“Gran, you look good this morning. How do you feel?”
“Lies will get you nowhere in life, my dear. But I love you for them. I feel better than I have in days.”
Lilli sighed in relief. There were still more good days than bad. The maid followed behind Lilli, who stepped aside to allow her to set the heavy tray down. Another maid followed with the tea service.
“Shall I get you something for your tea, Gran?” Lilli began walking toward the cabinet of decanters.
“I don’t think I need it today. I’ll settle with just tea this morning.”
Lilli sat and began serving. “Breakfast, Gran?”
“I’ve eaten my dear, but I see you have wandered off without your breakfast again.” Gran sighed. “Just like your mother did. She loved being outdoors. Unfortunately, she left us too young. Did you ride?”
“Not this morning. I’m on my mount too often these days in work to ride for pleasure. My ability to sit in society would be greatly compromised if I added riding for enjoyment to the reasons I am in my saddle. Did you need something in particular this morning, Grandmother?”
“Yes, I would like to discuss this guardian that your father has chosen for you.”
Lilli stilled her fork and brought it back to her plate. “Excuse me? I’m not sure I heard you.”
“You heard me. Your guardian. You still have five years to majority my dear and we must discuss the state of your position.”
Lilli set her plate back on the tray. “Please elaborate.”
Lady St. Matthews sighed. “Don’t be difficult, dear. I don’t harbor false hopes of making it to the end of the five years still on this earth. And we must make our plan.”
“Gran, we have done that. I know just what you want done after you go on. What else there is to discuss?”
“Your future, Lilliana.”
“What about my future? It is secured. You are speaking in rhymes and riddles.”
“Your father had previously written to his friend and our neighbor on the far west side of the estate. They struck a deal and His Grace agreed to be your guardian, should the need arise. No one could have predicted that my daughter and granddaughter would have gone on to their reward before I did.”
“And I am an adult, without need of a guardian.”
“The females in our family are strong, tenacious women, but they still must have someone of majority age to be responsible for them. The age of majority is twenty-five. Just as anyone with an estate to look after, it is important to enlist a man of excellent standing to look to for representation when necessary.”
“But Gran, I have the respect of local tradesmen and the villagers. I know how to meet the requirements of the estate.”
“Yes, I am very proud of what you have accomplished and continue to do for the betterment of Heatherfield. But one must acknowledge a man, one that is respected, will further your efforts even further. And you will not be taken advantage of. I have been here for eighty years and am respected without myhusband, but he took the lead when he was alive. And my father before him.”
“I will do fine.”
“No, it must be this way. The lands are yours by right, but it takes a man to gain the proper respect in all areas from both men and women in the village. Working this property takes more than one person if one is to enjoy their life.”
“So, if you are taken from me before I am of the age of majority, a man will come and take everything over until I am twenty-five? Do you know this man? Will he rob us blind or worse, ruin all that we have here?”
“My dear, he isn’t to live here. His estate is the center of his holdings and they are great. He is merely to oversee you as you run your home, unless you marry. He will help review the books and make sure what needs to be done is done well, but that is a help for you. There are so many things you oversee now. A little assistance will be invaluable.”
“I don’t believe it will ever come to fruition, but say I agree with this guardian idea, is he a man of good character?”
“Yes, His Grace, the Duke of Weston, was very fond of you. Your father left you in capable hands before he went away. But there is just one problem.”
“I had feared as much.”
“Mind your manners, girl. The problem is the man charged with and who accepted the task is dead these last six months.”
“That sounds like there is no guardian. I shall do well without one. Problem solved.”
