A Shroud of Leaves by Rebecca Alexander

Author:Rebecca Alexander
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titan

20

‘On this day in 1900, my father died of wounds and infections acquired in the Battle of Magersfontein, after a long illness and an arduous journey back to England. Requiescat in pace.’

Journal of Edwin Masters, 5th July 1913, later that day

We were so excited by our finds and by Professor Conway’s excellent reply that Peter introduced the topic before dinner, while we had drinks in the library. As a rule I do not partake of strong drink, but I permitted myself a small celebration sherry and secretly toasted my father. Mr Chorleigh, though dismissive of me as usual, was much taken with the sketches of the bones.

At dinner he chastised Peter for not spending more time with Trixie, warning him not to let such a corker of a girl slip through his fingers. Peter bore it in good spirits but allowed his father to understand he did not think of their engagement as binding.

‘Well, make it binding, you fool! Put a ring on her finger and secure her future as well as yours.’

Peter slid a glance at me. ‘Sir, perhaps we should keep this conversation between the family. It must be embarrassing to Edwin.’

The older man harrumphed; he looked as if he would snap again, but his generation can be appealed to on their manners. He turned to Molly. ‘And you, girl. Your cousin and aunt are going into town tomorrow with the motor. It’s about time you got some new clothes.’

‘Oh, Father!’ Molly tried in vain to argue but was overruled.

‘We won’t make any momentous discoveries without you, I promise,’ Peter said. I was secretly a little pleased. While I like Molly’s company, it’s good to focus on the dig, just the two of us.

‘And you, Mr Masters.’

‘Sir?’

‘If your professor wishes to visit, we will be very happy to accommodate him for a few days. Get a proper historian to observe, what do you say?’

I was pleasantly surprised and quick to accept the offer. ‘That is very generous, sir. I will write to him this evening.’

* * *

Letter to Professor Robert Conway, Balliol College, Oxford 5th July

Dear Professor,

I enclose the latest drawing of the peculiar burial we have exposed. I should very much like your thoughts on the remains.

Which brings me to an invitation made by Mr James Chorleigh of Chorleigh House, to visit the site for yourself, and perhaps offer your expert opinion as well as establish the likely history of the barrows. It is a large house, and Mr and Mrs Chorleigh would be very pleased to welcome you.

The huge skull of the animal has caused some controversy in the household. Perhaps this man was buried with his faithful hunting beast or guardian. They must have made a striking pair, the warrior and his hound. The local area abounds with tales of demonic dogs; I wonder if the name of the barrow, Hound Butt, owes something to the burial as well as the legends.

We have uncovered a number of other finds, including pottery fragments, a couple of

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