Melinda Hammond (12 page)

 Verity nodded. An icy wind had sprung up and she was eager to be moving.

 'I'll send someone out with a lantern to meet you.'

 With a final nod at the groom she set off at a smart pace across the moors.

* * * *

 The sun dipped beyond the hills and Verity braced herself against the icy wind that cut through her riding habit. She had gone about half a mile when the mare snorted, throwing up her head.

 'Whoa there,' Verity looked around, but could see nothing unusual around her., 'Easy girl, there's nothing there.'

 She leaned forward to pat the smooth neck, but as she did so the mare snorted again and leapt forward, breaking into a canter along the path. Verity tried in vain to check her but the horse had the bit firmly between her teeth. She began to buck and sidle, trying to unseat Verity, and when that did not work Delphi set off at a gallop, careering madly over the uneven ground. Verity's attempts to halt the mare were futile.

 The animal plunged onwards, leaving the path towards Highclough for a wide, grassy lane that swept down from the moors towards a steep, shadowed valley. Verity hung on grimly, concentrating on staying in the saddle until the animal grew tired. The path led them downwards, winding perilously around the edge of the steep valley-side. Verity was beginning to wonder if she would be able to find her way back in the growing darkness when the mare suddenly sat back on her haunches and stopped, sending the rider flying over her head and into the valley below.

* * * *

 Mrs Worsthorne stood by the window in the great hall, peering out into the darkness. Her round face was creased with anxiety.

 'Where can she be? I had expected Verity back long before this.'

 'Perhaps she has stayed to dine with Rafe and his sister,' suggested Luke.

 'No, no, for surely she would have sent word.'

 'Mama, do not worry. She has Brigg with her. Mayhap Verity delayed too long and the fading light would surely slow the return journey. Let me light the candles in here-'

 'No,' she waved him away. 'I want to look out for her'

 Luke sighed and put his arm about his mama.

 'It is a clear night: they will be even now be making their way along the lanes, you will see. Set dinner back an hour, and if my cousin has not appeared by then I will send a couple of men out to look for her.'

 'Yes, Luke, thank you. That would help.' Mrs Worsthorne turned again to the window. The clear sky had darkened to a deep blue, with the occasional star twinkling.

 She shivered, pulling her shawl closer about her shoulders as she sank down onto the cushioned window-seat. 'Pray send a message to Cook, love. And have them build up the fire. The poor child will be chilled to the bone when she comes in.'

 Left alone with her thoughts, Mrs Worsthorne peered out anxiously into the darkness. Perhaps Luke was right and Verity had accepted an invitation to dine at Newlands: Sally Winter might even have persuaded her to remain overnight, and a servant would be even now bringing a message to Highclough. She glanced up at the starry night. The clear sky would afford some light to travellers, even though it would bring another sharp frost. Mrs Worsthorne maintained her vigil at the window until the clock chimed another hour. She was about to go in search of Luke and insist that he send out a search-party when she spotted a dark shadow on the drive. With a small cry of relief she leaned towards the glass, expecting to see two riders. Instead she could make out only the shape of one horse being led up to the house by Brigg. Mrs Worsthorne flew to the front door but as she stepped outside she saw the Luke was there before her.

 'What is it!' she demanded, 'Where is Miss Shore?'

 'Brigg doesn't know, Mama. His horse went lame and he had to walk back, so Cousin Verity rode on ahead.'

 'Oh dear heaven!' cried Mrs Worsthorne, throwing up her hands.

 'Go inside, Mama. I will set out immediately with some of the servants to look for her.' He turned to his groom. 'Take your horse to the stable then you and the rest of the stable lads join me here with as many lanterns as you can muster. Quickly!'

 Luke gently guided his mother inside. 'Wait for us here, Mama, and never fear: we shall find her.'

* * * *

 Verity opened her eyes and found herself staring up at smoke-blackened rafters. She moved her head and a groan escaped her as a pain shot across her eyes. Immediately a figure was bending over her. A hushed female voice spoke to her.

 'Does it hurt, lass? Take some of this. No, no, don't fret, Miss. 'Tis only valerian root to help you rest until the doctor can get here.'

 Verity swallowed the liquid, closing her eyes gratefully as the woman place a cool damp cloth on her burning temples. She heard voices murmuring somewhere in the room but could not understand the words, and soon she found herself drifting into unconsciousness.

