The Mill by Barbara Gaskell Denvil

Author:Barbara Gaskell Denvil [Denvil, Barbara Gaskell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gaskell Publishing
Published: 2020-03-24T22:00:00+00:00

“I have no idea,” said Valeria, not for the first time.

Bored, stiff kneed and yawning, Jak sank back in the chair which he had wedged in front of the door. One of his stepmother’s elderly female companions was outside in the corridor, rattling the door handle and wailing. She attempted the occasional kick on the other side of the door, but Jak had laughed and told her not to damage the wood or the landlord would make her pay.

“Tell me one simple but interesting fact about Freya,” he said now, “and I may just decide to leave you alone. It’s so damned tedious. You may be lucky enough to make me drift away from sheer lassitude, a great achievement by the way, since it’s hardly something I choose often. I am usually one of those simple little ‘do it or die’ sort of idiots, never giving up and stubborn as a long-distance train. But sadly, my steam seems to be running low. I am learning the value of sleep. So, madam, one last detail to please your bored stepson, and I may decide to leave you alone.”

She stared back at him. “Pay me. And I’ll tell you everything,” she said abruptly.

He laughed. “I’ve always disliked the idea of bribery. I much prefer threat. How about – tell me everything or I’ll issue a warrant for your arrest on suspicion of murder?”

Valeria tapped her foot. “Don’t be foolish, Jak. Don’t threaten what you can’t achieve.”

Without explaining that since he now sat on the council, he could achieve exactly what he threatened, Jak leaned forwards. “Let us return to the problem of deep and utter boredom. First madam, let me introduce you to my sword. Not a badly made weapon, I would suggest. Sharp and flexible, good steel in a well-balanced blade, and a hilt that fits my hand rather nicely. Secondly, let me remind you that whether or not you diminish your chances of inheriting the Lydiard property because of aiding my marriage – I have every intention of ensuring that you never receive a ha’penny. And thirdly, although Kallivan is of royal blood and has the king’s ear, they have long disliked each other. Now, I wish to know Kallivan’s present whereabouts, and I wish to hear whatever you know of Freya and her present home. Tell me something and I may leak such rivers of boredom that I leave without questioning further.”

She decided that his eyes spoke different words, but she snapped her fingers and sat straight. “Very well, stupid boy. For what good it will do you, I shall tell you this. Kallivan has been back to his recent home in the south, Morse I believe, but intends to return within a few days. Your beloved whore Freya became just that. She worked at whoring in some brothel on the Bridge, until they threw her out. She begged Kallivan for help, and he was kind enough to take her to some water mill owned by friends, where she could clean in exchange for food and board.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.