Reese turned to find the Earl holding a chunk of cheese in one hand and a loaf of bread in the other. Her stomach growled again.
“I will take that as a yes.” He grinned and nodded toward the wagon.
She followed him to where two small stumps sat around a larger one.
“If you will reach in my pocket,” he turned his right side toward her, “you will find a clean handkerchief to use as a tablecloth.”
Reese did as instructed, feeling a little awkward as she did so. The Earl must have noticed her discomfort because the corner of his mouth quirked up. She pulled out the napkin quickly and shook it out before laying it on the large stump. He put the cheese and bread on it.
“I will return with something to drink,” he said.
Reese sat and arched her back. They would need to return to the manor and their other responsibilities soon, but it had been a good day’s work.
The Earl carried two mugs of ale when he came back. When she grimaced, he hesitated. “I would offer you something else, but the options are limited.”
“It’s fine. I prefer lemonade.” And not getting drunk in front of the Earl. “But this is probably safer to drink than water.”
He glanced back over his shoulder at the half-covered ditch in the distance. “Definitely.” The Earl set a mug in front of her and sat on his stump.
Reese broke the bread apart and handed him the larger piece. He produced a knife and sliced a chunk of cheese off for her. She wondered what he had used the knife for before the cheese.
They ate in a companionable silence. The Earl’s seat faced the village, something Reese had done on purpose.
“I understand now what you meant about special needs,” he finally said, his voice soft. “I had never spoken to any of these people before, haven’t been here in years. I had no idea these tenants had suffered so much.”
“Every situation is different. That’s why—I believe, anyway—that a landlord should get to know his tenants. There are plenty of people who are always on hard times because they’re too lazy to work. But then there are ones like these,” Reese glanced around the little village, “who work so hard but it’s never enough.” She looked at Gareth. “I have no idea who the guy is who manages your lands, but from what I’ve seen, he’s pretty heartless.”
“Yes, so I am discovering. I have a meeting scheduled with him next week.” The Earl’s expression had gone hard, and she suddenly wanted to be in attendance. “We will have much to speak about.”
“Good,” Reese said, hoping it meant things would change now. She brushed off her hands and took another small sip of the ale. Not used to drinking, she could already feel a slight buzz. Not good. She poured the rest out when the Earl was looking over his shoulder at some of the workers. Reese said, “While everyone is gathering up the tools, I have one more house to visit.”
“May I come with you?” He stood and brushed the crumbs from his jacket and buckskins.
“If you want,” Reese said. “The woman had a baby last week, and the child’s a little jaundiced. I don’t know if the mother will be comfortable having her liege lord in her home.”
“Liege lord.” The Earl chuckled. “That is downright feudal.”
“But isn’t this what these people are to you? Your villein?” Reese wrapped up the remaining cheese to take back to the wagon.
“They are not peasants, and I hardly have a standing army to defend them from raiding Normans,” he said, following her.
“Yes, some thingshavechanged a little. But they still have to pay you a substantial portion of the fruits of their labors—and what do you give them in return besides this high-class village to live in?” Reese handed the cheese to the cook’s assistant, who had come with the other workers. “Thank you. It was delicious.”
The Earl frowned as he handed over their dirty mugs, but he didn’t look angry. Reese didn’t wait for him, and he had to jog to catch up with her.
“You have given me much to think upon, Miss Hamilton,” he said when they were clear of workers who had begun gathering up the tools.
“I appreciate that you’re willing to think upon it, my lord.” Her heart thrilled, but she kept a neutral face. Progress!
***
Jem stood by the wagon with the other workers who were eating. He stared at the tall lord as he hurried to catch up to Reese. Jem had thought he might have a chance to talk with her, but he hadn’t expected the Earl to show up. Then he’d picked up a shovel and taken the spot beside Jem and went to work on the ditch.
That was just the kind of thing that Reese would like. Jem wished the guy didn’t have such a powerful bearing about him. He looked the part too—tall, dark, and handsome. With his good looks, he’d have made a great politician too in their time. The only thing the lord needed to do now was kiss a baby.
***
Reese reached the house, Gareth beside her. She rapped on the door. The oldest child, Lily, a girl of about ten, opened it. She gave Reese a quick curtsy and then recognized the Earl. She turned and ran inside.
