“I’ll do what I can with what I can find in the village. By this time next year, the pantry will be stocked full of summer’s bounty.” Mrs. Honeycutt fixed her gaze on Georgiana. “So, Mrs. Fairfax. Accident or illness?”
“I beg your pardon?” Georgiana dabbed at her mouth with a napkin.
“Your husband. Was it accident or illness that took him?”
“He fell from scaffolding on one of his job sites. Hit his head in the fall. It was a sudden storm like today and it made for slippery conditions. He died instantly, though. That gives me peace.”
“What a shame.” Mrs. Honeycutt shook her head. “Mine lingered for three days after the stabbing. Cursing and raving the whole time, as expected.” She snorted. “Still, I gave him a decent burial. More than he deserved, truth be told.”
Cecily made a small choking sound.
Mrs. Honeycutt turned back to Georgina. “Now then, how long have you been working on great houses? Must have taken some doing, convincing the gentry to trust a woman.”
Georgiana glanced at James. “This is my first project without my husband. We shared the workload when he was alive, but our clients didn’t necessarily know that.”
“And my James hired a woman? Never thought I’d see the day,” Mrs. Honeycutt said, nodding toward James.
“She used a man’s name on the contract.” James spoke without malice. If anything, he sounded amused. “So what was a man to do? Anyway, she’s more than capable. From what I’ve seen so far, I’d have to say she’s extremely talented.”
“Thank you, Lord Ashford,” Georgiana said, her chest warming with gratitude. “I am appreciative of your openness to working together.”
Together.
He liked the sound of that.
“And what exactly needs fixing in this grand old place?” Mrs. Honeycutt asked, turning to Mrs. Fairfax. “Everything?”
“The roof will need to be repaired in some places and there’s water damage to the floors in some of the upstairs bedrooms and the ballroom,” Georgie said. “But it’s mostly cosmetic. The structure is solid.”
“We chose furnishings and wallpaper today,” James said. “For my bedchamber.”
Mrs. Honeycutt’s blue eyes twinkled. “I do hope you’re considering finding yourself a lady of the mansion.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “You’re not getting any younger.”
A startled laugh escaped Miss Cecily, who quickly covered her mouth.
“I’ve no need for a wife,” James said. “I’m simply happy to return to my family’s home. That will be enough for a good life.”
“Ridiculous. Of course you need a wife,” Mrs. Honeycutt said.
“I’m not sure anyone would want me, given the scandal of my family.” It was the truth. Although their family’s estate and titles were returned, there was still stigma attached to the Ashford name. What woman would want to be his wife, given all it entailed?
“Any woman would be blessed to have you.” Mrs. Honeycutt stood, collecting the empty dishes with efficient movements. “And you might be surprised. The right woman could appear at any moment and she wouldn’t care one bit about the past. Not if she’s truly in love with you.”
He flushed, feeling the gazes of all three women upon him. “Shall I show you to your room? I imagine you’re tired.”
“Yes, I suppose I am tuckered out.” Mrs. Honeycutt gestured toward Georgiana and Cecily. “Where will these two sleep?”
“We can share the other room,” Georgiana said quickly. “Sisters are accustomed to sleeping together when necessary.”
“That’s very accommodating of you, Mrs. Fairfax,” Mrs. Honeycutt said. “Looking at you, I would have thought you’d be a right prig but you’re all right.”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever had a better compliment,” Georgiana said.
The women exchanged smiles.
Georgiana Fairfax was nothing if not surprising. She’d managed to win over Mrs. Honeycutt in the span of thirty minutes.
He wasn’t the only one charmed by the lovely architect.
