“I’m awfully lucky to have him, darling,” Phineas said as he took her into the dining room on his arm. “His father is very wealthy, and I know Albion learned a great deal about management from him. He’s a good friend and a very clever man, Albion. But he’s a fourth son so he needed a profession and how fortunate for me that he chose to become my steward.”
Caroline spent the afternoon going through the house. She told Phineas she didn’t need him, he should go out riding, take advantage of the break in the rain.
She started in the cellars and worked her way to the attics. The house was sound. There was no bad smell, no sign of rot. The dampness she had felt last night was just because it had been raining and so few fires had been lit to warm the house. She made her way through every room with Lavinia at her side. She opened doors, felt drapes, examined furniture, looked at ceilings.
This is a good house. It’s just been neglected.
She met with the housekeeper and the cook. She would have to give them a chance, she supposed, to see if they would come up to her standards before she found new ones.
“The drawing r-r-room needs to be cleaned this afternoon, Mrs. F-F-Fox. The earl would like to sit there after dinner and the walls need the soot scrubbed off of them.”
To the cook: “I will approve all m-m-menus, Mrs. Beckford. What had you planned for tonight?”
“A roast and potatoes, my lady.”
“Please have some lettuces or watercress and some white soup, as well. And a cake for pudding.”
“His lordship never asked for pudding before, my lady.”
“I’m asking for it. And please salt the roast. And no more wine is to be bought.”
The dinner that night was improved over the three other meals Caroline had eaten in Burchester. She and Phineas sat in the drawing room after dinner, and she realized she would need to get in a chimney sweep. And tomorrow, she must meet the gardeners.
“How was your afternoon, darling?”
“F-fine.”
“I hope you’re not working too hard. You’ve taken on so much.”
“It’s not t-too much. I like this house. And the grounds.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
She could have given no better gift to her husband than her true feelings and these words, she felt. He beamed at her and leaned forward and took her hand.
“Are you tired now, Caro? Do you want to go to bed?”
“No and yes.”
“No and yes?”
“No, to tired. Yes, to bed.”
His beam turned into a hungry look, and her husband stood and drew her out of her chair and took her up the stairs.
Twenty-Seven
The next day, Caroline sent Phineas off by himself in the morning to see his tenants.
“Will you come, Caro?”
She did not feel brave enough yet. “Another time.”
Disappointment creased his forehead for a fraction of a second but he did not protest.
“I know you want to get the house in order.”
