Lord Bradford tilted his head toward his steward. “Might that be easily managed?”
“I believe so, your lordship. We could use one of the covers for the hay bales. There should be one or two folded in storage, as some of the hay has already been used. I could see to it today.”
“Well, we appear to have a solution that satisfies everyone. A rarity, I would say. You will have to acquaint yourself with disappointment, Lewis,” his father said. “Not everything can be argued away as if in a courtroom.”
“That may be so,” Lewis countered, “but it would be remiss of me not to at least try.”
His father nodded.
Lewis felt ridiculously pleased with himself. He had helped a tenant, shown his father he could be trusted with affairs of the estate, and received a nod of approval. An actual nod!
He couldn’t wait to go home to Jillian and share his small triumph. She would be especially pleased that he had persevered in seeking a solution for the poor inhabitants of the stricken cottage.
He excused himself with a promise to come up to the main house and educate himself about the nuances of running such a large and complex property. His father, in turn, offered to send for him the next time he did his rounds with their steward.
Lewis practically floated back to their own cottage—though he now considered the use of the term “cottage” a trifle embarrassing.Theirhome had several bedrooms, a study, a drawing room, a dining room, and three rooms for the servants. Not to mention its own stables, a veranda, and a greenhouse. It was a far cry from the laborer cottage, where an entire family cooked, ate, washed, and slept within the confines of one room.
It was a sobering reminder that there were many who could use his help. Loving Jillian had meant opening his eyes to the world of the less fortunate. It had made him a better man. And he loved her all the more for it.
After some searching, he found Jilly in the greenhouse, her gloved hands wrist-deep in potting soil. She was hollowing out a space to transplant a thriving hibiscus into a larger pot. A smudge on her cheek told him she had tried to sweep hair from her face.
Lewis snuck up to her shoulder and tucked the errant strands behind her ear. “I see you’ve been busy,” he said.
“I don’t like to sit around,” she answered.
“I know. I’m glad you have a warm spot to potter about in.” He grinned at the intended pun.
Jillian did not acknowledge the humor. “There is little enough I’m allowed to do,” she said, making no attempt to hide the bitterness that underscored her words.
Lewis was momentarily put off his stride. Her comment reflected the mood in which he had left her. But he would soon cheer her up, just as he had been gladdened by his interaction with his father.
“I took a walk past the tenant cottages,” he began.
Jillian’s fingers worked nimbly with the roots of the hibiscus.
“My father and his steward, Mr. Cooper, were there.”
Jillian took hold of the watering can she had readied beside her and poured the liquid into the hole she had prepared.
“They were discussing repairs to the roof of one of the cottages,” Lewis continued.
Holding the plant upright with one hand, Jilly began to scoop soil into the cavity that now housed the roots.
“I was concerned that it might take several days, even a week or two to complete repairs, leaving the tenants without proper shelter.” Lewis waited for a response. He was disappointed.
Jillian began prodding the soil around the roots with her fingers. Rather more assertively than necessary, Lewis thought.
“I suggested that they provide a temporary solution.”
More water. More prodding.
“They are going to use one of the covers for the hay bales to seal the hole in the roof and offer some protection against the elements.”
Jillian peeled off her gloves and discarded them upon the shelf. Then, and only then, did she look at Lewis. “That will not keep the heat in as well as tiles would,” she said. “And you know how cold it is today.”
“What would you have us do?” Lewis replied. Despite the fact that she was bringing up the same concerns he had shared with his father, he took umbrage at her words. He had cared. He had come up with a solution. The situation was temporary. Why was she not pleased with him?
“Provide them with alternate housing,” she said flatly.
