Chapter 4529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdYeKjj8b0
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHfJA9Atiy
Mid-morning the next day Nat sat at my table having come by to check on me.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQO8QReIHi
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSEkXasaVS
"By all that's holy. Such news," Nat muttered. "And it should have been shared with the church. We need to lay in extra food and medical supplies in case the enemies on our border try an incursion during this time of apparent weakness."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6Xbv3XP7e
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziwf7ZMI9U
"I believe the Captain ... or whatever title he bares as the brother of the Guardian ... may well be having a word with the Mayor."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPYrtPyYVL
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61GZ1x1b2P
Noting my tone of satisfaction Nat counseled, "Leeda ... it is not healthy that you still hold such a grudge. And dangerous until we know where this new Guardian stands ... whether the Mayor has his ear or not."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomJFXZ0ahd
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVbMh4TFcw
Knowing he was right but still unable to let it go I said, "Perhaps. On the other hand ... oh bother, what am I to do with my fowl." The thought distracted me from where I would have taken the conversation and confused Nat.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreYVHEV4yo
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nMpyzIgR0
"What? Why do anything with them ... the lazy cluckers already drop more eggs than you can use."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ730YP9cTpH
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28CJnJxggm
Attempting to explain I told him, "That is the other part Nat. The housekeeper at Linderhall ... she needs me. It will be at least through the Winter."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWvriBuGaG
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9buo78eI5T
Nat immediately pruned up. "No. I ..."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8zaFnoNp6
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM0zfrcLeP
"Nat, I want to go. Or should I say I want to leave this place regardless of where I go. This is no longer my home. I had thought to write to Sister Evelyn but ... truly ... this may be God opening a door for me to escape before what you call my 'grudge' becomes too deeply entrenched."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MkiCV2ipN
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAw8CGypoQ
"What incentive have they given? And are you sure they come from Linderhall?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB5WI3mGvp
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tYMpS4A8U
A soon-to-be familiar voice called from the dooryard. "Widow?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnQEl1bxYt
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz81noXEb7
I stepped to the door and beckoned him over. "I can offer you a seat at the table this time Sir. My cousin is here."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7Zcdo3vMe
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ319YqkGFvA
The man took off his hat and shook hands with Nat. "Daren Linder ... and you are Brother Harper? I just stopped by the church and Father Gabe sent me this way. I was hoping to catch you."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qHkeRXwYU
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrvJSrDktT
Nat nodded. 529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnSfGoEv7s
"Please, sit, allow me to pour you a cup of tea?" I pulled a bottle of apple wine from the cupboard and asked, "Or something stronger despite the hour of the day? Forgive me for saying so but you look like you could use it. And the fruitcake should be ready to eat if you'd both like a slice."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAafw5rxTqS
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ms5Vdq9Xz
Nat gave me a scowl. He was partial to my fruitcake and he knew that I knew it and was trying to bribe him into a more open mind. "Bah!" he said suddenly capitulating. "You'll do as you please anyway Leeda. Let us not have an argument over it. I'll have a slice of cake and a cup of wine." He turned to the man and said, "If I were you I wouldn't turn either down. Leeda has a fine hand at such things despite her youth."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocoRv3w533
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSkRtFelX5
I rolled my eyes at Nat behind his back and the man's eyebrows shot up. Nat and I were close despite the ten year difference in our ages. Both of us are unconventional in our own way. I suspect that the man was having to rework his expectations of us. He looked at Nat and said, "She has told you of my request?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTsdkGjJyY
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PrcgkfOh3
"Only just. What guarantee do I have that you are who you say you are? I made the mistake in believing that the Linders would care for her once, I won't make the mistake twice."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ19rs95Tr
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuGbmck6Ml
"Nat!" I exclaimed, worried he was making an enemy he did not need.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CtDBKoFi9
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCm75mrdIN
"It is true and I won't stand by again."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTdYbPJbHv
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUmNgS1QQ3
