“How’s young Matthew this morning?”
“Won’t shut up. You’ve created a monster.”
“That’s the spirit.”
I offered Andy elevenses, and we sat at the kitchen table, tucking into the fine apple turnover Mrs Craddoch had delivered.
Andy scooped four heaped teaspoons of sugar into his tea.
“Half the village has been here this morning, offering their support,” I said. “It’s all very touching.”
Andy cleared his throat. “I expect they’re wanting to help. On account of the estate’s money troubles. Actually, that’s why I’m here.”
“You haven’t brought a casserole, have you? Only we’re full to the gunwales.”
“I wanted to speak to you about the estate’s financial problems.”
My chest tightened.
“We wondered if you were planning to sell the village?”
“Oh gosh, no. My family has always felt the village was rightfully part of Buckford. So if you’re worried I’ll sell it to the Blunts, I never would.”
“Actually, William, we were hoping you would sell it tous.”
“Oh.”
“We know you need the capital, and to be honest, we’d like the security—the peace of mind—for ourselves, for our families. I’d like young Matthew to be able to inherit a house, like you inherited yours.”
Not sure I’d wish that on the lad, I thought.
I swigged my tea as Andy made his case. He was here representing all eighty tenants. Most wanted the option to buy their cottage, though not all could afford it right away.
I looked into Andy’s hopeful face. The people of Newton Bardon had been so loyal and so wonderful to our family over the years. They’d put up with Grandfather’s proclivities and my father’s eccentricities, and now they were enduring my incompetence. This community was their home as much as it was mine and my family’s. But…
“Let me think about it,” I said, a knot forming in my stomach. “I need to speak to my accountant.”
“That’s all we can ask, William. We know you’ll always do the right thing by us.”
No pressure. Andy downed his tea in one manly gulp and put his mug on the table, his face a beaming smile. I smiled back, but I’m afraid I had to force it.
Chapter 41
Petey
Later that afternoon, I took a break from editing and went looking for William. Eventually, I spotted him sitting on Lady Caroline’s Bridge, staring back at the house like a brooding hero from an Emily Brontë fever dream. His face broke into a smile when he saw me walking around the Long Water.
“Been looking for you everywhere.”
He pulled me onto his lap, the warmth of his body radiating into mine as he wrapped his arms around me. I brushed his hair from his face, and we kissed.
“You all right?” I asked when we came up for air.
“Big day, really.”
“Mourning the loss of your innocence?”
He slapped my butt.
