Walking outside, Harriet noticed the gig waiting for them. The day was one of England’s finer with a sky so blue and puffy little clouds floating by. There was a soft breeze in the air, making her glad she’d brought her shawl.
Lucien assisted her into the gig and climbed in beside her. He nodded to a stable boy who was holding the bay gelding’s reins. Clucking to the animal, they were on their way.
They rode in silence for a few minutes giving Harriet the chance to see her new home in detail. There were acres of green grass that seemed to go on forever.
“Does this meadow get used for anything?” she asked.
“Riding, I imagine hunts, that sort of thing,” Lucien replied.
“I would fence it and use it to graze some of your horses.”
“Actually, I’ve thought that same thing,” he replied. “I’m thinking of placing oaks on either side of the drive as well.”
“That would be a nice touch.”
“I’ve also purchased some cattle that’ll live here as well. There are a few, but not enough to keep the estate self-sufficient or to sell,” Lucien said. He pointed to a path jutting off to the left. “That leads to some of the gardens and fruit and nut trees.”
“I’d love to see it,” Harriet said.
“I promise we’ll go as soon as it dries out.”
“I’m holding you to it, Lord Kingston.”
They rode along until the main road appeared. Lucien eased the gig onto the road, heading towards the village.
“So what do you think of your new home?” Lucien asked minutes later.
She turned to face him. “I’m very impressed. There is so much for me to learn.”
“My mother would probably be a good source for that. I know that she visits tenants, takes them a goose and other food for Christmas. She understands it can be a stretch for them to afford a goose. She also goes in the late summer and takes the children clothing and shoes. I believe she keeps a ledger for that.”
“I will ask her when we return to London. I imagine her tenants love her.”
Lucien nodded. “They do, and so will our tenants. I was planning on us visiting them so I could introduce you to them, since you are mistress of the estate.”
“I would like that very much.”
Harriet watched as Lucien turned onto the main road, heading to the village. He pointed to various things along the way that would help her if she were out on her own and got turned around.
They came upon a fork in the road. Luckily there were signs at the split, making it easier to know which direction to go. To get to London one used the right road; the other went to the village.
“Always take the fork to the left. I only tell you this because the sign has been vandalized a few times,” he said. He stopped in front of the signpost.
“Unless of course I’m on my way to London,” she replied.
“If you were going to town, I would like to think you’d use the proper carriage. You’d have a driver and footmen.”
“Of course, I would, silly. I would hope you’d be with me as well, and I don’t see why I’d go to London without you.”
“I would hope you wouldn’t.”
The farther they went down the muddy road, the more the landscape began to change. Small houses appeared, some looking like small farms, with family acreage to keep their families fed and to sell some of what they grew.
Harriet noted they were on the outskirts of the village. There were some vendors on the side of the road. As they kept on, the village came into sight. There were lots of shops. Everything one would need. Bakeries, frippery shops, a meat shop, and more.
“Would you like to visit some of shops?” Lucien asked.
Harriet nodded. “Yes, I’d love to see some of the shops. Unless you have other ideas.”
