Yes - that was the cause of one of the many spats with Dorcas. She got round it by attending a Planning Committee meeting where she persuaded them to fix the rents for (I think) 20 years, which meant he wouldn't make much of a profit. Then they cracked open another bottle of champers over dinner ... happy days!
Surprised to see criticism of last night's episode which I thought was a welcome return to form. I would imagine (haven't learned how to multiquote over a page, sorry) Thomas and Margaret have no problems in that department - a vicar's daughter will have seen it all over the years, and Thomas grew up in a large, poor family. And there was all that trumpeting a few weeks back, in case of doubt! But my goodness, what a saucy look from Margaret! In broad daylight, too. Is it any wonder he drew the curtains so quickly!