Sebastian went to Kent on Saturday morning, and he took Alexis with him. They went alone. Claudia and Cornelius would follow later in the day.
It was important to Sebastian that he show Alexis the farm alone, without others present, because it meant so much to him.
In a sense, he wanted her to fully understand the work and effort he had put into it to make it what it had become. His haven. He needed her to love it, to enjoy it as much as he did. For a very simple reason. He intended to make her part of his life forever, and they would share that house. It would be their haven.
They drove to Kent in his brougham because he liked the four-wheel, boxlike carriage with the driver on the outside. It was roomy, comfortable, and could easily carry four people if necessary.
The two of them sat next to each other on the backseat, facing the way they were going. Occasionally they looked at each other and smiled, held hands, and chatted about his friends she had met on Thursday evening. She told him how much she had liked Cornelius Glendenning, and he had looked pleased, quizzed her a little about his daughter’s future husband.
As usual, the time passed quickly when they were together. At one moment she said, “I’ve never been to Kent before, but we look as if we are going in the direction of the Thames estuary.”
Sebastian glanced at her, nodded. “That’s right. We’re actually heading for the Strait of Dover. And on the way to Maidstone, which, as you no doubt know, is the county town. Eventually we’ll be crossing the North Downs, which are very chalky, and then the Weald. As I told you, Aldington is the little village where Goldenhurst sits. You won’t be far from Romney Marsh, and I think you’ll love the Marsh as much as I do.”
“I’m sure of that, since we do seem to like the same things. I have a friend who also favors Kent, Sebastian. She works in my office and goes to visit an aunt who lives on the Isle of Sheppey.”
“Ah, yes. That’s separated from the north coast by the narrow River Swale, which is why it’s called an isle, I suppose.”
Turning toward him, she now looked at him intently and asked, “Why do you love Kent so much?” She was genuinely curious to know everything about him, desiring to understand this complex, unique man.
He did not answer her, sat staring out of the window. His silence prompted her to press him. “Does it have to do with your childhood? Does it go back in time?”
“No, it doesn’t. Well, not really,” he finally answered. “I fell in love with the place when I was eighteen. I went with a school friend to visit his family home, a manor near Maidstone. There was something about the Kentish landscape that was so beautiful, I was utterly captivated. The sky appeared to be high-flung and soaring, a giant stretch of blue, and the landscape was truly pastoral, such lush meadows and fields, the glorious woods. I remember feeling very calm there, somehow … content. I think that’s the best word to use. I felt contentment.”
“So why didn’t you buy a house there before? I mean earlier in your life?” she asked, frowning.
“Because I have a family home near Cirencester, in Gloucestershire, one which has been in the Trevalian family for several hundred years. I inherited it on my father’s death, and I do go there quite frequently. It is a huge part of my heritage, and I did grow up there. However, this farm is mine.”
“And you’ve created something very special, I expect,” Alexis murmured, and reached out, took his hand in hers.
He inclined his head, smiled at her. “How well you already know me. I turned it into a special place, where I could be entirely myself, if you will. I relax there, potter around, and lead a more casual lifestyle.”
“I’m sure it’s very different from a grand stately home; that’s something else altogether. And what is it called, your big grand house?” she wondered out loud, laughter echoing in her voice.
“Courtland Priory, but everyone refers to it as Courtland.” He chuckled and squeezed her hand. “I shall take you there soon, and you of all people will understand how I feel about it. You see, it’s rather a grand place and we’d have to be ever so proper.”
She laughed with him, loving the way he teased her, and rested her head against his shoulder. He looked down at her, and said, softly, “I’m so happy you wandered into my life and so unexpectedly. It was exactly at the right time.”
* * *
Halfway to Goldenhurst, Sebastian opened the wicker hamper his housekeeper had prepared, and they shared a selection of small tea sandwiches filled with smoked salmon, cucumber, tomatoes, egg salad, and ham. There were slices of fruit cake, and two flasks filled with hot tea.
As they ate the sandwiches, Alexis confessed, “I didn’t know much about Kent, so I looked it up in my encyclopedia. I hadn’t realized how really ancient it is, that the Romans were there and built many roads, and that there was an Archbishop of Canterbury long before the Conquest.”
“That’s right, and there were so many different races plunging across Kent at different times, invaders and plunderers. As you’re well aware, Dover is the gateway to the Continent.” He sat up suddenly, his eyes sparkling. “You know, my darling girl, I shall take you to see the most wondrous place in the world—”
“And where’s that?” she cut in. “In Kent, I expect.”
“Correct. The White Cliffs of Dover, of course, and something to behold.”
* * *
It was when they were finally approaching Aldington that Alexis asked quietly, “Do you have a lot of servants at Goldenhurst, Sebastian?” She suddenly felt self-conscious, arriving without Claudia.
“No, I don’t. I don’t want to be top-heavy with people in the house. There is the housekeeper, Mrs. Bellamy; a housemaid, Eliza; and Broadbent. He’s…” Sebastian lifted his hands in the air, shrugged, and started to laugh. “I think I can best describe him as … a general factotum. He’s a butler, a valet, a chef. He does everything, actually, and loves every moment of it. Naturally, he rules the roost. But everyone secretly loves him despite his bossy ways.”
“And do you think I will feel the same way?” She eyed him coquettishly.
“I do. Broadbent will be happy to serve you in any way he can.” A small sigh escaped. “Talking of being top-heavy with people, I do have quite a few gardeners. However, when we arrive you’ll understand why.”
Before she could reply, Sebastian took hold of her arm tightly and exclaimed, “Look, over there, the gates to my farm! We’ll be there in a few minutes. It’s a long driveway, but rather charming I think … bluebell woods like you’ve never seen.”