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“They are.”
“And they are permitted to come here?”
“Of course.”
She turned toward him in surprise. “Whenever they please?”
“Within reason. We have certain visiting days, and the children are always accompanied by an adult. But I believe it is important that they learn to regard animals with kindness rather than fear.”
Cordelia watched as one of the attendants guided a little boy’s hand, showing him how to offer a treat without allowing the pony to nip his fingers. The boy laughed with delight.
“Some of the children have never been near a horse or donkey except to see one pulling a cart,” George said. “Here they may learn something of the creatures themselves, rather than merely the work they perform.”
“And the villagers approve?”
“Most do. A few thought me quite mad when I began inviting their children onto the estate.”
Cordelia laughed. “I cannot imagine why.”
“An aristocrat who prefers the company of abandoned dogs and battered horses to that of respectable society is bound to inspire a certain amount of speculation.”
She smiled, but her heart was full. “And now?”
“Now they mostly bring me more animals.”
The little girl noticed George and waved enthusiastically. “Lord Templeton!”
He charmingly bowed. “Good afternoon, Miss Alice.”
“Daisy ate all her carrots!”
“A shocking display of greed.”
The child giggled. “May I give her another?”
“I suspect Daisy would be delighted, though you had best ask Mr. Finch whether she has had enough.”
The little girl nodded solemnly and hurried toward one of the attendants.
Cordelia watched the exchange with a tenderness that surprised her. There was no stiffness in George’s manner, no trace of the aloof superiority she had sometimes observed among gentlemen of his rank. He spoke to the children as though their concerns mattered, and they responded to him with an easy affection that could not be feigned. “George,” she said quietly.
He turned toward her. “Yes?”
“I admire you.”
His expression grew still, and something she could not quite fathom darkened his eyes. She glanced around the estate, taking in the workers, the children, and the animals moving peacefully beneath the afternoon sunshine. “I understand why you invited me here. You wanted me to know this side of you.”
Emotion tightened her throat. “What you have created here is extraordinary, George. You have given these suffering creatures safety and comfort, provided employment for so many people, and welcomed village children to learn compassion. I cannot imagine the effort such an undertaking must require. The expense must be enormous.”
He smiled. “It is considerable.”
“Does it not trouble you?”
“Not particularly. I consider it money very well spent.”
There was no boastfulness in his manner, no suggestion that he expected admiration for his generosity. He spoke as though the matter were perfectly simple.
“I have always loved animals,” he said after a moment. “Even as a boy, I could never bear to see one mistreated. I was forever bringing home injured birds, stray dogs, and creatures that had somehow fallen into unfortunate circumstances.”
