Joshua tipped his head from side to side. “More or less, but of course, we get meat and milk from all three. It’s just that one lot are better than the other two for milking or meat or hair.” They reached the next, much larger pen, which had a very different construction. The lower foot or so was stone, which appeared sunk in the ground. Above that, the fence was woven willow, quite lightweight. Inside the enclosure, a large flock of chickens ran, pecked, and squawked.
“We found that the fence being so shaky”—Joshua demonstrated—“makes the foxes nervous and helps keep them away, and the stone means they can’t dig under it.” Joshua shrugged. “At night, we still put the lot into the chicken coop, of course. Otherwise, we’d lose too many to owls.”
Remembering the eggs he’d enjoyed that morning, Gregory asked, “Does the Hall get all its eggs from this lot?”
Joshua nodded. “We supply all the estate, although the farms have their own chickens. On top of that, we usually have several dozen eggs and a cage or two of birds to sell most market days.”
“I see.” Gregory doubted the eggs and chickens brought in all that much, but he knew how much prize goats could cost; there was something of a countrywide obsession developing with the animals.
Joshua turned to Caitlin. “My dear, I’d like to start the chickens on that new mix we’ve been testing. Can you order a ten-pound bag?”
She nodded. “We should get it in by Monday next, with the other grains.”
“Wonderful!” Joshua returned his attention to Gregory and, with a proud smile blooming, waved ahead. “And now we come to my favorites—the pigs.”
Caitlin stood back and watched as Cynster and Joshua went pen to pen, with Joshua eagerly explaining the value of the various breeds snorting, snuffling, and wallowing in the enclosures.
Old Wallace and Hendricks came up and, leaning on the railing fence, added their observations. She noted that Cynster directed several questions specifically to Old Wallace and Hendricks, drawing them into the discussion.
While Cynster had proved to know quite a bit about goats, with pigs, he was plainly at sea. Caitlin was impressed by his ready acknowledgment of that and his interest in learning about the beasts.
Admittedly, the pigs were the highest-earning animals Joshua and his small crew produced, and Cynster’s interest appeared unfeigned and encouraging. He paid particular attention to Joshua’s replies regarding the places at which Joshua sold his pigs and the prices he received.
Eyes narrowing, Caitlin studied the Hall’s new owner. He was far more genuinely interested in everything he’d been hearing and seeing than she’d expected, and his questions demonstrated a determination to learn far more than he needed to know were he intending to leave the Hall to run as it was and return to London.
“I haven’t made any plans to leave.”
Could he be thinking of taking up permanent residence at the Hall?
She wasn’t at all sure what she felt about that prospect.
Neither she nor anyone else there had imagined he would wish to remain and, presumably, play an active role in managing the estate. Everything they’d known about him—admittedly little and primarily based on hearsay—had suggested otherwise.
Perhaps we were wrong.
As she watched him talking with Joshua, Old Wallace, and Hendricks, that seemed increasingly possible.
Having him become an active owner might be a very good thing. If he devoted himself to managing the estate, when her years-long exile eventually ended, she would be able to leave with a clear conscience, knowing the estate and its people were in sound hands—indeed, hands that Timms had chosen.
If he was intent on taking up the reins at the Hall, it would be in her best interests to encourage him and ensure that he ran the place at least as well if not better than she did; she could foresee advantages in having him actively involved.
Regarding him assessingly, she suppressed a grimace. Interacting with him, even in a strictly impersonal way, was…unsettling. That was the only accurate description for how he made her feel—as if her nerves were leaping and sparking in a thoroughly disconcerting and definitely distracting way. She assumed the ability had something to do with his status as a recognized rake of the ton—she’d always heard they were a breed apart.
She would have to overcome the ridiculous sensitivity, because if he was to remain and become the active owner of Bellamy Hall, she would need to keep her wits about her.
“I have to ask.”
His deep voice jerked her to full awareness—and sent her wits skittering again. Silently, she swore and harried them into order as she watched him and Joshua walk back to her, and Cynster continued, “Have you tried to get your animals to the London markets?” He nodded southward. “With the railway so close and the station at Earls Barton, you could send them on easily enough.”
“Hmm.” Joshua looked pensive. “I haven’t really thought about expanding that far.”
Cynster tipped his head toward the pigs. “You would have a ready market there for animals of such quality, and even some of the goats would fetch a good price.”
Slowly, Joshua nodded. “It’s certainly worth exploring.” He paused, then added, “I’ll make some inquiries.”
“It would be worth a trial at least,” Cynster said. “I know nothing about the prices for pigs and goats, yet I feel confident in saying that the prices you’ll command down there will be much higher than those locally.”
“You’re undoubtedly right.” Joshua nodded more decisively, including Caitlin in the gesture. “I’ll work out how many animals we could offer beyond what we’re committed to locally and contact some London livestock agents.” Joshua blinked, then grinned. “And if the prices are significantly better, we could think about increasing our herd.”
