Chapter Thirteen #2
‘Oh, yes, Mrs Fitch…’ Florence gritted her teeth at the mention of the housekeeper, the woman who’d so smugly relayed her husband’s wishes regarding the management of the household.
That had been before she and Leo had decided to put the past behind them, of course, but the subject still rankled…
‘She mentioned something about your father leaving a letter of instructions. Then she took umbrage when I suggested they might simply be guidelines.’
He gave a laugh, though there was no humour in it.
‘It’s obvious you never met my father. He had very strong views on how the house and estate ought to be run, even after his death.
His instructions aren’t legally binding, of course, but the estate thrived under his care.
It would be foolish of me to completely ignore his instructions just because I have a few ideas of my own. ’
‘Maybe your ideas are good too?’
‘Maybe they are. Or maybe they would prove to be dismal failures, in which case Sewell and Fitch would be waiting in the wings ready to say “I told you so”.’
‘But at least you would know if your ideas worked.’
He looked pensive for a moment, before shaking his head.
‘I wish I could do more, but it’s been hard enough making any changes, like introducing the herd, and not just because I’ve had to argue with Sewell every step of the way.
Going against my father’s instructions makes me feel guilty too, like I’m letting him down, even though the rational part of my brain tells me I’m the marquess now. ’
‘That must be difficult.’ She nodded sympathetically, remembering what Cassie had told her about how their father had tried to mould him into another version of himself.
She had a sudden mental image of a motherless twelve-year-old boy, whose sister had just left for her first Season, being forced to endure that kind of domineering influence alone.
Just the idea of it made her want to get up, walk around the table and wrap her arms around him.
‘It could be worse.’ Leo tucked back into his dinner. ‘He could have left the estate in debt. Then I’d have much bigger problems to deal with.’
‘I suppose so, although that doesn’t mean this isn’t a problem too.’ She tipped her head to one side. ‘But since the new herd is already at Rainton, you might as well see how that particular change goes, no matter how much Mr Sewell complains.’
‘You’re right, I will. Thank you.’ His gaze warmed as he smiled across the table at her. ‘For both the support and the advice.’
‘You’re welcome.’ She smiled back. ‘So did your father mention anything about marriage in his letter?’
‘Mmm?’ Leo’s fork seemed to freeze in mid-air.
‘It’s just that Cassie thought he would have chosen a bride for you himself if he’d had time, so I wondered if his letter gave you any instructions about marriage?’
There was a moment of hesitation before Leo started eating again. ‘No.’
Which meant yes, she thought, biting into a carrot.
Almost certainly, his father had told him to marry somebody refined and well-bred like Amabel, and instead he’d found himself trapped with her.
No wonder he’d been so angry about their marriage.
It wasn’t just that she’d made him a laughing stock, it was the fact that she’d caused him to fail his father too.
He must have felt so guilty. And the fact that he wasn’t flinging the accusation in her face now was profoundly touching, even if her food didn’t taste quite so delicious any more.
And what else was in the letter? she wondered, watching her husband out of the corner of her eye while they chewed in companionable silence.
Some kind of stipulation about Mrs Fitch continuing to run the household perhaps, as there was with Sewell and the estate?
If there was, then at least that meant it wasn’t the personal attack that she’d thought, although it still didn’t seem entirely fair. Not fair at all, in fact…
‘I want to manage the household,’ she announced abruptly, hurrying on before he could say anything back.
‘If we’re making the best of our marriage then I want to make the best of my new position too.
I might not have been trained to run such a large house, but I’m not completely ignorant or incompetent, and I’m a fast learner.
Mrs Fitch said that you wanted her to keep doing it, but I don’t see why I should necessarily be constrained by your father’s instructions as well. No offence.’
Leo stared at her, his expression inscrutable as he took another sip of his wine.
‘You’re right,’ he answered finally. ‘You shouldn’t be constrained by them.
To be honest, I’ve never given the subject of housekeeping much thought, but it was remiss of me.
You’re the marchioness now and you should manage the household as you see fit. ’
‘Oh.’ She opened her mouth and then closed it again. ‘Right. Good.’
‘Mrs Fitch really told you I asked her to keep managing everything?’ A shadow passed over his face.
‘Yes, during our tour of the house.’ She frowned. ‘Or at least she said something about being entrusted to do it and you not telling her otherwise.’
He muttered something under his breath. ‘Yes, that sounds like her.’
‘Will she mind very much if I take over?’
‘When you take over, and yes, definitely. She’s been running the house without a mistress for almost twenty years now, ever since my mother died. She won’t find it easy to cede control but it’s your house, not hers. I’ll speak to her as soon as we get back.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Now, if that’s settled, I have my own request to make.’ He leaned back in his chair, his eyes darkening as he looked at her.
‘Oh?’ She felt the hairs rise on the nape of her neck. Whatever his request was, her mind was already veering towards yes.
‘I’d like you to tell me some more about cows.’
‘Cows?’ She gave a shaky exhale, then tipped her head back and laughed. ‘Very well. What do you wish to know?’