Chapter Fifteen
Two days later, on a sun-filled cloudless summer day, Charles and Cathryn made their way to Gloucestershire to meet up with an agent over the possibility of purchasing an estate south of Tetbury.
Endless discussions with both himself, Cathryn, and even his valet always led to the same conclusion. In order to have a new life and successes, a new home not attached to his family was the best way to accomplish that.
The estate wasn’t as stunning as the one in Somerset. It wasn’t sitting on the edge of a cliff, which had made him nervous that the entire house could slide into the water below if the right storm came around.
The estate in Gloucestershire had been built in the eighteenth century in a Georgian neo-classical style. From the drawings and even the photograph he’d seen, Charles was positive this was where he wanted to spend the rest of his life with his wife.
There were acres and acres of gardens which had become neglected in the last year or two.
The widow of the property had spent little time at the estate and wanted it sold as quickly as possible as she had no intention of ever returning.
According to the agent, her thinking was if she wasn’t going to live there, there was no reason to keep it up as it had been.
The interior had been kept as though she was away on a trip to some exotic land.
A skeleton staff had been kept on for this purpose.
As they turned onto the drive, he noticed Cathryn make a face upon seeing the grounds. He said nothing as they continued to the house.
The house was exactly as he’d seen and looked even more magnificent than he could’ve imagined. He glanced over at his bride and noted she was now smiling.
As the carriage came to a stop in front of the house, a dark-headed man met them. Mr. Stanley, the agent charged with finding a new owner for this estate, greeted them as they stepped out of the carriage.
“Please overlook the grounds. They’ve been neglected since the owner died nearly two years ago,” he said. “They were once magnificent, and I know with the right gardeners they will be again.”
“I have no doubt,” Charles replied.
Walking into the house, Mr. Stanley gave them a brief history of the house.
Cathryn didn’t stay; instead, she began walking around the entry hallway with its black and white marble floor.
A large round mahogany table sat in the center of the room.
A vase full of flowers completed the stunning room’s possibility.
Just beyond the table were two joined staircases which led to the family rooms.
Stanley showed them to one of the drawing rooms which was done in shades of blue, down to the silk wall covering and matching upholstery on the furniture.
“This is beautiful, isn’t it, Charles?”
“Yes, it is.” He turned to the agent who was standing to one side of the room to let them take in the tastefully-done room. “Does the furniture come with the house?”
“If you want it, arrangements can be made. I have specific instructions to try and sell it as you see it. She wants nothing from the house.”
Glancing at Cathryn, Charles knew she’d made up her mind. “Draw up the papers.”
He noted his bride had a huge smile on her face but turned to check out a rug in the center of the room. She was happy, and he knew this was going to settle a lot of issues. Most importantly, they would have a home of their own.
“You’re interested in the entire estate?”
“Yes, house furnishings, all outbuildings and land,” he replied.
The agent nodded, overwhelmed, Charles was sure, that it was such an easy sale. “How will you be paying?”
“Cash. Have the papers drawn up, sent to my solicitor for him to read. If everything is as it should be, we can set up a meeting to handle the transaction. Shouldn’t take more than a few days.”
“As you wish, milord.”
Charles turned to Cathryn, who was now looking at a vase placed on a table. “Anything you want to add?”
“Keep the staff already here. We’ll figure out how many more people we need once we move in. I’d also like the house to be given a thorough cleaning before we arrive.”
“That is easily arranged, milady.”
“Before we leave, I’d like to walk to the stables,” Charles said.
“This way, milord.”
“While you’re doing that, I think I’ll walk through the house again,” Cathryn said.
He nodded and turned to walk outside with the agent.
Charles wanted to get a better look at fencing and the stables in order for him to have an idea how much work was going to have to be done.
The fencing was in relatively good condition, as were the stables when they arrived.
He was introduced to the stablemaster first thing.
The man, James, was knowledgeable about his entire domain.
“Make a list of what needs to be done. Fencing, horses, whatever needs repair or upkeep. We’ll go over it once my wife and I move in,” Charles told the man.
“I shall, milord.”
