When he is mistaken for her husband-to-be, is that prophetic? Miss Lucinda Calvert’s quiet life as a rector’s daughter is turned topsy-turvy by the arrival of a gentleman new to the area. Mr. John Harris seems respectable, but sets the village gossips wagging with speculation about his past, on which topic he is indeed very private. He pays her particular attention, and his mysterious papers and odd habits confuse her almost as much as his unexpected kiss!
Then speculation of a French spy in their midst, taking advantage of the nearby military encampment, sets Lucinda worrying. Could the man she has grown so fond of—perhaps even love—be a traitor?
Full of charming Regency village life with amusing characters, human and animal alike, Dinah Dean’s sweet and clean romance is perfect for fans of richly detailed historical romance like those by Georgette Heyer and Mimi Matthews.
©1985 Dinah Dean (P)2024 Dinah Dean
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Opening credits 0:00:00
Chapter 1 0:00:11
Chapter 2 0:39:35
Chapter 3 1:16:03
Chapter 4 1:54:06
Chapter 5 2:27:24
Chapter 6 3:07:40
Chapter 7 3:49:23
Chapter 8 4:24:27
Chapter 9 5:00:28
Chapter 10 5:39:24
Closing credits 6:29:42
the Country Gentleman woodam book one by Dina Dean narrated by Katherine Bilson chapter one the front door doorbell of the rectory jangled perally causing cook to drop her wooden spoon into the pan of boiling Goosey jam and exclaim drat immediately afterwards Mrs Cal’s little silver handbell tinkled upstairs follow by the more brassy tones of the bell in the rector’s study Annie the maid halted in her precipitate Advance towards the kitchen door and dithered not knowing which to answer first do you go to mamar said Lucinda calvat decisively and I’ll answer the door father must wait his turn as she hastened along the red tiled passage from the kitchen to the front door Lucinda was thinking that her life had been ruled by bells for as long as she could remember from the small Dom IC varieties to their huge Brothers in the church Tower next door faith hope and charity James and John Raphael Michael and Gabriel whose eight voices called the people of woodam to worship or work told of sorrow or rejoicing and marked the passage of the hours she reached the door and opened it on a Placid sunlet scene the town’s people were mostly at their work in the fields in their homes or shops or at the Powder Mill at the edge of town but a few iders stood about watching a company of soldiers from the nearby Camp marching along the road their drill Sergeant’s horse Bellow informing them that bonapart and his frogs would be hopping all over them before they’d learn to tell their left feet from their right if they didn’t shape a few pigeons strutted and CED on the paving before the church door the Swifts darted and screamed about the eaves of the church roof and a blackbird was callling nervously from the Lilac bush in the front garden on the garden par a stout glossy black cat with white boots and cat and a tall lean gentleman in beaver hat elegant broadcloth coat Nan Keen breaches and gleaming Hess were contemplating one another with apparent interest oblivious of the open door yes Lucinda inquired both cat and man started the former recovered first shot past Lucinda and disappeared down the passage the man gave Lucinda a thought glance which took in her Orban hair last year’s sprig muslin frock the Holland apron over it and the smear of jam on her cheek then removed his hat and bowed slightly Miss Calbert I collect my name is John Harris I trust that the flying feline is not trespassing that was Fred Lucinda replied after the Duke of York he lives here yes Mr Harris seemed unsurprised Ed I thought he reminded me of someone is your father by any chance at home is he expecting you Lucinda counted for she tried as much as possible to protect her father from unexpected callers who often seemed to think that a clergyman should be at everyone’s beck and call I doubt it but I’d be most obliged if he would spare Me 2 minutes Mr Harris had an air of confidence which Lucinda found made him hard to refuse she hesitated catching her lower lip between her teeth in perplexity the man looked respectable enough indeed he was better dressed than anyone she knew he had cool gray eyes which were regarding her with some amusement and she noted inconsequentially that his well-cut hair curled a little above his ears and his mobile mouth seemed about to smile without actually doing so I’m but recently come to the district he said to p ‘s house to be precise oh are you the new owner we wondered that is it stood empty for so long and the estate so neglected pray come in I’m sure my father will see you Lucinda stood back to allow the visitor to enter the square Hall which was really a room of the old house An Inconvenient Timber post Rose from floor to ceiling a few feet within the door and Mr Harris collided with it before Lucinda could warn him of it presence oh I’m so sorry she exclaimed but he seemed unperturbed by the incident and remarked with interest that presumably this had once been part of the front of the house with the Upper Floor jettied out I think the whole house has been much altered about and not always very sensibly Lucinda replied disconcerted by the unfortunate start to his visit I hope you’re not hurt indeed no he replied the incipient smile broadening on his lips Lucinda half smiled in response led the way to the door of her father’s study which was on the left of the hall and scratched on it before entering Mr Harris hard on her heels the Reverend Simon calber was not yet 50 but he chose to behave as an elderly and mildly eccentric person and the effect was heightened by his extreme shortsightedness which his steel rimmed spectacles did little to remedy as his study window was overshadowed by a large chestnut tree the greenish Gloom which pervaded the room did little to assist him in his visual difficulties ah he said rising to his feet behind his desk as Luc sinder and Mr Harris entered you’re earlier than I expected and you’ve both come which is a great help now before we start I must inform you that you must both be baptized members of the Church of England and one or both must reside within this Parish father Lucinda broke in but the Rector raised a commanding hand your father’s consent will be necessary if you’re not yet of age but I shall come to that in due course to continue neither of you may have the partner of a previous marriage still living except under very rare conditions and you must not be within the prohibited degrees of relationship to one another do you know what those are he picked up a prayer book and seemed about to read out the relevant list contained in the back of it indeed Sir Mr Harris replied reassuringly and I may say with confidence that I am unmarried baptized and resident within this parish and so I am sure is your daughter but I do not at present intend to marry her nor I believe does she wish to marry me so the question hardly arises I am John Harris the new owner of pinnacle’s house the Rector adjusted his spectacles gazed severely at Mr Harris and said in an injured tone I thought you to be will pler but I see you are not really Lucinda what were you thinking of to let me make such an error my apologies sir I’m delighted to make your acquaintance he extended a friendly hand which was still holding the prayer book Mr Harris removed the book with unobtrusive dexterity shook the hand and replaced the book in it ah what is this the Rector appeared at the book why it’s my prayer book I’m much obliged to you sir for returning it I can’t imagine how I came to mislay it Mr Harris kept a commendably straight face and made a vague reply then continued I thought I should make my number as our Naval friends would say being but recently come to woodam and of a sociable inclination I trust you will forgive the breach of custom but I thought it might take some time for people to hear that I had arrived and then find time to climb the hill to call on me my dear sir most sensible the Rector beamed upon him now pray be seated he swept a number of books and papers from one of the smoking chairs provided for visitors into an untidy jumble on the floor tell me about yourself tea father Lucinda suggested quietly by all means replied the Rector vigorously ringing the bell on his desk sit down Lucinda and play Hostess if you please Mr Harris who had felt himself unable to take his seat while Lucinda was still standing gestured an offer of the chair which the director had cleared for him the other three or four in the room being encumbered with more books but Lucinda smilingly declined and took her place by a small table over by the fireplace first piling the books from her chair neatly on her father’s desk the Rector embarked on a few words about the weather which had been fine and sunny for a whole week promising a good harvest if it could continue another two months which seemed unlikely in England and presently Annie came in with the tea tray having divined the purport of her master’s Bell by some means of perception known to good servants the cat Fred sidled in with her unnoticed with what appeared at first glance to be a piece of string hanging from his mouth and sat down quietly under a chair until Annie had withdrawn Lucinda had poured the tea and the Rector had handed it and the crisp little biscuits which were Cook’s greatest Pride then he emerged from hiding stalked ceremoniously across the room to Mr Harris and laid an offering at his feet in the shape of a small dead mouse the humans watched in silence all three having caught sight of the cat as he emerged from the cover of the chair and they stared at the offering with some surprise Lucinda was the first to recover oh Fred how could you Mr Harris I must apologize I am mortified she seized the fire tongs from The Hearth and went to remove the corpse but Mr Harris controlling his face with difficulty took the tongs from her picked up the mouse with them and inspected it carefully a field or harvest mouse I believe he said with apparent interest most likely the Rector agreed coming around his desk to look more more closely at the specimen we seldom have the domestic variety as Frederick is an efficient Hunter ah yes moving his spectacles to and fro to focus better his nose only inches from the body observe Dear Sir the small size and the length of the tail quite as long as the body the house mouse is larger although also with a long tail and The Vow which is also quite uh popular with Frederick is larger thicker bodied and comparatively short tailed Mr Harris observed all these points with close attention then looked down at Fred who was sitting demurely before him looking remarkably smug and said much obliged to you sir a handsome gift and then appeared a little non-plus not being sure what he was supposed to do with the body Lucinda went to his assistance took tongs and corpse from him and carried them outside closely followed by Fred who had only lent the mouse and had a vested interest than its fate after putting both animals out in the garden and removing her apron Lucinda returned to the study replaced the tongs in the half and settled herself to make polite conversation hoping that it might not occur to her father to invite the visitor to luncheon which was to be only cold cuts with Cooks so busy making Jam I’ve been for some years abroad in various places Mr Harris was saying and thought it time that I should settle down I have a fancy to be a Country Gentleman and try to make something of a rundown estate convenient to London Pinnacles has I understand been unoccupied and neglected for some years indeed replied the Rector it was the seat of the hook family for oh three or 400 years I suppose but the line failed Sir Robert Hook had no children by his first wife and but one son by his second the child of his old age he died in 1798 having let the estate go down badly in his last years through poor health the son another Robert had brought his colors and was more interested in his army career than in managing his inheritance he perished in the Helder Expedition and there was no other family so the estate has been on the market ever since yes I heard something of this when I proposed to purchase it the land which marches with mine to the north also seems neglected is there another sad tale to tell of that indeed need but of another sort the owner lives at horsing some seven miles away on the far side of the forest and has no interest in the estate except for shooting he has let the meadow and arable in the valley to the war office for a military camp and allowed the rest to run wild we do not care for his sort sir you find the presence of the military so close to the town a problem Mr Harris asked indeed no our Gallant fellows are well behaved and kept under discipline and their presence is good for trade no our objection is to the waste of good land and the throwing of laboring people out of their work the Rector replied and Lucinda nodded silent agreement Mr Harris had appeared to be looking at the Rector but he must have observed Lucinda’s movement for he turned his Gaze on her and met her eyes with a hard calculating look which gave her a curious feeling inside which she did not much like for it was disturbing and made her unaccountably uneasy the church clock reached the hour at that moment and after James and John had Ting tanged the four quarters Gabriel’s sonorous tones told the hour effectively killing conversation while he did so and causing Mr Harris to start and look about him in some bewilderment as if he had mistaken the sound for the crack of Doom the Rector merely took out his pocket watch and peered at its dial in mild disbelief before shaking it vigorously and returning it to his pocket do it do that every hour Mr Harris inquired in a stricken tones not during the night the Rector reassured him one grows used to it the clergy must perforce do so for a vicarage or rectory is usually quite close to the church I suppose so Mr Harris seemed quite put off his stroke and Lucinda seeking to calm his nerves said kindly it no longer Chimes the quarters for the mechanism is very old and worn quite so added the Rector and smiled vaguely at the visitor there was a pause and then Mr Harris collected his widths and said I fear I’m wasting a great deal of your time I came to inquire whether you and Mrs calber and Miss Calbert of course would honor Me by dining at Pinnacles tomorrow if it would be convenient to you the Rector looked at his daughter who nodded slightly signifying that he had no other dinner engagement so he hastened to accept the invitation at least for himself and Lucinda although he added dubiously I fear I cannot answer for my dear wife for she enjoys delicate health and it’s difficult to forecast whether or not she will feel up to dining out when the time comes he tailed off looking perplexed and embarrassed but Mr Harris said obligingly that if Mrs calber felt well enough to come he would be delighted to see her but if not he would quite understand and that he kept hours were in the country by which his prospective guests understood that they might expect dinner to be served at about 6 the Rector rang his Bell as Mr Harris Rose to take his departure and Annie appeared to show him out properly a pleasant gentleman the director observed before Mr Harris was altogether out of earshot Lucinda waited until she heard the front door Clos before saying yes indeed sounding less doubtful than she felt for there was something about Mr Harris which made her feel uncomfortable Frederick took to him and I’ve always found him an excellent judge of character said her father who was the more observant of tones of voice for being unable to see very well one can hardly place over much Reliance on a cat’s judgment Lucinda objected besides he detests poor M Roland perhaps said her father pensively he finds it difficult to tell a royalist from a bonapartist I suppose all French men must smell much the same to a cat I think your mamar is ringing again Lucinda swallowed an impatient sigh and went upstairs to reply to the insistent tinkling of the little silver bell she found her mother disposed languidly on a day bed in the pleasant Sunny room at the front of the house which she called her sitting room surrounded by half R novels half done pieces of embroidery a half drunk cup of chocolate and a half eaten biscuit did you ring Mama Lucinda inquired beginning to tidy the room several times but no one answers Mrs calit said in a gentle patient voice I cannot think what Annie is doing and why she cannot come she’s very busy helping cook with the jam Lucinda replied absently her tidying had taken her across the room to the window and she stood looking out at the passing show a cart had slipped part of its load as it came out of the Ford across the Millstream and the idlers from the Black Swan down the street were helping the Carter to reload it in a dister fashion watched by two children a black and tan dog a well-built man in black with a broad brimmed hat and a young clergyman with an armful of books Mr Harris also appeared briefly in the picture riding across it from right to left in the background on a fine bay horse with a carriage dog trotting alongside what are you looking at Mrs calvat asked fretfully just the activity in the street I wonder you don’t have your couch by the window mamar there’s so much always going on just outside here where the roadway widens in front of the church the whole town must pass by in the course of a day I find no pleasure in watching Ordinary People about their common Pursuits Mrs calat said dismissively and the carts grind so on the stones and make my head ache who was it came to the door a while back why am I not told what is going on I was about to tell you mamama Lucinda turned from the window and looked at her mother wishing that her health were better so that she could find more pleasure in life she looked well with a good color and was indeed still a pretty female with not a gray thread in the Orban hair which Lucinda had inherited from her her clear creamy skin was unblemished and still unlined save for a slight frown and she had beautiful green eyes but no Sparkle no vivacity at all she habitually looked weary and came to life only in a real emergency well then she prompted it was a Mr Harris the new owner of Pinnacles come to ask us to dine with him tomorrow Mrs Cal’s languid posture stiffened into something more alert and she looked quite interested what sort of a man is he a gentleman Lucinda replied quite young well 30ish I suppose and Tall rather thin uh well-dressed Fred liked him a fine recommendation Mrs Cal said with a touch of acidity he must be a paragon if the cat likes him where does he come from what is his family has he any Fortune is he married really Lucinda the man must have been here quite half an hour and I suppose neither you nor your father thought to find out anything of importance about him he is unmarried and has lived abroad for some years Lucinda supplied hastily grasping at two facts which had emerged from her memory he wishes to settle down in the country and and make something of a neglected estate abroad Where Mrs calat prompted again India perhaps could he be a nabob do you think he must have a fortune if he thinks to make anything of Pinnacles for it’s so shockingly run down is the house in any fit state for entertaining do you suppose we shall see tomorrow Lucinda pointed out yes Mrs calvat spoke absently mentally reviewing her wardrobe and then Lucinda’s at this point in her thoughts she suddenly became aware that Cinder was wearing a faded muslin quite definitely in last year’s mode and to make matters worse had a smear of some reddish sticky substance on her left cheek Lucinda she exclaimed you never received a gentleman looking like that how could you whatever could he have thought Lucinda glanced down at her frock and rubbed the jam on her cheek in a guilty fashion hastily saying I’m sure he didn’t even noce for you know how green and gloomy it is in Father’s study but she was very much aware that those cooly observant eyes were not likely to have missed any detail and she was vexed with herself for while by no means vain she had no wish to be thought honish or Slatterly least of all by a newcomer to the town who else is to dine tomorrow Mrs Cal’s mind darted busily in another Direction I suppose you didn’t think to inquire I thought as much in an exaggeratedly resigned tone really Lucinda you live in a dream I believe you’re near 20 and must think seriously of getting a husband before it’s too late your father cannot live forever you know and the spinster daughter of a deceased clergyman has very poor prospects for a comfortable life my annuity dies with me as your father’s stipend does with him now what do you plan to wear for this dinner you know I have but two evening gowns mamama Lucinda replied wishing that her mother would not keep pointing out the obvious far from Living in a Dream she often worried about her future in the intervals between dealing with more pressing problems and whose fault is that prey Mrs calvat nagged on there are quite half a dozen old gowns of my own which you could make over if you were not eternally sewing for ungrateful idlers who prefer to Batten on their betters instead of turning to and finding themselves a proper means of earning a livelihood people do not choose to go into the poor house or to live in wretched HS Lucinda was stung to retort helping the poor is a duty and people expect the rectory to take a lead in it oh you wretched girl now you presume to criticize your own mother for having such poor health as to be quite unable to take on any tasks in the parish how could you be so unfeeling I don’t criticize you mamama Lucinda said firmly I only said that people expect the rectory to take a lead and as you cannot I must try to fill your place now shall you come down to luncheon or will Annie bring it up to you on a tray I shall come down Mrs calat dabbed at her eyes in a pathetic fashion with a tiny handkerchief but she did indeed feel both unwell and depressed not that I feel at all up to it but I do myself no good by lying here moping she leaned heavily on Lucinda’s arm on the way downstairs and was settled in her place in the dining room only after sending Lucinda back upstairs to fetch another Shaw and putting the Rector to the trouble of closing the window which was open and opening another instead when all was arranged to her satisfaction she condescended to notice the unexpected G at the table her husband’s curate Mr Jones good day Mr uh she said somewhat frostily I was not aware that we were to have the pleasure of your company at our table good day m’am Mr Jones replied equably I called to return some books which the Rector had lent me and he was kind enough to invite me to take luncheon a glass of wine Mrs calber the Rector inquired the Claret jug poised in his hand I do not care for Claret in such warm weather is there no lemonade no mamama lemons are become very scarce and dear Lucinda replied she smiled across the table at Mr Jones as she passed him a dish of peas he was of course the clergyman she had seen from the window a little earlier despite his name he was not Welsh at least as he himself said not recently meaning that his forbears had left Wales many generations before before but he had the dark brown eyes and black hair common in that nation and could speak in a passible imitation of the Welsh lilt when he chose he was a handsome young man when he removed the steel rimed spectacles which he really only needed to wear for reading he was saved from being too Earnest by a quiet sense of humor but his Celtic fervor for causes which caught at his heart or his imagination sometimes led the Rector to suspect him of enthusiasm a most undesirable quality in a clergyman look where it had led John Wesley I’m sorry we have only cold cuts to offer you Lucinda remarked passing on the dish of new potatoes to him cook is making Jam today with the last of the gooseberries we had a very good crop this year although Colonel Long’s dogs ate a great many I didn’t know dogs ate gooseberries Mr Jones removed his spectacles put them in his pocket and smiled at Lucinda they do if they can get them the Rector said gloomily the colonel came to drink tea the other day and let the dogs loose in the garden luckily there are short legged pair so they were only able to reach the lower branches Mr Jones lodged in the house of a respectable Widow in baker’s row just across the road from the church but his land lady was not a good cook Lucinda suspected that the young man was often hungry so she unobtrusively encouraged him to make a good meal by passing the dishes to him until the salad peas and potatoes were all gone and when Annie brought in a large gbury pie and set it before Lucinda to be served somehow Mr Jones received almost twice as much as anyone else a kindness which he acknowledged with a humorous twitch of his eyebrows and a little nod of thanks to his benefactress the conversation during the meal was chiefly of Parish matters and Mrs calot’s one contribution an inquiry addressed to her husband for more information about Mr Harris produced no more than she had already learned from Cinder so she picked at her food in silence thereafter seemingly deep in thought and barely paused to bid Mr Jones farewell before retiring upstairs murmuring that the warm weather was so exhausting and leaving a trail of Shaws for her daughter to collect and bring up to her room Lucinda however had better things to do she draped the Shaws on the banister changed her frog put on her Bonnet and left the rectory with Mr Jones taking with her a large basket which she carried for her until they had walked up the churchyard path through an arch and into the Market Square where they parted company as Lucinda took her basket from Mr Jones she gave him the gallipot of Goosey Jam which was in it bidding him carry it carefully as it was still warm you’re very good to me Miss Calbert he said earnestly gazing down into her face I’m most grateful to you it’s from cook Lucinda informed him kindly yet dampening she’s grateful to you for helping her brother to find work and she’s not much of a one with words so she says her thanks with Edibles Mr Jones was not much put down by the news for his heart was well hedged about with prudence and discretion he requested Lucinda to convey his thanks to cook raised his low crowned clerical hat politely and went on his way carrying the warm gallipot before him like a jar of precious spikenard lest it tip and make his gloves sticky Lucinda walked slow slly across the Market Square for it was a hot afternoon and the sun blazed down on the cobbles so that they struck warm through her thin sold slippers there was no market today and even the usual idlers seemed to have vanished in search of a cooler Place leaving the square deserted save for the cat Fred who was on his stately way to call on a feline friend at the wyen on the west side of the square he looked round when Lucinda called him gave her a glacial stare as if to indicate that he was not a acquainted with her and did not care to be accosted by strange females and then vanished with a sudden spring through an open sash window on the ground floor of the Inn as Fred frequently disowned his friends when he met them out Lucinda was not much distressed by the cut direct but continued on her way to a large four-square red brick house at the Southeastern corner of the square there lived her friend amarillis Martin whom she found seated under a Shady Tree in the garden unpicking a rather rubby and uneven row of stitching in the seam of a shapeless Calico garment which bore a paper label pinned to its front stating that it was a night shirt oh dear Miss enston again Lucinda inquired catching sight of it as her friend Rose to greet her what are we to do with her Amy she does love to help but nothing she makes is usable it depends what you mean by usable Amy’s Lively face dimpled it would make a good cover for a hcock the rain would get in at the neck Lucinda pointed out sitting down at the table on which were several finished and folded garments and taking her own work out of her basket Amy resumed her unpicking and the two young ladies were silent for a few moments presenting a Charming picture amid the damask roses Jasmine Minette and lies which were all filling the hot afternoon with head scent Amy Martin was a dark-haired girl with merry brown eyes and a brown complexion a tip tilted nose and a wide mouth which always looked as if it were about to smile if it was not actually doing so she and Lucinda had been friends for many years and spent much of their time together usually sewing for they were the prime movers in a circle of local ladies who kept the poor people of the parish both in and out of the Poor House supplied with decent clothing mostly secondhand but knew when they had any cloth to make it so said Amy presently do you mean to keep your news a secret or are you waiting to hear mine first what news Lucinda looked up from her sewing oh I suppose you mean Mr Harris well according to the Fountain of all knowledge Mr Harris was seen to call at the rectory this morning followed shortly by Mr Jones who stayed to luncheon M Roland on the other hand approached your door but changed his mind and went away again I can’t imagine how Miss enston manages it Lucinda exclaimed she must spend half her time watching other people and the other half telling someone what she has seen what did she have to say about Mr Harris very little as she’s not managed to speak to him yet although she said she’s exchanged a few words with his groom only eliciting the information that the gentleman’s a good judge of horse flesh what did you think of him Lucinda unconsciously stopped sewing and sat still still staring unseeingly before her and thinking for a few moments before replying I’m not sure he seems a pleasant gentleman and equable in a disposition Fred gave him a mouse and even that didn’t appear to Rattle him over much and when father assumed he’d come to put up the bands he took it with Good Humor I do wish he would buy a new pair of spectacles Amy laughed and whom did your father think was to be the bride me Lucinda replied smiling only father thought he was will pler you see and that I was Jenny Briggs has intended Mr Harris invited us to dine with him tomorrow and even mamama has decided to go for she can’t resist seeing what he has made of the house my mother too he called here earlier and mamama put him to the question in her best leading Council manner Amy’s father was the town solicitor but she failed to discover any more of him than the fact that he has been abroad a good deal and he means to make something of the Pinnacles Estates that’s all he told us how odd Lucinda commented not that father or I questioned him exactly by the time one has sorted out the table of forbidden degrees and ascertained whether one of Fred’s offerings is a field mouse or a house mouse there’s not much of a morning call left he didn’t say that he’d invited anyone else to dine do you you think there will be a large party he said something about Colonel and Mrs long and I suppose there will have to be one odd gentleman to even the numbers mamar did manage to discover that Mr Harris is a bachelor so of course she’s been weaving plots ever since for she calculates that he must be worth quite £15,000 a year to do something with the Pinnacle Land my mamar didn’t put a figure to it but her thoughts followed the same lines Lucinda’s face clouded and she went on sadly I know she’s only thinking of my future but I do dislike the way she views every Bachelor we meet as a possible husband for me I don’t wish to be auctioned off to the highest bidder nor I for once Amy was not smiling but looked quite sad it’s not as important for me to marry a wealthy man for Papa can give me a good portion but if I follow my inclination I expect they’ll do their best to persuade me to change my mind why Amy have you someone in mind you’ve never said Lucinda was startled Amy gave an odd little Grimace and said reluctantly well I sometimes think I should like oh but he doesn’t take the least notice of me I expect he thinks me Giddy and light-minded if he ever notices me at all perhaps Mr Harris will invite Captain bridges for tomorrow night how will will that please you oh well enough but I think I should prefer M Roland Lucinda replied accepting the change of subject as a warning off from something which her friend did not wish to discuss I don’t expect he knows msia Roland yet Amy pointed out although he’ll soon meet him when he starts to dine about the town I think missure Roland must be our most popular single man I suppose it’s his French charm and his little heir of Mystery do you think he really is a nobleman Incognito perhaps Lucinda Shrugged he’s never actually said so only that he does not care to use his real name while he’s a refugee for the sake of others still in France poor man he must find it tedious waiting for France to be free so that he can return there it must be quite 15 or 16 years that he’s been in Exile he’s very melancholy about it at times and says he feels that he’s no nearer going home than he was when he first came to England I come upon him in the church sometimes just sitting there quietly and looking so sad I thought he was Catholic so he is but there’s no Catholic Church hereabouts for him to go to so what is he to do father doesn’t mind he says our church was Catholic before the reformation and he’d rais no objection to a hot and tot going in there provided he was quietly behaved and reverent now don’t go falling in love with the man I beg you Amy wagged a finger we can’t have the daughter of a clergyman of the established church marrying a French Catholic and a practically penniless igra at that no Lucinda sounded a little regretful I suppose it’s quite out of the question although he’s very handsome and Charming I expect it will be Captain Bridges as you say but he’s the Colonel’s age aamp and it seems an obvious choice for you to marry do you mean Amy inquired mischievously no for Mr Harris to invite to dinner although I suppose mamama would favor him for the other but he’s quite rich and well connected you know his father is a baronet his uncle a bishop and his elder brother an archdeacon you said something about news Lucinda recollected was there something else I’m afraid there is bad news Amy said with regret Papa doesn’t wish me to go to cend anymore oh but why not cried Lucinda surely he doesn’t think those poor souls would do you any harm I don’t believe it’s that partly it’s because their landlord Mr Marshall is one of Papa’s clients and he thinks that my going there might offend him and partly it’s because he thinks I might take some illness from them with their water supply being so scant and dirty and the hot weather I’m sorry Lucy I tried hard to persuade him to relent but it was no use never mind Lucinda tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice for she had counted on Amy’s support in her frequent visits to the poorest of her father’s parishioners I shall have to go by myself or perhaps job our stable lad will come with me sometimes if he can be spared I hope so for I don’t like to think of you toiling up the hill with heavy baskets Amy said doubtfully and you can never be sure what you’ll find when you arrive chapter 2 Mr Harris was kind enough to send his groom in the morning to inquire if he should instruct his Coachman to fetch the rectory party and the Rector replied that he was obliged to Mr Harris but that he had his own Carriage it was old and rather shabby despite job’s efforts in washing and polishing but quite serviceable and it conveyed Mr and Mrs Calbert and Lucinda towards Pinnacles in good time for the dinner party Woodham was a small town in those days little more than a Main Street which ran from the bridge across the river past the Powder Mill and up to the church then made a dog leg around the churchard to the Market Square calling itself West Street up to that point then changed its name to East Street to continue for a few hundred yards to the end of the Town it then became Forest Lane and went through the fields and up the the hill until it vanished into the forest and the wide world Beyond just before it entered the trees it passed Pinnacles on the left set back about half a mile and standing sideways to the road facing down the hill towards the town the military Camp to the North and the river with the next County Beyond Mr and Mrs calat talked in a dister fashion Mrs calat being already quite worn down with the effort of dressing about visits to Pinnacles in the old days when Sir Robert Hook the the Elder was still alive and well but Lucinda had never been there before although she had often walked along the foot path just below the Terrace Gardens of the house and wondered what it was like inside so she was looking forward to finding out she had done her best to please her mother and make the best of herself by putting on the better of her two evening gowns a pale green shot silk with tiny puffed sleeves the fashionable high waist and a modest decolate trimmed with darker green ribbons stitched from waist to hem two at the front and two at the back her long white kid gloves were new and rather tight and she had swept up her Orban curls with a scarf made out of a spare piece of the fabric of her gown Mrs calber wore a dove gray velvet tunic over a darker gray taffeta skirt and a blue velvet turban trimmed with a little maribou and Mr calvet was of course in his sober clerical black with his white Parson wig which he much disliked and seldom managed to keep on straight he had been persuaded to allow Lucinda to give his spectacles a good wash and could see rather better than usual why he exclaimed as they drew near the gates of Pinnacles what’s that in the field by The Lodge piles of bricks several loads I believe and Timber Mr Harris must mean to build something I wonder what it can be a new Lodge perhaps Mrs Calbert replied in an un interested tone I believe that is the Martin’s Carriage turned in ahead of us we are not to be the only guests then Lucinda who had forgotten to pass on the information she had learned from Amy Martin said quietly Colonel and Mrs long are also invited I believe there you see exclaimed Mrs Calver really Mr calet you should have called on Mr Harris and not put him to the embarrassment of having to make the first first move I was not aware that he’d come into residence the Rector replied mildly or I would certainly have called well the Longs and the Martin must have known and called or how did they come to be dining here his wife said tartly I do think they might have let us know I believe he called on Mrs Martin as he did Upon Us Lucinda put in why even miss enston didn’t mention that Mr Harris had come so I’m sure no one else knew the state of the land belonging to Pinnacles was well known to Lucinda from her frequent passage across the estate on her way to cob end but it was a long time since either of her parents had been there and there were frequent exclamations of the encroaching brambles rampant thistles and other signs of neglect as the carriage rolled along the drive between the fields the area near the house was populated by a dozen donkeys who were hardly visible amid the tall grass bless my soul exclaimed the Rector those are donkeys are they not I thought for a moment they were rabbits for I could only see their ears they must find it hard to eat thistles taller than themselves Lucinda was tempted to say that they must think themselves in Paradise but her father did not always appreciate jokes with religious connotations so she refrained the house had been visible for some time gradually coming nearer but it looked much as it had always done an attractive red brick building of jacoban style with large windows and ornamental chimneys and elaborate Gable ends decorated with the Terracotta Pinnacles which gave the house its name each topped by a once- gilded Weather Vein rust and neglect however had caused the veins to disagree with one another and according to them the wind was blowing from almost every point of the compass at once the carriage rumbled through an archway in a high brick wall and moved slow slly along the side of the house then round the corner to the front which faced towards the forest here were signs that much work had been done for the gravel drive was weeded and raked the flower beds neatly planted the trees and shrubs trimmed the grass cut and rolled the windows repaired and cleaned the paintwork gleamingly fresh and at least half a dozen men and boys were at work weeding and trimming round the beds inside the house everything was new in fact Lucinda felt a little disorientated at first for the outside of the house was typical of the early 17th century while the inside was completely up to-date apart from the windows the walls were either painted in fashionable pastel colors or covered with light damasks the ceilings were plastered in the latest Grecian designs and the furniture was elegantly modern some in the new Egyptian style but most o more to the designs of Mr Adam whose hand was also apparent in the chimney pieces Mr Harris received his guests in a very handsome drawing room which could really claim to be called the salon for it was a large double cube with a grand coved Al Cove across one end the walls were covered with pale gold fabric woven in a design of leafy swags and hung with fine pictures mostly Landscapes the design of the very large carpet was mirrored in the plasterwork of the ceiling and swags like those on the walls were carved on the top rails of the padded chairs and sofas three very large windows in the long wall opposite the door stood open onto the top Terrace of the garden and were framed by a clever draping of pelmets and curtains which matched the walls Mr and Mrs Martin and Amy were already seated and looking quite at home but they Rose to greet the newcomers Mrs Martin looked a trifle dowy in a dark purple satin low-waisted round gown and an elaborate lace cap but Mr Martin had a fashionable puse brade waste coat under his sober lawyer black coat Amy was a pretty picture in embroidered white muslin with silver ribbons threaded through her dark curls and laced into her sandals the Longs arrived soon after the colonel a fine florid-faced figure in his Scarlet coat and his wife also florid-faced rather Stout in pale blue taer of the very latest fashion they were accompanied by Captain Bridges a picturebook hero from his polished hesin to the dark curls 6 feet above them his face was classically Grecian his red coat fitted his broad shoulders to Perfection he was well-mannered graceful in his compliments in his dancing courteous even to plain or elderly females deferent to his superiors without overdoing it undoubtedly Brave he wore both The Honorable East India company’s medal and the Turkish order of the cresant for the Egyptian campaign of 1801 and reasonably modest most of the young ladies in the town were more or less in love with him but he seemed to divide his attention fairly equally between Lucinda and Amy both of whom quite liked him this apparently was the full compliment of guests as they were all acquainted and saw each other several times