Free Spoiled by Ann Barker

some of the history surrounding this place. It may prevent you from offending out of ignorance.
    â€˜You may remember I told you yesterday that Lady Agatha Rayner, Lord Ashbourne’s sister, was married to the former vicar, The Revd Colin Rayner. She had as her companion a single lady named Miss Warburton. This lady became engaged to Mr Lusty, oh, it must be over a year ago now. She travelled to London to stay with Lusty’s sister, but while there, she renewed her acquaintance with Lord Ashbourne. The next thing that any of us knew was that they had been married privately.’
    â€˜I have heard – perhaps mistakenly – that Lord Ashbourne is something of a rake,’ said Michael a little diffidently.
    â€˜You are not mistaken,’ answered Granby. ‘He has indeed been a great rake in the past. He is also an exceedingly handsome man, as well as having considerable address.’ He sighed. ‘There was a time when Evangeline was very smitten with him. Fortunately, he did nothing to encourage her, but it was a worry. There are those who predicted that he would soon tire of Miss Warburton once married to her. I have to say
that there has been no sign of it so far. They are away in Buxton at present. Lady Ashbourne is expecting a child and his lordship is overseeing her drinking the water. Have you tasted it?’ Buckleigh shook his head. ‘Well, don’t bother: it’s deucedly nasty stuff.
    â€˜The landowner you’re more likely to have dealings with is Lord Ashbourne’s son, Viscount Ilam. He lives in the manor house on the main street in Illingham. It is to him that you owe thanks for the cottage in which you are to live, as it belongs to the estate. Ilam’s wife has recently had a child, and they are away visiting Lady Ilam’s parents.’
    â€˜Has the child been baptized?’ Michael asked.
    Mr Granby shook his head. ‘No doubt that will be one of your first duties, unless Lusty decides to step in. And here is your cottage.’ He took a key out of his pocket. ‘Our meeting on the road was most fortuitous, but I had been instructed to look out for your arrival and give you the key.’ He handed it over. ‘You may have the honour.’
    As Michael took the key, he reflected that Mr Granby could not possibly have known what this meant to him. In his last two curacies, he had lodged with parishioners, once above a butcher’s shop, the smell of which had risen and drifted into his room on hot days and had often been quite offensive. On the other occasion, he had had no separate room in which to study and had been obliged to sit in a cold, damp church in order to write his sermons. This cottage was the first home that he had ever had to himself. Already, he could imagine having Theodora here with him.
    The inside of the cottage was plain and clean, and neatly furnished with items that seemed to Michael to be of a much better quality than might have been expected in such a dwelling.
    â€˜Lady Ilam was responsible for the furnishings,’ Mr Granby explained. ‘Most of them are from the Hall.’
    â€˜She has been very kind,’ said Michael, looking about him at the rug in front of the fireplace flanked by two chairs, the small table next to the window, the reading desk and the bookcase standing against one of the walls. The fire was laid, he noticed, and a big basket was full of logs. There were also several candlesticks in evidence, all with new wax candles in them. ‘I shall need to make arrangements for my trunk to be brought here,’ he went on. ‘Do you have any idea where it will have been taken?’
    â€˜Your trunk is upstairs,’ said Mr Granby. ‘Ilam ordered it to be brought here from the Olde Oak on its arrival. Another day, you will have to decide what to do about food. For tonight, I suggest that you
unpack in the daylight, then walk back to Granby Park where you may dine with