Gareth: Lord of Rakes Read Online Free PDF Page A

matters to discuss.”
    Michael Brenner, an auburn-haired young man who gave off an air of serious purpose, did as bid. Gareth paid him a tidy sum to do as he was bid, whenever he was bid, and without fussing or dramatics.
    “I trust your journey was uneventful,” Gareth said, putting aside his reading a moment later.
    “It was, your lordship. The distillery is humming along in fine style, and you’ll have my report by morning.”
    “You didn’t have time to write it on the journey south?”
    “I did draft it, but it requires recopying so as to be more legible.”
    Brenner spoke the truth—nobody in Gareth’s employ for more than a day would lie, dissemble, euphemize, prevaricate, or otherwise attempt to bamboozle him. Those who tried were soon unemployed and in want of a character.
    “Give it to the amanuensis. Your time is to too valuable to spend copying reports. What do you know of a Felicity Worthington?”
    Brenner shot his cuffs, which Gareth had long ago realized meant the man was arranging his thoughts.
    “The Worthington family has weathered some difficulty, your lordship, as a result of Viscount Fairly’s demise without male issue. I believe his wife predeceased him, having died giving birth to a daughter before you went up to university. The other daughter is quite a bit older, well beyond her come-out. Both were to have become wards of the Crown, at least nominally, but at the time of the viscount’s death, there was an older relation prepared to take them in. I believe that relation, an aunt, has since died.”
    Brenner had nearly memorized Debrett’s New Peerage , and could recite most documents he’d read verbatim—part of the reason Gareth had been paying him a princely sum for the past two years.
    “How are the daughters supported, Brenner? Fairly has been dead at least five years.” Gareth stared out into the garden, not seeing the brave crocuses, but rather, recalling a pair of serious topaz eyes.
    “I am not sure how the Worthington ladies manage, my lord. The aunt left the girls some money, but I believe their circumstances are significantly reduced.”
    “Is there a cadet branch of the family, some obscure offshoot of an obscure younger son?”
    “Not that I am aware of. One would think, in a case of escheat, every line and branch would have been explored before such a radical step was initiated.”
    Gareth did not acknowledge Brenner’s statement of the obvious. Escheat was the unthinkable tragedy threatening every titled family, the reason why the succession must be ensured at all costs. In his own family, avoiding escheat meant his title had passed to him upon the simultaneous deaths of his grandfather, his uncle, his cousin, his father, and his older brother. His was the kind of story that had the peerage fornicating like rabbits until the requisite heir and spare had been safely raised to manhood.
    It was also the reason Gareth avoided visiting his family’s distillery and never overindulged in strong spirits.
    He turned his attention back to the matters before him. Brenner, at least, did not seem aware Callista Hemmings was related to the Worthingtons, which was encouraging.
    “You will investigate the situation of Viscount Fairly’s surviving issue. I want to know the circumstances of the estate upon his death, and what the Crown has done with the properties since. I also need to know whatever you can determine about the properties owned by the late Callista Hemmings, and don’t limit yourself to the Pleasure House. Get some trustworthy eyes on the Worthington household while you’re at it. Be discreet—but this account can be written.”
    “My pleasure, my lord.” Brenner stood and bowed slightly, heading for the door, his expression suggesting he was already mentally organizing his assignments.
    “Brenner?”
    He stopped. “Something else, my lord?”
    “You have my thanks for your efforts inspecting the distillery in Scotland. I would not have made the journey