Chapter Ten: Alexander

The earl didn't have much to say about the list of things needing repaired at Meadowbrooke, merely instructed me to see the work completed. For the moment, I kept my suspicions about Mrs. Burke's lies to myself. I needed more than just the word of a maid to be believed.

So, while I penned a message requesting the local carpenter to go to Meadowbrooke, I also wrote a letter to Captain Burke's solicitor. Once I had an answer from the London man, I would know how to approach my cousin or even if I should approach him.

Two days later brought the arrival of William's sisters, Olivia and Penelope. With them were their husbands and the personal servants they traveled with. The staff had been prepared for their arrival, but there was an undercurrent of tension below stairs.

Though I'd known my cousins' arrival would disrupt my attempt to create a routine, I wasn't expecting to have his office invaded first thing in the morning.

"Alexander, what do you make of this whole thing?" Olivia, two years older than William and three years older than me asked when she walked through the door. "I can hardly believe any of it!"

"And good day to you too, cousin," I said as I set down his pen. It would be impossible to get any work done with my garrulous cousin in the room. "You shouldn't be down here. If Stevens sees you, I'm sure he will be shocked to death."

The lady laughed lightly. "Now that I am Lady Burrows, anywhere I am is exactly where I should be all the time. And that includes a steward's office." She glanced around with open curiosity. "What are you doing down here, anyway?"

"I do have work that needs doing every day," I said patiently. I'd had dinner with them all the evening before. "Shouldn't you be consulting with Mrs. Evans about dinner? Or has Penelope claimed the responsibility of hostess?"

"Of course I am hostess. At least for the moment. I have already spoken with the housekeeper and the cook." Oliva collapsed into the chair across from me with the air of someone exhausted. "I'm sure whatever you have to do can wait a few minutes. I want to know it is all true? William is taking responsibility for improving his ward's home?"

Sighing, I leaned back. "What do you want me to say? You should look for answers from your brother. I'm just a steward after all."

"You're not just a steward. You're family first and foremost." She crossed her arms. "I shall remain here until you speak, or I will follow you everywhere you go."

It seemed I would not be easily rid of her. "What has William told you?"

She beamed as she straightened. "See? If you were just a steward, you would have called him the earl or my lord." Olivia folded her hands in her lap. "Well, he has said he is the girl's guardian and that Mrs. Burke has had charge of her."

"Yes. And?"

Lady Burrows wrinkled her nose. "I cannot believe Father ever met the woman. If he had, he would never have agreed to this arrangement. He'd not tolerate this kind of behavior from her."

"You don't think well of Mrs. Burke?"

"Do you?"

"I asked first."

"Fine, then. I think she is an ill-mannered mushroom." Olivia gave a determined nod. "She uses whatever acquaintance she can to drag her way up through society. Her daughter is pretty enough, but has the same manners as her mother. Harmless enough, I suppose, but unpleasant."

Surprised, I blinked. "Mrs. Burke has a daughter?" Why hadn't I seen her at Meadowbrooke? Had she been left behind in London? Why?

"Is Miss Emerson not with her?" Olivia asked in surprise. "I've never seen the pair parted before. Well, all the better then. One of them will be difficult enough to handle. Politeness alone and loyalty to my brother are the only reasons I will speak to her. Who knows what this Harriet Burke is like."

"Very true. She may be just like her stepmother."

"If she was sent to finishing school, I hope she would have been instructed to have better manners." Olivia ran her hands on her skirt in a way that almost signalled nervousness. "Is it true that my father spent a thousand pounds on this girl's education?"

"I'm really not the person who you should be talking to," I said, impatient to continue with my work. "Everything I know, your brother knows. And if he wanted you to know, he would have told you."

"Yes but he seems determined to phrase everything as something he must do and portray it all as something good. I know you would be more cautious about the whole thing."

"And?" What was she trying to get at? "I've offered my advice. William says he knows what he is doing. I'm just the steward and I am doing as I am told."

Olivia shook her head, her black ringlets bouncing. "If you don't want to be involved, I understand, but you really don't need to lock yourself in here. It has been ages since Penelope and I have seen you. You must become better acquainted with our husbands."

Once upon a time, I might have gladly agreed to do that. After all, Mother had always encouraged me to take advantage of my cousins' friends to make good connections for myself. I always enjoyed myself when I was with my cousins. But ,my mother wasn't here to say anything about what I did or did not do.

"I haven't been here long, Olivia," I said, holding firm. "I'm still trying to understand everything that comes with my position. There is rent still to be collected. How would it look to the staff if I neglected my duty first off?"

