The Great Estate

by Sherri Browning

  “And there you are caught in the middle. Awkward to have to side with one or the other.”

  “With Sophia, of course. I’m always on the side of my wife.”

  “As any smart man would be. Your mother must expect as much.” Grant shrugged. Clearly he had no idea what Gabriel was up against. Then again, he had worked for Alva Belmont. “The countess isn’t going to forgive you all that easily if you change her plans.”

  “I’m only keeping her at bay for now. Once we’ve settled the matter of canceling future reservations, I will seek her out with an apology for my behavior and present her with a gift.” He hoped the offer of a gift could make up for his horrible behavior and keep the peace between them.

  “Jewelry?” Grant stroked his chin, considering.

  Gabriel shook his head. “I always give her jewelry. It no longer makes much of an impact.” Though she had shown up wearing his aquamarine. Certainly it was a sign that she was eager to make up with him. “Perhaps an investment. Something to show her that I admire her business sense.”

  Grant nodded. “Stock?”

  “Land.” It had to be land. What did he value more than Thornbrook Park, after all? It was the only way to show Sophia that he loved her more than he loved even his ancestral estate. And by gifting her with a parcel of the land, to be all her own and not shared with him, he would be showing her that he trusted her judgment above all. It was perfect. “Some bit of reassurance that no matter what happens, she will always have a part of Thornbrook Park of her very own, to use as she chooses without any input from me.”

  “But which parcel?”

  “On the western border, there are a few acres of fairly flat land with a brook running through it all.” His favorite spot for fishing. He’d brought Sophia there for a picnic and she’d lost her temper with him because he’d paid more attention to his rod than to her. By putting that land in her hands, he would show her that his love for her exceeded all else. “She could build a cottage there or a little pavilion. Whatever her heart desires.”

  “Are you sure? What if she decides to sell?”

  She wouldn’t sell. He felt fairly certain that she’d become as attached to the land as he was. “It would be her choice, and I suppose I would have to be the one to buy it back. Draw up the papers with Kenner. I want to present it to her as soon as possible.”

  “As you wish, Lord Averford.”

  “Good. Now tell me, Grant, how soon can we have my mother back at the Dower House where she belongs?” However quickly, Gabriel was certain it could not be soon enough.

  Eight

  “To Tilly Meadow Farm, Mr. Dale,” Sophia informed the chauffeur once she was settled in the stiff leather seat.

  “Right away, my lady.” He adjusted the rearview mirror and met her gaze before turning his eyes to the road.

  They arrived in no time at all since the tenant farm was just a few miles from Thornbrook Park. Sophia put on her imperious face and waited for Dale to open the door for her. Normally, her visits to the farm were warm and friendly social calls. Today, she needed to take a more authoritative position. She couldn’t risk Prudence Cooper turning down her request.

  “I’ve warned you about showing up here in your fine clothes.” Mrs. Dennehy was as straightforward as always when she greeted Sophia at the door. “We like to put visitors to work no matter what they’re wearing.”

  Sophia smiled. “What would you have me do? I’m up for a challenge.”

  Leave it to Mrs. Dennehy to bring Sophia’s guard down immediately. The silver hair and slight build might fool some people into underestimating her on sight, but the old woman proved to be a commanding force as soon as she opened her mouth.

  Mrs. Dennehy’s eyes widened. “You’re a brave soul, Lady Averford. Unfortunately, no rough work today. The cows have already been milked. You can help me shell peas while we talk.”

  “Shelling peas it will be. But I’m here to speak to Prudence Cooper. Is she available?”

  Mrs. Dennehy nodded. “Who do you think has assigned me the task of shelling peas? She’s in the kitchen. We can sit with her in there.”

  They found Prudence rolling out dough for a pie on the enormous wood-block countertop. At the sight of Sophia, she set aside her rolling pin and wiped her hands on her apron. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware we had a visitor. I must look a fright.”

  “You’re lovely as usual,” Sophia said, and she meant it. Even with flour dusting her brown hair, sweet-faced Prudence looked like an angel from a Christmas card. “I understand we’re shelling peas?”