* * * *

 When she awoke again it was daylight and the rosy glow of the rising sun was shining across her bed. Cautiously she moved her head. The pain had eased a little and she was able to take note of her surroundings. She was in a small, low room with a large fireplace at one end, where a woman was spinning busily before a cheerful blaze. The smell of woodsmoke was mixed with a faint odour of the stables but Verity was so thankful to be lying down this did not worry her. Her bed was a wooden settle with a thin mattress that did little to support Verity's aching limbs. To her tender senses the noises of the house were magnified, the rhythmic hum of the spinning wheel, the black kettle singing merrily above the crackle of the fire and a steady thump, thump from the room above.

 The woman stopped her spinning.

 'Eh lass, art thou awake? I've been waiting for 'ee to open your eyes. I'll put the kettle on. The doctor'll be 'ere any time now, and I 'spect he'd appreciate a hot drink.'

 'Where am I?' Verity's throat was very dry and the words were little more than a whisper.

 'Lie still, lass. Jed's on his way with Doctor Addingham - doubtless he'll have to show him the way, for we've never had to call him out before, Mr Lingfield the apothecary does very well for us. But as Jed says, you're a lady born, so the doctor it must be, and even if you was to be so bad that you couldn't tell us where you comes from, we could use your pearls to pay his fees.'

 The woman rattled on as she fetched a tea tray and proceeded to make tea with as much care as could be seen in any drawing room.

 Verity watched her, too drowsy to think of why she was there. When the tea was ready the woman helped Verity to sit up a little, propping her up against two worn cushions and murmuring anxious apologies that she didn't have goose down pillows like she was sure to use at home. Verity winced as she tried to put out her hand to take the cup. Looking down she saw that her left wrist was bruised and swollen.

 'Don't be worrying yoursen over that, dearie, 'Jed thinks 'tis merely a sprain. Here, let me help you with your cup….'

 Verity sipped at the tea while her dazed mind tried to work out what had happened. She looked at the woman sitting close to the bed, ready to take the cup if Verity's trembling grasp should falter. She had a kindly face, but she was a stranger: Verity had met the majority of Highclough's tenants on her rides on the estate with Luke and she did not recognise the woman. She was about to ask her name when voices were heard approaching the house. Seconds later the door opened and Verity was momentarily blinded by the glare of winter sunshine that flooded in.

 'By God Mother 'tis a raw morning!' A big young man clumped into the room, ushering an older man before him and shutting the door firmly against the cold day. 'I've brought Dr Addingham for 'ee, like you said.'

 The older man stepped forwards, unwrapping a muffler from his throat and saying in a hearty voice, 'Good day to you Mistress Gatley. Ah, is that a cup of tea you have there for me? Thank you ma'am! Now, Jed told me there's been an accident.' His eyes moved towards Verity lying on the settle and he smiled. 'I take it this is the victim. What happened?'

 'I - I don't know.'

 'Tumbled off her horse,' said the young man called Jed. 'sailed right over 'is 'ead, she did, and tumbled down the clough, rolling over and over. Came to a stop almost at my feet.'

 'Yes, my horse.' Verity frowned, trying to marshal her thoughts. 'Was she hurt? Where is she?

 Jed jerked his thumb towards a small door in the far wall.

 'In t'shippon with t'stock. You may be easy, miss, t'mare's well enough.'

 'Never mind the mare,' exclaimed Mrs Gatley, jumping up. 'The wonder is that miss here weren't killed. It's a fair drop and no mistake.'

 'Bracken,' nodded Jed. 'It weren't burnt off there this year, so there was plenty of old growth to break 'er fall.'

 The doctor regarded Verity with a kindly smile.

 'Well, it would seem you have been very lucky, miss.' He put down his empty cup and shrugged off his coat. 'Now, let's see if there's any damage, shall we?'

 'Aye, and you'll be wanting to be private for that, Doctor.' Mrs Gatley began to hustle her big son towards the door. 'Off you go and feed yon cattle, Jed.' Closing the door upon her son, the good woman settled herself again at her spinning wheel. 'Don't you worry about Gabriel, Doctor: he's busy at his loom and won't be coming down while the light is good.'

 'Is that the noise I can hear?' murmured Verity, 'I thought it was in my head.'

