Chapter Four #2
For a moment, Oliver expected his brother to redirect the conversation back to his own motives. But at long last, he replied, “She seems pleasant enough. Arabella quite likes her. You heard their laughter before we interrupted their tea.”
He had heard their laughter. And seen Miss Childs’ glowing smile. Then the moment she spotted him, it was gone. “Miss Childs laughs and smiles with everyone but me, it would seem.”
Tim rubbed his chin as he replied, “Now that you mention it, she was very formal during our game of whist. She neither laughed nor looked directly at you the entire game.”
Oliver stood up and placed his hands on his head, stretching his back as he spoke. “Exactly.”
Tim uncrossed his arms and leaned forward. “Do you wish her to be friendlier with you?”
Did he? Maybe. Mostly he just wished to understand. “What is it about me that she finds so off-putting?”
Tim let out a soft chuckle. “Normally I would make a jest at your expense, but now does not seem the moment.”
“I don’t even know why I care.” Oliver crossed to his brother’s desk and began fiddling with a quill. “She is just the most perplexing woman.” Oliver shook his head, and then spoke half to himself. “It does not matter. She’ll be gone in a few days and I may never see her again.”
After a long moment, Oliver cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“Can I expect you at the workday tomorrow?” Workers from across the neighborhood would convene at Blackthorne Park to perform repairs.
It was part of a monthly rotation that had started the previous summer with the unseasonable floods.
“No,” Tim reminded him, “I’m obliged to go to Winchester on some rather tedious parish business.”
“I’d forgotten,” Oliver admitted. Tim had told them all about it the last time he’d been at Blackthorne Park for drinks and cards. Something to do with the boundaries between Whickfield and a bordering parish.
“But I wish you luck.” Tim stood and pulled his waistcoat from a hook on the wall. “With everything.”
Oliver had the distinct impression that his brother was speaking of something other than the tenant cottages.
Kitty placed a hand on the side of the open carriage as it bounced across the divide between Arbor Hill’s gravel drive and the road that led past Whickfield.
She and Lady Sampson and their maids were traveling the short distance to Blackthorne Park to assist with an organized workday.
They would, of course, not be working alongside the men.
But the kitchens at Arbor Hill had prepared several large baskets of sweetbreads to feed the workers.
Spending the morning at Blackthorne Park would not have been Kitty’s first choice.
She had no desire to spend any unnecessary time with its owner.
But she could also not reject Lady Sampson’s request for help without being ungrateful to her hostess.
With any luck, she could avoid the man beyond the barest required pleasantries.
“Are there often workdays in the neighborhood?” Kitty asked the baroness.
It seemed odd that the entire neighborhood would get together to work at a particular estate.
She’d heard of neighbors asking each other for help, of course, but today’s event appeared more organized than a simple request for assistance.
“The neighborhood was hit hard by the floods last summer.” Lady Sampson put a hand down on the bench to steady herself as they turned from the road up a tree-lined drive.
“Though some estates were worse off than others. The entire neighborhood came together to complete the major repairs, but there was still much to do. Since then, they’ve had a monthly work project that rotates between the estates.
Last month was for repairing walking paths at Arbor Hill. ”
“And are refreshments always provided?” Kitty asked, thinking of the baskets of treats that were secured to the back of their carriage.
Lady Sampson nodded. “This will be my first opportunity to attend, but from what Lady Diana has written to me, it has become something of a social event.”
Kitty only half heard the response as the vision opening up before her took her attention.
The tree-lined drive gave way to the sight of a large, stately home with endless windows and a blue slate roof.
Arbor Hill was a fine house, as was the estate where Kitty spent her childhood.
But Blackthorne Park put them both to shame.
After passing the house, they pulled to a stop in front of two large outbuildings.
Based on the size and shape of the doors, Arabella assumed them to be the stables and carriage house.
Like the house, they were large and well-maintained.
Kitty had been unsure what to expect of Blackthorne Park.
According to London gossip, it was both grand and nearly financially insolvent.
Kitty would agree with the first assessment, but she could see no signs of the second.
At least around the house, the estate appeared just as cared for as Arbor Hill.
If Oliver Linfield was really in financial trouble, it was either a recent problem or he had hidden it well.
The moment Kitty’s boots hit the ground, Lady Diana Linfield came out from underneath a makeshift canopy that had been secured to the side of the stables. “Welcome. We are just getting organized if you’d care to join us.”
Lady Sampson greeted her friend and then instructed, “Lead the way.”
Kitty looked around before following the two titled ladies under the canopy.
There were a dozen or more people running this way and that, but they mostly appeared to be servants and tenants.
Lady Diana’s daughters were both attempting to arrange a long table that appeared covered in a haphazard collection of baskets, pitchers, and large bowls.
But her sons were nowhere in sight. Perhaps Mr. Oliver Linfield would arrive once the food was prepared.
After receiving directions from Lady Sampson, Kitty and her maid, Polly, set about helping distribute baked goods among the four other tables that were set up with chairs.
Every few chairs, there would be a basket of treats for the workers to help themselves.
Once they had completed that task, they returned to Lady Diana for more instruction.
“I have a rather odd request, if you are willing,” the Linfield matriarch addressed Kitty. “There are a few work crews who are far enough away from the house that it will be difficult to travel back and forth. We need someone to deliver their refreshments.”
Though surprised by the request, Kitty was happy to help. “Of course, my lady.”
A few minutes later, Kitty and Polly found themselves riding in an open cart towards a different corner of the estate. A young groom was at the reins, and the cargo included several large pitchers of lemonade and a few tin cups, along with a basket of sweetbreads and biscuits.