a week there was no shortage of conversation and Mr Harris was able to stand before his elegant marble chimney piece sipping his wine and observing them all with a faint smile which Lucinda on catching sight of it thought a little sardonic why Mr Harris she said said moving across to him how ill-mannered you must think us all chattering among ourselves and not including you in our talk not at all Miss calber he replied the smile broadening I prefer to listen rather than to talk the day is very warm again is it not do you find it too hot in here all the windows which will open are open but there seems to be little current of air no doubt mamama will manage to protect a draft if anyone should wish for one Lucinda replied ruul then regretted her words for she did not wish to appear disloyal to her mother how is the redoutable Fred their host inquired has he any Offspring we’re a little bothered by small rodents in parts of the house and a good Mouser would be most welcome in fact an urgent need Fred is quite well thank you I believe that one of his daughters might be obtainable if a queen would do or would you prefer a Tom I’ve no preference provided the animal catches mice was the grave reply would you be so kind as to act as my agent in the matter I’m willing to pay the animals weight in corn or whatever is the going rate these days I’ll see what I can do Lucinda promised she had been covertly eyeing Mr Harris’s costume which was deceptively simple but fitted to Perfection his coat was blue his waist coat plain white his pantaloons plain black his pumps made even Captain Bridge’s Hess look dull and his cat was a masterpiece she thought that he would probably have carried his head somewhat proudly without the Restriction of the stiff collar but she charitably blamed it for his fashion of looking down his nose in such a hay manner are you a Corinthian she asked cautiously in what sense his smile broadened still more to reveal a row of even white teeth I’m not a Rael if you meant that but if it’s the new definition a sportsman or a man who prefers his linen clean and his coats well tailored I might make a modest claim to some pretensions in that direction I don’t mix in the ton though do you spend much time in London Lucinda thought he had given her a sufficient opening for the question as little as possible I’ve been abroad a great deal in recent years in in dear she felt she must pry a little more in order to satisfy her mother not if I can avoid it too hot Amy intrigued and perhaps a little envious at seeing Lucinda engaged in conversation with the mysterious newcomer had drifted closer and was drawn into the conversation by Mr Harris who asked her solemnly are you come to join the Inquisition Miss Martin your friend is endeavoring to discover whether or not I’m a neob and are you Amy asked artlessly turning wide brown eyes upon him in a fashion which she had found usually melted the hearts of gentlemen of any age I assure you Miss Martin he replied Gravely laying his hand on his heart I was never an official in the government of the great Mogul now I believe my butler is endeavoring to catch my eye if you’ll excuse me he slipped neatly between the two young ladies with a smile for each and left them looking puzzled I suppose that’s what aob was originally said Lucinda doubtfully but he must know that it now means a man who has made his fortune in India unless he’s been abroad so long he’s forgotten further speculation was ended by the announcement that dinner was served and the guests filed two by two into the dining room Mr Harris taking in Mrs calet the Rector with Mrs long the colonel with Mrs Martin Mr Martin with Lucinda and Captain Bridges with Amy at the table Lucinda found herself between Mr Martin and Captain Bridges with Amy next and Mr Harris Beyond her the dining room surprisingly had not been modernized its walls were paneled with elaborately carved Oak the fireplace was large enough to take a whole tree trunk but was now occupied by a large vase of flowers and the furniture was old dark and heavy the chair leg swelling into bulbous and gouty looking excrescences as did also some part of the underpinnings of the table for Lucinda stubbed her toe on one of them but could not see it as the snowy linen tablecloth concealed it from her two massive cart cupboards against the wall showed off a fine display of silver and there was more silver sparkling Crystal and elegant China on the table the food was delicious varied and well chosen for the soup was iced the dishes nearly all light cold and summery with a choice of roasts and hot vegetables for those who expected a hot meal regardless of the weather and there were es syub strawberries and cream to follow then a variety of cheeses and the most luscious dessert fruits Lucinda had ever seen peaches nectarin grapes and oranges the wines were apparently very good too for Colonel long who was something of a connoisseur complimented Mr Harris on his wine merchant at which Mr Harris’s ironic smile appeared as he replied I fear most of this has never seen a Bonded Warehouse he must mean the wine is smuggled Lucinda thought surprised that he should already be buying from the local Smugglers when he had only just arrived until it occurred to her that he might have brought his Sellar with him from from wherever he had come no one of course looked in the least shock to discover that their wine had not paid excise duty for even Mr Martin and the Rector had their mysterious little barrels left in the garden in the dead of night and paid surprisingly large bills to the blacksmith for Sury nails and hinges and brackets and the ladies could hardly have allowed their servants to drink tea if they had bought all of it from the grosser shop in the town after dinner the ladies withdrew to the salon to drink tea and coffee and was soon joined by the gentleman the older members of the party then settled to conversation and Wist but the two young ladies and Captain Bridges elected to go with Mr Harris for a stroll in the garden to see how it had been restored for it was oppressively hot indoors now that the candles had been brought and the summer evening outside looked particularly inviting Lucinda of course was admonished by her mother to take a shawl but once outside she hung it over the ballustrade of the Terrace meaning to collect it on her return the garden at the back of the house descended in three broad Terraces each bounded by an ornamental stone ballustrade with twin flights of steps down to the next level The Terraces were planted with beds of roses and other flowers little trees in tubs and larger trees at the sides and had Stone paved paths Meandering about with statues and seats and ears placed here and there the air was full of the scent of roses and The Drowsy hum of bees was the only sound apart from the occasional distant Roar of a donkey they wandered about The Terraces for some time looking at the flowers and admiring the statues one of which a Hermes bore a distinct resemblance to Captain bridges in the face at least for his uniform precluded any comparison extending lower than his leather stock presently Amy sat down on a convenient seat to remove a stone from her sandal and Captain Bridges remained to assist her while Lucinda strolled on with Mr Harris and descended the steps to the lowest Terrace from the ballustrade when they reached it they had a fine view over the fields to the town a flock of Red Roofs clustering around the four square White Stone Tower of the church beyond the town the river meandered gently Through The Meadows its navigation cut running straight and businesslike this side of it and both were cut across by the dusty White Road on its way to the next County on the far side of the valley where the ground Rose thickly wooded until a distant Church Spire caught the sun on the skyline level with where they were standing Lucinda looked along to her right to where the wooden Barrack blocks of the army camp lay in neat ranks on the lower Fields above the winter flood level with a tiny splash of color of a Union flag flying from a white pole in the midst of them it was an unpleasant reminder that this peaceful looking country had been at war with one short interval for 14 years and the reminder was suddenly reinforced by a loud bang which echoed back from the forest behind them like a clap of Thunder followed by an outburst of flapping wings the startled Birds shot into the air in all directions what was that exclaimed Mr Harris it was an explosion at the Powder Mill Lucinda replied pointing there you see those big dark buildings between the town and the river I don’t think it’s anything much for there’s no smoke sometimes they explode some powder to test it and I expect that’s what they were doing this time for the workmen will have gone home by now but sometimes it’s not done a purpose Mr Harris asked grimly no unfortunately sometimes there are bad accidents for it’s dangerous stuff to handle there were seven men killed last year when one of the Corning houses blew up one body was never found surely they take precautions yes very stringent ones any man who goes into the mill with metal about him is dismissed at once and they’re all most careful for their life’s sake not for fear of dismissal but it takes very little to set it off too much or too little of one ingredient or something in the weather once one of the stores was struck by lightning I still dream of it occasionally Lucinda shuddered and Mr Harris put a hand lightly on her shoulder I suppose through your father’s position you must hear much of the sadness of life in this town he said softly why do men work there if it’s so dangerous it’s well paid and many of them take pride in it for it’s skilled work as well as dangerous there’s a certain element of patriotism too especially with England at War I think too that most men enjoy a little danger don’t you I mean why else do they join the Army or the Navy some have no choice Mr Harris replied grimly he did not need to enlarge on the subject of crimping houses unscrupulous recruiting sergeants or press gangs but many are volunteers at that moment the church bells began to ring raggedly and individually at first but gradually gaining momentum and settling into their proper order is that an alarm because of the explosion Mr Harris asked removing his hand from Lucinda’s shoulder and tensing himself as if he meant to Vault over the ballustrade and run down the hill to the town no they’d ring backwards if it was that it’s only the ringers ringing up for their practice Lucinda explained it’s always on Thursday evening backwards how do they ring backwards up the scale instead of down the bells settled into their Strokes for a few minutes as they listened and then stopped they’re all rung up now Lucinda said now they’ll ring plain rounds a few times up in the ringing chamber they’ll be standing ready while the captain tells them which system they’re going to ring and checks that they all know the pattern and then the treble will look around to see they’re already and he’ll say Faith’s going as he pulls the Rope then she’s gone as he feels the Bell start to swing and the others will follow in turn even as she finished speaking the Bells rang out tumbling down the scale faith hope and charity James and John Raphael Michael and Gabriel now Lucinda continued in a few minutes the captain will call Bob and they’ll go into their changes who is Faith Mr Harris asked after listening for a while to the Brazen voices twisting and turning through the pattern bobbing hunting up weaving in sound across the valley Lucinda told him the names of the the bells faith is the treble the smallest James and John are the chime bells and Gabriel the tenor is the biggest he sounds the hours and is the passing Bell for Gabriel is the guardian of Souls which is it that rings so early in the morning Mr Harris was very interested in what was for him a new subject that’s usually Michael The Apprentice Bell to tell the towns people when to get up but sometimes Mr Gibbs The Sexton Rings one of of the others for a change and who wakes him to be up the tower by 6:00 in the morning I wonder I’ll admit that I don’t stir myself until 7 Mr Harris sounded quite ashamed but Lucinda thought that most wealthy landowners would probably lie a bed much later than that would the ringers let me watch them one evening do you think he asked he was moving a forefinger about as if counting something in the air before him but Lucinda realized that he was trying to follow the hor of one Bell I’m sure they would will pler the blacksmith is their Captain if you ask him he’ll tell you when you may go up the tower she wondered how he would react to the idea of asking permission of air blacksmith but he seemed to appreciate that there was nothing meere about such an important person for he said ah yes Mr pler the man who wishes to be married a skilled Craftsman I hear with a good knowledge of horses hooves the sun was sliding down to the Horizon now the Western sky was Crimson with promise for another fine day on the tomorrow and the thistles in the field below the ballustrade Shone as if gilded in the evening light Lucinda and Mr Harris leaned side by side upon the ballustrade watching the Homing birds and listening to the bells in companionable silence look a rabbit Mr Harris whispered pointing a white skirt bobbed across the field and vanished into the Hedge there are plenty of rabbits Lucinda sounded puzzled too many the farmers say not necessarily Mr Harris seemed to be searching the field for more rabbits yes two over there and another see there he goes this land has been enclosed for a long time I believe nearly a 100 years and my father thinks that these fields on the edge of the forest intakes he calls them are much older than that the hedges are very strong and thick and have quite large trees in them oh look Lucinda seized Mr Harris’s arm in an unconsciously tight grip and sank her voice to a whisper look a deer yes I was told that there are only a few left in the forest yet we’ve had some difficulty in persuading at least a score that the kitchen Gardens are not planted for their benefit his voice softened as he added but they’re beautiful creatures ah here they are exclaimed Captain Bridges from behind them appearing around a lilac bush with Amy beside him the deer gave a startled jump and disappeared rapidly and Lucinda also jumped released Mr Harris’s arm and backed away from him feeling unaccountably confused and embarrassed as she realized how close to him she had been standing we were watching the real owners of my Fields Mr Harris said lightly shall we return to the house I fear I’ve been neglecting my other guests quite shamefully and the midges are beginning to bite as they walked slowly back across the rising Terraces Amy remarked how admirably the gardens had been restored Captain Bridges and I were amazed to see how quickly you’ve had everything put to rights why you’ve only been here a week or two yet everything is already quite perfect I’ve been in residence for just a week but the Workman and gardeners have been busy these past 3 months he replied A positive Army of them in fact most of them have returned to London now and the rest will soon follow I intend to employ local people apart from the upper servants I’m very glad to hear it said Amy there are several good people hereabouts in need of work isn’t it strange we had no idea down in the town that so much was being done here for the house and Gardens can hardly be seen even from the path that runs just below The Terraces oh yes that path Mr Harris seemed interested it appears to come up through the fields and then go across below the gardens skirting the edge of the forest towards the North and eventually leaving my land by a style in the boundary hedge where does it go then and who uses it I’ve not seen anyone on it but I’ve not had it under continuous observation it used to go to Forest house but when Mr Marshall bought the estate he had the house pulled down and now the path goes only to cob end and the poor folk there have little need to go down to the town for they’ve no money to spend there Amy informed him Miss calat and I use it quite often but hardly anyone else someone else uses it for I’ve seen hoof marks Lucinda began then broke off recalling that there was a particular group of people who might well use the path to go from the forest to the town without using the road and they were not a subject for idle talk you don’t intend to close it I hope she substituted for what she might have been about to say of course not if it’s used Miss Calbert in any case I believe it’s a right of way Mr Harris appeared not to have heard the first part of Lucinda’s speech I use it myself occasionally Captain Bridges volunteered I expect they were my hoof marks you saw when I’m riding I often cut across Mr Marshall Land from the camp and then follow the Salvage the path under discussion and so down to the town for a circular ride returning to the camp along the river with firm footing all the way there must be many Pleasant rides in the vicinity Mr Harris observed do you ride ladies sometimes Amy replied for both at least I do when father’s not using his mayare but lucenda miss Calver has no Mount now though she used to ride quite often there was a pause as Mr Harris turned to Luc sender in the Twilight an unspoken question hovering in the air I had an old Pony she said reluctantly but he died she did not add that she could not ask her father for the money he could ill afford for another horse then you must both allow me to find you mounts Mr Harris said I keep a good stable and I’d be grateful to you if you would help me to keep the cattle exercised and show me something of the country side they were mounting the last flight of steps as he spoke and had entered the house before either of the young ladies could reply there was no opportunity after that for Mr Harris went at once to slip easily into the conversation of the older folk who were having a comfortable chat presently he inquired if anyone would care to try his new piano Forte which stood in the AL Cove at the end of the room my daughter plays quite well Mrs Martin seized upon the chance to show off one of Amy accomplishments I’m sure she will oblig but Mama I’ve not brought any music she protested quietly there’s music as well Mr Harris assured her pray favor us with a tune Miss Martin I’m sure everyone would like to hear you play he conducted Amy to the piano Forte which was a very pretty one its satinwood case inlaid with swags of leaves in fruitwood to match the rest of the room she turned over the bread brand new sheet music and found some pieces she knew then settled herself on the stool and tried a preliminary run over the keys Oh What a Beautiful tone she exclaimed her reluctance giving way to pleasure and played quite happily and reasonably well for a while Captain bridge is turning over for her and leaning admiringly against the instrument in between Lucinda felt a little despondent for she was unable to play never having had a piano Forte on which to learn and she was also a tri myft with Captain Bridges who seemed this evening to be showing a decided preference for Amy although he had always in the past divided his attention equally between the two friends would miss calber care to favor us with a tune Mr Harris asked smilingly as the Applause died down at the end of Amy’s performance Miss Calbert doesn’t play Amy said quickly kindly saving Lucinda the embarrassment of admitting it herself but she sings not very well the added in a low nervous voice suddenly convinced that Mr Harris must be used to hearing the finest singers in the world and would find her own small Talent uninspiring if not rable nonsense Lucy the Rector who had apparently been in a gentle do roused himself to protest in positive tones you sing very well not a blackbird or a nightingale it’s true but a tuneful little Ren at least Lucinda looked up at Mr har with a mixture of chagrin and amusement at this rather two-edged recommendation and met those cooly considering gray eyes which suddenly twinkled a little as if they shared a private joke at his wordless invitation she went to consult with Amy over the pile of music you wretched traitress she murmured to her friend I thought you would wish to share the burden Amy replied mischievously here’s one you know I think it’s the only one one Lucinda was both regretful and relieved for it seemed ungracious to insist on singing only one song yet she was not enough of a singer to wish to attempt something unfamiliar before an audience she took up her stance within the curve of the piano Forte took a few breaths while bowing slightly in acknowledgment of the little flurry of hand clapping and then launched into the sweet nighting Gale it was a pretty lilting tune and her voice although light in tone and limited in volume was sufficient to do it justice Captain Bridges cleared his throat and kindly provided a supportive second in the choruses in a pleasant baritone and she got through it pretty well in her own estimation and more than that according to her audience to her relief a couple of unobtrusively efficient footmen then brought in refreshment in the form of dainty sandwiches more tea and coffee or brandy for those of the gentleman who preferred it the Rector and Colonel long exchanged significant glances after tasting the spirit for it was of extraordinary quality a little later Mr Harris begged his guest’s Indulgence to join him in a glass of champagne which caused a mild sensation as it was not a beverage customarily served in woodam in fact only the military and Mr Martin had ever tasted it before it was served in fine Crystal flutes and when everyone had a full glass the ladies sniffing cautiously at the unfamiliar bubbly liquid Mr Harris addressed a few words to them I don’t intend to weary you with a long speech he began standing very upright before his fine marble chimney piece but I must thank you all for coming to my house this evening despite my breach of custom in calling on you before you had had any opportunity to call on me and for being so welcoming and kindly to a newcomer in your midst I’ve been looking forward with Keen anticipation to settling down in the country and considered myself very fortunate in finding this house which exactly fits the dream I’ve cherished for several years and now I find that beyond all I had hoped for in coming here I’m also to be blessed with a circle of acquaintances for whom I have already formed an affection I look forward to many happy evenings as pleasant as this one has been for me and I hope for you he was interrupted at this point by murmur of agreement from his audience and a hearty here here from the colonel thank you for your approval now may I give you a toast to the people of woodam both native long resident and new come ladies and gentlemen ourselves Lucinda echoed the toast as did everyone else then sipped her wine cautiously it tasted she thought much like a very cold cider and the bubbles gave an odd sensation at the back of her nose a second taste made her realize that it was much better than cider for it had a delicate almost flowerlike flavor nectar Amy whispered just as I imagine the nectar of the Gods Must taste Lucinda agreed and was not reluctant to allow her glass to be refilled by one of the footmen but she decided halfway through the second glass that the wine was very heady and it would be best not to drink too much of it on the way home after bidding Mr Harrison unusually effusive good night Mrs calvat reverted to her more usual self and complained of feeling excessively tired but she rallied sufficiently to inquire what Lucinda had managed to discover about their host why nothing mamar Lucinda was rather surprised to realize that this was so but you were out in the card in an age what on Earth did you talk about Mrs calat demanded querulously Lucinda thought for a moment and then replied well the garden of course and the Powder Mill and uh bell ringing and let me see rabbits and enclosures and and foot paaths oh and riding she was surprised to find that she could recall almost every word of the conversation and she felt her cheeks burn in the darkness of the carriage as she remembered how she had seized Mr Harris’s arm when the deer appeared but surely you discovered where he comes from or what he means to build by The Lodge Mrs Calbert exclaimed patently bitterly disappointed in her daughter my dear she could hardly put our host to the question about his origins or intentions the Rector protested mildly did you not think the house very fine the rooms seemed to me to be quite beautiful the change of subject gave meat for conversation for the rest of the way home for Mrs calat was pleased to give a detailed opinion of everything she had observed in the decorations and Furnishing of Pinnacles and very little had escaped her attention it was only as Lucinda was about to climb into bed that she recollected her shawl left hanging on the ballustrade of Mr Harris’s Terrace chapter 3 Friday was always a busy day for Lucinda as she usually spent the morning and sometimes the afternoon as well carrying out one of the duties expected of a Parson’s wife visiting the old and the sick Mrs calat rarely felt well enough to join in this but Lucinda taking it on in her mother’s place as a matter of course found a certain satisfaction in doing it nevertheless it was hard work she set off early with her basket full of bottles of herbal mixtures jars of broth screws of tea eggs little gallipots of jam or whatever else the rectory kitchen could spare and went from one home to another staying perhaps 10 minutes or even half an hour at each usually finding that the room occupied by the sick person had its Windows tightly closed and sometimes a fire burning as well for everyone knew that fresh air was fatal and a good fire essential to recovery what with the heat the stuffiness the strong smell of unwashed bodies and boiled cabbage and the difficulty of shouted conversations with the elderly and deaf she was usually limp and exhausted by the time she reached home this morning was no exception the hot weather continued and it was well past halfast 11 as she walked slow slowly down the churchyard path with her empty basket her hair sticking in damp curls to her head under her straw Bonnet and her muslin frog which had started the day crisp and fresh hanging limply about her it had been a very trying morning and to meet Miss Roland when she knew she was far from looking her best was almost the last straw he was sitting on a table tomb beside the path reading something on a sheet of paper but as she approached he stood up folded the paper and put it in his pocket and removed his broad-brimmed Demi batau waiting for her to come level with him good day miss Calbert he said his English only very slightly accented he looked particularly clean and tidy as he always did and Lucinda wondered how he always managed to look so Spruce on what must be a very small income he taught French to a group of the children of some of the professional people in the town but the fees paid by the parents could not possibly be enough for to live on yet his dark clothes never looked shabby or mended and his linen always appeared unfed and UND darned she supposed that he must have some other source of income and assumed it was some sort of writing but he was often to be seen with a notebook and pencil there was certainly no other possibility that she could think of for he was an igra who had escaped from France during the reign of terror with little more than a change of clothes he was handsome in a dark and Melancholy fashion Broad shouldered and well set up with black hair touched with gray at the temples an aqualine nose deep set very dark eyes and a charming smile which lit up his face as he spoke to her good day Miss Roland she replied stopping to return his smile it’s very warm again indeed you have been visiting your poor folk again I hope that there are none injured from last night’s explosion he had trouble with his aspirates no one was hurt Lucinda assured Him Father sent to inquire and it appears they were only testing powder good I’m much relieved to irar it was it the new invention that they try out I’ve no idea Lucinda replied I think it was just a quality test what makes you think it might be something new he Shrugged I meant Colonel congres invention I still think of them as something new have you heard how they progress the Rockets you mean I’ve not heard anything about them since they were used against bullon last year it’s not the sort of thing that even Colonel congreve would discuss with a lady Lucinda replied laughing you must ask Colonel long although I don’t think he’s very interested being an infantry officer they seem to have no time for artillery then he should be interested M Roland said seriously much can be done with artillery and it may be that this new invention may help to defeat bonapart I’m sure he will be defeated before long and you’ll be able to go home at last Lucinda tried to sound comforting and hopeful but in her heart she feared it would take many more years and more than William congreve somewhat erratic Rockets to bring an end to the war she did in fact know a little about the weapon for col congreve was given to talking enthusiastically about whatever topic held his attention at the moment to anyone who would listen and she had met him two or three times at the Longs yes I mustn’t lose hope Miss Roland sounded very melancholy but then he brightened and said but your mother has very kindly invited me to dine on Tuesday to meet the new sensation of woodam oh for a moment Lucinda looked as disconcerted as she felt for she knew nothing of a projected dinner party and wondered if Cook had yet been informed with strawberries gooseberries mulberries and cherries all falling from their bushes and trees faster than she could transform them into jam and preserves yes of course she continued I’m sure you’ll enjoy meeting Mr Harris he’s lived abroad a great deal I must hurry Miss Roland I’m sorry but I shall be late for luncheon James and John after a prelimin woring ting tanged to confirm her words a dozen sonorous booms from Gabriel drowned whatever reply M Roland made as he bowed in farewell and Lucinda hurried down the path running Full Tilt into Mr Harris as she rounded the corner of the church ah Miss Lucinda he exclaimed catching her by the shoulders to steady her I’ve returned your Shaw I was sorry to miss seeeing you but your father said you were about your good works Lucinda was taking taken completely unawares by the sudden encounter and even more so by the extraordinary sensation which started in her shoulders where his hands were gripping her and spread through her body like a warm shiver to add to her discomfort he sounded ironic to the point of sarcasm and her reaction to the multiple surprise was a flash of anger at the note of mockery which she detected in his words someone has to try and help the poor and the old she replied sharply stepping back out of his grasp the poor lore Guardians can do little enough for them true he replied but are there no Maiden ladies of middle age with nothing to occupy their idle hours young ladies should be enjoying themselves not risking their health in sick visiting Lucinda was suddenly very conscious of the sight she must present and turned her face away to wipe a trickle of sweat from the side of her nose with the back of her hand unaware that in doing so she rubbed a smudge of soot across her cheek in a long streak the large Carriage dog which she had seen trotting beside Mr Harris’s mayare on an earlier occasion suddenly appeared from behind a gravestone which he had been investigating and came over to sniff dubiously at Lucinda’s skirts he was a fine animal gleaming white between his black spots and Luc sinder exclaimed what a beautiful dog is he yours yes he’s quite docile no need to be nervous of him Mr Harris smiled to himself as he realized that his words were unnecessary for Lucinda had bent down to address the dog directly and fundle his ears telling him he was a very handsome fellow his name is Arthur after King Arthur Lucinda inquired letting the dog lick her hand no after Sir Arthur Welsley in fact he gave me the dog as a pup you know Sir Arthur she looked up startled he was often here when he was commanding the Defense Forces against Invasion Colonel long says he’s the only man he knows who could outmatch bonapart yes I dare say he will if he ever gets the chance Mr Harris sounded amused unfortunately the war office thinks he can only fight Indians and he’s less popular with his superiors than he is with the ladies but we’re keeping you I fear and your ma was wondering some time ago whether you would return in time for luncheon oh dear Lucinda gave him a ruthful little smile wondering if her mother had gone on at Great length about her lateness for she had a habit of making the most of any complaint I’d better rush then thank you for bringing my Shaw Mr Harris touched his hat brim and salute smiled in his enigmatic fashion and went on his way Arthur at his heel leaving Lucinda hastening through the rectory side gate and across the garden with a nasty suspicion that he might have thought that she had left the shaw behind on purpose her parents were already sat down to luncheon when she joined them pausing only to wash her face and hands and tidy herself before entering the dining room her mother greeted her with really Lucinda one would think that with those Dreadful Bells clanging the hour fit to Wake the Dead you could at least manage to be on time I despair of you I really do it was sensible to have the foresight to leave your Shaw last night but downright inept to be from home when Mr Harris brought it back I didn’t leave it a purpose mamama Lucinda protested and her father said quietly I’m glad to hear it but his comment passed unnoticed by his wife who was too busy exclaiming I might have known it of course she raised her eyes to and pushed away her plate her disappointment in her daughter clearly having robbed her of her uncertain appetite Mr Calver what is to become of your daughter nigh on 20 and with no more idea of how to catch a husband than she has a flying I think Lucy has no need to lay traps for a husband the Rector replied with quiet Authority and I beg you’ll not speak of marriage on those terms marriages are made in heaven Mrs calber and the Lord will send Lucy a husband if and when he thinks fit for one Dreadful moment Lucinda thought her mother might be about to say something slighting concerning the Lord’s tardiness for she certainly opened her mouth as if to do so but then remembered her position in life closed her lips tightly and made a curious sound between a snort and a sigh after a discreet interval during which she ate rabbit pie and vegetables which had grown cold and unappetizing through her leness Lucinda ventured I Met m Roland in the churchyard he said you’d invited him to dine on Tuesday yes there are so few cultured gentlemen in such a small town whom one would consider worthy of the notice of a traveled person Mrs Calver Drew her plate back to its place and essayed a little more of her luncheon no doubt encouraged by her own thoughtfulness there are the Longs of course with whom Mr Harris is already well acquainted it appears that he was at Cambridge with the Colonel’s younger brother the one who was so sadly lost the year before last at Trafalga I shall not ask the Martins this time for Miss Martin does tend to put herself forward a little and this room is too small for more than 10 to sit down to dinner in any degree of comfort 10 exclaimed Lucinda ignoring the slight cast upon her friend but mamama you’ve only mentioned four guests so far seven with ourselves Mrs calid replied there will be Mr Jones who is also a university man and can make himself quite agreeable in exchange for a good dinner poor man and Mrs Willoughby whose late husband was in India with the company she meant the East India Company and miss enston miss enston Lucinda was so surprised that she forgot to mention that Mr Harris had implied that he had no connection with India certainly Mrs calvat allowed herself a little smile of satisfaction at her own mellian planning she’s a worthy little soul and it might be quite useful to have it widely known that Mr Harris is on terms of close friendship with the rectory I’ve always thought it advisable Mr calvat observed in a detached manner to know something of a man’s background before one admits him to terms of close friendship so cautious Mr calat his wife rallied him how many beggars and worse have taken you in with their sad Tales I vow I have a better ability to judge character than you any day and my intuition tells me that Mr Harris is a gentleman of the highest character as there was no reply to that which might safely be voiced by a husband or a daughter luncheon proceeded in silence for a few minutes while Annie removed the dishes and brought in a bowl of Gooseberry fool when she had withdrawn Lucinda said cautiously is cook aware that there will be 10 for dinner on Tuesday her mother gave her a pitying glance my dear child give me credit for having my wits do you imagine that I’m not aware of the continual smell of jam about the place or the fact that we seem to be living on gries and strawberries I’ve told cook that she may call in her two sisters to help on both Monday and Tuesday and Mrs how the washing woman may come on Tuesday to help help with the washing up it’s well worth the expense of a few shillings to see that all goes well and cook is not put out Mrs how will be glad of the extra money with Duke not able to work observed the Rector Duke not working Mrs calvat asked why ever not he’s quite the most useful handyman in the town and I’d have thought he’d never want for work he was mending the cit’s roof last week and their ladder broke Lucinda said grimly for she blamed Mr cogit for not seeing that his ladder was in proper repair poor Duke broke a bone in his ankle and is laid up and Mr coget says it was his own fault in that case said her mother who was as kind and practical as anyone when she forgot that she was an invalid with an unmarried daughter Mrs how shall come on Monday as well she’s a good hand with pastry I’ll see what else I can find for her to do until maduke is working again there there’s a pair of sheets to sides to Middle for one thing after luncheon Lucinda changed into a fresh muslin put on her Bonnet collected a lided basket from the skullery and went to call on Mrs Smith the land lady of the Black Swan the Inn was in West Street a few doors along from the rectory past the pinmill and it was necessary to cross the Millstream by means of a wooden bridge to get to it the bridge was narrow for it was only used by people on foot horses and vehicles Crossing by means of the Ford below the bridge Lucinda paused in the middle and leaned on the handrail to look down into the water she could hear the wheel clacking in the mill behind her so she knew that the slle was open but there was not very much water coming through and she wondered how long it would be before a deputation of farmers and Mill owners waited on her father to request prayers for rain when she went on her way she was not surprised to find that she had been joined by Fred who stalked majestically just in front of her in a semi Det Ed fashion for the cat had a long-standing relationship with the black Swan’s Tabby Queen and it was one of the offspring of this feline marriage which was the object of Lucinda’s visit the kitten or rather young cat was now 8 months old but had not been taken by a wouldbe provider of a home for a cat of mousing ancestry simply because she was a female but Lucinda knew that she had inherited her father’s abilities in that direction for she had caught her first Mouse when she was not much bigger than a mouse herself she was a handsome creature with her father’s coloring and dictatorial manner the matter was arranged with Mrs Smith in a very short time and Lucinda left the land lady’s parlor with Fred’s daughter mewing in a puzzled manner inside the lided basket and called at the swan stables in the hope that Mr Harris’s groom or at least his horse might still be there the Osler however told her that the gentleman had left more than an hour ago so there was no help for it but to set off on the long walk to p Les her way lay along East Street to the edge of the town and then across the fields keeping close to the hedges for what shade she could find from the hot sun carefully surveying each pasture field before she entered it to see what beasts it might contain and equally carefully shutting the gates behind her and keeping well to the edge of the corn fields which were now almost ready for Harvest it was very quiet most of the laborers were working in the Meadows down by the river bringing in the last of the hay a few birds were singing in the trees and some swallows swooped high up in the cloudless sky while higher still the disembodied voice of a lar twittered and trilled Lucinda put down the basket to rest for a moment and shaded her eyes with her hands as she looked up and tried to see the little bird but it was too high the cat had settled down in the basket and was quiet so Lucinda peeped in to see if she was all right a pair of large impersonal green eyes looked through her as she did so and then a tail tip twitched indifferently across the nose and the eyes closed as the cat went back to sleep as Lucinda reached the beginning of the rise up to the forest she began to wish that Mr Harris had not expressed such an urgent need for a cat she sat down to rest for a while under an oak where there was a convenient log it had been there for as long as she could remember and she had often rested on it on her way to cob end but she wondered now how much longer it would remain for she was now on Pinnacle Land and no doubt Mr Harris would have it removed if he meant to put these fields to the plow it was pleasant in the shade a trickle of water ran in the ditch behind her the flow from a spring further up in the forest crickets were fiddling in the grass butterflies were sunning themselves on the blue scabas and there was a drowsy humming of bees amid the buttercups and orchids she lifted the lid of the basket and inquired again if the cat was all right and was rewarded with a rumbling her you should have a good home with Mr Harris she informed the animal your father took a liking to him and gave him a mouse and he seems fond of animals but he has a dog you won’t mind that though for you’re used to them aren’t you Mr Smith of the Black Swan bred lurchers the cat made no audible reply so Lucinda abandoned the one-sided conversation and fell to thinking wondering to whom Amy had been referring in her mysterious talk of someone who took no notice of her it was difficult to imagine anyone not taking notice of Amy for if she was not precisely beautiful she was Lively and attractive perhaps it was mure Roland he was a serious-minded man but he had little in his life to make him otherwise poor man Lucinda tried to imagine what it must be like to be a poor Exile in a country at war with onezone and was thankful not for the first time that she had been born English and did not have to leave England for any reason good or bad Mr Harris