The man’s smile was from ear to ear.“And you, Miss Tulip…that is, er…Your Grace.Your uncle said you’d gone to London to find yourself a husband.”
“I got the best,” she replied, smiling up at Alex.
After a round of genial conversation and a brief tour, Rawlings returned to his tasks while they continued to have a look around.There was a cider press that appeared to be in good order, and a small chicken coop on the property as well as a barn that held a substantial number of milking cows.“But this is not the Davenport dairy,” Mr.Carver explained.“This farm is known primarily for its apple orchards.We sell the apples and cider come autumn.The apples will be at their best in about a month.That’s when we’ll hire day laborers to pick them, press some into cider, and take our wares to market.”
“What is done with the milking cows?”Alex asked.
“These pastures have the best grass feed and our Somerset milk is particularly creamy because our cows are so well treated.Their milk is perfect for churning into butter or making the best cheese.We supply milk to the town of Cheddar where their cheeses have become quite popular because of their distinctive, deep yellow color.That is a sign of healthy cows.We also sell our milk to markets as far south as Exeter and as far north as Bristol.Of course, we are close to Bath and regularly sell all our products there.These farms supply not only milk, butter, and eggs, but salt, apples, and cider, too.Extracting salt from the marshes is another important use of the land.”
The next two farms were similarly run, their primary products being milk, cream, cider, and apples.But there were also some plum trees, acres of vegetable patches, and blackberries and strawberries growing wild on these two farms.
The fourth farm was where the Davenport cheeses were once produced and Alex was most interested in touring that farm next and seeing what could be done about reviving the abandoned cheesemaking operation.
Mr.Carver was delighted when he mentioned it.“Aye, Your Grace.I would love to have us make our own cheeses again.We have everything we need for it, starting with the excellent grass feed for our cows.Milk, rennet, salt, but it will take time for the cheese to properly age and ripen.You would be sinking money into the production without seeing any financial return for several years.”
“How much do you think it will cost to get the cheese works running again?”
“Not sure, Your Grace.Depends on how badly the machinery has fallen into disrepair.”
They completed a cursory inspection of the cheesemaking machinery that did, unfortunately, require significant repair.
Alex felt some disappointment, but all in all the morning had gone well.“Let’s get those cost estimates as soon as possible, and we’ll decide what to do once we have the answer.”
Tulip tugged on his jacket sleeve to hold him back while Mr.Carver walked ahead to say farewell to the pleasant, older fellow who ran this fourth farm they had been touring.“There’s also my dowry,” she said quietly.“Uncle John will have it paid over to you before the end of the month.”
He placed his hand over hers as it rested on his arm.“No, that is to be preserved for you and our children.”
“But what is the point of a dowry if you will not put it to good use?”
“It is being put to good use, protecting you and our children.Those funds will be placed in your name alone so that no subsequent Davenport duke can ever get his grasping hands on it.If the cheese production proves successful, then I will consider investing some of your dowry funds into it, but that ownership interest will remain inyourname.However, I will not allow it until I know this will be a profitable venture.”
“Did Uncle John insist on your holding my dowry apart?”
“No,” he said, smiling wryly.“I demanded that this be done.Whatever comes to you from your family shall remain yours always.”
She cast him a heartwarming smile.“I knew I liked you for a reason.”
He laughed.“Shall we move on to the dairy?”
It was the fifth and final Davenport asset they were to visit today.
“It is only a mile from here,” Mr.Carver said when they approached the carriage.
They all climbed back in.
However, this time his estate manager sat up front with Trent to show him the way.“There are a few turns that are easy to miss,” he explained.
Alex did not mind, for it gave him time alone with Tulip.
“How are you feeling?”he asked, settling beside her and taking her hand.
“Much more alert,” she assured him.“I don’t know what came over me this morning.My entire body felt like stone.”
He was almost certain she had been drugged.
But how?
And why?
