Free Brewer's Tale, The by Karen Brooks Page A

‘Perhaps not. But I can blame you for my father, for what he became, a hollow version of his former self. I can blame you, my lord, for how everything between my mother and father was irrevocably altered from the moment Tobias was conceived. From that day forward, I lost one if not both parents. I certainly lost a father and the woman my mother once was. Tell me, if not you, then to whom do I attribute these losses?’
    He failed to hold my gaze.
    I continued. ‘Then there are the twins. They lost a father long before he ever died and that was due to you, your lordship.’ My breasts were heaving, a trickle of perspiration travelled between my shoulder-blades. My head was buzzing. I didn’t know where this rush of courage came from, but I used it. ‘For those losses, your lordship, I call you to account. For all of this, I demand compensation. As you said earlier, this is business.’ I lowered my voice. ‘I ask that your debt to me be repaid in time and thus money — in the form of a loan. If, by the end of a period upon which we’ll agree today, I cannot meet my liability, then I’ll leave Holcroft House and you’ll never hear from me again.’
    I stood before the window, the sunlight warming my spine. My nerves were strung tight.
    One arm folded behind his back, Lord Rainford walked to the next window and stared out.
    Over his shoulder, I could see the large courtyard below. Maids carried pails from the washhouse to the kitchen. Chickens scratched in the gravel, dogs chased each other towards the stables, where a beautiful black destrier pranced. My eyes grazed his lordship’s velvet spine and I willed him not only to consider my offer, but to agree to it. His shoulders were broad; his fingers, stroking each other against the small of his back, were long. In his youth, he would have been a handsome, if somewhat inflexible man. The resemblance Tobias bore to him was astonishing. How hard must it have been for Father to see them together, to be reminded every time he looked into Tobias’s face of Mother’s … No wonder he sent Tobias away so soon. I marvelled that my mother had … with this man.
    Lord Rainford turned. Embarrassed by the direction my thoughts had taken, I brushed an imaginary stray hair behind one ear.
    â€˜You’re even lovelier than your mother,’ said Lord Rainford quietly.
    There was a movement in the doorway. ‘Ah. Master Underwood.’ My heart sank. I was to be escorted from the estate after all. ‘Is Master Makejoy still on the grounds? He is? Good. Fetch him immediately. Tell him to bring parchment and inks.’
    I didn’t dare breathe.
    Lord Rainford closed the distance between us, standing so near I could feel the heat of his body, feel the penetrating intensity of his gaze. I could smell wool, leather, horseflesh and sweat. ‘I’ll give you the time you ask for, Mistress Sheldrake.’
    Joy filled my chest, expanding out to my limbs. I felt light, weightless almost.
    â€˜A contract will be drawn up today.’
    I released a long, quiet breath.
    His lordship continued. ‘I confess, I’m more than a little interested in how, given the circumstances, you will fare. You have until Hocktide to meet the fees required for the leasing of Holcroft House. That gives you around six months. That should be more than adequate.’
    My heart soared. Six months! It was more than I’d dreamed. I just hoped it was more than I needed.
    â€˜If you fail to meet the terms of our contract,’ continued Lord Rainford, ‘then, as was originally intended, you’ll leave the house. If, however, you succeed, then perhaps we will speak again.’
    â€˜Thank you, my lord.’ I offered a curtsey. ‘I won’t disappoint you.’
    â€˜Disappoint me? I don’t think you could. But you can fail and, Mistress Sheldrake, while I’ve gone against my better judgement in this