The Mrs MacKinnons by Jayne Davis

Author:Jayne Davis [Davis, Jayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781999954406
Publisher: Verbena Books
Published: 2018-01-06T22:00:00+00:00

Charlotte glanced up at the pale circle the sun made through the cloud, then back at the cottages, shaking her head at whoever had thought gardens behind the houses were a good idea in this location.

She turned as Mrs Jackson brought out the women from some of the other cottages, briefly introducing them. Most of them looked wary, but the stance of one reminded Charlotte so clearly of Mary on the warpath that she had to purse her lips again.

“Your lordship,” the woman said, with a token bob of her head. “You come to get your back rent?”

Charlotte saw Lord Tillson’s eyebrows rise slightly, but he took the rudeness in good part.

“No,” he answered calmly. “I’ve come with my steward to see what repairs need doing.” He indicated Webb. “And to ask if having gardens in front of the cottages would be helpful.”

“You goin’ to put the rent up if we get—”

An elbow in the ribs from one of the other women stopped the complaint.

“Mr Webb will deal with that,” Lord Tillson said. “He will discuss the situation with you, and work out a fair rent. That will be in a day or so, once he has decided what work needs to be done on your homes.”

Charlotte glanced at Webb, catching a frown. She wondered again why Lord Tillson had given him a position he didn’t seem qualified for. The cottagers, though, seemed happier, and began to discuss the benefits of having better gardens.

“It’d mean cuttin’ down an awful lot of trees,” Webb said doubtfully, looking at the woodland surrounding the cottages. “Not just where the gardens are to go, but more of ’em need to come down to let in more light.”

“Perhaps you could sell the wood.” Charlotte suggested.

Webb looked at Lord Tillson to see what he thought.

“You’re the steward,” Lord Tillson said unhelpfully.

“Why don’t you ask Deacon?” Charlotte suggested. “He’s a carpenter; he may know something about the value of the timber, at least.” She looked at Webb’s doubtful expression. “He’s not your enemy, you know,” she added.

Webb just grunted, and the discussion moved on to the most urgent repairs.

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