pneumonia.”
“Help me stand.”
Rhys took hold of the older man and aided him from the bed. He took a few steps to his chamber pot and relieved himself, the stream dark and vile-smelling. Returning the earl to the bed, Rhys helped prop him up again so they could converse.
“I am so weary.” Sheffington sighed. “I cannot eat. I itch all over.”
“What does the doctor say?” he asked.
“That I am dying,” the earl spat out. He ran his fingers through the thin, greasy hair. “You want to know what is wrong with me?” He barked out a harsh laugh. “I have drunk myself to death.”
Sheffington closed his eyes, his body sagging. Rhys remained where he was, unsure if the earl had fallen asleep or not.
Finally, the nobleman opened his eyes again, his fatigue obvious.
“I apologize for leaving things in such poor condition. It was selfish of me.”
“The estate, you mean?”
“Yes. My father insisted I wed a woman who brought an immense dowry to the family coffers. I told him she was a shrew and I wanted no part of a union with her. Do you know what he said? That I should break her as Shakespeare’s Petruchio tamed the shrewish Katharina.” The earl shook his head. “He underestimated the tenacity of that termagant, as well as my ability to bring her to heel. She only produced the one, sickly child.” He shook his head. “Worthless woman. A marriage of convenience that turned out to be most inconvenient if you ask me.”
Rhys remained silent as the earl’s breathing grew labored. Despite his struggles, Sheffington continued to speak.
“I grew tired of a perpetually ill boy and a nagging, angry countess and retreated to London for the last ten years. Washed my hands of them and enjoyed myself immensely. My wife died two years ago. I didn’t even go to her funeral.” He sighed. “I was too ill myself to attend Raleigh’s last month. Now, no one is left—but you—to attend mine.”
Again, the earl closed his eyes and was silent for several minutes. Rhys bided his time until the man’s gaze suddenly bored into him.
“I have no idea what you will find when you go to Sheffield Park. You seem efficient. Confident. I am certain you will clean up any mess there and be a far better lord of the manor than I ever was. My father told me to grow up.” He smiled malevolently. “I never did. The most responsible thing I ever did was locate your mother and you and prepare you for this day.”
Despite the earl’s words, Rhys felt more than inadequate. He was frightened. He wasn’t raised to be an earl. He aped the manners of his fellow officers. He had heard stories from Dez about the ton and all of their insanely absurd rules. He wanted no part of this world. He never sought this man’s fortune or title.
Yet it was being thrust upon him. Looking at Sheffington, he wouldn’t be long for this world. And because Rhys would become the new earl, he would feel obligated to do far better than this bastard ever had. Rhys had come from nothing. Beyond this man purchasing him a commission, Rhys had worked hard for everything he had ever gained. He would work even harder to make things right at Sheffield Park again. Though he wasn’t good with people after having been at war a dozen years and had little social skills to draw upon, he believed he could do a better job than the present Earl of Sheffington ever had.
It would also be imperative to wed and produce an heir to hold the title after him. This was an opportunity he had been granted and he would not let it go to waste. Rhys vowed to learn everything he could about estate management and make his land thrive for his offspring. Dez could help him. Although his friend had only been an earl himself for the past nine months, Dez was the most intelligent man of his acquaintance. If anyone could help Rhys learn what to do in order to get an estate back on its feet, it would be the new Earl of Torrington.
He determined once Sheffington had passed, he would go to Sheffield Park and inspect it thoroughly, learning all he could about its current state of affairs. Once he did, he would visit Dez, who resided only three hours away, and get his advice. He wouldn’t be able to ask his friend to leave Torrington lands with Anna