had lived abroad a great deal he had said and had dreamed of settling down in the English Countryside but perhaps he would find woodam dull and woodam people boring with their narrow parochial interests why she had only ever been to London once and that was a mere 20 mil away in the distance she heard Gabriel’s voice reminding her that the afternoon was slipping away so she picked up the basket and went on up the hill leaving her usual route towards corob end and striking across to join the pinnacle’s drive when she reached it she glanced along to her right and saw that there were Men at Work amid the piles of Bricks by The Lodge they seemed to be building a large wooden Hut of some sort which he supposed they would use as a shelter for themselves and their tools while they were working on whatever Mr Harris was having built as she crossed the last field before the archway into the gardens the donkeys came to investigate her and she stroked their soft noses and admired their plump sides for they were in excellent condition one made a determined effort to steal her Bonnet with a view to eating it but she was acquainted with the taking ways of the species and escaped unscathed going onto the arch pausing in its shade to wipe her hands and face with her handkerchief shake the burs and grass seeds from her skirts and set her Bonnet straight and then marched in good order to the front door and pulled the Bell a footman answered the door and said in a an formal tone good afternoon Miss Calbert is Mr Harris at home she asked refusing to be made nervous by a servant however superciliously he might look upon a person who arrived alone and on foot I will inquire pray be pleased to come in Lucinda entered the hall which was in fact a well-furnished room and sat down on a small sofa with her basket at her feet while the footman vanished into the interior of the house it was very quiet and cool and there was a pleasant smell of flowers and Beeswax rapid footsteps roused her from the somewhat torpid State into which she had lapsed and Mr Harris came hurrying into the Hall the footman following at a more dignified Pace My Dear Miss calber how pleasant to see you George T if you please on the Terrace I think Lucinda picked up her basket which Mr Harris at once took from her but it lurched sharply as he did so and an indignant remark from inside it intimated that the cat’s first meeting with her prospective new host was not starting very auspiciously it’s the cat said Lucinda indeed so it sounded Mr Harris exclaimed he put the basket on a convenient table opened the lid and lifted out the ruffled feline well my beauty he said settling her into the crook of his arm and rubbing her soothingly behind the ears you’re the image of your old dad I do declare I trust you’re as talented is this the queen you mentioned last night the question was addressed to Lucinda who replied yes she’s Fred’s Daughter by the Tabby at the Black Swan a good mousing strain on both sides she’s 8 months and hasn’t been found at home because most people don’t want the bother of frequent kittens quite so she’ll do very well here though for there’s not another cat nearer than the town as far as I know if I’m wrong there’s no matter for there’s always room for a few more cats in the Stables has she a name Mrs Smith at the swan called her tiddles Lucinda said apologetically tiddles Mr Harris was clearly disgusted a lady of breeding and handsome appearance should have a concomittant name would you care for Charlotte Madam this was addressed to the cat who purred and closed her eyes ecstatically but because she liked being rubbed behind the ears not because the name meant anything to her George the footman had not left the hall when the UR wild tiddles first made her presence known and the sound had made him turn to see what was a foot he had remained looking at the cat with interest from a distance Mr Harris looked up and saw him ah George he said this is Charlotte would you be so kind as to take her to the kitchen and introduce her to everyone particularly the mice I think you are quite fond of animals yes sir George’s formal mode of speech left him in his enthusiasm over the cat which he had taken into a close Embrace especially cats I love cats then you shall have charge of Charlotte she may have the run of the house but try to keep her out of the kitchen Gardens unless the gardeners think there may be work for her there oh and keep her in at night for fear of foxes footman and Cat Departed and Mr Harris thought to call and don’t forget the tea after them then conducted Lucinda through the house to the Terrace where a table and some comfortably cushioned chairs were standing in the shade of a copper Beach a number of sheets of paper held down by a small thick book lay on the table and appeared to be covered by rows of letters written in pencil with many of the letters crossed out Lucinda stood by the table for a few seconds looking down at them while Mr Harris placed a chair more in the shade for her and and plumped up the cushions then he turned to invite her to sit down and saw what she was looking at a little idle scribbling he said a shade too quickly to be natural pray sit down Miss calet he gathered the papers up hastily and put them under the cushion of the seat of another chair then sat down on it giving Lucinda what she felt to be a calculating look as he did so she was a little embarrassed as she assumed that he thought she had been overly curious about his papers and supposed that there were something personal poetry perhaps but she was too well bred to have looked at them properly there was a slightly awkward pause as she did not know what to say I trust that your horse is being attended to he said suddenly did you ride or drive I walked she replied surprised walked my dear girl on such a hot day Mr Harris seemed quite shocked so Lucinda surprised at being called his dear girl hastened to add it’s not far across the fields the road curves quite a lot to ease the gradient you see but the paths run fairly straight up the hill there was another pause during which Mr Harris looked at her quizzically and said nothing she found herself continuing we don’t really have a Coachman and only two horses father puts one to the gig when he goes about and drives himself and the stable lad is also the gardener the other horse isn’t broken to R riding she suddenly thought what a load of confused nonsense she had been uttering and pre what is The Coachman in real life a white rat with pink eyes or perhaps the curet Mr Harris inquired solemnly his gray eyes looking quite warm and genuinely amused Lucinda suddenly felt much more at ease with him and replied equally solemnly no the sexon and they both laughed George and another footman appeared with the tea tray and a selection of d cakes and George at his most wooden and formal murmured you may care to know sir that Charlotte has killed three mice and consumed a plate of beef and a sorcer of milk it appears that she does not eat the mice excellent exclaimed Mr Harris not 10 minutes in the house and already had her paws under the table thank you the footman withdrew and Mr Harris invited Lucinda to take charge of the tea pouring which she did a trifle nervously for the porcelain cups and dishes looked remarkably delicate there were no mishaps however and she sipped her tea gratefully enjoying the rest and the cool shade listening to The Gentle sounds of the garden bees a contented chucking from a drowsy bird and doves cooing somewhere around the corner of the house the only flaw in her enjoyment was a consciousness of the presence of Mr Harris which was oddly disturbing he did not seem to expect her to make conversation but lounged comfortably in his his chair drinking his tea and contemplating his rose bushes through half closed eyes yet every fiber of her body seemed to be aware of him her thoughts which normally followed a reasonably coherent pattern seemed to flit about like an agitated moth wondering where he had come from what he did before he came here what those rows of letters on his paper signified whether he thought she had left her Shaw here on purpose it seems a Pity to spoil so perfect a s by sorted considerations of Commerce he said suddenly but how much do I owe you she started and looked at him blankly for a moment then collected her wits and replied nothing Mrs Smith was pleased to find her a good home I’ll offer her something when I next put up my horse there then Mr Harris stretched out his legs and visibly relaxed still more a couple of brace of rabbits perhaps your mother very kind L invited me to dine on Tuesday yes Lucinda meant to say more but seemed to have lost her tongue for nothing further emerged I had meant to ask the Rector when I called this morning but I forgot Mr Harris went on after another pause perhaps you can tell me what is the arrangement about pews pews Lucinda said blankly in the church are they rented oh yes well the Gentry usually rent but the majority are free there is a pinnacle Pew or at least it was always held by the hooks and has stood empty since well since Sir Robert was killed the people’s Warden arranges about the rents if you wish and the people’s Warden is Mr Harris was contemplating the toe of his boot so Lucinda took the opportunity to study his face replying Mr Morris as she did so his nose was straight and strong and there was always a suggestion of a smile about his mouth and a purposeful look about his chin he’s the landlord of the wyen in the Market Square she added and Mr Martin is the rector’s warden and there is a service every Sunday yes mattin’s at 10: in the morning and even song at 3 for the servants and laborers I’ve known places where the incumbent took service only once a month Mr Harris commented Lucinda put down her cup and asked Mr Harris if she might refill his but he replied no thank you do you take another and some of those cakes or there’ll be revolution in the kitchen if they go back untouched I mean to cut you a few roses they’re old bushes but they’ve been trimmed up well and are bearing some fine blooms he got to his feet felt in his pockets and produced a folding knife of ungentlemanly size took her basket and went down the steps to the Second Terrace where most of the Roses grew Lucinda drank another cup of tea and ate two or three cakes watching him moving about among the bushes after a while he stopped cutting roses and came back up the steps just as Lucinda putting her cup and Dish down on the table moved the tray a little not seeing that a book which he had been using as a paper weight was lying on the far side of it the book fell to the ground and Lucinda dived to pick it up in some confusion and naturally looked at the spine to see if it had been damaged she had only time to see the words de de shif before Mr Harris took it from her saying thank you careless of me to leave it there I hope it may not be damaged Lucinda said trying to see if the corners had been bent not at all he replied firmly but not looking at it see here are a few roses for you to take home how kind Lucinda exclaimed for the basket seemed to be full of fat buds pink white red and even some white ones splashed and striped with red and almost delightfully scentered mama will be delighted she loves roses they are for you Mr Harris said unless you have an aversion to them no of course not she exclaimed thank you very much for them and for the tea I I should be going now I think pray sit down again for a few minutes Miss calber I’ll order my Carriage it’s far too hot for you to walk all that way home oh but Lucinda protested but not with much vehemence the cattle don’t get enough exercise excuse me Mr Harris went into the house taking the book with him and presently returned without it shall we stroll gently round to the front The Carriage should be ready for you by the time we get there it took only a quarter of an hour to drive down to the rectory and Lucinda enjoyed riding in Mr Harris’s spanking new Carriage with the hoods down and a groom on the box beside the driver behind a fine matched pair of Grays she passed Miss enston along East Street and could not resist waving to her then looked back to see the lady rush into Mrs Harvey’s House to tell what she had just seen which made Lucinda smile to herself as she waved regally to mure Roland in the Market Square outside the church the driver Drew into the curb the groom got down to open the door and let down the steps and Lucinda was handed down in fine style she thanked the driver and groom who both saluted and patted the horses before going sedately towards the rectory side gate Mr Jones was just coming out and he stood aside raising his hat and twinkling his blue eyes at her there’s Glory now he said in a remarkably good Welsh accent for one who who claimed no recent Celtic ancestry Mr Harris’s Carriage is it his man handles the ribbons well Lucinda turned to look and saw that The Coachman had turned horses and carriage in one smooth circling movement in the limited area between the churchyard wall and the Ford I’d love to be able to drive a pair of horses Mr Jones said dreamily in a high perch Fon it must be grand to be rich and Powerful Luc looked at him in surprise I thought you enjoyed your work I do it’s what I was born for but I see so much need and poverty even here in Woodham and with more money and important contacts I could do so much more I could marry my ideal help meate his voice faded away suddenly and Lucinda glancing at him saw that he was looking wistful and Melancholy she suspected that he was following his own thoughts and had forgotten about her have you found her then she asked gently Mr Jones started and gave her an odd rather hunted look a man May set his heart on the stars but usually he must learn to be content with a penny candle he said Riley and be thankful if he can afford one good afternoon Miss calat good afternoon Mr Jones Lucinda went into the garden and found her mother reclining on a wicker sofa which hung from a stout branch of the walnut tree and had a canvas canopy suspended above it with plenty of cushions it could be very comfortable swinging gently in the shade but Mrs calvat rarely used it for it took an exceptionally hot day to persuade her to sit out of doors why whatever have you there she asked catching sight of Lucinda’s basket Mr Harris gave me some roses he wanted a cat so I took him Mrs Smith’s last kitten and he filled my basket with roses in exchange you’ve not walked all that way up there and back in this heat Mrs calat cried in alarm why it’s enough to bring on a megrim and you’ll be sunburned with only that shallow brimmed Bonnet Mr Harris sent me home in his Carriage Lucinda replied soothingly and I kept to the shade of the Hedge Rose walking up there besides mama I don’t burn but the slightest Browning from the Sun is most Unbecoming Mrs Calver insisted I won’t have you looking like a farm wench go to the still room at once and find some of that whitening lotion the one which Mrs Martin recommended you must mix it with fresh lemon juice but Mama we have no lemons Lucinda protested then send Annie out to buy one at once Mrs calvat commanded with the Vigor and adamantine purpose which she could summon up the strength to to employ only in the most dire emergencies really Lucinda I despair of you have you no sense of what of the most important things in life chapter 4 Mrs calvat usually attended matens although sometimes in a somewhat martyred fashion but the hot weather which had lasted too long for most people’s liking had become she said too much for her and decided to stay in her sitting room despite the rector’s mild protest that the interior of the church was the coolest place in the town Lucinda found that he was quite right when she entered the great building for the thick Stone Norman walls retained the usual chill atmosphere and she was glad of her Shaw as she walked slowly up the Nave smiling and nodding to various acquaintances she did not speak of course for churchgoing was a serious business in those days and only necessary words were spoken and those in a whisper unless they formed part of the service the rectory Pew was in the chancel facing Crossways and from it Lucinda had a good view of the body of the church and of the congregation which almost filled it after she had prayed for a few minutes and found the right places in her prayer book she discreetly looked about her first admiring as she always did the great grooved pillars and the strong Chevron decorated arches which rose in three tear Nave arcade triforium and clester to a disappointingly plain wooden ceiling the morning sun was pouring in through the windows most of which contained clear glass and the stone sha pale gold almost the color of wheat straw most of the congregation had arrived for the Rector could be quite sharp with latecomers and an unusual stirring in their ranks caught Lucinda’s attention at first she could see nothing out of the ordinary Mr and Mrs Martin and Amy were just taking their seats in the front Pew which was marked by the church warden’s Crown staff in its holder by the central aisle but even they were not keeping their eyes down in a seamly fashion but looking across to the front Pew on the other side which had not been occupied for years it was occupied now and it was that which had caused the stir Mr Harris was calmly sitting down in it dropping his gloves into his upturned beaver hat on the seat beside him he then sank to his knees bent his head for a few moments then sat down and looked about him but Lucinda thought at the building not the people she felt a lifting of her spirits which she assumed was due to seeing the Pinnacle Pew occupied again after so many years the bells which had been ringing merrily stopped suddenly and one Raphael she thought took up the slow Strokes of the five-minute Bell warning the sluggards that they were about to earn a rectorial reprimand and incidentally giving the Ring of time to come down and take their seats Mr calvat had made it plain that he did not care for the custom of the ringers retiring to the nearest Inn during the service there was the usual scramble of last minute arrivals and then the little band of Fiddlers and the Soul chist struck up the first hymn the congregation Rose and they began to sing in a ragged fashion gaining confidence as they Advanced into the first verse the Rector and Mr Jones came side by side up the aisle and the service began it was the rector’s turn to officiate so Mr Jones retired to his desk which was almost opposite Lucinda’s place across the chancel and he sat down in an oddly uncomfortable looking position half turned towards the congregation which Lucinda thought unusual for he normally sat very straight and kept his eyes on his service book she glanced across at him from time to time and found that whether he was sitting or standing his face was always half turned to his right the only time it was not was during the prayers and she came to the conclusion that he was watching someone she also noticed that Mr Harris seemed well acquainted with the complications of the prayer book and found his way about without difficulty and he preserved a suitable air of grave dignity except that when the Rector published the bands of marriage between William Henry pler and Jennifer Briggs both of this Parish he looked quite deliberately across at Lucinda and grinned broadly the Rector was not an inspired preacher in fact he had half a dozen fat books in which he had written down some 200 carefully composed sermons when he was first ordained and he worked his way through them on ordinary Sundays only writing a new one for the great festivals and if the bishop came Lucinda had heard most of them several times but he liked to rehearse the more difficult ones over to her on the previous evening and she tended to allow her attention to wonder as soon as her father climbed into the pulpit and uttered his first my friends on this occasion the pinnacle’s Pew seemed to be acting as a magnet and if she was not careful her eyes constantly returned to it during the sermon she had to make a conscious effort to look discreetly about the rest of the building moving her head as little as possible to note who was missing from his or her usual place who had a new Bonnet whose children were fidgeting who had gone to sleep all the little things which either her father or her mother would wish to know after the service Lucinda then happened to note for her own interest that Mr Jones was sitting straight with his head bowed as though in private prayer almost immediately after she saw that Amy Martin was now sitting with her head turned unnaturally neither towards the pulpit nor straight ahead but somewhere between the two and the two pieces of information seemed to fit together surely before Mr Jones had been looking at Amy and now Amy was looking at Mr Jones Lucinda stored the thought away for consideration at a more suitable time after the service the congregation left the church in a quiet and seemly fashion and erupted into a chatter outside Mr Calver and Mr Jones stood side by side in the shade of the porch to exchange a few words with everyone who passed the players in the gallery held an impromptu concert as they practiced the hymns for even song and the altar servers scurried about their duties Lucinda collected from the vest an alter cloth which needed mending and stopped for a word with Mr Gibbs who combined virging with his Sexton’s duties by the time she walked out into the brightness of the midday Sun almost everyone had gone for the heat struck with considerable strength after the cool Stillness inside the church only the Swifts were wheeling and screaming high above the Gilded on the tower and Mr Harris stood talking to Mr Jones his dog close to heel just inside the porch good morning Miss Calbert he said as Lucinda emerged from the inner door good morning Mr Harris you didn’t leave poor Arthur out in the sun I trust no he sat in the porch and minded the fire engine like a sensible dog he gestured towards the town’s fire pump which was kept in the porch I’ve been making the acquaintance of Mr Jones who has the right attitude to dogs despite having been at the wrong University were you a at Oxford Lucinda asked the curate never having thought to inquire before yes at Jesus Mr Harris laughed I should have guessed it said that if one stands in the quad at Jesus and shouts Mr Jones half the windows in the college will open and the inmates reply what is it he said the last three words with a Welsh intonation which amused Mr Jones true enough he admitted how is Charlotte Lucinda inquired stroking the head of Arthur who had come to sit beside her the tally up to this morning was 37 mice and two rats but she’s slowing down now mainly from a shortage of rodents I believe rumor reports that parties of emigra mice have been seeing fleeing across the garden with their belongings piled on handcarts or carried in bundles on their backs and the rat war council is considering whether to fight a last ditch stand in the Stables or make a strategic withdrawal to the forest pray tell Fred that his daughter does him credit all his children do him credit Mr Jones volunteered apart from one young Scamp who killed my second best wig you must find a wig intolerably hot in this weather observed Mr Harris looking at the old-fashioned pars sonical Bob which Mr Jones was wearing as all clergymen were expected to do I wear it only in church he replied taking it off and twirling it on one finger the powder must be a nuisance on your Cass Mr Jones tapped the side of his nose with his finger in a quizzical fashion and confided in a low voice white horse hair sir no Powder ah which reminds me Miss Calbert your mother sent dannie to say that she wishes you to return home speedily Lucinda experienced a curious sinking in her spirits such as she had not felt since those occasions in her childhood when she had been summoned to leave a party or finish a game which she had been particularly enjoying in order to do something less appealing she B the gentleman good day and hastened back to the rectory as she had half expected it was not for any important or urgent reason that she had been sent for but only for a discussion about her wardrobe Mrs Calbert had spent some part of the morning looking at her daughter’s small collection of frocks and gowns and had come to the conclusion that she needed some new ones you have only two evening gowns she exclaimed as soon as Lucinda walked into her bedroom and found her sitting on the bed with Cottons silks and muslins strewn around her you wore the green on Thursday and the yellow is shabby in any case the color doesn’t suit you in the least and I can’t imagine why you chose it Lucinda refrained from replying that in fact her mother had chosen the yellow and merely said I fear there’s no time to make a new one before Tuesday even if we sat up all night stitching I thought I would take the ribbons off on the green and put on some different ones and perhaps some lace around the neck perhaps we could go to London tomorrow and buy something Mrs calber mused aloud London exclaimed Lucinda now mamama you know that father is to dine with the bishop tomorrow and will need the carriage and I’m certain that you’d not wish to drive 20 miles into London in the gig with either you or me driving I’ll put silver ribbons on the green and perhaps you might lend me your silver lace collar in the event the green gown looked quite different with its silver trimming and Mrs calber gave it grudging approval when having finished the alterations hurridly at the last moment Lucinda went downstairs in it on Tuesday evening the last of the silver ribbon threaded through her ringlets as might have been expected Miss enston was the first to arrive a plump little lady of Uncertain age who was always so eager to be at the point where something was happening that she permanently leaned forward from the hips so that her head might be a foot in front of the rest of her in order to allow her eyes and ears the advantage of early arrival she had bright little brown eyes and a sharp nose which was given to twitching at its end and Lucinda sometimes wondered if Fred was ever tempted to pounce on her for she looked very much like a mouse in a poplin gown and a lace cap with old-fashioned lapets I am so looking forward to this evening she announced as she shed her Bonnet and shawl and entered the paror such excitement to meet a new neighbor especially one who has been to such interesting places I believe Jamaica is quite paradisical except for those Dreadful hurricanes and one has read so much about the majesty and Grandeur of the Austrian Court how is it Mrs calber inquired soovi of her daughter miss enston having cornered the Rector to demand an explanation of some obscure point in his sermon of the Sunday before last that she manages to know everyone’s business and to the best of my knowledge she’s not even spoken to the man yet I think she reads Minds Lucinda replied not altogether seriously at that moment Annie answered the doorbell and admitted Mr Harris The Parlor door was open and Lucinda could see him in the hall but she heard his voice first and was dismayed by the flutter it caused in the pit of her stomach and the sudden warmth in her cheeks which made her a little distracted in her greeting matters were not improved by the quizzical look he gave her as he bent to kiss her profited hand or by her consciousness of Miss enston sharp eyes in the background when all the guests were assembled The Parlor was quite crowded and Mrs calit in good looks with the excitement of her party and forgetting her poor health made a bold decision and desired the Rector to open the glazed doors into the garden which were normally kept fast shut with a screen before them for fear of a draft Mr calvat found them difficult to move the hinges being quite Rusty but Mr Harrison Colonel long went to his assistance and soon had them open it made little difference the hot weather continued and there was not a breath of a breeze to stir the heavy air the garden was no less warm and airless than the room and the colonel who had stepped outside after opening the door to look at the Garden commented that there was an unpleasantly brassy look to the sky a good storm would not come aiss said Mr Jones and was immediately cried down by the older ladies I cannot abide Thunder protested Mrs calat indeed no and a heavy rain would lay the corn Miss enston contributed and Mrs Willoughby a Lous lady who always wore unrelieved black said mournfully heavy rain reminds me of those Dreadful monsoons you may recall Mr Harris how innovating the rainy season becomes I had thought Mr Harris replied looking puzzled that the hot season was the more innovating and the coming of The Rains of relief but no doubt continual torrential rain can become very innovating after a few days I have no personal experience of a monsoon however but were you not in India cried Mrs Willoughby looking at him as though he had gained the honor of her acquaintance by means of false pretenses I’m afraid not he admitted apologetically but you have been in Jamaica Miss enston said triumphantly and I dare say it is much the same there Mr Harris was taken aback for a moment no doubt wondering whether he should agree politely or embark on a geography lesson but M Roland who had been sitting quietly in a corner saying nothing and listening to all all the conversations around him said gently monsoons are peculiar to the shores of the Indian Ocean but a similar heavy seasonal rainfall is experienced in the Caribbean I believe quite so Mr Harris smiled at him you have been to the West Indies sir no replied M Roland flatly thereby killing a promising topic of conversation my dear husband Mrs Willoughby began portentously and continued with a detailed account of Mr willoughby’s career with the East India Company which was only terminated by the appearance of Mr Gibbs the seon in the guise of a butler to announce that dinner was served Mrs calvit had given considerable thought to the planning of her dinner table and had contrived the seating she believed rather cleverly as guest of honor Mr Harris of course went in with his Hostess and sat on her right and Mr calvat took in Mrs Willoughby for she was the senior lady present in years and at least in her own estimation in rank as well if her late husband’s position in the hierarchy of John company was set against the comparative rank of Colonel long Mr Jones as a mere curate was expected to take in the least desirable partner and found himself on Mrs Cal’s left with Miss enston Miss Roland could safely be given Mrs long who could speak a little French which should be a comfort for him and who was Seated on her host’s left opposite Mrs Willoughby this left Colonel long to go in with Lucinda and as he was an easygoing gentleman he could sit next to Mrs Willoughby thus placing Lucinda neatly on Mr Harris’s right it was unfortunate Lucinda thought that she was also opposite Miss enston who was unlikely to miss a single word glance Nuance of expression or change of color and for the first time in her life she was unsure of her ability to control all those things with Mr Harris so close beside her her cheeks were already flushed from the heat despite Mrs calot’s bold decision to have the dining room French doors open as well as those in the Parlor during the first course Mr Harris was naturally engaged in conversation with Mrs Calver and Lucinda with Colonel long but he was an undemanding partner and did little more than reply briefly to Lucinda’s remarks while consuming his soup alaj julen a baked trout with salad and a little roast mutton Mrs Willoughby was explaining the Hindu religion to the Rector and Miss Roland was showing a polite interest in Mrs Long’s kindly Endeavors to help the young soldiers under her husband’s command to send letters home to their families for most of them could not write Miss enston was obviously listening to all the conversations and at the same time eliciting from Mr Jones an account of his recent visit to his parents in bedfordshire when the covers were removed for the second course Mrs calvat turned to Mr Jones and everyone else obediently began a new conversation with the person sitting on the other side of them I believe you’ve been to Austria Lucinda began too rapidly and too bluntly now I wonder who told you that Mr Harris replied without answering perhaps I can guess have you noticed how some people manag to learn a great deal about a newcomer within 5 minutes of his arrival yet others can be acquainted with a person for years and still know not a thing about him Lucinda was not sure what to make of these remarks or how to reply for she had a distressing feeling that she had been gently snubbed so she said nothing and helped herself to cold roast duck green peas and undive in silence while Mr Harris took rabbit pie arter chokes and buttered new potatoes I’ll let you into a secret he said very quietly Lucinda automatically glanced at Miss enston but she seemed to be expounding with great intensity to Miss Roland on the last major explosion at the Powder Mill I was in Austria for about 2 years but I had to leave in a hurry Mr Harris continued as he speared a particularly rounded and well buttered potato and ate it with relish oh dear Lucinda said wondering if she was about to hear some scandalous tale of crime or a matter of an Irate husband or possibly even a duel what happened an italianette Frenchman arrived with an army and occupied Vienna Mr Harris replied calmly as he entered by one road I left by one on the opposite side of the city it was very inconvenient yes it must have been Lucinda hesitated a question hovering on the tip of her tongue now you may ask me what I was doing there he said encouragingly what were you doing in Vienna Lucinda decided to treat it as a joke although she was not at all sure that it was meant to be I took some lessons in the SP Spanish riding school which is a rare privilege after a pause he commented this is a very good rabbit pie where do you get your rabbits Lucinda’s cheeks rened suddenly for she knew very well who brought the rabbits to the kitchen door and where he snared them but she could hardly pass on the information to Mr Harris ah said that gentleman looking at her side long I suppose it’s one of those unmentionable subjects like the source of this excellent wine as a matter of fact Lucinda grasped at a safe subject that wine is made from some apples which Mrs Martin gave us last Autumn father claims it’s as good as French wine and he’ll be pleased to hear that you mistook it for such Mr Harris laughed and raised his glass in a silent toast to her if you wish for some of the other Lucinda went on quietly I could tell you whom to ask you’re not a preventive officer in Disguise are you the question was not serious but she was hesitant about giving information to a comparative stranger which could get someone else into grave trouble without at least a verbal reassurance I have no connection with the customs and xise except to evade them when I can like everyone else he said solemnly you need have no fear however I’ve already been approached about a certain matter by a certain blacksmith Lucinda was very surprised to hear this for she had never before known will plma to approach anyone in the way of illegitimate trade normally he waited until a newcomer had been in the town for at least a year and then expected them to approach him through an established customer while she was puzzling over this phenomenon Annie brought in raspberry pies and trifle there should have been cream to go with them but Annie confided to Mrs Calver in a hissing whisper that the cream had turned and cook had substituted custard but Lucinda when she tasted it suspected that the milk might have been on the turn as well no one else appeared to notice however perhaps because they were distracted by the entry of a large dish of strawberry fritters which were Cook’s specialty made to her secret recipe and much admired by everyone who had ever had the Good Fortune to taste one for dessert there were more strawberries raspberries the last of the cherries raisins nuts and a melon and as it seemed to be getting hotter if anything instead of the more usual evening coolness Mr calat proposed that they should all take their wine tea or coffee in the garden there a variety of seats had been put out during dinner a rustic bench some Windsor armchairs from The Parlor and the rector’s three cane chairs and Mrs calot’s hammock sofa was swinging under the walnut tree to Lucinda’s surprise even her mother found this idea agreeable so they all removed outside with a great deal of chattering and apparent excitement from the two old ladies to whom the idea seemed quite novel Lucinda remained behind for a moment to consult with Annie about the supper arrangements for she feared that the cream turning sour might have affected them but the maid assured her that cook had everything in hand and bustled out with a pile of plates to the kitchen as she went M Roland re-entered from the garden and whispered in a conspiratorial fashion miss kelv a word in your ear if you please by all means she she replied encouragingly for she had a liking for The Melancholy Frenchman and assumed that something was troubling him how may I help you it’s rather I who may help you he announced managing to sound portentous even in a whisper a word of warning Miss galbert don’t trust this Mr Aris I suspect there is something not altogether right about him oh surely not mure Lucinda protested then checked herself feeling that she was flying to Mr Harris’s defense too readily he seems a very pleasant gentleman maybe was the cautious reply but I’m sure I have seen him before I was in Paris on business for a few weeks during the piece of amen and I’m sure I saw him there in a very suspicious place I mean to challenge him on it and see what he says you mark my words he will lie Lucinda was a little bewildered by his certainty for she could see no reason why Mr Harris should not have been in Paris during the peace after all hundreds of English people had taken the opportunity to visit France during those few months and many had caused to regret it for they were still there as bonapart prisoners she made only a vague reply and went out into the garden where she found her mother and Mrs Willoughby dispensing tea and coffee with Mr Jones and Mr Harris handing the cups and becoming confused over who wished for tea and who for coffee there was a heavy Stillness in the garden the birds had ceased to sing even the Swifts who would usually be darting busily about the church Eaves shrilling as if in excitement had fallen Silent not a leaf was stirring in the trees and the sky had a leaden look instead of the clear sun-filled Azure aspect it had worn earlier in the day I fear the storm is approaching rapidly Mr Harris observed presenting a cup of coffee to lucenda thank you she replied see Fred agrees with you there he goes and the Stout black cat danced across the grass hardly touching poor to ground his tail like a bottle brush held at an oblique angle and ran up the trunk of the mulbury tree almost immediately he ran along one of the lower branches sending ripe fruit showering to the ground dived off the end of it then walked sedately over to sniff Mr Harris’s ankles and rub his head lovingly against them Mr Harris bent to scratch him behind his ears but after a few moments he leapt in the air and danced across to the Border where he rolled violently in a patch of Nepeta I suppose the electricity in the air has a galvanic effect on his fur said Mr Harris I know my own hair crackles when I comb it in thundery weather mine even Sparks when I brush it Luc sinder observed one might make a labored joke about that being due to its fiery color Mr Harris’s ironic smile was in evidence but you might think that derogatory to one of your most beautiful features and I’d not wish you to misunderstand me Lucinda was forced to stop and consider this speech but before she had reached the conclusion that it was in fact a compliment M Roland joined them and said apparently quite casually I’ve just remembered where I saw you before Mr Aris I knew your face was familiar to me and where was that the repost sounded a little sharp in Paris he announced with an oddly defiant note in his voice then M Roland I regret to inform you that you’re mistaken Mr Harris replied pleasantly I’ve never been in Paris in the Autumn of two in the plast revolu he insisted but Mr Harris still smiling shook his head coming out of the House of tand M Roland added with a flourish you must have seen someone resembling me Mr Harris sounded quite unruffled I was in Sweden from the summer of o02 to the late spring of’ 03 the Frenchman gave a very gallic shrug as if accepting that he was mistaken but he also caught Lucinda’s eye with a very significant look as if to say I told you so and she was left feeling puzzled and uneasy what were you doing in Sweden she asked more for something to say than as a real inquiry just to cover the awkward pause as Miss Roland sauntered away oh this and that he replied vaguely looking after him with a slight frown tell me if you were walking past a house say in brutin Street and a man you’d never seen before came out of it would you be able to recognize him nearly 5 years later I doubt it Lucinda also looked at M Roland who was now talking to Colonel long but why should he say he saw you and that he remembers you if he doesn’t goodness knows Mr Harris Shrugged the matter aside now when may I hope to go riding with you and the Charming Miss Martin I have two good mares both broken to Sid saddle eating their heads off in my stables and much in need of exercise oh I’d not thought you serious Lucinda exclaimed I shall see Amy Miss Martin tomorrow and perhaps we can arrange it when would be suitable for you is Friday a possibility well I do my sick visiting in the morning but I dare say the afternoon would be if Amy is free that is then I’ll send my groom to inquire on Thursday and if you are both so minded I’ll bring the horses down after luncheon on Friday and you shall show me the countryside perhaps I’ll ask Captain Bridges to join us thank you Lucinda smiled gratefully at him for she had sorely missed riding since her old Pony died he moved a fraction closer to her looking down into her upraised face and their eyes met and held for what seemed to Lucinda an age but was probably no more than a couple of seconds A peculiar shiver ran through her body and she found it difficult to breathe properly Lucinda he barely whispered her name I fear the storm is almost on us Mr Jones exclaimed from close behind Lucinda making her start and swing round do you think it would be politic to go inside wek have a little warning before the heavens open Mr Harris observed lightly and it’s a fraction cooler out here than it is within doors I believe yes Mr Jones squinted at the sky which was now a leaden color growing blacker every minute I suppose the estimable Fred will give us warning of imminent rain he seems content to race about in the open at present Fred was indeed dancing again and at one moment actually chased his own tail which was twice its normal thickness but suddenly with a sharp Yow he fled indoors immediately a gust of wind swept round the garden making the upper