The rooster broke into a cry as the chilly Southminster wind blew across the fields, causing a beautiful ripple effect to those who have woken up as early as the sun. It was a day before harvest and Hamilton wants to make sure that everything would go as smoothly as he expected it, so he woke up the same time the farmers did and surveyed the vast lands he owned. It was an ordinary thing for the people of Shieffield to see their Duke working as hard as them, maybe even harder, a trait that inspired them to work better.
"Is Arthur ready?" The Duke asked his footman with his eyes still on the fields. "Yes, M'lord." The boy answered as he pulled the stallion towards Hamilton. He got his self up on his horse and started roaming around the fields, checking for problems and corrupted crops.
It was already a few hours before noon when Hamilton was done, his footman immediately handed him a bottle of cold tea and lead the horse back to the shelter as he fed and groomed it. But even before the Duke was able to walk back towards the mansion a man in his late 40s walked towards him, a familiar face he had seen before but couldn't point out where or why until the man spoke, "My Lord Shieffield, may I ask for an audience before you?" Even his voice was familiar then shocked registered in Hamilton's face. Long gone was the proud and healthy look in the man's face, it was now replaced with a thin and weary looking face. "Sir Richard Wentworth?" He asked, not fully sure if it was the man who he had lent some money a few months ago.
"It is I, M'lord," He continued to speak with his head bowed and his hands clutching his hat.
"It has been months, I thought you have run away without repaying me," Hamilton commented as he guarded his face from the sunlight that was getting harsher by the minute. "Shall we have tea inside my home? I believe the sun is getting stronger." He lead the way without waiting for a confirmation from the man. Kennedy, the butler opened the large rose wood doors as Hamilton arrived, two maids and Mrs. Fowler followed their master as Hamilton removed his jacket and handed it towards the butler.
Tea followed immediately towards the living area where a large painting of his deceased wife remained. The room was a bit dark, may have as well suited Hamilton's mood whenever he remembers his late wife. "What brings you over Sire?" He took a sip of his tea and placed it back on the tray. Sir Wentworth's hands trembled, creating a clacking sound on the fine China ware with his tea in it. He looked at his feet before he spoke, quivering, "If- if I may so M'lord, it- it is about the- the debt that I owe you."
"What of it? Are you here to finally repay me?" His voice strict and direct to the point. Hamilton was never a believer of beating around the bush and everyone around him knows that.
"Poppa! You're back!" A strong smell of soil and sun filled the room as a young girl with red messy hair came rushing in. Three animals follow suited her. A pig, a dog and a cat, all of which has mud on their feet. Her eyes were filled with happiness while her dress had dried mud on it. She run towards her father and hugged him tightly as if she rarely get to.
"Hannah, this isn't the right time? A lady must know not to disturb when men are discussing important. Mrs. Fowler, can you get my daughter out of here? And make sure her path is cleaned, scrub her clean and lock those animals away." He called on to the maids and Mrs. Fowler, dusting off his suit and pulling his daughter away from him.
"No! No! No! You can't lock them up! They are the only playmates I've got! You are rarely here and now you want my friends locked up? I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" Hannah started crying, grabbing her pets away and without any warning she started running away with the pig in her left arm and the cat in the right while the dog ran after her. It only made Hamilton release a sigh of frustration. He lifted his hand and signaled Mrs. Fowler to go after Hannah, leaving everything to her.
"I'm sorry about that Sir Wentworth, where were we?" He faced his guest once again and continued, "Ah! The debt, what about it that made you approach me?" His placed his arm on the hand rest and played with his mustache as he waited for the man to reply.
"M'lord, I- you see the market for shellfish hasn't really improved since last year and I did my best-" And before he finished explaining his self, Hamilton cut him and said, "Sir Wentworth, I believe it is the debt we are discussing- not shellfish." He leaned to pick his tea cup and took another sip.
"Ah yes, well- I'm afraid I- I won't be able to repay the debt," he sunk into the cushion of the seat, waiting for anything to suck him out of the room. But the man continued, hoping the Duke would listen. "But I assure you, it will be all better next year. I promise, I promise to have it paid by then."
But he was met with silence, the Duke stared at the painting above the fireplace. The one that of his late wife. The silence grew wilder as no one dared to break it. Finally after a minute or so the duke spoke, "I won't be needing your money."
"M'lord?" The man asked in astonishment.
"You do have a daughter, if I am not mistaken." He was still staring into Theresa's painting, not removing his eyes even for a quick second but he knew the man just nodded in reply. It wasn't a question but nonetheless the man grew nervous.
"She will be betrothed to me, I am to meet her as soon as harvest week ends. Prepare your daughter and make sure she is presentable. I'll have my men call you when and for the mean time I suggest you eat more, you look like you are a day over 60 already. You wouldn't want to look like her grand father on the wedding day, do you?" He stood up and left the man. Kennedy approached Sir Richard Wentworth and showed him the way to the door.
