“You will have Holcomb and either Biggs or Johns with you, will you not?”
“Should not both of the large men remain here with Mother?”
“I am here with some of my men, so your mother will be perfectly well guarded. Your concern for her safety does you credit. If I need to depart before your return, I will leave some additional men here for her protection, just in case—not that Ithink your mother is in danger. When one is in my position, you cannot be too careful. If nothing urgent is brought to my attention in London, I will return to Winsdale for part of August.”
Harold left his father’s study to meet with Mr Church so they could ride out and view some of the tenant cottages which needed repairs. Another reason for their tour of the cottages was to see how they looked with the new roofs, which had over the last year been changed from thatch to slate. The Hurst men had been convinced by the greater efficacy of slate to keep the dwelling warm and dry, not to mention that no vermin could make their homes in slate, causing their droppings to fall into the homes below. Although far more expensive to begin with, in the long run, it would become cost-effective as it did not have to be replaced every two or three years like rotting and infested thatching did which had been the case in the past at Winsdale. Best of all, it was not prone to burn like thatch was.
The needed repairs were not very serious but were immediately authorised before small issues were ignored and became large ones. Whenever he weighed the benefits of keeping the tenantry happy, Harold remembered the lessons regarding how much it benefited the estate when the tenants were content. That had been foremost in his mind when he had recommended the slate roofs to Father, and since the work had been done, there had been great appreciation expressed by the tenants.
As June waned, Harold found himself counting the days until the time of his departure to Scarborough arrived.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Louisa Bingley tried very hard to hide her disappointment. They had been home for over a month, andMaster Hurst had not come to call on her. She was very thankful she had not mentioned the possibility of his coming to either her mother or Caroline because they would have teased her about disappointed hopes every chance they got.
She placated herself by thinking about the fact that he had not said when he would arrive and only that he wouldpossiblycome to Scarborough. On this, the first Tuesday in July, Louisa was seated in the drawing room at the front of the house, where the windows gave a good view of Princess Street, which was the street where they lived. Father was at the carriage works with Charles, and her mother and Caroline were out shopping.
She did not mind the solitude of being the only one at home with the servants. Of late, when she was alone, her thoughts returned to the handsome Master Hurst and why he made sure he did not look as good as he could.
She was thus engaged, dreaming of Master Hurst, when a carriage stopped before the house. She watched as a mountain of a footman climbed down from the back bench and extracted the step. The huge man opened the door. In an instant, her heart swelled. It was Master Hurst. He had come to call on her, just like he had said he would. When she remembered that conversation in her head, Louisa had to own that he had not saidpossibly; in fact, he had stated that hewould come, but he had never mentioned when. All that mattered was that he was here now. What an opportune time for Mother and Caro to be out of the house!
While she watched the man who had occupied her thoughts since meeting him in Cambridge stride up the garden path towards the front door, Louisa rang for the housekeeper. “Mrs Higgins, please make sure a maid is seated in the drawing room with me before Mr Higgins shows the gentleman into theroom,” she instructed once the housekeeper arrived and bobbed a curtsy. “Wait about a quarter of an hour after his arrival and have a tea service delivered.”
The housekeeper bobbed another curtsy and left to carry out the orders. In quick order, a maid entered and after bobbing a curtsy, took a seat in the corner farthest from Miss Bingley.
Before either Louisa or Gladys—the maid—could get comfortable, Mr Higgins entered the room, followed by the man Louisa had been hoping would call on her. Louisa stood and Gladys followed her. When the butler announced Mr Harold Hurst of Winsdale and Hurst House, Louisa felt herself blushing with pleasure.
Seeing Miss Bingley’s reaction to his arrival pleased Harold. That she had a maid sitting with her as a chaperone only raised her in his estimation. Knowing what he did about the mother and younger sister, he had no doubt that they would not observe the proprieties to gain that which they desired. Once the butler announced him, Harold bowed to Miss Bingley, and she curtsied to him.
“Please take a seat, Mr Hurst,” Louisa invited as she fought to modulate her voice so the excitement she felt would not show.
“I would have called sooner, but after being away from the estate for a long period, there was much I had to see to before I turned my attention to much more pleasurable pursuits,” Harold revealed as he sat. It was mostly true. He did not want to tell the lady that he had not wanted to seem too keen.
The housekeeper entered with a footman carrying a tray with the tea service on it. She directed him to place it on the tablein front of where Miss Bingley was seated, and after the man exited, Mrs Higgins withdrew.
Harold was impressed that after serving him tea only once at the Cock and Bull Inn in Cambridge, Miss Bingley remembered his preferences regarding how he enjoyed his tea without having to ask him. She poured a cup of tea just as he liked it and nodded to the maid who was chaperoning them. The girl handed the cup and saucer and a plate with some tea cakes on it to him.
“Thank you,” he responded gratefully. Harold turned to look at Miss Bingley, who was pouring her own beverage. “You remembered how I enjoy my tea.”
Louisa felt her face heat up as she blushed again. “It is nothing,” she tried to claim.
In order to allow Miss Bingley time to recover her equanimity, Harold ate some of the treats on his plate and drank his tea in silence. “Thank you, everything was very good,” he said once he had eaten and had his tea.
The footman who delivered the tray collected it after the bell had been rung.
“Where are you staying? I assume you are not here just for today?” Louisa asked hopefully. She had to fight not to blush all over again at her forward question.
“I am at the Blacksmith’s Arms Inn in Cloughton. It is only about four miles from your house. I arrived yester-afternoon, but it was too late for me to make a call. Hence, I arrived at your house today. It is my intention to remain in the area for at least a sennight. If there is reason to remain for longer, I will adjust my plans accordingly,” Harold replied in a detailed way that demonstrated he had not thought herquestions impertinent. “Also, may I meet with your father to seek his blessing for me to call on you?”
Before Louisa could reply, there was noise from the entrance hall. The noise grew louder until Mrs Bingley and Miss Caroline entered the drawing room.
“I thought Higgins was mistaken when he said that Louisa had a gentleman caller,” Miss Caroline sneered. “As long as it is not Mr Darcy, as he will marry me, I care not.”
There were so many ways that Harold could respond to the child’s nonsensical utterance, but in deference to Miss Bingley and not embarrassing her, he held his peace. Even without his entering the fray, he could see how mortified Miss Bingley was at her sister’s vulgar display, and of course, the mother did nothing to correct her favourite daughter.
“You are here to call on Louisa?” Mavis verified. She thought her older daughter was on the shelf already. Even if this man was not of the first circle, she remembered that his family owned an estate—she cared not how large. She would make sure he did not leave before there was an understanding between Louisa and the man. Also, he was connected to both the Fitzwilliams and Darcys and that was something to be valued.
Harold allowed it was so. “When Mr Bingley returns home, I will ask for his blessing to call on Miss Bingley. I have her permission, and I understand that she is of age.”
