“You look well rested, Ma’am,” he said formally, while his mouth curved into a wicked smile.
“I slept very well indeed, thank you,” she responded, taking her tea from him. “I believe the exercise I had yesterday must have tired me out. All that work in the stables with those two fine horses…”
He bit his lip and stifled a laugh. “Indeed, Ma’am. But I’m sure they’re happy with your attentions.”
Evan walked in with a platter. “Good morning, my Lady. I trust you slept well.”
“We’ve covered that, man,” sighed Jeremy.
“Thank you Evan. Yes. I slept like a log. And fortunately I stayed quite warm. I see it was chilly outside last night.”
It was Evan’s turn to battle a laugh, and since the sound of sweeping could be heart clearly outside the door, he had to turn away to the sideboard as a safety precaution.
Adalyn recovered herself first. “Evan, Jane tells me she will be near Trick’s Roundhouse accommodation today and wants to visit him. Can you put a basket together? I think he’d appreciate some of your cooking…”
“Of course.” He nodded, his face sombre. “He is in my thoughts.”
“He’s in all our thoughts, I’m sure,” concurred Adalyn. “I must pen a note—to let him know just that. That we’re thinking and praying and hoping he’ll be home soon.”
“If Daniel and Giles return today…” Jeremy looked hopeful. “Perhaps with good news?”
“That would be a most desirable turn of events,” she agreed.
Even though they were all trying to put the best face on matters, Adalyn could sense the growing worry amongst them for their missing fellow.
“I’ve taken the liberty of asking one of the Tompkins lads to man the stables today, Adalyn,” Jeremy took a seat at the table next to her. “That way we don’t have to fret about the horses.”
“Excellent idea.”
“I’m hoping that Daniel and Giles might agree to keep him on as long as we need him…perhaps permanently if he works out well. The Tompkins family are having a bit of trouble since a fox got into their hen house a couple of weeks ago. They lost their prize rooster and their egg supply has dwindled.”
“It’s their only source of income?” Adalyn asked.
“Yes. With that going down, they will be facing some difficult times…”
“In that case, I'll let Giles know that he is to keep the Tompkins lad. We’ll work out something in the way of wages, and in the meantime can you find out if anyone has a rooster for sale?”
Jeremy nodded. “I’ll put out some feelers. It’s not easy at this time of year though. Everyone is trying to freshen their stock, whether it be sheep, cattle or chickens.”
“Especially after last year,” Adalyn sighed. “But we must do what we can. Evan, do our eggs come from the Tompkins?”
Evan nodded. “Yes. We don’t get as many as some of the other houses in the area, since we are few in number. And we could manage with less if we have to, although there would be fewer for breakfast.”
“I’m sure we can make that sacrifice,” smiled Adalyn. “But I would not want a family of ours to experience difficulties when it’s within our power to help them.”
“Would that more people felt that way, Adalyn,” said Jeremy. “We are all hoping that this spring will be a real spring, and that the land will once again be healthy and fruitful.”
“That reminds me. Our berry field. Do we take on help for that? For the harvest and whatever other care the plants need?”
Jeremy nodded. “Yes, we do. Daniel has taken care of that for the last few years. After the harvest, most of the plants are pruned back. The ones that produce more than one crop are cut back late in the autumn. So everything is dormant over the winter.”
“I saw them, yes. Very neat but no growth to speak of.”
“That’s how they overwinter, I understand. But for more details, Daniel’s the one to ask.” He smiled. “I just eat the jam.”
“And I make it as it’s harvested,” Evan threw in his mite. “It’s a very busy time and I summon everyone from the farms who has a sweet tooth. The kitchen is filled with women stirring pots of fruit or straining it into jars.”
“It must smell wonderful,” she remarked.
