Chapter 10
The next day, Jem rode alongside Gareth as their small group approached the tenant village. He scanned the surroundings, proud of his wife who had looked at a broken village and seen what it, and its people, could become.
The occupants of this village included those least able to work, some because of age or disability, others because of a lack of skills. Reese’s college focus had been on training people to get better jobs, so her stepping in to help had made sense.
“Am I remembering wrong?” Jem asked, counting the structures. “Or has the village grown since we last visited?”
“It has indeed grown,” Gareth replied, lifting his chin.
“The cottiers who were once thought of as wastrels have shown themselves full of both imagination and a willingness to work once they acquired the necessary skills. Their success has inspired tenants from other properties to apply to move here.”
“Have you told Reese yet?” Jem glanced back to where she rode beside Ellen and Catherine near the wagonload of gifts.
“Look at your wife’s expression,” Gareth said, the corner of his mouth twitching. “I believe she already realizes.”
The earl was right. Jem could see Reese already counting, a huge grin on her face.
The cottages were well maintained, stone walls clean, thatched roofs in excellent shape.
Unlike his first visit, when terrible neglect had made him worry the structures would crumble, smoke now curled from clean chimneys, filling the brisk air with the smell of burning wood.
Besides the new buildings, several homes had additions.
“Quite a transformation, is it not?” Gareth asked, pleased.
“It’s hard to imagine it was ever as bad as Reese described.”
“Yes, as Ellen reminds me, they had already made progress before I returned from London.” Gareth’s voice went rough with emotion. “Never in my life had I felt such shame.”
“I get it. I wanted to think the worst of you back then, but Reese and Ellen were convinced you were a good man. And this is proof they were right. It’s no small thing to admit when we’re wrong.” Jem cleared his throat. “I could have lost Reese.”
“Yes. And without her challenging my opinions, I would not have found my Catherine.” Gareth’s jaw tightened. “Rarely do I dwell on my failings. However, I make an exception in this village. There are children alive and well here who would have died but for your wife.”
Jem would never forget the malnourished little ones walking on the edge of the open cesspool that used to run down the village street.
A child’s cry broke the quiet. “Miss Clarisse!”
They turned toward a neat cottage where a girl of about twelve stood, eyes wide with excitement.
“Lily!” Reese pulled her horse to a stop and was already swinging her leg over the saddle before Jem knew what she was up to. She threw the long skirt of her riding habit over her shoulder and hurried toward the girl, who was now running to her.
They embraced, and Lily said, “You look even more beautiful than ever.”
“You sweet thing.” Reese brushed a strand of hair from the girl’s face. “And you’re so tall now. Practically a young lady.”
“Miss Clarisse?” Lily’s mother hurried from the house, carrying a newborn and holding the hand of a solid little boy of two, no longer the jaundiced newborn she had worried over on her first visit.
Jem had dismounted and joined his wife, saying, “She’s Mrs. Taylor now. And she may be asking you for some advice since we’re expecting our first.”
The woman curtsied. “’Tis wonderful news, ma’am.”
Reese shot him a side-eye but grinned. “Sarah, how rosy-cheeked and sturdy he is. And you all look so healthy.”
“Aye, we do, ma’am.” The mother looked to the earl and curtsied, as did the two older children. “Thanks to you and all the work his Lordship and Lady Ellen have done for us.”
Gareth helped Catherine from the wagon. “My greatest reward is seeing all of you thrive.”
“My, yes,” Ellen agreed as Michael lifted her from the other side.
The rest of the village doors had opened, and people flooded the little square. Shouts of recognition and joy filled the air. Children bundled in simple, clean coats darted about as adults came forward.
The cottiers showed respect to the people from this time, but many were drawn to Reese with expressions of gratitude and updates on their families.
“Ellen told me how Reese stepped right in and went to work,” Michael said. “I sincerely believe it was thoughts of your wife that gave mine the strength not to give in to the pain of her burns. I owe you both so much.”
“It was both of our wives. Ellen always had the strength,” Jem mused. “Reese saw a kindred spirit right away.”
“Master Jem, can you tell us a story?” one child called.
“Looks like you’re on,” Michael said with a smile.
“Let me get my gear from the wagon. This is where I’ll need your help.” Jem turned toward it.
“I’ve never been a puppeteer, but I can build the booth.” Michael followed him.
Reese let the women pull her into the warmth of the community center, grateful to shake off the lingering chill.
“Whoa. This turned out so great.” She scanned the large room Gareth and Ellen had brought to life from her suggestions for the building.
She had expected wood, but they had used the same stone as the cottages. Reese appreciated the large fireplace on one wall and strategically placed braziers heating the rest of the room. Had Catherine influenced the tall, arched windows that let in so much light?
The high ceiling gave the space an airy feel.
Simple glass lamps hung above. She loved the practical versatility with screens sitting neatly in one corner for when separate spaces were needed, and a kitchen was at the far end.
