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Sam saw a rustic smithy and a small bakery shop, but other than that, no businesses were about. She didn’t notice a school, or children, for that matter. Most of the villagers were elderly.
Sam got out of the carriage and started knocking on doors. Most of the occupants seemed gloomy and sullen, but their faces lit up once she introduced herself. Apparently, they’d heard that their master had married, and by their hopeful faces, she realized they knew she was supposed to bring capital and prosperity to their households.
She distributed food and talked to as many people as she could, trying to put on a pleasant façade to hide her dismay. Some villagers invited her into their houses, but seeing the pitiful interior of their homes made her heart die just a little with every new person she met. The houses were drafty; the roofs were leaking. The state of these houses was even worse than Ashbury Manor, although she had doubted it could be possible when she first saw the place. Gina just stood beside her with a frozen smile on her face. As much as Sam had prepared herself for the ruin that was the Ashbury estate, she was still in shock. Her maid, on the other hand, had no idea what she was getting herself into.
When they moved toward the seventh or eighth house, Sam noticed men working on the roof. They were patching the cottage of an elderly couple. She moved closer and shaded her eyes against the sun. The men were working in their shirtsleeves, tirelessly patching the roof. One man, in particular, held her attention.John. He’d shed his coat and was working in his shirtsleeves like the other men. It was still cold outside for the beginning of May, but he was definitely over-warm. As she drew closer, he tilted his head up to the sky and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.
The muscles in his arms were straining against his shirtsleeves, and his damp shirt clung to his broad back and shoulders. He was filthy but exuded raw masculine power. Sam’s mouth went dry just looking at him, and a strange tingle appeared between her legs. Then he turned and saw her. Sam had to swallow. He wore a look of hunger, joy, and something else on his face.
Sam forced herself to smile and waved at him. John exchanged some words with the other men and carefully leaped from the roof. When he reached her, however, he was wearing a dark frown.
“What are you doing here?” he asked gruffly.
“And good afternoon to you too, husband,” she replied in mock cheer. “How is your day so far?”
He didn’t stop frowning but sighed slightly. “You shouldn’t be here alone. It’s not safe.”
“I am not alone,” she answered calmly. “I am with Gina. And why is that not safe, precisely?” She raised an eyebrow at him.
“There are all sorts of men about. They might not know who you are and take liberties.”
Sam swallowed her laugh and tried to look concerned. “Truly? Where?” She turned and looked around. “Do you mean Mr. Potter? Because I am certain I can fend for myself against a surly eighty-year-old.” Her lips strained from holding a smile. But John didn’t find it funny.
“If you wanted to visit the village, you should have told me. I would have taken you with me.” He was still frowning, and it began to exasperate her.
“When? When was I supposed to tell you? Last night, at the supper you missed or after you left the bedroom?”
John flinched a little at her question. Good, it meant he knew he was in the wrong. She didn’t get more reaction than that, however.
“How about we talk about this later? I have a lot of work to do.” He gestured at the roof. “I can introduce you to the villagers later this week, if you like. And I can show you the rest of the estate as well.”
“That is not necessary, John. I am a capable young woman, and I don’t need a chaperone anymore.”
“Heed me on this, please. We are renovating the village, and strange men are working on the estate. Men I do not know well. I don’t want you in the village alone.” He gave her a look, something between concern and anger, and she didn’t want to push him further. At the same time, she didn’t want her marriage to continue down this path.
“I cannot just sit in the house and do nothing, can I? This is my village now. I want to get to know my people.”
“You have a lot of work in the manor as well. Why don’t you do that and we can go meet the villagers later? Together.”
“It is not done, John. I am the mistress of this estate, I can’t do it later.”
John looked away and sighed wearily. “All right,” he finally said gruffly. “We’ll compromise. Next time, at least take one of the footmen with you.” She smiled at him brightly, but his next words wiped her smile off her face. “Right now, you have to leave.”
“But I haven’t finished yet.” She lifted the basket of food she held in her hand.
“Oh, you are indeed finished.” John took her by the arm and tugged her toward her waiting carriage.
Sam tried to twist away from him. “The food will go bad. Besides, I’ve already met half the village, the other half will be upset if I don’t meet them now.”
“They won’t mind.” John didn’t release his grip on her.
Sam dug in her heels and tugged her arm free. “I am not going back!”
John finally stopped and lifted his gaze heavenward. “Very well, you obstinate woman. If you’re dead set on staying here… I’ll help you.”
“Thank you.” Sam smiled at him and gestured for Gina to join them. The maid was standing several feet away, pointedly looking away, feigning interest in the scenery.
They finished distributing food in a little over two hours. John mostly stood to the side while Sam talked and charmed the villagers. They thanked her for the food, welcomed her to the estate, and expressed their well wishes to the newlyweds.
