Her obvious excitement about having Jem come—and perhaps receive her brother’s approval as a possible beau—made up Reese’s mind. She couldn’t let the girl keep thinking of him that way.
“I need to warn you about Jem.” She found it hard to look up, worried that her own hot cheeks would give away her feelings for him.
“What do you mean?”
“I know Aunt Nellie said he and Cyrus were also eligible—” Reese searched her mind for a reason that would make sense to Ellen. “Uh, they came to chaperone us. Neither one of them is looking for a wife.”
“Few men their age are.” The corners of her mouth turned up, her expression dreamy.
“You mustn’t set your sights on Jem,” Reese said as gently as she could. “He can’t be your Mr. Darcy.”
“And why not?” Ellen turned intoher ladyshipin a flash, her cheeks flushing. “You have said yourself that I must be free to choose whom I will marry. Why should I not attempt to fix my interest in him?”
BecauseI’min love with him.
“Because he won’t stay here. His life is in America,” Reese said. “I doubt your brother would approve of a marriage to a traveling actor. What kind of life would that be for you?”
“If we married, he would settle down and live like the gentleman he was born to be.” Ellen’s chin lifted. “Now, about my brother. He and his company should arrive near tea time. I am afraid I will not be able to accompany you to the village, as I must oversee preparations.”
Well, her ladyship certainly had the knack for shutting down a discussion she didn’t want to have. Reese had tried.
“Do you want me to stay here and help?” she asked.
“Oh no. You must go. You have such an air of command about you. The workers would not dare to grow lax under your watch.” Ellen shot her a smug glance. “One day, soon I imagine, you will make a fine mistress of a great house.” The look and the tone of voice made Reese think her friend had a particular house in mind.
Reese tilted her head and narrowed her eyes.
Ellen rose to her feet. “Well, I must speak to the housekeeper before bed, and I believe you have an early morning planned.” She glided from the room.
That girl definitely had matchmaking in mind. Who did Lady Ellen Hildebrand have in mind to match Reese with? It had better not be the evil Earl.
Chapter 15
REESE ARRIVED AT THE KITCHEN early the next morning to find the poor cook freaking out.
“I have no idea how her ladyship thinks I can cook for those slovenly tenantsandthe Earl’s guests.” The woman was hurrying from one part of her large kitchen to another.
“I’m sorry to have added this burden to you,” Reese said. “What can I do to help?”
“Just get your wagon off so I have the space to work.”
“You’re wonderful. Thank you.” Reese planted a quick kiss on the woman’s cheek before heading out the door. Lulu followed with a basket of food.
As soon as their wagon came in sight of the village, people hurried from the cottages.
“Bless you, miss,” a woman said, and others took it up until it was almost a chant.
Reese could only nod to them, blinking back tears.
The first stop on their arrival was the home of the little boy, Jimmy, who they had seen the first day. The tonic Nellie had sent over was already working its magic on the child’s body. It would take time for him to flesh out, but the distended belly had already gotten smaller. She then went to the homes of the other children who had shown varying signs of the malady.
Her goal for the day had been to start instruction on basic nutrition. It turned into another day of inventorying when she discovered that few of the homes had adequate cooking utensils and none had ovens. The women did their cooking over open fires when they had dry wood. Too often, it seemed, they ate their food cold. Most homes only had one pot which was also used for bathing when the people bothered to clean themselves. Even Lulu had seemed appalled.
Reese stepped out into the light drizzle, grateful for once to have a bonnet. Considering England’s reputation for rainy weather, they’d been pretty lucky that the few storms they’d had since starting work on the village had been in the evenings. They hadn’t left the ground too wet to work the next morning. She missed weather forecasts. As she had fallen asleep the night before, she’d had to make contingency plans in case it rained during the day. The workhadto go on, regardless of the weather.
Beside her, Lulu coughed. Reese glanced up and spotted a rider approaching the village. Even if she hadn’t recognized the gray, she’d have known the rider.
Jem had come.
