Free The Paradise Will by Elizabeth Hanbury Page A

ormolu clock on the shelf, and she was surprised to see that only ten minutes of the hour remained. She had not expected the time to pass so quickly.
    His rich, smooth tones cut across her thoughts. ‘Have you met Ennis yet?’
    ‘Yes, I spent an interesting few hours studying the accounts – I did not realize there was so much involved in running Hawkscote.’
    ‘It is a responsibility as well as a challenge, but I have no doubt you will be equal to the task.’
    ‘You think a woman can run a large estate as well as a man?’ she asked, incredulous .
    ‘Why not? I am not so narrow-minded in my views on this subject as others. A woman can be successful with good advice.’
    Alyssa was astonished, having anticipated he would have an intolerant view of women in business. ‘Ennis was helpful and not in the least patronizing – for which, I was grateful.’
    ‘Had he tried, I’m sure he would quickly have become aware of your displeasure !’ he said, flashing a grin.
    ‘Politely but firmly,’ she acknowledged, as she smiled and held his gaze. ‘We have arranged regular weekly meetings.’
    ‘A sensible way to progress. Please do not be afraid to ask questions, either of Ennis or of me. Have you met your tenant labourers yet?’
    ‘Yes, several. I admit I was shocked. They were all obviously undernourished, and they do not even own the land surrounding their house; it belongs to the estate.’
    ‘That is the usual way of things now, Miss Paradise. During the war, corn prices soared and farming expanded to cope with the demand. Large farms engulfed smaller ones and small tenant farmers suffered the most, I’m afraid. Enclosure of land was needed for progress.’
    ‘Couldn’t the smaller farmers apply for enclosure?’
    ‘No, because the high costs involved favoured larger landowners. Many small farmers were driven out and are now only labourers on land they once rented.’
    ‘But if profits are high, why don’t landowners provide better wages for these poor people driven from their livliehood?’ she cried. ‘It cannot be right to treat them so badly!’
    ‘Farming is much less profitable than during the war. The Corn Laws have helped a little but even with this protection, profits are down and there must be further progress if even large estates like Hawkscote and my own are to survive.’
    ‘Progress at what cost?’ she protested. ‘A cost to the labourers, no doubt.’
     
    ‘Whatever is necessary, otherwise there will be no jobs at all. Mechanization is the future and everyone will have to accept it eventually,’ he said, dismissively.
    Irritated by the way he brushed aside the potential human suffering, she retorted, ‘I witnessed the poverty creeping through Oxfordshire, but here I am encountering it at close quarters. While I am custodian of this estate, I’ll do everything in my power to help those who work for me, and the local community .’
    ‘A philanthropic but unprofitable stance – Hawkscote will soon be bankrupt if you try to deal with social problems,’ he said, shrugging his broad shoulders.
    ‘Surely profit can be balanced against workers’ welfare?’
    He eyed Alyssa across the table and said sternly, ‘Take my advice, Miss Paradise, don’t try any such thing.’
    ‘Oh, I would not be foolish enough to jeopardize Hawkscote’s profitability, but I can’t stand by and watch the children of those who work for me starve!’ she declared, her expression mutinous. ‘And if that means ignoring your advice, so be it.’
    ‘Your uncle advised you listen to me on business matters.’
    ‘I’m aware of that, but this is a moral issue.’
    ‘Dear God, are you always so stubborn?’ he exclaimed frankly.
    ‘Yes!’
    After studying the flushed curve of her cheek and expressive eyes for a long moment, he drained his wine glass and murmured, ‘I thought you might be – that does not augur well for my future equanimity.’
    Following this candid exchange, conversation during the