“Even after the grinding and mixing, it’ll be four to six weeks until the spirit can be strained.”
“Oh!” Cassie sighed. “I hope to be in London by then. Harbury has kindly offered to show my younger sisters the sights and to introduce them to some friends during the little Season. All three of them should have been out by now. But with five daughters—”
“Five?”
Cassie nodded, letting the rest go unspoken. By now, Mrs. Townsend should understand that she, though adequately provided for, had not come from great wealth.
“What a fine thing, then, you have the duke.”
From inside the house, Mr. Townsend’s voice rose again. Cassie made out the wordprices. A moment later she heard the wordgreedand then, quite clearly,no regard.
“Oh dear.Ohdear.” Mrs. Townsend’s hands bunched in her apron. “ItoldMr. Townsend to hold his peace.”
Cassie hesitated, then laid a hand over the woman’s. “Don’t you worry yourself, Mrs. Townsend. If Harbury had taken offense, he would have summoned me to take leave. And if something has gone wrong, the duke needs to know.”
“But he must know already.” Mrs. Townsend’s brow furrowed. “We have been given to understand there was to be no rent relief come Michaelmas on the duke’s order.”
Cassie could neither confirm nor deny the woman’s assertion, but she doubted he would refuse to hear his tenant’s concerns. After all, he’d been the one to suggest they come today.
“Has relief been requested?” she asked.
“Oh yes! Anderson tells us the duke will not budge.” She shifted her weight. “Pray forgive me for speaking plain.”
“There’s no need for forgiveness,” she replied. “Especially if you are in distress.”
“Not Mr. Townsend and me,” she replied. “Things are tighter, yes. Profits are down. But our fields aren’t as prone to flood as some of the others, and Mr. Townsend, well, he’s a fierce one concerning economy.”
“His care and attention show,” Cassie offered encouragingly, hoping to learn more.
“He spends timeevery dayreconciling his expenditures and his income.” Mrs. Townsend held up her fingers and counted on them. “Astrict quarter reserved for rent and salaries, a quarter for clothes, food and other expenses, a quarter for upkeep, the tithe to the church, and the rest kept in careful reserve.” She dropped her hand. “His planning is why we have been able to keep all our employees even though prices have dipped and why we were able to send our youngest son to university. He’s a London solicitor, now, and manages several small estates.”
“Does he?” she asked, surprised. “How wonderful. But what of the other tenants? Has the refusal of rent relief caused unrest?”
Mrs. Townsend’s eyes dropped. “There hasn’t been any trouble as yet. But Mr. Townsend and I both fear the peace is temporary. There’s growing anger among some of the tenantry.”
“I see.” Cassie cast a troubled gaze over the fenugreek, thinking. “When, exactly do you plan to harvest?”
“If I can find the help, I would harvest later this week. The seeds should be dried by Thursday next.”
“I will see what help can be spared from the Hall for the harvest, the grinding, and the processing.”
“Any help you choose to send would be much appreciated, Your Grace.”
“Are there any other wives in the area you think would be willing to join us?” Cassie ventured hopefully.
“Well”—Mrs. Townsend squinted as she thought—“Let’s see. Mrs. Grayson and Mrs. Bottlesworth have both expressed interest in my garden.”
“Would you be willing to invite them, too?”
Mrs. Townsend shrugged. “Many hands make light work. Some have wanted to know my secret for years, you know. The trick, however, is never as much in the recipe as in the care taken during preparation.”
Cassie shared a conspiratorial smile. “Perhaps you could promise each a special bottle? Paid, of course, by me.” She’d use her own pinmoney if she must. “And, I’ll have Cook prepare a light luncheon.”
“You’re quite determined, aren’t you?”
Cassie nodded. “I’d like to become acquainted with my husband’s land…and the people.”
“Ah, so your interest isn’t just about fenugreek.”
