When they were finally done, George pulled off his gloves and escaped outside to cough up the dust and wipe his eyes. As they headed toward the house to wash up for lunch, his father put his hand on George’s shoulder. “Not the nicest work, that. But we need to do that at least once a year.”
“What will happen to the sheep we selected?”
“To market. Mutton most likely.”
“I know just how they feel,” George said with a chuckle.
“Oh? And how is that?”
“Mother has been after me to begin seriously looking for a wife. Since I refuse to go to Oxford, she feels it is time to find a bride.”
“What can be wrong about that? You are twenty. It is not too early to be thinking about marriage, an heir, the continuity of the family name.”
Even though he knew it was a lie, he said, “There is no one locally that I am even remotely interested in.” In his heart, his feelings for Lucy were constantly growing, but he knew his parents would never entertain such an unsuitable match and felt there was no use in suggesting her.
“There are a number of fine families with daughters of marriageable age in the county. And if we must, we can go further afield. I have had enquires from several notable families from as far away as Somerset and York even.”
“Oh, Father, must I? I really feel I should continue my instruction in running the estate before I can even begin to think of marriage. You want me to do the best job possible, do you not?”
His father looked at him, and George could tell he had struck a chord with his father.
“You may have a point. Starting up a family can be very distracting. However, I am still fairly young and healthy, so I do not expect you will be required to run the estate for quite some time yet.”
“But still, I need to focus on learning. Marriage would certainly distract me from that.”
“Perhaps. Let me have a word with your mother. She can be very stubborn once she sets her mind on a particular outcome.”
George put his arm around his father’s shoulders. “But Father, I know you have the knack to get your way when you need to. Am I not right?”
His father did not look at him but gave a sly smile. “If I do this, then I expect you to put your full attention into learning everything you need to know about running the estate.”
“Of course… except for my painting, of course. I already made that perfectly clear.”
His father sighed.
* * *
Her Grace would have to wait. Lucy was determined that the first thing she must do this morning was to go and check up on Isabell’s condition.
It was early, and the family might not be stirring yet, but Lucy remembered that Joshua was always up early and prepared to start work.
She knocked on the cottage door and was greeted by Isabell’s father.
“How is she?” she asked urgently.
“The doctor came last night and gave her a potion. I have not checked on her yet. I just got up myself. Come in, and we can look in on her.”
They went to her bedroom, where the boys also slept. They opened the door and peeked inside. All they could see was the pile of blankets with no movement. The boys were still asleep, so they tiptoed and bent over the bed and pulled back the top cover to reveal Isabell’s face. She appeared to be sleeping soundly. She was not restless as she had been the day before, and Lucy felt her forehead and said, “The fever has broken. Thank God. I believe the worst is past.”
“Best to let her sleep then. Think you not?” Joshua asked.
“I do.”
They backed out of the room and closed the door.
“I cannot stay. Will the boys be able to care for her today?” Lucy asked.
“The doctor left several potions and gave instructions for their use. I believe the eldest can care for her.”
