Noah would have to investigate that. Perhaps Miles could offer some suggestions. Delivering the remaining baskets took most of the day, and by the time they returned to the manor, Noah was starving. Thankfully, his cook, Mrs. Peters, had a generous tea tray delivered to the family parlor.
“So, how did it go?” Miles asked, piling sandwiches on his plate.
“Much better than I expected, although I would have been lost without Mrs. Jerrison. She has a wealth of knowledge about the tenants and told me about each family and any challenges they faced. There were many new faces since I was young and trailing behind Uncle Charles.”
“Excellent. Glad to hear it went well. I knew the tenants would want to see you.”
“I found out that there are two vacant cottages on the edge of the property where the land doesn’t produce well. Perhaps we can ride out to see what other uses that land can be put to.”
“Of course. You know I enjoy a good gallop. Shall we investigate it in the next few days?”
“Yes. That will work. I haven’t ridden to the property line since I was young and should familiarize myself with all of the estate again.”
“Noah, remember all this new information takes time to digest,” Miles said between bites. “Don’t try to learn everything at once. Have you thought about hiring a steward to help manage the estate?”
“Perhaps I will at some time in the future, but for now, I’d like to know and understand everything first.”
“Of course. That makes sense.”
After they’d eaten their fill, Noah stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to write some letters.”
“Oh? Perhaps one of them will be to Lady Williams?”
“I did write to her explaining the situation.”
“I’m glad to hear it. So you do plan on courting her then?” Miles asked.
“Yes. I will, but at the moment, I need to write to Robertson to inquire about the rules and regulations for joining Parliament in November. I’m not sure if Mr. Henshaw has told me everything I need to know.”
“Good idea.”
“I’ll see you later,” Noah said, exiting the parlor and making his way downstairs to his study. His mind was a jumble of thoughts, especially concerning Lady Williams, but as he told Miles, he had explained the situation to her and that it wasn’t the right time to court her. He didn’t want to leave the estate, and she certainly couldn’t come here. They weren’t engaged, andit would be inappropriate for her to stay here without another female in residence.
The most important thing to him at the moment was taking care of the estate and making his uncle proud of him. As much as he wanted to see Lady Williams again, he would have to put his personal feelings aside for the time being.
“Lord Harrison, do you need any assistance?” Jerrison asked when Noah was walking down the hallway.
“No. I shall be in my study. There are letters I need to write.”
“Very good, sir,” the butler said, walking away.
As Noah neared the study door, a wave of nostalgia hit him hard. He remembered so many good times when he and Aiden had been in the study while Uncle Charles read over the estate plans and tried to explain them. Noah should have paid more attention to the lessons about estate management, but at the time, there’d been no need. Aiden was young and healthy, and no one could have foreseen the tragedy that would befall his family.
He opened the door and sat down at his uncle’s desk. No—it was his desk now. He took out a sheet of paper and dipped the quill in the ink pot.
Robertson,
I write to you with a heavy heart. My Uncle Charles and cousin Aiden have both perished from fevers. It seems I am the new Viscount Harrison, although it’s the last thing I would ever wish for.
I would welcome your advice on a number of issues concerning estate management and joining Parliament.
As such, I would like to invite you and Lady Robertson to visit at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Harrison
Noah sanded and sealed the letter. It felt so strange to sign that name. Harrison was his uncle’s name, not his. It would take a long time for him to get used to the title.
