Page 12 of Aurelia

She was gazing at the handsome paragon beside her, no doubt admiring his perfect profile. He could not blame her; there was no denying the baronet was far more appealing to look at than Roland.

“A group of young men accosted Miss Larissa Clifford this morning. Fortunately, Miss Burton stopped them before they could do too much harm.”

Roland’s eyes—both the one that worked and the other that was hidden beneath the black leather eye patch—widened. “Did you, indeed, Miss Burton?”

“I only made them pause their abuse,” she demurred. “Sir Gideon was the real hero.”

Talbot murmured something suitably modest and flashed his white teeth, which were as perfect as the rest of him.

Roland absently tongued his chipped canine as he watched the handsome pair smile at each other. Why did he find their mutual appreciation so damned annoying?

“Do you know the names of the men?” Roland asked, having had enough of their mating dance.

Talbot pulled his gaze from Miss Burton with visible effort and took a piece of paper from his coat pocket and handed it to him.

Roland studied the short list. He recognized the surnames but did not know the lads themselves. He glanced up. “I will look into the matter tomorrow.”

“It is unlikely that Miss Clifford will wish to pursue any action against the men,” Talbot said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised. Fortunately, bringing charges is not the only weapon in my arsenal. Based on the surnames, at least three of these lads live in my cottages. I will speak to their fathers and make them aware of my displeasure and how that might lead to the revocation of their leases, or a precipitous rise in rents.” Roland smiled. “I daresay that will do something to encourage good behavior.”

Talbot’s expression was one of mild disapproval. The handsome baronet was the white knight to Roland’s black prince. They didn’t know each other well, but what Roland did know of Sir Gideon was that he was universally adored.

Roland doubted there were too many who felt that way about him.

“Was that all you wished to see me about? Or was there something else?” Roland asked.

Talbot was nonplussed by Roland’s obvious dismissal, but he rallied quickly. “No—no, that was all. Oh, actually, there was one more thing.” He turned to Miss Burton. “Might I have the sketch?”

Miss Burton looked at Roland.

Roland raised his eyebrows. “Yes?”

“Er, I made a sketch of Sir Gideon as he was rowing me over to Crewe and would like to give it to him as a thank you. Might I have some cardstock to protect it? So it doesn’t become damaged.”

Roland stared at her just long enough to make her cheeks flush a delightful pink and then inclined his head toward the north wall, where he had a small work area beneath the window. “You will find what you need on those shelves.”

She stood and Roland appreciated the back view of her, which was every bit as delightful as the front.

He heard a throat clearing and turned to see Sir Gideon regarding him with a stern look.

Roland was amused, rather than annoyed, that the man had the stones to chastise him under his own roof.

Miss Burton came hurrying back with two stiff pieces of cardstock. She fumbled in her satchel and took out a sketchpad. Her fingers shook as she flipped through it and then tore out a page.

“Let me see,” Roland said.

Miss Burton blinked at his peremptory tone, but obediently crossed the few feet between them and handed him the sketch.

The woman had masterfully captured the essence of Talbot, the sea, and a miniature collection of buildings in the distance that was undisputably Balcrewe. And she had done it all with shockingly few lines. She was a very fine artist, indeed.

Roland looked up as he handed the sketch back to her. “How much are you charging him for it?”

Her jaw dropped and Roland laughed. “I am just teasing. Talbot can pay me directly seeing as you are currently in my employ.”

Neither of the two laughed.

Miss Burton deftly packaged the sketch and gave it to Talbot.