With a disgusted sigh, I closed the estate ledgers. There was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I dared not let it spread, least of all to my face. I could not bear to let the keepers of my home see what dire straits we had come to find ourselves.
Suddenly, the warm library seemed too stuffy and oppressive. I had never before felt intimidated by mere walls, but for some reason, I felt that I should surely suffocate if I did not breathe fresh air. With haste, I drew back the heavy draperies at the great windows of the study, so that I might let light flood the room. When I reached the west panes, I gripped the window's frame and pulled with as much strength as I could muster. Begrudgingly, the window finally slid open, spilling forth precious new life into the closed and dusty room. I sat in the worn chair beneath the open window, and pondered my next move.
From what I had read in William's records, the hold should be very capable of providing food well enough to feed all of those who tended the manor or plowed the fields, with enough left to sell at market or export. The earnings from market alone should be sufficient enough to keep William's credit holders at bay, yet if that were so, I would not have had such a terrible afternoon with one certain gentleman who had demanded payment of my lord's gambling debt to him.
It seemed that something was very much amiss amongst some of my own help. Truth be told though, I had not the faintest idea where to begin looking for the cause of our problem. The only other option that I had was to seek out someone to help in righting this wrong. Until the time came that I could find someone suitable, I would just have to handle matters on my own.
I was jolted from my reverie by the sight of Missus Hearthrow, standing at the threshold.
"What might it be, Jane? Is there something that you need?"
Missus Hearthrow stepped forward with a polite curtsy.