branches of the trees lash about raining mbes and slamming one leaf of the Parlor French window with a crash Miss en St uttered a little shriek and clutched her cap as the lapets rose and flapped like wings Mrs Willoughby with an audible and indignant cluck Rose in a dignified fashion and went to go into the house the effect being unfortunately spoiled by her Shaw which rose like a black Banshee and dropped over her head she too uttered a small scream and Colonel long gallantly went to her rescue but received little thanks for he disarranged her elaborate lace cap in the process the wind dropped as suddenly as it had Arisen and a long growl of Thunder reverberated through the heavy air there was an agitation of birds about the church roof which died away again quickly and then a vivid streak of lightning lanced across the sky making Lucinda blink I don’t like this Mr Harris sounded irritable lightning Without Rain is dangerous after so long a dry spell if anything is struck it will burn indeed Mr Jones flinched as another flash of lightning exploded through the Blackness above them I think Rector I should wheel the fire engine out from the porch onto the for court it may be needed the end of his sentence was almost drowned by the crash of thunder and lightning and more thunder came together again and again as Mrs calat and Mrs long both retired hastily into the dining room where Mrs Willoughby was endeavoring to drape her shawl over the mirror above the fireplace come on rain damn you Mr Harris apostrophized the sky there was another flash of lightning so brilliant that Lucinda shut her eyes and turned her head away in a reflex action and on its heels came a violent crack something struck cried Colonel long hastening towards the garden gate as he did so shouting could be heard in the distance and as the other men and Lucinda followed the colonel a nearer voice shouted fire fetch the engine fire chapter 5 is the church locked asked the Rector I don’t know I’ll see Mr Jones was already running through the gate pulling his keys from his pocket as he went come John cried the colonel let’s lend a hand but Mr Harris was already passing him at a run to follow Mr Jones the Rector not far behind and the C went with them Lucinda followed as far as the gate then realized that her mother was probably unaware of what was happening and turned back to tell her she collided with M Roland who was standing as if rooted to the spot ringing his hands nervously I I have a dread of Le he said his English deteriorating in his agitation I am not able there’ll be more than enough people to help Lucinda said her voice half drowned in the rumble of the Thunder please come into the house the ladies will be glad of your presence for I’m sure they’ll all be nervous she took his arm and propelled him into the Parlor partly because it was the nearest way into the house and partly to save him from Miss en’s curious gaze until he had regained his self-control for he was trembling she turned to pull the French doors shut and wrestled with the stiff catch while he stood in the middle of the room apparently unaware that she needed help another flash of lightning illumined a figure which had suddenly appeared outside the window and was trying to pull it open again Lucinda having just succeeded in fastening the catch was obliged to wrench at it again to unfasten it and Mr Harris for it was he impatiently pulled it open and thrust a bundle into her arms coats he said succinctly shant need them put them somewhere there’s a good girl it’s a house in the market we that struck burning merrily and likely to spread all Timber framed I suspect and he was gone his white shirt gleaming in the lightning which was now less Fierce for the storm was rapidly passing over what’s happening Mrs calvat asked sharply coming into the Parlor from the hall with the other ladies behind her where have the gentlemen gone there’s a house on fire in the Market Square Lucinda explained putting the bundle of coats down on a chair chair Mr Harris says it’s burning fiercely and likly to spread H Mrs calv paused to consider suddenly transformed into the capable manager whom the Rector had married ladies turning towards the female guests may I ask your help there may be injured folk and certainly there’ll be some needing shelter will you fetch bandages and salves from the still room miss enston you know where it is with you and Mrs long fetch the large wooden box on the window sill and the jars marked Burns Mrs Willoughby will you come with me to fetch blankets Lucinda run up to the fire and tell your father to send anyone in need of help down here as quickly as possible oh and do you stay there and see to anyone who may be frightened especially the children Comfort them you know and send them down she swept out carrying the other ladies before her yes mam Lucinda went towards the door in her wake then checked and turned back to say Miss Roland would you please hang those coats on the backs of the chairs to save them from creasing Colonel Longs in particular for that Scarlet crumples abominably indeed he pulled himself together and then I shall help Mrs galet yes thank you Lucinda replied absently already making for the front door and and it banged behind her a moment later as soon as she rounded the bulk of the church the whereabouts of the fire became apparent for a column of smoke Shot Through by Sparks and Flames was ascending from the market square and it glowed a vivid red above the dark roofs she ran up the churchyard path and through the arch and Came Upon a luly lit scene of activity it seemed that half the town’s people were there crowded along the east side of the square watching open-mouthed as the tallow Chandler shop on the West Side blazed flames and smoke were pouring through its roof and from the windows on the topmost of its three stories and an ominous glow was lighting those on the first floor the fire engine a long box-like object on Wheels was standing before the burning house and Mr Jones and the Rector hindered rather than helped by Mr Palmer the Chandler were busily uncoiling a hose from one end while Mr Harris and Colonel long worked on the one at the other end a dozen men were standing by the pump handles long poles running lengthwise one on either side of the box which must be thrust down alternately to pump water in through one hose and out through the other the two clergymen had the intake hose and as soon as it was Unwound they ran with the end of it through the carriage Arch between the burning house and its neighbor in order to drop it down the well in the backyard of one or the other as soon as they returned the men fell to pumping as hard as they could and presently an un certain jet of water came from the other hose which Mr Harrison the colonel directed at the burning house is there a good depth of water Mr Harris shouted yes it’s a deep well Mr calvat shouted back Lucinda watched AED by the power of the fire for it could not have been more than 15 minutes since the lightning struck yet already the upper two floors were a solid mass of flame and the single hose seemed to have no effect at all Mr Palmer at last seeing that his attempts to help were more troubled than they were worth was standing with his two servants ringing his hands and looking distraught he was an elderly widower and Lucinda felt very sorry for him and was relieved when his son appeared and gently led him away to his own home nearby the servants following the men at the pumps were swiftly and efficiently relieved by another team as their Pace began to flag and two more men took over the hose Lucinda grasped the opportunity to her mother’s message to the Rector and then her arm was taken by Mr Harris who pulled her away to a safer distance from the fire what are you doing here he asked sounding disapproving mamama sent me to tell my father to send the injured or homeless to the rectory oh look the next house is caught Mr Harris who had been standing with his back to the fire swung round looked and said grimly it’s run along the roof Timbers I expect we need need another pump and hose is that the only one there’s one at the Powder Mill but they’re not allowed to lend it Lucinda replied wood buckets good girl a bucket chain Mr Harris ran across to the crowd of Watchers and shouted all of you run home and fetch buckets make a chain to the nearest well we need more than one hose for a moment most of the crowd stood and gaped at him uncomprehendingly and then light dawned on the more quick-witted and they began to hurry away the word buckets being bandied back and forth until everyone seemed to grasp the idea and they all ran off in various directions Lucinda turned back to the fire and saw that the roof of the second building was a light with tiles exploding from the roof with sharp reports it was the dra shop and after staring for a moment she realized who lived there on the attic floor and looked about wildly for Mr Harris saw he had gone back to the pump ready to take a turn and ran to him John Mr Harris she cried clutching his arm he turned startled don’t come near he exclaimed pulling her back away from the fire the front could fall at any time now that house the second one she was shaking his arm to hold his attention Duke how lives there he’s in bed on the top floor with a broken an ankle he won’t be able to get out Mr Harris looked at her his face Grim then turned towards the house the top floor of which was Blazing very well he said stay here and he ran shouting there’s someone in there as he passed the fire engine the men with the hose had turned the jet toward the second house for the first was clearly Beyond saving and the spray fell on him soaking him briefly before he charged the shop door burst it open and disappeared inside Lucinda horrified clasped her hands over her mouth and thought please God please oh please God over and over again but she was distracted by a sudden Outburst of screaming from a woman who had just come running from the churchyard arch across the square towards the burning buildings it was Mrs how Duke my son my son’s in there oh God help me somebody help she seemed about to rush into the building but Lucinda darted forward and seized her arms holding her back with all her strength Mr Harris is gone in for him she shouted shaking the woman and repeating the words until she understood them it took a few minutes but the reiteration eventually penetrated her understanding and she turned to look at Lucinda then stopped pulling against her and allowed herself to be drawn away to a safe distance where she stood staring towards the open door tears pouring down her face by now people were running back into the square with buckets and Mr Morris of the wyen which was next door to the Drapers pushed and pulled them into a line from the pump in the far corner of the square to as close to the fire as possible and soon a chain of people was passing full buckets along splashing half the water out of them until they got into the proper swing of things and speeding empty buckets back again the effect on the fire was min anim but at least they could feel that they were doing something Lucinda thought absently that she had never seen such a variety of buckets tin leather wood iron canvas some leaking others too big or too heavy to be completely filled it was only the vaguest of Impressions and it was not until after it was all over that she remembered noticing at all at the time her attention like Mrs house was riveted on that gaping doorway where already Flames were flickering among the goods on the shelves and counter to make matters worse the original fire had reached the ground floor of the Tallow Chandlers and his highly flammable stock erupted into a great mass of white hot flame roaring like a furnace the sudden increase of heat sending the Pumpers and the hosen staggering back to escape being scorched suddenly a strangely deformed figure a monstrous Hunchback appeared in the Draper’s doorway and staggered out into the open at once a well well-meaning member of the bucket chain flung the contents of a Full Bucket over the figure and half a dozen men ran to its assistance and it was only then that Lucinda realized that it was Mr Harris carrying maduk how across his shoulders Mrs how ran to her son who was lowered until he could stand shakily on his sound foot supported by two of the men who had been pumping he seemed to be more bewildered than hurt and was shaking his head and trying to answer the chorus of voices asking him how he felt if if he was hurt and how he got out of the attic as he was carried away towards the archway by his friends his mother fussing about him as they went Lucinda changed her prayer to a heartfelt one of thanks closing her eyes as she did so and was surprised when she opened them to find that Mr Harris had arrived beside her and was slapping its smoldering patches on his shirt which now sported several holes with black edges you’re burned she exclaimed well under the circumstances what did you expect he asked as shade tartly in fact I’m only slightly scorched and my shirt is ruined young how had the sense to drag himself down the stairs almost to the bottom but the smoke half choked him and he couldn’t manage it any further he’s all right there was a vivid flash of light and both Lucinda and Mr Harris turned apprehensively towards the fire before they realized that it came from above and a Rumble of Thunder heralded the approach of another storm now this time rain damn you rain he shouted heavenwards the next building appears to be brick or it would be burning by now nevertheless I doubt we can stop the whole of this side of the square going unless it rains the well is pumped dry and the buckets can’t do much Lucinda looked at the fire engine with a feeling of sick horror for she had always assumed that having it in the town would mean less fear of a fire spreading Beyond one building and might even make it possible to put out a fire before it took hold she felt let down by the engine which now stood idle and foror with the men who had been pumping standing about listlessly powerless to stop the other buildings in the row from Catching and burning in their turn a few hopefuls were pulling at the intake hose to bring it out of the apparent heart of the fire perhaps thinking to try to make it reach to another well the Rector and Mr Jones were obviously discussing which well to try for as they were pointing in different directions and looking about as they talked the lightning flashed again but the Thunder which followed it passed unnoticed for at that moment there was a shout of alarm and everyone scattered away from the fire as the whole of the front of the Tallow Chandlers leaned slowly outwards further and further until it crashed in a mass of Sparks and burning Brands across the fire engine and the area around it something hot and fiery flew past Lucinda’s face as Mr Harris flung his arms about her and threw her to the ground coming down himself heavily on top of her and knocking most of the breath out of her body she lay gasping for a few moments desperately sucking air into her lungs seeing pieces of burning wreckage falling all around and felt Mr Harris give a sudden jerk as he said something which he would certainly not normally have uttered in a lady’s presence presently he rolled off Lucinda and said in a more customary fashion I’m sorry about that I hope I didn’t hurt you no she replied uncertainly sitting up and thinking that she would probably have a number of bruises from the sudden violent contact with the granite sets which paved The Market Square thank you oh the exclamation was caused by the feeling of something cold and wet hitting her in the face and she looked up only to receive a dozen or more repetitions of the sensation as the black clouds opened and a deluge of rain descended for once it was received with pleasure the firefighters positively capered with joy for even the slowest witted had realized that without a miracle they could not hope to prevent the fire from spreading along the whole of the west side of the Market Square and perhaps even further and the Miracle had arrived Lucinda sat on the ground cold rain soaking her soot stained best gown icy trickles running down her back and between her breasts and watched laughing with relief as the flam slowly died down and the burning buildings turned to smoldering ruins she was aware that Mr Harris was very close beside her with his arm around her shoulders pressing her against the hard warmth of his body but that seemed Perfectly Natural and right an entirely pleasurable circumstance and she would have been content to sit there for some time as the rain lashed down and the storm flashed and rumbled to and fro above her head fortunately for her Health’s sake Mr har emerged from his state of euphoria fairly rapidly and got up pulling her to her feet my dear girl he exclaimed you’re soaked to the skin come there’s no more to do here for the moment have you any Sal for Burns in your admirable rectory do you think oh you are burned Lucinda cried returning to harsh reality come home quickly and let me find something to ease it she took his hand and ran with him through the pouring rain down the churchyard path his long legs somehow adapting their stride to her shorter Paces which were hampered by the clinging wetness of her long skirts he seemed in excellent condition but he had breath enough to be humming a tune as he ran which seemed an absurd thing to be doing under the circumstances they found a great bustle going on at the rectory for a number of people had been struck by flying wreckage when the building collapsed most of it burning and they had come to the rectory for treatment and excited gossip about the evening’s events most of the Pumpers had blistered hands and one man had tripped over the hose as he tried to run and had a sprained ankle Duke how was there enthroned on a sofa in The Parlor but his mother had abandoned him and was hard at work with Miss enston the other ladies and some of the townsmen bathing salving and bandaging under the surprisingly energetic direction of Mrs Calver Lucinda took Mr Harris to the kitchen which was comparatively quiet as only cook and Danny were there Brewing quantities of tea for the injured and anyone else who seemed in need of refreshment another wooden box containing bandages and a pot of salv was kept on a shelf near the range against cooking accidents and Lucinda instructing Mr Harris to sit down at the table reached up and set it on the table in front of him now she said surveying him where are you hurt the kitchen was not particularly well lit having only a few candles Al light but even so she could see that his shirt was scorched and burnt in a number of places and she hesitated hardly knowing where to start you should go and change your clothes first he said you’re soaked and I’d not wish you to take a chill I’m quite warm and I shall do very well she replied although she had to admit to herself that she was far from comfortable where shall I start I’d best take my shirt off he began but Lucinda took out the scissors from the box and inserted them into the hole over his shoulder and slit the Garment down the back pulling the Tails out of his breaches until she could rip it right away from his body she then cut the sleeves and after he had taken off his cat and collar she soon had the rest of the Garment off him none of the burns was particularly bad but there were more than a dozen saw patches which she gently Anointed with salv occasionally drawing a sharp intake of breath from him but he made no other sound even after cook and Danny had clattered away with their tea trays and there was only Lucinda to hear him his upper right arm had caught the worst burn a patch about 2 in across which was blistered and weeping and that she salved and bandaged with a strip of linen there she said when she had finished that should take the worst off but you must let Dr Roberts look at the one I’ve bandaged for it’s blistered she stood back and looked at the sore places anxiously trying to judge whether she had put sufficient Salve on them and only gradually becoming aware of the lean and muscular torso and the broad shoulders tapering to narrow hips are you admiring your handiwork Mr Harris inquired but not with any apparent innuendo Lucinda however hastily moved behind him and went to wash her hands at the sink to hide her flushed cheeks would you care for a glass of wine or perhaps some Brandy she suggested tidying the pot of salv and the remaining bandages away into their box I’d prefer some tea or ale or even water he replied moving his shoulders gingerly as if to test the soreness of his Burns I’m parched cook and Danny had carried all the tea they had made to the Parlor and dining room leaving not so much as a cup and Dish behind but there was a barrel of small Ale in the pantry kept for the servants so Lucinda Drew off a pint into a puta Tankard which rightly belonged to Mr Gibbs and Mr Harris drank it with relish and was not averse to another when it was offered I think I’d better find you one of Father’s shirts Lucinda said still very much aware of his bare chest yours is quite Beyond repair I’m afraid H you were a little drastic with the scissors he replied is the water in your pump good to drink I’d best not have any more ale or I might behave in an unseemly fashion yes it’s drawn straight from our own well she assured him and would have rinsed and filled his tanker for him but he forestalled her and worked the little pump over the sink himself while she ran upstairs to fetch him a shirt the whole of the ground floor of the house apart from the kitchen seemed to be full of people who were either having their injuries tended or helping or just standing about talking excitedly about the evening’s events there was even a little group of men sitting on the stairs earnestly discussing how they could raise the money for a new fire engine and what improvements they would like to build into it after their experience with the old one Lucinda picked her way through them and found a shirt as she came down the stairs again and they were shifting about to let her through one of them the ocer from the Black Swan looked up at her and said encouragingly Dear Miss galbert you look Fair terrible he was immediately thumped by his friends and informed that that was no way to talk to a lady and asked if he had no sense a jured to choose his words more carefully and thumped again severally for good measure meanwhile Lucinda negotiated the rest of the stairs and hurried back towards the kitchen there was a mirror hanging on the wall above a small table near the kitchen door where someone had put a lighted candle in a stick so she paused for a moment to look at her reflection she hardly recognized herself her hair had slipped halfway down the back of her head and one of her ringlets seemed to be only half the length it should have been when she touched it the ends felt curiously crimped and came away in her fingers in a sort of a and she realized that it must have been burned her face was streak with soot the lace collar at the neck of her gown was crumpled and stained and her best gown she looked down at it and saw that it was filthy and torn and obviously could never be worn again Mr Harris looked up as she re-entered and gave her a cheerful greeting rubbing at his face and head with a kitchen towel for he had obviously been washing he took the shirt gratefully and got it over his head and his arms into the the sleeves With a Little Help from Lucinda and then said have you any idea where my coat might be it seems to have stopped raining and I’d like to go home before I drop in my tracks from exhaustion I expect it’s in the Parlor Lucinda replied thinking that he did now look very tired she went to look for the coat and found that mure Roland had done as she asked and the coats which Mr Harris had brought back seemingly so long ago were hung on the backs of chairs although one or two had still managed to get themselves creased because people had been leaning on them Mr Harris’s however was quite presentable and she managed to recover it and take it to him without being seen by her mother who would probably have thrown a fit of strong hysterics at the sight of her in her present State Mr Harris eased himself into the Garment cautiously commenting that he could wish that his tailor had not made it quite such a perfect fit then he thanked her politely for her help in rather formal terms which she found unexpected after his earlier easy rather unconventional behavior and also oddly disappointing and then he went to the back door where he stood looking out not a cloud in the sky and the night’s so full of stars there’s barely room for a bat to fly between them how will you get home Lucinda asked wondering if she should invite him to stay the night for there was a guest room in the house I left my Carriage at the swan he replied and I sent a fellow round to tell my man to put the horses to while you were fetching the shirt try to get to bed before long M dear you look completely good night Miss Calbert and thank you again good night Mr Harris she replied and stood staring after him long after he had disappeared into the night then Annie came clattering into the kitchen with a loaded tray and exclaimed they’re all going off home now thank goodness Colonel long wishes a word with you if you wouldn’t mind Lucinda put a weary hand to her head and tried to push her hair into some approximation of order as she left the kitchen and went along to the hall which seemed to be full of people saying good night then and thanking the Rector who was standing by the front door Colonel long was by the door of the rector’s study watching for Lucinda and he caught her attention by lifting one hand level with his head she made her way over to him and he drew her into the study and shut the door I’m sorry to bother you Miss Cal he said but it’s quite important and I don’t wish to worry your parents about it for they’ve enough to think of at present you’re a very sensible young lady and I’m sure you’ll help me admirably if you’ll be so kind of course Colonel but what is it Lucinda asked anxiously there was some papers in my coat pocket earlier this evening he said watching her face attentively they were there when I gave my coat to John Harris to bring back with the others but when I collected it from The Parlor the papers were missing you mean they were no longer in your pocket Lucinda said blankly feeling too tired to think clearly perhaps they’d fallen out most likely but I looked about the Parlor as best I could without attracting attention and couldn’t see them you didn’t happen to notice them when Mr Harris gave you the coats I suppose Lucinda thought back to the incident which now seemed so long ago I didn’t really notice anything she said I took the coats from Mr Harris and put them down and I asked M Roland to hang them on the chairs then Mama asked me to go to the market square and I ran off shall we go and search The Parlor they may have fallen out and been kicked under the furniture I think said the colonel if it’s not asking too much that I’d rather you had a look in the morning when there’s no one else about it’s difficult to see by candl light and someone is bound to ask what we’re looking for if we do it now it’s a small packet of papers only four or five sheets folded to about 4 in in either Direction with my name written on the outside yes of course I’ll look what shall I do if I find them keep them safe I’ll call tomorrow at about half 11 to inquire how everyone is after tonight’s doings and perhaps you would give them to me then or tell me if you don’t find them uh I’d rather you didn’t mention this to anyone else I don’t wish people to speculate and gossip about my carelessness I shun say a word to anyone Lucinda assured him but it might be an idea to ask Miss Roland if he saw them if I don’t find them for I left the coats in his charge you see Colonel long hesitated then said no I’d rather not involve anyone else I dare say they just fell out of the pocket at some point thank you very much Miss Calbert and I’ll bid you good night now for I must be keeping you from your bed Lucinda saw him out and exchanged a few words with her father then went yawning up the stairs to her room where she found that Annie had left her two big jugs of hot water so that she could wash the smell of smoke and the soot from herself and her hair for which she was very grateful while she was combing out her damp hair her mother came into the room in night shift and wrappers her carefully arranged quer protected by a lacy night cap and sank down exhaustedly on the edge of the bed what an evening she exclaimed I can hardly believe that it’s not yet midnight where did everyone go in the end Lucinda inquired fingering the ends of the burnt ringlet and wondering what she should do about it apparently Mr Palmer the Chandler went to his son’s house Mrs calber replied through a small yawn and the house are gone to her sister in Gold Street and what became of Miss Roland Lucinda made up her mind and snipped off the frizzled ends of the burnt ringlet with her embroidery scissors which happened to be lying on her Dressing Table he made himself useful for a time and then simply went I confess I was most disappointed in him but your father says he is obviously much affected by thunder and lightning and we must be Mercy on us Lucinda what did you just do to your hair it it was a little burnt when Mr Palmer’s shop fell down Lucinda replied calmly I was just trimming off the ends Mrs calat uttered a cry of horror and groped in the pocket of one of her wrappers for her smelling bottle which she then waved under her nose for a few moments you had no business to go so near she then scolded I wasn’t particularly close Lucinda protested mildly but you see the whole front of the building fell forward and and pieces of burning Timber were thrown across the Market Square and that’s why so many people had Burns poor Mr Harris had his shirt quite ruined so I lent him one of fathers he had several Burns about his arms and shoulders as well she added as something of an afterthought I hear that he went into the fire to rescue maduk how Mrs calvat said pensively that was a very brave thing to do she gave a little sigh I do wish we knew more about him he seems a pleasant man but quite responsive to any uh hinting about his background but I thought that the Longs were acquainted with him Lucinda made a great pretense of having n910 of her attention on her curling Rags was he not at Cambridge with the Colonel’s brother only at the same time Mrs long says that they only met a few times at University functions for they were not members of the same College the colonel seems quite friendly with him and your father called him a capital fellow I do wish he would not use these colloquialisms so unsuitable to a man of the cloth Fred likes him Lucinda pointed out defensively but it was the wrong thing to say one can hardly be guided in one’s choice of Friends by the opinion of a cat her mother’s voice was scornful good night Lucinda and with that she gave her an off kiss and left the room Lucinda called good night mam after her finished curling her hair pinched out her candles and climbed into bed she felt bone weary after the evening’s excitements and expected to fall asleep at once but somehow after a few minutes she was wide awake and not inclined to sleep at all despite gloomy warnings from her mother she slept with her windows open in the warm weather and from her bed she could smell the scent of wet Earth of Dusty wet Earth parched by several weeks of hot dry weather and now soaked by welcome rain mingled with it came the sweet scent of roses from the climber by her window the cloying smell of Honeysuckle and the sound of a little breeze in the Treetops it was all very peaceful and a strange contrast to her experiences earlier in the evening during the fire which she did not wish to think about and in that strange little interlude afterwards when she had sat on the ground in the pouring rain with Mr Harris’s arm around her watching the fire splutter into Extinction in the lued flashes of lightning she supposed that much of the feeling of contentment which she had felt then had been due to the relief of seeing the fire put out before any more damage had been done and without anyone being seriously injured but she had to admit that part of it had been concerned with The Nearness of Mr Harris the hard warmth of his body against her and the clasp of his arm around her shoulders but I’ve known him only a week she whispered aloud could a person actually fall in love with someone in a week in romantic novels perhaps but surely not in real life besides she disliked several things about him the way he sometimes seemed to be laughing at her the hard calculating look in his eyes which she had glimpsed once or twice and his evasiveness when one tried to glean information about his past there had been that odd conversation with M Roland too why had the Frenchman been so sure that he had seen him in Paris and in a specific place which seemed to have some significance so deep that M Roland could remember the incident nearly 5 years later yet Mr Harris had said that he was not in Paris then had never been there but in where was it Sweden what on Earth could he have been doing there for the swedes had not been at all friendly to British people at that time it all seemed very mysterious Lucinda tossed and turned her thoughts becoming more and more confused as she tried to make sense of the few facts she had gleaned about Mr Harris and set them alongside the things she was sure she disliked about him and her undoubtedly strong feeling of physical attraction to him it was as if her mind and body had formed two quite different opinions of the man and she hardly knew what to make of the situation suddenly her tiredness caught up with her and she fell asleep there was no danger of anyone over sleeping in Woodham for Mr Gibbs rang The Apprentice bell every morning except Sundays sharp at 6 This was later than in most towns where the old custom was still kept up but it had been decided at a vestri meeting some years before that five was unnecessarily early he varied the Bell on which he actually rang but never used Gabriel for he was the passing Bell and the seon probably thought it would be depressing for folk to be woken by those deep tones on the morning after the fire he chose Michael the number six so there was certainly no possibility of Lucinda not waking which was as she wished for she had decided to look for Colonel Long’s papers before anyone else entered the Parlor the room was unusually untidy for most of the injured from the fire had been treated here and the furniture was pushed about out of its usual places Lucinda replaced chairs and tables in their proper order as she searched looking under cushions thrusting her hands down between the backs and seats of the two sofas peering behind and under all the pieces which were too heavy to move she found a number of items from odd playing cards to a brooch which her mother had lost quite a year before but not Colonel Long’s papers when she was quite sure they were not in the room she went out into the garden to look there it was another fine sunny day but not as oppressively hot as the past week had been raindrops still glistened on the leaves and the grass was wet where the sunlight had not yet reached it but the sky was Blue the Swifts were flying high above the church and Fred was sunning himself on the stone path near the vegetable patch Lucinda walked slowly to the gate looking about her peering under bushes and clumps of flowers and then surveyed the paved for court in front of the church door she even walked to the corner and looked up the churchyard path and went into the porch to look in the dark corners but no where could she see anything resembling the Colonel’s papers she dismissed them from her thoughts during breakfast at which Mrs Calver did not appear being still asleep and the Rector was absorbed in some calculations which he had made on an odd scrap of paper about the probable cost of a new fire engine we shall have to do a great deal of praying over this he said both the buildings destroyed in the fire were insured thank heaven but I think we must have a public subscription for I’m sure all the goods lost could not have been covered the house belongings in particular oh dear remember Elijah and the Raven’s father Lucinda said encouragingly indeed the recor beamed over his spectacles at her we must trust in the Lord to send us some very large and deep pocketed Ravens and I must be off for Mr Jones and I are to go into London this morning to see the insurance people and bespeak a new fire engine after he had G on Lucinda received a succession of visitors headed by Miss enston who was a Gog to hear about Lucinda’s experiences at the fire then came Mrs Willoughby Mrs Martin and two or three others all to inquire after Mrs calad following her exhausting evening and to offer help in reclothing and re-equipping the folk who had lost their homes fortunately none of them stayed more than the customary 10 minutes for a morning call they were followed by m Roland who came inally by way of the garden gate and the French doors to The Parlor saying apologetically I come for a few seconds only to express my sorrow for my uselessness last night I’m deeply ashamed that my fear of fire and thunder combined to make me so what do you say spineless think nothing of it Miss Roland Lucinda said encouragingly and don’t say another word about it for no one holds it against you of course he said many more words about it but then he too went away again by the way of the garden and just as Lucinda had decided to visit Amy Martin and was shutting the French doors Preparatory to leaving Mr Harris arrived outside them just as he had done the previous night I’ll not stay above a minute for I’ve no doubt you’ve been plagued by long-nosed shrews all morning and I trust you’ll forgive my coming through the garden but I thought it best not to ring the doorbell in case your mother is resting he said hurriedly here’s your father father’s shirt it’s been washed and ironed also my thanks for your ministrations last night I’ve seen Dr Roberts this morning as you instructed and he’s put some more stuff on the burns but not nearly as gently as you did You’re a grand girl Lucinda and with that he thrust the Rector shirt into her hands bent to kiss her lightly on the cheek and was gone before she could say anything for a few moments she stood with one hand touching her cheek where his kiss still burned and the other pressing the shirt to her breast and creasing it quite horridly in the process and then she wandered absent-mindedly into the garden gazing unseeingly at the ground before her feet it was several seconds before she noticed hardly 2 yards from The Parlor doors a small packet of papers lying under a bushy peony chapter 6 it certainly wasn’t there an hour before Lucinda assured col long when she told him about finding the packet you’re sure he asked his normally Placid face looking quite Stern yes I am I searched most carefully here in the Parlor and then along the way Mr Harris must have come with the coats yesterday evening I must have seen the packet had it been there besides it was quite dry so it couldn’t have been there during the rain is it a very serious matter no not at all the Colonel replied as shade too quickly it’s just that it would have been inconvenient to lose the papers I’m most grateful to you Miss Calbert uh you’ve not mentioned it to anyone no of course not you asked me not to Lucinda replied with a trace of indignation excellent pray continue to keep it to yourself not a whisper even to your friend Miss Martin eh very well Lucinda smiled I learn a great many secrets you know for people often talk to me about their problems I suppose they think that the rector’s daughter is also Bound by the Seal of the confessional precisely Colonel long nodded and you feel no ill effects of last night I trust you weren’t struck by any of the burning wreckage the sudden change of subject was occasioned by the sound of Mrs Cal’s voice in the hall addressing a remark to Annie and she then wandered in looking frail and languid and collapsed gracefully onto a sofa good morning Colonel she said faintly what an ordeal I’m quite exhausted and I wonder to see you abroad at all after your prodigious exertions good morning momam the colonel bowed and resumed the seat from which he had risen as she entered all in a night’s work so to speak for the Army you know I was sorry to hear you’re not feeling up to Snuff this morning for you were a tower of strength last night a veritable Tower Mrs long was filled with admiration she says a commissariat general couldn’t have managed matters with more efficiency Mrs Calver acknowledged this complimentary speech with a weak smile raising one languid hand and letting it fall again as if she had not the strength to support it one does what one can she murmured after the colonel had taken his leave however she rallied sufficiently to go into lunch and make a good meal but retired afterwards to her hammock seat wrapped carefully in an array of Shaws and rugs Lucinda set off on her postponed visit to Amy who greeted her in the garden with a fusel ad of questions and exclamations about the events of the previous evening we missed it all she exclaimed papa took us over to horsing to spend the evening with my aunt and uncle and we stayed late because of the storm so it was all over by the time we returned Lucinda gave her a somewhat bold account of the fire and was self-consciously careful not to make much mention of Mr Harris but she could not gloss over his Gallant Rescue of Duke how even if she had wished to do so oh how magnificent I find your Mr Harris most admirable do you not admire him Lucy confess now do you not find him handsome and agreeable and quite nobly heroic I suppose so Lucinda replied prosaically but I could wish he were not so so secretive secretive exclaimed Amy oh come now a little reticent perhaps but only showing a proper modesty would you have him tell everyone his entire life’s history at a first meeting she reflected for a moment then added I believe he teases a little when people are curious I think you are very intrigued by him come now confess he makes me feel Lucinda groped for the word uneasy it was not quite what she meant but Amy appeared to understand for she nodded sagely and said you’d best watch out Lucy or you’ll be in love with him before you know where you are oh nonsense Lucinda protested but she was beginning to suspect that Amy might be right what do you know of being in love it seemed safer to carry the battle to the enemy in this matter I know very well Amy’s eyes wandered past her friend and gazed unseeingly across the garden first one feels ill at ease in his presence self-conscious anxious about his opinion of what one says and does one’s cleverest remarks seem suddenly to sound uncommonly foolish and nothing goes as one had planned then it begins to appear that the Sun shines only when one is near him even if it’s raining and a day like today gesturing towards the cloudless sky is dull and overcast because he is not there one resorts to Childish strategems to see him walking where