The Seduction of an Earl Read Online Free Page B

trying to accomplish on his lands. “Until I received a summons from Lord Ellsworth a week ago, I actually was,” he replied with a shrug. “And I am of the opinion that there are already far too many sheep in the Cotswolds.”
    Lord Devonville considered the earl’s words for a moment. “Oh, yes. That matter of his daughter,” he said with a hint of disappointment. “Can’t say I blame him for his concern, but ...” He allowed the sentence to trail off, his eyes suddenly squinting in Henry’s direction. “Tell me, Gisborn. What exactly are you planning on that estate of yours?” he wondered, his hands sliding into the pockets of his breeches as he wandered farther into the room. He made his way to a sideboard, where a crystal decanter and several glasses were placed on a silver salver. Pouring a finger’s worth of liquor into one glass, he turned to regard Henry as he held out the glass.
    “Thank you,” Henry said as he took the heavy tumbler, realizing almost immediately the liquor within was scotch. Malt scotch. Probably from Scotland and no doubt aged at least twelve years. “I have designed a series of irrigation ditches for the farmland on my property as well as the neighboring estate. It’s my intention to be able to drain the lands during heavy rains as well as to provide water for the crops during drier times.” He didn’t add that he’d purchased new seed drills for the planting and cradles for the harvest, nor that he was working on a design for a more efficient plow.
    The marquess regarded him for a moment and then poured a glass for himself. “So, you’re aware of what Aldenwood has prognosticated for this summer, eh?” he asked as he held his own glass out toward Henry.
    Not recognizing the name in association with predictions for the future, Henry regarded the marquess for a moment. “Aldenwood? I’m afraid I’m not familiar with him, my lord,” he replied as he noticed the marquess holding his glass out in his direction.
    “James Aldenwood. The world explorer,” Devonville stated, as if that was information enough.
    A surprised Henry clinked his own glass against Devonville’s before taking a sip of the amber liquid. The scotch burned his throat as it made its way down, but the effect was as comforting as it was restorative. “Oh, that’s very good, my lord,” he said with an appreciative nod.
    “Isn’t it? My brother makes the stuff up in the Highlands,” the marquess responded proudly. “Good thing he was born second. He’s not good for anything else,” he added with a mischievous grin.
    Henry smiled in response, realizing the younger brother of a marquess was merely the spare heir in a ton family. “I am, of course, familiar with Mr. Aldenwood’s writings about his various travels,” he admitted then, wanting to be sure the marquess knew he had at least heard of the man, “But I was not aware he was a prognosticator,” Henry added as he wondered how his intent for his lands and Aldenwood were related.
    The marquess moved to the fireplace. “Aldenwood and I are old friends. I used to travel with him on occasion. He has seen things – amazing things. His writings do not begin to cover all that he has witnessed in his lifetime. Last year, he was in Australia when a volcano erupted in the Dutch East Indies. The thing apparently put so much debris into the air, the sky was completely black down there for several days. The sun was so dim, you could look at it with the naked eye for many weeks afterward. And the debris hasn’t come down. All that stuff in the air – he says it’s why we have these gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, you see,” he explained, finally taking a sip of his scotch. He seemed to hold it on his tongue for a moment before swallowing it with a great deal of relish.
    Henry stared at the marquess for a moment before taking another sip of his scotch. “And is all this ... debris ... the reason we’ve had a colder winter? More rain?” he wondered,