Laura Matthews by A Very Proper Widow

Author:A Very Proper Widow
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

When Alvescot had driven away in the curricle with Louisa, Vanessa tried to turn her full attention to her son. It would have been pleasant, she admitted, to have been the one who set off with the earl on his excursion to Basingstoke, but she had been in the Breakfast Parlor when Mabel made the push for her daughter. Vanessa was appreciative of Alvescot’s efforts to maintain some kind of peace within the household.

Louisa, she knew, had no interest whatsoever in their aristocratic guest nor could she believe for a moment that Alvescot entertained the slightest thought of an alliance with Louisa. So their excursion was nothing more than the most ordinary errand trip, which would give Alvescot a chance to see Basingstoke again, and Louisa an opportunity to putter about the goods in the shops, a chief delight with her despite her lack of funds for actually purchasing anything.

The overcast weather of the last few days had kept little John close to the stables in his rides, and now he urged Vanessa to ride with him to the far boundaries of the estate on the south. Their direction kept them in sight of Alvescot’s curricle for some time, as he tooled his pair along the leafy lane which skirted Cutsdean. Unfortunately, John noticed this as well.

“Why don’t we go through the West Gate and ride along with them, Mama?” he asked, eager to force himself on his godfather’s attention as often as possible.

“No, love, we wouldn’t be able to keep up with Lord Alvescot’s pair. Rollo would like our ride a great deal better, I think, if we go down to the stream. There never was such a pony for walking in the water!”

Easily distracted, John agreed that Rollo would especially like going in the stream, but part of his mind was still on Alvescot and he asked, “How long is he staying, Mama? The earl, I mean. I thought he was only come for a short stay.”

“Well, he hasn’t said when he’ll be leaving, John. He and I are trustees of your papa’s estate, and he’s looking into matters here.”

“What’s a trustee?”

“A person who looks out for your interests in a piece of property.” Vanessa smiled at his look of confusion. “One day Cutsdean will be yours, but someone has to take care of it in the meantime, until you’re old enough to do it yourself.”

“I thought Mr. Burford did that.”

“Mr. Burford makes plans for the estate and carries them out, but I’m responsible, with Lord Alvescot, for deciding what plans to use. I direct the work Mr. Burford does because I’m the one who wants to make sure your inheritance will come to you.” The boy still looked uncertain, so Vanessa said, “It’s like taking care of you and Catherine. I’m your mother and I’m responsible for your health and happiness, but I can’t be with you all the time, so Lucy takes care of you under my direction.”

“I see,” John said, nodding wisely as his pony jogged across the meadow.

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