“As it happens, I do.” He grinned at the apothecary. “Thank you, Alice—you and Millie will assuredly hear all this evening.”
Already back at her snipping, Alice raised a hand in acknowledgment. “I’ll look forward to it. Hearing of success is always encouraging.”
Caitlin allowed him to twine his arm with hers and lead her back to the central path. “By your smugly delighted expression, it’s plainly good news.”
“Definitely.” He told her of Nicholas’s request-cum-order. “The thing is the Cynster stables currently rank as the premier Thoroughbred stable for both training and breeding in all of England. Once news of their purchase of Sutton leather for their new saddles gets out, the demand will skyrocket.”
“What do the Suttons think of that?”
He half grimaced. “Coming on top of the Oxford inquiries for the bindery, at first, they almost panicked.”
“Too much success all at once?”
“Indeed. But I talked them through it, and we agreed it would be best for them to consult with Martin and Malcolm regarding increasing the supply of hides and, depending on what Nene and Home Farm can manage, looking into other sources in the local area. I suggested they keep the business as local as possible so Len can be sure of the quality. It’s the quality of Sutton leather and the fine working on the bindings that are the principal advantages of their products, so they won’t want to compromise on either in any way.”
“Sound advice.” She looked at him with open admiration, the sight of which quite went to his head.
He smiled almost inanely. “I left them discussing hiring more workers once the deals are finalized.”
“You’ve plainly taken your role of owner to heart.” Approvingly, she met his eyes. “Timms would be cheering you on.”
He read her certainty of that in her expression and felt something inside him rejoice.
He wanted to seize the moment. The impulse to go down on bended knee and beg her to marry him waxed strong, but…the specter of Ecton and his doings and the rather more definite obstacle of her uncle loomed in his path.
Just a little longer.
Facing forward, he looked up at the house. If Ecton ran true to form and fulfilled local expectations, he would lose patience and leave for London soon. Once he had, the nebulous, ill-defined threat he currently posed would evaporate.
As for her uncle, he would have to be faced and overcome regardless.
Once Ecton departs, I’ll ask her.
That, he told himself, was a vow.
They reached the door, and he opened it and ushered her inside.
He fell in beside her as they started along the dimly lit corridor.
There was a small alcove farther along, out of sight of the doorway and the front hall. As they drew level, he looped his arm about her waist and stepped smartly sideways, into the alcove’s shadows.
She looked up at him, her eyes going wide. “What—?”
He answered by sealing her lips with his, and as she responded and softened, he drew her closer and plunged them both into the kiss, intent on reaching the point at which they’d been forced to break apart the last time they’d been in the rose garden.
And then, interruptions permitting, this time, go further.
Chapter 14
The next day, as was Gregory’s wont, after luncheon, he retreated to the library to deal with his correspondence and then work on his plans for the Hall’s businesses.
As he walked toward the room that had become his sanctuary, he found he was smiling. All in all, matters at the Hall and on the estate were progressing well—smoothly and in a positive direction. Not only were his first attempts at improvements bearing fruit, but his way forward with Caitlin had clarified.
Her cousins were settling into the fabric of life at the Hall. Rory divided his time between Nene Farm and the carpentry workshop, while Hamish was predictably in demand—at Home Farm for his assistance with the flock and more generally about the estate wherever stonework needed attention. And now there were the new storehouse for the Osiery and cider mill and also an extension for the leatherworks to be built, and in what spare time Hamish had, he was sculpting in the last bay in the carriage works, which Jenkins and his lads had happily surrendered for the stonemason’s use. As for Daniel, he’d immediately fallen feetfirst into the company of the painters, so that group had grown from three to four.
Gregory knew Caitlin was pleased and not only because of the ready assimilation of her cousins into Hall life. She was quietly yet openly delighted with Gregory’s continuing development of his role as owner of Bellamy Hall.
She was unwaveringly encouraging, and if the kisses and caresses they shared each night before reluctantly parting for their respective beds were any guide, she was as committed as he to the future he was endeavoring to create.