  The peas sat divided between a colander and a porcelain bowl on the table in the corner, with another empty bowl to one side. Sophia didn’t wait for an invitation to take her seat near one of the bowls. She stripped off her gloves and set them in her lap.

  “Goodness, no. Let’s go to the parlor. I’ll make some tea.” Prudence shot Mrs. Dennehy a look as if to say, “How could you expect the countess to shell peas?”

  Mrs. Dennehy shrugged without remorse and took the seat opposite Sophia. She judged people by their character, not by titles. Sophia respected her immensely.

  “I like it in here. The kitchen is so bright and cheerful. I’ve always liked gingham curtains. Did you make them, Mrs. Cooper?” When she was younger, Sophia had been skilled at embroidery, but she hadn’t had an occasion to pick up a needle and thread for years.

  “I did. Years ago now, when we first arrived.” The Coopers had lived at Tilly Meadow Farm since Gabriel’s brother had returned from his self-imposed exile to Thornbrook Park three years ago. Prudence Cooper was the widow of Marcus’s best friend who’d died at war, and Marcus had worked out a plan to get Prudence and her children out of London to help Mrs. Dennehy on the farm in the fresh country air.

  For Sophia, stitching had been an accomplishment, something to show off to tempt a husband, that she’d had the luxury to abandon after marriage. For Prudence Cooper, sewing was a necessary skill to stretch resources in a household with a limited budget. How different life had been for the two of them, Sophia and Prudence, two women of about the same age from such different backgrounds. Sophia felt more humble and less haughty by the minute. Perhaps she just didn’t have it in her to appear above it all any longer. Who was the better woman? Someone who had been born with every privilege, or someone who worked so hard for everything she had?

  “I guess it has been some years since I’ve been in this kitchen.” In the past, she had been able to put on airs. She was the countess. Suddenly, she couldn’t imagine how she could even pretend to be more important than Prudence or Mrs. Dennehy. “By all means, please finish your pie, Mrs. Cooper. We can talk more seriously once it’s in the oven baking. I must confess that I’ve never shelled peas. How is it done?”

  “Ha, and why would you? You probably have a footman hired just for the purpose of shelling peas.” Mrs. Dennehy laughed, but not at Sophia’s expense.

  Sophia laughed along. “That sort of task falls to a kitchen maid.”

  “I see.” Mrs. Dennehy demonstrated as they spoke, pinching off the stem end of the pod, pulling a stringy fiber to open the seam, and using her thumb to spill the peas into a bowl. She put the empty shell in another bowl. “In that case, the poor girl probably has other jobs too, like scrubbing pots and pans. Women are always expected to work harder than men.”

  Sophia couldn’t argue that, though she knew both men and women worked very hard at Thornbrook Park. “She has other jobs, mostly to help our cook, Mrs. Mallows, as needed. But the scullery maid is the one who scrubs pots.”

  “Imagine, Prudence? A maid just to scrub pots!” Mrs. Dennehy rolled her eyes.

  “It does seem indulgent, but I’m grateful for the help. Especially when we’re entertaining a crowd.” Sophia picked up a pea and made her first attempt. “Oh, they zip right open, don’t they? What do you do with the shells?” />
  “Put them in soups and stews for flavor. Sometimes we save them for the pigs.”

  “The pigs, yes. I’d forgotten that you’ve added some pigs recently.”

  “They’re great fun for the boys,” Prudence said. “Though I’m afraid young Finn might be getting too attached, and there goes any hope for bacon.”

  “He’ll learn.” Mrs. Dennehy nodded. “They all do.”

  Brandon, Prudence’s oldest boy, was nearly eighteen and doing a man’s work around the farm, but the youngest, Finn, was still only ten years old. “And the girls? Do they help with the livestock?”

