Page 19 of A Housekeeper for the Earl of Drinkwater
“Well, then, I have one more suggestion, if your lordship agrees,” he said.
Edward nodded again.
“Say on,” he said.
“The first purchases to help the land should include fertiliser and seed. And some new ploughs, and horses to pull ‘em,” he said. “I know that’s a tall order, but they’re necessary if we’re to have any hope of having a harvest this coming year.”
Edward nodded.
“Consider it done, Mr. Bailiff,” he said. “What I cannot pay for, I shall beg, steal, or borrow. The horses might be a tall order, but perhaps one of our neighbours can lead us some.”
Mr. Stamp chuckled.
“You learn fast, my lord,” he said. “As to ploughing, some of the old ploughs just need fixing by the smith, but we shall need new ones too, if you can manage it.”
Edward smiled and bowed.
“Consider it done, Stamp,” he repeated.
By the time he rode back to the house, it was late afternoon. Yet Edward did not feel tired, and he no longer felt as if the entire world was coming to an end.
In fact, he felt a small shard of hope piercing the gloom in his heart, like the sun shining through dark clouds after a rainstorm.
Now at least I’ve made a start, and I have a better idea of what it’s going to take to rebuild the estate—and the family’s fortunes.
Chapter Nine
“Evelyn,” Serena said on the trip home from the employment agency. She had no idea how to say what she was about to say, but she knew she could not wait any longer. With tears in her eyes, she looked away from her beloved housekeeper.
“You are about to tell me that that damnable solicitor has told you that you must fire the staff, including me,” Evelyn said simply.
Serena stared at her with horror.
“You heard him, after all,” she said tearfully.
Evelyn nodded.
“I did, Miss Serena,” she said, putting her hands on top of her mistress’s. “I just could not bring myself to confront you about it.”
Serena nodded, wiping at her eyes.
“I understand that you must be angry with me,” she began, but the housekeeper put a finger to her lips.
“I am no such thing, Miss Serena,” she said. “You have been through so much already. And I am not so heartless as to not understand why you might struggle facing this situation, too.”
Serena squeezed Evelyn’s hand, looking her in the eyes.
“I cannot believe that things have come to this,” she said. “How can I send you or Whitton away, with nowhere to go, and no new positions lined up?”
Evelyn shook her head and smiled.
“Don’t fret, Miss Serena. I wrote to my sister in Essex the very same night I overheard your conversation withthatman,” she said. “She and I are very close. And I have no doubt I’ll be able to stay with her while I search for a new position.”
Serena dropped her head and sighed.
“But how will I ever get on without you?” she asked.
Evelyn gave her a bright smile.