The man didn't seem to take any affront to Nat's words and in fact seemed to relax ... though perhaps it was his first bite of cake that did it. "I've papers here. And if you've need of further proof I can send for Mr. Tosh who is going over the Mayor's books as we speak."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2doQihIE8m
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjcpZi0p5u
I was glad I hadn't taken a sip of wine yet or I would have choked on it. "Mr. Tosh is here?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi8r16ZWIv
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEnBLntgxx
"Yes," he answered with smirk.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxGYK535sF
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EK6O6xjjQ
"Well, the ... hmmm ... the Mayor must be finding it ... well ..."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDgZGFnmVz
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RtNDqtjp8
The man snorted and nodded. "Indeed he is."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDDXQ0FapU
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkmL10AFCA
Nat turned to me and asked, "You know this Mr. Tosh?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwslIjPW9A
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHbOjwp76N
"He is the manager of Linderhall, or was when I resided there."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqVyoAEg9V
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjoALl3NWQ
The man said, "Still is though his title has been changed to Bailiff and my brother has bid him hire some assistants so that he can do more touring."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQm7cp6Ysx
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DRGedtvYR
Nat whistled. "That's going to go over fine."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRbBR5UUc0
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1s8R0fUp7
"Aye, there's already been talk but the truth is that it is as much for the protection of the towns as it is for the Guardian. Before his death my father discovered a great many discrepancies and unknowns in his cousin's income and the same in the tax rolls. The review is to straighten the two sets of books out in case the missing entries are because the books have become confused over the years. Mr. Tosh said that the old Guardian did his own books and was tight fisted with them. My brother has decided to continue with the idea of a new accounting to show both the people and the Great Council that it is to be a lawful transfer despite the unusual nature of this succession, that there are no plans to take advantage of those under our care and nurture."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCorYgWf8C
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbFmjlVRmN
Nat nodded. "Makes sense when said that way. But let us return to the topic at hand. I will be blunt and ask what duties will Leeda be expected to fulfill."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoYSNQisjH
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PHqltWQvK
It took but a moment for both the man and I to catch Nat's meaning. Fear leapt into my chest but the man was quick to dispel it. "Mostly she will be a liaison between Mr. Tosh as Bailiff, Marta as housekeeper, my other brother James who has taken the position of Chancellor, and my sister in law so that the Hall can be pulled back in shape after so much disruption. Mr. Tosh will have his hands full guiding the incoming harvest; James with helping Tomas - The Linder - establish his place on the Great Council, and Marta is still recovering and will need to be careful through the winter. For the rest, I had thought that she can be a companion to my sisters who are ... high spirited and not enjoying the restrictions they are experiencing in their new social circle."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAWRS7PfXh
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uB3CqMOBv
Nat still looked unconvinced. "Nat, let me try and understand." I turned to the man and asked, "Basically what you wish is for someone to ... hmmm ... put your sister in law at her ease, perhaps introduce your sisters to the household staff, and if possible redirect everyone's energies so that the work can proceed quickly and with as few ... er ... bumps in the road as possible."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbkuVF9M6Y
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE07NKrWcVY
The man nodded. "You see it rightly." To Nat he explained, "The Guardian's wife is expecting her first child. To say it has my brother ... er ..."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZksDigYgV
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrR4F3hI3E
Nat nodded thoughtfully. "The village priest often needs to counsel men that are ... er ..."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtFt7IBR9a
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtiC79533D
I rolled my eyes at their er's. "How close to climbing the ceiling in the meeting hall is he?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixquGr0QRi
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcjiyxNu8g
The man looked at me with a smile. "He's almost able to swing from the gaslamps."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLAFPTxTR3
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLzmss14zs
Nat leaned forward and said, "Be that as it may, and I'm not so deep in the church that I can't see where my cousin’s presence wouldn’t help, but what of her status?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Gavj7Eof9
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkafLfFmzHR
"Nat ..."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcReumipJb
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kUDWWl7v2
