Chapter Seventeen
When Sterling had first awakened, his mood had been odd in that he was conflicted as to why he had been bothered by other gentlemen and military men showing Caroline attention.
Why did he hate the idea of anyone calling on her?
His time was limited at Wyndview Farm and soon he would be sailing to Madeira and then back to England, and Caroline would remain here with her family.
Once he left, it was likely he would never see her again so why was he so bothered by potential suitors?
He tried to convince himself that it was because he did not want his mother forcing a match that Caroline did not want, but that was only part of the truth.
The other was that he wanted her for himself.
To what extent, he did not yet know, but he wanted to come to know her the best that any man could know a woman outside of a marriage before he did leave.
Sterling had never experienced such emotions when it came to any woman he did not know or what to make of them, nor how to respond.
Nor did he not have time to court her, to come to know her any more than he did any of the women he had met the evening before, except, he was able to visit with her far more frequently without having to leave the estate…
but to what purpose? His life was in England and hers was here. There was no future.
“Do you miss it?” That was the question he had asked her last evening.
“England?”
“Yes.”
“At times.” She smiled.
“If given the choice, where would you choose to live?”
That question was just as important now as it had been last evening.
“If it meant that I would not need to be at sea half of the year going between the two, I think I would live in both places and never suffer another cold winter.” She chuckled. “I honestly do not think that I could choose between the two because they are both different and wonderful.”
“Does that mean you would be content to live in one place so long as you could visit the other occasionally?”
“I do believe I would,” she answered. “I want to return to England one day. I want my daughter to experience England when she is older but I do not think that I could leave here knowing that I would never return, nor do I believe that I could be content here if I knew that I would never see England again.” Then she laughed.
“Of course, this is a silly conversation because I truly do not know when or if I will ever go back. It all depends on the whims of fate, though I do hope that I am given the opportunity.”
There truly was no reason why he could not occasionally visit Wyndview Farm.
Yes, it could be a three-month journey by ship to his home in Southampton, but little over two months from his home to Cape Town because of currents and prevailing winds.
Yes, it might as well be half a year of sailing, but it could be done every few years, especially if the estate in Southampton was properly cared for while he was away.
He had already been gone nearly a year and there had been no catastrophes, which was a reasonable belief since at each port he came in contact with captains of other Trade Wynd ships, the last being at Gibraltar before he sailed here and was assured all had been well a month earlier.
Of course anything could have happened since that time, but it was doubtful.
Sterling shook his head as he approached the house from the fields. He had known Caroline not even a full four days, which was certainly not enough time to consider how she might fit into his future.
Perhaps he would revisit the question later, after he had spent more time with her, but it was far too soon to do so now.
He paused just inside the door leading to the terrace as the voices of his mother and Caroline drifted toward him and marched to his mother’s sitting room where the topic of conversation brought a return of his irritation.
How could he have not realized that there was no housekeeper at Wyndview Farm, well, other than Caroline, apparently? He should have noted the absence of one within his first day of being in residence, yet he hadn’t.
It angered Sterling that his family, no, his mother, had been taking advantage of Caroline.
Unlike many vineyard owners in the Cape Colony, his family did not participate in the distasteful practice of using slaves for reasons that came to light back to the early seventeen hundreds, yet apparently his mother had no difficulty allowing Caroline to work positions without pay and it would stop now.
Further, he knew of no person who would be willing to take a position and not ask for wages.
With regard to her being a companion, he assumed it was more of a convenience and maybe Caroline enjoyed his mother’s company, but to perform the duties of the housekeeper without compensation was beyond his understanding.
It was also suspicious. He had entire families of fathers, wives, sons, and daughters working on his estates in England, and they each received wages.
So, why didn’t Caroline want the same, especially since she had a daughter to support?
If she had her own funds, she would never have returned to Wyndview Farm, therefore, why would she decline wages?
“Is there anything in particular you would like on the menu for the coming week, Lord Wyndham?” Caroline asked.
“Oddly, I cannot think of a thing and leave all menu plans to you, Mrs. Sutcliffe.”
“Is there anything that you do not like. If so, I will make certain that it is not served.”
“There is not a food that I do not like…well, of what I have tasted to date, and will sample anything Cook decides to serve.”
Caroline gave a nod. “Very good. Then I shall excuse myself to meet with Cook.”
Sterling watched her leave, her dark hair pinned at the back of her head, styled for efficiency and to be out of the way, different than the dark curls that had brushed her neck the evening before.
Her mood and demeanor were also different.
Last night, she’d been a widow at a ball, engaging in conversations not only with him, which he had enjoyed very much, but with gentlemen and military men and she had danced.
