"For wool, milk and cheese?"
"Mainly wool. We sell the milk at a good price to a local widow who runs her own dairy to help some of the other women in the village improve their lot in life. They make the cheeses, and very fine they are too. You just had some for breakfast.
"Anyway, back to the crops. Potatoes, beans, rapeseed, and beets all do well here in our different fields. And we have some for hay and turnips and potatoes, of course, for the winter crops."
The brothers explained their holdings to her in detail. Far from dismissing her comments, readily engaged her in conversation and elicited her opinions. Once again she found herself remarking to herself upon the difference between these men and her own brother. They were certainly admirable, the type of young men her aunt would have delighted in knowing. Perhaps the solicitors would feel the same, and agree to allow her to marry Clifford?
For the more Vanessa got to know him, the more she was certain that Fate had indeed dealt her a remarkable hand. Had gifted her with a husband she could admire, yes, even love.
Love... She had never placed any importance upon the word before as part of her thoughts upon marrying well, but it was the only word which could explain how she felt about Clifford. She wanted to be with him, night and day.
The thought shocked her. She had never even been kissed apart from a couple of hearty busses under the mistletoe at Yuletide. But she was not so innocent that she did not know what went on between a man and a woman. Clifford was the only man she had ever found herself wondering about in that way. And when he looked at her with those passionate blue eyes of his, she was sure he felt the same...
Clifford's next comment brought her out of her romantic reverie. "We ought to be heading back in. That is quite enough exercise for one day, especially after the excitement of a bath and all that breakfast."
"Really, I'm fine. I'd like to stay out a bit longer."
"Well, if you're sure. I'd be less concerned though if you would allow me to seat you in the arbor at the end of this lane."
"That would be delightful." She was pleased with his degree of solicitousness, caring but not suffocating, and allowed him to lead the way.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The walking party made their way down the path slowly to the garden seat, Clifford and Vanessa in the lead, with the Jerome girls and Henry following along behind, and Bransons in the rear.
When they reached the arbor, Clifford whisked off his cloak and placed it around her shoulders, before stooping to fold the bottom upwards until it formed a solid pad of fabric. "Now I think you may safely sit without catching a chill from the wrought-iron seat."
"Thank you so much. It's very kind of you."
"Not at all, my dear. Ladies, are you dressed warmly enough, or would you like our cloaks?"
"We're fine, Clifford, thank you," Emma said. Josephine nodded, Claire Branson too.
"In that case, pray be seated, and keep Miss Hawkesworth entertained."
The girls did as he suggested.
Vanessa tried to suppress a moue of disappointment. Though they were delightful company, she found herself longing to sit beside Clifford and continue their conversation on farming.
But he joined his brother and Malcolm, who both stepped off to one side to smoke a cheroot, and spoke in low tones. She could guess from his expression his mood had altered to a grim one again, and she could hear Malcolm apologizing for his thoughtlessness. She was most curious to know what they were discussing, but could not very well go over to ask.
Vanessa observed them keenly for a time, doing her best to also chat with the other women. As she watched the three handsome men, two so blond, one so dark, she noted that Clifford did not partake of a cheroot. Not that she would have objected, since many men of fashion smoked, but she was finding herself hard-put to find any vices in the man.
She listened carefully as the Jerome sisters discussed the local balls and other entertainments, and eventually asked, "And do Henry and Clifford attend all the balls?"
"Usually only the monthly County ones, and any given in the private houses of his especial friends. They are not overly social, though of course they are handsome enough," Josephine replied.
"Well, they're so busy with the estate, an estate you will one day live upon, Jo, that you don't have the right to sound quite so aggrieved," Emma scolded playfully.
"I'm not, really. As you say, they do marvelously well with their estate, they are both so diligent. But really, if Henry doesn't go, then I can't go without looking like I am a flirt. I do so like to dance. It's wonderful exercise."