“An ice-skating bear?” Ginny laughed. “How funny.”
The sleigh whooshed over the snow-covered fields. Olivia enjoyed the view. Most of Belhaven’s land was green fields. It did not have the heavily wooded forests that Charlotte’s family’s estate sat on. Nor any of the gently rolling fields of lavender that was the hallmark of Weston’s smaller estate. Belhaven traditionally grew hay and grazed sheep. The whole of Hertfordshire was blessed with fertile soil that was good for growing just about any crop.
The estate had a sizable apple orchard, and she raised bees and sold the honey locally. She had thought perhaps they should diversify by growing barley or even potatoes. Breweries had been popping up all across the county, including Lucius Grisham’s place. But she hadn’t the courage to rock the boat too much. After all, hay and sheep had kept the estate profitable for hundreds of years.
“Is all this land yours, Max?” Louisa asked.
Max glanced over at Olivia, and she nodded. “Yes, we are still on Belhaven land. The estate spans from the east side of Marbury. Marbury itself belongs to the Earl of Dearborn, whose home estate lies to the south of town. Belhaven has two smaller villages on its land. Your property ends at the county border to Essex.”
Both sister’s eyes grew round at her explanation. Max tugged on the collar of his coat as though he was having trouble swallowing. “Well, there you have it.”
She took pity on him and offered a small smile. “Don’t worry; we will discuss all the estate details and its holdings before we meet with Mr. Bromley on Friday. You have plenty of people that support you.”
He nodded, but a furrow remained between his eyebrows as he stared out at the scenery. Olivia needed to remember that Max had not expected to become Earl of Rivenhall and that he knew very little about his inheritance. Everyone had expected her and Henry to have produced an heir. But their relationship had not been carnal in nature, and Henry refused to bow to society’s expectations. He always knew that he would pass the title to Max. Unfortunately, he never had the opportunity to discuss this with his cousin. Olivia didn’t know what had caused the rift between the two men, just that Max had never responded to any of Henry’s letters.
Why had Max cut his friends so cruelly out of his life? The need to know burned in her gut. She had lived for his letters filled with the minutia of his day and how much he missed her. She had immediately regretted not going with him when he asked, but her father would have never allowed it. Then the letters had stopped. Each Thursday she would wait anxiously on the bench in front of the house for her father to return from Marbury with the post. And each week her father would shake his head. Nothing for her. All those letters written with her whole heart had gone unanswered.
Olivia glanced again over at Max. He caught her gaze and winked. How could he act so charming, so kind, when he had broken her heart? Did he regret it? Or did he just need her knowledge of the estate? Would he shuffle her off in the new year once he settled into his new role?
Her thoughts buzzed around like her bees when they swarmed to protect their queen. She must protect her heart; it could not bear another blow. The past was better left in the past. Getting the answers to her questions would only cause her pain. Olivia sucked in a deep breath of frosty air.Stop overthinking and just have fun today.
“Lady Rivenhall, look, I see the sign! The ice-skating bear.” Ginny’s excited exclamation pulled Olivia from her thoughts.
“Excellent. And please, call me Olivia,” she replied.
The sleigh came to a stop, and Max stepped out first. He helped each of his sisters down to the frozen ground. Last was Olivia, and she reluctantly took his hand. Even through their gloves she could feel the heat of him. He didn’t let go but instead tucked her hand into the crook of his arm to lead her over to the wooden bench where they could don their blades.
“Look there are children skating already!” Louisa pointed to the pond.
Sure enough, Mr. Johnson’s children skated on the ice. Their father stood watching from the other side. He waved when he spotted them. Olivia waved back with a smile. She looked up at Max. “Mr. Johnson farms the land around this pond. Just as his father did before him. His wife not only has given birth to seven children but is also the local midwife. They are excellent tenants.”
Max nodded, and they both watched as Mr. Johnson made his way around the pond toward them. Kit, their coachman, knelt to help strap blades onto the girls’ boots. They must have skated before because they didn’t hesitate to walk over on wobbly feet and skate onto the ice. Ginny and Louisa grasped hands and glided away. Once they were in the middle, Ginny stopped and spun her sister around her in a wide circle. Louisa pointed her toes wide and leaned into the spin. Laughter spilled from her lips.
“They are certainly better than you ever were,” Olivia commented.
“They lived in Prussia for four years. There is nothing but winter activities to do.”
Olivia smirked. “Jealous?”
Max stepped closer to her. His voice was like warm honey. “Perhaps you can hold my hand and lead me around. I’ll gladly take any assistance you are willing to give.”
“Oh no. It’s far too entertaining to see you wobble around like…what did you call yourself? A geriatric penguin.”
Max put a hand to his chest as though she had wounded him, but before he could reply, she spotted Mr. Johnson striding toward them. Olivia gave Max an elbow in his side. “Good morning, Mr. Johnson.”
“Good morning, Lady Rivenhall.” The man tipped his wool cap. “I haven’t seen you come skating in a long while.”
“True enough. Let me introduce you to the new Lord Rivenhall.” She looked up at Max. “This is Mr. Johnson, one of our very best tenants.”
“Good morning, Lord Rivenhall. I had a feeling you w the new lord. Betsy heard the news from Mrs. Kirk.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Johnson,” Max replied.
“How is your wife?” Olivia asked.
“Busy. She delivered Mrs. George’s baby just last night, and Mrs. Haden birthed a fine son just last week.” He frowned. “She is worried for the pair, though. Mr. Haden has not returned yet, and she said they are running low on firewood.”
“Mr. Haden is a seaman and travels many months during the year. Mrs. Haden lives in the village with her mother-in-law,” Olivia explained to Max.