“Don’t think of it as me giving you money. When the inhabitants or visitors of the manor buy things from the village, it is good for the local economy. But I never go there. Nor have I had visitors who may do so. This is my long overdue contribution to the local economy, and you are just my means of doing so.”
Olivia had to smile despite herself. “How can you give me money and suggest that it is me who is doing you a favor?” She shook her head.
“It is the truth, Olivia. Being the biggest landowner in the region, I am responsible for the villages that depend on the estate. I have not been doing my duty well by them in recent years.”
“I find that hard to believe. From all I’ve seen, you take excellent care of everyone and everything.” An idea struck her. “Why don’t you come with me then? It is always more reassuring when the lord shows up and not just an unknown guest. I’m sure the villagers will be happy to see you.”
“No, they will not. There’s a reason I excluded myself from local life.”
She didn’t want to pry, but the curiosity must have shown on her face because he made a wry expression and replied.
“I am not ready to talk about my past sins just yet. Maybe I never will be...” he added in a sotto voce. “Take the money, please. And also your maid and a footman. If you need more, just charge whatever you want to the estate account. All the shops will extend the credit. They’ll take my money even if they don’t want to see me darken their doorstep.”
With that, he lowered his head back to the paperwork, effectively ending the conversation and dismissing her all at once. Olivia stood rooted to the spot. Gritting her teeth.
She advanced towards the desk. The bank notes still sat upon it.
"Just take the money already," he said with a touch of exasperation, still not looking at her.
It went against her grain to just take money for nothing, but she could not reasonably refuse it. In fact, she might offend him if she did so. Swallowing her pride, she put the money in her pocket and walked out.
She wanted to hold on to her pique, but it was hard to do so. All she had seen from this man was generosity and caring. Even now he was trying to do his duty by the local business owners who, by his own admission, did not want to have anything to do with him. It was obvious he cared for all the people who depended on him, which were many. His employees seemed happy working for him. But now that she thought about it, she sensed an undercurrent of sadness and secrecy beneath this home’s gilded facade.
What had happened? She would bet it had something to do with his wife’s death. She had no right to pry, but she felt tempted to do so. Not out of idle curiosity, but because she wanted to help. How, she had no idea, but she would know more once she learned what tormented him.
CHAPTER 24 - The village gossips
HALF AN HOUR LATER, she sat in a carriage en route to the village. She looked out the window the whole time. The countryside was so beautiful! It was amazing how there were some places that just seemed to fill her heart until she felt she could float in the emotion. The Amalfi coast had been one of those places. The Swiss Alps, the Cote d'Azur. She still got goosebumps remembering them. This tranquil countryside had the same effect, despite not being as majestic and dramatic as the others. It had an energy, a beauty that burrowed deep and found an echo in her soul.
The village came into view, and it was even more charming than she had expected. Little stone and brick buildings with tall, high-pitched slate or thatch roofs and window sills boasting flower boxes lined the winding high street. Some buildings were half-timbered in the Tudor style, while others looked more modern. She spotted several shops through the windows—a bakery and what appeared to be an accessories shop displaying umbrellas, fans, and other lady’s articles in a riot of colors in the shop window. She rapped on the coach roof, as the coachman had instructed, to signal that she wanted to get out and explore by foot.
As soon as she alighted from the vehicle, however, she realized she had attracted the attention of quite a few people. Many were staring, clustered in groups of three or four outside the shops and houses. There seemed to be cautious curiosity on their faces. The elegant coach had caught their attention. They must have realized it belonged to the Duke, and now they wanted to know the identity of the unknown lady stepping out of it. She never thought she would attract so much attention and already regretted the trip. What would she say to these people if they asked questions about her?
She wanted to get back in the coach and retreat to the safety of the manor. But there was nothing to do but brave it out. Slinking back into the coach would seem like an attempt to escape. That would create even more gossip.
She would say as little as possible. Maybe buy something from one of the shops to make it seem like that was the purpose of her visit, and then she would leave as soon as possible. How she wished Dale had accompanied her! He would know how to handle the situation.
