Seven Days at Mannerley by Audrey Lancho

Author:Audrey Lancho [Lancho, Audrey Schuyler]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romantic comedy
Publisher: vinspirepublishing
Published: 2024-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE: The Fourth Day—Letters and Night

To Agnes Riboneaux; Guest at Mannerley Estate

From The Drabbe Inn and Pub, Main Square, Hembin

April 11, 1870

Dearest “Agnes”,

It may be of interest to you that A.R. is now employed at The Drabbe for one and a half shillings per day. Roy rescued her, as she was in a dire way in Mannerley Town, all from our doing, indirectly. As a thank you for this rescue, she is working for us for four days. She will write to Lady Huntron about attending church services this Good Friday, and when she receives word, she will travel there. It is important that you disappear before the letter arrives. Roy is trying his best to entertain her and keep her busy, but it has been only one day, and she is very interrogative. He has intercepted her letter to Lady Huntron, while promising to send it. It is in his coat pocket. He will hold off as long as he can. She has already asked him once today if her letter is in the mail, and as you know, he is unable to fully lie. You do not have long. Please be careful. Wear your own dress and boots when you leave, so they cannot accuse you of theft.

Yours,

Briddie Hicks

***

To Mary

From Declan

April 12, 1870

Mary,

I have seen him twice and now I know that the watch is missing from his vestments. I will come by tomorrow for it. If you resist in any way, I will tell. I have read your other letter and I know the girl will write or come soon. I will keep her away by destroying her letter or by whatever means necessary if you do things my way. Expect my knock in the afternoon or evening, as soon as I am done in my vigil for this old hag. As soon as I have your payment, you will have my cooperation.

D.T.

***

Mary tossed the notes into the fire and watched the paper curl up and burn in shades of orange to blue. She could not leave as soon as Briddie had pressed her to. If she left on her own, it would take her hours upon hours to walk to Hembin, which would give her friends ample time to come up in a carriage and intercept her, for good or for evil. She had no money with her to hire a carriage or go in the public transport. Even if she did, someone would see her and testify that she got off at Hembin, which would make it easy for the authorities to search for and find her there in the town. So, leaving on her own was out of the question, and Declan couldn’t take her until Friday. She had no way of knowing when Roy would have to send Agnes’s letter. She just knew he was putting it off as long as possible. She feared now that the real Agnes might ruin the whole plan.

Just then, someone knocked on her door in quick succession.

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