He did not like this at all and feared that Caroline would be pushed into a courtship because she did not want to disappoint his mother.
*
Caroline did notwant to meet other men. She did not want to have tea with other men.
But, more disturbing, why was Lady Wyndham suddenly deciding that she wanted to be a matchmaker—for her?
Did she want her gone from Wyndview Farm?
Now that William was almost ready to take over his father’s duties as the estate manager, did she believe there was no reason for Caroline to remain?
The thought was distressing and had kept her awake most of the night.
What would she do if it was decided that after William became the estate manager that she and her daughter could no longer remain in the home she now shared with her father and brother? The estate manager was allowed a wife and children, not siblings, or even a parent. At least that was what she had understood. And William would likely wed one day and there were no other bed chambers available if his wife provided a child.
Where would she and her father go? Furthermore, what would her father do without the grapes? They were his passion.
She thought she had more time before such decisions would need to be made.
At least she had until after the harvest before men were invited to tea, which gave her nearly two months to plan a different future for herself because Caroline could not imagine marrying again…
That wasn’t correct. She would not mind having the security of a husband for her and Livia, but she had no intention of marrying without love and companionship. Not a single gentleman nor military man that she had met at the ball even interested her enough that she wanted to invite them to tea, well, other than Wyndham, but he was not a candidate for her future.
Caroline shook her head as she crossed the terrace to the main house.
In time, she would let her thoughts be known to Lady Wyndham, but there were other duties that required her attention today.
“Ah Caroline, I am glad you have arrived.”
This was often the greeting she received from Lady Wyndham.
“Is there anything amiss?”
“Cook has asked me to discuss the menus for the coming sennight.”
“As she does every week,” Caroline reminded her, preparing herself for a familiar argument and already knowing how it would end. “Cook cannot plan properly if you do not tell her what you would like prepared for your meals.”
“Because I do not know,” Lady Wyndham argued. “How can I possibly know what I will want to eat three days from now?”
“If not for you, maybe you can plan a menu that will be pleasing to Lord Wyndham,” she suggested.
Lady Wyndham frowned. “Yes, well, I can only speak to when he was a child. I have no idea what his preferences are as an adult.”
“You could ask.” It would not be so difficult a question.
Lady Wyndham waived her hand in dismissal. “You decide, Caroline. It is what I have told you to do every week for months but you still insist on asking.”
“It is not my decision to make, Lady Wyndham.”
“I have told you that it is, and you have never failed me. Now, go along and arrange the menus with Cook so that she can send someone to the market.”
“Yes, Lady Wyndham,” Caroline answered with a sigh.
“If you do not want to make a menu, Mother, why not ask the housekeeper instead of Mrs. Sutcliffe?” Wyndham asked as he entered the sitting room.
Caroline nearly groaned. Why did he always arrived at the mostinopportune times and ask questions that she would rather he not.
“We do not have one,” his mother answered.
