"He'll like that, with the horses," Adam said, pleased by how cooperative Declan was being. It was a strange feeling, this confidence and power to influence the master of the house. "He'll accept the house and see to its management. I assume there's a skeleton staff in place to maintain it? If you'll give me the contact information, I shall write ahead and inform them of your brother's preferences."

Adam sat up a little straighter, letting his attitude fade now that they were working toward the same purpose. "I can't do anything about him marrying--you heard how set he is on that count. I can see about getting him to settle down and stop making such a scandal of himself." Adam wasn't at all sure that he could manage that, but he was willing to give it a try.