“Gareth’s horrible guests happened to me.” As soon as the words came out, Reese remembered the Earl didn’t want the servants to know. “That’s between you and me only.”
“And I suppose this was why I was kept from your room last night,” Lulu said, the muscles on her jaws working, “and why Lady Ellen insisted on waiting on you. As if I would speak of this to anyone but Aunt Nellie.” The maid held out a steadying hand as Reese stepped into the tub.
“That’s why his guests left in such a hurry last night.” Reese sighed as she leaned back. “Do you have any of your special tonics that would get rid of the bruises on my face? And probably my wrists.” She held up her arms.
“I do have something that will help, miss, but you must not rely on it.” Lulu went into her room and returned with a small bottle. “I will apply this when you’ve finished with your bath.”
“Thank you. I’m anxious to get going this morning.” Reese had taken for granted that Nellie could solve the most severe health problems. The English might be more enlightened and not burn witches anymore, but Reese didn’t want to do anything to compromise her status.
By the time Reese was dressed for the day and her hair had been done, the bruising had faded significantly. It might even be gone by tomorrow. One less thing to worry about.
When she came down to the wagon, both Gareth and Ellen were already there, directing the servants. Proof positive that theguestshad departed.
“How are you this morning?” Jem said softly from behind her.
Reese turned to him, and he searched her face. “I expected much worse, considering how bad you looked last night. Does your maid have cosmetics?”
“A Nellie tonic,” Reese whispered back. “How’s your hand?”
“I gave it a thorough scrubbing,” he arched a brow and raised his gloved hand, “but I may borrow some tonic from you.”
“Ah, Mr. Taylor, are you seeing us off?” Gareth suddenly appeared at her side, offering his arm to her.
“I’m coming,” Jem said. “I worked yesterday too.”
“Did you?” Reese hadn’t been imagining it then. “Thank you.”
The Earl placed her hand on the crook of his arm and something flashed between the two men. It reminded Reese of something but she couldn’t quite capture the memory. Had they had words last night about Ellen?
“I believe you wanted to say something to my sister.” The Earl didn’t wait for Jem’s response but guided Reese to the wagon.
“I must apologize for what happened to you last night. I am partly responsible for allowing them in my home.” Gareth’s expression turned grim. “I should have called them both out.”
“No!” Reese’s voice squeaked, remembering that conversation with Jem and Cyrus. It seemed like a lifetime ago. “Promise me you won’t do that. It’s outdated anyway. I only worry that by not bringing charges against them that they might victimize other women.”
“I may be able to do something about that too,” he said.
Reese almost said it would be hypocritical but stopped herself. The Earl’s shock had been too sincere for him to have forced himself on a woman in the past. He might have hislady-birds, but she believed they came to him of their own free will.
“My lord, everything is ready,” his valet called.
“Very good.” Gareth turned to Reese. “I’m happy to see you looking so well.”
“Thank you. I don’t want to live through an experience like that again.”
He extended his hand to help her into the wagon, and she accepted his help. Nellie’s potion might have faded her bruises, but her muscles were still stiff.
“You’ll be surprised how much work has been done, Ellen,” Reese said when she was seated beside the girl. There wasn’t room for Jem on the wagon seat, and he sat in back with the groom. She shot him a sympathetic glance, and he smiled. Reese turned back to Ellen. “Today they should finish that horrible ditch, and I think the new latrine system is well on its way.”
“I have been wishing to see it,” Ellen said. “I have considered what could be done with that large field at the end of the village. The little gathering area at Aunt Nellie’s was such a charming place, although ours does not have lovely shade trees nearby. It would take time for some to grow if we planted a few.”
“I wonder if a community garden would work there,” Reese said, thinking of the one in her neighborhood on property owned by the local hospital. “Everyone could work the entire area or divvy up patches of it for personal gardens. I think the majority of the food from the land the cottiers farm goes to the estate as their rent.” She shot the Earl a sidelong glance, and he gave a small grunt. “It doesn’t leave much forthem. They’d only need to have help the first year with seeds. From there on out, they would have seeds from their plants.”
“Yeah, no patented seeds here,” Jem muttered behind her.
“That is a very good idea, Clarisse,” Gareth said.
Ellen’s head jerked up, and she stared at her brother. He arched a brow at her, with such a why-look-so-surprised expression, that Reese had to bite back a laugh. His sister simply smiled and pulled a piece of paper and a pencil from her reticule.
