There were more fields, the same fields from a different perspective, and finally, when Adalyn realised she’d seen enough of the fields, they trotted down a lane that led to the tenant cottages.
The sound of the gig and the clop of the hoofbeats brought more than a few residents to their windows.
Adalyn smiled and nodded as curtains were drawn back, and smoke from the chimneys trailed with the wind over the thatched roofs.
Halfway down the lane, they came to a halt. “Here we are. Mrs. Barnsley is most definitely the person to visit first.” Daniel helped Adalyn to the ground. “She knows everyone, and has been here the longest.”
“I hope she likes me.” Adalyn straightened her skirts with nervous hands.
“How could she not?” Daniel held out his arm with a warm smile. “Let’s go and find out.”
~~~~~
Adalyn wasn’t given the chance to worry very much, since the front door to the cottage opened almost as soon as she’d set foot on the lane.
“Here y’are then. Come inside. ’Tis mighty cold fer a little one like you.” The encouraging words came from a woman filling the doorway with her presence. A pristine white cap topped a round and rosy face, creased with smiles. “I’m Ada Barnsley, Ma’am, and yer welcome in my house.” She curtseyed, a rippling and courteous move that made Adalyn smile.
“Thank you, Mrs. Barnsley. You are very kind. It is indeed brisk today.” Adalyn walked up the short front path, noting the well-tended plants to either side. Tucked away for the winter, of course, but she’d wager that in the spring the colours would burst forth.
“Daniel, come right in too. Yer knows yer always got a cuppa waitin’ fer yer.” Mrs. Barnsley grinned, revealing one or two gaps where teeth were no longer present.
To Adalyn’s surprise, the cottage was very cosy, with a well-worn carpet covering the stone floor and several chairs arranged around the fireplace. A good blaze radiated heat, and she found herself unwinding her muffler within moments.
“Jes’ put yer things on the table there, m’Lady.” Mrs. Barnsley pointed to one side of the front door. “I doubt yer’ll need yer gloves an’ such. Got a few pies in the oven, an’ that warms things up right quick.” She walked across the room. “Will yer come into the kitchen then? Or would yer wait here fer me to make tea?”
“Oh please, I’d love to see your kitchen. It’s so comfortable and homely here. And larger than I’d expected from the outside.” Adalyn followed the woman through into the kitchen, where pots and pans glowed from a rack on the wall, and a well-scrubbed table ran the length of the room. Cupboards with shining wood doors held china, and Mrs. Barnsley opened one to remove teacups and saucers.
“I’ve a pot steeping.” She grinned at Adalyn. “A little bird told me yer might be stoppin’ by.”
Adalyn grinned back. “And would that little bird be named Jeremy or Trick?”
“Ah, now, that would be tellin’.”
Daniel pulled out a chair and Adalyn sat, already relaxed and enjoying herself. “Very well then, I will simply say thank you to the little bird and thank you to yourself for a very welcome cup of tea.”
“Er, any chance of those pies being close to done, dear Mrs. B.?” Daniel looked hopeful.
“Evan not feedin’ yer right, then, lad?” She glanced at him with a quirked eyebrow. “Yer don’t look like yer starvin’ ter me.”
“Always room for something from your kitchen, Mrs. B. You know that,” begged Daniel, turning to Adalyn. “Evan is a constant visitor. He thinks sooner or later Mrs. B. will reveal the recipe for her pastry, not to mention her gooseberry pie, which is known throughout the county.”
“Oh, go on with yer, lad.” Mrs. Barnsley blushed, turning her apple cheeks an even rosier hue.
“I’ve already heard your praises sung, Mrs. Barnsley,” chuckled Adalyn.
The older woman poured the tea, and then bent to the oven, whisking out two pies topped with crisp brown pastry. The fragrance made Adalyn’s mouth water.
“Here y’are, then. Let’s give it a bit to cool down, otherwise it’ll burn yer tongue somethin’ fierce.” She put one pie on the table, along with cutlery and plates.
“I’m going to be terribly spoiled here, I know it,” sighed Adalyn.
“Yer looks like yer need some spoilin’ m’Lady, if yer’ll forgive an old woman’s blunt words.” Mrs. Barnsley sat down and pushed tea cups toward Daniel and Adalyn. “Tiny as a bird, y’are. Need some meat on yer bones if yer goin’ ter manage Wolfbridge.”
Adalyn grinned over her teacup. “I’m stronger than I look. And I’ve seen several very industrious young ladies helping keep the Manor in order.” She looked at Mrs. Barnsley. “Would any of them be yours?”
“Aye,” she nodded. “I got two of ‘em up at Manor.”
Daniel looked up at that. “Lizzie’s old enough now?”
