Page 72 of The Stranger in Room Six
The groom’s lips visibly tightened. ‘Because an example has to be set. Now, why don’t you take Foam for a ride and clear your head?’
It proved good advice. Maybe, Mabel told herself, as she trotted across the fields, the Colonel would be proved innocent and then they could return to normal. Or at least, as normal as life could be in this horrible war.
On her way home, Mabel spotted a man mending the fences around the paddock. For some reason, her heart began to beat.
‘Antonio! What are you doing here?’
‘We have been told to help around the village,’ he replied, giving a bow. So polite!
Then he noticed her tear-stained face. ‘What is wrong?’
Mabel couldn’t help telling him about the Colonel.
‘My father is a count,’ he said. ‘Depending on which way the war goes, he might too be shot as a traitor. Or hanged.’
‘I am so sorry.’
‘You’re sorry? Even though I am the enemy?’
‘I don’t really see you like that,’ admitted Mabel. ‘You seem too nice.’
‘So do you. Although you’re not just nice. You are beautiful.’
Mabel flushed. No one had ever called her that before.
‘Miss!’ The groom was calling from the stables. ‘Your aunt needs you urgently.’
Was she ill? Clarissa had become so pale and thin since Jonty had been taken.
But when Mabel arrived back at the house, out of breath after sprinting from the stables, she found Clarissa dressed in one of her best silk suits and hats.
‘Get yourself ready,’ she commanded.
‘Where are we going?’
‘To court.’
‘I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,’ tutted Cook. ‘A trial is no place for a young lady.’
‘Hold your tongue, or I will dismiss you,’ snapped Aunt Clarissa. ‘It is not your place to interfere.’
‘Hah! You won’t find anyone else to hire. Not with the gossip that’s flying around.’
‘Then I shall make my own meals.’
‘I’d like to see that,’ muttered Cook walking off.
‘Please,’ said Mabel running after her. ‘Don’t go.’
Cook gave her a quick hug. ‘If it wasn’t for you, child, I’d be packing my bags right now. But I can’t leave you here. Not with her.’
The groom had the car ready. Aunt Clarissa got in without a thank you, then drove at breakneck speed to the court in Exeter.
‘I need to see him,’ she kept saying, urgently. ‘I need to see him.’
Mabel had never been to court before. There were so many people! All shuffling and elbowing each other to get a seat on the benches. Some faces she recognized from the hunt.
‘The Colonel must be a very popular man,’ she whispered to her aunt.