he is likely to pass manufacturing excuses to speak to him and if all goes well when one is with him and the conversation runs smoothly and his attention doesn’t Wonder to other things and people oh Lucy it’s so wonderful even 10 minutes of such Bliss is something golden something to treasure and gloat over Lucinda watched her friend’s face with anxious attention and then said bluntly if it’s Mr Jones he hardly took his eyes off you in church last Sunday Mr Jones Amy returned to normality with a jerk why whatever makes you think I was talking of myself and and anyone look Lucy how much I’ve collected for the cob Enders today I was out all morning begging and persuading she gestured towards two large covered baskets which were standing in the shade you do mean to go today do you not I was beginning to wonder as you didn’t come this morning I was prevented we had a number of callers and mamama was too tired to come down until noon Lucinda to tell the truth had forgotten that it was Wednesday and her fortnightly visit to cob end was due I’d best set off now or I’ll be late back can you manage both baskets Amy asked dubiously I wish I could come with you but papa is adamant I know I’ll come as far as the beginning of the Salvage Lucinda was relieved that she had Amy’s company for the greater part of the Walk for the baskets were heavy and the field path after crossing the valley Fields Rose steeply to the path which ran below the Bottom Terrace of the Pinnacle Garden it was the same route that she had taken with the cat Charlotte as far as as that and the rest of the way to cend was not much more than half a mile on the level running along the side of The Ridge at the very edge of the forest the two young ladies chattered away about this and that on their way stopping a couple of times to rest for a few minutes for the baskets were Indeed heavy and the day warm neither mentioned the name of Mr Jones and Mr Harris was referred to only in connection with his invitation to ride on Friday which Amy was happy to accept the rest of their conversation might have surprised anyone who thought young ladies had no interest in the Affairs of the world for after reporting on the local news which she had gleaned during her visits about the town that morning Amy said Papa was most upset this morning his newspaper came while we were at breakfast and the news in it was very bad it seems that bonapart met with the Emperor of Russia a few days ago and they’ve signed a treaty oh heavens Lucinda exclaimed is it not amazing as fast as our government finds allies and forms a new Coalition bonapart either defeats or suborns them it’s little more than 18 months since he beat the austrians and forced them to make a treaty with him and last autum he TRS the prussians and now he’s beaten the Russians and turned them to his side it comes to stalemate every time for he can’t beat us at Sea and we can’t beat him on land I expect that now he will be threatening to invade us again Amy observed pensively I suppose that’s why so many soldiers have come to the camp here the number must have doubled in the past few days has it Lucinda was startled I hadn’t realized but surely the Barrack blocks are full they’ve put up tents it’s only in the last 2 days and they came up the navigation in barges you’ve been too busy fighting fires and making Jam to notice I asked Colonel long why so many more men have come but he only tapped the side of his nose and winked now there’s a secretive man if you like quite rightly Lucinda exclaimed of course he shouldn’t tell anyone what’s happening just because they ask why what if a spy happened to be listening her voice tailed off as her mind put together what she had just said with Colonel Long’s lost papers and their mysterious reappearance what nonsense Amy failed to notice anything am Miss if a spy did happen to hear how would he send the news to bonapart I’m sure there’s no Postal Service to France at present Lucinda agreed laughing but there was still a tiny doubt in the back of her mind someone had taken those papers and then put them in the garden to be found the two friends fell silent as they toiled up the last steep field for it was hot in the open the sun blazing down as if August was bent on continuing the fine weather of July at last they reached the place where they must part company and both sat down on the grass for a final rest the baby clothes are for Mrs Smith Amy said ticking items off on her fingers the boots are for Mr gryus they’re old but in good repair and better than the ones he has the knitted blanket is for old Mrs Howell and the Bull’s eyes are for the children of course you must give out the rest as you think fit there’s most of a leg of mutton two fruit pies some tea sugar jam and a bundle of stick beans rhab a couple of shirts and the bread of course after a brief rest Amy went back down the hill and Lucinda picked up the baskets and followed the Salvage northwards wondering as she had often done before about its name for she could never make up her mind whether it was so called because it marked the edge of the forest or whether indeed the name referred to the path or to the band of trees hornbeams mostly which bordered the forest along its length about halfway between the bottom of the pinnacle’s garden and the thick hedge which marked the boundary of the estate the path forked the Lesser Branch turning up the forest to the source of a stream which flowed down the hill on the Pinnacle side of the boundary hedge the main path continued past a great oak or it had done so until last night for Lucinda found that the tree had been struck by lightning in the storm and only part of of its shattered trunk remained to her surprise it was obvious that someone had been at work here for the wreckage had been cleared from the path the Fallen branches were cut and stacked the mess of leaves and twigs gathered into a tidy pile and part of one large Branch had been set against the bank above the path and turned into a seat by adsing the top smooth and driving Stakes below it to hold it in position Mr Harris was sitting on it surveying The View through a small telescope and was so absorbed that he had failed to notice Luc his approach she stopped and looked at him and thought how cool and at ease he looked in a white open necked shirt breaches and Boots good afternoon Mr Harris she said at which he started and almost dropped his telescope but he recovered quickly Rose to his feet B her good afternoon in his usual Pleasant Manner and asked are you on your way to this mysterious cend of yours yes Miss Martin usually comes with me but her father has forbidden her during this hot weather I think he fears she may take an infection Lucinda replied wondering if he would think her forward if she sat down on his new seat for a few minutes for the baskets had become very heavy the Rector has no similar fears for you then Mr Harris inquired he took her baskets from her set them safely down in the shade dusted the seat with his handkerchief and gestured to her to sit as she replied he trusts in the Lord to protect me while I’m about his work then wished she had phrased it differently and less like a prissy method Miss quite right Mr Harris sat beside her stretching out his long booted legs and leaning back against the bank what makes cend a likely source of infection are the people verminous plague ridden or merely dirty they’re short of water all they have is a small stream which they must use for drinking washing and and cooking it comes from a weak spring and dries up after a week without rain last night’s storm will have helped a little but the ground is so dry that it will soon soak away why do they not dig Wells Mr Marshall their landlord will not allow it how ridiculous why not Mr Harris shifted slightly and his arm brushed against Lucinda’s shoulder setting a tingling sensation running through her and she unobtrusively slid a few inches of away from him for they were too close for propriety well really because he wishes to be rid of them you see all the people who live at cob end used to work on the forest house estate but Mr Marshall pulled the house down when he bought the estate but we’ve told you this before yes as I collect he leases the valley land to the war office and shoots over the rest and otherwise lets it go to rack and ruin that’s right the coenders were allowed to go on living in their Cottages because they’ve nowhere else to go but he charges them the full rent and does no repairs so the roofs are falling in and they’re all in a bad State why do they not leave then because they’ve nowhere else to go they’ve no money for there’s no work for them on the forest house estate anymore and if they start to work for someone else Mr Marshall will evict them for the Cottages are tied and then they’d have to go to the PO house as there are no Cottages to let at a rent they could Ford there are so many extra men working at the Powder Mill because of the war that all the Cottages in the district are let at quite High rents they the C Enders that is can’t go away because they’re too poor to hope to get settlement anywhere else the church wardens would simply send them back here and a man can’t up sticks and go away to look for work himself leaving his wife and children on the parish Mr Harris considered this information in silence for a while and LU Cinder deduced that he had been unaware of the drawbacks of the poor law Arrangements which required laboring people to gain a settlement certificate if they wish to move to a different place but to be unable to do so unless they could prove that they would not become a charge on their new Parish she sat looking at the view before her which gave a wide Prospect of the Valley from below the town to above the camp with every detail of both clearly visible how well you can see the Camp from here she observed presently yes Mr Harris showed no great interest I wonder may I look through your telescope Lucinda asked hesitantly by all means he handed her the instrument and watched with an amused Smile as she put it to her eye but of course could not see anything but a blur of light she lowered it looked it over for a moment then tried again pulling it out slowly until the colorful splash of the flag flying over the camp sprang into view so clearly that she could make out the crosses on it she followed the flag pole down and surveyed the rows of wooden Barrack huts and then the ranks of tents Beyond them it appeared that the number of men in the camp must have doubled in the past 2 or 3 days and she was about to comment on this when something made her stop consider and decide not to mention it it was an irrational decision she realized as she made it for Mr Harris had only to glance in that direction to see for himself even without out the telescope and form his own conclusions have you found something of Interest I was just looking across the valley I’ve never had the opportunity to look through a telescope before you appear to be surveying the camp all those colorful uniforms there’s nothing like a red coat to attract the ladies Mr Harris said with a slight Edge to his voice will you oblige me by bending your Gaze on the field next but one below us and telling me what you you see Lucinda had to search about a little to find the field in question for it was easy enough to see it with the naked eye but much harder to locate in the small circle of the telescope yes I see it now she said and then a familiar figure entered her narrow field of vision it was a man in a rusty black coat which had once belonged to her father and a pair of green breaches with a large brown patch across the seat there was a lurcher with him and he was carrying a bundle of Limp furry forms with long ears that hung down almost to the ground and who is the fellow with the rabbits Mr Harris inquired Lucinda lowered the telescope and turned a pale face and imploring eyes on him if you take him before the magistrates she said they will send him to prison for he has no money to pay a fine his wife and five children will either starve or go into the poor house and his neighbors will have no meat at all apart from the odd scraps they’re given out of it are the rabbits so important to you I doubt if he takes much above a dozen a week what’s his trade Mr Harris’s face was inscrutable he’s a handyman a good one who can turn his hand to most things he was a hedger and ditcher before there wouldn’t happen to be a Shepherd or a Cowman at cob end I suppose both Lucinda replied but please what do you mean to do about Mr that man rabbits said Mr Harris to the canopy of leaves above their heads are not game within the meaning of the game laws the most I could charge him with his trespass and then only if he’s done any damage the trouble with rabbits transferring his gaze to Lucinda’s anxious face is that they eat grass which should be consumed by sheep in themselves they form a useful source of food and fur but they require strict control what does Mr W do with the Skins his wife cures them she replied doubtfully not sure whether his reply to her question implied that he did not intend to prosecute the poacher she gave me a fur lining for my cloak last winter why didn’t she sell it to you his voice was sharp well I suppose she wanted to give me something to uh out of gratitude because of all this he nudged the nearest basket with his toe what do you bring them good castoff clothes and Boots food whatever we can collect we Amy Miss Martin and I I see would your Mr W take regular work if he could get it he’d like to but there’s the problem of finding somewhere to live H Mr Harris was silent for a moment then said may I took back his telescope from Lucen and surveyed the landscape through it again there’s a vast amount of activity about the camp he said I don’t recollect seeing those tents before are there more men there than usual I believe so Lucinda replied reluctantly again not sure why for he could see that there were I wonder why it sounded like a question so Lucinda replied I’ve no idea no rumors about the town no confidential murmurs from the Gallant Captain Bridges Captain Bridges she replied a shade tartly is not given to confidential murmurs he has more sense which reminds me Miss Martin would be very happy to ride on Friday if your invitation is still open by all means I’m delighted but continued Lucinda have you asked Captain Bridges yet no I thought it best to ascertain first whether you and Miss Martin would come then if you wouldn’t mind I mean if it’s agreeable to you do you think you might ask Mr Jones instead Mr Jones the curate Mr Harris said blankly if you wish but I thought it appeared to me that there was a certain uh understanding between the captain and Miss Martin oh that doesn’t signify anything Lucinda assured him Captain Bridges is attentive to Amy and Me by turns but not with any serious intent he’s a sensible and very beautiful young man and will marry his family’s choice in due course and no doubt be perfectly happy his connections wouldn’t countenance a mere solicitor’s daughter but Mr Jones the quizzical look on his face invited the sharing of confidences but Lucinda recollecting that the secret was not hers to share merely replied Mr Jones so rarely has a few hours of recreation and both Miss Martin and I are very fond of him are you by Jo Mr Harris sounded the meest trifle miffed and Lucinda wondered if she had offended him by more or less making him exchange Captain Bridges who no doubt came from the same rank of society as himself for Mr Jones who might seem to him a dull companion being only a country curate to make matters worse she had to add a further request the only thing is he doesn’t own a horse but he can ride I suppose in that case another of my horses can take a little exercise they’re all in need of it thank you very much she said hurriedly before he could think of a reason why Mr Jones might not be invited I must be on my way now or I’ll be late home she Rose and went to pick up her baskets but Mr Harris forestalled her and said I’ll walk along with you and carry these I’ve a mind to look at cend and its Dennis if you’ve no objection Lucinda was of course pleased by the idea although she told herself that her pleasure was due to the fact that having seen the plight of the C Enders he would hardly be so hard-hearted as to prosecute Mr warer for trespass and that walking along with him alone on such a fine afternoon in such a lovely setting had nothing to do with it the they said very little apart from observations on the various plants and birds that they saw and neither commented on the hoof marks which were sometimes visible in the softer parts of the path some of them perhaps made by Captain Bridge’s mount on one of his circular rides but most of them too small more Pony sized presently they came to the stream which the path crossed on an old stone bridge and to the style in the thick High quick set hedge on the boundary between Pinnacles and the forest house estate Mr Harris swung himself and the baskets over the style and handed Lucinda across then looking about him observed this is in an even worse State than my land the path is almost overgrown and the forest seems to be full of dead wood Mr Marshall doesn’t allow anyone to go into his part of the forest for fear they’ll disturb his shooting the lack of expression in Lucinda’s voice showed quite well what she thought of that gentleman so the firewood and the blackberries the nuts and the puff balls are all ungathered while the poor cob Enders who could make good use of them do their gathering in my part of the forest Mr Harris finished for her which was not what she had intended to say although it was probably true the path Twisted a little downhill still following the edge of the forest then up again and presently came to some ramshackle cottages on the far side of a deep cut ditch containing a trickle of dubious looking water this is cob end Lucinda said flatly Mr Harris made no reply but stood looking at the Cottages with a frown deep enough to be called a scowl he followed slowly as Lucinda negotiated the narrow plank Bridge across the ditch and set the baskets down on the ground as half a dozen children came out from behind the Tumbl down fence of one of the Cottages where they had obviously been hiding ma’am shouted one of them it’s Miss Calver and a strange gentleman the children clustered around Lucinda replying shy to her greetings and questions about their welfare and shooting suspicious glances at the strange gentleman who stood quietly in the background presently a thin anxious looking woman in an old but carefully darned frock and a Holland apron came out of the first Cottage wiping her hands on a piece of cloth and welcomed Lucinda warmly enough but looked at Mr Harris as if she feared he might bite Lucinda introduced him and told him that this was Mrs warer ah the lady who cures rabbit skins he said much to Mrs Warner’s confusion and the girl’s surprise how did you know that Lucinda demanded I made sure not to mention any names don’t you know what a warer is he replied with some amusement I’ve no doubt it’s been the profession of this lady’s husband’s family for Generations may I speak with your husband Miss warer the woman glanced nervously over her shoulder then from side to side like a frightened animal but made no reply I wish to put a business proposition to him Mr Harris said gently there’ll be no trouble on the contrary what I have to say will be to his Advantage Johnny run and tell your dad the woman said to the largest of the children but she still sounded frightened Mr warer appeared from the cottage after a few moment moments looking sidelong and suspiciously at Mr Harris but wiped his hand on the side of the green breaches and accepted that gentleman’s profer handshake there are too many rabbits on my land Mr Harris said briskly they need to be farmed if you understand me not wiped out but kept within reasonable limits as they were in the past probably by your forbears I understand that you can’t officially be employed by me at present or you’ll lose your cottage so I suggest that for the time being you carry on as you have been doing but take the cunes in somewhat greater numbers as you think fit and sell the Surplus and also the skins of course you know how to go about doing the job I take it Mr warer gazed open-mouthed for a second but he was far from unintelligent and once the first shock had worn off a bfic smile appeared on his face and he said ah you do that mister you’re not going to plow the Warren then no I mean to keep sheep and cows and the only crops will be for fodder turnips Clover and so forth which will do better on the lower land you may have noticed that I’m building over by the road near my Lodge there’ll be decent Cottages there for two cowmen two Shepherds a general handyman and of course a warrener come hedger when they’re finished if you know anyone who would be good at the work and would like to apply I’ll be pleased to interview them I want no shers and no ignoramuses mind you they’ll need to know the work and do it well or they’ll not stay in my employ Mr warer looked at his wife who was staring transfixed at Mr Harris as if he had suddenly turned into a golden angel in front of her eyes I master he exclaimed I know just the men for you and they’ll be that grateful they’ll work themselves to the Bone you’ll see don’t you want to know about about the wages Mr Harris’s smile never far from those thin lips broadened considerably I gather that 10 Shillings a week is the going rate hereabouts and and the rent sir Mrs warer spoke coarsely but had at last found her voice the same as you’re paying here you can find your own firewood and other pickings in my tract of the forest and there’ll be some bags of good seed for the gardens and a piglet to fatten for Christmas every year Mr Harris still spoke briskly as if to finish what he had to say before his hearers died of shock meanwhile as I gather you’re also a hedger and ditcher and the Cottages won’t be ready for a while yet I suggest that you cut a hole in my boundary hedge at the nearest point and put in a gate you can collect the wood from the yard up at the house there’s a good flow of water in the Stream just beyond the Hedge and I don’t suppose you’ll mind carrying it for a few weeks until you move I take it you’re willing to accept my offer Mr warrener’s reply was hardly coherent but the gist of it was clearly enough in the affirmative and the News spread quickly to the other cob Enders who had been lurking in the background wondering what the strange gentleman wanted with Bill warer they were all thrown into such a state of euphoria once the meaning of it had all penetrated that the distribution of Lucinda’s gifts was almost an anticlimax Mr Harris seemed disinclined to bask in his glory but went with Mr warrer to seek a good place to pierce the Hedge and then returned and fidgeted about in the background fending off grateful cob Enders while Lucinda finished giving out food clothing and advice she did not linger afterwards for it really was getting late but said goodbye quickly collected her empty baskets and indicated to him that she was ready to leave it’s very good of you she began as they crossed his gushing stream so different from the dirty Le at cob end but he interrupted with oh pray don’t start it’s all quite as much to my advantage as it is to theirs I don’t offer work out of Charity but only after careful inquiries about the fitness of the prospective employee for the job tell me what is being done about the fire engine I collect that the old one is beyond repair oh quite for it was burnt as well as crushed father and Mr Jones are gone to London to another and how is it to be paid for Lucinda repeated her father’s remark about the Deep pocketed Ravens at which Mr Harris laughed and requested her to tell the Rector he might be put down for 10 ginies but once again he rejected her attempts to thank him and talked resolutely of sheep cows rabbits deer and wild birds while Lucinda strolled along with him basking in the pleasure of his company with a slightly guilty feeling of gratitude to Mr Mar for preventing Amy from coming with her which had resulted in this most enjoyable opportunity to talk to Mr Harris or rather to listen to him for there was little need for her to say anything at all she could not help recollecting Amy’s words and realized that this was one of those golden moments to gloat over which her friend had mentioned and yet there was nothing of himself in his discourse no clue to anything about him except an enthusiasm for Animals domesticated or Wild which by his own admission was quite recent in origin were you brought up in the country she hoped that the question sounded as if it had Arisen naturally from his conversation no most of my childhood was spent abroad or at school and then at University I’ve always looked out from coach windows at the countryside and wished I’ve read a great deal but it’s not the same you’ve never been to France though is it not difficult to go abroad without entering France I didn’t say I had never been to France he replied his ironic smile twisting his lips it was Paris if you recollect there’s a great deal more of a country than its capital city in any case one may travel in a number of different directions about the world without entering France at all you know I suppose so Lucinda replied blankly wondering how anyone could answer in so courteous a fashion and yet be complet completely evasive for she was none the wiser about his foreign travels than she had been an hour ago may I take up a little more of your time to show you how the new Cottages are coming along he asked I’ll send you home in my Carriage of course I I think it would be better not Lucinda said reluctantly to go home in your Carriage I mean Tong’s wag in a small town you know once might Escape remark but not twice in less than a s night thank you for the offer though and I have time to see the cottages and still be home in good time for dinner I should very much like to see them she was agreeably flattered by the invitation there was much activity about the site where the Cottages were being built and the appearance of their employer seemed to stir the builders to a positive frenzy mixing mortar likee menp possessed and almost running with their hods of bricks brickbuilt Cottages are not yet common hereabouts Luc Cinder observed I suppose there’ll be more of them now that bricks are becoming cheaper LA and plaster mostly I suppose Mr Harris said all very well but it don’t last like brick I think this first one stands high enough to give an idea of what I have in mind he ushered Luc sinder into what was in fact the bottom half of a cottage with its walls standing about 5 ft High proper foundations he said and a large kitchen which will have an iron Kitchener built into the fireplace and a brick oven so the women can bake I think it ridiculous that so many of the laboring class have to buy poor quality bread for the lack of a means to bake their own this is the skullery where they’ll be a copper with a firebox below it and a stone sink with a small hand pump there’s adequate water about 15 ft down so each Cottage will have its own well the other two rooms as you see are not large but enough for a couple and three or four children if they feel a need for more rooms they can put in a little attic or build a lean for themselves the garden should be large enough to grow a selection of vegetables and there’ll be a brick pigy at the end of the garden next the privy I think your cob Enders will find it better than their present HS they’ll think it’s Paradise Lucinda exclaimed looking about her in amazement are you really not going to charge more rent than they’re paying now it’s only a shilling a week you know it’ll pay for most of the upkeep I wondered about washing lines perhaps you could advise me for I know little of such things I thought a stout pole in the fence at each side of the garden would be in order but should there be another in the middle I can’t work out how one prevents the weight of the wet washing from causing it to dip in the middle and Trail in the mud across such a width one has a clothes prop Lucinda confided it lifts up the line wherever needed ah exclaimed the enlightened Mr Harris now if you think of anything which I’ve overlooked you will inform me I hope I’m sure you haven’t overlooked anything Lucinda looked about her thinking how lucky the cor Enders were to be after all their misfortunes if I do think of anything I’ll be sure to mention it now if you’ll excuse me Gabriel’s struck 5 just now and I must go if I’m not to be late Mr Harris walked with her as far as the point where her path struck off down the hill and stood looking after her as she half ran down the slope and she turned at the first fieldgate to wave to him which she acknowledged with an uplifted hand before turning homewards Lucinda continued on her way thinking happily how good and kind he was how handsome how pleasant to be with and all the other thoughts which might be expected from a young lady in the first delicious stages of falling in love there was nevertheless still that one Shadow over her happiness the continued evasiveness of the gentleman for she could hardly doubt that he was deliberately avoiding giving any information about his background she was not particularly surprised to encounter mure Roland in the Third Field through which she passed for he was given to taking solitary walks about the countryside neither was she surprised that he was Seated on the log on which she often rested her herself scribbling away in a notebook for his landl had once told her that he spent much of his time writing she had never of course questioned him about it or even mentioned it but she sometimes wondered if he wrote books or perhaps articles for a journal or magazine under an assumed name if he did it would account for his good clothes and apparent sufficiency of income which was obviously more than he could earn by his French lessons she called a greeting as she approached him and he looked up startled then Rose to his feet putting his book away in his pocket he made no mention of what he had been doing but inquired seeing the baskets if she had been visiting the poor unfortunates at cob end yes I have and oh Miss Roland such good news Mr Harris is going to employ them and give them New Brick Cottages to live in they can hardly believe their Good Fortune after the misery they’ve been in for so long indeed he raised his eyebrows but seemed less enthusiastic than she expected so she told him in more detail as they walked along he now carrying the baskets about the offer of access to Mr Harris’s stream and the promise of work and then about the Cottages with all their built inconveniences and he’s even thought about washing lines she concluded comma he inquired looking puzzled oh ropes for the wet clothes I understand well it is all to his advantage of course he puts these people under great obligation to him and then he can make them work very hard then also if the Cottages are so comfortable and convenient they will not wish to leave them for something worse oh he is very clever your Mr Aris he gets the Acclaim and the Gratitude due to a great benefactor and good faithful laborers into the bargain I’m sure he doesn’t think of it in that way at all Lucinda felt quite indignant does he not how can you be sure what do you know of the man to be sure he seems attractive and Rich it is very easy to be kind if one is so rich that a few here or there is of no matter for me I do not trust him I know that I saw him in Paris yet he says he was never there if a man is false in one thing he is likely to become false in all things in my experience his French accent had become much more pronounced in his agitation but are you sure that you saw him Lucinda protested it was what 5 years ago and only for a few moments you could be mistaken never M Roland declared with gallic emphasis I do not forget a face particularly one coming from the house of that that skat it was he I tell you he who calls himself John Aris chapter 7 on her return home Lucinda found that Fred in a fit of misguided kindness had presented a deceased rodent to miss enston and was now being excessively miffed halfway up the walnut tree while the lady was lying on Mrs Cal’s sofa upstairs clutching a smelling bottle and recovering from a fit of strong hysterics the Rector and Mr Jones had returned exhausted from their for into the great metropolis and were Reviving themselves with a glass of cherry or two in the garden discreetly withdrawn to two chairs on the far side of the mulbury tree there Lucinda joined them being too depressed by m Roland’s strictures on Mr Harris to feel up to dealing with Miss enston she could not help however being cheered by the news that Mr calvat had discovered at the insurance company that the church wardens had by some extraordinary piece of foresight ensured the old fire engine against destruction by fire for the cost of replacing it and that the company prudently realizing that another fire in the town in the absence of an engine could be very expensive for them had Advanced the money at once this had emboldened the two clergymen to bespeak a larger and more efficient model trusting that they would be able to raise the extra money before the new engine was delivered the following week Mr Harris says you may put him down for 10 ginies Lucinda said Mr Harris have you seen him today then the Rector asked I encountered him on the way to cob end and father he has offered employment to the people there and the new Cottages he’s building by The Lodge you remember they are for them is it not good news both the Rector and Mr Jones were as pleased as Lucinda and she found comfort in the fact that neither cast any doubts about Mr Harris’s motives there was further good news for her for after dinner when miss enston and Fred had both been mollified and had parted amicably and Mr Jones had gone off to his lonely and not very comfortable lodgings Mr calber produced a parcel a piece for his wife and daughter I had time to call at the Royal exchange to make some purchases he explained and I thought you might both like a little frippery his wife’s gift was a pretty indian Shaw which was rather in the nature of Colston Newcastle as she had at least a dozen already but it was nevertheless welcome for it was a vital article of fashion and a lady could no more manage without yet another Shaw than she could without at least as many bonnets Mrs calvet after a few minor criticisms was pleased to approve it and even said that she would wear it for church on Sunday if she felt well enough to attend with that settled attention turned to Lucinda’s parcel which proved to content Ain a length of green poplin for a new evening gown I noticed that your best gown was quite ruined by the fire her father explained with modest Pride I wasn’t sure about the color but you usually wear green and I like you in it and Mr Jones supported my feeling that it would be becoming to you I do hope it will suit Mr Jones indeed Mrs calvit had she not been a lady might be said to have snorted and pray what does Mr Jones know of such matters he has good eye for color my dear and is of an age to notice what is becoming to a young lady the Rector replied firmly for there was a limit to what he would tolerate from his wife it’s very pretty father and I do like green Lucinda said kissing him thank you very much it was most kind of you to think of it there had of course to be much discussion between mother and daughter on the desire of the new gown but this was settled to their Mutual satisfaction and it was decided that Lucinda should take the length to the dress maker first thing in the morning for undoubtedly either Mr Martin or the Longs would soon be giving a dinner party to return Mr Harris’s Hospitality Lucinda went to bed happy enough that night but woke in the small hours with the feeling that a strange noise had Disturbed her rest she lay still for a few moments listening then heard an odd sound from the garden below her open window she had a good idea what it might be but slipped out of bed and cautiously put her head out of the window to be sure she saw two dark figures below carrying something fairly small and heavy which was carefully placed under the hanging Ivy near the kitchen door the two figures then returned to the garden gate and disappeared into the night with only the faintest sound of hooves on the roadway as if the pony’s feet were muffled as nothing unusual had occurred Lucinda returned to bed without a second thought about the matter but found herself unable to get to sleep again she lay awake for an hour or more piecing together what she knew of Mr Harris and trying to make sense of it but could conclude only that he had given away precious little about himself and the tremulous feeling which ran through her at the very thought of him was quite unjustified but he might well be the blackest of wolves and sheep’s clothing for all she knew it was a very dispiriting conclusion for she could not doubt after being with him for a couple of hours that afternoon that he had a powerfully disturbing effect on her and to judge from Amy’s description of the state of being in love the diagnosis of her own ailment was clear it did not by any means fill her with joy and she shed a few tears over it before she eventually fell asleep the visit to the dress maker took up the greater part of the morning but Lucinda had just just time before luncheon to call on Amy and return the baskets and to tell her all the latest news not least that concerning the cob Enders and also that the riding expedition was arranged for the next afternoon but she did not mention that Mr Jones was to be of the party in case he was unable to accept the invitation she need not have worried however for Mr Harris arrived at the rectory after luncheon on Friday with five horses a groom and Mr Jones whom he had collected on his way Amy was already at the rectory with Lucinda so the party was able to set off almost at once at Mr Harris’s request they went first along the navigation which ran beside the river but pursued a straight course while the river meandered about sometimes a quarter mile from the navigation and sometimes divided from it only by a bank they rode on the track provided for the convenience of barge horses which was wide enough for two to ride a breast Mr Harris rode with Amy Lucinda followed with Mr Jones and the groom ambled along behind chewing a straw and staring morosely between his mount’s ears the leading couple was soon engaged in Lively chatter but Lucinda found Mr Jones unusually heavy going which surprised her for he was usually a good conversationalist he answered quite briefly when necessary but otherwise maintained a gloomy absence of mind looking straight ahead without so much as a glance at the attractions of river and Meadow after a while when they had passed the army camp which was clearly visible from the Riverside at a distance of half a mile across the fields just above the flood plane level a branching Bridal path struck off eastwards and Amy to judge from her gestures seemed inclined to follow it as the others caught up she turned and said shall we go this way it’s a pleasant path and one of my favorites by all means Lucinda replied for it goes up into the forest of eventually and the views are fine the gentlemen were agreeable so they turned away from the river and set off across the fields somehow in the change of Direction places were also changed Mr Jones moved forward to take the lead with Amy and Mr Harris dropped back alongside Lucinda your friend is a witty and intelligent young lady he commented quietly to lucenda but I think she might prefer things as they are now rather than as they were yes she was pleased that he was so perceptive and even more pleased to be riding with him yet suddenly bereft of anything to say this did not seem to worry Mr Harris who looked about him and commented on the beauties of nature the progress of the crops in the fields and whatever else caught his eye their route took them along the northern edge of the camp which was fairly seething with activity but he did not make any remark on that only slowing his horse a little and looking ke keenly about at what was going on I’ve never seen so many men there before Lucinda observed I hope this doesn’t mean that the French may be about to invade after all not unless they’ve learned to fly Mr Harris replied cheerfully there was talk of balloons so there was but the wind tends to blow the wrong way they would probably end up in the German states if they tried that as they went from one field to another it was of course necessary to open and shut Gates Mr Jones did the opening usually by leaning down and using the stock of his crop to unhook the wire or string Loop which held gate to post and the groom dismounted to close and fasten them he was a lugubrious looking fellow who did not seem to enjoy jogging along gently about the countryside at the second field beyond the camp They Came Upon mure Roland perched on top of a gate writing in his notebook he slid to the ground as they approached greeted Mr Jones and Miss Martin in a friendly Manner and opened the gate for them then he said good afternoon Miss galbert and ignored Mr Harris altogether good afternoon Miss Roland Lucinda replied do you not remember Mr Harris yes very well he replied with meaning and bowed coldly at which Mr Harris smiled broadly and said a pleasant afternoon for a walk in French there was no reply but he busied himself in shutting the gate apparently not noticing the groom who uttered an indignant oi if you don’t mind sir Miss Roland said something vaguely apologetic and let the groom through then shut the gate and stood staring after the Riders over the top of it Lucinda turned to wave to him and he raised his Demi bateau in response I’m afraid he’s still convinced that he saw you in Paris Lucinda said apologetically to Mr Harris he has a very deep hatred of the present government of France of course and of the Revolution for it robbed him of everything has he no family no one in England I don’t know about France he’s never mentioned anyone what are his circumstances I have no idea he doesn’t volunteer much about his Affairs and one doesn’t wish to appear prying Lucinda suddenly recollected that Mr Harris was not inclined to volunteer much either and felt her color rise Mr Harris noted this and remarked secretive lot of men about here ain’t there at which Lucinda blushed even more harvesting had started in many of the corn fields and the Riders stopped to watch the work Mr Harris plucked a trail of honeysuckle from the Hedge R twined it into a wreath and presented it to Lucinda saying would you like a trimming for your hat it was a small sorrow with Lucinda that she could not match Amy’s smart riding habit which was dark blue and very dashing with military style frogging and a feminine version of a hassah Busby she had to be content with an old one of her mothers altered to fit in a dull gray which she had endeavored to improve with green braid and a hat with a curly brim and a shallow Crown which she had contrived out of an old clerical hat of her fathers covered with a leftover piece of the gray Fabric and trimmed with a couple of pheasant feathers the suckle looked