Chapter 12 #2
They waved the pair off and Mary linked their arms together as they turned to return to the house. “Shall we visit your tenants tomorrow then? Now that we will not arrive empty handed?”
“It is definitely time. I fear they already feel neglected by me.”
“Perhaps, if William had not insisted that Charles begin first on the cottages and then the main house second. They should be snug and warm and happy. They will have nothing to repine.”
∞∞∞
The next day after breaking their fasts on scones with jam and clotted cream, Jane ordered the old mistress’ cart hitched to one of her carriage horses and she and Mary were assisted onto the bench seat beside Mr. Hulls who had agreed to give Jane a lesson in driving.
With Peter Nichols to provide protection and carry the heavy baskets of treats and medicines to give to the tenants.
Mary had been entirely correct. Each and every tenant’s wife was pleased to meet the new mistress and proudly introduced their children and thanked her for the new slate roofs and such, which had been done just as winter was releasing its grip and the wet and mud had begun.
It had been the last winter they would suffer from damp and illness, and they were full of gratitude.
She gave each family a bag of sweets from the apothecary, fine tea for each woman, heavy work gloves for each farmer, a smoked ham, and several bottles of tinctures and medicinal syrups which Mrs. Toole was known for.
The children cheered and skipped and frisked about enjoying their candies and their mothers were very pleased with the rest, and now that she knew more about the make-up of each family, Jane would be able to better tailor her future baskets to each household.
All the way home, she and Mary spoke of the tenants and things they had observed with additional observations made by Mr. Hulls of the condition of the farms and homes.
With a journal and a pencil, Jane took notes as they had done at Longbourne when visiting the tenants, for their mother had no interest in the responsibilities of the mistress, other than entertaining.
When they returned to the estate, about an hour before dinner, Mary excused herself to the quiet library while Jane went in search of Mr. Yates. She had never been in the estate office and looked about with interest at all of the shelves filled with books and ledgers with maps on the walls.
She rapped on the open door frame with her knuckles and smiled, “Good evening, Mr. Yates. I hoped that you might have a moment to speak with me before you leave for the evening?”
Yates jumped to his feet and hurried around the desk to hold out a chair for her. “Good evening, Mrs. Bingley! What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?”
“My sister and I finally had the time to pay introductory visits to the tenants today and I wished to share my observations with you, as you are working so closely with them. Once my husband returns I shall give him my thoughts, which is more usual, but for now, I feel it is important.”
He looked surprised, but pleasantly so, and settled back in his seat. “I appreciate your efforts with your people. What do you have for me?”
Jane listed the families, noting one who was outgrowing their home as they had six children with another on the way.
Another’s eldest daughter was engaged to be married and though only sixteen, was hopeful that her beau might be able to take one of the empty farms, allowing them to marry all the sooner.
The third family was doing well, according to the wife, but it was noted by Mr. Hulls that much was undone around the home that ought to have been managed by her husband and even their garden had not been put to bed as it should for the winter and she wondered if perhaps the husband was ailing.
The fourth family had an elderly grandfather living with them and the wife was very busy seeing to his care as well as her very small children and she thought they maybe could use the help of an extra hand for planting season.
The last family was in good health but several of the windows on the windward side of their home leaked in the severe Staffordshire storms and needed to be reglazed.
“These are excellent observations, thank you,” Yates declared absently as he was still taking notes in his own notebook. “I shall send the workmen over for the windows this week and will make sure that Mr. Ricks is well.”
“Good,” Jane smiled happily. “And I shall send one of the maids to sit with Mrs. Adams’ father and children during planting. Do we have a small farm which Sally Ward and her beau might take? I assume he would need to be interviewed before an offer is made.”
“I would gladly interview the young man. None of the farms at Ivy Well are particularly small, but I am sure if he had a strong back and is willing to work hard, any of them would do. Unfortunately, your husband only authorized me to oversee repairs, so until he returns, the offer cannot be made.”
Jane sighed heavily and stroked her stomach with absentminded affection. “I wish I had a timeline for you, Mr. Yates. But none of my letters have received a response.”
“Mine either,” he informed her, his eye twitching just slightly and hinting at his frustration. “But we shall soldier on. He cannot stay in London forever after all!”
Jane laughed sadly and rose, “Thank you for your help, and for listening. I know that the situation is less than ideal, and I appreciate your forbearance and willingness to work with me.”
“Of course, if you need anything, please know that my door is always open and we shall work together to do what we can.”
Jane thanked him again and went to dress for dinner. The fact that they would have a full two courses felt like a celebration worthy of dinner dress.