Page 4 of Needs Must
Donna nodded, easily able to understand the reasoning behind the local suspicion. ‘Go on,’ she encouraged.
‘Well, I’m not one to spread gossip, but the word is that his wife left him and went to live in that cottage. Only imagine.’
‘I barely can,’ Donna replied, biting back a smile.
‘The cottage was hers before her marriage, you see, and she loved the place a sight more than she loved Bagshott. No one knows what happened precisely, but the poor woman was found dead in that cottage under mysterious circumstances. Must be ten years ago now. They reckon it’s her ghost wanderin’ the rooms and folks say she can’t pass over to the other side until her death is avenged.’
‘She won’t have far to roam,’ Miriam said offhandedly. ‘The place is miniscule.’
‘It’s large enough for our needs,’ Donna replied.
‘Ah, so you do intend to take it, even after what I’ve told you.’
‘I do, Mrs Cooper, although I thank you for putting us on our guard. What I need is your help with two things. Someone reliable to fix the roof, the rotted floorboards and the leaking windows, and a lad to clear the gardens.’
‘And a chimney sweep,’ Miriam added. ‘Someone to chop logs for us as well.’
‘You’ll also need transport,’ Mrs Cooper pointed out, ‘if you’re absolutely determined to stay out there in the wilds.’
‘Oh, I’ve taken a liking to the district,’ Donna said, ‘and I’m sure the cottage can be made comfortable, with a little determination and a lot of hard work.’
‘Well then, Dawkins is your man for the roof and the repairs. He’s in the taproom right now. He’ll see you right and unlike most, he won’t take advantage of you being a lady on your own or I’ll know the reason why.’
‘That he won’t!’ Miriam added, scowling.
‘And my lad Tom can help you with the grounds. He’s in need of work. He’s a good boy, strong and willing, but he’s a bit slow in the head, if you get my meaning.’
Donna nodded. She did. She’d seen him about the place. He smiled constantly and never seemed to tire, no matter what task his father set him. He would be ideal.
‘That cob you’ve been driving. If you like him then my husband will sell him and the gig to you for a fair price.’
‘I do like him. He’s a most obliging horse. What’s his name?’ Donna hadn’t asked, unwilling to get attached to the animal, as she tended to do with any creature, and then be disappointed when she had to hand him back.
‘Bertram,’ Mrs Cooper said, rolling his eyes. ‘Who gave him that stupid name I’m at a loss to know, but he’s used to it so what’s to be done?’
‘I think it suits him admirably, Mrs Cooper,’ Donna said, as the landlady cleared their empty soup plates.
When they retired a little later that evening, Donna felt a little optimism filtering through the gloom she’d been living with for the past year. She liked Arndale, trusted Mrs Cooper and had found somewhere to live – albeit uninhabitable at least until the basic repairs had been affected.
Inhospitable ghosts notwithstanding, she felt that she had made progress in her strike for independence.
Once settled, she would be able to turn her mind to restitution.
And revenge.
Chapter Two
Caleb Russell, Earl of Arndale, danced lightly sideways and controlled his breathing as he crossedépéesin a clash of steel with his brother Saul. No quarter was asked for or given in their fierce battle for supremacy. Their youngest brother Arthur looked on with an air of mild disinterest, accustomed to his siblings’ daily skirmishes. Skirmishes that Caleb had always won – at least until recently. Just a year his junior, Saul had learned to be less impulsive and finally understood that finesse could be more effective than brute force, thereby making their duels far more interesting.
And challenging.
‘Well done, big brother,’ Saul said, panting slightly as he lowered his weapon in a gesture of defeat.
‘You certainly made me work for it,’ Cal replied, putting aside his sword and wiping perspiration from his brow.
‘Your turn,’ Saul said, nodding towards Arthur.
‘If I must,’ Art said languidly, putting his book aside, standing up and stretching his arms above his head. He slid his arms out of his coat, picked up his sword and gave it a few experimental swishes through the air.
