The Virtuous Ward - By Karla Darcy Page 0,56

like."

"Don't tell me you're setting up as a matchmaker," Max drawled, sitting down on the bench beside the laughing girl.

"He's a wonderful man and just perfect for Betta. I think he will declare himself soon now that his prospects have improved," she answered.

"Perhaps you might enlighten me as to who this young man is and how you have become acquainted with him," Max said. His tone was light but Amity noticed the hint of purpose behind his words. "In fact, my charming baggage, you might consider telling me about the additional servants in the household, not to mention the goat and the ever-so-adorable piglets."

"Oh," said Amity, her eyes widening in surprise at the extent of his knowledge.

"Indeed, my dear." Max leaned against the back of the bench and folded his arms across his chest.

By his attitude, Amity was conscious that he was determined to wait until she had explained and, gulping once, she nodded, acknowledging that it was time to open her budget. She began with her meeting with Jason and the plan she and Betta had concocted to help the returning soldiers. He listened with attention, occasionally interjecting a question.

"You have been busy since your arrival in London. And all the time I thought you were gadding about shopping." Max shook his head in amazement. Amity was running some sort of charity rig to find jobs for returning soldiers while most fashionable ladies of the ton were unaware that there was even a need for such action.

"I did go shopping in the beginning, Max," she argued. "But once I gathered my wardrobe there was little to do. As you know I was involved in the running of Beech House and I had begun to feel useless here in town. Now I have much with which to occupy myself. There is always someone in need of a job, or...."

"Don't tell me," Max said, rolling his eyes to the heavens. "There is always someone who needs a home."

She giggled at his expression, then sobered and spoke quite seriously. "I am sorry to have caused you any concern, Max. I would have told you but I was afraid you might not have approved of my enterprise and I did so want to be useful."

"Never fear, poppet. I shouldn't approve but I have to admit it pleases me to find you have such a generous heart." He watched the flush of color rise in her cheeks at his words. He was used to the fact that she was a beauty but there was an almost incandescent glow to her skin that quite took his breath away. He shook his head to dispel the magic he felt in her presence. "I think I am aware of most of your startling machinations, but I would still like to understand what has been going on in my storeroom."

"I forgot that part," Amity admitted sheepishly. "It was Jason's idea. Not to use the garden storeroom. I fear that was something that I hit upon."

"Just give me the straight of it, girl, or we'll be here until winter sets in," Max said.

"Yes, sir. Jason mentioned that some of the soldiers wanted to start a farm. It would provide food for those in desperate need and a place for some of the injured to go. I suggested to him that he locate a likely property and when he had discovered one not too far from London I instructed Henderson, my man of business, to purchase it as an investment. The men agreed to the proposition once I was able to set up a system whereby they could pay off the loan and eventually own the farm themselves."

"Devil you say!" Max was stunned at the businesslike attitude of his ward. "It was my understanding that Henderson was the one making all the decisions on behalf of your estate. Now I begin to wonder."

"In the beginning that was true, Max, but as I grew older I began to take an active role in the management of the estate. Henderson trusts my judgment now and is more than willing to accept my orders."

"It has become apparent to me that the vast store of knowledge I had concerning women has been tested by my meeting with you," Max said. He shook his head in bewilderment and grimaced at his ward's tinkling laughter. "Continue if you please," he said.

"Well, after I purchased Lady Guinevere," she said, grinning in remembrance of the pathetic mare, "it occurred to me that I might keep my eyes open