  “They spoil me.” Mrs. Dennehy smiled with pride. In the short time that they’d all lived together, she had become like a grandmother to the Cooper children. “Mostly, they work around the house. I don’t think I’ve made a bed since they’ve moved in. If they had their way, they would have me sit my sorry old bones in a rocking chair day in and out. But to work is to live! I have to keep moving. They also help me with the milking. Emily, especially, has an interest in making cheese.”

  “And Anna?” Sophia asked reluctantly, afraid to hear something to put her off the mission that had brought her to the farm. “Has she come to like life on the farm? I recall that she was initially the most reluctant of your four to leave London.”

  “She was,” Prudence agreed. “She has come to think of it as home here, but she’s still a dreamer. There’s just not much society for a young girl on a farm.”

  Sophia nodded. “It’s Anna I’ve come to discuss. She’s sixteen now, old enough to seek out some new opportunities. I’m sure you dread to part with her, but I was wondering if I could ask her to come live at Thornbrook Park and act as my secretary.”

  “Your secretary?” Prudence sounded shocked. “But she doesn’t have any training.”

  “A minor issue, I believe. I can teach her what I want from her, and she can learn more from Mr. Kenner.” Keeping Mr. Kenner too busy to see to any of Gabriel’s requests. It was the perfect plan.

  “Your estate manager?”

  “My husband’s secretary, actually. Mr. Grant is now acting as our estate manager. It would be a wonderful opportunity for Anna to pick up some new skills, not to mention the social advantages. At Thornbrook Park, she would be able to meet more people and—”

  “Expand her circle to include more of the right people?” Mrs. Dennehy arched a thin silver brow.

  “More worldly people, perhaps,” Sophia acknowledged. “I certainly wouldn’t say they were all the right people, but I would do my best to watch over her, knowing that she is still young and impressionable.”

  “I trust you, Lady Averford. I know you would be a good influence on her. And she wouldn’t be so very far away after all.”

  “You’re welcome to call on her any time, and I’m sure she’ll come back here when she feels lonely or homesick or desperate for a slice of your delicious pie. It smells so good and you just put it in the oven.”

  “Strawberry rhubarb. I would be happy to send it over to the house for you when it’s cooled.”

  “Not necessary, but thank you. I wouldn’t want to surprise Mrs. Mallows with an unplanned addition to the menu.”

  “Of course. Brandon will be glad to hear it. Strawberry rhubarb is his favorite, and I believe he’s counting on this one to be his snack later today once he returns from harvesting.”

  “Brandon has done well on the farm. Marcus predicted he would thrive here.”

  “All of us have. We’re grateful to Mrs. Dennehy for taking us on.”

  “Where would I be without you and the children, Prudence dear? You’ve given this old woman new joy, and some much-needed relief. I would never have admitted it earlier, but it was getting difficult to keep up with everything on my own out here.”

  “If you can’t spare Anna, I understand,” Sophia said, though she was hoping to return home triumphant with her own secretary at her side. “But you should know that I plan to pay her well, a salary befitting a personal secretary to a countess.”

  “Let’s see what she has to say about all this, shall we?” Prudence suggested. “I can spare her if she would like to go.”

  “Then we’ll talk wages.” Mrs. Dennehy nodded. “I’m prepared to negotiate on her behalf, Lady Averford. Keep that in mind.”

  “I’m sure you wouldn’t let her go for any less than you feel she’s worth.”

  * * *

  Hours later, Sophia returned triumphant, an eager Anna at her side.

  “Have the footmen see to her things, Mr. Finch. Anna Cooper has become part of the household. My secretary.” Sophia, on tiptoes, looked over and around the butler, eager to see if Gabriel was walking about the hall. No sign of him.

  Anna, wide-eyed, spun a circle at the center of the room. “Your house is grand, Lady Averford. Very grand. I’m to live here, truly?”

  “Truly. I find it easier not to have to send a driver for my secretary when I need her.” She said the word “secretary” much louder than necessary, hoping to be overheard.

  “Of course.” Anna blushed quite prettily. Sophia had only just noticed how Anna had grown into her looks. As a child, she’d had squinty eyes and pinched cheeks, giving her the appearance of a shrew in the making. But with age, her face had filled out, as cherubic as her mother’s, and her doe-like eyes looked all around the room, apparently taking in every detail.

