“Yes, I’d like to know everything you can tell me. Asyou can imagine, this is an unusual situation for me.”
“Of course, my lord. Here we are,” Mr. Haggerty said, opening the file. “The country estate is located just outside Reading in Berkshire county, about a two-day journey from London. There’s a lovely stone house, Dandridge Manor, that’s currently unoccupied.”
“Has the house been left to rot?” Jacob asked with a frown.
“No, not at all. There’s a skeleton staff maintaining the inside of the house and an estate steward who’s in charge of any issues that may arise with the land. He also oversees the grooms taking care of the horses.”
“There are horses on the estate?”
“Yes. From the last report, there are still six horses being cared for. I believe there are a carriage or two there as well, but I have no idea of their condition. There are also a number of tenants working the land.”
“Tenants? How many?”
Mr. Haggerty shuffled some papers in the file. “Oh, here we are. From the last report from the steward, there are currently ten families working the land.”
“Farmers?”
“Yes, although last year’s harvest wasn’t the best because of the drought. The income was significantly decreased because of it.”
“I don’t need the income.”
Mr. Haggerty cleared his throat. “Um…the income has been given to the former Lord Fletcher’s daughters to live on while the search for you was ongoing.”
“Daughters? How many?”
“Three—Miss Parker, Miss Grace, and Miss Mia.”
“You mentioned the manor house is empty at present. Don’t these women live there?”
“No. They live in a modest house on Gracechurch Street here in London. I’m not sure they have ever lived at Dandridge Manor. From what I understand, the former Lord Fletcher didn’t enjoy the country.”
“Well, I see no reason why the Parker sisters cannot continue to receive the income. As I said, I don’t need it.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not how things work. Now that you’ve been found, all income will go directly to you. The women are now your responsibility as the new Lord Fletcher.”
Jacob let out a long-suffering sigh. Not only did he have an estate and tenants to manage, but now, he discovered, he was the guardian of three young women. What did he know about taking care of them? He’d been on his own ever since he was eight and ten and had never had to think about considering others in the decisions he made.
“I see. What exactly does this guardianship entail?”
“It means you’re responsible for their well-being, making sure there’s enough food in the larder and enough coal to heat their modest home. If Miss Parker, the eldest daughter, desires a Season—with your approval, of course, she will need an entirely new wardrobe befitting a young debutante. If she is successful in securing a marriage proposal, it will be your responsibility to negotiatethe terms of the marriage contract. This will pertain to the other Parker sisters as well when they’re older. It’s at your discretion whether you’re willing to finance a Season for any of them.”
Marriage contracts?
“How old are these women?”
“Miss Parker is nine and ten, Miss Grace is seven and ten, and Miss Mia is five and ten. Miss Parker is certainly of an age to have a Season, but there’s been no money for such an extravagance and no one to chaperone her.”
“A Season? Chaperone? I’m confused. What does all that mean?”
“I understand all these customs are new to you. Let me see if I can explain it in simple terms. The Parker sisters are daughters of the former baron and thus members of the aristocracy. When young women reach a certain age, usually eight and ten, they’re launched into Society. You’ll need a respectable lady who is willing to act as Miss Parker’s chaperone during the various society events. Her debut signals her availability on the marriage mart to the gentlemen of theton.”
“The marriage mart? Are these women sold?”
“Oh no, that’s not what it means. The marriage mart consists of a series of activities that allow young people to get to know each other. It’s all very regimented, especially for young women, and any misstep could result in a scandal that could ruin her chances of securing a desirable match.”
Missteps?
Scandal?
