Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

The following morning before breakfast, Jeffrey showed me around the many gardens of Bradford Hall. We walked along the stone-lined paths between the magnificent flowerbeds, my arm tucked through his. I breathed deeply of the fresh air and smiled up at him in contentment.

"You have not told me much about your life in America, my Sarah."

I scanned the acres of colorful flowers, the beautiful mansion, which was now my home, the liveried footmen, and back to my handsome husband. "I believe our upbringings were probably quite different."

"You still did not answer my question." He gave my hair a jaunty tug.

"My father is a prosperous farmer. Of course, his estate is not nearly so large as Bradford Hall, but he has done well for himself and is much respected by his peers. There has even been talk of him running for office." The note of pride in my voice surprised me. "After my mother died, I had very little supervision. My father was away much of the time, so I learned to entertain myself."

Jeffrey cocked his head to the side. "How did you do that, poppet?"

"I loved the stables as well as the gardens. I learned to saddle my own horse," I said proudly. "When they were short handed in the fields, I drove the hay wagon."

He gasped. I could not tell if he was impressed or shocked. "While I am sure you were very helpful on your father's farm, Bradford Hall has ample staff to take care of everything. There is no reason for you to saddle your own horse or drive a team. In fact, I forbid it."

I disengaged my arm from his, turned, and stared up at him. "You forbid it? Forbid? You must be joking."

"I am most serious. You are the Duchess of Amherst. The tenants and servants on this estate expect you to maintain a certain level of decorum, as do I. It is important to the order of things that you behave respectably."

"Are you saying, sir, that in order to become a proper duchess, I must be a simpering fool?"

"Of course not. I am simply saying your actions reflect not only upon yourself, but upon me and the Amherst name."

"So, for the preservation of the Amherst name, I must abandon enjoyable activities in order to sit around stitching or painting screens?"

Jeffrey paused then took two deep breaths to calm his ire. I ought to have done the same because my face burned with indignation. I was an American. During the last war, I learned to use a firearm, though fortunately none of the fighting came close enough to our property for me to use my skills. But I knew how and was prepared to defend myself and my home.

"You mentioned you liked gardening as well. Perhaps you would enjoy some projects in the conservatory."

I paused for a moment to study him. I did not wish to argue, and I appreciated his offer of compromise. "That is a possibility."

He tapped the bridge of my nose with his finger. "Whether you choose to take advantage of the conservatory or not, my position on saddling your own horse or driving any sort of conveyance stands. Do not test me on this, Sarah."

Later that day, Jeffrey escorted me to the conservatory. Immediately, the scent of flowers in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors assaulted my senses. I stopped and stared, turned in a circle to take it all in, then smiled up at him. "It is astounding."

My praise pleased him. "I thought you might find it appealing. It is one of the highlights of Bradford Hall, is it not?"

I barely heard the last part of his question as I rushed from flower to flower, sniffing and touching the delicate plants. The head gardener, Hanson, followed me at a respectful distance answering my many questions.

After thirty minutes, I came upon a familiar plant. "Is that a pineapple?"

"Yes, your grace." Henry puffed up with pride. "We have one of the finest crops in all of England."

"The pineapple we shared yesterday was grown right here, was it not, Hanson?" Jeffrey prompted the beaming gardener.

"Absolutely, your grace. I'm honored you enjoyed it."

"It was delicious," I said, remembering the burst of flavor of my first taste of the heady fruit.

Jeffrey gave Hanson a meaningful glance, and the gardener excused himself with a bow.

"Hanson has prepared something special for you, at my request." Jeffrey wrung his hands and almost appeared nervous. "I hope you like it."

Curious, I tilted my head. "What is it?"

He nodded toward a large pot with a small plant growing from it. "It is your own pineapple. I thought you might like to have one to tend to yourself."

I squealed, hugged my husband, then hurried over to inspect my little plant. I touched the sharp leaves and grinned up at Jeffrey. "Thank you. I will take wonderful care of it."

While at Bradford Hall, learning to run the household of a large country estate along with simply finding my way around the enormous property occupied much of my time. One morning at breakfast, I looked across the table at my husband's face while he remained unaware of my observation. My heart constricted, and I felt certain I had fallen deeply in love with him. I sighed contentedly thanking the Almighty for my good fortune.

My sigh seemed to rouse Jeffrey from his thoughts. "Is everything to your liking, Sarah, dear?"

"Yes, of course. I could not be happier." Affection and optimism surged in my heart. I moistened my lips with my tongue, prepared to declare my love to him, until the butler entered the room with a letter.

"An express has arrived for you, your grace." He held out a silver tray with the missive upon it.

Jeffrey's countenance went from relaxed to concerned as he read the dispatch. When he finished, he sat silently for a moment.

"Is there a problem?"

He folded the letter, tucked it in his pocket then smiled at me. "Just some business in London requires my immediate attention. I shall leave right away." He stood, and I did as well.

"How long will you be gone? Shall I accompany you?" The idea of being parted from him alarmed me.

He cupped my cheeks in his hands and gazed deep into my eyes. "I do not expect to be gone more than a few days. There is no reason for you not to enjoy that time here in the country." He lowered his head and kissed my lips with gentleness. I raised my hands to frame his face.

"Be careful," I said, a choke in my voice.

"I could say the same to you." He broke away from me and grinned. "Behave yourself during my absence, Yankee girl." He gave my behind a meaningful squeeze.

An hour later, the carriage rolled down the lane, leaving me quite isolated indeed.