“In any case, at least I know that the Duke will be available to assist Betsy, should the need arise.”
Christopher removed his hands from her waist and climbed up the wall beside her. Their legs dangled over the low edge, feet just above the ground.
“I am sorry you had to ask him for assistance. It makes our situation all the more difficult.”
She shrugged, glancing out over the vast expanse. “He did his best to assure me that the rumors about Lord Portsmouth are just that, rumors. He said not to pay attention to what thetonsays, but there is something about him…something I cannot trust.”
“Rest assured, once your Father agrees to give me your hand in marriage, we will set up a home for ourselves and Betsy will come and work for us. She can be your lady’s maid if you like, or governess to our children.”
Rowena smiled and nodded. They had discussed what their future might be one day, and the promise of having her best friend live with them was one he had easily made.
Suddenly she turned and clasped his hand.
“Christopher, when will we be able to speak to my Father? I do not know how long I can keep this up. The Duke could make an offer, an official offer, any day now. I am certain he will once the trials are over and then it will be all the harder to convince Father that he is wrong for me and–”
He placed a hand on her cheek, and she pressed her head into his hand.
“I will speak to him, and soon. I only wanted to ensure that the whole family sees the potential in this property. I wanted to show your Father that I am capable of rebuilding my fortune and thus will make a good husband. I think he sees it now and it will allow me to make my move.”
“But when?” Her voice was full of worry. “I have this feeling of dread inside of me, of worry–”
She is right. I cannot delay much longer. I would have liked to wait until the first harvest, but I must speak to him.
“Henry and I will travel with your Father to visit the neighboring vineyard tomorrow. I will speak to him on our return. Once he is further reassured that this venture will be a success.”
She nodded and leaned her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes as they bathed in this quiet moment of solitude.
* * *
That evening, the group gathered for dinner around an old, oak table in the dining room. Like the rest of the house, it was in need of repairs. After an early evening shower, the roof had sprung several leaks and buckets had been placed around the room to catch the water.
“There is a leak in our bedchamber as well,” Lady Hazelshire said, nodding at the leak.
“Ah yes, the house has good bones but needs repairs,” Lord Hazelshire said before biting into a piece of fresh-baked bread. “At least the kitchen appears in a good state, judging by the delicious meal the cook has prepared for us.”
Lady Hazelshire sighed deeply.
“What is the matter, Mama?” Rowena asked. She was seated across from Christopher. Beside her sat Catherine who was opposite Henry, which was an arrangement that seemed to suit the young people just fine, for they stole glances at one another throughout the evening.
“It is nothing. I love this house, but it does vex me just how in need of repair it is. I had envisioned balls and dinner parties. In the future I am sure this will be a lovely house for entertaining, but in its current state?” She shook her head, poking her fork into the venison before her.
“Now, now. Let us not get discouraged. Balls and dinner parties can wait. First, we must get the vineyard up and running,” the Earl said before facing Christopher. “Your men are arriving by week’s end?”
He nodded. Christopher had sent for a group of his best workers, as well as his chief vintner, to help with the planting of the crop.
“I assure you, Lady Hazelshire, once our vintner Mister Carson takes charge of the property, we will be producing the finest wines in the region. Then this will be the country home of your dreams.”
The woman smiled at him. In recent days she’d warmed to him, something which delighted Christopher more than he could have admitted.
“We will need to conduct repairs on the winery, above all. Otherwise there will be no wine produced here. We could have the grapes taken to Lancashire to be produced there, but it would be an inconvenience,” Henry chimed in.
The Earl shook his head. “I have thought long and hard about the discussion we have had. I agree with His Grace, the Duke. It would be much more effective to repair the winery and produce Three Roses Wine here. And also repair the house. We must have a house to entertain. Connections, as Mister Newmont has explained to me, are everything in the wine business. So–”
He folded his hands on the table and looked around, a grin on his old face. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened with the wide grin.
“I have taken it upon myself to secure additional funding for our project. While I fund the renovations of the house, my investor will give us the money to repair the winery.”
Henry and Christopher exchanged an alarmed glance at once another.
