Nathanial frowned. “By how much?”
A line formed across the solicitor’s forehead. “They have not paid the rent in around eight months, Your Grace.”
“And why is that?”
The man looked up at him for a moment and then dropped his head back to the papers. “It states that Mr. Brock has become severely unwell and is unable to work. His wife continues to care for him and does work where she can but it is a difficult situation.”
Nathanial ran one hand over his chin. “Mr. Brock, does he seem to be making a recovery?”
“I do believe so, though from what the doctor has stated, it will be some time. I believe that the man fell from the roof, one that he had been thatching. His leg broke though it is already beginning to heal but he also endured a great and heavy fever which stole all of his strength. As I have said, there is illness and a lack of money in this particular situation, Your Grace, though they have not paid the rent as your other tenants have.”
“Ah but they have not had the same difficulties either,” Nathanial replied, slowly. “No, I will not force this family to pay the rent. The man was thatching a roof, you say?”
The solicitor nodded though Nathanial was certain he detected a slight hint of relief in the man’s eyes. “The roof of another family,” he told Nathanial. “It is his occupation, of course but on this occasion, he was fixing a hole in the roof of another tenant.”
A kick hit Nathanial’s heart. “Something that I myself ought to have been aware of and preparing for,” he replied, a little heavily. “The houses and the roofs are my responsibility and this man was doing what was not required of him so that another tenant could be kept warm and dry. How wrong it would be for me to expect rent from such a family!”
His solicitor smiled.
“No, there shall be no rent expected until the man is able to begin work again and even then, he shall have another month’s grace.” Curling one hand into a fist, Nathanial set it down hard on the table. “In addition, make certain that this family has enough to eat. I presume there are children?”
Glancing at the papers, the solicitor nodded. “Three, Your Grace. The youngest is an infant.”
Nathanial nodded slowly. “Then make certain there is enough food for that family. If the father cannot work and earn money and the mother has a young child dependent on her then what is she to do? Make certain that they know to come to you with any concerns or any lack. I will not have any one of my tenants suffering. Not if I can help it.”
As he spoke, Nathanial’s mind flashed back to Lady Amelia, though he could not understand why. He saw that wry smile that had danced across her lips when she had spoken to him, the sharpness in her eyes when she had looked at him. Did she think him an ogre? A man without kindness or consideration?
What does it matter what she thinks of me?he asked himself, as his solicitor continued to speak about the situation with the tenants.I am to sit with them at the dinner table but that is all. Thereafter I shall not see them again and it means nothing to me what Lady Amelia thinks of either myself or my actions.With a nod, he cleared his throat and then focused all of his attention upon his solicitor and pushed Lady Ameila from his mind.
Chapter Five
Sitting down to dinner with Lady Ashbourne was one thing but sitting down with the Beastly Duke was quite another. Amelia could not help but send glances in his direction every few minutes for, while the conversation at the dinner table was flowing rather well, the Duke had not said a single word thus far to any of them.
Amelia forced herself to focus on the conversation at hand, telling herself that there was nothing to be done other than to pay close attention to Lady Ashbourne so that she would not appear disinterested in what the lady had to say.
“Tell me about your betrothed, Lady Charlotte.” Lady Ashbourne smiled as heat came into Charlotte’s cheeks. “I have heard that he is an exceptional gentleman. Did you say that he hails from Scotland?”
Charlotte nodded though Amelia, again, threw a look to the Duke but the gentleman appeared much more interested in what was on his plate than what Charlotte was saying.
“Yes, he resides in Scotland. My father was very dear friends with his and therefore, there was always the hope that our two families would join in some way. I was not placed under any pressure to do so, however. It was always my choice.”
“That was good of your father,” Lady Ashbourne replied, gently. “I was not given any choice in the matter when it came to my own marriage. I was told only three weeks before the nuptials and everything was done for me. All I had to do was appear at the church, speak my promises and be contented with all that came to me thereafter.” Her smile grew a little more. “Though I will admit to being very fortunate in the manI married. The Duke of Ashbourne was an excellent man and a kind-hearted one at that. He blessed us with two sons and a happy life which I admit, I did not expect. I do hope that you will have the very same blessing, Lady Charlotte.”
“I thank you, Lady Ashbourne. I do admit to being a little anxious about it all but as I have said, I am certain that Lord Stirling is an excellent gentleman and therefore, I will be glad to marry him.”
Lady Ashbourne nodded. “And what of you, Lady Amelia?”
Amelia blinked in surprise, remembering that she had already spoken to the lady of her situation and wondering why the lady asked her of it again – unless it was that she had forgotten the conversation between Amelia and herself at the literary event. “I am to go to London for my come out, I believe. My father spoke to me of it only yesterday.”
The expression on Lady Ashbourne’s face brightened. “Yes, I recall that now. So you are to go to London for the Season after all, then! I shall make certain to introduce you to William. He would beveryglad to make your acquaintance I am sure.” This was said with a swift glance towards the Duke of Ashbourne though, Amelia noted, the gentleman did not so much as flinch. Instead, he continued to eat calmly, though he did, at the very least, acknowledge his mother with a brief but tiny smile.
“I would be very glad to make his acquaintance,” Amelia replied, quickly. “We are to depart next week, I believe. The weather has been so fine and my father does love the estate grounds so very much that it is a struggle for him to think of leaving for London!”
Lady Ashbourne laughed softly and picked up her wine glass. “I quite understand that. The weather has been – ”
Before she could finish her sentence, such a loud crack of thunder ripped through the dining room that Amelia droppedher fork in shock. Lady Ashbourne gasped and even the Duke himself turned to look.
“A summer storm!” Lady Ashbourne exclaimed, as Amelia threw a look to Charlotte, seeing her sister’s wide eyes. “Goodness and it is a severe one! I must admit, I was not expecting to see that!”
