Learning to Love by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-908303-11-0
Publisher: Barbara Cartland.com

CHAPTER FIVE

After they had visited the first farm, the Earl was becoming increasingly impressed by the way Kristina was conducting herself.

The whole situation had been very dramatic with the farmer and his wife almost in tears and then the atmosphere had changed miraculously from misery to joy as soon as the Earl had said a few words.

It was not surprising when they saw the dilapidated state of the farm itself and that the farmer’s children were obviously underfed and poorly clothed.

Even the newly born calves were too thin and moved as if they were tired and listless and when the farmer finally grasped that things had changed, he reeled off a whole list of his requirements especially for livestock.

“You have run this farm for over fifteen years,” the Earl had said, “and I trust you implicitly. I therefore leave it to you to spend what you need.”

When they left, the farmer’s wife was calling down a blessing from God on them.

Because they were affected by all the excitement, the farmer’s children ran for some way beside their horses cheering them as they rode away from the farm.

The same happened at the next three farms and then they moved on to call on the villagers.

First of all the Earl called on an old man who had retired from being secretary and manager to his father and who had obliged him by undertaking the payment of the pensioners on that part of the estate.

He was lying on a bed in the living room when they entered his cottage.

He apologised because he was no longer able to get up and walk about.

“Stay where you are, Brent,” the Earl said, “I have some very good news for you.”

The Earl explained he could now afford to treble the pensioners’ weekly allowances and to backdate them for six months.

Mr. Brent nearly fell off his bed.

“I cannot believe it, my Lord,” he said, “and those on the estate who have suffered for so long will hardly believe it either.”

“I feel the same,” the Earl answered. “I know you will want to break the news personally to those who live here, and I have brought you a small present in gratitude for all you have done for me these past two years.”

He had put two hundred pounds into an envelope which he handed to Mr. Brent so that he would not be embarrassed. He however guessed what it contained and was exceedingly grateful.

Looking round his very small cottage, the Earl saw that there were no luxuries and he was doubtful if Mr. Brent, like the rest of the people on the estate even had enough to eat.

When they rode on he said to Kristina,

“I told Brook we would not be back in time for luncheon, so we are going to stop at an inn which is only about half-a-mile further on.”

“I have never taken luncheon – at an inn,” Kristina replied, “so it will be something new for me.”

The Earl was amused at how interested she was in the small black and white building.

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