“Well then. It’s a good thing your lady mother isn’t here, at least not until the third week of August. I think we should always follow our hearts, if given the choice.”
Kathryn squeezed Grace’s hand. “Thank you for not judging me. You’re a dear friend.”
“I hope both of us find the happiness we deserve,” Grace said.
Sam watched Lady Kathrynwalk away with Miss Parker and Lady Fletcher. He’d seen her many times before, passing the time in her family’s London garden. More times than he could count, she’d seemed so lost and forlorn as she wandered along the path.
He’d had no idea why she was melancholy, as it wouldn’t have been proper for him to interact with her, but he used to tip his hat in greeting whenever she looked his way. She was a lady, and he was a commoner; normally, the only time they would have spoken would have been when she notified him of her wishes, but even that brief scenario couldn’t take place because he wasn’t her gardener.
He’d often wondered what had happened to make her so unhappy. Her family was wealthy, and she was afforded the best of everything—the best food, invitations to the best entertainments, and the best clothing. Something was amiss, but he couldn’t fathom what it could be.
So many times, he’d wanted to reach out and ask her why she was so sad, but that wasn’t the way of things in society. In his experience, everyone knew their place. Staff and aristocrats typically spoke to each other only when necessary, but perhaps this new post at Dandridge Manor would be an exception. He’d like nothing better than to get to know her better.
Lady Kathryn seemed amenable to speaking with him, at least about the new garden design. Perhaps in time, he could finally begin to know the lady’s mind and understand her feelings better. He wanted to see her smile.
Sam walked through the cottage and was surprised at how cozy and bright it was. Besides a parlor and kitchen, the home boasted a bedchamber and a sleeping loft. It would be the perfect place to raise a family. Not that he had any plans to wed at the moment, but one needed to think about the future. This post at Dandridge Manor was perfect, and he hoped he would be here for a very long time.
Once the cottage was cleaned and he moved in, he wanted to revitalize the garden around the home. Years of neglect had left it full of weeds and overgrown, much like the formal gardens at the manor. Gardening was his passion. He loved knowing that with tender care, the blooms would return and the plants would flourish.
Would Lady Kathryn be willing to share her ideas on the renovations at the cottage as well? He wasn’t sure that would be possible, but he would bide his time and take note of the lady’s intentions.
A contented sigh escaped his lips. He wanted to thank his cousin for recommending him for the position. He was glad now that he’d been unsuccessful in finding other suitable accommodations in London because all that frustration had led him here. Today had been a very good day and a wonderful start to a new life.
He’d had no idea, when he interviewed for the position at Dandridge Manor, that he would finally get to meet the woman he had often thought about in London.