Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,50

hope that one day people will think so. I intend to restore the estate and make my home there with my family.”

“Yes, you have a sister, I believe.” Hector sat forward, keen to end the suspense. Blackwood’s expression didn’t even flicker. “Restoring an estate in decline is a time-consuming and costly enterprise.”

“Life has been good to me,” Blackwood promised Hector but soon looked back at Ruby.

“What does your sister think of the place?” Ruby asked him.

Blackwood’s jaw clenched momentarily. “My family are excited about the move, and my sister will particularly benefit from experiencing the slower pace of country life.”

Hector quickly read between the lines. Blackwood would brook no opposition from his sister about the move, not if the woman wanted to enjoy his support in the coming years. Everyone whispered Molly Blackwood was well on her way to becoming as notorious as her brother. Blackwood was likely removing her from London to protect what remained of her reputation.

Hector wished the man all the luck in the world. He had tried to wrangle his sister Meg, for a different reason, in the same high-handed fashion when he’d brought Meg to The Vynes last year. A change of scenery had done Meg’s glum mood the world of good.

“I’m sure they will love living there once they see the place,” Ruby promised.

“Yes, an ambitious but achievable project for a man willing to exert himself for the good of the family,” Vyne said in praise of Blackwood, then he turned to Hector, and his expression soured. “Something I understand you were not willing to do, since you sold your wreck of an estate to my son last year,” Lord Vyne accused.

Hector was well aware that his interests and society’s expectations clashed over his sale of the Cornwall estate. The place had simply not suited him. “I made a tidy profit from the transaction,” Hector shot back with a satisfied smile. “And I made my sister happy in the bargain, since she lives there with Lord Clement even now.”

Vyne scowled. “They should be here.”

Hector shrugged. “Snow has never been my sister’s favorite weather.”

“Mine either,” Ruby admitted softly. “Gentlemen, I am afraid you will have to excuse me.”

“Of course.” Blackwood rose, and Hector did, too.

“Very well.” Vyne glanced at his pocket watch, nodded, but remained seated. “We will see you again at dinner tonight at seven o’clock, Niece. Wear something pretty to charm my guest.”

“Of course, Uncle,” she promised, and then directed a warm smile at Blackwood that Hector instantly coveted. “Until tonight, sir.”

She merely inclined her head to Hector then left the room.

When Ruby’s steps could no longer be heard, Hector sat again. Why had Ruby smiled so warmly at Blackwood?

When a servant brought spirits and started passing glasses around, Hector declined.

Lord Vyne smiled. “So, big changes afoot at Longlean.”

“Indeed.”

“You’ll want a wife soon, too, I imagine,” Vyne noted.

Hector straightened up in his chair, interested in seeing where this conversation would go next.

“Yes, people do say a wife will be necessary to bring Longlean back to life.” Blackwood looked at the doorway. “I had already determined to do just that.”

Blackwood didn’t look enthused about the idea of making a marriage though. But every man with a fortune needed someone to inherit—even Hector would need a wife one day. To Blackwood, he said, “It seems everyone my age is in a hurry to shackle themselves to a ball and chain.”

“Marriage is a means to an end,” he answered. “Don’t imagine living as a husband will change my nature very much.”

“I’m keen to hear how you will avoid it?”

“How isn’t important,” Blackwood said, shrugging off Hector’s question.

Vyne was nodding. “A match well made, connecting you to the right family, will ensure society opens its doors to you.”

Blackwood nodded.

Vyne learned forward. “I could be of assistance.”

Blackwood stared at Vyne. “Could you indeed?”

“Well, yes,” Vyne promised.

“I must say I am intrigued.”

Hector glanced down at his empty hands as Vyne gushed about his extensive list of acquaintances. The doors he could open for Blackwood. Hector did not like the sound of this alliance forming before his very eyes. Whoever Blackwood took as a wife would just be a means to an end for both men. Vyne’s insistence on helping likely served his own purpose, too.

Once Blackwood had been accepted into society, his poor wife would no doubt be cast aside to a country estate—to be visited only to get an heir and a spare. It happened all the time in society, he knew, but it was the first time