“I did ask him, and now, I’m asking you.”
“I wouldn’t like to have a dispute arise between Mr. Boswell and myself.”
“What’s this spat about?” Sandy still didn’t explain, and Jacob said, “Are you scared to confide in me? Why would you be? We’ve been acquainted for three decades. I like to imagine I wouldn’t fly off the handle with you.”
“I have my job and my sons to consider.”
“Your job is safe. Your sons too. Short of embezzling from me, I can’t envision you enraging me sufficiently to where I’d fire you. So I’d appreciate it if you’d be candid.”
“Do you know Widow Barnes?” Jacob shook his head, and Sandy continued. “Her husband was a tenant farmer. He was killed last summer in a threshing accident, and she has six girls to raise on her own. Their roof collapsed, and I’ve been anxious to repair it, but Boswell doesn’t feel we should waste the funds. He thinks they should move on, but they don’t have anywhere to go.”
“What can it cost to repair a widow’s roof? It won’t beggar me, and why would you be the one to worry about it or to fix it? Isn’t it a chore far from your usual duties?”
Sandy glared at him, and Jacob sensed a huge wave of umbrage boiling just below the surface. It was obvious Sandy yearned to divest himself of many heavy issues, and the notion left Jacob incredibly weary.
He never focused much of his attention on the property. When he’d handed the reins to Kit, he’d been delighted to have the load lifted off his shoulders. His interest was and always would be his career in the navy, and during his brief visits at home, the place seemed in fine shape to him.
In the past, he’d never fretted about it, but he should probably start. If he gave Sandy the slightest opening to vent his frustrations, what might he confess?
“I may remodel the south wing of the manor next spring,” he said.
“While you’re at it, I hope you’ll let me convince you to rebuild the chimneys. They’ve needed to be re-bricked for ages.”
“Thank you for pointing it out. I only mention the remodeling because I’ll be in London next week. I intend to show the estate ledgers to a new team of accountants. What is your opinion about that idea?”
Sandy was so eager to expound that he physically bit down on his bottom lip so no words would escape. Finally, once he was more in control, he said, “I believe that might turn out to be money well spent. Goodnight, Captain.”
He hurried away before Jacob could ask any other questions.
“I have a gift for you.”
Clara’s eyes lit with merriment. “A gift! How splendid!”
Captain Ralston gave her a small package, wrapped in silver paper, and Clara ripped it off in a frenzy. Inside, she found the ribbons he’d told Joanna he’d buy.
Joanna wasn’t a pauper, but they didn’t exactly have funds to purchase frivolities. Except on the rarest occasions, such as Christmas, Clara didn’t get many presents.
“These are so beautiful,” Clara gushed, and she smiled at him, providing plenty of evidence of the beauty she’d grow to be when she was an adult.
“I couldn’t decide which color would look prettiest in your hair,” he said, like the worst flirt, “so I purchased them all.”
“I shall keep them forever!” Clara was wearing her pink dress, and she pulled the pink ribbon from the pile and offered it to Joanna. “Would you put it on for me?”
“I would be delighted.”
Joanna yanked off the old ribbon and attached the new one. She tied a bow on the top of Clara’s head, so she appeared very fetching.
“Is it perfect?” Clara asked.
“Yes, it’s perfect,” Joanna assured her.
“I must see it for myself. May I be excused?”
“Yes, you’re excused, and while you’re preening in the mirror, I’ll escort the Captain out to his horse. How about if you tell him goodbye before you go to your room?”
At hearing he’d depart, Clara was crestfallen. “Must you leave so soon?”
“I’m afraid I must.”
Clara peered over at Joanna. “Could he stay for supper this time?”
“It’s not for hours yet,” Joanna replied, “and I’m certain he’s too busy to tarry.”
Clara turned to the Captain and curtsied to him. “Thank you, Captain. Please visit again when you can. We enjoy having you as our guest.”
He bowed over her hand, and she was so charmed Joanna was amazed she didn’t swoon. Then she flitted away and raced up the stairs.
As the energy from her exit settled, he disturbed her by saying, “She reminds me of someone, but I can’t figure out who.”
“I can’t imagine who it might be.” Joanna was determined to never discuss the topic of who Clara resembled. “Let me walk you out.”
“You’re always in such a hurry to be rid of me.”
“That’s because I have no idea what to do with you when you arrive. Once you step into my parlor, I can’t breathe.”
“I could stay to supper.”
“You could not. How would we entertain you all afternoon?”
“I could just sit in a corner and watch you at your chores. I’d be fascinated.”
“When you shower me with such mesmerizing compliments, it makes me want to like you.”
“You should like me.”
She was staring up at him like a besotted girl, proving she was as smitten as Clara, which was embarrassing. She liked to assume she had better sense, but maybe she didn’t.
She opened the door and left the cottage, not checking if he followed her or not. He was so stubborn. If he refused to obey her, she’d never be able to pry him away.
They went to his horse, but he didn’t immediately mount the animal. He studied the woods as if they concealed numerous villains.
“I’ll never be comfortable with you living here,” he said.
“This has been my home for a whole decade, and I’ve never had any problems. I wish you wouldn’t fret about it so much.”
“Wasn’t your aunt alive for
