Theo gave a tight nod.
“He works for Mr. Prentice too,” Mrs. Morgan said, her gaze still worried.
Theo felt a stab of irritation and resolved to speak with Norris.
“Well, Mrs. Morgan," he said. “I can tell you this: Mr. Norris has no reason to think such a thing. I’m sure it’s just some misunderstanding. You are in no danger of being evicted.”
Mrs. Morgan stared at him for several moments, as though gauging the truth of his words. Then she gave a tremulous smile. “Thank you, sir. That’s a relief, I can tell you.” Morgan looked easier too, the tension he’d been holding in his shoulders seeming to seep out of him.
They made polite conversation for a little longer; then George told Morgan they’d walk back up to the north field with him, since it was on their way to Martin’s farm. By the time they took their leave of Mrs. Morgan, she was singing to herself, happy in her cheerful kitchen.
On the way to the north field, Morgan spoke about his crops, and the work he did each day around the farm. He mentioned, too, the labourers who worked both for him and for Martin from time to time, and who lived in a row of old cottages at the edge of the estate.
“Mayhap you will take a look at their cottages, Mr. Caldwell,” he said, when they reached the north field. “In case they are in need of repair.”
In other words, Theo interpreted, the cottages were falling apart.
Hiding his dismay at this news, Theo said, “I will certainly do that. Now, am I right in saying that Martin’s house is just over this rise?” He pointed at the steep path ahead of them.
“Yes,” Morgan replied. “You’ll see it when you get to the top. It’s at the bottom of the other side of the hill, past the fields where he grazes his sheep. That’s about all those fields are good for, being so steep and rocky. He’s got his crops planted on the other side of the house.”
“Right, well, we’ll be off then,” Theo said, but before he could turn away, Morgan spoke again.
“Ah, Mr. Caldwell, sir?—”
“Yes?”
“I just wanted to say that—” Morgan hesitated for a moment. “That is, I know Mr. Martin can come across as quite brusque. In point of fact, he can be right ill-tempered—but he’s a good man. He’s helped me out many a time, sir, and he knows this place better than anyone.”
Theo wondered if Morgan knew about the disaster of his last meeting with Martin. Probably.
“I’ll bear that in mind,” he said.
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate you coming to see us, and what you said.”
Theo smiled then, pleased. This visit had gone far better than he’d hoped. The Morgans were likeable, and it had been gratifying to be able to set their worries at rest. And now, as he and George set off again, he felt a bit more confident about their next call.
It was a changeable day and breezy, the sky full of cottony clouds, scudding across the sky. One moment, the sun was blazing; the next minute, it was gone behind a cloud. As they walked, Theo looked about himself and felt unaccountably happy. The land here was not as dramatic as the mountains, but it was pretty in a bucolic way, green and rolling, with a wide, open sky. When they reached the top of the rise, he saw Martin’s house and farmyard below, and further in the distance, the nearest village with its church and village green. His heart lifted at the sight.
It wasn’t just the landscape making him happy, though. It was George. George, who was so interested in everything and everyone that he somehow managed to spark the same interest in others. George, who was polite to everyone, regardless of rank. There were not many men like George in this world. Not that Theo had met anyway.
“Theo,” George said, beside him, interrupting his thoughts.
Theo turned to him, smiling. But for once George wasn’t smiling back. He was tight-lipped and frowning when he spoke again.
“You oughtn’t to have misled to the Morgans,” he said. “It’s not fair.”
22
GEORGE
Theo gaped at him.
“Misled?” he repeated, shocked by George’s accusation. “When did I mislead anyone?”
“You told Mrs. Morgan they were in no danger of being evicted. How can you possibly say that when you're actively planning to sell Blackfriars?”
“Because it’s true!” Theo exclaimed. “Mrs. Morgan was worried about me selling to Prentice, and she needn’t be. I’ve had no discussions with him, or even met him. I hope to sell Blackfriars, yes, but the Morgans seem like good tenants, and I’m sure any sensible buyer will want to keep them in place.”