"No Leeda. It needs discussing. I know you are fond of this Marta and will do all in your power for her regardless of my concerns but on this I'll have my say." He turned to the man and said, "Leeda was sent back here with no escort, no dower, no portion beyond food and a few circles to keep herself for less than a year. She was forced to give up what could have been sold to secure some future for her and left with the burden of a status that keeps her from pursuits better suited to her talents and nature. Had she not had this cabin to return to she would have been forced to beg for charity ... but from whom I don't know as none have stepped forward to offer much more than consternation and resentment at having to rearrange the social scale of Harper. My cousin was a wife, not a temporary consort, and should have been treated better ... should be treated better."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7EtnKoqBb
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtAg3KfIsU
The man scowled. "It wasn't by our hand. My father was told she would be there to care for. That she wasn't made it appear ..." In an aggravated tone he said, "It was weeks before I could finally get some of the story out of Marta and Tosh and they still kept most of the facts close. I assume it was because of the presence of the other widows and the mischief they could cause. I knew the Below Stairs held some grudge and distrust but I was searching in the wrong direction. I thought it was due to their attachment to the previous Guardian or perhaps because he'd treated them ill."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD1DLnVymH
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE94Kn4UxsP
I shook my head. "No. The Linder treated his staff well and was even handed, if not generous with his words or coin to them. Ceena and Tonya could be a bit cold to the staff but that was status talking and them showing how they were raised rather than intentional misconduct. And as for the rest, you must be mistaken yet. Mizz Marta and Mr. Tosh would hold no grudge on my account, nor would any of the other staff for that matter. Any changes would have them concerned as most have been staff since their apprenticeship and for several, their parents before them were and are also staff. When your life and livelihood depends on a single family, it can be nerve-wracking to be in the midst of change. And you've likely brought in your own staff to the mix." At his nod I said, "I'll sort out the problem when we arrive. The quicker the issues can be concluded the better for all concerned." The man just stared at me. "What?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L9qAADFXF
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSdd3czLJu
"I've a sister your age - the younger, not the older which I have a feeling you will get along well with - and I cannot imagine ... You are ..."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsh4cFV5CJ
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4LbkONWoG
Nat nodded. "Leeda came on like this during the dying time we had here when she was a child. The Sisters saw it and sent her to the college early. She would have had a triple had her marriage to the old Guardian not interfered."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO9EcFgYfI
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawGhoPsrGD
"I thought she was given in marriage at 14?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHEe5PdUjO
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOWaAJeBh0
"She was."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OcZzLZm1h
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkQbOZH3Td
"Hello. I'm in the room, not on my deathbed or deaf," I reminded them.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRpd1HCNq1
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Tsd2fOK3
The man turned to look at me. "And you are 16 now? Why did you not finish the college or go to university?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bXXxa4iQ8
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIqBhUKjkK
I spit, "Status."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzscKOJ0vEh
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTTeEIHLbH
"Status? But surely ..." He stopped and then remembered that status was a two edged sword. Depending on your status you can receive social perks but at the same time be held back so that those with less status can have a fair try at seeking their fortune. He sighed. "My brother may be able to help but not until after the succession is secured."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUj0eHc1m0
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbysukVlhIB
I shrugged, "I don't expect anything to change so don't make a request on my behalf."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV3pvF8x2M
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbxVQMjfEs
Nat looked at the heavens and sighed, "And this is why she needs someone to look after her interests."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBnp7DrChL
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EH5J4sDBh
The ma\n nodded and they both began to irritate me. Before I could express it however the man said, "I have some leeway in this matter. I'll get Mr. Tosh to write a contract and at a minimum she will at least have a stipend and a sum settled on her."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2pYGaoZWF
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8pE0TyLP8
There was some scratching at the backdoor and I left the two men to their dickering. I looked out and there to my great surprise saw a runner from the Mayor's house. "May I help you?" I asked.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWR0ai9T4H
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSUQgv4Pna
"A delivery Widow Linder," the boy said holding out a piece of paper.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmD5bCC0ra