slightly absurd on it but she wore it nevertheless wondering privately whether Mr Harris had been making fun of her Garb or had meant the gift kindly the ground began to rise beyond the cornfield and the path became more Meandering to lessen the steepness of the climb from time to time the Riders paused to look back down the hill or across the valley drawing Mr Harris’s attention to various things of interest eventually they reached the edge of the forest and here Mr Harris proposed that they might rest and take refreshment his companions were mystified about the latter part of his proposal for they had not noticed the saddle bags on the groom’s Mount but as soon as they had dismounted and tethered the horses the bags were unpacked and an interesting variety of sandwiches cakes and bottles of lemonade were set out on a white cloth spread on the grass it was very pleasant sitting on the grass eating and drinking and looking down on the little world below them in the valley the food was delicious for for the sandwiches contained ham Lobster a peppery relish and cucumber and the cakes were light sponges decorated with sugar icing there was also a basin of little wild strawberries which had been covered with a cloth and wedged upright in the corner of a saddle bag I regret that there’s no cream Mr Harris said as Lucinda spooned the berries into the dishes provided but I could not contrive to keep it fresh and cabbage leaves they must have been out since Dawn to find so many I suggested they should sit down and help me to eat them but young master warrer who seems to be their gaffer insisted that they were all for me and I’d no wish to offend them so we had cakes instead they appreciate what you’re doing for them Lucinda said Mr Jones was anxious to hear what Mr Harris was planning to do both with the cob Enders and with his land and both gentlemen were soon deep in conversation so presently Amy and Lucinda wandered away a little and stood looking down on the town whatever is that Amy asked pointing look on the navigation do you see why it looks for all the world like a giant sea serpent Lucinda who was a trifle long-sighted could make out what it was rather better than Amy and replied it’s a string of barges but I’ve never seen so many on the river there must be a hundred whatever can they be doing they’re going to the Powder Mill Amy exclaimed the leaders have turned into the mil cut and the mill grounds look like an ant Heap I do wish we could see better Lucinda on a sudden impulse turned and called Mr Harris do you happen to have your telescope with you the gentleman looked up in Surprise and came to see what was attracting the lady’s attention Mr Harris pulling his little telescope from from his pocket as he came he gave it to Lucinda who extended it and focused in a business-like manner while Amy pointed out the activity at the Mill and the procession of barges on the navigation oh exclaimed Lucinda as the area within the circle of the telescope suddenly sprang to life it’s the Rockets Mr Harris suddenly took the telescope from her as she turned her head away from it to tell the others what she had seen and put it to his eye yes indeed things are moving and he added almost under his breath so that only Lucinda heard they’ll be in time after all in time for what she asked but Mr Jones in a puzzled tone inquired Rockets what Rockets do they make fireworks at the powder mill then I thought it was all powder for Cannon Lucinda hesitated not sure to what extent the development of Colonel congres invention was supposed to be a secret but Mr Harris replied did you never hear of the problems the Army in India had in 99 when tipu Sultan used explosive Rockets against them at sering up aam the son of the controller of wch Arsenal has invented an improved variety for our artillerymen which was used to good effect against the French camps at bulong last year Rockets though Mr Jones seemed even more puzzled little cylinders of pasteboard with the pinch of powder in each and a long stick what use are they in war except perhaps for signaling imagine one this size Mr Harris held out his hands before him made of metal packed with gunpowder and weighing 40 or even 60 lb with a 6t stick not exactly a firework eh Mr Jones seemed to find the idea difficult to grasp and Amy said I don’t know what use they’d be except to make a very loud bang Mr Harris looked at her with a somewhat Bleak expression but did not Enlighten her about the damage that such a missile could do to a close formation of infantry soldiers and then he turned to Lucinda whose face told him that she had more imagination than her friend I don’t think we should talk about them too much she said hesitantly none of the men who work at the Mill ever mentions them and neither does Colonel long or Captain Bridges you think both bonapart ears are long enough to hear us Mr Harris inquired giving her a sharper look than the jocular words warranted I suppose he has spies she replied it was not an idea that she had ever put into words before even to herself but she had always been reluctant to speak to anyone about the odd scraps of information which came her way about the doings at the Mill or the camp as she spoke she looked at Mr Harris straight in the face his eyes met hers and held them for one long look and then he turned away gazing down towards the town and said I stand corrected shall we resume our ride I I didn’t mean Lucinda began no of course not he replied agreeably nevertheless it looks to me as if there’s a ride of some sort running among the trees continuing our bridal path Lucinda looked in the direction he indicated yes at least they used to be but we’re on Mr Marshall’s land so it may be rather overgrown shall we try it Mr Harris put his hand under her elbow and guided her back towards the horses following Amy and Mr Jones who were walking along with their heads a little closer together than was altogether proper speaking of Mr Marshall I’m engaged to visit him tomorrow to discuss the cob Enders is he going to evict them Lucinda stopped in her tracks at the awful thought and Mr Harris caught unawares swung towards her so that he knocked her off balance and caught her in his arms to prevent her from falling over Lucinda shivered at the sudden close contact with him and her body instinctively stiffened so that sensing it he looked at her in Surprise and exclaimed I’m very sorry I wasn’t expecting you to stop so suddenly have I alarmed you no at least only about the cob Enders Lucinda assured him quickly beginning to walk gone if he Eves them now where are they to go your Cottages won’t be ready for weeks yet their situation is unchanged he replied falling into step beside her I mean to talk to him about my plans and if the atmosphere seems favorable ask him to let them stay at cend yet work for me until the Cottages are finished he may well agree if he realizes that he’ll be rid of them all the sooner by obliging me if he refuses I shall not employ them until the Cottages are ready and he’ll have no grounds for evicting them I’ll be very careful have no fear you’re very kind Lucinda said gratefully for the fate of the poor folk at cob end had been of great concern to her for a long time it’s all to my eventual Advantage I’ve talked with all the men now and found them most satisfactory they know their work and they’re obviously only too anxious to resume their old occupation besides the children bring me rare Treasures the Woodland ride proved to be passible although overgrown to some extent by bushes and saplings and it was cool and pleasant among the trees and very peaceful for there was no sound except the Sleepy chirping of a few Birds torpid in the afternoon heat the faint Stir of the leaves and the occasional crack or rustle which add to the mystery of a forest it was past 6 when Lucinda reached home and her parents were already at dinner Mr Harris called in for a few minutes to apologize for bringing her back so late and stayed to take a glass of Claret with the Rector but politely declined the offer of a place at table saying that he was expected at home when he had gone and Lucinda had eaten her meat Mrs calvat rang from the pudding having delayed it serving until her daughter caught up and said I do think you might give a little more thought before you go gallivanting off for hours at a time I particularly wish you to visit Mrs long this afternoon I’m sorry mamama but you made no mention of it at luncheon and you knew that Amy and I were going riding I didn’t know about Mrs long at luncheon Mrs Calver said aily the news reached me at 4: when Colonel long called to tell me that his wife was unwell I’m sorry to hear it Lucinda said sincerely did he tell you what is the matter he did Mrs calber gave the Rector a hard look and he after a moment of puzzlement said I’ll just uh Rose and went out into the garden where he wandered about aimlessly it appears Mrs calber whispered portentously leaning closer to her daughter that Mrs long is in expectation again and is always given to bouts of not feeling quite the thing in the early weeks she has a great desire for mures you understand me yes Lucinda replied with a commendably straight face I’ll take her a dish of them first thing in the morning shall I call Father for Here Comes Annie with the pudding Mr Calver on his return was curious to know where the young ladies had taken Mr Harris on their expedition and it took Lucinda some time to tell him all they had seen omitting any mention of the activity at the Powder Mill but she found time before Sunset to go into the church to see if a clean alter cloth would be needed for Sunday it was very quiet and dark in the great building for the Norman windows were small and the walls very thick and the fact that the church had a western Tower meant that there was no Great West window to light that end of the Nave only a small one at the end of the South aisle through which a blaze of golden light illuminated a small area leaving the rest of the Interior all the more shadowy in contrast consequently it was not until Lucinda reached the chancel that she realized that anyone else was in the church Mr Jones was sitting in his usual place not praying or reading but immobile staring straight before him Mr Jones Lucinda said tentatively are you not well he roused himself with a start and stood up turning a mournful face towards her in the dim light quite well thank you Miss Calver I was thinking is something troubling you she asked have you had bad news no nothing of that sort she had never before heard him sound so sad but you seemed so happy this afternoon was was Miss Martin unkind to you it was not quite the word she wanted for she could not imagine Amy ever being deliberately unkind to anyone not in the least he replied quickly and then realizing what her question implied sank down in his seat again and said wretchedly are my feelings so obvious am I the laughing stock of the whole Parish Lucinda sat down at the end of the bench and said soothingly of course not I doubt if anyone else has noticed anything at all what is the matter I thought you were both getting along famously during our ride we were he sighed but it came over me while I was savoring the memory of it how kind she is and how hopeless my my case I’m not good enough for her not good enough Lucinda exclaimed then realizing where she was moderated her voice and went on whatever do you mean just that she’s so beautiful kind good so accomplished everyone admires her and her family will quite properly wish her to make a good marriage how can I a humble curate aspire to oh it’s hopeless Lucinda thought for a moment and then inquired with apparent inconsequence what made you take holy orders I was called he replied simply you’re sure it wasn’t just something that you’d always wanted no far from it I fought against it for years for my ambitions were far more worldly but the Lord wanted me for his service and I had eventually to surrender I’ve not regretted it of course but surely Lucinda carefully kept her voice free of the Triumph she felt that he had allowed her to maneuver him into exactly the answer she required if God thinks you are good enough for his service it’s quite illogical to claim that you are not good enough for Amy Martin you don’t really believe that her requirements are higher than his do you Mr Jones opened his mouth but was unable to find an answer so he shut it again thought for a few moments and then said but she was only being kind and her father would wish someone better I mean Amy was not being kind Lucinda assured him she’s not such a fool as to encourage a gentleman out of a mistaken sense of compassion I’ll admit that Mr Martin would wish her to marry a man of reasonable Fortune but he would certainly consider her happiness more important than wealth oh money’s no problem Mr Jones said quite Bly suddenly appearing much more cheerful I a private income and I come into another 2,000 a year when I marry from a trust fund do you think she uh yes she replied positively why don’t you go and ask her dare I shall I yes I shall Mr Jones progressed from doubt to confidence in seven words and sprang to his feet at least I’ll seek an interview with Mr Martin now immediately thank you Miss Lucinda good night and with that he stroe down the Nave in a Resolute fashion then stopped by the last Pew to turn to face the Altar and kneel in prayer for a few seconds he rose and went out opening the door on a sunset glow which turned him briefly to a silhouette against the outer door of the porch and then the door closed and the church was left darker than ever Lucinda wishing him well prayed for a while for him and for Amy but then her thoughts and prayers turned to herself and Mr Harris she no longer had any doubts about her feelings for him and even just thinking about him gave her a curious melting feeling inside but it was now becoming important to her to form some idea of his feelings for her if any and on that she could form no opinion at all certainly he seemed to enjoy her company but she was well aware that she was reasonably attractive in appearance a good listener and a not unintelligent conversation list and a great many other people could equally be said to enjoy her company and welcome her presence without in the least being in the state of heart and mind towards her which she could wish for in Mr Harris she had to admit that she could not by any stretch of imagination claim to have detected any signs in his manner towards her to indicate that her wishes were likely to be granted if only he would not so reserved he was affable and pleasant on the surface and not in the least hay or distant yet any attempt to penetrate beneath that surface made no progress at all it was not precisely like coming against a brick wall but she was reminded of the old school room story about Richard kuron when Richard laughed at the frail likeness of saladin’s Saron sword set against the heavy solid iron of his own until Saladin challenged him to cut a cushion with it she could understand how Richard must have felt as the cushion gently absorbed his blade yet remained unpenetrated Mr Harris was like that cushion but where could she find the sharp Scimitar but what would she find inside if she ever did pierce his armor why was he so reluctant to talk about his past why was Miss Roland so certain that he was lying about never having been in Paris surely if Mr Harris was the man he had seen there could be no harm in admitting it there were any number of good reasons why a foreigner in France might call at the house of the French foreign minister so why deny it possibly mure Roland was mistaken yet it was true that he had an excellent memory for anything or anyone he had seen he had once described Louis the 16th and Mary anet to Amy and herself in a way that brought their appearance so clearly to mind that the two young ladies had only to close their eyes to visualize is the unfortunate king and queen she could not really believe that he would be so positive if he had any doubt at all neither could she imagine that he would lie about such an unimportant matter she had always found him a scrupulous Man Who Would Not likly impune another’s character yet he had openly called Mr Harris a liar she could think of no reason at all why he should do that unless he was certain admittedly she liked the Frenchman so would not wish to think ill of him it was very sad that he had been forced to leave his country by the revolution fleeing in fear of his life losing everything family home fortune and to spend so many long years in Exile without even the comfort of someone else to speak to in his own language for the only French speakers in woodam were his own pupils and their efforts could not be much Solace for him then she recalled that Mr Harris had spoken to him in French well there was nothing so very odd about that for a much-traveled gentleman was likely to speak good french surely why at one time everyone with any pretense to being in the higher ranks of society spoke and wrote in French as a matter of course it was only the war the interminable War which had put an end to that then another puzzle occurred to her brought to mind by the thought of the war how did Mr Harris know so much about Colonel congres Rockets the colonel had once spoken about at a dinner party which she had attended but not in the kind of detail about size and weight which Mr Harris had mentioned the men who worked at the Mill never mentioned them and she doubted if most people in the town even knew of their existence the more she thought the more puzzled and confused she became and even praying did little to restore her peace of mind for how could she be content when her whole heart longed for a man so enigmatic every aspect of him seemed filled with unanswer able questions which she could not resolve by asking him directly but courtesy demanded that she phrase them in general terms and he would certainly evade them as he had always done so far by no means could she ask the most important question of all for How could a lady ask a man if he loved her almost absentmindedly she went into the sanctuary to look at the alter cloth and found that it was now too dark to make out more than the vague whiteness of it she ran her hands over over its surface feeling for drips of congealed candle grease for the Rector was sufficiently high to have candles on the altar she could detect none but decided that she had better change the cloth in any case and went to fetch a clean one from the vestri by the time she left the church with the soiled cloth folded over her arm and locked the door behind her the sunset had faded to a band of greenish Afterglow Across the Western Horizon and the area outside the church and down West Street was deserted save for a sof figure leaning on the rail of the foot Bridge looking down into the stream it was M Roland recognizable by his Demi batau hat and the general set of him he did not look up or show any signs of awareness that there was another Soul about in the town so Lucinda assumed that he was deep in thought and did not disturb him she paused for a moment to look about her at the Swifts still wheeling and crying around the church the silent bats skimming the stream at the Ford and the pale candle light in the windows above the shops in West Street and then she went through the gate into the rectory Garden where Fred was leaping about in pursuit of the moths amid the night cented stocks in the Border he left this interesting occupation to come and roll about on the path before her feet and she knelt beside him to rub his stomach which he enjoyed oh Fred she whispered you like him too don’t you if only why must I love such a difficult man if if only I could have fallen in love with M Roland how much simpler everything would be what am I to do but Fred only purred and buttered his head against her which was no help at all chapter 8 the Rector had contrived in the course of his visit to the Metropolis to obtain a new pair of spectacles which considerably improved his vision but even with them on his nose he failed to notice at breakfast the next morning that his daughter did not appear to have slept well because he was too deeply immersed in a letter which had come for him from London he Tut tutted and dear deared over it from time to time but said nothing to any one of its contents which was unusual as he was given to confiding in Lucinda to a degree which under other circumstances he might have confided in his wife Lucinda was well aware that there was only one way to gather ripe mulberries if one did not wish to acquire in the process a pair of hands reminiscent of Lady McBeth so after breakfast she begged an old copy of the morning post from her father this took a little time as he had to consider which of his collection might be spared and then glance through the selected Edition to make sure that it did not contain the report on the Battle of Trafalga or any other item of particular interest but eventually he parted with most of one copy dating from 1791 which he thought he could manage without disembowelling it as she went Lucinda repaired to the garden and spread the separated sheets on the grass under a fruit Laden Branch then fetch the clothes prop by then of course Fred had searched under the paper to see if any rodents or Beatles had taken Refuge there and she had to rearrange them before catching the end of the branch in the cleft of the prop and shaking it vigorously a goodly rain of berries plopped down on the paper and could then be tipped into a basin without Lucinda’s fingers coming into contact with them at all Fred consumed a few spare ones which had missed the papers then strolled off to dig himself a few radishes in the vegetable plot Lucinda tied a cloth over the Basin called in on her mother who was not yet downstairs put on her Shady chip hat debated over a Shaw and decided to take it despite the continuing warm weather as there were several clouds about and set out to call on Mrs long the colonel had rented a small house at the far end of West Street near the imposing Gates of the Powder Mill which were guarded by some of the soldiers from the camp it was a neat little house reminding Luc cindra of the select doll’s residence which Amy had owned as a child with a white front door under a fan light a brass knocker two windows on either side of the door five above only the middle one was bricked up to avoid the window taxs and three dormers on the roof it even had a small Walled Garden at the back and a branch of the stream which powered the Powder Mill ran alongside it the maid who answered the door looked disconcerted at the sight of Luc Linda and said in nervous tones that she was not sure if Mrs long was downstairs yet but she would go and ask if she was at home yes very well tell her please that it’s only to ask how she does Lucinda replied wondering why the girl seemed so ill at ease I’ll wait in here the maid darted forward ineffectually but Lucinda had already passed her and opened the door of the Parlor and stepped in before she could stop her and the girl then hovered anxiously in the doorway saying oh dear oh my oh dear that’s all right said the room’s occupant to her in what was meant to be a reassuring tone but his abrupt manner of speech frightened her even more and she ran off leaving the door open the gentleman stepped across from the window where he had been standing to close the door then surveyed Lucinda’s Charming appearance appreciatively and said good morning Miss Calbert how pleasant to meet you again why Sir Arthur Lucinda exclaimed I thought you were in Ireland she smiled up at him for he was half a foot taller than she and seemed taller still for his slim Scarlet clad figure was stiffly upright he had a very beaky nose High arched brows and a direct non-nonsense manner his normally hay expression had softened at the sight of her for the iron exterior which he habitually showed to friend and enemy alike covered a soft spot for a pretty female we Wellsley seldom stay in one vce for long he replied officially I am in Ireland but I have a little diversion of foot for the next few weeks you’ll not tell anyone I’m playing truant I trust Lucinda met his searching gaze and understood very well what he meant but she replied in the same vein I’ll not breathe a word to a soul I’d not wish to get you in trouble I hoped when I saw you here and in uniform that you might have returned to your old post at Hastings for I’m sure we’re far safer from any fear of a French invasion with you commanding the defenses Sir Arthur Welsley said modestly not much fear of that since Trafalga bony can’t cross the channel without a fleet to protect him and he’s short of ships I don’t think you need anticipate a plague of frogs in woodam unless he finds more Men of War from somewhere I wondered Lucinda confided for there are so many more men in the camp and the Powder Mill is so busy much talk is there the general inquired no very little the Harvest is keeping the laboring people too busy to gossip and the mill men don’t talk about their work it’s only the idle Gentry who speak of it and then after the price of hay and the prospects for the shooting season and the latest fashions there was a timid scratching at the door and the poor maid called through it Miss oh miss the miss say will you come up if you please coming thank you Lucinda called back then gave Sir Arthur her hand and said smilingly I’m so glad not to have seen you again and I wish you every success in your diversion I shall pray for you thank you ma’am Sir Arthur kissed her hand gallantly and held open the door for her giving her a last conspiratorial wink as she went out then closed it again behind her Mrs long was as the maid said up but not down which cryptic statement LED Lucinda to go upstairs to the lady’s bedroom where she found her looking ped and very tired sitting in a comfortable chair by the open window how kind of you to come she said will you excuse me from rising I feel so dizzy when I stand up should you not call the doctor Lucinda asked for she thought Mrs long looked really ill it’s always like this she replied with a one smile only for a few weeks thank goodness I’ve had five my dear so I know how it will progress I brought the mures Lucinda put the cloth covered Basin on The Dressing Table will you be able to eat them the flavor is quite strong the nausea will pass off soon Mrs long visibly brightened at the sight of the Basin of fruit I shall have them for my luncheon I have such a liking for them and it becomes a positive craving at this time when I was carrying Dear Henry he’s my third you know it was in Winter and I had to be content with raspberry jam which is not entirely dissimilar but neither is it the same unfortunately however I made do but I was eating it with a spoon a whole gallipot at a time the colonel thought me run mad she prattled on mostly about her four sons and one daughter who were all still in the school room for quite 3/4 of an hour growing visibly better every moment and by the time Lucinda left her she was quite herself again and thanked her caller very prettily for her time and for the mures and gave her a piece of lace which she had acquired in Malta when the colonel was stationed there as Lucinda went downstairs she encountered the colonel who was hovering in the hall I uh um he began looking embarrassed Miss Mrs long seems quite well now Lucinda said smilingly knowing very well that he was not waiting to speak to her about his wife’s health I believe my mother knows a good toin for the morning sickness which may help so I’ll let her have the receipt yes thank you the colonel brushed these trivialities aside about your uh encounter he seemed at a loss how to go on so Lucinda took pity on him and said encounter colonel I encountered no one I called to see Mrs long and have been with her this past hour quite so said the colonel looking relieved just the thing thank you Miss calber most kind of you I’m sure my poor dear wife appreciated your visit and he beamed upon Lucinda as he showed her to the door himself and stood watching her walk away up the street a few Paces from the Long’s front door she saw Mr Jones coming towards her and it was immediately apparent that he was walking on air for his steps had a joyful elasticity and his normally serious thoughtful face was split by a broad grin Miss Lucinda he exclaimed fairly rushing to meet her and seizing both her hands I’m the happiest man in the world and all thanks to you had you not spoken I might still be sunk in despair or even enlisted in the Navy congratulations Lucinda cried cried her face a light with pleasure did you really go at once to Mr Martin what did he say he seemed a little surprised at first but I simply blurted out I shall have 2,000 a year when I marry on top of the 1,000 I already enjoy as well as my stipend and I wish to marry your daughter he said well done and shook my hand then called dearest amarillis and what did Amy say Lucinda prompted for he seemed to have fallen into a delightful stuper in contemplation of the magical syllables Mr Martin said to her here is Mr Jones Come to ask you to marry him what do you say to that then and she said yes who would have believed it could all be so simple and he danced a little jig of excitement Mr Jones Miss enston is staring at you most disapprovingly Lucinda whispered sharply pray behave yourself you’d best go and tell her the news before she tells everyone you’ve run mad or gone over to Rome as if I do that Mr Jones exclaimed bullant why they’d not let me marry darling darling amarillis is it not a beautiful name Miss Lucinda amarillis sheer poetry yes yes raising his hands to fend off further reproaches I go I go at once Miss enston a word if you please then he was off across the street towards the surprised and disapproving figure on the other side Lucinda walked on feeling a Bittersweet pleasure in the curate’s joy and looked back to see him talking earnestly to miss enston whose face was now wreathed in Smiles the next moment Lucinda collided with M Roland who had just stepped out of the post office with an open newspaper held before his face there were of course F apologies on both sides and then he said you were abroad early this morning Miss galet I trust there is nothing amise no nothing at all she replied wishing her words were true but knowing that he could not be referring to her private problems I thought perhaps you are from the direction of the Powder Mill oh you’d have heard if there was any trouble there Lucinda assured him it usually makes a very loud bang but there was so much activity there yesterday and again this morning he was apparently unamused by her small joke I was busing yesterday after I met you and found the river covered with what do you call them large shallow bolts barges Lucinda supplied I expect they were moving a stock of powder or perhaps bringing in materials I’ve just been to call on Mrs long for she’s not feeling quite the thing at present poor lady she must have many anxieties anxieties she wondered what he meant with her husband a soldier war is very OD on solders wives and mothers Miss galet true but our army isn’t actually fighting anyone at present is it Lucinda pointed out we can’t fight your horrid bonapart when we can’t get at him can we she hoped that she was not sounding too ingenuous for the last remark in her own ear seemed quite imbecile but the Frenchman smiled tolerantly and replied he is not my ID bonapart I Dison him I hope you enjoyed your riding yesterday it is long since I saw you on Horseback yes I’ve not been able to ride since poor old pickle died it was very kind of Mr Harris to lend his horses we had a most enjoyable afternoon it must be pleasant to be rich and able to give pleasure to beautiful young lady he said with Melancholy gallantry ah if only things could be as they once were for me I too could offer you horses and all the riches of in his dark eyes turned on her in a Sentimental manner which she found quite disturbing oh heavens she thought it’s bad enough that a glance from Mr Harris turns me to a jelly but I cannot cope with feeling peculiar if M Roland looks at me as well and why do I find myself speaking to him like a nin Hammer have you heard the good news about Mr Jones she asked hastily he is engaged to be married so even the poor curate has found his lady Miss Roland looked more Melancholy and lonely than ever I wish him joy for it must be a great happiness to win the lady of your choice he sighed deeply miss Martin I suppose he added on a more downto Earth note yes I must go and see her before luncheon Lucinda glanced up at the church clock which already showed past 11 I’ll walk with you as far as the church if I may he fell into step beside her and they walked up West Street towards the stream a curious Arrangement he commented gesturing towards the Ford with his folded newspaper I wonder that no one has thought to build a proper bridge for it’s hardly convenient to have the town cut in too like this I expect someone will one day Lucinda replied as long as the foot bridge is kept in good repair we manage well enough and the Ford is hardly ever too deep for an easy Crossing did you say you were going to the church yes it’s peaceful there and your father is kind enough to allow me to go in despite our differences of Faith yes it’s a very pleasant building Lucinda answered absently in Words which she would never normally have applied to the church but her attention had been distracted by the sound of tramping feet behind them she turned to watch as a long column of soldiers marched past Brave in their Red Coats muskets at the slope and buttons gleaming she wondered how they would reduced their forab breast formation to cross the narrow foot bridge but they simply marched through the Ford as if there was no water there I see what you mean about the bridge she said to Miss Roland but he was watching the soldiers and did not hear her so many men he said where can they be going I expect they’re just Marching for practice she replied but the column was followed by a line of baggage wagons so she knew that this was something more than a route March did Colonel long not say that some of his men were leaving I hope they have found some way of getting at bonapart or if only that man could be defeated if only mapo of B France could be set free ah Miss calat I shall go as your good father so kindly allows into your fine church to pray for my country yes by all means she said sounding so innan in her own estimation that she marveled that the Frenchmen could have such a devastating effect on her conversational Powers they picked their way over the foot bridge and she left him at the church door then hastened up The churchyard Path anxious to hear Amy’s report on Mr Jones and his proposal the mark Market Square was like a beehive about to swarm for the market was in full swing and men were working on the ruins of the two burned shops clearing away the wreckage ready to start rebuilding Lucinda paused to buy some spools of thread and a paper of pins from the hab aasher some plump blush cheeked apricots and a melon from the fruiter and to exchange greetings with various acquaintances working her way steadily through the crowd towards the Martin’s house where the footman informed her that Miss Martin was above stairs in her room and expecting her Lucinda surprised to hear that Amy was not yet down hastened to her bedroom thinking she might be ill but found her friend kneeling on the floor amid a scattering of gowns frocks gloves slippers and stockings reviewing her wardrobe she got up quickly as Amy entered and ran to embrace her laughing and flushed about the cheeks have you heard she said it’s quite incredible and I have you to thank for it Mr Jones told me just now Lucinda was all smiles at her friend’s happiness he was bouncing along West Street 4 feet above the pavement and grinning like a crocodile I’m so happy for you Amy the two young ladies sat down on the bed and Amy gave Lucinda a detailed account of the previous evening’s events from the knock at the front door the footman’s entry into the Parlor to request Mr Martin to spare a few minutes to talk to Mr Jones then the puzzled wait wondering what Mr Jones might have come about hoping and despairing by turns I nearly died Lucy she exclaimed I had a feeling that it was not just Parish business but at the same time I didn’t really believe that he could have come about that and yet all the afternoon he’d been looking at me in such a way and looking away again and sighing mamama would keep talking about the dinner party she’s planning and there was I straining my ears to hear the slightest sound from Papa’s study and then at last hours afterwards it must have been quite 10 minutes at last in they came and Papa said Mr Jones wished to marry me and what did I think so I said yes and Mama had the vapors just a little at the shock but more because I hadn’t made any maidenly hesitations she kept saying that she couldn’t think how a daughter of hers could be so bold and Brazen and Mr Jones just held my hand and looked at me and said never a word well he didn’t need to of course for it was all in his eyes then at last he got back his senses and told me it was all you’re doing for he was quite in Despair and had just decided to resign and join the Navy when you said just the right thing to him so he came at once to ask oh Lucy I’m so happy and even mamar is pleased for it turns out that he’s not a poor clergyman at all but we should be quite comfortably settled isn’t it amazing and there was more hugging and kissing and laughing with the the excitement of it all Lucinda was late for luncheon again but her mother was mollified by the good news she brought and forgot to complain about the lateness although once the first exclamations and expressions of pleasure had been uttered and the obvious questions asked she spoke plaintively about the difficulties of marrying off a daughter who made all her efforts on behalf of others and not of herself I’d no idea that Mr Jones had such good prospects she said I’d have given him much more encouragement if I’d realized really Lucinda fancy letting him Escape you nay worse than that actually encouraging him into the arms of amarillis Martin you really must try harder you know or you’ll be left unwed why do you not resolve to attach Captain Bridges or even Mr Harris before the summer is over Lucinda was saved from further mortification by the Rector who looked severely at his wife through his new spectacles and said Mrs Calver my dear the match between Miss Martin and Mr Jones is clearly one of deep Mutual feeling and I should wish Lucinda to make one of the same sort I’ll not have her sold off to the highest bidder like a prize pig let her wait until she finds a man for whom she can feel deeply and so he’s worthy of her I’ve no doubt the Lord will provide for them both and ch changing the subject abruptly talking of the Lord providing a fine amount of money has been subscribed for the fire victims but both of the shopkeepers were well insured and they have both said that they would wish their shares to be divided between the poor house and the purchase of the new engine with the result that we have enough for a second engine of a smaller size is that not good news they say that bad news goes in threes said Mrs calit somewhat subdued by the early part of her husband’s speech so let us hope that it also applies to Good News the third piece of news reached Lucinda on Sunday morning after she had spent the service trying to keep her mind on its proper Pursuit instead of gazing soulfully at Mr Harris who sat brightly Alert in his Pew with his eyes fixed firmly either on his prayer book or on Mr Jones whose turn it was to take matens after the service however he was slow to leave his place and joined Lucinda as she walked down the Nave after her customary few words with Mr Gibbs good morning Miss Calbert he said looking at her with a distinct twinkle in his eyes so that she feared he had guessed how much turmoil four simple everyday words were causing in her breast you’ll be pleased to hear that the villainous Mr Marshall proved quite mild and agreeable and viewed my proposition favorably the cob Enders may work for me yet continue to live in his wretched HS until next quarter day when they must leave as the new Cottages will be finished by the end of this month they will have the whole of September to move that is wonderful Lucinda exclaimed mamama was right she said that there would be three pieces of good news what of the other two Lucinda had impulsively held out her hand to him as she spoke and he had taken hold of it but did not let it go again so she answered him in a confused fashion which might have led a less intelligent man to apprehend that Mr Jones could afford to buy a second fire engine and the recor was to marry Miss Martin ah said Mr Harris smiling in his ironical fashion and easing his grip on her hand just enough for her to withdraw it so that’s why you wished him to accompany us on Friday I suspected that you might have designs on him yourself oh no Lucinda exclaimed I don’t he’s not not at all oh dear Mr Harris looked as if he might be about to burst into unseemly laughter but he restrained himself until they had reached the porch where Arthur rose from a position of recumbent despair by the outer door and came to greet his master as if he had been 10 years gone into the church Mr Harris patted him and informed him that Mr Jones was to marry Miss Martin and was not therefore to be bitten I sure so fine a dog had no such evil intention protested Mr Jones who was standing by the door door he eyed Arthur a trifle nervously when the dog padded over to him but was quite Charmed when he licked his hand there’s a good boy and named after a great king a great Welsh King he added impressively oh but he’s Lucinda checked herself not even wishing to name Sir Arthur Welsley after the General’s request that she should not mention him Mr Harris caught her eye and winked and she realized that he thought she had broken off to spare Mr Jones’s Celtic feelings the trouble with having a spotted dog he said reflectively is that the sight of him reminds me of the other sort the edible variety and around lunch and time that makes me hungry so I’ll bid you good day I wish you Joy Mr Jones and Hearty congratulations Miss calber he put on his beaver hat at a jaunty angle and set off towards the Black Swan to fetch his Carriage Arthur walking conscientiously at his heels Lucinda watched him go then realized that Mr Jones was looking at her in a thoughtful fashion at which she flushed bade him a hasty farewell and fairly ran home to the rectory despite the fact that he had obviously waited to speak to her after the service Lucinda felt disappointed by Mr Harris’s abrupt departure and had a vague uneasy feeling all the afternoon that he might call but he did not and the one time the doorbell rang it was only Mr Gibbs come to beg the loan of Fred’s tail to lay on a sty on his eyelid Fred made no objection but Mr Calver pointed out that it was all Superstition and in any case Fred was not entirely black but booted and catted with white it was natural that Lucinda should wish to visit the C Enders to find out how they felt about their latest piece of Good Fortune but she did not expect to have the opportunity to do so for several