Page 10 of Needs Must
‘But ghosts are not alive.’
‘Not in the same way that we measure life perhaps. But who is to say that there is not more to come? That our earthly presence is not merely a staging post, a preparation for greater things? Certainly, we spend enough Sunday mornings being preached at about the hereafter, so it’s safe to assume that we all believe in it, or at least would like to. Anyway, I shall be perfectly comfortable living with the ghost of poor Mrs Bagshott. I cannot sense any harm in her.’
Donna shivered as she spoke. She would not make the confession for the world, but she could feel a presence again that didn’t seem malevolent but made her slightly uncomfortable. A chill ran down her back, but she attributed her reaction to the onset of autumn and told herself that there was nothing here to fear.
The earl had disappeared into the scullery. He made no comment upon his discoveries there before she heard his booted feet climbing the stairs. She wondered at the impertinence of the man, seeking out her private rooms as if the property was his own, but then he was probably accustomed to doing as he pleased without reference to anyone else. She heard a smothered oath as presumably he put his foot through a rotten board. He hadn’t given her an opportunity to warn him about the perilous state of the staircase and so only had himself to blame if he had injured his ankle or worse, damaged his undoubtedly expensive boots.
‘Are you absolutely sure about this?’
Lost in thought, the earl’s voice, disarmingly close to her ear, startled her.
‘Do not creep up on people!’ she said crossly, clutching a hand across her heart. ‘You frightened me half out of my wits.’
‘I am not a ghost,’ he said chuckling. ‘But I apologise nonetheless.’
‘So I should think.’
‘Why are you so annoyed with me, Mrs Harte? I cannot persuade myself that it’s only because you didn’t hear me approaching.’
‘I am not annoyed with you, my lord. Indeed, I would not dare to be. A man of your stature positively terrifies me into silent obeisance.’
He emitted a belly laugh. ‘Now I know you’re being untruthful. I have not known you above half an hour but I already sense that little terrifies you. And thankfully, obsequiousness has no part in your character.’
Donna didn’t know how to respond, so she said nothing. If the earl found the ensuing silence uncomfortable he gave no sign, and continued to prowl around the small sitting room like a caged animal, tutting under his breath every so often.
‘Ah, here’s Dawkins,’ he said, glancing out the window.
Donna headed towards the door in order to let him in, but the earl appeared to have taken charge and beat her to it.
Damn the man, Donna thought.He takes everything as his own, but he will not take me.
‘Dawkins,’ the earl said.
‘M’lord.’ A middle-aged man in working clothes pulled the cap from his head. ‘Didn’t expect to see you ’ere.’
‘I didn’t expect to be here,’ the earl replied cheerfully, ‘but life is full of surprises. This is Mrs Harte. She needs the roof and windows repaired, and what can you do with that staircase? It’s a veritable death trap.’
The earl and Dawkins toured the cottage, shaking their heads over its condition, discussing repairs and costs and completely ignoring Donna. She knew that the earl was trying to be helpful and ensure that Dawkins didn’t overcharge her, but that was beside the point. She did not appreciate being cut out of things. She’d had quite enough of that during the course of her marriage. Now staking her claim for independence, a man, a stranger, had taken it upon himself to try and run her life.
‘Shouldn’t take more than a few days I don’t reckon,’ Dawkins said to the earl, stepping back into the sitting room and scratching his head.
‘What should not take more than a few days?’ Donna asked sweetly.
‘The repairs I just agreed with his lordship.’
‘I shall take charge of repairs to my cottage, Mr Dawkins. Perhaps you would have the goodness to explain them to me,’ Donna replied. ‘In words of one syllable naturally, so that a mere woman might understand them.’
‘Er, what?’
Donna realised that she was being unreasonable. Mr Dawkins didn’t deserve to be the recipient of her sarcasm. It would be natural for him to take his orders from his own employer, regardless of the circumstances.
‘What repairs do you recommend?’ she asked, moderating her tone.
Mr Dawkins proceeded to outline his suggestions, and Donna conceded that they were precisely what was required.
‘And what is the estimated cost?’ Donna gulped, ready to absorb bad news. Everything was so shockingly expensive in England nowadays. She had learned at least that much since her return. Which was why the figure he quoted came as such a shock, but only because it was lower than she had anticipated.
‘That will be perfectly acceptable, Mr Dawkins,’ she said. ‘When will you be able to make a start?’
