Chapter Four
At breakfast, there was no sign of Gerard. In the breakfast room, the family partook of coffee, warm rolls, and ham and eggs, while Father planned their early departure. They were to call again at Pendleton Manor before returning to London.
Harriett buttered a roll. She’d lain awake searching for a reason for Gerard to leave his bed in the middle of the night and the only one she could come up with she disliked. She finally slept but woke when she heard him returning close to dawn. As she dressed, she toyed with the idea of asking him straight out where he’d gone, but was afraid of his answer. Might he have a mistress living close to Foxworth, he was enamored with? Even a plainspoken person like Gerard, wouldn’t tell her. But an evasive answer wouldn’t fool her either. She nibbled her roll accepting she was being unfair; he was perfectly entitled to a life.
Leonora yawned. “I slept so well, this country air is most refreshing.”
Mama smiled. “You have roses in your cheeks. Would you like to live in the country, my love?”
Leonora’s eyes widened and she tapped her chin with a finger. “Only for the shortest time, for life here would be dull. How would you spend your days? There are no decent shops for miles around, and society could hardly be on an equal with London.”
Father seemed to enjoy the country, however. He wished to discuss Gerard’s plans with him and ride over the estate grounds before they left. Father rose and went in search of him. He returned with Gerard shortly after. Gerard shed his muddy boots at the door, slipped on another pair, and came to greet them. “I hope you all slept well.”
“We did indeed. Some coffee, Gerard?” Mama said. “You’ve missed breakfast.”
“Thank you. I always take my breakfast out into the fields, and shall do the same at luncheon.”
Harriett thought he looked preoccupied as he sipped his coffee.
“Are you plowing?” she asked.
“Yes, the north field.”
“Four-crop rotation?”
His eyebrows rose. “You know something of farming?”
“I read a little.”
“Six hundred acres of Foxworth is pasture land, much of the rest is cultivated.”
“Wheat, turnips, clover…?” Harriett couldn’t remember the fourth. Her interest in farming resulted from an interest in Gerard.
“And sainfoin.” He looked at her keenly.
“Sainfoin?”
“It’s a legume. Those fields that border the road with the rose pink flower. It’s excellent for the cattle. Doesn’t cause bloat.”
“Ugh! What an unpleasant conversation for the table,” Leonora protested.
Gerard laughed. “I do beg your pardon, Leonora.”
Harriett found his laugh strained. His blue eyes were bloodshot and no wonder, he’d had little sleep, if any at all. Unless he slept at the house of his mistress. She firmed her lips annoyed with where her thoughts led her. Judging by the steely set of his jaw, she was relieved she hadn’t mentioned seeing him last night.
Harriett went to her room, to supervise the packing of her clothes. When she came down again, her father had returned from his ride with Gerard. His face glowed with the exercise and he was full of praise for Gerard’s farming skills.
“I’ve had your carriage brought round,” Gerard said. “Your coachman and groom await your convenience.”
Standing on the coarse gravel of the semi-circular carriage drive, they said their goodbyes.
“We’d love you to come to London, Gerard.” Leonora gave him her hand. “Please. We’ll go to balls and card parties; it will be such fun.”
Gerard kissed the tips of her fingers. “In your graceful presence how could it be otherwise?”
Mama smiled. “Very prettily said.”
While Father assisted Mama and Leonora into the carriage, Gerard turned to Harriett. “You look tired,” she said.And troubled.
