Page 71 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Bathing her face in cool water, she hoped it wouldn’t be obvious she had been crying. She rang for Bridget and informed her that they would be returning to town first thing in the morning.

“Pack what I will need for the remainder of the Season,” she instructed. “Some of my clothing can be left here at Cliffside.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Bridget said, eyeing her with concern and then glancing away.

“I will be out and about on the estate today so if you have any questions, I can answer them once I return.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Adalyn left her bedchamber, her heart still heavy but her step lighter. She had a purpose to fulfill today. She would do her best to see the task through. It would help her get to know some of the tenants’ wives better. And with Ev not around to watch her every move, perhaps she could let her guard down and speak to them in a more friendly fashion.

She went to the kitchens and spoke briefly with Cook, who already had the baskets assembled. A cart was brought from the stables and footmen loaded the baskets into the vehicle’s bed. Porth, one of the grooms, would drive her from cottage to cottage, where she would spend a few minutes with the women and any of their children.

Porth helped her into the cart and they set off.

“How long have you worked for His Grace?” she asked the groom.

He looked taken aback that she would attempt to converse with him.

“I grew up at Cliffside, Your Grace. My father was a groom and is now the head groom.”

“You must be very proud of him. That is a position of huge responsibility, especially on an estate as large as Cliffside. Do you hope to follow in his footsteps?”

The tips of the groom’s ears turned pink. “That would be nice, Your Grace. But he’s in good health. He should be working for years to come.”

As they drove, she found out he had two other brothers who also worked in the stables and a sister who was a parlor maid, albeit in Ev’s London townhouse. Adalyn felt good to hear Porth’s story and know about his family and background. She hoped that someday she could say the same about all their servants and tenants.

They spent the remainder of the day delivering their baskets of food, with Adalyn visiting for several minutes to a half-hour with the wives. When it came time for the last stop, Porth helped her down and retrieved the final basket.

“Let me deliver this one to Mrs. Haggert,” she said. “You can return to the stables.”

“But how will you get back, Your Grace?”

“I will walk.”

Porth looked at her as if she had gone mad.

“I enjoy walking. Go along, Porth. We started at the cottage which was the greatest distance from Cliffside and came closer to the main house with each delivery. I won’t have far to go.”

“If you are sure,” he said, uncertainty lingering in his eyes and obvious in his voice.

“I am. Now, go.”

Adalyn watched him drive away and then took the basket to the door. She knocked and the door was answered by Mrs. Haggert, who was heavy with child. A young girl of about four years of age clung to her skirts.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Haggert. I have brought you some things.”

The woman’s eyes grew large. “Oh, my goodness. Well, if that isn’t kind of you, Your Grace. Please, come in.”

Adalyn entered the cottage and placed the basket on the table. Then she knelt and looked at the little girl. “What is your name?” she asked.

“Sarah,” the child mumbled and then buried her face in her mother’s skirts.

“Come have a seat, Mrs. Haggert. I would like to get to know you and Sarah better.”

The woman waddled to a chair and waited for Adalyn to seat herself before she did the same.

As with the others she had visited today, it took a few minutes before the conversation began flowing freely. Once it did, though, Adalyn was pleased. Even young Sarah began talking, eventually coming and standing next to Adalyn. She scooped the girl into her lap.

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