15. Isla #2
Amusement sparked in Wilhelmina’s eyes as she regarded him.
Her tone dripped with droll humor as she repeated, “A land restoration specialist.” The fondness in her gaze had him returning the gesture with a broad smile of his own.
The corner of her mouth lifted as she accepted his choice of words.
“That will do. With that being the case, there is every reason for Lady Brighton to accompany you to speak with this...land restoration specialist…to see whether he is someone she believes she could work with over the next several years.”
Jonto corrected her. “It’s a woman, Your Grace, not a man.”
Wilhelmina studied him a moment. “A hedge witch, then? One who knows what she’s about?”
“Better than any land stewards I’ve met in my travels, yes.”
Isla sat forward. She didn’t appreciate being left out of the conversation, considering she was the topic of which they spoke.
“Excuse me, but I believe I should also be a part of this discussion.” She looked directly into Lady Pierpont’s eyes.
“It wouldn’t be proper for me to sail away with Lord Jontoreaux unaccompanied by a chaperone. ”
“Quite right, my dear. That’s why I asked Miss Smythson to join us as well. I’m hoping she’ll agree to accompany you on your voyage.” The look she turned on Celie said she expected her to acquiesce.
Celie’s response was immediate and enthusiastic. “Yes!” She blushed at her exuberance and toned it down a bit when she added, “I mean, yes, Your Grace. I’ve always wanted an adventure. It’s been a dream of mine, and of course, I’d do anything for Isla.”
The wrinkles in the Archduchess’s face softened, and the starbursts of lines around her eyes deepened in quiet reflection, “Yes, I know how close you and her mother were, and I’ve appreciated you watching over her after Lady Brighton passed on.
” She ignored the blank look of shock that settled on Celie’s face and turned to address Isla again, who was staring at her friend’s reaction to Lady Pierpont’s words.
Neither woman had guessed their lives had been discreetly overseen by such a redoubtable scion of society.
Isla pulled her attention off Celie’s face when the Archduchess once again spoke directly to her.
“I’ve also spoken with Lord and Lady Fitzgerald, who have generously agreed to accompany you on your journey.
As respected members of society, their presence as your chaperones will be accepted without comment. ”
The excited look Celie turned on Isla would have been amusing under different circumstances, but having her immediate future planned out for her sparked a rise in Isla’s temper.
She held her tongue, though, because she grudgingly agreed with Lady Pierpont’s conclusions.
Isla knew she needed more time to counter Montfort’s machinations, and she privately thought that bringing someone back with her who had the expertise to save her land might go a long way toward the King reconsidering his decision.
Everyone looked at Jonto, who nodded agreeably.
“We can easily accommodate Lady Brighton, her lady’s maid if she requires one, and Miss Smythson.
I have comfortable accommodations for the Fitzgeralds as well.
Depending on the winds, it should take approximately three weeks there and back.
I take it that’s enough time?” At Wilhelmina’s nod, he added, “When would we be leaving?”
“This evening if at all possible. The messenger nearly foundered his horse carrying the message to me overland so I’d receive it before the King’s arrival. And thank God he did. My nephew should arrive sometime early tomorrow morning and I want you long gone before that happens.”
“This evening?” Isla sat up straighter with her shoulders pulled back to the point of stiff rigidity. “I’m afraid that’s quite impossible. I can’t leave my estates, tenants, and horses for an extended three-week voyage on a moment’s notice.”
Wilhelmina pierced her with an imperious glare and declared, “You can, and you will. I believe you rely heavily upon Lady Fitzgerald’s knowledge of the thoroughbred business?”
“Pris? Yes, but?—”
“She would be my first choice to oversee your herd, but since she is more useful to us as your chaperone, would you consider allowing Baron Masterson to oversee that aspect of your estates while you’re gone? He has an excellent grasp of horses and herd management.”
Isla blinked in astonishment. It was no wonder the rumor mongers whispered that it was Archduchess Pierpont who served as the King’s top advisor, even more so than the members of his Privy Council.
Her spy network must be vast to know so much about so many aspects of the ton and their talents and positions in society.
The question darted through her mind that if that were, indeed, the case, then why couldn’t she stop him from stealing her land and marrying her off like some prized heifer?
“Yes, of course. Next to Lady Fitzgerald, there’s no one else I’d trust more. ”
“Good. I’ve arranged for him to meet you at your home at one this afternoon.
You will inform him of what needs to be addressed regarding your horses during your absence.
Apart from that, I will personally oversee the running of the remainder of your estates.
I’m an expert at estate management, and I’ll enjoy a bit of a challenge. ”
The woman was in her eighties if not her early nineties, and Isla couldn’t see her riding to Windsong Hall to oversee the day-to-day running of her estates.
At Isla’s incredulous look, Wilhelmina chuckled, “Have no fear, my dear. My steward is extremely loyal to me and quite capable of seeing to the everyday running of your estates and mine. He’ll be over to meet with you this afternoon, too.
I’ll merely oversee his work from the comfort of my chair, dispensing my orders like the good admiral dispenses his while not aboard his ship. ”
Jonto grinned again and Isla wondered at the mutual admiration society these two seemed to have forged. When Jonto turned those laughing blue eyes on her, Isla pursed her lips to hide her irritation. This was no time to be making light of her situation. “How do you propose we proceed, My Lord?”
“Proceed? And, as an aside, My Lady, as I’ve said many times in the past, please call me Jonto.”
As was her wont, Isla ignored the suggestion. “Yes, proceed. Should we simply meet you at the docks at a certain hour?”
Wilhelmina shook her head. “I suggest that until you’re safely onboard Lord Jontoreaux’s ship, the more circumspect you can be, the better.
Since he’s taking you to meet a land steward, there’s no need to hide that you’re traveling with him.
However, I’d rather Montfort not realize you’re leaving until you're well away. Lord Jonto, how quickly can you prepare your ship?”
“My ship is always ready to sail, Your Grace. It will only take me sending Nico ahead to ready everything for our distinguished passengers. He’s been training a former captain of one of my other ships to act as steward in his absence.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure my man, Kozma Vilmos, is entirely ready to manage my estates. ”
Wilhelmina leaned forward and, with an imperious nod, dictated precisely what was to happen.
“I’ll tell you the same thing that I told Lady Brighton.
You tell your man I’ll be in charge of your estates while you’re gone.
That means my steward, Ethan Marsh, will be available to this Kozma Vilmos should the need arise.
During the first week, I’ll expect daily visits from him, reporting on what’s happening at your estates and listing whatever problems he may have encountered.
After that, I’ll decide how often he needs to report to me.
If and when I’m satisfied he knows what he’s doing, neither Ethan nor I will interfere. ”