He hadn’t been able to help it. Her serious, determined manner had been oddly charming, warming his heart in a strange sort of way.
However, since he had thanked her for her efforts, and commended her diligence, he had barely seen her. Which was for the best. The last thing he needed was any morestirringswhere his employees were concerned. Luckily, he was busy enough reacquainting himself with everything, as best he could while he waited for the majority of the papers concerning the Earldom and this estate to be sent from London.
So far he had made no progress on his ‘mad scheme’, as Leonards called his quest for freedom from his birthright. Which frustrated him, but he countered his sense of uselessness by taking long rides through the park and surrounding wilderness, and discreetly going on little tours of the house, following Mrs Hardwicke’s progress.
Slowly he was making his way towards...
Somewhere he was still not ready to venture.
As the weather changed, and seemed intent on remaining more foul than fair, Liam knew it was time to meet with Bradley, his estate manager. Surveying the estate once more unfavourable days set in would be an added trial neither needed. Besides, he was not getting very far in assessing anything by himself, and Bradley, he was sure, could illuminate him on most matters.
It was time to face someone other than his house staff. Time to face the world again, if only partially. Time to make his plans and wishes known.
So he’d set a meeting with Bradley, knowing full well that a day away from Thornhallow was needed lest he go mad. Spending so much time indoors weighed on him. He was not accustomed to it, and quite detested it. No matter how warm and welcoming Mrs Hardwicke made the house.
‘Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, my lord,’ Bradley said jovially, riding up to meet Liam where he waited at the edge of the west woods. ‘Welcome home.’
‘Thank you. It’s good to see you.’ Liam smiled, leaning over Orpheus to offer his hand.
The man had aged, grey peppering the thick dark locks, and deep laughter lines marking the strong face of a man who lived his life outdoors. When Bradley had first come to Thornhallow, Liam was but a boy, and Bradley had been in his early thirties, eager, hardworking and seemingly a giant. Now it seemed they were equals, though there was a quiet wisdom about the man Liam had not recalled.
‘And thank you for looking after it all these years.’
‘Only doing my duty, my lord, as you well know,’ Bradley said with a nod. ‘Now, shall we take these fellows on a walk and discuss business?’
‘Excellent.’
They rode in silence for a short while, quietly ambling through the park, heading for the tenant farms which lay beyond the ancient woodland to the north.
‘He’s written to you, hasn’t he? Leonards? Of my “mad scheme”.’
‘Indeed he has,’ Bradley said, with a wry smile but a hint of worry in his eyes. ‘And you are quite set upon this path? Trying to relinquish the Earldom? There are other ways, you know.’
‘Easier ways,’ Liam corrected. ‘Ways which would allow me a sense of freedom until I change my mind. Regret my choice.’
Bradley simply shrugged, and Liam sighed. He appreciated everyone’s concern and well-meaning reticence, but he also wished he could make them understand.
‘I am certain of my decision, and will never regret true and everlasting freedom. If indeed I can realise my dreams.’
‘As long as you are certain, my lord, I will serve you in whatever course you choose. If it can be done...it will take a lot. Money, time, commitment... And your absence, I’m afraid, has been felt.’
‘I know. And I know that you and Leonards, and everyone here, have done the best you could. I am grateful for it, no matter my own thoughts on the place. That is why I came back. Everything else can be sorted easily enough, but Thornhallow...’
‘Quite.’
Bradley took a moment before continuing, giving Liam a moment to compose himself under the guise of leading his mount carefully onto the muddy woodland path.
‘Leonards has begun making arrangements in London?’
‘Yes, attempting to, at least. Much to his own dismay. He is sending on the papers regarding the estate, and once I have properly looked over everything, and we have discussed how best to proceed, I shall advise him of our plans. As for the house, he wishes for a proper surveyor to come, but I would rather my intentions remain known only to us. For now, at least.’
Liam sighed, ducking under a large overhanging branch.
‘I thought, if you’re up to the task, perhaps you could write up a report about the edifice? I’ve asked Thomas to discreetly take stock of the furnishings, the art and all the rest. With the twenty odd housekeepers he’s suffered, I dare say he wasn’t too confounded by the request.’
‘I can manage well enough,’ Bradley said thoughtfully. ‘There’ll be some repairs and the like, surely, but the latest of your housekeepers has already tackled some of the more pressing issues. At least, she advised she would when we met.’
‘Ah, yes, the incomparable Mrs Hardwicke.’