However, today, she was restrained and respectful, much like his housekeeper in Southampton.
He frowned. Caroline was much like a chameleon who changed its colors depending on its environment.
While he had enjoyed studying them when he was a boy, Sterling was certain that he did not like the shifts in Caroline and he couldn’t help but wonder what else she hid from him and when that change would come about.
“A moment,” Sterling called, hurrying after Caroline before he caught up to her as she neared the dining room. “I had hoped to speak with your father this morning. Do you know where he might be?”
She stiffened, her spine straightening, before she turned to face him.
Another shift. Was it fear or concern? And if so, why?
“I was to believe that you were going to wait to discuss the estate until after the harvest.”
“That is my intention, however there is no reason why I cannot tour the estate now.”
“I could show you, Lord Wyndham. I know it well and have spent many hours walking the land.”
“I believe you have a menu to plan,” he reminded her. “Therefore, please direct me to your father, if you know where he might be.”
Caroline drew in a shaky breath.
He had asked a simple question and her answer should be either to tell him where her father was or say that she did not know, yet he sensed that she was reluctant to provide him with the information he requested.
“Is there something you are trying to keep from me, Mrs. Sutcliffe?”
She blinked and then her brown eyes grew wide. “I…um…no, of course not,” she finally managed to answer. “I am simply not certain. My father is likely studying the grapes for ripeness, but as your vineyard is large, I do not know exactly where he might be.”
Sterling suspected that she was not being fully truthful, but what could she possibly have to lie about?
In time he would determine the source of his concern, but other important matters required his attention.
“That is all you needed to say, Mrs. Sutcliffe. I will search for him myself.”
*
After Caroline met with Cook and the menu was planned, more elaborate now that Wyndham was in residence, she sent a maid and footman into town so they could visit the market and shops to obtain the items Cook would need.
She then returned to her home to find Beatrix helping Livia with her reading.
Caroline did not interrupt, satisfied that all was well, then left again.
This time she walked to the small rise that looked out over the rows of grapevines.
Worry ate at her but there was little she could do, nor could she control what her father might say.
She could only hope that William was near and could answer the more specific questions.
She strained and tried to locate them below, but could not, which did not calm her.
With a heavy sigh, she returned to Lady Wyndham to inform her of the meals to come.
“Why are you distressed?” Lady Wyndham demanded.
Caroline thought she hid her discomfort, but apparently, she had not. “Your son is looking for my father.”
Lady Wyndham’s blonde eyebrows drew together over the light-blue eyes. “Why?”
“He wanted to tour the estate. I offered to accompany him, but he reminded me that I had to meet with Cook.” Caroline narrowed her eyes on Lady Wyndham because there was no reason why she could not plan menus herself.
“You worry too much, Caroline,” Lady Wyndham dismissed her.
Her father was no different than Lady Wyndham and if he told her one more time, “You worry too much,” Caroline would scream.
Did neither one of them realize the consequences of her and her father’s duplicity being discovered by the owner of the estate?
“Would you please ring for tea?” Lady Wyndham requested then turned her gaze to the gardens.
“Of course.” Caroline strode to the bellpull and tried not to sigh. It would do no good to force a confrontation with the older woman, because just like her father, Lady Wyndham was set in her ways.
The two were very specific in where their interests lay and had no desire to pay attention to anything they deemed tiresome.
While Lady Wyndham had that privilege, her father did not. He was paid to attend to certain details—many of which he ignored.
Lady Wyndham slowly turned to Caroline, her eyes grave. “My son needs to concern himself less with an estate that he will likely never visit again and put his mind to more serious matters.”
Was she finally beginning to accept or at least understand the difficulties of Wyndham being underfoot and would no longer be dismissive of her concerns?
“Such as finding a wife.” Was that not the reason she had claimed at the ball?
“I fear it is more serious,” Lady Wyndham admitted. “I fear that when he learns what we know about Wyndview Farm, and what you truly do for us, that he will change everything and maybe make me return to England.”
Caroline nearly sighed with relief that Lady Wyndham did understand the serious nature of their situation. “I cannot imagine he would do so,” Caroline assured her. There would be no purpose in forcing his mother to abandon her home.
“I am afraid of what will happen if Sterling askes too many pointed questions.”
Their eyes met in understanding.
“I need him distracted, even if it means sending him away.”
If he were gone, then they could all relax, and she could see to the duties that have been neglected since his arrival, even if he was gone only a few days. “Yes, but to where?”
Lady Wyndham slowly smiled. “To a place he begged to visit when he was a child.”