A Little Bit Scandalous Page 0,50
so full of determination. “Though the damned tenant who previously agreed to terminate the lease early has since changed his mind.”
She hadn’t mentioned any of that. “I thought Mrs. Murdock died recently.”
“She did and originally her son agreed that with her death we would end the lease. But now he has changed his mind.” She shook her head, looked back out the window, her hand holding back the thread-worn curtain. “He says he intends to live here himself. I checked with the solicitor that handled the lease and it is quite binding. At least he won’t be bringing the dogs back with him.”
She sounded so defeated, so sad, that he knew no matter what he would fix it for her. This he knew he could take care of. Mr. Murdock could go away with a fatter purse and Caroline would be none the wiser. Still, it concerned Roe to think of Caroline all alone in this house. The thought was nearly more than he could bear. “I could help you find a husband,” he said. They’d talked about it a long time ago, shortly after she’d proposed to him, but she’d told him then if she couldn’t marry him, she didn’t want to marry anyone. But that had been years ago and she seemed so different now, so much more mature and worldly.
Her mouth opened, then closed, and set in a tight line.
Evidently that still held true. His stomach tightened and all at once he wanted to fall to his knees and beg her to be his duchess. But that would never do. He’d be a wretched husband to her, just as his father had been to his mother and his grandfather before that. He would not put sweet, beautiful Caroline in that position. She deserved a hell of a lot more than an irresponsible rake like him.
“No, thank you,” she said. “I know you men seem to think you’re the answer to all problems, but I really don’t feel the need to marry. Perhaps someday, if I could find someone to love, someone who loved me in return,” she said wistfully.
“It’s true. Men need to feel useful. Allow me to assist you in the renovations, then. Caroline, I have plenty of money. And you have the funds from the renter, those are all in an account for you.”
Her mouth opened, then closed. She shook her head. “I had not realized I had such monies.”
“Did you think I was taking those funds and simply absorbing them? It is your money, this is your house.”
“Truthfully, I hadn’t given it much thought, which now seems foolish. I suppose I thought that the funds went to my care, clothing, and my own rent and whatnot.”
He sighed. “Caroline, you never need owe me rent or anything. I pay for your care, as you put it, as I would any member of my family. I think nothing of it.”
“The funds from the rent will help.”
“It will not cover all of the repairs.” He looked around him. “You’ll need additional monies.”
“Which I shall earn myself. But I could actually use some assistance hiring an appropriate person to manage the work load around here.” She smiled softly. “The list of architects is overwhelming, at best. And to be honest, I wouldn’t know a fair price for the labor that’s needed.”
“Consider it done. I know the architect Justin used for his country estate. The man and his son are hard workers, and they will give you a more than fair price.” And if they didn’t, he’d cover the remainder. Again he fought the urge to reach up and touch her, to wind the curl that played at her ear around his finger.
Caroline and Roe left her townhome together. Roe had instructed the driver to take them to the orphanage. When they arrived they were led inside the main corridor. Mrs. Hancock, the housekeeper and general caretaker of the girls, met them inside.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Your Grace, I’m afraid Mr. Lamb is not in at the moment. I suspect he’ll return within an hour or two. Shall I give him a message?”
Roe shook his head. “No, we’ve actually come to see you.”
The woman blushed despite her advanced age. “Me? For heaven’s sake why?”
“You know more about this orphanage than anyone. It seems fitting that if we need a tour of the grounds, you’re the best person to ask,” Roe said.
Caroline had to give him credit—when he wanted to, Roe knew how to be a complete charmer.
The woman wiped her