So Lydia was the Steward at my house in Falkreath. After I purchased land and built a small house in the Pale, I had Lydia assisting me move all my junk there. The first time we got there, she asked if the place needed a steward and if she could fill the role. Automatically, I said yes. I like Lydia. Some stuff she says makes me giggle, and she's a good combat buddy.

Some time passes, and I come back and start building up the property. Once I get a main hall established, I obviously want a bard and such to keep me company there. I give Lydia the money to hire a bard/carriage/cow/horse/chickens, and nothing happens...but she took the money anyway. I tried again to no avail. It became very apparent that it wasn't working.

I was torn. Lydia was one of my favorite servants in the game, but she was stealing my hard earned gold and not providing me with the poultry farm I so desired.

I took her out into the snowy woods, subsequently crushing her skull and stealing her soul with Molag Bal's mace. I couldn't allow the larceny to continue.

Seeing as I'm the boss of the Companions, I went and took Ria on a trip back to the Pale. I asked her to be my steward, and she obliged. She successfully purchased a cow, chickens, horse, and hired a carriage and bard...no problems.

So what was the problem? Was the fact that Lydia was the steward at one location making her incapable of being the new steward at my new place? Anyone else encounter this problem? Is there anything I can do to fix it (saved game right before I murdered Lydia).