Best Laid Plans (A Gentleman of Misfortune, Book 2)

Chapter Ten

Ward was amused by how quickly I organized our excursion away from Bath. My efforts were delayed by the need to complete paperwork to confirm Pearsend as mine. In three days, however, we were rolling out of that town in a post-chaise. With my winnings, I was well able to afford the extravagance just this once.

What I didn't plan for was the boredom of the passing hours. I did not have any novels to read and I'd read all the newspapers at the inn before we left. Ward was not inclined to conversation, so I was left to my own thoughts.

I couldn't deny a certain amount of excitement about arriving at Pearsend. Even if it was a small estate, it might be just the thing to have as my main dwelling. That was, of course, if it was in good repair. Even if it needed some attention, it might be agreeable to have an estate to call my own.

The distance between it and my father's estate would be enough I wouldn't feel as though my father were looking over my shoulder. At the same time, it would be nothing to travel to Bywood Hall is my mother needed me.

Since returning from my Grand Tour, it had become apparent that I needed something to occupy my time. A project, so to speak. An estate in need of attention might be just the thing.

The moment I stepped out of the carriage, however, I knew why Dunbar hadn't had any interest in buying back the estate. "This place hasn't been open in at least a decade," I said, noting the overgrown lawn and the vines that were growing up the side of the stone wall. "Longer, if I'm not mistaken."

"Sell it, before you lose a single cent," Ward said immediately as he stepped out behind me. "If you're quick and can find a naive fool, you might make manage to come out of it without any loss."

"We haven't seen the inside yet, Ward. Maybe there is some hope for the place." I forced myself to speak with an optimism I did not feel. "A good gardener could fix the outside, don't you think?"
"An army of gardeners, maybe, but even that seems a naive hope."

"Well, then, that would be something."
As we approached the front door, I took the time to examine the glass. Each pane was dull, in need of a good cleaning. No one had come to the door, making me wonder if there was anyone still employed on the estate.

I tugged on the bell and waited. "Why did Dunbar have the estate in the first place? I was told it wasn't a family inheritance, and that several have owned Pearsend over the years."
"No doubt it had been passed around via card winnings," Ward said, making a thorough examination of the mud covering the front steps. "In any event, he hasn't taken any interest in the place. Actually, I don't think you could get anything if you tried to sell it. Who would be fool enough to want this place?"

Just as I was about to reach for the bell again, the door creaked open. An elderly man peered out at me. "Can I help you?" he asked, suspicion lacing his tone. There were dozens of lines around his gray eyes, which were narrowed. "The master is not at home."

"Ah. Yes. I am now the owner of Pearsend Estate," I said to him. "I'm Lucas Bywood. This is my friend, Mr. John Ward. We have come to make an accounting of the estate."

The man heaved a sigh and I thought I heard him mumble, "Again." Then, he cleared his throat. "Of course. Please step in, sir. I will summon the staff."

"So there is a staff," Ward said in a low voice as he followed me inside. "I am all astonishment."

There was a musty smell in the hall. Even from a distance, I could see the dullness of the banister. "If I had to guess, I would say none of them have done any work," I said to him. "In at least a year."

Ward's elbow hit my side. "I'd say it's more like they were incapable of working."
I swung my gaze to the right and stared as the butler led the staff in. None of them could have been younger than sixty years old. All had gray hair and wrinkles aplenty. All looked to be in need of being pensioned off and replaced with new staff. They lined up and stared right back at me without any hint of humility.