"Surely it can wait a day? Or a few hours?" Olivia leaned forward. "Alex, you don't have to always work. There's nothing you need to prove."

"If I do not work, I do not eat," I said plainly. "I can't think about myself and what I want. One day, I want a family and I will need to be able to support them."

"Your mother cannot be that much of a drain on you," Olivia persisted stubbornly. "She gets a handsome allowance from my mother for anything she might need. Your wages can be saved."

"You know how much she hates being dependent on her sister." I ran my hand through my hair. "We may be cousins, but I do not have the luxury of a title or land. I must work to support myself, and that means, sometimes, that work has to be put before anything else. Even family."

Disappointed, she sighed. "How will you meet a wife with that kind of attitude? You will never meet an eligible girl if you do nothing but work."

An image of a smiling Ellie flashed through my mind. "I'm sure I will manage. Once I am settled into my position."

"Well, when Mother and Aunt Katherine arrive, I hope you will make some time for them." Olivia stood up, her expression becoming smug. "They will not be so easily put off."

I froze, recalling how she had said she would be hostess for the moment. "My mother is coming?"

~*~

Once my cousin confirmed that my mother would be arriving by the end of the week, before the rest of the guests would arrive, I couldn't concentrate on the paperwork in front of me. In an effort to keep my word, I went out through the servants' entrance and went to the stables.

First, I rode out to meet some of the tenants and collect the rent that was due. Three farmers I met had the rent ready for me, and one asked for another day. The single day's extension was granted, though I had hesitated before agreeing.

What would happen if I were too lenient and the tenants took advantage of it? Would mercy result in the tenants feeling they can do as they pleased? Would it cause more trouble and make my position difficult?

Troubled, I set off across the pasture in the hopes a free ride would clear his mind. I hadn't gone for when I spotted a fair-haired maiden walking near the treeline. With a delight I decided to ignore, I rode toward her.

"Miss Ellie,"I called out when I was close to her. I brought my mount, Justice, to a halt and swung down. "This is a pleasant surprise."

"Good day, Mr. Turner," she said with a smile. Her bonnet hung down her back with the ribbons around her neck. There were wildflowers in her right hand and a basket in her left. "Are you hard at work this morning or just enjoying the day?"

"I think I can manage to do both at the same time," I said with a grin. "But between you and me, I'm mainly trying to avoid my cousins."

She tilted her head. "Cousins?"

"The earl's sisters and their husbands have arrived," I explained. "A few more days and there will be even more people at the manor to join them. All hope of peace and quiet will be lost."

"It must be lovely to have family, though." There was a note of longing in her voice.

"Do you not have family?"

She shook her head. "I'm afraid I don't. My mother died when I was four years old and then my father when I was six. My mother's family had disowned her for marrying without their approval so I have never met them. I don't think they know I even exist."

"What didn't they approve of?"

"They did not think a captain would provide well for her." She bit her lip and looked away. Then, she said quickly, "But my parents were happy. At least, my father always assured me that they were. I don't remember my mother well enough to say for myself."

"Then, that is all that matters, isn't it?" I decided not to press for more information. When she was ready, she would tell me. I hoped. "The former earl and his wife were the happiest couple I have ever known and I can only hope to have their contentment when I marry."

Miss Ellie looked at me swiftly as if taking note that he was not mentioning his own parents. "I always wanted a brother or sister," was all she said. "I think that would have made life more enjoyable."

"It can, or it can make things even more complicated."

"Oh, do you have a brother or sister?"

Mentally cursing for having brought up Nerissa, I said, "A sister. She is two years older than I. There was a brother between us, but he died as an infant."

"Will your sister be visiting as well?"

"No." To make up for my sharp tone, I said quickly, "My cousins are lively, but they are also far too interested in my life than I am comfortable with. They always have been. Every decision must be discussed among them before it can be approved. Even if I wasn't looking for permission or approval."

"Would you do something they didn't approve of?"

"I've never had to do so, but if I were sure of my decision, I think I would." I hesitated and then added, "And I can say that my mother was not pleased that I accepted my cousin's offer to be a steward. She would rather I become a vicar or take some position in the church."

And hadn't she been vocal when I had told her about my plan.I shook my head to get rid of the memory, surprised I had confessed so much. "The church was never appealing to me, and I know I have not had the education required for it. At least, not enough that I would feel comfortable shepherding a parish."

"I don't know," the young woman said. She tilted her head, regarding him seriously. "I think you might make an excellent parish leader. You have the kindness that some do not."

As soon as she had finished, her cheeks flooded with color as though she realized just how honest she had been. I cleared my throat. "Thank you for the compliment, but I am satisfied with being a mere steward."

"Does your mother disapprove of you being here?"

