Page 23 of Needs Must
Donna looked too and her heart lurched when she recognised the earl’s stallion. But she barely recognised the man himself. Unlike their previous meeting, this time he was formally attired, complete with greatcoat and topper. ‘It’s the earl,’ she said absently. ‘What reason can he possibly have to call?’
‘I can’t begin to imagine,’ Miriam replied, chuckling as she lumbered to her feet. ‘But his station in life don’t give him the right to take liberties, and I shall tell him so in no uncertain terms if his mind’s turned in that direction. Anyway, I’d best let him in. He don’t look like the patient type so it wouldn’t do to keep him waiting.’
Donna lamented the fact that she was once again wearing an old gown, the very same one that had adorned her person on her previous meeting with the earl. She brushed it down and absently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Then she recalled that she wasn’t attempting to impress him and chided herself for her vanity. She stood as Miriam opened the front door, which led directly into the parlour.
‘Is your mistress at home?’ she heard the earl ask.
‘You’ll be the earl, I dare say,’ Miriam replied, and Donna knew that her faithful stalwart would be assessing the man without any deference to his rank. ‘I’ll see if she’s receiving,’ Miriam added, opening the door wide enough to show the earl that Donna was indeed in residence.
‘My lord.’ Donna smiled as she stood and bobbed a curtsey. The earl had obviously passed Miriam’s test; a rare accolade. ‘An unexpected pleasure.’
Donna’s heart quailed when she took in the grim set to his features. ‘Mrs Harte,’ he said curtly. ‘Walk with me, if you will.’
‘Indeed she will not!’ Miriam cried indignantly. ‘It’s pouring with rain.’
‘The rain has virtually stopped,’ the earl replied.
‘I will fetch a bonnet,’ Donna said at the same time, curiosity overcoming the reticence her maid had displayed on her behalf. What the earl imagined she had done to displease him she had no idea, but he clearly wasn’t happy about something, and Donna very much wanted to know how she had caused offence.
She didn’t have far to go in order to reclaim her discarded bonnet and cape from the settle. It was clear that the earl was discomposed, and whatever had put him into a taking had to do with her. Best clear the air, she thought. She had no desire to be driven from the district and was sure that a man with so much influence could easily make that happen if he took against her.
Miriam sent Donna a glance, clearly wondering if she should accompany them. Donna shook her head.
‘Remain here, Miriam,’ she said, ‘and wait for the sweep. I shall not be long.’
Miriam looked most unhappy as she opened the door and Donna preceded the earl through it.
‘I get the impression,’ she said, as they walked away and the earl remained stoically silent, ‘that I have done something to displease you. I am at a loss to know what that might be since we have only met the once. That being the case, I would appreciate clarification.’
They had walked a short distance down the lane in which Denmead Cottage was situated. The earl, still without uttering a word but continuing to scowl, steered her onto a path beneath a stand of trees, where they were afforded some protection from the elements. He halted beneath the wide branches of an oak tree, beneath which a carpet of thick leaves crunched under their feet.
‘Your husband is dead?’ he asked.
She sent him a wide-eyed look of incomprehension. ‘Yes,’ she replied without hesitation. ‘I already told you as much.’
‘Where did he die?’
‘I told you that as well, didn’t I?’ Donna was starting to lose patience. ‘In Jamaica. Why the inquisition?’
‘He owned a plantation?’
‘Nothing nearly so grand. He oversaw one for an English gentleman. The climate did not agree with him – the owner, that is. He fell victim to a sweating fever and had to return to England. That being the case, he was obliged to have someone take control on his behalf. It is not that unusual. A lot of great men do not trouble themselves to take care of their own interests. But I am sure I haven’t told you anything that you didn’t already know.’
She could see that the earl was still very angry about something and began to feel aggrieved because that anger was directed at her. Dissatisfaction fuelled his expression, rousing Donna’s own anger.
‘Why are you quizzing me on such a painful subject without the slightest regard for my feelings?’ she demanded, staring up at him and planting her fisted hands on her hips in a gesture reminiscent of Miriam. ‘My husband’s affairs and my own circumstances are no business of yours. Besides, I do not answer to you, or to any man.’
She thought she detected a momentary softening in his expression, but it returned to granite-like status before she could be sure. ‘Humour me, Mrs Harte. I have a good reason for invading your privacy, as perhaps you are aware.’
She folded her arms and turned away from him. ‘You mistake the matter, sir. I am aware of nothing, and I don’t have the first idea what you hope to achieve by trying to force your way into my affairs. However, since you have obliged me by releasing Mr Dawkins from tending to the repairs on your barn then I shall tell you whatever you wish to know. Ask your questions and do so quickly, before Miriam thinks I have been abducted and comes after you with a carving knife. Or worse, her rolling pin.’
This time the briefest of smiles broke through his guard. ‘Were you in Jamaica when your husband died?’
‘I was. He contracted a fever. I nursed him for several weeks, but despite my best efforts and those of his doctor, he eventually succumbed.’
‘Are you absolutely sure?’
‘Sure?’ She glowered at him. ‘What sort of question is that? Of course I am sure. I closed his eyes myself. If you doubt my word then ask Miriam. She was there and helped me to make the necessary arrangements.’
