Page 18 of A Housekeeper for the Earl of Drinkwater
Edward shrugged.
“I always trust a fellow veteran,” he said.
The man laughed.
“Ah, a good answer, my lord,” he said. “Then, might I suggest we get to work on repairin’ the land and the farmhouses first?”
Edward winced, feeling sheepish. That should have been obvious to him, and he was suddenly deeply grateful to have spoken with the farmers before deciding anything.
“Why don’t we speak to the rest of the farmers now?” he asked, an idea occurring to him. “I have seen more than enough.”
Stamp looked at him quizzically, but he nodded, halting and turning to the farmers following behind, who gathered around and ceased their conversations at once.
One of the men began to shout, but Stamp held up his hand, just as he had earlier, and the man immediately stopped.
“Let the earl speak,” he said. “I believe you’ll want to hear what he has to say.”
There was silence, and Edward took a deep breath.
“Work will begin on replenishing the soil and replacing livestock immediately,” he said. “As will repairs on the farmhouses and barns.”
There was silence for only a moment before the shouting began. Half the men cheered, but the others protested.
“Maybe you don’t understand, my lord, but none of us have the money to make any repairs,” a man wearing a straw hat said.
“No farming means no working,” another said, pulling up loose-fitting trousers as he spoke.
Edward smiled, nodding to Stamp. He already knew he wanted him as bailiff. But he would still put it to a vote, though he was sure he knew what the vote would be. As expected, the farmer quieted everyone for a third time, and Edward continued speaking.
“I have a military pension that I will receive for the rest of my life,” he said. “And I intend to use that pension to pay for any repairs that are needed.”
This time, when the din resumed, it was nothing but cheers. Men clapped each other on the back, some laughed, and still others pushed forward to shake Edward’s hand, which he did without hesitation.
When the celebratory atmosphere settled, Edward held up his hand. The men respected him now, and they would gladly hear what he had to say.
“And now, to select a new bailiff,” he said. “I will take any nominations, but the sooner we choose one, the sooner I can make the arrangements to begin the work.”
It took only a second for the man with thinning brown hair to speak.
“I think it should be William,” he said, pointing to Stamp.
The majority of the farmers looked to Stamp, repeating the one-eye’d farmer’s name, so Edward turned to him.
“It looks as though it is up to you,” he said, smiling warmly at Stamp.
The veteran rolled his eyes, but a grin was spreading across his face.
“It looks as though I don’t have much of a choice,” he said with a laugh. “Very well, my fellows. I accept.”
The men cheered once more, congratulating the farmer on his new job as bailiff. Then, Edward dismissed the rest of the farmers, who were still celebrating and thanking him as they left.
“Are you really goin’ to use your pension to help us, my lord?” Stamp asked when they were alone, eyeing Edward cautiously.
Edward nodded.
“I am,” he said. “At least, until we can get a steady income going from the farms again.”
The farmer nodded.
