“No,” she replied. “I’d like to develop trust, so that any concerns the wives may have can be shared and understood in comfortable environs. You know how men are. They must posture. And they must be in the right.”
“I have to say, the other wives won’t appreciate my having been free with my tongue.”
“I’ve no intention of getting anyone into trouble,” Cassie reassured. “Just the opposite, in fact.”
Mrs. Townsend lifted her brows. “Therehasbeen a growing frustration between the tenants and Mr. Anderson.”
“I suspected as much,” Cassie confirmed. “Frustration leads to anger, anger to distrust. And then small problems become impossible to solve.”
“Are you certain you wish to get involved?”
“But of course,” Cassie replied. “This is my home now. The Hall can hardly thrive if the rest of the estate is suffering.”
Mrs. Townsend studied Cassie. Finally, she nodded. “I will see what I can do. Provided Mr. Townsend agrees, mind you.”
“Of course.” Cassie replied, concealing her sudden fear Mr. Townsend would prevent the meeting.
Her own father had never wanted her mother to call on their neighbors without him. Since he’d only rarely visited Willowhurst, that meant her mother and sisters formed few friendships outside their family circle.
She’d never considered asking Harbury for permission before she made this plan. Would he have denied her if she had?
He didn’t seem inclined to control her movements, but he hadshown a propensity to be protective. Perhaps she needn’t tell him yet.
If she didn’t ask, she couldn’t be refused.
First, she would discover whether or not her efforts were likely to produce fruit,thenshe’d let him know of her plans. She was far too excited at the prospect of being able to make a valuable contribution to be unnecessarily thwarted now.
Chapter Eight
After Cassandra andMrs. Townsend returned from touring the kitchen garden, Mr. Townsend moderated his manner. Harbury sent up a short prayer of thanks. However, as the visit went on, both wives continued to flutter nervously. And throughout the tea, they exchanged more than one covert glance.
He’d been afraid Mr. Townsend’s booming voice had seeped through the walls. Just how much had Cassandra heard? Mr. Townsend had made shocking accusations.
According to Townsend, Anderson had refused every concession requested, even those made by the most loyal and productive of tenants. Instead, Anderson had threatened every one of them with eviction in Harbury’s name.
Harbury had made Townsend what assurances he could without completely defaming his steward. When times were hard, rumors proliferated, and tempers flared. Anderson had been with the estate for too long, and Harbury owed him too big a debt for him to take the part of a single tenant, no matter how upstanding.
On the other hand, he could no longer dismiss the anonymous letters. The warnings appeared to have at least some merit.
He and Cassandra took their leave, and Cassandra thanked the Townsends for their hospitality, going so far as to grasp the older woman’s hand in a warm and friendly gesture.
He admired the way his wife put the people around her at ease, the way she easily facilitated conversation. She not only realizedTownsend had something to say but would not speak freely with his wife present, but she had also acted to remove the obstacle.
He was grateful.
With an affectionate smile, Harbury settled his wife into one side of the cart and then climbed onto the other side. He ordered Trusty to walk, lifting on the horse’s right rein as he navigated around a bend in the road.
If Anderson was, for reasons he could not fathom, intentionally undermining him, he had even greater cause to be appreciative of his wife. If Harbury hadn’t come home when he had, the estate could be facing a much bigger crisis. Now, he’d a chance to find the problem’s source.
He was glad he’d suggested they make the visit together, even if Cassandra had overheard some of Townsend’s bile. Maybe he should also ask her opinion about the letters?
Briefly, his gaze flitted to Cassandra before returning to the road.
Revealing the letters’ existence now would also make plain his initial reluctance to take the warning seriously, necessitating, in turn, an explanation he was not yet willing to give, at least not until Cassandra was more certain of her position and her role.
And after they’d reached a resolution on the matter of bedchamber doorway etiquette.
As they reached an area of fallow, but open field, he called for Trusty to stop.
