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matters..."
    "The devil you say. And he is interested in Kitty?" The earl's face turned a disturbing shade of red.
    "I know not for a certainty. He says many things to unhinge me." John shrugged, flopping back against his seat, a feeling of dejection overwhelming him. "I warned him, if he ever lay so much as a hand on my Kitty…"
    The earl's eyebrows rose, but a slight smile tugged at his mouth. "We can take steps to prevent his association with Kitty. Do not become overwrought."
    "I have already warned Kitty against coming to the estate without her ladyship in attendance. I could not be as direct as I would have liked. Kitty is so innocent she would not comprehend a monster such as that man."
    "Ahem. Quite right. Well, I shall have a talk with her mother. Now about your inheritance. Have you the details of the new will?"
    "Yes, sir. I will not achieve independence until I am one and twenty. The estate could well be non-existent by then."
    "I agree, but what can you do?"
    John paused with his eyes affixed on Lord Raeburn. "You would do me a great honor, sir, if you would assist me in protecting what will be mine and Kitty's very livelihood. It would require deception on your part. But if Kitty and I are to salvage anything, I feel I have no choice."
    The earl's hand rose to trace the corner of his mouth in contemplation. "I see. You wish me to keep something from your father…and from your uncle, when he executes the will."
    "Yes. I have already spoken to the estate manager." He couldn't reveal that Timmons had already agreed to assist him unless the earl became a part of their scheme. "I urged him to make what repairs are needed to the tenant cottages, the storage barns, and the fencing before my father dies. It is obvious my uncle will let the estate fall to ruin around our ears. He has an unnatural desire for fashion and no desire for that which sustains life. I have seen him partake of little food, but he is nearly always with drink. Last eve he fell down the stairs, foxed."
    "But, you are what, eight and ten? Repairs will not last another three years. I'm afraid you need to take more drastic measures."
    "I have a plan, your lordship, but I need your participation for success."
    The earl sat back in his chair, his eyes hooded and wary. "Let us hear it. We must do something if you and Kitty…" He waited for John to speak.
    "I want Mr. Timmons to build a new fence. If my uncle bothers to finish his inspection of our lands, he will be told the fence is the boundary line...that we sold the rest of the property. Within the land set aside, we build a barn for stockpiling assets away from my uncle. It should provide for the tenants and the livestock throughout the year. Should my neighbors become interested in the new fencing, they will be told it is for the introduction of new livestock.
    "Now, this is where I need your participation and silence." He took a fortifying breath. "I want you to have your estate manager sell certain portions of my harvest every year and for you to keep the funds for the protection of my estate. Perhaps we could even draw up a legal document giving you the authority to make sales for me and establish a savings in the anticipation of my wedding to your daughter. In the event of my demise, you may keep the funds as a settlement for Kitty."
    "What of your other estates?"
    "If possible, my manager will attempt to care for the tenants on the other estates. But my ultimate purpose is to protect Somerset Park…and the London townhouse. Kitty will wish to visit London from time to time. My uncle may well lose the rest of it. I have heard of guardians who gamble away the entire estates of their wards. You must not let that happen, sir."
    The Earl of Raeburn shook his head. "Seymour, it is a fine idea. I admire you, boy, but…"
    John's heart lurched.
    Raeburn shook his head again, then looked at John and relaxed. "There will be problems to this endeavor, but I'm sure we can work it out." He rose and held