Page 67 of Sense and Suitability
“None of my cousins have ever inspired such affection in me as I witnessed between the two of you.” Her gazes switched between them, one slim brow slowing rising northward. “Incredibly warm... loving.”
“Then I’m sad for you, Miss Hemston. It is a remarkable privilege to find friendship and encouragement in one’s cousins.” Emme took Thomas’s controlled lead. “And I might add that if you wish to benefit from Mr. Bridges’ encouragement, he excels in both wit and words, which are often on display in his sermons. Should you wish to observe them in a more public setting, rather than through the lens of an overheard andprivateconversation.”
The slight downturn of Miss Hemston’s lips was the only indication that she had caught the reproof.
“I believe you’re right, Miss Lockhart. I’ve neglected a proper study of yourcousin.” She bit into the word. “Especially if he brings... intrigue along with him.” She waved a gloved hand toward the buildings nearby. “In such a quaint town as this, one is always in search of occupation.”
And with that, she dipped her chin with a coy smile that left Emme’s face cool, then sauntered away.
“I’m sorry for my timing.” Thomas stepped up beside Emme once Miss Hemston retreated. “I should have been more tactful in my choice of when and where to speak with you.”
“Do not worry yourself, Thomas.” Miss Hemston disappeared around the side of Moss’s Apothecary Shop. “I daresay Miss Hemston has little need or desire to bother herself with two people so beneath her.”
“Hmm...” His response pulled her attention. “I’ve heard enough about Miss Hemston to not underestimate her desire for information or need for importance. Those who are seeking attention will find ways to obtain it.” He held Emme’s gaze. “There are some people in life who are merely waiting to be baited to become an adversary. Don’t underestimate her.”
Chapter 14
“I appreciate you staying behind from the strawberry patches to assist me, Will.” Simon sent his brother a smile as they rode across the field, the afternoon sun warming them against the slight chill of the wind.
“I’m happy to... be of help to you, Simon.” Will gave a small nod, his dark hair tossed beneath his hat as they kept a leisurely pace, allowing room for conversation.
“You’re a great help. Not only is this your home, but I could do with another opinion or two on the matter of tenants.”
Simon had spent only a few summers with his cousin, as encouraged by Father under some excuse of building family connection. Not enough to give Simon thorough knowledge of how the estate ran, but enough to bring some awareness of the breadth of the job. Perhaps it was during those visits that Father and Rupert began discussions of shared business ventures.
Father had never discussed such ventures with Simon. And no wonder, from what Simon had unearthed after their passing about the nature of some of their schemes. Smuggling? Exploitation? Even illegal slave trading?
The weight of those wrongs painted Ravenscross’s reputation an even darker hue than the two men’s reputations alone. Their ventures nearly led to the estate’s ruination outright.
And Cousin Rupert clearly hadn’t been focusing on Ravenscross,his tenants, or its future. So Simon’s “inheritance” had been much more of a shackle than a gift.
“You probably wish Teddy were here.” Will’s quiet voice carried over the space between them. “He knows more about these things.”
Teddy had spent far less time with Rupert than Simon, even.
“Perhaps, but he is fighting the French far away, and besides, you have the mind and ability to render welcome service. Should I ever need you to manage anything, you’ll know exactly what it’s about.”
Will sat a little taller, his hesitant smile becoming fuller.
“Do you usually visit the tenants? To collect their rent?”
Ah, he was already embracing the responsibility. “Do you recall Mr. Starnes?”
Will furrowed his brow, considering, before nodding. “The man with the silver hair and white horses?”
“Yes, though he isn’t very old. An illness turned his hair white before his time. At any rate, he is the steward who manages the finances of Ravenscross, as it’s not typically something gentlemen do. Though I’ve done more than my share of it recently.” He paused, his tone growing quieter. “His father was steward before him, so he knows our estate and tenants well.”
Will’s nod encouraged Simon to continue—the additional time with the boy was somehow taking away a little of the melancholy of the last few months. Perhaps, despite the need to marry for money, his family would be all right. Perhaps he could yet make amends for the children’s losses and turn their family around.
“Tenants are a primary source of income for an estate, which is why we’ve been suffering from more expenditures than gains since our cousin’s passing,” Simon continued. “I had no idea of the extent of our cousin’s mismanagement, and I am only glad that we’ve been able to keep the few tenants we have.”
“Why did Cousin Rupert send the tenants away if having them helps provide funds for the estate?”
“Smart boy.” Simon’s compliment incited a glint in Will’s eyes. “I don’t know that he sent them away as much as they left for better places. Near the end of his life, he made impossible demands upon the tenants, which drove them to seek better accommodations elsewhere. Only a few of the more desperate or faithful remained.” He paused, glancing at Will. “And today we’ll be visiting some of them to inform them of new neighbors, who will be arriving soon, as well as assessing two vacant cottages to see if they’re ready for immediate occupancy.”
“Are we visiting all of the tenants?” Will’s eyes widened.
Simon stifled a grin. The poor lad probably thought they’d spend the next three days on horseback appraising properties and meeting strangers—a task neither of them relished. “Not all, but a visit has been long overdue. We’re taking some fresh bread from Mrs. Patterson and some jam Miss Lockhart kindly provided to three of our most veteran tenants before we meet with Mr. Starnes to see if the vacant cottages need any repairs.”
