"This time?"
Catherine smiled and showed him a shelf next to the mantelpiece. Five well-bound volumes in brown leather, a foot high each, had pride of place. Will could see Birds of English Marsh and Wetlands and Birds of English Woods and Brush neatly lettered on two of them.
"Impressive, sir."
"Mr. Porter will be wanting this one soon enough," Wheatly said.
"You have until after Christmas, Father," Catherine put in. "At least six weeks."
The old man suddenly pulled one sketch from the pile Catherine had laid on his desk. "This one isn't right," he murmured.
Will looked at the watercolor of a black-and-white bird perched on a leafy branch. He didn't know birds, but the painting looked exquisite to his untrained eye. "It's lovely work," he said.
"Wagtail wing bars aren't so wide. And look. Catherine painted his head cocked downward. They don't sit that way. Point their beaks up like some snooty duchess. Has to be right for Porter."
Catherine took the painting with a sigh. "I'll redo it. Mr. Porter wouldn't know the difference or care, but you will. I'll get to it tonight after supper."
Chadbourn frowned. Miss Wheatly looks weary. Does nothing happen here without her competent touch? She is nervous, too. My presence makes her jumpy. I need to cut this strange visit short.
"If I may interrupt, Wheatly, the reason I came was to ask for advice."
Two pairs of wide eyes turned to him.
"Eversham Hall is without a steward. I fired the man for incompetence."
"Excellent!" Catherine exclaimed. "Barker about ruined the land."
"Nasty, too," Wheatly scowled. "Th'duke's creature."
Will wondered what dealings Songbird Cottage had with the rotten steward, but didn't voice the question. "However, that leaves my nephew's estate without a steward. I need someone trustworthy and skilled enough to oversee the restoration of the estate, someone whom I can trust. I can't stay here forever. I hoped you might know someone, Wheatly. It would be best if the man knew local conditions."
The old man looked baffled and confused. Will realized his mistake. He had asked the wrong Wheatly. He looked at Catherine, who appeared lost in thought.
"Have you spoken with Squire Archer?" she asked. "He owns a small estate several miles above Wheatton. His nephew, John Archer, manages it. He's young, and Eversham would be a challenge, but he has the skills. He understands the land. You would do well to speak to him. The Squire wouldn't stand in the way of John improving himself."
Her comments confirmed Will's suspicions about the source of Songbird Cottage's order and well-managed operation. His other suspicions about the estate's obligations toward this household would have to wait until he had more information. Clearly, that wouldn't come from Lord Arthur.
"Thank you, Miss Wheatly. I will call on Squire Adams as soon as I am able. Can you see me out?"
He took his leave of Lord Arthur Wheatly, convinced that he looked relieved to have him gone, and followed his hostess to the door.
"Your sketches and watercolors are superb."
His words must have startled her. When she stumbled on the carpet in the hall, Will reached out to steady her, with one hand to her waist and the other to her wrist. He could feel the rapid beat of her pulse under his hand.
Ah, Miss Wheatly. Your heartbeat is as rapid as mine. He smiled down at her.
A man could get lost in Catherine Wheatly's eyes. Will realized he was grinning like a fool and tried to rein himself in.
"Does your John Archer have a passion for the land?" he asked. It occurred to him belatedly that she might have a sweetheart.
"Johnny? I would say so, yes. He took his uncle's fields in hand when he reached seventeen, and now they are among the most productive in the county. Soon, they may be almost as productive as mine."
Mine. Any doubt Will may have harbored about her farm management disappeared. She had recommended the second-best land steward in the county to him. What would she say if he offered her the position?
"What's so funny?" she asked, gesturing him to the open door.
"I was thinking about the boys," he lied. "Your brothers are a delight."
