Page 11 of Haunted
There was a short, surprised silence. Then Jack pushed the bucket off the wall and slouched away, Bill at his side. Jack tried to give a laugh of bravado as he went, but it was a poor effort.
Chapter Four
While Francesca, dazed,watched them go, George wound the well bucket down to collect water. He was pouring it into the bucket at her feet before she found her voice.
“Thank you.”
“How long has their harassment been as bad as this?” He didn’t look at her but lowered the bucket into the well once more.
She swallowed. “They have never been so blatantly threatening before.”
“I hope I have not made it worse. I wanted to frighten them a little, shock them back into some semblance of reality.”
She frowned. “How do you know Mr. Paston?”
“Never met him in my life, though I do intend to speak to him. I discovered in the village that he is the magistrate. Have you spoken to him before?”
“About those two and their ilk? And charge them with what? Calling me names?”
“There are suitable laws,” George assured her.
“I would rather it did not come to that. I have to live here. And their families have to live.”
“Not at the expense of yours,” George said, unloading the second bucket and returning it to the well. “They are bullies of the worst kind. But a word of warning from Mr. Paston should be enough. They think you are alone and unprotected.”
I am. Worse, she was Mark’s only protection. She shivered. “Perhaps my pride has got in the way. And Mrs. Paston is a friend of the vicar’s wife.”
“Who insulted you in the first place.”
Both her pails were filled now. He covered the well and, as she bent to lift the buckets, he picked them up instead.
She walked beside him with a murmur of thanks. Her hands were shaking. “They were frightened of you.”
“Not at first.” He gave a quick, rueful smile. “Jack was in the inn last night when I asked for a room. I did not cut a brave figure.”
“You certainly made up for it this afternoon,” she said warmly. In fact, she began to see the funny side of the encounter. “I have never seen anyone so haughty, so perfectly, politely, in command.”
“I learned it from a friend of mine who plays the supercilious nobleman to perfection. Of course, heisa nobleman, which helps.”
She laughed, and he smiled back. Unexpected happiness surged through her. What a shame he would leave. She would never see him again. But she would never regret knowing him.
“How is your chaise?” she asked.
He wrinkled his nose. “The wheelwright is busy on it. It will not be ready today. Apparently, the inn can supply a replacement vehicle, but not before tomorrow morning. By which time, I hope my own chaise will be ready. But at least the inn is emptying. I can have a room there tonight.”
“Or you may stay here,” she blurted, glad only that he would not leave today. She cleared her throat. “Mark will be glad of your company.”
*
Was it possibleshe would be too? He had been appalled by the threatening behavior of those two louts by the well, and in truth, he was reluctant to leave her without resolving the issue with some certainty.
He had seen how shaken she was, how helpless. The louts had seen it too, unfortunately. He only hoped his own intervention had been enough to convince them she wasnothelpless. Or unprotected.
Accordingly, after a quick cup of tea and detailed directions, he remounted his hired horse and rode up to Paston Hall, where he sent in his card with a request for an immediate interview with the magistrate.
He was shown at once into the study, where Paston welcomed him with every courtesy. He was a distinguished man of middle years, a little self-important in his speech, perhaps, but attentive and clearly concerned that a gentleman traveler should be in need of his services.
“It is not really on my own behalf I have come,” George said, settling into the chair he was offered. “I was merely forced by a carriage accident to stay in the village last night. You may or may not have been aware that a prizefight took place in the vicinity this morning?”
