Page 38 of Not Exactly Mr. Darcy
“Sorry. Sometimes my face talks without my permission.”
He fought a smile as George chuckled.
“It’s just a little dated,” Liv explained.
Offence reared. His mother had approved this. And yes, maybe it was a little tired, but—
“And look, I don’t want to step on any toes, but from all the treasure I saw in the house, I’m sure we can do better than this.”
We.It had been a long time since he felt like there was anyone willing to throw their lot in with him and support the Hall. This was his heritage, but for some reason Liv seemed invested of her own accord. The fact that she could appreciate it lessened the offence and softened his heart towards her.
She glanced at him. “I know that you’re the caretaker, so I presume you have some kind of budget to work with?”
“An extremely limited budget.”
She nodded, hands straying to her hips. “But you do understand that to reopen the Hall will require some financial investment.” She tapped the brochure. “Like new brochures.”
He pressed his lips together. Glanced at Veronica. George.
They seemed to recognize his plea for help and directed Liv to walk through the old arched carriage entry to the patio which held the view across the parkland. This section of the garden had been landscaped according to the principles of Capability Brown, with flowing English landscapes and none of the formal garden rooms to be seen on the other side of the house.
He still remembered the arguments his parents had had about where a café should be situated, overlooking the parterre gardens or not. He’d sided with his mother, that visitors would probably appreciate the formal gardens and the fountain, but his father had been adamant that the family should have privacy that having a café and the commercial ventures on this side of the courtyard would allow.
“This way they can see gardens and the house and they can finish at the café and they can get in their cars and go home.”
He could see the sense of that now, looking at things with fresh eyes. He wondered what Liv would think.
She drew in a deep breath and smiled. “This is such a peaceful outlook. I’m sure everyone who comes here feels a sense of peace in their heart when they leave.”
He didn’t. He felt a measure of stress whenever it came to thinking about Hartbury Hall.
Liv glanced up at him. “You’re very blessed to be the caretaker here.”
He swallowed. She wouldn’t say that if she knew the dire straits of their financial position. And seeing he had asked her to take this role, she probably needed to know.
“So, is there a way of getting some more funds released? There are some things we can do with social media, for example, that are free. Are you on social media?”
He shook his head, as George giggled.
“What?” Liv asked.
“Liam avoids social media like the plague.”
“I have no desire to be on Facetagram.”
Liv half smiled. “But the Hall should be. People need to know when they can come and visit. Are the gardens open today?”
He shook his head.
“They should be. It’s a fine day. And I know that you’re down on manpower, but I really think you need to try and open every weekend, Fridays too. And open the gardens earlier, like nine. The more people you can get through the gate, the more money you’re going to make. Have you got enough funds to employ another gardener?”
“No.”
She winced. “Okay. Do you know of anyone who might volunteer some time to do some of the weeding? Because if the gardens can look schmick we’d get more visitors, even from word of mouth.”
“Schmick?”
“Oops. Look neat and tidy, I mean. And I know you’ve been doing your best, but it’s really hard as one man. Maybe we should take up Tobias’ offer to put out a call to volunteers tomorrow at church. If we have a working bee or two and could get basic things weeded and tidy, then we could possibly look at opening, even next Friday.”
