Page 7

We hiked back up the hills and rounded them, then meandered down a lane towards some cottages. Children of differing ages scampered about, but those of an age to work did so, whether hanging laundry on the line or hoeing the garden.

Cecily drew close to my side. She was unused to other children, and entirely unused to seeing them required to work.

“Do you know their names, Tobias?” I asked.

“Not a one of them.” He swiped his handkerchief across his brow as the day had grown warm. He paused. “I shall rectify that on the morrow.”

Some ten cottages or more were spread across the land. A row of three here, two there. Fields that ought to be tilled and filled with some growing produce lay empty, aside from the cottage gardens.

“Some of my tenants have uprooted to Manchester to attain a better living from the textile warehouses rather than scrape together a living at my pitiful estate.”

“I can’t believe it.” The scene was glorious—but did his tenants truly starve? Enough to do that?

“The young do, at any rate. Uncle warned me this morning. I will lose the next generation if I don’t do something about it now.”

A few women peeked from the doorways, wondering at our arrival. A man approached. Tall and lanky, he removed his hat in my presence. “Good day to ye, Mr. Chinworth, sir.” He nodded to me. “Miss.”

Tobias acknowledged him. “How can I help you, Mister…”

“Mr. Ode, sir. If you please, I heard Old Cummins got the boot. This be true?”

Tobias nodded. “You heard right.”

“I’m that relieved. The man brought all manner of gents ‘round Burtins. Betimes they frighten the children.”

“How so?”

“They come knockin’ on doors, all drunken-like. Or try to catch a lass when she be out wandering the hills.”

Alarm spread across his face. “It is worse than I thought.”

“Aye, worse. We’ve had to keep an eagle eye on the lasses, mind ye.”

I pulled Cecily away from the conversation and back towards Burtins. She needed to feel safe. Needed to be safe. So did Tobias. But since we arrived, Tobias had been met with issue after issue.

We needed peace and quiet, but most of all, safety. God, make it so.

We made it back to the kitchen for the gingerbread the housekeeper had promised. She didn’t seem to mind that we’d invaded her space. She might be properly called a maid of all work as she seemed to fulfill the duties of cook and laundress as well. I hoped Tobias would provide extra hands for her.

“Have some tea, dears, and don’t mind the mess on the table.

Set ye down and have a bite. Supper will be at seven o’clock.

” Chopped vegetables and scraps littered her work space.

Something lovely was roasting in the oven.

The weather was warm, to be sure, but not too warm.

The breezes that blew in through the open door soothed me.

Our first hours at Burtins had been strange and unexpected. I glanced at Cecily, her cheeks rosy from our exercise. I settled into a rocking chair and she the bench. She swiped at her eyes. Overly tired, I shouldn't wonder. “Would you like a lie down?”

She swallowed her tea and put a hand on my arm.

“I haven’t been a good child. I know it.

” Tears began to swim in her eyes. “But I want to be. I want to be like you, Tessa.” Sobs began to shake her thin form.

I pulled her into my arms and held her as she wept into my shoulder.

I couldn’t move. I held her and rocked her until she slept in my arms. My young prodigal needed so much love and attention. I blinked back my own tears.

The housekeeper swiped at her eyes at our emotional display and continued with her work. The hazy afternoon, the warmth, the long walk—how Cecily draped across my shoulder—lulled me as though I’d been rocked in a cradle. I fell asleep. I know not how long.

Sometime later, I felt Cecily being lifted from me. I blinked awake. Tobias. He winked at me before he carried Cecily to bed and returned to me a moment later.

I stood and stretched. It was most definitely later than seven o'clock. Twilight had descended, a few candles had been lit. I noted that the rustic work table had been set for supper for the servants and I had delayed their repast

Tobias held out his arm. “Shall we?”

He led me into the dining room where supper was indeed laid out. He seated me as I couldn’t stop yawning.

“The journey has exhausted you both.” He smiled. “I daresay you’ll retire as soon as you sup.”

“If I do, I shall read the night away. I feel quite energized.”

Mrs. Fredrickson began to set covered dishes within reach. “I’ve another two servants coming on the morrow, Mr. Chinworth. Until then, I beg your patience.”

“No need to apologize,” Tobias said.

I stood and removed the covers. “I am quite capable of seeing us through supper.” I nodded. “Do attend to your own needs.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “This woman is a jewel, Master Chinworth. A jewel.” She left the room swiftly while heat flooded my cheeks.

Tobias spoke, “I quite agree.” I paused while serving his potatoes as his eyes captured mine. “I have great respect for you, Tessa.”

I went back to work, serving the meat. Respect was good. I must latch onto that. Respect. Mayhap changing one regard for another would help me overcome my precarious feelings.