Page 49 of Needs Must
‘Well, that’s all in the past and I am no longer in a position to occupy the moral high ground. That being the case, I hope I am not too stubborn to accept a genuine offer of help when it comes my way.’
Miriam sniffed. ‘I’m more concerned about Aykroyd getting to us.’
So too was Donna, who suspected that only her friendship with the earl was holding him back. ‘We will worry about that when the time comes.’
She paused to consider her rash decision to ride with the earl later. The logistics of the situation could easily defeat her if she allowed them to. Even she could see that it would be unwise for her to be completely alone until such time as Aykroyd had been sent on his way, so she couldn’t very well return to the tavern unaccompanied and change into her habit. Besides, she wouldn’t be able to keep the engagement from Miriam so she might as well admit to it now.
‘The earl has offered me an opportunity to ride that glorious gelding later today,’ she said in a rush. ‘And I have accepted his invitation,’ she added on a note of defiance.
Donna waited for the eruption that did not materialise. ‘I should think so too!’ Miriam retorted instead.
‘You don’t mind?’ Donna sent her maid a suspicious look as they let themselves into Denmead Cottage. Everything was just as they had left it. No intruders had invaded their privacy as far as she could see. The place had a warm, welcoming feel to it already; so different from just a few days ago when they had seen it for the first time and its shabby air of neglect had depressed them both.
‘Not my place to mind. I am a maid.’
Donna laughed aloud. ‘Since when has that prevented you from expressing your opinions? And talking me out of doing anything rash when the need has arisen,’ she added, thinking of the occasions upon which Jonathan had driven her to distraction and she really had been tempted to cause him severe physical damage.
‘I can see no harm in the earl. He has the good sense to like you and has your best interests at heart. I don’t believe he has seduction on his mind.’
‘Miriam!’ Donna’s laughter intensified. ‘What a thing to suggest.’
‘Mind you, if a handsome gent looked at me with half the passion in his expression that’s in the earl’s when he looks at you then even I might have a change of heart about the wisdom of matrimony.’
Donna’s smile faded abruptly. ‘Stop it, Miriam. The earl enjoys my society, and I his, but that is as far as things will ever go between us. His mother and sister have made their disapproval very plain, and I cannot blame them for that. I am the widow of a lowly plantation manager, and the earl’s family is very class conscious.’
Miriam huffed. ‘I doubt whether the earl gives too figs for their close-minded opinions.’
‘That might be true, but hedoeshave a position to maintain and a family honour to live up to. He cannot look seriously upon a woman who stands accused of murdering her husband.’ She held up a hand to hold back Miriam’s protest. ‘Those rumours will reach these shores when the next ship from Jamaica docks, as well you know, bringing back with it some of our former neighbours. Besides, I have absolutely no intention of putting myself through the torment of matrimony for a second time, as well you know.’
Miriam nodded, looking glum. ‘You did not smile upon any of the men who had the audacity to try and take liberties in Jamaica. Their pride will be hurt, so they won’t hesitate to agree with any rumours that arise about your involvement in your monstrous husband’s death.’ She huffed. ‘Masculine pride is delicate. They will not have forgotten that Jonathan seduced half of their wives and that they were unable to prevent them from straying. Another crime that they will transfer to your door. Men are quick to blame women for their own shortcomings.’
‘Anyway, marriage to the earl is out of the question – and I have absolutely no intention of becoming his mistress.’
‘You don’t have a lot of options, pet. If you do not marry again, how will you support yourself? We have been so set upon getting out of Jamaica and then running Ian to ground that I haven’t asked what will happen after we’ve found him. I just assumed that you would find another husband, I suppose.’
‘Matrimony is not to my liking. In my experience, men don’t show their true colours until after the vows have been exchanged.’ Donna shrugged. ‘I shall take a position instead, I suppose, as a governess or music teacher.’
Miriam shook her head. ‘That would be a travesty.’
‘No one said that life has a duty to be fair,’ Donna replied with a heavy sigh. Nor, she realised with a pang, had she considered what would happen to Miriam when Donna herself went into service. That had been remiss of her. She would definitely need to make arrangements for her loyal friend before she resolved her own situation. ‘However, let us apply ourselves to these curtains. Mr Dawkins and his boys are making excellent progress on the roof, and we ought to be able to move in very soon.’
‘I have some soup on the simmer,’ Miriam replied. ‘It should be ready by now.’
Left alone, Donna did not immediately pick up her needle. Instead, she closed her eyes and concentrated hard, trying to summon up Mrs Bagshott’s spirit. She felt a waft of air that agitated the fire but did not emanate from the chimney. Her eyes opened again and an image that was as clear as day floated in front of her face.
Donna was surprised by her newfound powers, but she felt no fear. Esmeralda needed her help and did not mean to harm her or drive her away from the cottage. Perhaps Esmeralda’s approval was partly responsible for the feeling of warmth and homeliness that now prevailed in the small cottage. Donna had seen evidence for herself that Esmeralda was still in residence and also knew that she had definitely frightened previous would-be tenants away because they couldn’t help her out of her predicament.
With great good fortune Donna would be able to provide her with that service.
‘You approve, don’t you?’ she said in a whisper, not wanting Miriam to overhear her talking to a ghost that she probably wouldn’t be able to see. Donna sensed that Esmerelda only manifested herself in front of those whom she absolutely trusted, and Donna had earned that privilege. ‘Ian killed you and you want me to expose him for the villain that he is.’
The smoke increased and Esmerelda’s image faded seconds before Miriam returned to the room.
‘Is that fire smoking, pet? You should have called me.’
Miriam wielded the poker industriously, but Donna knew that wouldn’t resolve the problem. The smoke did dissipate though, and Donna was content for Miriam to take the credit for rectifying the situation.
She sipped at her soup, thinking about Esmeralda and the hereafter. If she could see and communicate with her, presumably it meant that she had special powers, but if that was the case it posed certain questions. First and foremost, why could she not see or hear her mother; the one person in the next world whom she would most like to communicate with?