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohrHB3PRKY
I took it by its corner and the boy ran off, presumably to complete other tasks. I walked back in holding the invitation like it was a piece of hairy nettle and me without gloves.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SjVD6Th2O
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1czRMSW9Gk
"What is it Leeda?" Nat asked.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnExRnUe3zv
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I0AXFsG5f
"I have no idea."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOflAOovj8
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2D6u5Jrw4
"It looks like an invitation."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXGRfB3wS0
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws2pRPlVMm
"I know."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XDpsEYOLq
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7gAJIa0QG
The look on my face must have been something to behold because the man laughed and asked, "And do you always treat invitations like they are plague riddled bombs?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQYwjqQRYJ
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYoF7eRcSe
"Seeing as I've never been invited anywhere much less to the Mayor's home I'm honestly not certain how I am to treat it. Are you the reason for this?" I asked him in accusation.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFWypPnhLX
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hFBaCjt9O
He smirked. "Perhaps." More seriously he asked me, "You've never been invited to the Mayor's house? I was given to understand that you were quite close."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqghBw133mX
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1Qh4MlGdg
Nat snorted and said, "The Waverly family holds the post once held by the Harpers. Our great grandfather grew weary of the politics and retired. We became the Woodsmen ... at least until the plague that killed us all. It came from fleas carried by the deer and ... "529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhmEEEfxf9
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VZnCHiK9h
I put my hand on Nat's shoulder as I knew it was an old worry of his. "Rest Nat. It was never your calling to be a Woodsman. Grandfather and father never regretted sending you to seminary. And that is ancient history. As for the connection with the Waverly family ... that too is ancient history and I would rather not discuss it. But I won't be part of a faradiddle either, not even for politics or politeness. I have no relationship with the Waverly family, certainly not a close one."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0275oYXGB
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVoA5IwKgP
The man looked interested in questioning me more but I asked instead, "You seem to know about this ... this missive. Did you prompt it?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQicpSSVOnQ
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDw9x9qpdc
"In a manner of speaking." I simply stared at him. He shrugged. "I dislike mysteries and I've faced far too many in the last few days, and them being primarily about you Widow."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk66mCAnZm
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNe2nlXl1r
"Oh for goodness sake ..."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGjNsGU1XJ
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHpuF7S9ks
"Oh aye ... you may doubt it if you wish but between being thwarted from questioning Marta because of her illness, from questioning Tosh because he's so stiff in his britches he must have his wife starch them, and then the so-called confusion that should not have been of you being informed of my tentative arrival date, I can assure you ... I am being good and mellow compared to how I wish to behave."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC5zmiKt95
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlVEPebxC6
I was trying not to smile as his description of Mr. Tosh was very accurate. "And exactly what devilment have you gotten up to to release some of your fractious nerves?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQFqqj0tXP
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3kOF9XT47
"I wish to see you at the Mayor's house, in company."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqWQknKhe8
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bqDH171FG
I was no longer amused. "No."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk6tG9e8hu
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIJPdYzV78
"I beg your pardon?"529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZnJd8npuE
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yoWn5M9vI
"Leeda!" Nat hissed.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeKcc8Bw9p
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mGe2qxoSe
"I won't go."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9juMsG3rm
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctaHXKzhpb
The man looked at me calmly and said, "The invitation is for my benefit, not the Mayor's."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvsbNQ42qg
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRsnULpcsr
"I care not," I told him rising from my seat. "I won't go and you can't make me even if you are the brother of the Guardian."529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUJgVEBzpU
529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47J46HpPfo
I turned and left the cabin. It was a childish thing to do and I left Nat to clean up the mess but my anger had taken my commonsense.529Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5lYlVAeJq