 'Bless you, miss, that clattering is Mr Gatley at work above stairs.' Mrs Gatley smiled and nodded. 'Now I'll just work in here by the fire and let Dr Addingham get on with his examination.'

 'Well,' said that gentleman, a short time later, 'You are an extremely fortunate young woman. There looks to be no bones broken, and nothing more serious that a slight sprain to your wrist.'

 'Ah, that's what Jed thought,' from her place beside the hearth Mrs Gatley nodded with satisfaction. 'No sooner had he brought Miss in than he began wrapping the wrist with cold damp cloths to take down the swelling.'

 'And a good job he's made of it, ma'am,' commented the good doctor.

 'Aye, well, Jed's used to dealing wit' 'osses, y'see, and he says it works a treat on strained fetlocks.'

 Dr Addingham's eyes twinkled as he looked down at Verity.

 'How fortunate that you fell into such - ah - accomplished hands! However, my own recommendation would be that we bind the wrist now, and you do not try to use it for a week or so. And although I can detect no injury to your head, thank Heaven, I think you will begin to feel the effects of your tumble over the next few days, so I think it would be best for you to remain here quietly for a few days.'

 'Oh, but I cannot - Mrs - Mrs Gatley has been most kind, most accommodating, but I am a stranger -'

 'Now as to that Miss, don't you be fretting. Father and I'll be glad to have you in the house for a while longer. I'm just thankful we kept the old settle when my mother died, for it's just the thing for 'ee. When Jed brought you in, we only had to bring a mattress down, for I knew it wouldn't do no good to be putting you upstairs, what with Father clacking away on the loom all day, and sometimes Jed too. And don't you be thinking you're putting us out, for we can as easily sit in the kitchen for a couple of evenings, and no bother.'

 'Thank you - you are too kind.'

 Mrs Gatley blushed rosily and to hide her confusion she turned again to the doctor, pressing him to have more tea. Dr Addingham glanced at the tea-pot, which had been sitting beside the fire for a good half-hour, and gracefully declined. He looked back at Verity.

 'Now Miss, perhaps if you are not too tired, you might be able to tell us who you are? No-one here knows you, you see, and I regret that you are a stranger to me, also.'

 'I am Verity Shore, of Highclough. My horse bolted, and took me out of my way.' She paused as Jed came into the room again. 'I am very grateful that you found me, Mr - Mr Gatley.'

 'Aye, 'twas lucky I saw thee fall,' grinned that young man, stripping off his coat. 'The clough is rarely used, and you could be a-lying there still. Right over 'osses 'ead she went, Doctor.'

 That gentleman nodded sagely.

 'Spirited animal is she?'

 'Not exceptionally so,' said Miss Shore. 'She has never done anything like it before, she has always been so beautifully-mannered.'

 'Aye, but even the sweetest nature don't take kindly to barbs,' put in young Mr Gatley, warming himself beside the fire. 'There was a piece of metal sticking out o' saddle. Cut right into the poor animal's back. I've been checking her now - it's healing nicely but it'll be some weeks before you can ride her again.'

 Verity frowned.

 'I don't understand.'

 'Well it's a queer do and no mistake,' Jed reached into the pouch hanging from his belt. 'Very careless of the stable lads to overlook this.'

 Verity reached out to take the piece of metal and found herself holding a small, sharp arrow-head.

Chapter Eleven

 As soon as the doctor had departed, one of the farm-hands was despatched to Highclough and Verity lay back against her pillows to await Mrs Worsthorne, whom she was sure would set out immediately to see her. She looked forward to the visit with mixed feelings, aware of the imposition her presence must be to her hosts. She had learned that Mr Gatley and his son earned their living from a combination of weaving and farming, while Mrs Gatley supplemented their earnings with her spinning. All the daylight hours were filled with industry, and the rhythmic thud, thud of the looms working overhead was constant. Verity did not see the master of the house until the short winter day was ending, when Mr Gatley descended to join his wife and son at the dinner table. He was a tall, spare man with a sober expression, but he spoke in a very civil way to Miss Shore, enquiring after her health and brushing aside her apologies for the inconvenience she must be causing them all.

 It was shortly after they had finished dinner that a hasty knock was heard upon the door. Verity heard Megs’s voice and a moment later the widow came hurrying into the room, with Luke close behind her.