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Mid-morning the next day Nat sat at my table having come by to check on me.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vY8lgm5yq
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"By all that's holy. Such news," Nat muttered. "And it should have been shared with the church. We need to lay in extra food and medical supplies in case the enemies on our border try an incursion during this time of apparent weakness."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFBsZnVumg
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"I believe the Captain ... or whatever title he bares as the brother of the Guardian ... may well be having a word with the Mayor."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ud76T4U3C
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Noting my tone of satisfaction Nat counseled, "Leeda ... it is not healthy that you still hold such a grudge. And dangerous until we know where this new Guardian stands ... whether the Mayor has his ear or not."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTayvqoWeCm
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Knowing he was right but still unable to let it go I said, "Perhaps. On the other hand ... oh bother, what am I to do with my fowl." The thought distracted me from where I would have taken the conversation and confused Nat.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCsfQQFuGB
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"What? Why do anything with them ... the lazy cluckers already drop more eggs than you can use."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38LKihyqFS
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Attempting to explain I told him, "That is the other part Nat. The housekeeper at Linderhall ... she needs me. It will be at least through the Winter."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvvZ6KBuYM
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Nat immediately pruned up. "No. I ..."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5CWYJBNhl
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"Nat, I want to go. Or should I say I want to leave this place regardless of where I go. This is no longer my home. I had thought to write to Sister Evelyn but ... truly ... this may be God opening a door for me to escape before what you call my 'grudge' becomes too deeply entrenched."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8dV0j8Ef0
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"What incentive have they given? And are you sure they come from Linderhall?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg5TfZT5UQ
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A soon-to-be familiar voice called from the dooryard. "Widow?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dacSmxm8U
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I stepped to the door and beckoned him over. "I can offer you a seat at the table this time Sir. My cousin is here."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO48NZdALU
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The man took off his hat and shook hands with Nat. "Daren Linder ... and you are Brother Harper? I just stopped by the church and Father Gabe sent me this way. I was hoping to catch you."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndqyYVOwmR
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Nat nodded. 469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHSkXqZlM0
"Please, sit, allow me to pour you a cup of tea?" I pulled a bottle of apple wine from the cupboard and asked, "Or something stronger despite the hour of the day? Forgive me for saying so but you look like you could use it. And the fruitcake should be ready to eat if you'd both like a slice."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lEd8USEBI
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Nat gave me a scowl. He was partial to my fruitcake and he knew that I knew it and was trying to bribe him into a more open mind. "Bah!" he said suddenly capitulating. "You'll do as you please anyway Leeda. Let us not have an argument over it. I'll have a slice of cake and a cup of wine." He turned to the man and said, "If I were you I wouldn't turn either down. Leeda has a fine hand at such things despite her youth."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTklHBQ6YL
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I rolled my eyes at Nat behind his back and the man's eyebrows shot up. Nat and I were close despite the ten year difference in our ages. Both of us are unconventional in our own way. I suspect that the man was having to rework his expectations of us. He looked at Nat and said, "She has told you of my request?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYUqSxvGFi
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"Only just. What guarantee do I have that you are who you say you are? I made the mistake in believing that the Linders would care for her once, I won't make the mistake twice."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcF99chetk
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"Nat!" I exclaimed, worried he was making an enemy he did not need.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1swxRwad1
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"It is true and I won't stand by again."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wTdbqjR0f
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The man didn't seem to take any affront to Nat's words and in fact seemed to relax ... though perhaps it was his first bite of cake that did it. "I've papers here. And if you've need of further proof I can send for Mr. Tosh who is going over the Mayor's books as we speak."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnQ9Q3FFY7
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I was glad I hadn't taken a sip of wine yet or I would have choked on it. "Mr. Tosh is here?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsTiQsLruk
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"Yes," he answered with smirk.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaSZvvdLBt
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"Well, the ... hmmm ... the Mayor must be finding it ... well ..."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPbQAhOcBc
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The man snorted and nodded. "Indeed he is."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsFK7Efir4
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Nat turned to me and asked, "You know this Mr. Tosh?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8Tb6iShPk
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"He is the manager of Linderhall, or was when I resided there."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EUJrtDVLm
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The man said, "Still is though his title has been changed to Bailiff and my brother has bid him hire some assistants so that he can do more touring."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXtaLAC4Wl
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Nat whistled. "That's going to go over fine."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BFBklA671
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"Aye, there's already been talk but the truth is that it is as much for the protection of the towns as it is for the Guardian. Before his death my father discovered a great many discrepancies and unknowns in his cousin's income and the same in the tax rolls. The review is to straighten the two sets of books out in case the missing entries are because the books have become confused over the years. Mr. Tosh said that the old Guardian did his own books and was tight fisted with them. My brother has decided to continue with the idea of a new accounting to show both the people and the Great Council that it is to be a lawful transfer despite the unusual nature of this succession, that there are no plans to take advantage of those under our care and nurture."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKppg8vebsH
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Nat nodded. "Makes sense when said that way. But let us return to the topic at hand. I will be blunt and ask what duties will Leeda be expected to fulfill."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBfMLX2PO3
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It took but a moment for both the man and I to catch Nat's meaning. Fear leapt into my chest but the man was quick to dispel it. "Mostly she will be a liaison between Mr. Tosh as Bailiff, Marta as housekeeper, my other brother James who has taken the position of Chancellor, and my sister in law so that the Hall can be pulled back in shape after so much disruption. Mr. Tosh will have his hands full guiding the incoming harvest; James with helping Tomas - The Linder - establish his place on the Great Council, and Marta is still recovering and will need to be careful through the winter. For the rest, I had thought that she can be a companion to my sisters who are ... high spirited and not enjoying the restrictions they are experiencing in their new social circle."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoWToRQWlo
