Page 41 of Surrender to the Earl
She wasn’t all that hungry, but it gave her something to do. And Robert had ridden over just to see her—he needed a good meal.
But when she found herself being unusually silent, she realized she could not be discouraged. There was too much to do—and Molly wouldn’t be able to help.
As if reading her mind, Robert said, “Molly usually assists you almost as a secretary, does she not?”
They were eating roast venison, and Audrey took a determined bite. “Yes, she does. And she’ll worry about that more than she’ll concentrate on getting better. I’ll be fine.” And she was not about to ask Mrs. Sanford for assistance—the woman seemed to have trouble completing her own tasks.
“Perhaps I can be of help,” Robert offered.
“That is very nice, but I certainly can’t?—”
“Why not? I am not needed at my own home, and you can’t tell me to go back to London. It’s not even the Season. You’ll be doing me a favor. It’s been so long since I was involved in the daily workings of an estate. We can learn all about it together.”
He took her hand again, and she almost flinched at the touch of his bare skin on hers.
“Let me be of help to you.”
Because he felt sorry for her? she wondered. After all, she was Blake’s poor, blind widow.
Or was he just a man who had no family left, nothing to return home to?
“That is a kind offer,” she said at last. “I will accept.”
He squeezed her hand and released her, saying briskly. “Good. We will accomplish much together.”
She knew her own smile was weak but couldn’t help it. Hours together every day, just when she was trying to make it look like their engagement would eventually end?
There was no help for it. She had to learn the workings of her new estate, and she needed eyes to help her. She’d fought the feeling of dependency so long that it was frustrating to accept it once again. She was used to moving fluidly, confidently, through her home, but every room in Rose Cottage seemed to have tables in odd places. As for the people, she was already working on memorizing the sound of their footsteps—that would help her know who was around her.
And Robert? His presence was a temporary convenience until both she and Molly were back on their feet.
She heard the footsteps before anyone even spoke. It was surely Evelyn.
“Mrs. Blake?”
And she’d been right. Feeling a touch more confident, she said, “Yes?”
“The land agent, Mr. Drayton, has arrived. He says you sent for him?”
Audrey turned toward Robert. “I requested a meeting. I didn’t realize he’d come so quickly. I have so many questions about the estate.”
“Are you ready?” he asked.
She heard the determination, even eagerness in his voice. She smiled and did her best to put her concern for Molly aside for the moment. “I’m ready.”
Robert left before dinner,almost as if he were just a neighbor who kept dropping in. Audrey wasn’t sad this time, now that she knew he planned to return. Oh, what did that say about the state of her attachment to him? she asked herself, even as she slowlyclimbed the stairs to visit Molly in the servants’ quarters in the attics.
She had to admit, Robert had had questions for the land agent that she would never have thought of—how many sheep did they plan to drive to market this month, the state of the recent grain harvest, the strategy for the spring planting. They hadn’t even begun to discuss tenants, but that could wait for another time. Mr. Drayton had seemed genial enough, although a bit too glad to have the Earl of Knightsbridge to explain things to. Audrey would be patient and allow him to become used to dealing with a woman. For now, Robert was the bridge between her and the people who worked for her. And soon she wouldn’t need that bridge anymore. She’d be her own … island.
A pathetic comparison, she thought, even as she reached the top floor. To her surprise, when she went to knock on Molly’s door, it was already open.
“Hello?” she said warily. “Molly?”
“She’s asleep,” said a young man.
“Oh, Francis, I didn’t realize …” Her voice trailed off in confusion.
“I offered to sit with Molly while me mum prepared dinner. She’s been asleep the whole time.”
