Chapter Three #2
Breakfast was a jolly affair, as was every meal at Norwood.
Elinor told them of a new piece she was mastering on the pianoforte.
The duke spoke of a letter he had received regarding some of his investments, talking of those which had made handsome gains and a few which were losing ground.
David understood much more about the running of an estate now, thanks to this man.
Being a second son and destined for the army, his father had never taken him about Sheridale with him, knowing the earldom would fall to Claude.
During this most recent time at Norwood, however, Norville had invited David along anytime he took Henry out on the estate with him.
They had even ridden together several times before Henry’s bones knitted together and he could ride a horse again.
David had asked numerous questions of the duke, and he had fully participated in the recent autumn harvest, helping the tenants to bring in their yield and learning more about the milling process, which was done directly at Norwood.
Not that he could manage an estate on his own, but he might be able to take a position as an assistant steward on a large estate, gaining experience until he could become a steward in his own right one day.
He would need to peruse the newspapers carefully now and see what kinds of positions were advertised as being open in Cumberland if nothing came of his visit into Kidsgrove today.
As breakfast ended, David asked, “Your Grace, might I have a word with you?”
“I am free now. Accompany me to my study.”
He caught Henry giving him a questioning look and shook his head. Soon enough, he would share with his friend that he would be leaving Norwood.
The duke took a seat behind his oversized mahogany desk and indicated for David to take the one in front of it.
“I suppose you think it is time to leave us, David.”
He nodded. “I have overstayed my welcome, Your Grace, and taken advantage of your hospitality for far too long. I did my duty in bringing Henry home, but this is his home. Not mine.”
“I am aware that all you have to live on are the funds from the sale of your commission. And possibly a small army pension if you qualify for one. What are your plans?”
“Those are undecided, Your Grace. I would like to go into Kidsgrove today to see if any position is available there. If not, I will search the neighborhood and then move beyond, perusing the advertisements for work. Keswick is not far from Norwood and a good-sized town. I am certain there would be work available there, especially with so many men in England serving as soldiers in His Majesty’s army.
Or there might even be something for me to do on a nearby estate.
I was mentioning to Elinor how I could be a groom. ”
“You wish to remain in Cumberland, don’t you?”
“The Lake District is in my blood. I fear I would be unhappy anywhere beyond this vicinity.”
“I can always find a place for you here at Norwood, David. You know you are as a son to me.”
“Yes, I do—and it is for that very reason that I must not stay. Henry is the one who will be the duke someday and see to the running of Norwood. I do not wish to usurp him in any way, nor do I wish to serve you and then pretend to be your social equal at your dinner table.”
“Henry is a good man. He has a fine intellect and a steady hand. My son will make for an excellent duke and manage this estate well.”
The duke fell silent a moment, stroking his chin in thought. “I have a steward who might be willing to retire slightly early. The property he manages for me is one of my smaller estates, but it—”
“No, Your Grace. You are not to pay someone off simply to help me find a post. Hopefully, I can find something in Kidsgrove and rent a room nearby. I may be leaving Norwood, but I certainly hope I am always a welcomed visitor.”
Norville looked kindly at him. “You saved my son from certain death, David. Henry has told me about being captured. Tortured. If you had not intervened and removed him from that terrible situation, those French bastards would have killed him. Because of that, I owe you a great deal.”
He shook his head. “You owe me nothing, Your Grace. I would have done it for any fellow Englishman, much less my closest friend. Part of the reason I wish to remain in Cumberland is so that I might see Henry regularly.”
“Then let me gift you with a cottage. One recently was vacated here at Norwood. It is not much. It has a rather large room downstairs and then a single bedchamber upstairs. But it would be yours. You would not have to spend a farthing to lease it, much less purchase it. It would be yours.”
“What if I do not find gainful employment nearby?”
The duke thought a moment. “Then allow me to pay for housing for you wherever you go.” When he started to protest, Norville raised a hand.
“It is the least I can do, David. You returned my son to me. I will never be able to repay your courage and kindness. Be practical, my boy. If your housing needs are taken care of, you can find a way to earn your living. The proceeds from the sale of your commission will be there for you to draw upon for anything else you might need.”
“All right,” he agreed, knowing the duke was quite wealthy and would not miss the proceeds from the rental of one small cottage. Besides, the older man had been good to him, and it was obvious he wished to reward David in some practical fashion for returning his heir apparent safely home again.
He rose. “Then I am off to Kidsgrove, where I will begin my search. Wish me good fortune, Your Grace.”