Page 58 of The Lovers
“You are the lady of the house, so it’s only proper that you stay in the house. I’ll send word to Master Grove, the estate manager, that you have arrived, and he will see to provisions and servants. You can stay with me until the house is fit for habitation. Peg will act as chaperone,” he added with a wry smile. “It’s just through there.”
James took hold of Elise’s valise with one hand and offered his other hand to Barbara, who took it eagerly. He led them down a narrow, wooded path that seemed to stretch on for miles. Peg followed behind, muttering under her breath. Unlike Lucy, whose disposition had been sunny, Peg was a complainer, and her mouth was more often pouty than smiling. Having lived in London all her life, Peg wasn’t used to walking long distances and was out of breath by the time they finally arrived at the clearing where the cottage was situated.
The cottage was small but clean and comfortable. The first room consisted of a large hearth, a table with two narrow benches, a wooden chest, and an alcove for a bed. The second room held a larger bed, another chest at the foot of the bed, and a nightstand with a pitcher, basin, and a pewter candlestick. There was also a loft accessible by a ladder.
“Have you been living here all on your own?” Elise asked, taking in the surprising orderliness of the place.
“Master Grove’s daughter, Lizzie, comes by twice a week. She cleans and cooks for me.” James seemed a bit uncomfortable at the mention of Lizzie, and Elise felt a pang of jealousy, which she quickly suppressed. What right did she have to be angry? James was a free man, and if he found some comfort in the arms of a comely maid, well that was his business.
“She’s thirteen,” James said pointedly, as if reading her thoughts.
“Ah. Is she a good cook, then?” Elise asked to hide her embarrassment. Was she so transparent?
“Passable.” James glanced at Peg who instantly bristled.
“Well, don’t ye look at me. I ain’t no kitchen maid.”
James shrugged and carried Elise’s bag into the bedroom. “You can sleep in here, your ladyship. Lady Barbara, it’s the alcove for you, and Peg can take the loft. There’s a cot up there.”
Peg didn’t look pleased since she’d been clearly hoping that James would take the loft and leave her to sleep in the alcove, where it was bound to be warmer and dryer, but she wisely refrained from commenting. She was lucky to be away from London, and she knew it. Peg took her small bundle and climbed up the ladder, eager to investigate her sleeping quarters.
“And where will you sleep?” Elise asked.
“On the floor. I’ll be fine, don’t you worry,” James added, seeing her expression. “It won’t be the first time. I’ll call on Master Grove and inform him of your arrival,” James said as soon as Peg disappeared up the ladder.
James looked at Elise as if he wished to say something more, then turned on his heel and left. Barbara sat down by the window and took a piece of embroidery out of her basket, instantly content. There was nothing for Elise to do, so she stretched out onthe bed and placed her hands on her belly. The baby gave a hearty kick, making Elise smile. She didn’t wish to stay in the big, empty house. She liked it just fine here and would have gladly kept the knowledge of her arrival from the estate manager. How wonderful it would be to simply vanish for a while and live as she pleased with no one watching her or passing judgment. A place to sleep and simple, country food was all she needed to be happy, and James and Peg were company enough. But she was Lady Asher, and James wouldn’t hear of it. Besides, he wouldn’t wish them to infringe on his privacy.
FORTY-ONE
When James returned an hour later, he was accompanied by a young girl, who curtsied to Elise as if she were the queen, nearly dropping the basket she carried. Lizzie was thin and willowy, with abundant brown hair and large dark eyes. She unpacked the supplies she brought and went to work immediately, and within the hour the small house was filled with the smells of cooking. Once Lizzie got the stew going, she deftly kneaded some dough and made it into four loaves, which she placed in an opening on the side of the hearth to bake while the stew bubbled over the open flame.
Elise’s mouth watered with hunger, but she’d have to be patient. Instead, she asked James to bring some water from the well and she washed hastily and put on a fresh gown. The one from that morning was still damp. Peg arranged it on the bench, which she pulled up to the hearth so that the gown could dry.
“That smells wonderful, Lizzie,” Elise said as she inhaled the rich fragrance of cooking meat.
“Thank ye, me lady. Me da caught the rabbits just this mornin’ and me ma skinned them quick-like once she found out ye’d arrived.” Lizzie suddenly looked worried, realizing that she’d just unwittingly admitted that her father helped himself to the master’s game. Some might see that as poaching, but Elise saw it as nothing more than good sense.
“Well, how clever of them,” she said, smiling at the girl. “Do you have a big family?” Elise asked. She liked this sprite of a girl.
“I have three younger brothers, me lady. Two of them is twins, but they look nothin’ alike. And me mam is breedin’ again. I do hope ’tis a girl this time. I want a sister, I do. Brothers are useless,” she added with a pout.
“You might change your mind once they’re older,” James said with a grin. “They’ll look after you.”
“Hmm,” Lizzie said, her tone dubious. “More like I’ll be lookin’ after them.”
Elise thought there was some truth to that but didn’t comment. Perhaps Lizzie would be wed at a young age and have her own family to take care of, leaving her younger brothers to fend for themselves until they found brides.
“I’ll have to take care of Joe for sure,” she continued, warming up to her theme. “He’s mute. Soft in the head too,” she added, tapping herself on the temple.
“That must be hard on your parents,” Elise said, wondering if Barbara heard what Lizzie just said, but her expression remained impassive as she continued to focus on her needlework.
“Neh. He don’t do much, but he’s strong, so Da puts him to work chopping wood and helping Ma round the house. He’s harmless.”
Lizzie pulled the pot out of the hearth and stirred the contents, releasing fragrant steam into the room. “This could use another hour or so, but I know ye’re hungry, and the meat is cooked through. Shall I serve it now?” she asked.
“Please do. I’m famished. It’s time to eat, Barbara,” she said. Barbara obediently set aside her embroidery and took a seat at the table. Elise sat down next to her and accepted a bowl of stew. James sliced the bread, and Peg poured out some ale.
“Won’t you join us, Lizzie?” Elise asked. “There’s plenty for everyone.”
