Chapter Fifteen #2
She would also be grateful when her maid came.
Not that she hadn’t been able to bathe and dress herself.
There were some things that her maid could assist her with that would make her look her best. Like her hair and help with her corsets.
She hadn’t worn the other since they arrived and had gotten that first one off.
Harriet rolled her eyes as she remembered Lucien helping her unlace it.
Satisfied with the temperature, Harriet lowered herself and submerged her head again. Just a few more minutes and she’d get out and dress herself for whatever they planned for the day.
Her dress selection was limited at the moment, but so far she’d managed. They hadn’t been anywhere and today felt like a good day for the dove-gray gown she’d brought with her. The fabric used for it was a linen mixture.
By the time Lucien returned, Harriet was sitting by the fire waiting on him.
“You look remarkable,” he said with a lopsided grin. “That dress looks amazing on you.”
She nodded and smiled. “Thank you. Did you accomplish everything?”
“Yes, I did. As far as the staff, that particular person will be reprimanded and placed elsewhere for the time being. It shouldn’t happen again.”
“Glad you got the situation taken care of. What are we going to do today?”
“The ground is rather muddy so I thought we could go to the village today. Tomorrow we should be able to check the estate,” he replied.
“The village it is. Let me grab a shawl and we can be on our way.”
“Very well. I thought we’d take the gig. It’s not as heavy as a carriage and should do better.”
“Let’s go. I’m ready for some fresh air after not being able to go outside because of the rain,” she said.
He gave her a pitiful look. “You mean you didn’t like all the attention your husband showered on you?”
Laughing, she walked out the door of their suite. “Quite the contrary.”
Walking outside, Harriet noticed the gig waiting for them. The day was one of England’s finer with a sky so blue and puffy little clouds floating by. There was a soft breeze in the air, making her glad she’d brought her shawl.
Lucien assisted her into the gig and climbed in beside her. He nodded to a stable boy who was holding the bay gelding’s reins. Clucking to the animal, they were on their way.
They rode in silence for a few minutes giving Harriet the chance to see her new home in detail. There were acres of green grass that seemed to go on forever.
“Does this meadow get used for anything?” she asked.
“Riding, I imagine hunts, that sort of thing,” Lucien replied.
“I would fence it and use it to graze some of your horses.”
“Actually, I’ve thought that same thing,” he replied. “I’m thinking of placing oaks on either side of the drive as well.”
“That would be a nice touch.”
“I’ve also purchased some cattle that’ll live here as well. There are a few, but not enough to keep the estate self-sufficient or to sell,” Lucien said. He pointed to a path jutting off to the left. “That leads to some of the gardens and fruit and nut trees.”
“I’d love to see it,” Harriet said.
“I promise we’ll go as soon as it dries out.”
“I’m holding you to it, Lord Kingston.”
They rode along until the main road appeared. Lucien eased the gig onto the road, heading towards the village.
“So what do you think of your new home?” Lucien asked minutes later.
She turned to face him. “I’m very impressed. There is so much for me to learn.”
“My mother would probably be a good source for that. I know that she visits tenants, takes them a goose and other food for Christmas. She understands it can be a stretch for them to afford a goose. She also goes in the late summer and takes the children clothing and shoes. I believe she keeps a ledger for that.”
“I will ask her when we return to London. I imagine her tenants love her.”
Lucien nodded. “They do, and so will our tenants. I was planning on us visiting them so I could introduce you to them, since you are mistress of the estate.”
“I would like that very much.”
Harriet watched as Lucien turned onto the main road, heading to the village. He pointed to various things along the way that would help her if she were out on her own and got turned around.
They came upon a fork in the road. Luckily there were signs at the split, making it easier to know which direction to go. To get to London one used the right road; the other went to the village.
“Always take the fork to the left. I only tell you this because the sign has been vandalized a few times,” he said. He stopped in front of the signpost.
“Unless of course I’m on my way to London,” she replied.
“If you were going to town, I would like to think you’d use the proper carriage. You’d have a driver and footmen.”
“Of course, I would, silly. I would hope you’d be with me as well, and I don’t see why I’d go to London without you.”
“I would hope you wouldn’t.”