“My man of business will be in touch once he’s read the papers. I can’t imagine there being anything wrong with them.”
“They’ll be just as you wish them, milord. It’s a pity, but the widow has not taken an interest in any of this. I hope you realize what a sweet deal you’re getting.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
They walked back to the house in relative silence.
Charles knew while Arthur and Roxanne would be happy for him, they might also be cautious at the simplicity of the deal.
Months ago, he wouldn’t have been able to do this.
He’d be too uncomfortable with the strangers and would want to flee.
That was before Cathryn did what she did best. Guiding him through the societal challenges.
He and Cathryn bid the agent good-bye and climbed into their waiting carriage. The man would see to getting this transaction ready. Once signed and money exchanged hands, Charles would be a landowner, an estate owner. Best yet, his wife was very, very happy.
“I’m so glad we decided to come and look at this place,” she said.
Nodding, Charles agreed. “As am I. It’s perfect for us and is not far from anything, like London or Arthur’s estate.”
“It is perfect.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. Once it is ours, please feel free to make your rooms your own. If you don’t like something, replace it or redo it in the case of wallpaper and paint.”
She giggled. “I didn’t know we were going to sleep in separate suites.”
“We’re not, but it’s right next to mine, and I’m sure you’d like somewhere feminine to change and bathe.”
“Maybe we can make your suite more neutral.”
That wasn’t happening. Not unless he had no final say on everything. “We’ll see. I want to move in and get a feel for it before I go redoing it.”
“That’s a smart idea,” she replied.
“I want to wait on the rest of the house. I think we need to live there before deciding to redo anything. Besides, it was redone by the woman we’re purchasing from.”
“Agreed.”
“I can see lots of rides to explore the estate,” he said.
“Do you know if there’s an estate manager still on the property?”
He shook his head. “I believe the manager is there still. I’ll have to make some inquiries.”
“That’s a very vital position, I remember my father saying,” Cathryn said.
“It is.”
That was the last Charles remembered saying until his wife woke him as the carriage pulled on to the drive of the family estate. It had been some very busy days. The best being finding their perfect place to call home.
It was late afternoon when they arrived.
They quickly learned that Arthur and Daphne had gone to Roxanne and Graham’s for a visit.
That meant he and Cathryn could go to their rooms without having to socialize with them.
Not that he minded, but there were times like now when after a long ride, you simply wanted some privacy and quiet.
Cathryn went to order tea, and he made his way to their suite so he could relax.
There was a lot to be done, and as soon as he had possession of the estate, there would be even more to be done.
He wouldn’t have Frazier begin packing until he had a date on the purchase being finalized.
He’d of course tell him what was coming.
He lay down on the bed and picked up a notebook he kept and began writing.
There was so much that would be coming up.
The move wasn’t simply just that easy. There were lots of details that would go along with it.
He knew he could handle them; it was just something new.
He had a wife, and her happiness and well-being were important to him.
He’d done some research on the house and property before they went to see it.
The estate had been self-sustaining with cattle, horses, and numerous other types of livestock.
Cheese was made, as well as preserves and smoked meats such as hams. Everything one would expect to find on a large, fully functional estate.
Making some notes to ask the estate manager, he finished up just as Cathryn walked into the sitting room with a footman following her with a large tray which he knew to be tea, sandwiches, and other sweet goodness.
“What are you doing?” she asked, popping her head in.
“Making notes.”
“Tea is here.”
“Let me finish this sentence and I’ll join you,” he said.
“Would you like me to fix you a plate?”
“I can do it.”
He wasn’t used to someone waiting on him the way Cathryn did.
He’d turned out learning how to do for himself, because apart from his early memories with Arthur and Roxanne, he’d had to learn how to take care of himself.
Relinquishing that was indeed hard for him, and he realized how much Cathryn wanted to do some of that herself.
Setting the notebook back on the bedside table, he walked out to join his wife. She was pouring two cups of tea. Beyond that were some small sandwiches and cake. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until he laid eyes on the food.
“Is that seed cake I see?” he asked.
“Yes, and there’s marmalade cake as well. Would you like some?”