Page 35
“We can win again, Lord Benting,” she said.
“Yes, we can,” Benedict said, lowering her over the water. “Shall we show your mother how it’s done?”
Meg nodded enthusiastically.
“I would not be so sure, red team,” Caroline teased. She was already leaning forward, her small vessel in position. “The blue boat is ready.”
A quick glance downstream told Benedict that Wesley had returned to his position near the bolder. “Very well,” he said. “Ready. Steady. Go!”
With a squeal of excitement, Meg released the red boat, and both little vessels floated away.
Chapter 12
“Another win for the red sailboat!” Caroline laughed and rose to her feet as Lord Benning and Meg cheered their small craft across the finish line ahead of the blue one for the fourth time.
Lord Benning grinned. “I believe the red team can justifiably claim victory today.”
“Agreed,” Caroline said, “and I also believe it is time for you to remove yourself from the water.”
Seemingly needing no further persuading, the gentleman waded the short distance to the bank and carefully set Meg on the grass before climbing out of the river. Meg took charge of both boats and began happily filling one with dandelions and the other with tiny daisies while Lord Benning dried off his feet and donned his boots.
“I’ve not enjoyed a lark such as that in a very long time,” he said, lowering himself onto the blanket beside Caroline. “I’m very glad that you came.”
“It was marvelous fun,” Caroline said. The gentleman had claimed a spot at least two feet from hers, yet the blanket suddenly felt small. “I’m amazed that you found the boats and that they remain in such excellent condition.”
“They were sitting at the top of the toy box in the nursery, all but begging to be taken out.”
She eyed him curiously. “I confess, I had not taken you for a sailboat enthusiast, my lord. You did not often join Henry and me when we raced them in our youth.”
He acknowledged her comment with a slight shrug. “I wanted to, but you and Henry were such good friends, I always felt that I was intruding.”
“If I ever did anything to give you that impression, I hope you will forgive me. We never felt that way. In fact, Henry often expressed a wish that you would play with us.” Regret filled her. “He thought you viewed our activities as childish.”
Lord Benning shook his head, and his smile held sadness. “Magical rather than childish. I fear that I missed out on a great deal when I went off to boarding school.”
“I suppose so. But you surely learned a great deal and made friends too.”
“I did, and some of those chums remain my closest friends even now. But I seem to be inexplicably tied to this place. No matter my age, when I am gone from it, I yen to return.”
Caroline smiled. “You love the land.”
“I do. Making the most of the Farwell Estate—whether it be through increasing our milk production or developing an apple orchard or cultivating more wheat fields—fills me with immense satisfaction.”
“I’m sure your efforts mean a great deal to your tenants also,” she said, reflecting on the conversation she’d had with Molly and Hester at Sarah’s house. “Especially with the recent wheat shortage.”
“That is my hope,” Lord Benning said. “I thought that last year’s wheat harvest was sufficiently bountiful to feed the local community. When I learned that there remains a scarcity of flour, I had my men sow another field with wheat this spring.”
“That is very good of you.”
“Nonsense.” He appeared surprisingly uncomfortable with the praise. “It is what any gentleman in my position would do.”
“If you believe that, my lord, those old school chums you associate with must be quite remarkable.”
He chuckled. “For the most part, they are commendable fellows.”
Caroline thought it unlikely that any of them were as benevolent or hardworking as Lord Benning, but telling him so did not seem quite proper. Abruptly—and rather unnervingly—aware of his proximity, she looked away. Wesley remained a little farther downstream, holding fast to the net and undoubtedly awaiting further instructions. Meg’s hunt for more dandelions had taken her to the other side of the tree. Shep was trailing behind her, keeping a watchful eye on her progress.
Lord Benning cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. “What manner of man was Mr. Granger?” he asked. Startled by the unexpected question, Caroline turned to face him again. His dark eyes met hers, and she saw hesitation there. “If I am overstepping, I would have you tell me.”