The farther they went down the muddy road, the more the landscape began to change. Small houses appeared, some looking like small farms, with family acreage to keep their families fed and to sell some of what they grew.
Harriet noted they were on the outskirts of the village. There were some vendors on the side of the road. As they kept on, the village came into sight. There were lots of shops. Everything one would need. Bakeries, frippery shops, a meat shop, and more.
“Would you like to visit some of shops?” Lucien asked.
Harriet nodded. “Yes, I’d love to see some of the shops. Unless you have other ideas.”
“No, I don’t. Let me find a place to leave the gig and we can start.”
Lucien drove down to the livery stables. The man agreed to let them keep the gig and horse while they began their journey around the village. The first shop they came upon had yards and yards of fabric. They peered through the window at the variety the shopkeeper kept.
They walked from shop to shop on one particular road through the village. Each time, they stood outside and looked at what was offered in the window.
“You know we can go inside to get a better look,” Lucien said.
“I know. I just don’t see a need when there’s nothing I need. I just wanted to familiarize myself with what was here.”
“Very well,” Lucien replied.
“The village appears to have been well planned with how it’s been built,” Harriet said, looking down the street.
“Yes, and from what I understand there is a special building committee that has to be consulted before anything is added.”
They continued on their walk, finally coming upon a restaurant adjacent to a pub. “Is this the only restaurant?” Harriet asked.
“No, I believe there’s one at the inn which is a block or two away.”
“Have you eaten at either?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Should we try one for lunch?” Harriet asked.
“Let’s go to the inn.”
He took her hand and tucked it into his arm. “I take it you’re hungry, my love?”
“Yes.”
They began a leisurely walk to the inn. Shops and businesses still lined the street.
Most of what was carried in the village was comparable to things one might find in London.
Sitting on a corner was the village church.
It obviously had gone through changes throughout the years. There was nothing built near it.
Harriet noted stained glass windows and wondered how long they’d been there.
She made a note to herself that she should speak with her husband about attending when they were in the country.
This would be an excellent way to become acquainted with local residents.
She would make a trip on her own with her lady’s maid in the near future.
Then she hoped today would pique someone’s interest in who she and Lucien were.
The inn came into view, a two-story structure. It appeared to be busy with guests leaving or people coming for a meal. Once inside, an older gentleman greeted them. Mr. Smith was the proprietor. She wondered what his story was.
He showed them to a table next to a window. A young woman came up behind him, whom Mr. Smith introduced as his daughter Jo. She would take care of them and if they needed anything special just have her find him.
“You’re new to the area or passing through?” Jo asked.
“We are new to the area,” Lucien replied.
“I know you’ll like it here,” she sighed. “We have a mutton stew and a beef roast with all the trimmings.”
Harriet looked at Lucien in a silent plea not to order the stew. She didn’t like mutton to begin with.
“Two of your beef roasts, and two ales,” Lucien instructed Jo.
“Very well, my lord. I’ll be back with your ale in a moment.”
When the girl was out of hearing, Harriet asked Lucien about his choices. “Ale?”
“I don’t know how good anything else might be and ale’s good with beef. You have had ale before, haven’t you?”
She shook her head. “No, not really. I had a taste of my father’s once, but I was quite a bit younger and I disliked it immediately.”
Lucien chuckled. “It does take some getting used to, but I wasn’t sure besides cider what they might have. Shall I ask her?”
“No, that’s not necessary. I’m sure I can manage just fine.”
Moments later, Jo brought two tankards of ale and set them down on the table. “Here you go. I’ll be back with your food in a minute.”
Lucien nodded and waited until the girl had left before picking up his mug and taking a good, long swallow. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he proclaimed the ale was good tasting. “It’s quite nice. I wonder if it’s brought in from London.”
“Why don’t you ask her?” Harriet chided.
To her surprise when the serving girl brought their meals, Lucien thanked her once the plates were set down. Then he asked her about the ale.
“I have a question. The ale is remarkably good; is it brought in from London?”
“Actually no, my brother Tim makes it,” Jo replied.
“He has a talent for brewing good ale,” Lucien said.
Jo nodded and began to turn away. “I’ll be sure to tell him. He’ll appreciate the compliment.”