days however instead of going to call on Mrs long again on Monday afternoon as she intended she found that the lady was so much recovered that she proposed herself for the afternoon to spend some time in a comfortable chat with Mrs calber so Lucinda had some unexpected free time not wishing to go to cend empty-handed she filled her basket with some more baby clothes which had been left at the rectory for charitable purposes begged a couple of loaves some jam and the last of Sunday’s mutton from cook and set off on her usual route meeting more folk than she expected the Harvest was now going on a pace in the lower fields naturally she hoped that she might encounter Mr Harris somewhere in his fields or perhaps along the Salvage but all she met on his land were his newly arrived cows a fine looking herd of about 20 some of them in Cal who gazed at her with the usual curiosity of their kind but hardly pausing from tearing at the Lush grass she meant to stay only a short while at cob end but she found the joyful atmosphere there was a little muted by the fact that Mrs grey Goose’s 3-month-old baby was was Ill with thrush and no one seemed to know what to do about it so Lucinda must set to work to make a strong infusion of time which fortunately grew in Wild profusion on a nearby Bank and clean out the poor child’s mouth with it instructing the mother to continue the treatment until the white matter ceased to form hardly had she finished that than one of the warer boys was brought home by his friends with a broken arm having fallen from a tree Lucinda’s first reaction was to send someone for Dr Roberts but there was a horrified outcry at the idea for all the coenders were convinced that a doctor would cut off the arm as a matter of course for they all knew that doctors did no good at all and their patients always ended up worse off if not dead and besides they cost a great deal of money as all attempts to argue the point failed she took another look at the arm and discovered that only one of the two forearm bones was broken and not much displaced so after a little thought and some very intensive prayer she carefully straightened the arm gently pushing and pulling at the broken bone which fortunately had not punctured the skin meanwhile Mr warer summoned from his rabbits by his anxious wife smoothed two pieces of wood for splints and Mrs warer bound strips of a very old shirt around them for padding two of the little girls had been sent out to seek comfrey leaves and a thick wet paste of them was made and laid on a piece of the shirt tail and wrapped round the bruised area and then the splints were put above and below the forearm and firmly bandaged into place that’s the best I can do Lucinda said doubtfully you was Capital Miss and never h at all insisted the patient who had fainted twice and now had a peculiarly greenish white face but was full of game spirit and already looked forward to boasting about his Adventure I don’t know how we shall ever thank you enough momam said Mrs warer weeping a little I’ll make us all a good strong cook of tea which she did and Lucinda was glad of it although it tasted odd for it was really made with a little tea mixed with a lot of herbs what with one thing and another by the time she was ready to leave for home it was already dark of course Mr warer offered to walk home with her but he looked tired and had not yet had his evening meal so Lucinda declined saying that she would do very well by herself for the moon was up and near full Mrs warer lent her a little hor lantern with a Tallow candle in it which gave a dim light and she set off without the slightest anticipation of any difficulty she was not a nervous female and the countryside held no fears for her in fact she enjoyed walking across the fields at night and even the aery Cry of a barn owl or the sight of its pale shape drifting across the night did not startle or alarm her there was enough light to see her path fairly clearly except when it rang among the trees and she had no trouble crossing the bridge over the stream it was not until she reached the point on the Salvage where Mr Harris had set up the oak log for a seat just before the Woodland path came down to join the Salvage that she heard anything unusual it was the clink of a horse’s hoof against a stone and before she had identified it she heard voices as well she stopped in her tracks for she knew at once who was most likely to be abroad at night well away from the turnpikes and with horses and it was best not to ENC any of the smuggling Fraternity in case they were not the local men who knew she would do them no harm she expected that they would either go ahead of her down to the town or the other way up into the forest so she stepped aside from the path and knelt down behind a thickly leaved Bush hiding the dim glow of the lantern under her upturned basket a low Branch pushed her Bonnet off but she let it go for the strings still held it at her neck and it hung down her back the voices which were subdued Drew nearer and she made out the dark shapes of four ponies and half a dozen men they did not turn up into the forest but stopped at the junction of the paths and stood about as if waiting for someone why ain’t he here one man muttered don’t be so bloody impatient don’t dime yet said a more authoritative voice apparently of the leader of the group Church clock ain’t struck the hour yet here he comes now is the watch set yes yes course it is said another voice AR’s on watch Lucinda did not hear anyone come along the path to join the Smugglers but she saw them turn as if to greet a newcomer and then another dark figure appeared and said good evening gentlemen I trust I’ve not kept you waiting the voice was pleasant cultivated and quite unmistakable the newcomer was Mr Harris Lucinda gasped and leaned forward desperate to learn what dealings someone so new to the district might have with the Smugglers and how he came to be on such apparently good terms with them she was quite unaware that arry who was on watch had come along within the shelter of the trees and was standing just behind her and the sudden blow on her head was totally unexpected the worst of it was deflected by her piled up hair but it was still hard enough to send her sprawling down on the path and for a few moments everything went black as her senses returned she was vaguely aware of anxious voices and particularly of Mr Harris saying sharply what did you do a damn fool thing like that for you might have killed her she stirred slightly and a hand clamped over her mouth for a moment so briefly that in her confusion she was hardly certain that it had actually done so but some Instinct for self-preservation made her lie still and keep her eyes closed well she was spying on us said a defensive voice more likely hiding from you if she heard you coming Mr Harris replied scornfully you don’t imagine the preventive officers are recruiting females do you couldn’t see she were female the defensive voice now sounded sulky were dark under them trees what she doing here out in the fields after dark asked another voice returning home after a charitable visit to cob end of course don’t you recognize her asked Mr Harris with some asperity here Shine the glim on her a moment a gleam of light flashed momentarily across Lucinda’s closed eyelids there see it’s the rector’s daughter oh my God exclaimed a voice which sounded familiar to Lucinda but which she could not quite place from what was effectively only one word how was AR to know asked the leader sounding both alarmed and truculent you know the risk we run how could we expect it to be her you know how we has to deal with folk as might Peach on us and how many times do I have to tell you that your necks are perfectly safe as long as you do as I tell you Mr Harris replied crisply take the letter here it is and give me the other one now be off with you what about her asked arry what’ll you do with her you can safely leave me to dispose of the evidence get on your way and a safe journey to you with apparent reluctance the Smugglers began to move but then Arie who did not seem very quick on the uptake suddenly said shilly what do we mean dispose of the evidence here he’s not going to do anything harmful is he don’t be so blame stupid said the leader irely he’s a gentleman a he and keep your voice down or they’ll hear you in aing will she be all right Arie persisted in aoar whisper yes Mr Harris replied turly now get on or you’ll miss the tide this appeared to satisfy even Ary for the sounds of men and horses receded into the forest and died away and Lucinda ventured to open her eyes chapter nine Lucinda had been aware for some time that she was lying on the path half supported against a human body and the arms attached to that body were holding her quite gently while a hand had made a brief examination by Touch of her head which was tender at one point she now discovered that the body arms and hand belonged to Mr Harris for everyone else had gone she thought it safe to utter a small moan and show signs of recovering Consciousness but the results surprised her for Mr Harris exclaimed oh thank God in a highly theatrical manner clasped her to him and planted a kiss on her brow where am I she inquired in a faint voice and followed that with the other question always asked by heroins in novels on recovering from a dead faint what happened don’t you remember Mr Harris asked apparently recovered from his fit of theatrics for he spoke in a normal fashion and moved away a little only supporting her lightly with an arm about her shoulders I I remember walking along the path she replied slowly there was an owl flying across the field I was watching it she stopped and waited to hear his response then I suppose you tripped and fell he said sounding only the mest trifle tentative and struck your head how did you come to be near she kept her voice vague and low I often take a walk about the fields in the evening he replied I found you lying on the path can you stand up do you think she did so without any ill effect and then he helped her to the log seat where she looked about her and asked what became of my basket and Mrs warrener’s Lantern they’re here he brought them from the side of the path where Lucinda had certainly not left them her Bonnet had been removed so he brought her that as well and she put it on I don’t think you’re much hurt for I couldn’t find any damage but a bump no blood he said uh uh more tentatively were you actually um unconscious do you think yes Lucinda replied firmly I think I must have been for a few moments at least it was she assured herself quite true she then had a fleeting recollection of a hand placed over her mouth and wondered if he thought she had been pretending all the time yes I’m certain I was for I don’t remember you coming upon me he apparently accepted her statement for he showed considerably more concern than here to for and examined her head again with much more care then said a little doubtfully I still don’t think you’ve suffered any real damage but I’d like to take a look in a better light I think you’d best come to the house so that I can make sure and then I’ll take you home leave your basket and Lantern I’ll send someone to collect them in the morning Lucinda agreed for she felt more than a little Shak partly from the blow on the head but mostly from the shock of what she had overheard she stood up and thought she could walk as far as Pinnacles if she took his arm but he picked her up and carried her silencing her not very vehement protests with a Brisk nonsense my dear girl you’re no great weight and I’ll take a rest when I need one it should have been a great pleasure to Lucinda to be in his arms but her head was aching and her thoughts were disturbing she could not even understand her own motives in not telling him what she could remember obviously it had been sensible to feain unconsciousness while the Smugglers were still there but surely Mr Harris would do her no harm if she told him the truth his remark about disposing of the evidence was a joke was it not there must be some simple explanation for his meeting with the Smugglers after all perfectly respectable people had dealings with contrabands although they were a very cautious and suspicious group for the good reason that their lives were at risk it was surprising though that they should already be on familiar terms with someone who had been in the district less than a month and apparently taking instructions from him for he had told them to go not asked them after a while her thoughts turned to the most curious part of the whole business the mention of letters what letters could they possibly be it wasn’t unusual to to ask a friend to take a letter to someone if he or she happened to be going near to where the recipient lived but somehow Lucinda could not imagine that Smugglers were now defrauding the post office as well as the customs and excise Mr Harris had mentioned two letters as far as she could make out one he was sending and one he was receiving it seemed very odd that a wealthy man should not use the normal postal service for it only cost a shilling or so to receive a letter her thoughts grew more and more confused and it was a relief when they were interrupted by Mr Harris saying I think I’ll take a brief rest here if you don’t mind and putting her down carefully on the top of the flight of steps from the cell vegge path to the lowest Terrace of his garden you’re very quiet he added how do you feel my head is a little sore but that’s all what were you doing along the C Ed at this time of night it’s long past dinner time I believe and I doubt you’ve been dining at cob end I went there for a brief visit between tea and dinner she said ruul but encountered a chapter of accidents and then told him about the baby with thrush and Billy Warner’s broken arm and you set it yourself why did you not send for a surgeon there’s only Dr Roberts in woodam and he’s a physician she explained and they don’t trust doctors I suppose it’s because they never call a doctor until it’s really too late for him to do anything besides they can’t afford to pay him there’s a competent surgeon at the army camp Mr Harris said thoughtfully you might have known I’d pay the fee I didn’t think Lucinda began and then before she could stop herself how did you know there’s a surgeon at the camp I didn’t in fact I doubt if he’d charge as it’s a child he is quite well paid by the war office how do you know Lucinda persisted feeling that she could not cope with another unexplained mystery that evening I believe the Army gives a reasonable rate of remuneration to a skilled man with specialized knowledge Mr Harris sounded a trifle puzzled by the question since the Duke of York’s reforms you know they’ve attempted to coax good surgeons into the service one of his concerns was the lack of qualified surgeons in the Army and the only way to get them was to pay them at least what they might expect to receive in private practice shall we go on I don’t wish you to take a chill by sitting about in the night air Lucinda gave up trying to get an answer out of him for she was beginning to feel a little overwrought what with one thing and another but she said almost tearfully as he picked her up again if you know him I wish you might ask him to look at Billy’s arm if you can persuade his parents to allow it for I’m afraid something will go wrong unless he has proper attention it shall be done he said soothingly I promise you I’ll send to him first thing in the morning and the warreners will I think do as I ask them so don’t give it another thought it took Lucinda a few minutes to get her emotions under proper control again and stop herself from actually dissolving into tears and by then Mr Harris had carried her up The Terraces and in at the open open French doors on the garden side of the house but into a small breakfast parlor not the Grand salon it was a pleasant and comparatively small room with a round table and a few chairs lit by a single branch of candles which stood on the table now let me put you down here he said depositing her gently in a chair and do you catch your breath for a moment there was a movement in the Shadows on the far side of the room and a dark clad Man Came forward into the light saying anxiously what’s happened who’s this he was a complete stranger to Lucinda a small sharp featured man with thin graying hair and uneven yellowish teeth and she thought he did not look at all a pleasant person or the sort of guest she would have expected Mr Harris to be entertaining even his speech sounded wrong for he had a distinctly common accent nothing to concern you Mr Harris replied not quite sounding Cur hurt but very near it the lady is a friend who has suffered a slight accident it need not detain you however for I’m sure you’re anxious to be on your way what about the the man began but Mr Harris cut in smoothly the papers here they are he produced a small packet which to Lucinda looked very much like a letter for it was folded and sealed exactly as a letter would have been the man took the packet and stowed it away carefully inside his coat then I’ll be off and leave you to Y you’ll forgive me if I don’t see you off Mr Harris said politely ringing the bell ah George as the footman entered before the Bell could have stopped ringing the gentleman is just leaving good night to you sir he bowed just sufficiently to the man who gave an equally slight bow back and departed who was that Lucinda asked in a small voice not really expecting an answer a reformed Rogue Mr Harris replied lightly but not so much reformed that I don’t instruct the servants to keep an eye on him now let me see that bump he moved the candles nearer to Lucinda removed her Bonnet and gently parted her hair over the painful area she winced slightly in anticipation but his fingers moved carefully about the bump without actually touching it pressing slightly no sign of any damage thank God in fact even the bump is but a slight one I’m surprised that you were unconscious for so long I don’t know how long it was Lucinda answered shrewdly thinking to disconcert him but he answered if it was long enough for you not to have heard me coming and indeed for me to discover you out of various exclamations of alarm and despondency and uh he broke off and Lucinda who happened to be looking up at his face was surprised to see a flicker of something like embarrassment pass across it she then recollected what else he had done and blushed there was a moment’s silence as Mr Harris looked at her and then he said it’s quite amazing how odd a person’s reactions can be to a shock I’ve always considered myself a level-headed fellow but well there you are I think I’d best take you home soon but a dish of tea first it will do us both good he rang the bell again adding as he did so I’ll not offer you Brandy for it’s not advisable after a blow on the head George was presumably still disposing of the mysterious visitor for another servant answered the bell and was dispatched for tea and to order Mr Harris’s feet and brought round while they were waiting Mr Harris presumably recollecting a useful piece of information requested Lucinda to hold out her right hand before her at arms length now he said when she had complied looking at him rather puzzled in one movement lay your forefinger on the end of your nose she did so utterly mystified and he said cheerfully well if what I recall is correct that means you are not concussed the tea arrived very promptly accompanied by a prosperous looking Charlotte who greeted her old friend in a perun fashion and looked expectantly at Mr Harris who poured te tea for Luc sinder and himself and set a dish of milk on the floor for the cat she nearly always comes with the tea tray he said smiling down on the animal is she proving satisfactory Lucinda asked gratefully sipping her tea which was far superior to any that poor Mrs warer could ever have afforded and was remarkably soothing to her jangled nerves eminently there was immense Slaughter for the first few days after her arrival but now she has little do but pleas the premises which she does with great attention you’re an excellent female are you not Charlotte the cat looked up at the sound of her name which she seemed to have learned already and made a brief remark which sounded like an affirmative before returning to an assiduous polishing of her dish and that topic of conversation being exhausted silence descended on the room Lucinda would very much have liked to break it for she felt it was rapidly becoming oppressive but the only words she could think of were a string of questions and her head was too sore and Confused to be able to phrase them tactfully so she drank her tea and then set down her cup and dish on the table I think said Mr Harris that I’d best lend you a cloak for the night air is chill and that shawl is not over thick shall we go Lucinda stood up without turning Giddy and with some support from Mr Harris which was not entirely necessary went out into the Hall where a warm cloak was draped around her shoulders it was too long of course for it appeared to be his own but he carried the excess like a train as they went out to his feton he settled her with some help from his tiger on the high perch seat alongside him then took the ribbons waited for the tiger to mount behind then set the vehicle in motion driving carefully and obviously watching the driveway for any unevenness which might cause a Lurch for the Moonlight was now so bright that it was possible to make out the individual pieces of gravel I think he said presently that it would be advisable for you to move closer and let me put an arm about you for you might turn faint and fall off it’s quite a distance to the ground Lucinda thought his argument specious at first for she did not feel in the least faint but then she recalled that he believed her to have been unconscious for some time so she obediently moved up and was encircled comfortably by his arm which did not appear to discommode his driving in the least they soon reached the lodge Gates and turned out onto the road which being Turnpike was well surfaced and the feton picked up a little speed as the horses moved from a walk to a trot the hedges sped by on either side shadowy and mysterious in the Moonlight which turned the road to a ribbon of silver The Carriage lamps Shone on the glossy rumps of the horses a fine pair of Sorels and there was no sound but the steady clop of of their Hooves the grind of the wheels and the occasional night sounds The Cry of an owl the strange churing of a night jar and the crack of its wings as it took flight at their approach it was only the second time that Lucinda had been driven in a feton and she so much enjoyed the likeness and speed of the vehicle the comforting arm around her waist and The Nearness of the man beside her that she temporarily set aside her doubts and uncertainties until all too soon the sound of the wheels changed as they came upon the stones of the Town streets and sped down past the churchyard and Drew up before the rectory Mr calvat came hastening out of the front door as Mr Harris helped Lucinda to descend exclaiming why what has happened why are you so late there’s been a slight accident Mr Harris replied nothing serious but I think perhaps Dr Roberts might be summoned he took Lucinda’s arm and led her in to the house and to The Parlor the Rector backing and filling behind like a sheep dog Mrs Calver who was reclining in her usual languid Fashion on a sofa immediately became galvanized into action within minutes it was Lucinda who was reclining on the sofa Annie had been sent for the doctor Mr Harrison the Rector had a glass of cognac a piece and a promise of coffee to follow as soon as cook could have it brewed and the stage was set for explanations to Luc Linda’s relief Mr Harris told the story recounting the episodes of the thrush and the broken arm which explained Lucinda’s late departure from Cobb end Mr warrener’s offer to walk with her and her reasons for declining the matter of the owl and Mr Harris’s discovery of her unconscious form it was told so smoothly and convincingly that Lucinda almost believed it herself and was thankful that she had been spared the necessity of admitting the truth in front of him for she could never have brought herself to lie to her parents luckily I usually take a stroll after dinner he added I thought it best to take her to the house until I could be sure that there was no serious injury and then I drove her down I think she has only a bump on her head but it’s as well to make sure Mrs calat thanked him with a proper degree of gratitude but a minimum of fuss inspected Lucinda’s head and fetched Ana and a rag with which to apply it and then Dr s arrived he was a stout man with an aldermanic look about the waist coat but experienced in the field of minor accidents and a brief examination larded with Latin terms for effect and including to Lucinda’s private Amusement the same test already tried by Mr Harris of touching the end of her nose but carried out with more pomp soon led him to State quite firmly that she had struck her head against a hard object and sustained the very mildest concussion which a day spent quietly in her room would soon put right he then accepted a glass of Cognac and a cup of coffee which was now ready chatted pleasantly of this and that while he drank them then produced a folded paper of powder from his bag and gave it to Mrs Calver this is a mild sleeping draft he said I would advise that Miss calvat takes it now and retires a good night’s rest will do wonders with that he departed Lucinda who was feeling that the choir of her own room would be very welcome took her draft stirred into hot milk it was unpleasantly bitter but a couple of sugar biscuits which her mother kindly had ready took away the taste and thanked Mr Harris for his kindness I’ll send your basket down in the morning he assured her holding the hand she had proferred and return Mrs warrener’s Lantern I’ll not forget about the surgeon for Billy there’s nothing need cause you any uneasiness so I beg you’ll not worry of yourself about a thing I promise you everything will be well the sleeping draft seemed to be taking effect already for Lucinda hardly took in what he had said until she had climbed the stairs and got into bed and was just drifting into a welcome Slumber when she thought vaguely I wonder if he meant about the Smugglers and that man and then there was a hazy half-formed idea but he was not aware that she knew about his meeting with the Smugglers the next thing she knew knew it was morning and Annie was putting her breakfast tray on the table by the window ah you’re awake Miss Lucinda she said coming to stand by the bed and inspect the girl’s face well you look a deal better than you did last night I must say it gave me a fair turn to see you so white and coming home on that Contraption queer looking thing so it is we were so worried you know with it getting late and the Rector all for going out to look for you and the m and you’d probably forgotten to tell her you were visiting with Miss Martin well all’s well that ends well I always says and there’s a mar of things and call has been at the door both front and back since first thing what things what time is it Lucinda asked sitting up gingerly and feeling the tender place on her head as she did not turn Giddy and the bump had gone down she assumed it was safe to get out of bed and did so why pass 10 there’s your basket come down from Pinnacles full of flowers with a real Superior manservant asking how you do and there’s Mr warer from cob end with a dozen rabbits and a basket of mushrooms and Duke how hobbled around on his crutches with half a dozen of the neatest spools for your threads turned them himself he did out of mutton bones that Frenchy gentleman’s beenin with a great bunch of honeysuckles and such like weeds and Captain Bridges and colel long with some grapes good knows where they got him and Miss enston of course oh dear said Lucinda sitting down to toast and jam it was strawberry usually kept for special occasions and pouring herself some coffee for the drug had made her throat feel dry and her mouth tasted unpleasantly and there’s something else left by them as we don’t mention finished Annie with a triumphant flourish and various nods and winks and significant grimaces all wrapped up in a cloth it is have you no work to do Annie inquired Mrs calat frostily sweeping into the room with a cloth wrapped parcel in one hand and a basket full of crimson roses in the other good morning Lucinda are you feeling better she stooped over her daughter offering her cheek for a filial kiss then put down her burdens on the floor and produced a bundle of papers from her apron pocket there are more gifts downstairs she said said people are very kind Annie can bring them next time she comes upstairs I do think red rose is an inappropriate gift from a gentleman to a young lady but they are very fine and no doubt he meant well the parcel was left under the ivy where your father receives uh other things she inspected the bump on Lucinda’s head pronounced it to be much better and then sat down on the opposite side of the table and watched while Lucinda opened and read the half dozen notes which comprised the little bundle of papers how very kind of people to take the trouble Lucinda said puzzling over a rather effusive offering partly in French from M Roland you do a great deal for the folk of this town Mrs calber replied and it’s good to see that they appreciate it we have much to be thankful for that the Lord saw fit to give us such a good daughter for I’m sure your father would have great difficulty with the parish if he did not have you to take the place which my health prevents me from filling Lucinda looked at her mother with some surprise for she had never spoken in such a vein before no doubt Mrs calat continued apparently studying something out in the garden you think me a lazy creature but I give you my word that I don’t spend my time on a daybed from choice I would much prefer to be about and doing as become the wife of a clergyman and in an emergency I can usually rally myself to do so but I cannot sustain it for long a few hours of acting contriving organizing taking matters in hand leaves me quite exhausted for days after I hope Lucinda turning to look most earnestly at her that you may find a good husband who is all you desire within this neighborhood for we’d be at a loss without you but you must not feel obliged to give up the idea of marrying a suitable gentleman if to do so meant that you must leave woodam the Lord will help us if he means you to leave us so if your choice should fall on say an army officer whose duties called him elsewhere requiring you to follow then so be it you understand me yes mamama Lucinda went to give her mother a kiss then sat down again thank you well enough of that Mrs calber said briskly I am positively dying to know what is in that parcel pray open it a paper label saying Miss calvat at the rectory in an untidy hand had been pinned to the wrapping of the parcel which was hessen roughly stitched together with twine but Lucinda’s longsuffering embroidery scissors soon had it undone inside wrapped again in tissue paper was a length of the finest Leon in a pretty sky blue embroidered with little sprigs of flowers why it must have cost the Earth even without the duty exclaimed Mrs calber what good turn have you done to a Contraband family I wonder no I don’t wonder she added hastily it doesn’t do to wonder about such folk but such a gift it’s far too much but how can I return it mamama Lucinda fingered the soft fabric with pleasure and thought that it was ample compensation for a fright and bumped head for she had no doubts about why the Smugglers had left it for her she puzzled a little over how it had come so quickly then concluded that the men she had seen had probably been on their way to meet a band coming Inland from the coast to collect goods from them and bring them back the same night after all if a man was away from his home for more than the duration of one night someone would be down to notice and perhaps tell the preventive officers well of course you can’t return it Mrs calat replied it wouldn’t do to offend them now what do you mean to do with these roses Lucinda spent some time after she had washed and dressed in arranging the roses in vases about her room they were of a heavily scented variety and the perfume was almost overpowering but she did not mind that for she was too pleased to put aside her doubts and fears about Mr Harris for a while and allow herself to indulge in the foolish fancy that his gift was something more than a kindness and the choice of red blooms had been deliberate albeit with a Melancholy undertone of knowing that it was only a foolish fancy and he might turn out to be a plausible Rogue after all the other gifts found their way up to her in stages as Annie came and went about her work the bobbins from duke how were both pretty and useful and there were other things as well a cucumber from Mr Morris’s Garden some peaches from Mrs Willoughby who had a glass house the grapes from the two offices and various nose Gaz eggs fruit notes and other things from the poorer folk of the Town Mrs calber who had left her to enjoy her gifts in peace returned to join her for luncheon since she was adamant that Lucinda was not to go below stairs that day she also insisted on taking most of the Roses away for the warm weather was making the scent of them and of the honeysuckle outside the window quite unbearable after luncheon Amy Martin arrived oh my poor dear she exclaimed as she rushed into the room I’ve only just heard what on Earth happened you must tell me everything as Mrs calber had left the friends Alone Together Lucinda was tempted to do just that for she had exchanged confidences with Amy for years but she began at the beginning of the tale and by the time she reached the point where she had walked along the salv path somehow the false version emerged and the owl the fo the being found unconscious by Mr Harris All slipped out with the glib easiness and conviction of Truth Lucinda who had never been used to lying was internally horrified to find how easy it was and troubled that she could not tell the true story even to Amy later while her friend prattled the about her plans for celebrating her engagement to Mr Jones she thought miserably that she must face the fact that Mr Harris was engaged in some nefarious business and that she must keep Silence about it or she might land him in very serious trouble you will be well in time will you not Amy demanded suddenly in time Lucinda asked startled I’m sorry in time for what is your head hurting you Amy asked solicitously am I talking too much we’re giving a dinner on Thursday night to celebrate my engagement you will be able to come I hope yes I’m sorry my mind drifted off no you’re not tiring me I’m sure I’ll be able to come for Dr Roberts said I need keep to my room only for today and I’m much better now who else will be there she hoped her question did not sound too eager but Amy apparently expected it for she began to tick off on her fingers as she named the other guests your parents of course and the Longs and Captain Bridges you’ll be pleased to hear my aunt and uncle Jackson and cousin Ellie Miss Roland Mrs Willoughby Miss enston of course Dr Roberts and Mr Harris that’s 18 and there’s not many houses in the town can sit down that many to dinner at once I think we certainly couldn’t Lucinda said I hadn’t realized that your dining room was so large it isn’t Amy’s eyes twinkled what most people don’t notice is that the wall between it and Papa’s study isn’t a wall at all it’s a folding partition but covered with the same dark paper as the walls you see so when it’s closed it doesn’t show our table opens up as well and we can put in extra leaves if Papa can find them down in the cellar that is for it’s an age since they were used Lucinda was quite excited at the thought of so large a dinner party until she suddenly recalled that since her best gown was ruined by the fire she had only her old and shabby one unless the new poplin at the dress makers could be finished in time so when Annie toiled up the stairs for the 10th time at least to bring a tray of tea and cakes she asked her to run to the dress maker to inquire well I’m sure I don’t know when I’ll have the time the maid exclaimed then Mrs long in the garden with the mes and the colonel and Mr Harris with the Rector and Gibbs and the boy job in the kitchen and all wanting their teas and cook wanting the rabbits cut up for a pie and me with only one pair of hands but I’ll send the boy while the te’s Brewing seeing as it’s important for you’ll want that new gown for Thursday I’ll be bound having delivered that speech with hardly a pause for breath she stumped off down the stairs again for the Bell from the rector’s study could be heard in the distance distance I wonder why the colonel and Mr Harris are here mused Lucinda oh of course it will be about the new fire engines I suppose they’ll have to arrange for them to be fetched from the maker but they came yesterday didn’t you know Amy exclaimed I suppose it was after you went to cob end for it was past 5 when they came the manufacturers sent them on a great wagon with six of the biggest horses I’ve ever ever seen it made quite a stir for everyone in the town who wasn’t still in the fields came running to see them and there was a column of soldiers marching through the Middle with FES and drums going 19 to the Dozen and all their wagons trundling behind and a whole company of artillery I wonder where they were going Lucinda said thoughtfully that’s the second column to go in the past few days the fourth Amy corrected did you not hear them in the night let me see it was Friday night and again on Saturday night at about midnight the bands weren’t playing of course but the of the marching across the cobbles in the Market Square woke me do you suppose something is happening Lucy if it is you may be sure we’ll not hear about it until it’s in the newspapers there can hardly be any men left in the camp and yet there were twice the usual number a few days ago perhaps there’ll be some rumors going about tomorrow but there was no news from the outside world by paper or by rumor the next day only local Affairs occupying the tongues of the gossips the Army surgeon from the camp called at the rectory to tell Lucinda now quite recovered that she had done an admirable job with Billy warrener’s arm which should mend very well Lucinda’s new gown came home from the dress maker and proved to be an excellent fit and very becoming the new fire engines were tried out during the afternoon the smaller one hosing down the area before the church in fine style and the larger sending a jet clear up to the roof of the pinmill which was four stories high and they were voted a great success the high point of the day however came at the end of it when the bell ringers assembled to ring a court appeal in celebration of the curate’s engagement to Miss Martin starting at 700 and going on as will pler said until they finished which he thought would be about 10 or a little after luckily the calvat quite enjoyed the sound of bells for nothing else could be heard in the rectory while they were ringing faith hope and charity James and John Raphael Michael and Gabriel hunting up bobbing dodging and hunting down interweaving in the mathematical Precision of Cambridge surprise major the Rector did venture to say that he was thankful it was not a full peel as that would last quite 10 hours but no one heard him except possibly Fred who seemed to be able to hear a mouse stir in even while the bells were ringing the Rector had sent up a barrel of Ale to the ringing chamber before they started but a little before 9 Lucinda went up with a tray full of bread and cheese for at least 16 men were taking turns to ring and they would be glad of refreshment between turns there was room in the chamber for her to stand and watch for a while after she had set out the food on the table in the corner and she was as always fascinated by the concentration of the ringers each man watching the Rope of the Bell next before his own the colorful Sally flying up and down the response of the Brazen voices two stages higher in the tower sounding strangely muffled from below and the quiet commands of will pler as he called in a relief for a man who was tiring or set a ring a right if he was too slow or too fast it was a few minutes before Lucinda noticed that Mr Harris was there he had apparently been ringing for he was in his shirt sleeves over on the far side of the room watching with the absorbed interest he glanced across at Lucinda once and she half lifted a hand in greeting hoping he might come round by the wall to speak to her but he only nodded and smiled and presently slipped on his coat and went out Lucinda sighed unconsciously and after watching another four or five rounds she edged along the wall of the chamber to the door and went out there was a short passage outside and then a long dark spiral stair lit by an occasional tiny window which had this time of night framed only a Starry Sky someone had set lighted candles in each window Embraer but the light reached only a few steps above and below and she had to feel her way cautiously between holding the old Bell rope looped along the outer wall for the steps were very old and worn Lucinda a voice whispered when she was halfway down who is it she breathed but she knew the voice even when it whispered John Harris how are are you quite recovered thank you oh and thank you for the roses and for sending the surgeon I must speak with you quickly before someone comes he cut in almost before she had finished he was speaking so quietly that had he not been so close in the darkness that he was almost touching her she might not have heard him I wasn’t going to say anything but I’ve considered more thoroughly and I think I’d better Lucinda it’s important an that you don’t say any more about Monday night than I told your parents when I brought you home not to anyone Lucinda made no reply for she was trying to puzzle out whether this meant that he knew she had not been unconscious all the time I mean about the fellow you saw at Pinnacles and anything you may remember of what occurred along the Salvage have you told anyone no not a soul not even miss Martin no one at all good girl it’s vital that you keep it all to yourself I can’t tell you more at the moment but I hope that one day soon I’ll be able to explain it all very well Lucinda was troubled by the concern in his voice and feared for him for he must be in great trouble to require her silence so urgently bless you he caught her by the shoulders and bent his head his lips finding her cheek at first but soon moving to her lips hungrily demanding and then he was gone his feet sounding on the stairs on his way back to the ringing chamber leaving her shaking and breathless pressed against the cold curve of the staircase Wall chapter 10 the dinner party to celebrate the engagement of Amy Martin and Mr Jones was a great success in the estimation of everyone except Lucinda who did not enjoy it at all she had spent a wretched night lying for a long time worrying about Mr Harris and his problems alternating with fitful periods of