Chapter 4538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU1m84uwgi
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Mid-morning the next day Nat sat at my table having come by to check on me.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuSU62JqZa
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"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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu5Ai9djQl
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"I believe the Captain ... or whatever title he bares as the brother of the Guardian ... may well be having a word with the Mayor."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsFrBMT4BH
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hQAyzFclp
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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.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd0TL3mdx2
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"What? Why do anything with them ... the lazy cluckers already drop more eggs than you can use."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvtFOgH1na
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V08Cl05iR
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Nat immediately pruned up. "No. I ..."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6FQ0D8fyK
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"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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29NQdUNGmO
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"What incentive have they given? And are you sure they come from Linderhall?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaepdtQvocs
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A soon-to-be familiar voice called from the dooryard. "Widow?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKG6zhtglz
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKNsPnwNrC
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsMvUILiux
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Nat nodded. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYNjrTIsVt
"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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2IQ9iTJRt
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZgtCT8ZFj
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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?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkuPACgoi0
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"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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xpOfSqM6Q
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"Nat!" I exclaimed, worried he was making an enemy he did not need.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qofyI7RBN
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"It is true and I won't stand by again."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCIlERqFy5
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvQahvx6Uh
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I was glad I hadn't taken a sip of wine yet or I would have choked on it. "Mr. Tosh is here?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BGMzLssWl
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"Yes," he answered with smirk.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYuRNJtFPd
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"Well, the ... hmmm ... the Mayor must be finding it ... well ..."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprmvLtM7RK
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The man snorted and nodded. "Indeed he is."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk9iRwzJ7Y
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Nat turned to me and asked, "You know this Mr. Tosh?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oXo5RDYn9
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"He is the manager of Linderhall, or was when I resided there."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZJ6RaIF2o
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61xPcbCI8K
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Nat whistled. "That's going to go over fine."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbWRd5aN5N
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"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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP14GHFx6Q
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5BIW6MIwK
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wFuVPKyoJ
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r7e2G6Ago
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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 ..."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG2fTggd30
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Nat nodded thoughtfully. "The village priest often needs to counsel men that are ... er ..."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsXvhoyiGW
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I rolled my eyes at their er's. "How close to climbing the ceiling in the meeting hall is he?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl7QHgPEoW
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The man looked at me with a smile. "He's almost able to swing from the gaslamps."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaGmi65Qqi
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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?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWbTO4NB54
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"Nat ..."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvu2h9NTh2
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"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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B2wdiygAL
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffpAmnfOFg
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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?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr1NKyysSp
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"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 ..."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgObb0YVQxW
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPxPGOt8Oi
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"I thought she was given in marriage at 14?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpSgZkeSiI
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"She was."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wJ93Z5axt
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"Hello. I'm in the room, not on my deathbed or deaf," I reminded them.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh1w05XWHN
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The man turned to look at me. "And you are 16 now? Why did you not finish the college or go to university?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6SD5CpQPr
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I spit, "Status."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOui1ITWLYH
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"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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMpizmKq77
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I shrugged, "I don't expect anything to change so don't make a request on my behalf."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vCyNdIWS9
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Nat looked at the heavens and sighed, "And this is why she needs someone to look after her interests."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQOJpLiJuo
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC2bUrHfGg
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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.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcAGvyWSih
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"A delivery Widow Linder," the boy said holding out a piece of paper.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47oPvERhRI
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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.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oJS9WNBsX
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"What is it Leeda?" Nat asked.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mhsRenjTj
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"I have no idea."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTRSwURhJe
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"It looks like an invitation."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBrwU6a1ls
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"I know."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOUokmtEGa
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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?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCA69urP8v
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"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.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2iIeiuHkp
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYell9N8WTf
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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 ... "538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kAlZZnQI1
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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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gHU680LCr
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The man looked interested in questioning me more but I asked instead, "You seem to know about this ... this missive. Did you prompt it?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDxmyaerea
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"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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDu5Zzt7bH
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"Oh for goodness sake ..."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHDSXkXolu
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"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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiLmXBzTES
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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?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkuINwkAq8
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"I wish to see you at the Mayor's house, in company."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sRC81mBiM
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I was no longer amused. "No."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87E7DPCy0H
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"I beg your pardon?"538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsBYDA45nN
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"Leeda!" Nat hissed.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYscM3G6xyy
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"I won't go."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwEXC3ppXR
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The man looked at me calmly and said, "The invitation is for my benefit, not the Mayor's."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEZya1rz5Z
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"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."538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxLzvPa7rH
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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.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixl7qyzQZD
