Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(74)

One of Edward’s stable boys found him in town to announce the arrival of the much-anticipated carriage.

“Let them know I’m on my way,” he told the boy then turned to finish what he had been doing. When he was done, he looked around at everything else he could do and then laughed. ‘Nope. Time to face my travellers.’

Edward cleaned up the best he could under short notice then walked into his parlour filled with people who all wanted a piece of his time, except maybe for the shy girl.

Cecilia stood and opened her arms, prompting Edward to walk into her embrace. “Oh, Edward. You look exhausted. You’re working too hard. You will take time out to be with me.”

“Hello, Mother,” he replied, and then backed out of her embrace.

“Would you do the honours?”

“Certainly. You have met Sir Jeffrey Lyons? He’s an agriculture expert. He has been telling us about how his job will help you. A fascinating man.

Edward and Sir Jeffrey bowed.

Cecilia turned Edward in a semi-circle. “And this dear lady is our friend, Mirabelle Osgood.”

Edward bowed, but Mirabelle curtsied without greeting him or looking into his eyes. He glanced at Penelope. She had her hands full with this one.

“Brother,” Penelope said, “sit near me and tell me all your progress since I was last here.”

He sat next to Penelope then promptly tried to bore the three ladies to death with talk of leaky roofs and rutted roads. Then Edward turned to Penelope.

“You ladies look exhausted. After tea, may I suggest you rest while Sir Jeffrey and I travel the fields?”

Cecilia sighed. “Sir Jeffrey made our journey easier to bear, but I’m afraid you’re right, Edward.”

Edward pulled the bell. When Thomas arrived, he gave instructions to show the ladies to their rooms.

“Let me apologize outright, Sir Jeffrey, if your journey here was difficult. I’m not sure I could handle that group for long, although it seems Lady Osgood doesn’t have much to say.”

“Thank you, My Lord, but your mother and sister are wonderful company. Your sister warned me about Lady Osgood, and what she said was true. I haven’t any idea what the young lady’s voice sounds like.

“No matter. I’m pleased to be here. Shall we get started?”

“Would you like a few minutes in your room before we go?”

Sir Jeffrey smiled, “Not necessary. Let’s go.”

Edward found Sir Jeffrey to be dedicated to his profession. The man wanted to walk clear through the fields with a spade in hand, turning over the dirt periodically to test the level of water in the soil.

“You say it rained the day before yesterday? A drizzle, steady rain, a downpour? For how long?”

“I’d say five hours drizzle, six hours steady.”

Sir Jeffrey nodded and walked on.

“My Lord, did you say you have plans drawn up of your property, or should I take notes to draw them up later?”

“We have full property plans, including borders. They seem to be in good order and accurate. I’m not sure when they were last updated.”

He walked on, Edward and the horses behind him.

Sir Jeffrey walked into the next field and swung his arm down his side and to the back. “For the sheep. Where next?”

“Pardon, Sir Jeffrey?” Edward said.

“You don’t want to grow anything here. Keep it for the sheep.”

“This way, then,” Edward said and grinned at the back of Sir Jeffrey as he walked ahead.

*****





Chapter 30


“Come,” Edward said, turning to see Cara enter the office. “Shut the door, Cara.”

She curtsied then did. She sat in her usual chair.

“How is our patient?” Edward asked, sitting tall behind his desk, hands folded together.

“He’s better, My Lord, but I would like to give him more lemongrass, with your permission. The guards tell me he has quiet moments but then gets himself into a state that makes their jobs difficult.”

“I see. Go ahead with more lemongrass. Is there another healer you can meet with to find out if anything stronger than lemongrass exists?”

“My mother’s aunt lives in the next village, My Lord. I could ask her.”

“I’ll send you on horseback with two escorts to leave at ten this morning. Is there anything else to do?”

“No, My Lord,” Cara said, stood, curtsied, and said goodbye.

*****

“Either my mother or I will always be with you, so you will never be alone while we do this,” Penelope said gently.

She looked at Mirabelle and smiled. She had to fight the urge to pat her head. Her hands made her so shy and self-conscious, making Mirabelle seem much younger than her twenty-two years.

Mirabelle was one of Penelope’s favourites but also one of her most difficult ‘tea girls.’ She had been to tea six times and spent two and a half days in the same carriage with her, and Penelope could count on one hand the number of words Mirabelle spoke.

“Our goal, Mirabelle, is to get you ready to run a home this size. I told Edward you had experience running a house, but I didn’t mention the size of the house. Now that we have toured it, and you are familiar with its size, it should be a comfort that you know every room, every piece of linen, and every utensil in this house. We are ready.