  “Put her in the yellow room, Finch.” Sophia stripped off her gloves and handed them to the butler.

  “Oh.” Anna looked confused. “Mother said a lady keeps her gloves on, even to take tea.”

  Sophia smiled. “Perhaps in more formal situations, and certainly at dinner. Normally, though, I prefer to be without them. Since it’s just us, we can do as we like.” In the past, Sophia had been more of a slave to convention, but she’d learned to live as she preferred in her own house when they weren’t keeping company. She refused to allow the fact that her mother-in-law was in residence to change her daily routine.

  Anna smiled and began tugging her gloves off one finger at a time. “I do like yellow. So lively. A room of my own!”

  Sophia didn’t have the heart to tell her that nothing in the room was actually yellow any longer. They’d simply been calling it the yellow room for as long as she could recall. It didn’t seem to matter. She wasn’t sure the girl had heard much of anything she’d said after promising her that she would have her own room. She couldn’t even be sure that Anna understood she would be receiving wages for her work, despite Mrs. Dennehy’s bargaining on her behalf.

  “You’ve always shared with your sister?”

  Anna nodded absently, clearly taken with the arrangement of flowers in the painted vase on the sideboard. “Always.”

  “You might find it lonely here at first, but you seem the sort to make friends quickly. Feel free to invite your sister to stay a night or two. Mr. Finch can arrange for our driver to fetch Emily any time you choose to invite her.”

  “I expect I’ll be too busy for visitors. When do we get started? Have you any letters to write? I’ve got neat handwriting, very precise, or so Mother often says.”

  Sophia shook her head. “No letters today. But since you’re so eager, we can introduce you around. Mr. Finch, where’s the earl hiding? Is he in his study?”

  “No, my lady. He went out some time ago.”

  “Out?” She cocked a brow. Hunting, no doubt. He probably couldn’t wait to get his hands on his rifle again. “Mr. Kenner, then? Or Mr. Grant?”

  Sophia meant to have words with both men regarding their treachery, but she especially had Mr. Grant in her crosshairs after his little show of support for her husband that morning. She wouldn’t stand for the servants taking sides…unless they were all on hers.

  “Mr. Grant is in the office. I’ll send Mr. Kenner along shortly.”

  “As soon as
you manage to locate him, you mean to say? Check the terrace. I think you might find him there.” She appreciated that Finch, ever the diplomat, had simply referred to the workspace as “the office” without assigning possession of it to either earl or countess. Well played. “Come along, Anna. Meet Mr. Grant.”

  Anna stayed on Sophia’s heels as she walked off down the hall. In time, perhaps, the girl would gain some confidence. Sophia did not bother to knock once she reached the office but breezed on in. Mr. Grant looked up with some surprise and shuffled the papers he’d been reading around on the desk before getting to his feet.

  “Good day, Lady Averford. What can I do for you?”

  “What can you do for me? That seems a great improvement from this morning when you were all eager to please my husband at my expense.”

  He shook his head. “It wasn’t like that. My apologies. I—”

  She held up a hand to stop him. “No need for excuses, Grant. My husband can be a very demanding man. It’s good that you’ve let him believe you do his bidding. It will suit me to keep him complacent.”

  Grant’s mouth quirked up in the corner, just a hint, a sure sign that he was no longer on sure footing around her. Good. Let him be unsettled.

  After a quick knock, Mr. Kenner entered without awaiting an answer. “You called for me?”

  “Yes, Mr. Kenner. Now that I have you both here, allow me to present Anna Cooper. Anna is my new secretary.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Mr. Kenner, I’ll expect you to take her under your wing. She might be young, but she’s eager and completely devoted. Come to think of it, you two might learn some things from her.”

  Kenner remained all business, nodding in her direction. Mr. Grant grimaced slightly in response to Sophia’s pointed words, but he recovered in time to flash a charming smile in Anna’s direction. “Lovely to meet you, Miss Cooper.”