"Oh, yes. And I'm sure she will have much to say when she arrives." And if she hadn't persuaded the dowager countess to be on her side, I would be very surprised. "But enough about me. Did Mr. Wallace stop by Meadowbrooke?"

Her face brightened even more with a smile. "Yes. He says the water damage will be a simple fix and has already set to work on the windows. And the chimney was cleaned this morning. I've not seen Mrs. Haynes so happy in several years."

Out of the corner of his eye I saw his cousin riding the edge of the pasture with two other riders with him. Part of me wanted to turn away and hurry Miss Ellie in the opposite direction. But why should I be ashamed? She was pleasant company and connected to Meadowbrooke.

"I'm glad she is happy," I said, trying to put his cousin from his mind. "What did Mrs. Burke have to say about it? Is she satisfied with the work being done or will it not be up to her standard?"

Gossiping was always distasteful, especially when it concerned someone I did not know well. Given it was the only way to learn anything about Mrs. Burke, I would put aside my hesitations.

"She didn't say anything about it," Ellie said, her expression dimming. "But she had letters from London, so she has reason to be distracted."

"Letters from her daughter?"

Ellie gave a start, her eyes widening. "You know she has a daughter?"

Was it some secret? Why was she so surprised I would know about Mrs. Burke's daughter. "My cousin, Lady Burrows, mentioned it to me this morning. Apparently, Miss Emerson is just like her mother."

"Ah." Ellie dropped her gaze and continued walking. "Well, she would be, wouldn't she? If her mother's company is all she has known? She cannot be blamed for that."

"One would hope that a person would take responsibility for their own actions. Yes, a parent's influence is strong, but that does not excuse a person when they have become an adult who should know better." At least, I sincerely hoped I was not like my mother.

"So you don't think a person's upbringing is overly important?"

"I wouldn't say that." Glancing at her, I wasn't sure what point I had been trying to make. "How a person is raised explains a great deal, but I do think a person can overcome any impediment their upbringing may give them."

She nodded, but her expression was serious. "Well, I think I should be on my way," she said. "Miss Sharpe is expecting me and Mrs. Burke will not like me being gone for so long."

"Miss Sharpe is a good friend of yours?"

"Yes. Ever since she came here, she has taken it on herself to teach me everything she thinks I ought to have been taught before this." Miss Ellie lifted her basket up. "She lends me books she thinks will improve my mind or that I will enjoy."

"I thought you said you didn't enjoy reading."

"I don't. But it makes her happy to lend them to me, so I try. With Mrs. Burke at Meadowbrooke, I do not have the time to read now so I am returning the last one she gave me." She forced a smile. "I am hoping Miss Sharpe will not be too put out with me for not reading this one."

"Has Miss Sharpe been in the neighborhood long?" I asked curiously. An educated woman would have an unbiased opinion on the Burke family, but only if she had met them.

The young woman tilted her head. "She has been here for maybe five years. When her last student married, she decided she had saved up enough to retire. Why do you want to know?"

"So she would not have met Captain Burke or his daughter?" Another idea shot down before I could follow it through. There had to be someone in the neighborhood who would have known the captain.

"She did not meet the captain," Ellie's tone had dropped and she would not meet his gaze. "She met Mrs. Burke for the first time two days ago."

"Then, she cannot tell me anything about Miss Burke. It seems I am going to have to form my own opinion of Miss Harriet Burke when she comes."

She had nothing to say to that as she shifted from foot to foot. "If Mrs. Burke hears you have been questioning everyone about her, she isn't going to like it," she warned. "You don't know the temper she has."

"I doubt there is much she could do to me." But how much could she do to Ellie since the young woman had no family to turn to? I'd already seen her dismissive, but what if she was cruel?

"You don't have to stay there, you know," I found himself saying. If the woman learned Ellie had spoken out of turn, there would be consequences. "Come to the manor. I will put in a good word for you with Mrs. Johnson, the housekeeper. It will get you away from Mrs. Burke."

With a start, Miss Ellie looked at him. "Are you suggesting I be a maid at Berdwell Manor?"

"Well, Mrs. Johnson is always looking for young women who will work hard. I cannot promise she will give you a position as a housemaid or that it will be easier work being in a bigger house. But Mrs. Burke cannot be the best employer."

"No, she's not," the young woman said, just barely above a whisper.

"You don't have to make a decision right now. Just think about it."

She nodded. "Good day, Mr. Turner."

"Good day, Miss Ellie." I remained where I was, letting her hurry on ahead. Once she was safely out of the pasture, I remounted his horse and headed back to the manor. It was time to record the rent payments in the accounts book.