'Merripen wouldn't agree.'
'Well, Win has made it clear that she would have him regardless.'
'It doesn't matter that she would have him. He's determined to protect her from himself.'
Amelia hated being confronted with problems that had no definite solution. 'Then what can we do?'
Cam lowered his head to kiss the tip of her nose. 'I know how you hate to hear this, love… but not much. It's in their hands.'
She shook her head and grumbled something against his shoulder.
'What did you say?' he asked, amused.
Her gaze lifted to his, and a self-deprecating smile curved her lips. 'Something to the effect that I hate having to leave Merripen and Win's future in their hands.'
The last time Win and Leo had seen Ramsay House it had been dilapidated and half-burned, the grounds barren except for weeds and rubble. And unlike the rest of the family, they had not seen the stages of its progress as it was being rebuilt.
The affluent southern county of Hampshire encompassed coastal land, heathland, and ancient forests filled with abundant wildlife. Hampshire had a milder, sunnier climate that most other parts of England, owing to the stabilizing effect of its location. Although Win had not lived in Hampshire for very long before she had gone to Dr. Harrow's clinic, she had the feeling of coming home. It was a welcoming, friendly place, with the lively market town of Stony Cross just within walking distance of the Ramsay estate.
It seemed the Hampshire weather had decided to present the estate to its best effect, with profuse sunshine and a few picturesque clouds in the distance.
The carriage passed the gatekeeper's lodge, constructed of grayish blue bricks with cream stone detailing. 'They refer to that as the Blue House,' Miss Marks said, 'for obvious reasons.'
'How lovely!' Win exclaimed. 'I've never seen bricks that color in Hampshire before.'
' 'Staffordshire blue' brick,' Leo said, craning his neck to see the other side of the house. 'Now that they're able to bring brick from other places on the railway, there's no need for the builder to make them on site.'
They went along the lengthy drive toward the house, which was surrounded by velvety green lawn and white-graveled walking paths, and young hedges and rosebushes. 'My God,' Leo murmured as they approached the house itself. It was a multi-gabled cream stone structure with cheerful dormers. The blue slate roof featured hips and bays outlined with contrasting terra-cotta ridge tiles. Although the place was similar to the old house, it had been much improved. And what remained of the original structure had been so lovingly restored that one could hardly tell the old sections from the new.
Leo didn't take his gaze off the place. 'Merripen said they'd kept some of the odd-shaped rooms and nooks. I see many more windows. And they've added a service wing.'
People were working everywhere, carters, stockmen, sawyers, and masons, gardeners clipping hedges, stable boys and footmen coming out to the arriving carriages. The estate had not only come to life; it was thriving.
Watching her brother's intent profile, Win felt a surge of gratitude toward Merripen, who had made all this happen. It was good for Leo to come home to this. It was an auspicious beginning to a new life.
'The household staff is in need of expansion,' Miss Marks said, 'but the ones Mr. Merripen has hired are quite efficient. Mr. Merripen is an exacting manager, but also kind. They would do anything to please him.'
Win descended from the carriage with a footman's help, and allowed him to escort her to the front doors. A marvelous set of double doors, with lower panels of solid timber and leaded glass panes set within the upper panels. As soon as Win reached the top step, the doors opened to reveal a middle-aged woman with ginger hair and a fair freckled complexion. Her figure was shapely and sturdy in a high-necked black dress. 'Welcome, Miss Hathaway,' she said warmly. 'I am Mrs. Barnstable, the housekeeper. How glad we all are to have you back in Hampshire.'
'Thank you,' Win murmured, following her into the entrance hall.
Win's eyes widened at the interior of the place, so light and sparkling, the two-story-high hall lined with paneling painted a creamy white. A gray stone staircase was set in the back of the hall, its iron balustrades gleaming black and spotless. Everywhere, it smelled of soap and fresh wax.
'Remarkable,' Win breathed. 'It's not the same place at all.'
Leo came up beside her. For once he had no glib remark to make, nor did he bother to hide his admiration. 'It's a bloody miracle,' he said. 'I'm astonished.' He turned to the housekeeper. 'Where is Merripen, Mrs. Barnstable?'
'Out at the estate timber yard, my lord. He is helping to unload a wagon. The logs are quite heavy, and the workers sometimes need Mr. Merripen's help with a difficult load.'
'We have a timber yard?' Leo asked.
Miss Marks replied, 'Mr. Merripen is planning to construct houses for the new tenant farmers.'
'This is the first I've heard of it. Why are we providing houses for them?' Leo's tone was not at all censuring, merely interested. But Miss Marks's lips thinned, as if she had interpreted his question as a complaint.
'The most recent tenants to join the estate were lured by the promise of new houses. They are already successful farmers, educated and forward-looking, and Mr. Merripen believes their presence will add to the estate's prosperity. Other local estates, such as Stony Cross Park, are also building homes for their tenants and laborers-'
'It's all right,' Leo interrupted. 'No need to be defensive, Marks. God knows I wouldn't think of interfering with Merripen's plans after seeing all he's done so far.' He glanced at the housekeeper. 'If you'll point the way, Mrs. Barnstable, I'll go out and find Merripen. Perhaps I might help to unload the timber wagon.'
'A footman will show you the way,' the housekeeper said at once. 'But the work is occasionally hazardous, my lord, and not fitting for a man of your station.'
Miss Marks added in a light but caustic tone, 'Besides, it is doubtful you could be of any help.'
The housekeeper's mouth fell open.
Win had to bite back a grin. Miss Marks had spoken as if Leo were a small weed of a man instead of a strapping six-footer.
Leo gave the governess a sardonic smile. 'I'm more physically capable than you suspect, Marks. You have no idea what lurks beneath this coat.'
'I am profoundly grateful for that.'
'Miss Hathaway,' the housekeeper broke in hurriedly, trying to smooth over the conflict, 'may I show you to your room?'
'Yes, thank you.' Hearing her sisters' voices, Win turned to see them entering the hall along with Mr. Rohan.
'Well?' Amelia asked with a grin, spreading her hands to indicate their surroundings.
'Lovely beyond words,' Win replied.
'Let's freshen ourselves and brush off the travel dust, and then I'll take you around.'
'I'll only be a few minutes.'
Win went to the staircase with the housekeeper. 'How long have you been employed here, Mrs. Barnstable?' she asked as they ascended to the second floor.
'A year, more or less. Ever since the house became habitable. I had previously been employed in London, but the old master passed on to his reward, and the new master dismissed most of the staff and replaced them with his own. I was in desperate need of a position.'
'I'm sorry to hear that. But very pleased for the Hathaways' sake.'
'It has been a challenging undertaking,' the housekeeper said, 'putting together a staff and training them all. I will confess I had a few trepidations, given the unusual circumstances of this position. But Mr. Merripen was very persuasive.'
'Yes,' Win said absently, 'it is difficult to say no to him.'
'He has a strong and steady presence, that Mr. Merripen. I've often marveled to see him in the center of a dozen simultaneous undertakings-the carpenters, the painters, the blacksmith, the head groomsman, all clamoring for his attention. And he always keeps a cool head. We can scarcely do without him. He is the fixed point of the estate.'
Win nodded morosely, glancing into the rooms they passed. More cream paneling, and light cherry furniture,
