“You started growing tobacco two years ago, but you no longer do as of this year. May I ask why?”
“Mr. Avery,” William sounded rushed in his answer, likely to keep their father from blurting out anything that may cause Wyndham to become alarmed.
“My brother gave you the instruction?” Wyndham’s tone was one more of confusion than curiosity.
“Yes,” her father answered.
“I will ask him for his reasons when I return home, unless they are already contained in the reports that I have yet to read,” he responded. “You now recommend that we grow more wheat, barley, oats, or rye and increase the household garden of vegetables and herbs.”
“What?” her father asked. “That is not…”
“Did Mrs. Sutcliffe misinterpret what you suggested?”
“Yes…I will speak with her. Wheat and barley!” He grunted and then harrumphed.
Maybe if Wyndham just let her father talk about his precious grapes, he would be happy and William could answer the rest of the questions.
“How is it going?”
Caroline nearly jumped when Lady Wyndham whispered in her ear.
“Not well, I am afraid,” Caroline answered quietly.
Lady Wyndham looked her over from head to toe. “Why are you wearing that dress?”
“I was going to tend to your gardens today.”
“You will do no such thing,” she insisted. “Change into an appropriate dress and I expect you to take tea with me this afternoon.”
It was not an unusual request because she often took tea with Lady Wyndham. “Do you think it is wise with your son here?”
“The only crop that matters are those that include grapes,” her father insisted in a raised voice.
“Oh dear!” Lady Wyndham exclaimed. “I believe it is time that I interfere.”
As she never answered Caroline’s question pertaining to tea, she supposed that she must make an appearance and hope that Wyndham had other plans.
Chapter Eight
Sterling looked betweenthe two men. Why were they anxious and why did Hallaway only want to talk about grapes? Was there another reason William had wanted to put this meeting off for another day, besides his assumption that Sterling needed rest?
It was all very strange, especially when Hallaway seemed surprised that they had grown tobacco. As the estate manager, should he not have already been aware?
“No business today,” his mother announced as she entered the office.
Hallaway and William came to their feet instantly, but Sterling did not stand for his mother.
“There is no harm in waiting to discuss the crops, the estate, vineyard, and wine for another day. After all, you became the owner nearly seven years ago and you are just now getting around to visiting.”
“I am here for the purpose to ask specific questions about the estate before I tour it,” Sterling insisted.
“Then you should have considered the time of year for your visit. Your appearance brings disruption to my household regardless of your title.”
Sterling pulled back at her rebuke. He had not heard that tone since he was much younger, recently returned from completing his first term at Eton and filled with self-importance. She had quickly puthim in his place as she had done just now.
“William and Mr. Hallaway should be preparing for the harvest.”
It was rather humiliating for her to censure him in front of the estate manager and son, so Sterling simply shook his head and chuckled. “Yes, Mother.” He hoped that, by his dry tone, Hallaway would realize that Sterling was only humoring her when he intended to remind his mother that he was the owner of Wyndview Farm and that he would make decisions on when he took meetings. Except he would do so in private.
