“I’m so glad we decided to come and look at this place,” she said.
Nodding, Charles agreed. “As am I. It’s perfect for us and is not far from anything, like London or Arthur’s estate.”
“It is perfect.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. Once it is ours, please feel free to make your rooms your own. If you don’t like something, replace it or redo it in the case of wallpaper and paint.”
She giggled. “I didn’t know we were going to sleep in separate suites.”
“We’re not, but it’s right next to mine, and I’m sure you’d like somewhere feminine to change and bathe.”
“Maybe we can make your suite more neutral.”
That wasn’t happening. Not unless he had no final say on everything. “We’ll see. I want to move in and get a feel for it before I go redoing it.”
“That’s a smart idea,” she replied.
“I want to wait on the rest of the house. I think we need to live there before deciding to redo anything. Besides, it was redone by the woman we’re purchasing from.”
“Agreed.”
“I can see lots of rides to explore the estate,” he said.
“Do you know if there’s an estate manager still on the property?”
He shook his head. “I believe the manager is there still. I’ll have to make some inquiries.”
“That’s a very vital position, I remember my father saying,” Cathryn said.
“It is.”
That was the last Charles remembered saying until his wife woke him as the carriage pulled on to the drive of the family estate. It had been some very busy days. The best being finding their perfect place to call home.
It was late afternoon when they arrived. They quickly learned that Arthur and Daphne had gone to Roxanne and Graham’s for a visit. That meant he and Cathryn could go to their rooms without having to socialize with them. Not that he minded, but there were times like now when after a long ride, you simply wanted some privacy and quiet.
Cathryn went to order tea, and he made his way to their suite so he could relax. There was a lot to be done, and as soon as he had possession of the estate, there would be even more to be done. He wouldn’t have Frazier begin packing until he had a dateon the purchase being finalized. He’d of course tell him what was coming.
He lay down on the bed and picked up a notebook he kept and began writing. There was so much that would be coming up. The move wasn’t simply just that easy. There were lots of details that would go along with it. He knew he could handle them; it was just something new. He had a wife, and her happiness and well-being were important to him.
He’d done some research on the house and property before they went to see it. The estate had been self-sustaining with cattle, horses, and numerous other types of livestock. Cheese was made, as well as preserves and smoked meats such as hams. Everything one would expect to find on a large, fully functional estate.
Making some notes to ask the estate manager, he finished up just as Cathryn walked into the sitting room with a footman following her with a large tray which he knew to be tea, sandwiches, and other sweet goodness.
“What are you doing?” she asked, popping her head in.
“Making notes.”
“Tea is here.”
“Let me finish this sentence and I’ll join you,” he said.
“Would you like me to fix you a plate?”
“I can do it.”
He wasn’t used to someone waiting on him the way Cathryn did. He’d turned out learning how to do for himself, because apart from his early memories with Arthur and Roxanne, he’d had to learn how to take care of himself. Relinquishing that was indeed hard for him, and he realized how much Cathryn wanted to do some of that herself.
Setting the notebook back on the bedside table, he walked out to join his wife. She was pouring two cups of tea. Beyond thatwere some small sandwiches and cake. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until he laid eyes on the food.
