Or I shall find some stream to bathe in, I’m certain we’ve one of those somewhere, and that would be an adventure.
And there will be laundry to be done; I’ve only two dresses left unmarred and all our bedlinens will need refreshing very soon…
Another problem for tomorrow; or perhaps tonight, as the question of hiring more staff would need to be posed before long, as regarded the house, and the farm.
‘I’ve worked ’ere ten years,’ Langton said, tearing Hypatia from her thoughts, and bringing Thorn’s attention away from her, which felt like both a relief and a loss. ‘Weren’t no one but the old earl who’d give me work, and I’ll not leave now. I want t’chance to make things right, as we didn’t this past year,’ he added, looking to Henry, who sat with his head bowed, eyes fixed on an empty cup of cider.
‘Joseph is right,’ Henry agreed quietly, meeting Thorn, then Hypatia’s gaze. ‘We sat by, and did nothing as Warren thieved and mistreated those beasts. We knew he couldn’t be trusted, even as the earl lived, but remained silent, too scared to lose our own places. We knew Warren had his friends hereabouts, including the magistrate, and that man who came when the earl died, but still, we might’ve spoken to the earl before, or sent word to his solicitors so someone might help, but we just…waited, and kept quiet. If only for that, we should not be permitted to leave until we’ve atoned, but in the end, Gadmin Hall is the only place I’ve ever felt was home, so if you can forgive us our inaction, we shall remain as long as you’ll have us.’
Thorn nodded, then looked to Hypatia, as if to reassure her that in the end, she’d done right, not going to the magistrate at least. She did feelsomewhatbetter, though questions swirled of where they should go with all their claims, and what to do with a magistrate such as that in the environs, serving the community.
Questions for later.
She smiled, and dipped her chin instead, acknowledging Thorn’s point, and he quirked his head, raising a brow, as iftelling her that he would follow her lead again, as concerned Joseph and Henry.
‘I’ve never been a servant,’ she said flatly, and Thorn frowned. When she turned to Joseph and Henry they too were frowning, looking most confused. ‘I’ve not lived your lives,’ she continued. ‘But I can understand not wishing to upset a status quo which sees you fed, clothed, housed, and safe. I was angry, that none of you said anything, that you allowed this to happen, I’ll not deny it. However, I see that even had you tried… A man such as Warren has the ability to dig their claws into their victims most profoundly. Had you spoken up, you might’ve lost all, and still not succeeded in your aim. I understand that is not a risk you were prepared to take, and it is not my place to judge either of you. If Tho—the earl is of the same mind, I for one would be glad if you both stayed.’
‘Indeed,’ Thorn agreed.
‘Thank you,’ Langton and Henry said, only slightly off-unison.
‘So…now we have two employees,’ Thorn said, with a wry smile. ‘Hopefully Ian will agree to remain as well, so there’s a start.’
‘Ian’ll stay,’ Langton told them. His tone suggesting that like he and Henry, Ian had nowhere else he’d rather go; no one else to give him a chance but the Earls of Gadmin. Old or new.
‘We’ll need more help in the house,’ Hypatia said after a moment, hoping Thorn wouldn’t be offended by her taking charge again. However, considering his words this morning—was it only this morning?—and his acceptance of her help all day, without argument though with some surprise, she wagered he wouldn’t begrudge her stepping in. ‘Perhaps a maid or a housekeeper, whichever would be most useful as I don’t think we’ve the funds for both just now.’
‘A maid would be less expensive,’ Thorn shrugged. ‘But that would give you more work in the house, Hypatia.’
Was he leaving the choice up to her? She wasn’t sure, but it certainly felt like it. Though she wasn’t entirely sure howthat—being trusted, respected, and heeded—made her feel. Not that she thought about it too profoundly, recognising only that it was a very pleasant change indeed from having to hide her counsel and decisions behind pretty words, or discreet nudges.
‘Unless we wish to employ a new bailiff, steward or manager, and I for one think that to be an expense we could do without,’ she said carefully, waiting for a shoe to drop which never would, it appeared. ‘I think I could be of more use with the farm, and estate, if you wish for the help. We can run it ourselves, once we get the lay of the lands, examine those missing books and ledgers we got back today—though it’ll be a task untangling fact from fiction—and decide how best to proceed with what we have.’
‘A housekeeper it is then, though whoever she is must be happy to do more than just a housekeeper’s duties,’ he agreed with a smile. ‘Know you of anyone who might fit the bill in the environs?’ he asked Langton and Henry.
The two shared a long look, both digesting the queerness of this scene—an earl and a countess sitting at the table, making planswiththeir staff—and thinking of options.
Thorn and Hypatia waited, and after a while, Henry stared at Joseph most insistently, and the other relented.
‘There’s a cousin o’ mine,’ he sighed reluctantly. ‘Over in Tonbridge, doin’ some odd jobs, but things is gettin’ ’arder, as she ’as a young marm, girl’s three now, and no ’usband. There’s maybe others, an advert—’
‘Is she a hard worker?’ Thorn asked, unfazed by the revelation of the woman’s situation, which made him go up in Hypatia’s esteem, that little bit more.
‘Aye,’ Joseph said.
‘And she wouldn’t be uprooted, or feel a loss coming here?’
‘I’m the only family she ’as left.’
‘Well then, we shall bring her here if she wishes for the position,’ Thorn decreed. ‘But be sure she knows—and be sure you both understand—what we are asking is for everyone to do more than would otherwise be expected. Which I know you both and Ian have been for a while now, and we shall do our best to compensate you fairly, however it won’t be tomorrow this house, this estate, will be running as smoothly as they should be.’ Henry and Joseph nodded. ‘One matter decided then. Look at us.’
‘We’ll need to examine the tenant farms and other lands we still hold,’ Hypatia said, having allowed herself a small moment to smile. ‘To determine where our primary funds need to be concentrated, and what revenues we will have before we can make many more decisions on expenditure. We need to see what fields can still be used for crop and feed, what if anything remains in any stores… We’ll certainly need at least one person to help with the pigs. Someone who can help us build some shelters, and renovate the farm buildings. We will likely have to call a veterinarian, and that will be an expense I suspect. We should keep some funds aside too, for clothes and more hands when it comes time for us to get to market. The original thirty purchased five years ago are listed as ‘Glosters’—I think they are called other such things as well—and from what I saw so they fit the few descriptions of such I’ve found. The old earl went to great lengths to fetch them all from Gloucestershire himself, selecting each one carefully so they would be all he posited such pigs could be. According to what little I’ve been able to find, they are excellent animals. Maintaining such a good quality product, in time, I believe we could make a name for ourselves. The earl saw something in these beasts, and perhaps, he was not so eccentric as people said, but rather ahead of his time, or perhaps not, as there are many others seeking to do similar things.Perhaps he merely ran out of time, or money, he did wager most of what he had left to go fetch them, or it was his will or health that failed, but he thought this endeavour could be the thing to restore this place, and I do not think he was so very wrong as others made out… Apologies, I am getting ahead of myself.’
Blushing slightly, she took a sip of cider, glancing over at Thorn, who regarded her again with that confounding and blinding thing in his eyes she didn’t recognise.
Henry and Langton were no help, they just looked amused, and surprised, but then perhaps any confusion was aided by all their exhaustion and the late hour.
‘There’s a couple lads in the village who could ’elp,’ Joseph said finally, breaking the odd silence. ‘Used to workin’ farms, but ’aven’t seen work in a few months. Danny and Fred,’ he added, looking to Henry.
