Page 81 of A Provincial Peer

Leyfield, Gloucestershire

30th June 1796

Dear Benedict,

It was lovely to see your mother, albeit briefly, when I visited Hester. The assistance you orchestrated for the Simkinses has made an enormous difference to them. You would be so pleased to see how much better they are faring now. The baby is content, and Hester seems happy. I did not see Mr. Simkins, but my father reports that he is in good spirits.

As your mother told you, Meg and I are well. I was relieved to hear that you have remained healthy and that there have been no further outbreaks of smallpox on the Farwell Estate. Meg is very tired of being indoors and will be thrilled to know that we can resume our outings together soon.

I hope that your time in Gloucester is productive. When you have returned, I shall look forward to you visiting the vicarage.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline

Trapping her lower lip between her teeth, she read the last line again. It would be far safer to say that she and Meg looked forward to his visit. The statement could not be faulted. Meg asked to see Benedict every day—often more than once. But if Caroline were truly going to demonstrate more courage and faith in the future, she needed to begin by exemplifying it in this letter. Benedict deserved to know that Caroline herself wished to see him.

Before bravery failed her, she folded the letter. Lighting the nearby candle with a flint, she melted some wax and sealed the envelope closed. It took only a few moments more to write Benedict’s official title on the envelope and don her gown and shoes. Wrapping a shawl around her shoulders, she slipped out of the room and down the stairs.

Nora had banked the fire in the kitchen stove the night before, and the room had retained a residual warmth. A quick look at the counter told Caroline that Nora had already taken the empty milk crock outside for Giles to exchange for a full one. She could probably slide her letter between the empty crock and the wall. When he discovered it, Giles would know where to take it.

Opening the back door, she stepped outside. The birdsong was louder in the back garden. Dew coated the grass, and although the sun was up, it had yet to fully disperse the cooler nighttime temperatures. Caroline drew her shawl more securely around her shoulders and followed the path around the house. To one side of the front doorstep, the empty crock stood waiting.

From the lane, the clop of heavy hooves and the rattle of wheels reached her. It was possible that it was someone heading to market, but at this time of the morning, it was more likely to be Giles. She waited, watching the lane. Moments later, Giles came into view, driving a cart and horse. He spotted her immediately and raised his hand in greeting before bringing the horse to a stop. Picking up the empty crock, she met him at the garden gate.

“Mornin’, Miss Caroline,” he said, reaching for a fresh crock of milk in the back of the cart. “Yer up bright an’ early.”

“Yes. I was hoping to catch you.”

“Oh?” He raised a gray, bushy eyebrow. “D’ya ’ave a new milk order?”

“No. I have a letter.” She offered him the envelope. “It’s for Lord Benning. And since he used your services yesterday, I hoped you wouldn’t mind if I did the same today.”

Giles chuckled. “So long as th’ postman don’t find out I’m takin’ ’is business, I’m right ’appy t’ do it.” He took the letter and tucked it into his jacket pocket. “I don’t suppose I’ll see Lord Benning today. ’E left fer Gloucester yesterday. ’E was ’opin’ it would be a quick trip, though, so it wouldn’t surprise me if ’e’s back this evenin’. If I drop yer letter off at th’ house, Stokes’ll make sure ’is lordship gets it.”

“Thank you, Giles. I’m very grateful.” She handed him the empty crock and accepted the full one. “Is all well at the farm?”

“Yesterday were a rough day, t’ be sure, but we’re all ’opin’ fer better today.”

Concerned, Caroline pressed further. “What happened yesterday?”

“We lost Mr. Rowe t’ that cursed smallpox.”

Caroline’s stomach fell. “I’m so sorry. What of his maid?”

“Rachel’s still right as rain. Burnin’ the gentleman’s beddin’ an’ cleanin’ the ’ouse, she is.”

“I am twice amazed and very grateful.”

“Aye. We all are. T’ ’ave no more cases on the estate is a great blessin’. Mr. May, th’ undertaker, ’as already taken care o’ th’ body, so the risk of th’ illness spreading should be behind us.”

Giles had witnessed Caroline’s reaction to Benedict’s news at the cow barn. Her fear had been real, but she wished she had handled it differently. “I should not have left the barnyard the way I did last week,” she said.

“Don’ you worry none about it,” he said. “When ya’ve gone through the things ya’ve experienced, yer allowed t’ be frightened. Them feelin’s are real, and th’ memories must be terrible.”

“They are.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Thank you for understanding, Giles.”

“’Course, Miss.” He climbed back onto the cart. “An’ if it’s not too forward, might I say I’m right glad t’ see yer face instead o’ the veil. I daresay sheddin’ the coverin’ was frightenin’ fer ya, too, but ya did it, an’ I think it’s grand.”