Standing in thefront courtyard of the last tenant for the day, Darius watched in amazement as his new wife explained to Mrs. Gerey how to mix a lotion for her chapped hands. When Dinah had met his tenants, she’d smiled politely and nodded, adding little to the conversation. But Eleanor engaged them completely, even touching them upon the arm once and again, no matter their age or gender. And it appeared that every person genuinely liked his new wife.
He had tried to keep their conversations quite formal, but with her it was rather difficult. His formality was his shield, a way to stay in control and meet his responsibilities to his family, friends, and tenants. However, his new wife was anything but formal. Nothing about her was subtle, and she continually surprised him. In fact, in her deep-blue spencer and bonnet to match, with just a hint of her red hair wisping about her face, she was looking particularly pretty. So much so that, like his tenants, he found himself looking forward to the next time she turned her attention on him.
“Lord Ferncroft?”
Bringing his attention back to Mr. Gerey, he tried to remember what they’d been speaking about.
The man, not ten years older than him, gave him a sly smile. “Taken with the new missus, are ye?”
Darius would hardly say he wastakenwith her. “I am pleased to have a wife again.”
The man looked over at his own wife. “They do lessen the burden of living, don’t they?”
Studying the man who’d been married a good thirty years and had four grown sons and two daughters to prove it, Darius could see he was still fond of his wife. The woman was twice his size in girth, and while he remained fairly still, his wife’s hands never stopped moving as she spoke earnestly to Lady Ferncroft. They appeared an unlikely pair, but perhaps when they had first met, they were more in accord.
However, Mr. Gerey was correct—having a wife did lessen the burden of living. Darius already felt a certain amount of relief over Eleanor’s care of his children, and in particular Peter’s illness. “They do, indeed, Mr. Gerey.”
Eleanor and Mrs. Gerey approached, the older woman still talking.
The woman addressed her husband on seeing his attention on her. “Samuel, Hawthorne Park is going to celebrate St. Stephen’s Day this year. Is that not wonderful news?”
The man looked to Darius for confirmation, and he nodded.
“Well, how about that? It is a welcome change after last year’s troubles.”
Though Mr. Gerey didn’t elaborate, Darius knew the man thought more of the poor crops due to the Year Without a Summer the year before, and less about the lack of Christmastide celebrations at Hawthorne Park.
Eleanor clasped her hands together. “I’m so pleased you both are quite as excited as I am. I have always loved this time of the year, where everyone is appreciated for their part in the year’s toils. After all, our labors deserve celebration and merriment.” Her cheeks were rosy from the cold, which just made the sparkle in her eyes appear that much brighter.
At her pronouncement, Mrs. Gerey turned to Darius. “My lord, I am so happy for you. Thank you for gracing us with such a treasure as my lady.”
“Mrs. Gerey, it is my pleasure.”
“So it is,” Mr. Gerey nudged his wife.
She batted her husband’s shoulder. “Now you behave before his lordship, Samuel. We don’t want him thinking poorly of us.”
Eleanor, whose rosy cheeks were now full of red from a blush and not simply the cold, shook her head. “I could never think poorly of such wonderful tenants. Do let me know when your granddaughter is born, and what name your son decides upon.”
“Oh, I will, my lady.”
Darius held his arm out to his wife. “I believe we should return to the house, as the hour grows late.”
She took his arm with poise. “Indeed it does.”
With well wishes, they parted from the Gereys only to encounter a lone horseman riding up to the gate. Darius recognized him immediately, and wished they’d departed just a few minutes earlier.
“My lord.”
“Archer.” He tried to keep his voice neutral but, from the glance his wife sent him, hadn’t succeeded.
His gamekeeper jumped down from his horse and bowed to Lady Ferncroft. “My lady. I am Thomas Archer, head gamekeeper. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Oh, what a pleasant surprise. I met your wife on my first day here.”
“Yes, my lady. And she’s been singing your praises ever since. I must sleep during the day to best patrol the estate at night and keep it safe from poachers. That is why we did not meet that day. I do apologize.”
She turned to Darius. “So that is why you said it was safe for me to walk about at night.”
