”
Dominic scowled into the bright sunlight. “Because I asked her to.”
“Even worse.” George trotted his horse after Dominic’s along the lane. In the distance, Graves worked among the bales. “Unwise to have such an attractive woman living under your roof.”
One more word from George, and he would lose his temper. Grinding his teeth, Dominic urged Onyx into a canter.
Reaching their destination, they dismounted and crossed the field to where Graves stood waiting.
“My cousin, George Yardley,” Dominic said.
“Good day, Mr. Yardley.”
George wandered off when Dominic and Graves discussed the hay baling.
Dominic found himself thankful that George remained quiet and contemplative on the ride back to the stables.
George became more enlivened as they walked back to the house. “You’re right about the estate, Dom. It’s a fine one. With good men working for you, it could be made more productive. Money, of course,” he said thoughtfully. “It requires a great deal of investment.” He turned to Dominic. “But you have deep pockets, cous.” He was silent for a moment. “I’d best go back to London tomorrow.”
Dominic found he wasn’t entirely sorry. “Must you?”
“The creditors are banging on my door.”
George had to be in desperate straits to have come all this way. “Can I help?”
“Yes, Dom, would you? I would be jolly grateful. To tell the truth, I’m deep in Dun territory,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “A run of bad luck like no other. You’re a generous fellow, and after all, it might have been me who has all this.” He waved his arm to encompass the now immaculate gardens and the handsome old mansion, windows sparkling in the sunlight.
“How much do you need to set things to rights?”
George rubbed an eye. “Twelve hundred should set me up.”
“Come to the library. I’ll write you a check.”
“I knew you’d understand. You’ve always been a capital fellow.” He followed Dominic along the corridor.
Seated at his desk, Dominic blotted the cheque for two thousand pounds. He handed it to George. “This has to be the last time, George. Pay your bills, for God’s sake, or you’ll sink deeper into debt and end your days in the debtor’s prison.”
George looked at the paper in his hand. His face flushed. “It is good of you, although it’s easy to be generous when you have so much.” He tucked the check into his waistcoat pocket. “I’ll catch the stage tomorrow.”
“No need. The coach will take you home in the morning. My coachman, Grimsby, has little to do here.” He held up his hand before George could protest. “And it suits me. Grimsby can bring back Cushing and a few of the staff.”
He’d been so pleased to see George, but he’d had enough. He’d never realized how little they had in common. George had introduced himself as his cousin at a race meeting just after Dominic sold out of the army. Not a close connection and they had never met before, but Dominic welcomed his friendship. It was different in London because they were always in the company of others. He rose and put a hand on the shorter man’s shoulder. “You’re on a dangerous path, George, and you should change it before it’s too late. I say this because I care what happens to you.”
