Free Abbeyford Inheritance by Margaret Dickinson Page A

home.”
    â€œI think not tonight, Trent,” Lynwood said softly.
    â€œHave you asked Mrs Langley’s permission?” Wallis persisted, still glowering.
    â€œHave you?” countered the Earl.
    â€œIt’s understood that I escort the young ladies home from church, Lynwood,” Wallis drew himself up, his broad shoulders seeming massive.
    â€œI’m sure Mama would not object – for once,” Emily put in coyly, aware that for once she could have Wallis to herself.
    â€œOh, very well,” Wallis said with bad grace and marched away, almost dragging Emily along with him. Lynwood laughed aloud.
    â€œShh,” Adelina tugged at his arm. “He’ll hear you.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œWell …” then she began to smile too.
    They wandered down the frosty lane and for a few moments they were alone in the dark night. He slipped his arm about her waist and drew her close to him. “Adelina!” he whispered.
    â€œNo, my lord, no,” she said pushing him away, and yet her senses were reeling at his closeness, at his touch.
    â€œWould you reject Wallis Trent’s advances, Adelina?” Lynwood asked harshly.
    â€œI – of course.” Then anger made her forget caution. “There’s only one thing in the world I want at this moment.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œTo meet my grandfather.”
    She heard Lynwood sigh, but he said nothing. How could he tell her that he had asked Lord Royston repeatedly to meet her, but the stubborn old man steadfastly refused. Lynwood took her hand once more and led her towards the front door of the Vicarage. There, beneath the light of the lamp, he turned to face her and looked down into her upturned, lovely face. He took her gently by the shoulders. “Don’t put your hopes too high, but if you like, I’ll speak to him again.”
    â€œNo – Wallis said – I mean …” The words were out before she could stop them.
    Lynwood frowned. “Trent? What did he say?”
    â€œHe – he sees Lord Royston once a month. He said he would speak to him on my behalf.”
    â€œReally?” Lynwood drawled. “You’re sure it was on your behalf and not his own?”
    Abruptly he left her, his strides taking him down the path to his waiting carriage. She saw him climb into the vehicle and slam the door, making the horses shy in fright.
    â€œDrive on!” he shouted irritably.

Chapter Five
    During the early evening of the day after Christmas Day, the Trents’ carriage drew up in front of the Vicarage. The two girls, warmly wrapped in their cloaks, were helped into the carriage by Wallis and, in only a few minutes, they arrived outside the barn at the Manor. Adelina gasped as she went in. The huge barn had been transformed. Holly and mistletoe wreaths decorated the walls and beams, and the light came from rushlights. At one end a makeshift stage had been erected and the floor was covered with rushes. As they entered the handbell ringers were playing a carol and from the onlookers – all the villagers, it seemed to Adelina – there came a soft humming.
    At the opposite end of the barn to the stage a ladder led up to a hayloft and Adelina’s eyes widened as she saw Evan Smithson and Lucy sitting at the edge of the open hayloft, their legs swinging over the side, watching the proceedings below them. When the bellringers had ended their carols, a motley selection of instruments was produced – drums, trumpets, pipes and fiddles – and suddenly a surprisingly tuneful, merry jig filled the barn. But amongst the rest of the villagers there was a strange reluctance to begin the dancing. They stood in small groups occasionally glancing with sullen eyes towards Wallis Trent.
    They don’t want us here, Adelina knew suddenly, intuitively. Wallis Trent – and those with him – were unwelcome intruders.
    Wallis ignored their hostility. “Would