Heather and Mrs Merriweather exchanged glances and then both launched at Grace, wrapping her in a fierce embrace, relief and happiness etched on their faces. Over the tops of their heads, Grace saw Johnson beaming and giving her a nod of approval.
OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, Grace remained hard at work, ensuring that all outstanding matters on the Estate were settled and informing the tenants of her circumstances. The news was met with great dismay, particularly among the longer-standing tenants, who inundated her with offers to assist with the move and the repairs to the cottage.
Her final tenant visit was with the Trent family.
‘Here, Melissa, I wish for you to keepFirst Impressions. I know how much you liked it,’ Grace said, handing her the book.
‘Thank you, Miss. I shall cherish it always,’ Melissa replied, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she took it. ‘I wish you did not have to go. We will miss you so much.’
‘I am not going too far; you are all welcome to visit once we are settled in.’ Grace tried to keep her voice bright, but it wavered despite her efforts.
Mary, Melissa’s mother, added warmly, ‘That we will, Miss. Skye, I’ll be bringing my pies too.’
Mary’s pies were a delight, and Grace sincerely hoped she would follow through on that promise. Yet, despite such assurances, Grace knew it was unlikely that the tenants would have the time or resources to visit often—farmers led a hardworking life.
Breaking the news to the Manor staff was even more difficult. They were deeply saddened but took some solace in knowing that she would be living nearby. Grace spent several hours consoling them and reorganising their duties in equal measure.
‘Taylor, I appoint you Head Butler, as Johnson will be coming with us. And Martha, you will take the position of Housekeeper. Please send in Betty...’
By the end of the day, Grace was utterly exhausted, but there was no time for rest—there were still many arrangements to make.
Betty, the ladies’ maid, would not have a position at the Manor and requested to move with them, to which Grace readily agreed. Another determined employee who refused to be left behind was Jimmy.
Grace had taken him in when he was left destitute after his father, a carpenter, had died, rescuing him from the workhouse. Since then, he had been working in the Skye stables under the head groom’s watchful eye. However, upon learning that Grace would no longer be his employer, he was adamant that he would follow her, and no amount of persuasion could shake his resolve. He trailed after her as she made preparations for the move.
‘I’ll earn my keep, Miss. Ye took me in when no one else would. I ain’t leaving yer side.’
He was so stubborn that he followed Grace around the Manor, pleading his case at every opportunity.
‘Silly boy, I have told you that you would be better off staying here and continuing your mentorship with the head groom. Why are you being so stubborn?’ Amused by his tenacity, Grace feigned annoyance to dissuade him—but to no avail.
‘I canna leave ye, Miss. I’m staying with ye. I’ll sleep outside if I have to.’
His scrawny chin jutted out in defiance. There was no arguing with his logic, it was absurd but unshakeable. By the endof the day, Grace, utterly worn down by his pestering, relented—but secretly, she was pleased to have him coming along.
Chapter 4
On the morning of the move, the sisters walked through every room in the Manor, trying to imprint each detail in their memories one last time. They ran their fingers over the soft silk cushions in the drawing room and traced the polished keys of the piano in the music room. They stole a biscuit from the jar the cook had stored, strolled through the halls, and admired the portraits of their ancestors. Grace sat in her favourite armchair one last time, while Heather bid farewell to her collection of cats. The older ones were too frail to move, and both sisters agreed it would be cruel to uproot them. However, Heather pleaded with Grace until she reluctantly agreed to bring Ginger along.
Grace carefully arranged the paperwork and keys on the study table for the new steward. Outside, the household staff lined up to bid their farewells. It was a bittersweet end to an era for the Skye sisters. Yet, in a way, Grace felt relief. For the past six months, she had lived in constant worry. This was not the future she had envisioned, but at least she was no longer beholden to any man. She had full independence now—the freedom to shape her life as she saw fit.
At least she no longer carried the burden of running the Estate. The weight of so many responsibilities had pressed heavily upon her shoulders for years. Now, she would not need to work so tirelessly, though the awareness left her unsettled. The Estate had consumed so much of her life that she was unsure what to do with herself. Perhaps she could rekindle somefriendships she had long neglected. The thought gave her some hope that things might not be so bad after all. Her only regret was that she would no longer be able to provide for Heather in the same way.
As the carriage rolled away, both sisters turned in their seats for one last look at their beloved Manor. It was a magnificent building, but it was not the grand architecture they mourned. Instead, they grieved for the memories within its walls—both joyful and painful.
Suddenly, Heather called for the driver to stop the carriage. Without explanation, she leapt out and ran towards the pleasure garden, the one their mother had designed. A few minutes later, she returned, breathless, clutching a small bundle of roses.
Grace felt a lump rise in her throat. She had forced herself to push aside her emotions for weeks, but at the sight of the flowers, her composure wavered.
‘Oh, Heather, these are from Mama’s rose bushes,’ she whispered, as she caressed the petals. ‘She planted and pruned them herself.’
‘I thought we could try to cultivate them in our new garden,’ Heather said. ‘We were not allowed to remove any of the family portraits of Mama and Papa, but at least this way, we can have something.’
She too was bleary-eyed as she embraced her sister.
A sudden squeal came from within Heather’s pelisse. Alarmed, Grace recoiled in her seat.
‘What on earth!’ she exclaimed.
