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

instance, I’ll not be so easily persuaded by a pair of beautiful green eyes or,’ his eyes travelled my body, ‘anything else.’
    I didn’t know what to say. Like a startled fawn, I couldn’t move.
    â€˜But trust me when I say, I can be ruthless, Mistress Sheldrake.’ He smiled, but there was no warmth behind it. ‘I keep a close eye on all my investments. So, while I have to return to the king’s side, I’ll ask my son —’ he gestured to the portrait I’d noticed earlier, ‘to … let’s say, keep abreast of your progress. When he returns from France, he can confer with Makejoy, examine the accounts and keep me advised. And, when the time comes,’ he chuckled at his little joke, ‘he’ll see that the terms of the contract we’re about to sign are met in full. Are you prepared to meet my conditions?’
    My mind was whirling. I wanted to fling open the window and shout my small victory to the shire. I’d taken the first step in my independence and, no matter what happened from here on in, I wasn’t going to fall.
    â€˜I am, your lordship.’
    â€˜No matter what they entail?’
    â€˜Whatever they entail, your lordship,’ I said, smiling as Master Makejoy entered, his portable desk strapped to his hips, parchment and quills under his arms. ‘I’ll gladly sign.’
    And with that cavalier dismissal, I made my first mistake.

SIX

    BETWEEN SCALES HALL AND HOLCROFT HOUSE, ELMHAM LENN
    The same day in October
    The year of Our Lord 1405 in the sixth year of the reign of Henry IV
    A s Adam and I left Scales Hall, the chapel bells sounded, their chimes echoing around the valley and following us through the village, a joyous song that matched the one resounding in my heart. I’d been granted the time I needed to earn a living, to keep the house and thus prevent us from becoming little more than Cousin Hiske’s servants. That this came at such a cost, being beholden to the man I’d come to regard as the source of all our woes, that I was placing myself in a situation akin to that which Father had, was not something I wanted to consider. Not until it was forced upon me. In the meantime, I’d plans to make and work to do. In order to achieve any of this, I needed the help of the servants.
    We rode in silence but my thoughts were so loud and busy I wouldn’t have been surprised if Adam had begun answering the conundrums I posed myself. We left the village and travelled along the muddy road that ran beside the river, careful to avoid the deeper grooves so as not to bog our vehicle. Swaying from side to side, I replayed the conversation with his lordship, still not quite able to believe I’d managed to reverse his initial refusal. Sending a swift prayer of thanks to the Holy Mother and my own, the thing that struck me most was Lord Rainford’s reluctant acknowledgement of his affair with Mother; that he’d used her so disgracefully. I hadn’t expected that and, I confess, it hurt. I’d half-hoped he’d scoff at my accusation and demand I leave his house. But one would only have to see Tobias next to him to know any denial of paternity would be moot. My stomach lurched. Others must realise what to me was now so apparent: the resemblance was uncanny. I glanced at Adam, his concentration fixed on the road, on guiding Shelby onto the slightly higher ground. Was it possible Adam knew? That he’d known all along? That Saskia, Blanche and the entire household knew what I’d only just confirmed? That Tobias was a Rainford? I chided myself. My brother was only partly a Rainford. He was also a de Winter — just like me.
    No wonder Papa not only kept away as much as he could but also sent Tobias from his sight at the first opportunity. That must be why he’d resigned all his offices, withdrawn from public service and taken to the oceans; his pride wouldn’t allow him to do