sleep which were troubled by disturbing dreams and so was not feeling her best from the start to make matters worse not 15 minutes before the rectory party was to set out from home cook brought in a jug of cream from the kitchen to ask Lucinda’s opinion on whether or not it was on the turn and in dipping in a finger to taste it Lucinda somehow managed managed to drop the jug and the cream ran in a wide stream down the front of her new gown being Poppin it could be washed but not in time for the evening’s entertainment and so she had to change into her old shabby and Unbecoming yellow with the added humiliation of arriving late at the Martin and entering a room full of people who all turned to look at her Amy and Mrs Martin were full of commiseration when the Rector in excusing their lateness explained what had happened but the Jackson’s particularly cousin Ellie and her mother seemed to find it amusing tittering behind their fans and making whispered remarks to one another Lucinda had no great liking for the Jacksons who lived at horsing and often visited the Martins Mrs Jackson being Mrs Martin’s sister and she particularly disliked cousin Ellie for she combined an affectedly Superior manner with a catty tongue and secure in her porcelain complexion Fair curls and large blue eyes was free in her critical comments on the physical appearance and dress of anyone she encountered on their last meeting she had remarked that Lucinda must find her koty hair a trial and had she considered dyeing it and offered to send Amy the receipt for a bleaching lotion which might improve her sow complexion of course being darkhaired you cannot expect to have a naturally Fair countenance but there is no need for it to be quite so muddy I assure you could you not lend poor miss calber something more suitable Amy she drawed on this occasion there is that pink gown you wore last time you came to us I’m sure it would look quite striking on your friend and she and her mother fell to tittering again at the thought of Orban hair with a pink gown don’t mind them Lucy Amy whispered I am convinced that Miss calber would be beautiful if she dressed in unsackable Vin what you say a flow sack M Roland declared suddenly in an overloud voice glaring at the Jackson ladies like a thundercloud here here said Captain Bridges bravely despite a discouraging Shake of the head from the wife of his commanding officer who thought cousin Ellie and her like were best ignored in my youth said Mrs Willoughby in the carrying tones and dactic manner of an English M instructing the heathen I frequently prayed that my hair might suddenly turn Orban and my complexion that delightful creamy color that goes with it but unfortunately it persisted in remaining an uninspiring blonde so insipid she gave cousin Ellie one single glance which was more eloquent than any number of speeches there was an awkward pause which Mr Harris broke to Lucinda’s great Relief by saying in a general way we’re fortunate with the weather this summer apart from it turning the cream the Harvest should be excellent I think normal conversation then resumed for the few minutes remaining until dinner was served naturally Lucinda had hoped that she might sit near Mr Harris perhaps even go in with him but Amy with mistaken kindness had paired her with M Roland and arranged that Captain Bridges should sit on her other side both gentlemen were attentive at any time time but this evening no doubt feeling that she had been slighted by cousin Ellie they continued to Rally to her support to an extent which she found embarrassing to make matters worse Mr Harris had been paired with Mrs Jackson and had cousin Ellie on his other side both ladies no doubt informed by Mrs Martin of his probable income set out to charm him cousin Ellie on her own account and Mrs Jackson backing her with determination Mr Harris wore his ironic smile and listened to their chatter with his Lids drooping over those cool gray eyes and just once caught Lucinda’s eye across the table and winked that was the only comfort she had for Mr Martin kept the gentleman talking over the port for a long time and they had hardly joined the ladies when Mrs calvat said quietly that she had the headache and wished to go home so of course the Rector and Lucinda went with her the next week passed in a similarly unsatisfactory manner Lucinda had plenty to occupy her and did actually see Mr Harris several times but never when there was any opportunity for a private conversation he was in church on Sunday about the market on Tuesday and when Lucinda went to cend on Wednesday she saw him two Fields away and exchanged a wave of greeting he called at cend for a few minutes later on before she left to tell her that the Army surgeon had seen Billy warer again and was satisfied with his progress but he went away almost immediately and was nowhere to be seen along the Salvage as she walked home by Thursday night she had decided that he was avoiding her and it took little thought to work out that his reason must be to escape any questions she might wish to ask about his mysterious dealings with the Stranger To whom he had given the letter Lucinda thought of the man as the reformed Rogue which seemed a suitable so being a sensible girl she decided that as she could do nothing to help him except to keep quiet about what she had seen and heard she must wait patiently until he could explain himself and pray that whatever trouble he might be in would be resolved before very long meanwhile she must keep herself busy and not be tempted to fret or waste time in idle speculation for all the mystery and evasion about Mr Harris she felt an underlying confidence that he was a good good man at heart and all would be well in the end and she had the sweet memory of that kiss on the tower stairs to sustain her the next day Friday the Rector and Mr Jones went after luncheon to see the archdeacon so Lucinda having visited the SI in the morning decided to take the opportunity to tidy the rector’s study in his absence it was a long job for although his books were cataloged and numbered and each had its own place on his shelves he was in the habit of taking taking down a dozen or so to consult about one or two items and not putting them back so that in the course of a few weeks the shelves became half empty and the books were piled on chairs on the floor or on his desk once they had all been sorted and replaced there were the papers to be seen to he had the sensible custom of noting on each letter when he had replied to it and writing on his notes for register entries when he had copied the information into the registers and his step Duty returns were meticulously kept but all of them were left to accumulate on the desktop until Lucinda had an opportunity to sort them out and put them away in various drawers allocated to their storage she had almost completed her task when the front doorbell rang and as she was the nearest Annie and cook being in the kitchen she went to answer it and found Captain bridges on the doorstep good afternoon Miss calber he said is the Rector at home I should be glad of a few minutes conversation with him I’m afraid not he’ll not be back until late this evening the young man looked anxious and the news that the Rector was not available obviously increased his anxiety so she added may I help at all I I don’t know he said uncertainly I feel I must confide in someone I don’t know what to do come in then she said firmly and took him into the study where she offered him a chair and sat down herself behind her desk in her father’s place it’s just that I feel I must talk to someone or burst the captain said twisting his Sho Round and Round In His Hands Colonel long told me today you can keep a secret can you not miss calber I keep many Secrets Lucinda replied people often confide in me when my father isn’t here or if they prefer to speak to a female I’ll not betray any confidences I promise you thank you Colonel long told me today that oh it doesn’t seem possible but he assures me it’s true he says there’s a spy in the district a spy Lucinda exclaimed you mean someone spying for the French yes of course with the powdermill and the camp there are things happening here of interest to the enemy but one can’t imagine imagine anyone one knows with whom one is on terms of friendship it’s Preposterous and yet he’s quite certain but how could a spy send information to France Lucinda asked already half knowing the answer by means of the smugglers in code of course so the carriers would think the letters to be innocent messages to a friend or a relation Miss Calver it makes me sick with worry to think that I may inadvertently have told this man something which could put my fellow countrymen’s lives in danger in conversation with someone one assumes to be as Pro British as oneself it would be easy to let something slip thinking no harm who is it Lucinda felt that the question was too sharp and anxious but she could not find the means to soften it I don’t know and that’s what makes it worse I begged him to tell me but he says I must wait until tomorrow when the fellow is to be unmasked he won’t tell me before in case I give some warning hint to him by a word or a look I accept the reasoning but I’m so troubled to think what I may have done and also of what must become of him he must certainly be someone known to me someone I know well thought I knew well that is and it’s such a dreadful death death Lucinda was startled hanging the captain looked quite sickened at the word they hang spies I know one is no more dead after it than being killed by a bullet or a cannonball but it’s the time before knowing and the loneliness I’d not wish that on any man whatever he’s done no Lucinda spoke in a small remote voice her thoughts all with the man she loved who was in such terrible danger she closed her eyes for a moment and made herself shut those thoughts away for she must first help Captain Bridges to deal with his doubts and self- torments I don’t think it likely that you would have let anything of importance slip out she said you’re always very discreet about whatever happens at the camp and if you recall when Colonel congreve started talking about his rockets at dinner that time it was you who turned the conversation in order to stop him as for the man we must pray for him it’s all we can do to help him and he needs our help even if he is our enemy yes Captain Bridges gave a deep sigh thank you Miss Calver you’re very understanding I feel much better for having talked to you and I shall pray for him but I wish I knew who it was there are two or three men in this town whom I regard very highly and it would be Dreadful if it should prove proed to be one of them you’ve no idea Lucinda was still fighting against a growing certainty none at all well I’ll not keep you any longer many thanks again miss calat you’ve been a great help he stood up to depart Lucinda saw him out then returned to the study where she finished sorting the papers but not giving them her full attention so that her father was later surprised to find the account for community wine included in the inventory of church valuables and wondered if his daughter was tactfully suggesting that he was paying too much for it after that she sat thinking and praying until dinner time when the Rector returned with much to say about the iniquities of the arch Deacon and various other clerical matters and so did not notice how quiet and abstracted Lucinda was in the early hours of the morning she finally reached the decision about the relative importance of her patriotic Duty and her responsibility towards the man she loved after all the important thing was to prevent him from doing further harm to her country and that could be affected without his being arrested and sent to trial if he could be warned in time consequently she was up and dressed by the time Mr Gibbs started to Ring The Apprentice Bell and slipped down the stairs and out of the house under cover of its sound normally she would have enjoyed crossing the field so early in the morning with the shadow of the trees lying long across the duw wet grass and the air still chill and fresh but she had no thought this morning for anything except reaching Pinnacles she passed patches of blue scabas and corn cockle fields of ripe corn studded with Scarlet poppies and a whole flock of sheep without seeing any of them and even walked through the middle of Mr Harris’s herd of cows without a second thought it seemed an age before she reached the steps up from the Salvage path to the Terrace of his garden and toiled up one flight after another her muslin frock wet almost to the knees with Dew brushing past rose bushes heavy with flowers which shed their fragrant petals to cling to the damp cloth the long Windows of the small parlor in which she had seen the reformed Rogue stood open to the morning and she walked in through them without hesitation Mr Harris was sitting at the table eating a boiled egg in a silver egg cup the table was covered by a snowy CL off and set with a rack of toast a dish of butter and another of honey and a fragrantly steaming pot of coffee the cat Charlotte was sitting upright on a chair opposite Mr Harris regarding him steadily over the edge of the table and he was saying to her no you may not eat my egg you’ll have your breakfast in the kitchen Madam when Lucinda entered you’ll have to go quickly she said boldly they’re coming to arrest you today Mr Harris stood up dropping his egg spoon and napkin on the table looked a little surprised and said mildly good morning my dear may I offer you some coffee there isn’t time she said desperately don’t you understand they’ll hang you if you don’t escape she was afflicted by a terrible sense of unreality and wondered if she was dreaming if I’m to flee the country I’ll not go on an empty stomach he replied with unruffled calm and rang the bell George answered with alacrity and fetched another cup some fresh toast and more coffee without betraying the slightest trace of surprise at finding a visitor for breakfast now said Mr Harris when Lucinda was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee before her I’ll warrant you’ve rushed up here without waiting to eat or drink anything so help yourself to toast and tell me why I’m to be hanged for I find it a novel idea Captain Bridges told me yesterday that Colonel long had warned him there’s a spy in the district and that he’s to be arrested today she said Captain Bridges doesn’t know yet who it is but but you think you do Mr Harris buttered another piece of toast and absentmindedly offered it to Charlotte who jumped down from her chair seized the offering and settled down on a Priceless Oriental silk rug to lick the butter off it Miss Mr Harris looked at his empty plate in a puzzled fashion and took another piece of toast for himself I wasn’t unconscious for long you see Lucinda said and then stopped wondering why he was so calm for she had been too engrossed in her need to convince him of his danger to notice the incident of the misdirected toast well I knew that of course he added honey to the butter there’s a deal of difference in the feel of an unconscious body and that of a conscious one it suited me however to avoid the need for explanations and it saved the Smugglers worrying about whether you recognize them and what you might be inclined to do about it apparently thinking he had given her a reasonable explanation he took a bite of toast and looked at her expectantly I heard you mention letters to the Smugglers she went on you gave them one and received one from them which you pass to the to that man who was here then there were Colonel Long’s papers which were in his pocket when he gave you his coat on the night of the fire but were missing when he had his coat again they were under the pey in the garden just after you called the next morning although they certainly had not been there an hour before I’ve seen you with your telescope watching the army camp and you know more than anyone outside the Powder Mill about colel congres Rockets Mr Harris took another piece of toast and buttered it a damning collection of evidence he said agreeably then of course I begged you to keep Silence about my uh nefarious activities and you speak French Lucinda added wretchedly wondering why he seemed so unaffected by her Revelations and you have a book in French about codes and ciphers and all those sheets of paper with letters set out on them there’s a simple code I believe where you spell out your message on say every sixth letter and fill in the rest with nonsense or with an ordinary sort of letter she thought that statement sounded confusing with the two meanings of the word letter is there by George said Mr Harris in an interested tone I read about it in a book Lucinda took a gulp of coffee then suddenly feeling hungry took a piece of toast and buttered it I don’t know why you should wish to betray England to our enemies for I don’t think you’re an evil man man and I wouldn’t want you to be to be hanged so will you please run away before they come Lucinda Mr Harris said softly and earnestly you’re an intelligent and brave girl you’ve put your evidence together very well reasoned it out quite thoroughly and risked a great deal to come here and warn me did it not occur to you that I might take you for a hostage or even kill you in order to make my Escape more easily I didn’t think for one moment that you’d harm me oh please I’m not joking how can you sit calmly eating toast when they may be here any moment to arrest you because my dear girl they’re not coming until this evening he said quietly the arresting party is to dine with me and I expect the unmasking will take place then if all goes to plan but you must still go now she cried passionately so that you may be further from their reach oh how can you sit there eating toast when you may be hanged Mr Harris regarded her for a moment but without his usual Touch of irony and his eyes were not in the least cool but so warm that lucenda her heart thumping uncomfortably hastily ate her piece of toast and reached for another there is something very comforting about toast when one’s emotions are in anything of a turmoil he remarked absently look myar I don’t think it will come to a hanging at least I hope not but I have to be present at my dinner party for reasons which I cannot explain at present would it embarrass you to be the only lady present at such a gathering I should like you to be there to hear the answers to all your questions will you come Lucinda hesitated filled with despair how could she bear to see him unmasked as a villain and arrested but how much harder to sit at home wondering and fearing I should like to she said but I don’t know if my parents would allow it your father will be coming himself and I’ll send him a note during the day to ask him to bring you with him I’m sure I can persuade him will you come yes she replied miserably and groped in her reticule for a handkerchief with which she blew her nose in a manner which her mother would not have approved he smiled and poured her some more coffee then said in an ordinary conversational tone The Cottages will be finished by the end of next week and my sheep will be here the week after and I fully intend to survive to see my plans carried out so try not to worry very well Charlotte for the cat was patting his leg and mewing I’ve not forgotten your milk and he poured her a dishful which she received as of right and lapped in dust iously Lucinda feeling at the same time despondent puzzled and somehow very slightly hopeful ate more toast then recollected that she did not wish her parents to be alarmed at her unexplained absence and so must go home at once Mr Harris walked with her to the bottom of the hill talking easily about cows and sheep and donkeys of which he was very fond and other impersonal matters then when they reached the style at the edge of his land he took Lucinda’s hand in both of his and said don’t imagine that I undervalue what you tried to do for me today I can guess what agonies of mind and conscience it must have cost you and I am deeply grateful I wish I might tell you that all will be well but I fear you will find the truth painful and the waiting to hear it distressing I’m sorry I can only assure you that if all goes as I plan there will be no loss of Life by hanging or by any other method try to trust me and I hope to see you this evening he kissed her hand and then her cheek she gave a little sobb clinging to his hand and he drew her close put his arms around her and held her comfortingly for a few moments I’m so sorry he whispered I’d give anything for matters to be otherwise so you might be spared distress but I cannot help it she Drew away from him looked at his face uncertainly then stumbled away Homeward stopping once or twice to shed a few tears and praying incoherently all the way that things should turn out as well as possible for him even if it meant a long imprisonment if he must go to prison she decided I shall visit him and take him whatever he needs I shall do what I can and surely father will help me for it says in the Bible that we must visit prisoners she passed a wretched day trying to keep busy and appear as usual fearful that any sign of distress might be taken for illness and prevent her going to Pinnacles in the evening her lateness for breakfast was unquestioned for her father simply said a lovely morning for an early walk although I fear that we may have rain later did I tell you my dear that I shall be out for dinner a little matter of business the note from Mr Harris arrived as they were sitting down to luncheon and Mr Calbert looking surprised said Lucinda My Dear Mr Harris particularly asked that I bring you with me this evening would this be convenient why yes Father I’m not otherwise engaged she glanced uneasily at her mother who murmured something about gentlemen not being able to get their numbers right for dinner apparently under the impression that Mr Harris had suddenly found himself with 13 to sit down or some similar calamity I shall retire early with a tray as I find this continuing warm weather very trying I hope it may not Thunder she concluded at one time during the afternoon a mass of dark clouds came up but they passed over without actually doing anything and the Sun was shining Again by the time the rectory Carriage set out for Pinnacles with Lucinda full of nervous anticipation dressed in the new Poppin gown the cream stain carefully washed out sitting opposite her her father wondering what she was to hear during the evening as the carriage mounted the hill the Rector said seriously I have an inkling of the purport of this Gathering my dear for I had a letter from London a short time ago telling me certain things which I thought it best to keep to myself and also I’ve had a long discussion with some of my friends concerning the same matter I believe that tonight we shall be hearing more about it but I can say nothing now except to warn you to be prepared for a shock to which Lucinda could only reply yes Father the Gathering was quite small and Lucinda was not surprised to find Colonel long and Captain Bridges there and it seemed reasonable that Mr Martin and mure Roland should also have been invited for Mr Martin was a solicitor and a magistrate which would be useful if anyone was to be arrested the Frenchman could act as an interpreter if necessary and his deep hatred for the present regime in his country would make him an interested party in the thwarting of a French spy the gentlemen were surprised at Lucinda’s arrival but Mr Harris said aily I’ve asked Miss calber for a special reason for we cannot celebrate the establishment of my farming Venture without her since she has been instrumental in finding me some of the essential parts of it shall we go in as we’re all here the dinner was informal and no doubt the food was delicious and the wine of the First Quality but but Lucinda was so keyed up waiting for what was to come that she ate and drank without tasting or noticing what was set before her at last the dishes were removed coffee brought in and the servants withdrew Mr Harris with a distinct change from Easy affability to a Steely businesslike tone said now miss Calbert gentlemen to the matter we are met to discuss it appears M Roland that you are not all the you would have us believe this gentleman who had been sitting back contemplating his coffee cup in the pleasant aftermath of a good dinner gave a start of surprise and said I M what do you mean there are a number of small matters concerning you which require explanation Mr Harris replied grimly for example the letters which you pay the Smugglers so handsomely to carry to France for you my letters he looked bewildered I cannot imagine how you come to know of them yes I send letters to France and receive them too my sister is still living in Cal and we keep in touch for we are the only two left of our family yes Charming letters full of idle gossip and brotherly concern Mr Harris still sounded Grim sometimes the spelling is a little odd or a construction not quite as the Academy would have it but it’s not easy to write correctly when one is incorporating a code message is it code I no you are mistaken Mr Roland sounded amazed and indignant what right have you to intercept my correspondence and read it the third letter then the seventh then the fourth in a regular sequence Mr Harris said by way of a reply you shouldn’t have taken the ugers for fools you know the first letter you bribed them to carry was taken straight to Colonel long who sent it to the horse guards it took a colleague of mine a week or so to discover your code but after that it was simple to read your messages and substitute to forged one of our own from time to time in fact you’ve been very useful to us especially in these last few weeks the Frenchman’s face had turned a sickly color but he still managed to speak quite calmly is this a joke of some sort he inquired no more of a joke than those sums of Money Paid into your account at Rothchilds Bank in London Mr Harris replied an interesting family the Rothchilds you know there’s an uncle here a cousin there a brother somewhere else all Bankers spread about the chief cities of Europe Wars and Frontiers are no more than a mild inconvenience to them for they have their own system of transfers and their own Courier Service the payments into your London account come by way of two neutral countries but they originate in Paris nothing to say m I’ll tell you some more Curious facts then you noticed the activity about the Powder Mill in the camp a while ago the sudden movement of barges along the navigation and of soldiers marching off towards the coast for you reported it all in your letters and very accurately too you formed the wrong conclusion however for it was not the beginnings of another expedition to the Netherlands as you thought in fact if the wind has held steady I imagine that our ships are using those Rockets which interested you so much to bombard Copenhagen Colonel congreve may even be there with them for a force of the royal hanovarian Army in which he serves is advancing through Denmark and even your old acquaintance Sir Arthur Welsley is there with a landing Force copen Egan exclaimed M Roland before anyone else could speak yes Mr Harris smiled in a sardonic fashion the papers you filched from Colonel Long’s pocket said Holland again did they not it was intended that the colonel should contrive to drop them where you would find them but you saved him the trouble by searching his pockets while you were so kindly hanging his coat on the back of a chair but Denmark’s neutral Captain Bridges sound sounded shocked in the recently signed treaty between bonapart and Alexander of Russia Mr Harris explained there are several secret Clauses according to a friend of ours who pursues a similar calling to missier but does so in Russia one of those Clauses is an agreement that bonapart should invade Denmark in order to seize the Danish Fleet to replace the ships he lost at Trafalga unfortunately for him and thanks to our friend by the time his men reach Copenhagen the ships will be ours or they’ll be useless wrecks depending how long it takes the Danes to accept reality I’m afraid there are no neutrals in Europe anymore everyone must either fight bonapart or surrender to him we let your report on the proposed invasion of Holland go through for it saved the trouble of forging something of a similarly misleading nature that odd little man you saw here miss Calbert was a forger you see it was convenient for him to be close at hand when the Smugglers brought an outgoing letter in case it needed a altering if he forg to substitute he could also carry the original back to our masters in the horse guards how do you come to be involved in this Captain Bridges asked giving the impression that he thought it an odd interest for a gentleman and not one of which he approved I have a natural flare for breaking codes and I’ve made a study of them Mr Harris replied also I speak read and write French well enough to decode M Roland’s letters and write a substitute when necessary for the forger to copy I used to come secretly to Colonel Long’s house to do it but I discovered that this estate which is exactly what I have been seeking for some time was conveniently close at hand so I’ve been continuing the operation from here since I moved in well mure have you nothing to say to all this the Frenchman gave a very Galla shrug and replied what is there left for me to say there is much I would wish to add but who would believe me why don’t you try us Mr Harris sounded quite kind and gentle don’t mistake our feelings towards you mure you’re a brave man and worthy of respect for you’ve chosen to serve your country in a dangerous difficult and very lonely manner say what is in your mind he gave another subtly different shrug and said then I will tell you that I am deeply grateful for the kindness and friendship I have received in this place I regret that in the nature of my task I was trying to bring arm on you all but it was not out of hatred of you or your country only out of love for my own if I could have my dearest wish France and England would live at peace and I would choose I think to make my own here does that sound strange from an enemy spy I accept that I am finished so do as you will with me there was a moment or two of silence and then Captain Bridges cleared his throat nervously and said I say do we uh have to arrest him I mean would it be after all as long as he stops spying could he not go back to France with the Smugglers Lucinda added if he’s in France he can’t be doing any spying here can he she had sat through the revelations concerning M Roland in a trance of relief shock joy and amazement and only now came to her senses being quite surprised to find herself capable of speaking at all I have no warrant for anyone’s arrest Mr Harris replied with a very blank face I’ve not even told the horse guards that I’m putting an end to M Roland’s activities for that’s within my discretion I’ve no doubt there are stirrings up there as it begins to penetrate those brass helmets that the man has outlived his usefulness now and it’s time to be rid of him too bad if he disappears before they translate thought into action if I were you Miss Roland I’d go off tonight with the contrabands are you serious the Frenchman was suddenly alert perfectly you’ll find them waiting for you in the usual place Mr Harris replied briskly they’ve collected your books and essentials from your lodging and your passage is already paid you’ll need some of the ready so I’ve taken the liberty of withdrawing this from your account at Rothchilds he tossed him a clinking bag which was caught deafly you’d best be off before they grow tired of waiting he stood up and held out his hand to the Frenchman who shook it in a diffident manner good luck to you the others Rose and shook hands with him with varying degrees of reluctance Mr Martin hardly being able to bring himself to extend his hand at all Lucinda gave hers freely for she had always liked M Roland and could to some extent understand his feelings he raised it to his lips and said softly I owe so much more than I can tell to you Miss galet I shall never forget you I I bid you all ad you thank you all and he slipped out through the open Windows into the night well that’s that then said Mr Harris as they resumed their seats now are there any questions left unanswered why did you let him go Mr Martin sounded angry would you rather see him hang Mr Harris asked crisply you’ve obviously thought well enough of him to have him to dine at your table is a man to be despised for serving his country in the best way he knows is he any less Brave than the soldier who sets out to kill his enemy with a musket should we think any less of mure Roland than of our own spy who sent us news of the secret Clauses of the Treaty of tilset in any case our sorrows come not single spies but in battalions so surely we may let the single spy go for he’ll do us no more harm Mr Martin was silent and only shook his head doubtfully Mr Calbert after waiting a moment to see if he meant to argue the point said may I inquire Mr Harris who are you my name really is John Harris he replied smiling but I’m more usually known as vicount cring the father’s the Earl of gorsley who’s usually away being an ambassador or planner potenti somewhere or other Lucinda felt that he had just dealt her the worst shock of the whole evening and she was surprised to hear herself say in her normal voice why was he so sure that he saw you in Paris in O2 what was the point of lying about it neither of us was lying Mr Harris replied looking directly at her he must have seen my brother Edward we’re much alike and he was certainly in Paris during the Peace of amen’s on the staff of Lord Cornwallis our ambassador so he’d have had good reason to call on the French foreign minister the party broke up soon after for everyone present had liked the Frenchmen and apart from the two who had known his real nature they were all shocked by the evening’s Revelations Mr Harris placed Lucinda’s Shaw about her shoulders with some solicitude while the gentlemen were assuming their coats and hats in the entrance hall and took the opportunity to whisper I’m sorry my dear you must have spent a most wretched day and such sad news at the end of it I wish I could have told you the truth this morning but there were so many other considerations can you forgive me I’m so glad it wasn’t you that nothing else matters she replied tremulously and poor M Roland will be safe will he not I think he really wanted to go home so perhaps it’s all for the best she did not look up at his face being occupied with smoothing her gloves as she spoke which was unfortunate as she might have learned something from his expression he pressed the hand she offered him in farewell and said you have a good heart my dear any man should be grateful to count you his friend Lucinda and her father were silent most of the way home lost in their own thoughts but as the carriage rattled along East Street Mr calvat said I’m glad you spoke as you did Lucinda i’ not wish you or me to be concerned in sending a man to The Gallows without trying to save him no father Lucinda replied in a subdued voice she felt quite numb with shock partly from the discovery that a man she had liked even admired and sympathized with in his loneliness and homesickness should have lived such a lie in all the years she had known him and partly from the realization that Mr Harris whom she loved and who had seemed at least interested in her who had spoken to her in she felt sure affectionate terms and of whom she had dared to daydream with a growing belief that her dreams might come true should have become in the course of one sentence utterly unattainable I suppose she thought wretchedly when at last the explanations to her mother were over and she had escaped to her own room I suppose that gentlemen in the highest ranks of society think nothing of stealing a kiss from a female so much much lower in rank than calling her by her Christian name it wouldn’t occur to him that I might build hopes on something so trivial she shed more than a few tears over her loss of a friend and the more Grievous loss of one she had begun to Hope might be a husband Mrs Calver felt well enough to attend church in the morning despite the expected break in the weather which brought a gray sky and a fine mle of rain that accorded well with Lucinda’s feelings the UR while Mr Harris was in the Pinnacle Pew looking no different as a vicount than he had as a plain mister and Lucinda was pleased to see that immediately after the service Mr Martin stepped across the aisle to speak to him and Shake him by the hand she had no opportunity to speak with him herself for Mr Gibbs had heard rumors of the previous night’s doing and was lurking in the vestri with intent to extract as much information as possible from Lucinda she found most of his question difficult to answer and by the time she escaped from him Lord cring had gone the afternoon seemed long and tedious a Sabbath piece descended on the rectory after luncheon with Mrs calvat dozing in the parlor while Lucinda tried to concentrate on a book of very dull sermons which her father had recommended as suitable Sunday reading Mr calvat was in his study contemplating his sermon for even song with his eyes closed and the servants were no doubt taking a nap in the kitchen Fred was awake for Lucinda could see him from The Parlor window draped on a branch of the walnut tree watching the Swifts flying about the church Eaves suddenly the front doorbell jangled and Lucinda went quickly to answer it before it woke everyone to her surprise Lord cring was standing on the step Sheltering under an umbrella good afternoon he said is the Rector at home I wonder if I might have a few words with with him with a strong feeling of deja vu Lucinda invited him to enter lodged his wet umbrella in a particularly ugly vase which lived behind the front door and took him to the study much preoccupied with wondering whether she should have curtsied when she saw him the Rector Rose to greet him with why Mister that is my Lord this is a pleasant surprise you see I have no difficulty in identifying you with my excellent new spectacles I shall not accuse you this time of coming to put up the bands as a matter of fact lord cring said with surprising diffidence I hope I may actually request you to enter my name in your band’s register before I leave I’ve come to ask your permission to speak to miss Calver speak to Lucinda the Rector looked at his daughter in a puzzled fashion then light dawned Oh you mean speak to her oh my goodness well yes by all means I uh you’d best uh speak in here I’ll go to uh he stammered himself over to the door and paused in the opening I’ll leave it a trifle a jar for Mrs Grundy’s benefit you understand and went out Lucinda standing transfixed by her father’s desk heard him go to The Parlor and the rumble of his voice as he spoke to his wife in a loud whisper then Mrs Calver uttered a VI count in what might in a less gential person have been described as a small shriek pray Mr Calver pass me my smelling bottle then the Parlor door closed Lord cring cleared his throat nervously muttered something which sounded like nothing Venture and took a step nearer to Lucinda who had clasped her hands together to stop them trembling and was staring fix ly at a worn patch on the carpet wondering when she would wake up he secured her clasped hands between his own took a deep breath opened his lips to speak and then received an unexpected Interruption for a portly form insinuated itself through the small gap which the Rector had left between the door and jam and inquired loudly what the gentleman was about it was of course not Mrs Grundy but Fred who advanced upon his friend with great interest Lord cringed Ed his hold upon Lucinda’s hands and said to the cat you’re quite right I’ve made a regular Pig’s nest of the whole business have I not no wonder she greets me without a smile or even a look what am I to do Fred will you speak to her for me Fred sat down arranging his tail neatly about his stubby Paws and regarded the two humans with a non-committal stare be a good fellow now Lord cring said coaxingly tell her I love her more than anything in the world and it broke my heart to hurt her yesterday did M Roland mean so much to her do you think that she can’t forgive me for destroying her belief in him and driving him away of course not Lucinda replied breathlessly on Fred’s behalf the man’s hands were warm and felt real enough but surely this could not really be happening she could not heard him say what he had just said could she never Lord crings voice cracked on the word there was a moment’s confused silence and then Lucinda realizing that he had misunderstood her hastily said no I mean yes oh what I’m trying to say is I did like M Roland and I was sorry for him and I’m glad you let him Escape but I’m much more glad that it wasn’t you I did say say so last night did I not with a sudden doubt so I thought but you avoided me this morning and seemed not at all pleased to see me this afternoon oh my dear girl is it really all right thinking he meant the matter of forgiving him for revealing the truth about M Roland Lucinda replied yes of course and was startled when he gave a great sigh dropped on one knee and held onto her hands even more tightly oh you mustn’t she exclaimed in confusion Fred apparently feeling drro made a stately exit but I must Lord cring replied firmly I’ll not defer knowing my fate another moment will you marry me lucenda how can I she replied wretchedly A vicount doesn’t marry the daughter of a country Parson I’m only a courtesy vicount but you’ll be an Earl one day and that’s even worse it has nothing to do with it look Lucinda if it was plain John Harris saying to Lucinda calber I love you will you marry me what would you say Lucinda looked at him saw the expression in his eyes knew that she could never have dreamed such a look and answered I would say I love you yes I’ll marry you John Harris plain or otherwise grinned with relief and in one swift movement Rose to his feet and took her in his arms Lucinda Said inconsequentially Fred will be pleased and then he bent his head to kiss her she had never dreamed that a kiss could be anything like that and it seemed to get better every moment so that when the bells suddenly began to ring for even song she realized that they were anything but a manifestation of her own ecstasy only when the courtesy vicount murmured how soft the music of those Village Bells between kisses thank you for listening to the Country Gentleman woodam book one by Dina Dean narrated by Katherine Bilson copyright 1985 audiobook production copyright 2024 thanks for listening if you enjoyed this tradition historical romance why not treat yourself to a beautiful paperback copy for your keeper Shelf dinan’s books are available in paperback ebook or audio copy from all major ebook retailers for exclusive discounts on the audiobook to listen offline visit cover and page.com
9 Comments
Thank you!
❤❤❤ Thank you!
Most appreciated❤
Thank you
Interesting start, thank you.🎉
Just started! Can’t wait! Thank you Catherine!
Thank you 👍🏼
55
Well written and entertaining without all the unnecessary drama and sex.