Elise shivered as they rode along the road where Nora and Jed had met their demise. Sensing her disquiet, Weston said, “It may be too soon for you to think about, but I know of some people who may be able to come work for you. They are a brother and sister in need of employment, and I think they would enjoy the countryside.”
Her interest peaked; Elise wanted to know more. “How do you know them?” she asked, thankful for the distraction.
“The young man, Jonathan, served with me in Portugal. He’s had a hard time dealing with what he witnessed on the continent but is getting healthier every day. Jonathan is wonderful with animals and can make almost anything grow. He and his sister, Evie, have been looking for work away from the city, as the calmer landscape is better for his mental state.”
“Do you know how to contact them, and would they be willing to come here so I might meet them?”
“Yes, I can write to them if you are interested. I think they would happily come out here to see about the opportunity.” Weston was quiet for a moment, wrinkling his forehead in thought. “Before I write, you should know that they are of West Indian descent. Their mother was a Haitian woman, the daughter of African slaves. Their father, an Englishman, met her while managing the sugar plantation she worked for. He brought the children to England with him when he returned and gave them work in his home, and they were raised here. Thankfully, they now live on their own, away from the man who would treat his own children as servants.”
Weston’s disgust with the Englishman was obvious. His lips curled and his tone turned harsh while recounting how the siblings came to be in the country. Elise completely agreed with his feelings regarding the cruel history of slavery and the sugar trade.
“Why did you feel the need to share that with me?” Elise inquired. “Do you think I would not want to work with them based on their heritage or color?” She was offended he would think such a thing would matter to her.
“One can’t be too careful,” he answered. “I do not mean to offend, just to make you aware that some may have issue with two dark-skinned siblings residing in the area. Prejudice abounds in our society, even if the law says they are free.”
“I’m not afraid of what anyone may say,” Elise said firmly. “I understand how small-minded and biting others can be. As long as they are good people who are willing to put in an honest day’s work, that’s all I care about.”
“Good,” Weston replied. “I’ll write to Jonathan right away. I think you will like him and Evie, and I believe they will like you as well.”
Even though her heart ached thinking about Nora and Jed, she was excited by the prospect of working with these young people Weston spoke highly of. Maybe through helping each other, they each could find healing in different ways.
CHAPTER11
Arriving at the pub in the middle of the village, Reid was happy for the distraction of unloading the horses. Being with Lady Elise was again stirring up feelings in him that he found unsettling. He genuinely liked being in her presence, and the more he learned about her, the more he admired her.
There were few women in Reid’s life whom he was both fond of and truly appreciated. Between his time in the army and the House of Commons, he rarely had time to engage with women in settings outside social affairs. It was almost impossible to really get to know a woman in a ballroom as the occasion did not easily enable more than shallow and superficial conversations. Thus, most women he engaged with were either mere social acquaintances, or women who had met his physical needs through short affairs. He held his friends’ wives in deep regard; Moira, Countess of Geffen, was a woman to be reckoned with, and though he had not known Grace, the new Duchess of Carrington, for long, she had a quiet strength he respected. And while he did not always approve of the way his mother clung to societal norms, he still loved and respected her as well.
But the way he felt about Lady Elise was something entirely new. While he was certainly attracted to her, he wanted more than just a flirtation or an affair—he desired to know everything about her in a way he had never wanted with other women before. While he had been desperate to kiss her earlier, he would not be satisfied with just a physical existence between them. He craved more than just her sweetness—he wanted to understand her mind. Those two things had never co-existed for him before. Either he had admired a woman for her mind and capability, or he had desired her. In Lady Elise, both were true, and he wasn’t sure how to handle it moving forward.
Reid hefted a box of vegetables onto his shoulders and entered The Crown & Arms,the local public house. He peered at the small crowd who had assembled, patiently waiting for Lady Elise as she laid out basic medical supplies on a table by the front window.
“What exactly is it you’re doing here today?” he asked, setting down the load and genuinely curious.
Lady Elise didn’t look at him as she answered, too busy with her task, but her excitement was clear from her voice. “Once a week I set up here at The Crownand tend to whatever ailments people may be experiencing.” It was clear to Reid she had a passion for the work and based on the looks from those waiting for her service, she was respected and appreciated for what she could provide.
“Is there not a doctor in the village?” As the peer in the area, it was his responsibility to ensure the tenants and villagers were adequately cared for.
“Yes, Dr. Davis tends to the area, but as there is only one of him, he does not have time to care for more minor complaints. And with the last few years being so difficult, many cannot pay for his services unless gravely needed.”
Reid was ashamed to realize that so many in the area were struggling enough not to be able to afford proper care should they need it. He knew times were tough for many across the country, with the unseasonable weather of the past few years leading to failed crops, but his tenants had always been able to provide for themselves and their families.
Though part of Reid’s work in Parliament had been fighting against the Corn Laws that increased taxes at the expense of the laboring class across the country, it seemed he had grown so consumed with national issues that he had lost sight of the problems troubling his own constituency. He had been trusted to represent their interests in the House of Commons, and he clearly needed to talk to more farmers in the area to learn what they truly needed to alleviate their struggles. All of this only fed the unrest spreading across the nation.
“Do you do all this for free?” Reid asked. Lady Elise looked up from her task at his question and a hurt expression crossed her face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply you do this for monetary gain, I just meant that the supplies you use for treatment must begin to add up.”
“I have the means and knowledge to care for these people, my lord,” she responded. “I am happy to provide this service without adding to their struggles.” Reid hated seeing the disappointment in her eyes. He wanted her to think highly of him, and he knew he had just come across as another unfeeling aristocrat who was only concerned with profit.
Leaving her to finish setting up the way she liked, Reid stepped away to greet the proprietor. “Warren, how have you been?” he asked the older man, giving him a hearty handshake.
“It’s good to see you, my lord,” he replied, cloth in hand as he dried a stack of plates. “Times have been hard, and while I mean no disrespect to your old man, I’m glad we will have some new blood running the place.”
“You don’t offend me, and I’d rather you speak plainly,” Reid informed the businessman. “I knew times were tough, but I’m embarrassed to admit that I did not realize things had gotten so bad around here. I’ve been neglectful.” He regretted that he had allowed the tension with his father to keep him so distanced from his responsibilities. He had become blind to the disrepair that had fallen on the estate and in the surrounding village. “What is needed most?”
“Well,” Warren started after a thoughtful pause, “the corn laws have raised taxes so high that many of the tenant farmers are struggling to afford basic needs, so the businesses here in town have been hurting. No one can spare a coin for new clothes or a pint of beer.”
“I’ve been working in Parliament trying to ease restrictions and tax burdens, but change and reform takes time,” Reid offered, knowing that help couldn’t wait. He was frustrated things worked so slowly in government, adding to the hurt even though the desire was to help. It made his work over the past few years feel pointless, and the frustration and sense of helplessness he’d experienced since returning grew.
“Yes, lighter taxes would certainly help. It’s ironic and infuriating when those who make their livelihood growing food can’t afford to feed themselves,” Warren astutely observed. “But you could help with other urgent needs, my lord.” The pub owner continued working as he spoke with Reid, and his tone was serious, but he seemed glad to have the ear of the earl. “Housing needs to be fixed up. Many are unwell because their shelter is failing to protect them. The weather can get in and it’s either keeping them too cold or causing the structures to rot and mold.”
