Page 48 of Needs Must
‘If I am not here I will always have someone else ready to play their part. If Bagshott can get Harte to admit to his crime and they witness that confession from the security of another room then we will have him.’ Cal glanced at Donna, appreciating that it would not prove that he had also killed Jonathan, thereby removing any potential doubts about her own culpability in that regard. ‘It’s the best that we can do,’ he added on a note of apology.
‘But not good enough,’ Donna replied. ‘If you, as an earl, attest to the fact that you heard the confession, surely that would be sufficient to persuade any magistrate.’
‘I take your point, Mrs Harte,’ Jules said. ‘Harte will deny the confession if one of Cal’s men swears he overheard it, so it would be one man’s word against another’s.’
‘I will have heard it,’ Bagshott pointed out.
‘And you will be accused of attempting to clear your name by putting the blame on an innocent party,’ Donna said. ‘It will be said that you withdrew from the world, not because you were heartbroken but because you killed your wife yourself. The word in the village is that she was involved with another man, and they all believed that you killed her, and him, in a fit of jealous rage.’
It was Bagshott’s turn to look deflated. ‘I take your point,’ he said. ‘Even so, Iwillconfront the cove and I might even show my face in the village again and put paid to the gossip. It’s beyond time.’
‘Indeed.’ Donna nodded her approval. The dog yapped and wagged its tail.
The meeting broke up on an uncertain note. Cal shook Bagshott’s hand. That gentleman then recalled his manners and took his leave of Donna in the appropriate way.
‘At least the rain has stopped,’ Bagshott remarked as he donned his hat and left the lodge at a brisk pace.
‘Oh!’ Donna cried, running up to the black gelding tethered close to Emperor. ‘He is magnificent!’
‘He’s still a baby,’ Cal replied.
‘I had a gelding just like him …’ She bit her lip. ‘In a previous life.’
He watched the pleasure that she took from stroking the gelding’s soft muzzle. Her eyes came alight, much as they had when her gaze had rested upon the harp in his drawing room the previous night. This lady, he knew without being told, was a keen equestrian and lamented the fact that she could no longer indulge her passion in that regard.
He glanced at her clothing. She wore a gown that was slightly more fashionable than that which had adorned her person on the last occasion they had met during daylight hours, but it was still highly unsuitable for riding. Besides, if he gave way to temptation and invited her to ride with him now, she would be required to do so astride. Not that she wouldn’t rise to the challenge, he was sure of that much, but Miriam would be shocked.
It would be a step too far.
‘Did you bring a habit with you?’ he asked in a quiet aside.
‘Yes, although I’m not sure why.’ She failed to speak casually. ‘I suppose I just couldn’t bear the thought of never riding again. Not that I will get the opportunity, but still …’
‘Change into it and I will meet you at Denmead Cottage at five.’ He smiled at her confusion. ‘I will bring Thadius with me,’ he added, nodding towards the gelding.
‘You will?’ Her remarkable eyes brimmed with emotion. She looked momentarily unsure, and he thought at first that she would decline. But he hadn’t given her the credit she obviously deserved since she laughed and nodded, her mind made up.
‘Thank you! With that treat in mind I shall return to my sewing with an enthusiasm that it seldom warrants.’
Cal doffed his hat at her. ‘Good morning to you, ladies.’
Chapter Fourteen
Donna walked beside Miriam on their return to Denmead Cottage with a spring in her step to equal Willow’s.
‘What are you so cheerful about, love?’ Miriam asked. ‘It ain’t as if we’re any closer to getting Ian to admit that he killed your husband. And I know you won’t find no peace until that situation is resolved.’
‘That’s true,’ Donna admitted. The rain had stopped, and a weak sun penetrated the thinning canopy above their heads. Undeterred, the wind went about its interfering business, sending a colourful rainbow of leaves somersaulting though the air. Willow thought it was a great game and leapt up to catch them before they hit the ground. ‘Even so – and I would not make this confession to anyone other than you,’ she added, ‘it is a relief to have help. We would not even have got this far without the cooperation of the earl and Mr Bagshott.’
‘Bagshott is a misery who ought to remember his manners.’
‘He has every reason to be curmudgeonly. He is ridden with guilt. And sorrow. After all, he has lost the love of his life, and whilst I cannot make the same claim, I am at least familiar with the devastation of loss. Anyway, I am very glad that we have a common goal.’
Miriam sent Donna a sideways look and chuckled. ‘Not like you to be so trusting, lamb. There never was a more independent woman.’
‘I had little choice but to keep my true character hidden during our marriage. Only you understood …’
‘Aye, I understood right enough. Harte didn’t confine himself to you but would beat you black and blue if he thought you’d even smiled at another man.’ Miriam blew air through her lips. ‘The hypocrisy made me sick to my stomach and more determined than ever to protect you after he was gone.’