Stacked to the side were rounds of wood like the ones her church used back home to create tables for potluck dinners.
Another corner had shelves and cupboards filled with books and slates. Ellen had mentioned the school she helped with here. If she ever braved another trip to the future, Reese wanted her to know how her efforts had paid off.
They even had a small stage. Ellen had mentioned hosting recitals for the children and dances for the adults.
“This place is incredible.” Reese gave Ellen a quick hug.
“Catherine has also done much,” Ellen said, her cheeks flushing.
They glanced to the side where the countess held an impromptu clinic with an older woman.
“That’s the healer or wise woman, as she was called in her previous village.
Catherine says she’s very knowledgeable for someone with no official training.
” Ellen added shyly, “Michael is teaching me about garden design and holds his classes here, so anyone interested may attend. He has found some promising pupils he believes could become gardeners at Kellworth.”
“That’s brilliant,” Reese said.
They wandered to the school area, where Jem had settled the children and was telling them a simplified version of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors.
“His accent is quite good now,” Ellen observed.
“He’s worked hard on it since our first visit. Right now, our local theater company keeps him busy, but I know he wants to do more.” Reese sighed.
Ellen placed a hand on Reese’s arm. “What is wrong?”
“You know he studied to be an actor.” When Ellen nodded, Reese continued. “He meant it to be his career. My father was an actor, and he became famous but abandoned my mother and me along the way.”
Ellen frowned, looking thoughtful. “Surely you do not believe that if Jem is unhappy as a teacher that he would leave you to pursue his profession on the stage.”
“No. Not at all.” Reese’s eyes stung. “But I don’t want him to work a job he doesn’t love just because of my baggage.”
“You say he volunteers at the theater. Does that mean he receives no payment for his services?”
“Yep. He’s teaching high school drama as his job.”
“Ah, so he is teaching others to do the very thing he longs to do.” Ellen looked thoughtful.
“Exactly. The more I’m back here, the more strongly I feel I need to help him follow his dream.” Reese’s throat tightened. “As long as I don’t lose him in the process.”
“I cannot believe he would allow that to happen,” Ellen said, putting her arm around Reese’s shoulders.
She wanted to agree, but her mother had said the same thing once, about her father. Reese knew Jem was nothing like the man. She just needed the fear to know it too.
But it wasn’t fair that Jem had to sacrifice his dreams. There must be a way for him to use his gift that didn’t require him to move to Hollywood.
“Mrs. Taylor,” a girl said shyly from the side. “And your Ladyship.”
When they turned around, the girl curtsied to Ellen. “Begging your pardon, but Mrs. Sowester was hoping to speak to you.”
“Of course, we want to see her.” Reese and Ellen rose and joined the elderly blind dressmaker at a long wooden table.
Gathered around her was a small group of girls and young women busily sewing.
During Reese’s first visit, she had suggested that the woman, who could no longer sew herself, teach others.
It had led to quite an industry for the village.
Reese bent over and kissed Mrs. Sowester’s cheek. “It’s wonderful to see you again.”
“And you, my dear. Is it true you are increasing?” Even with milky eyes, the woman managed a mischievous look.
“We both are.” Reese gave a quiet laugh while Ellen blushed. “But tell me how your classes have been going.”
The older woman was effusive about her students and their progress. When there was a lull in the discussion, a tug on Reese’s sleeve had her turn to find Lily waiting.
“Yes, sweet Lily?” she asked, and the girl’s cheeks pinked with happiness.
“Miss Clarisse, I mean, Mrs. Taylor, would you be having time to see the decorations we made for the Christmas party?”
“I would love to.” Reese glanced at Ellen.
She nodded. “My husband has been working with them.”
When they arrived at the table, they found Michael showing the children how to use string to tie pine wreaths decorated with leaves and berries. A few were trying to make acorn faces with some kind of white paste.
“Flour and water?” Reese asked.
Poor Michael gave a grim nod. “I’m determined to make this work.”
“If you only had a hot glue gun,” she whispered.
“Too right,” he muttered.
When Ellen glanced between them with a crease between her brows, Reese said, “I can explain at home.” Then she said to Michael, “You’re doing really well, considering you’re using stone knives and bearskins.”
He rewarded her with a laugh. “It is amazing how talented they are. Truly.”
Lily tugged at Reese’s sleeve again. “You are so fortunate to have him for your husband.” The girl nodded at Jem, her eyes shining with admiration.
Reese smiled, telling herself to warn him of the girl’s crush. “Yes, I am.”
Watching him work with such quiet satisfaction, the familiar unease stirred inside her again.
Jem had given up so much to become a teacher instead of pursuing acting.
He claimed to be happy, and maybe he was.
But seeing him light up like this made her wonder if there was a way he could have both the stability she needed and the creative fulfillment he deserved.
She needed to talk to Catherine and Ellen about it, but for now, Reese would simply enjoy watching the man she loved.