The Duke's Dilemma by Fenella J. Miller

Author:Fenella J. Miller [Miller, Fenella J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-12-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Ralph turned his back in disgust, how could this most reliable be having doubts at such a crucial time? Ghosts had nothing to do with what was happening here, humankind must be behind it.

‘Good God! Don’t be a fool, Robin. Don’t let what’s happening unnerve you; I need you strong, beside me.’

He heard shuffling feet and then received a light tap on his arm. He glanced over his shoulder to find Clark standing there not Robin, he had left the room.

‘You can’t blame him, your grace. What’s been going on up here isn’t natural and he was with you when you went to look for young James; he’s told us how there was no evidence anywhere of other horses or anyone else who could have spirited him away.’

‘Then why are you here, Tom Clark? Do you not support the theory that we’re being haunted?’

‘Whatever I believe’s no matter, your grace. I’d lay my life down for Miss Frobisher any day, and ghosts, witches - whatever it might be - I’m staying put until the ... until the matter’s resolved.’

‘Good man. Will Robin leave?’

Tom laughed. ‘Leave? Not likely! He’ll not leave. He’s mighty afraid of what’s going on, but he’ll stay to the end like me. Your old coachman, Fred, went with the others, but to try and persuade them to return. He’ll be back and stay put with us.’

‘I doubt the last two men from town will feel the same way.’ Had Robin gone to try and persuade them to stay?

‘They must move into the house, we have to remain together. I shall close down the main part of the Hall and everyone must use the servants’ quarters.’

With only a handful of staff it would be impossible to keep the Hall warm anyway. The matter decided, he went to look for Robin and the two remaining men; he could hear them talking amongst the stalls. To his surprise both the men greeted him with a grin.

‘Take more than a few spooks to send us packing, yer grace. We’ll stay; between us we can take care of these nags for you. We’ll not need to move into the ’ouse; we’ll sleep down ‘ere with the ’orses.’

‘I’ll double your wages, of course. I insist you move into the house, all of you. I want to know where everybody is at all times.’

The two men exchanged looks and nodded. ‘We’ll be getting our belongings and come across right away. The fire will ’ave to be doused. We’ll bring Fred’s things as well, shall we, your grace? This lot are done, if the snow clears we can turn the farm ’orses out.’

*

Now that Meg, Polly, Birdie and herself were safely established in the kitchen, Hester felt more sanguine. There was no sound from the yard but the stables were too far away to be able to hear anything from here. Some of the men remained and she was certain Ralph would not have deserted her. He was a soldier, he’d never leave his post.

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