Lord James Harrington and the Christmas Mystery by Lynn Florkiewicz

Author:Lynn Florkiewicz [Florkiewicz, Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lynn Florkiewicz
Published: 2015-10-28T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The following day, James strolled around the gardens that surrounded their own property. There was crispness in the air and the little snow that had fallen crunched beneath his feet. He wore a pair of thick-soled hiking boots, dark brown corduroy trousers, a sheepskin jacket and a felt flat cap. He carried a shepherd’s crook as he strode across the lawn toward the greenhouses and sheds at the far end. A fox dashed along the hedgerow ahead of him and he felt a rush of contentment. There was no denying it, being out in the countryside was his passion. He couldn’t understand people who lived in the city with no fresh air and fields in which to wander.

Their gardener, Ernest Appleton, was busy in the greenhouse jotting notes down in a small book. He was a tall, wiry man with a weathered face and side-whiskers. James tapped the side of the greenhouse door.

‘Ah, Appleton.’

Appleton tipped his battered trilby. ‘Morning, your Lordship,’ he said in a rural Sussex accent. ‘Something the matter?’

James assured him that everything was splendid. ‘I know I only come over when I want something done which is rather remiss of me. I thought I’d take a stroll and saw you hard at it. Much need doing this time of the year?’

The gardener scanned the garden. ‘Just keeping on top of things really. Making sure plants don’t get frost-bite, keep the birds happy and start preparing for the spring. That’s what I’m doing now – logging the seeds I’m planting and where to put ’em. Make a note of what needs tending.’

James peered over his shoulder at the notebook full of dates, seasons and names of flowers and fruits. ‘You’re certainly industrious, Appleton. Anything new being planted for the spring?’

Ernest went through a list of flowers and shrubs that James wasn’t all that familiar with. James loved the countryside and could happily tell you the different trees that dotted the area but where flowers were concerned, his knowledge extended only to the popular varieties. But, from what Appleton was telling him, they were to be prepared for an explosion of colour by May.

‘It all sounds incredibly vibrant. I’m sure my wife will be overjoyed.’

James wondered how he was going to bring the subject of the Great War up when Appleton provided his opening.

‘Looks like your Christmas dances were a success, your Lordship.’

‘Yes, they’re becoming a regular part of the guests’ diaries now, so long may they continue. And you know we had a contingent of the Cavendish Pals here.’

‘So I heard. Simmonds boys were there and Scotty Bull. Those three never left the village ’cept to go to war.’

‘Your brother was in the Pals wasn’t he?’

Appleton stopped working and gazed out of the window with a fond expression. ‘Rider.’

‘I beg your pardon?’

Ernest snapped out of his daydream and faced James. ‘We used to call him Rider. Always on your dad’s horses at the stables, he was. Fancied himself as a stable-hand and said that once the war was over, he’d have a go and prove to your dad that he could run the stables.

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