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“Yes. I attended the funeral.”
She took a deep breath. “My father and I went to visit Sarah yesterday. It is obvious that she loves her children and is doing her best to provide for them, but Father and I fear that it is not enough.” She met Benedict’s eyes again. “Her children are desperately hungry.”
“Surely the vicar offered help.”
“He did, but she refused it. She claims others in the village are in greater need.”
It was Benedict’s turn to frown. The village of Leyfield included all the Farwell land and those who lived upon it. Surely none of their tenants were suffering so greatly that they were going without food. “Does your father know of others who are in dire straits?” he asked.
“I’m ashamed to say I did not ask him. After we left the Trilbys’ house, my focus was on what we might do for Sarah and her children.”
“Did you settle upon something?”
“I believe so,” she said. “It’s a small thing, but if Giles is willing to assist me, I think it will make a difference.”
“Giles is a good man. I am sure he will do his part if he is able.”
Clasping her hands together tightly, she said, “Giles drops two pints of milk off on the vicarage doorstep every morning. I wondered if he would be willing to leave one pint here and take the second to the Trilbys’ door instead. I realize it would take him a little longer to go to their cottage and back, but we would continue to pay for the milk, and perhaps we could pay a little extra for his time.”
“Absolutely not.”
At Benedict’s adamant reply, Caroline took a startled step back. “You will not allow it?” Shock rang through her voice.
“What I will not allow is the vicar paying Giles to drive another half a mile or the vicar’s daughter going without milk when she has yet to fully restore her own health.”
“I would not go without. My father has said—”
Benedict raised his hand. “At the risk of being inexcusably rude, I must stop you. It will not matter what you say. I refuse to cut the vicarage’s milk delivery in half when there is no need for it. I wholeheartedly approve of your idea and would be most grateful if you would permit Farwell Farm to contribute two pints of milk a day to the Trilbys. Giles can be sworn to secrecy, and the Trilbys need never know why their doorstep has been added to his morning route.”
“But someone must pay for the milk.”
“Although it’s true that the dairy farm could not function properly if we simply gave away our milk to everyone, donating two pints a day to Will Trilby’s widow and children is nothing. Rather, it is a privilege. Will undercharged me for his work more times than I can count.”
Moisture glistened in Caroline’s eyes. “I must repeat what I said earlier, Lord Benning: you are a gallant gentleman.”
“In this instance, I am merely a contributing partner. I can take no credit for your thoughtful and compassionate notion.”
She smiled, and the blunders he’d made earlier seemed to fade in significance.
“I am most grateful,” she said. “And the Trilbys will be also.”
“It is I who should express gratitude. I value the trust you have placed in me. Not only on behalf of the Trilbys but also personally.”
With a small sigh, she raised a blemished hand and gazed at it. “I have yet to fully come to terms with my new appearance. I do not know how long it will take for me to become immune to the reactions of others when they set eyes upon me, but I thank you for enabling me to feel comfortable in your presence without my bonnet and gloves on. Up until now, the circle of people I have trusted with my appearance has been limited to my father and Nora.”
“I am honored to be included amongst them. And I would have you know that when you are with me, you may wear whatever brings you the most peace of mind, but as far as I am concerned, no matter how fine the hat, a wilted daisy chain will always be more elegant.”
She gasped and reached for the string of tiny flowers in her hair. “I had forgotten they were there.”
He grinned. “I daresay Meg would have reminded you sometime before supper.”
Her soft laughter lifted his spirits and left him feeling grateful that they would part on better footing than they’d been on when he’d first arrived.
“Well, if I’m to speak to Giles before the second milking, I’d best be on my way.”
“Yes.” She held her bedraggled headpiece at her side. “Thank you for taking care of that.”
“My pleasure,” he said. And since Meg remained fully consumed with her digging on the other side of the garden, he offered Caroline a slight inclination of his head and bid her farewell.