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Nat still looked unconvinced. "Nat, let me try and understand." I turned to the man and asked, "Basically what you wish is for someone to ... hmmm ... put your sister in law at her ease, perhaps introduce your sisters to the household staff, and if possible redirect everyone's energies so that the work can proceed quickly and with as few ... er ... bumps in the road as possible."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Fe9yy9tGy
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The man nodded. "You see it rightly." To Nat he explained, "The Guardian's wife is expecting her first child. To say it has my brother ... er ..."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsompw2Xbp1
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Nat nodded thoughtfully. "The village priest often needs to counsel men that are ... er ..."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyB6XeB350
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I rolled my eyes at their er's. "How close to climbing the ceiling in the meeting hall is he?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAf2svk0FK
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The man looked at me with a smile. "He's almost able to swing from the gaslamps."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8LbXtTQ1B
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Nat leaned forward and said, "Be that as it may, and I'm not so deep in the church that I can't see where my cousin’s presence wouldn’t help, but what of her status?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEWB0Z19zN
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"Nat ..."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9708DXvhgn
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"No Leeda. It needs discussing. I know you are fond of this Marta and will do all in your power for her regardless of my concerns but on this I'll have my say." He turned to the man and said, "Leeda was sent back here with no escort, no dower, no portion beyond food and a few circles to keep herself for less than a year. She was forced to give up what could have been sold to secure some future for her and left with the burden of a status that keeps her from pursuits better suited to her talents and nature. Had she not had this cabin to return to she would have been forced to beg for charity ... but from whom I don't know as none have stepped forward to offer much more than consternation and resentment at having to rearrange the social scale of Harper. My cousin was a wife, not a temporary consort, and should have been treated better ... should be treated better."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMwaaKhgLG
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The man scowled. "It wasn't by our hand. My father was told she would be there to care for. That she wasn't made it appear ..." In an aggravated tone he said, "It was weeks before I could finally get some of the story out of Marta and Tosh and they still kept most of the facts close. I assume it was because of the presence of the other widows and the mischief they could cause. I knew the Below Stairs held some grudge and distrust but I was searching in the wrong direction. I thought it was due to their attachment to the previous Guardian or perhaps because he'd treated them ill."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLAv6Yx3fN
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I shook my head. "No. The Linder treated his staff well and was even handed, if not generous with his words or coin to them. Ceena and Tonya could be a bit cold to the staff but that was status talking and them showing how they were raised rather than intentional misconduct. And as for the rest, you must be mistaken yet. Mizz Marta and Mr. Tosh would hold no grudge on my account, nor would any of the other staff for that matter. Any changes would have them concerned as most have been staff since their apprenticeship and for several, their parents before them were and are also staff. When your life and livelihood depends on a single family, it can be nerve-wracking to be in the midst of change. And you've likely brought in your own staff to the mix." At his nod I said, "I'll sort out the problem when we arrive. The quicker the issues can be concluded the better for all concerned." The man just stared at me. "What?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaW0WZN3uH
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"I've a sister your age - the younger, not the older which I have a feeling you will get along well with - and I cannot imagine ... You are ..."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoqcn31zdl
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Nat nodded. "Leeda came on like this during the dying time we had here when she was a child. The Sisters saw it and sent her to the college early. She would have had a triple had her marriage to the old Guardian not interfered."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHKl4YGbPM
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"I thought she was given in marriage at 14?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wx9d44EHA
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"She was."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1DEhXsHaH
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"Hello. I'm in the room, not on my deathbed or deaf," I reminded them.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL0Qm8glTH
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The man turned to look at me. "And you are 16 now? Why did you not finish the college or go to university?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dIgE7fLpu
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I spit, "Status."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eNYEivXBK
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"Status? But surely ..." He stopped and then remembered that status was a two edged sword. Depending on your status you can receive social perks but at the same time be held back so that those with less status can have a fair try at seeking their fortune. He sighed. "My brother may be able to help but not until after the succession is secured."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT1RnoajbO
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I shrugged, "I don't expect anything to change so don't make a request on my behalf."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxGnKKC7Bb
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Nat looked at the heavens and sighed, "And this is why she needs someone to look after her interests."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylQGYTh8nL
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The ma\n nodded and they both began to irritate me. Before I could express it however the man said, "I have some leeway in this matter. I'll get Mr. Tosh to write a contract and at a minimum she will at least have a stipend and a sum settled on her."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4HO8GpKXl
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There was some scratching at the backdoor and I left the two men to their dickering. I looked out and there to my great surprise saw a runner from the Mayor's house. "May I help you?" I asked.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtjroi94In
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"A delivery Widow Linder," the boy said holding out a piece of paper.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktXzP55hEi
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I took it by its corner and the boy ran off, presumably to complete other tasks. I walked back in holding the invitation like it was a piece of hairy nettle and me without gloves.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY5nKqVfCn
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"What is it Leeda?" Nat asked.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8avYmJTYt0
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"I have no idea."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlQHJ1FOdQ
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"It looks like an invitation."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlMWQDhocK
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"I know."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTe1GQbBTA
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The look on my face must have been something to behold because the man laughed and asked, "And do you always treat invitations like they are plague riddled bombs?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ83H7u80h
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"Seeing as I've never been invited anywhere much less to the Mayor's home I'm honestly not certain how I am to treat it. Are you the reason for this?" I asked him in accusation.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLsrXOnytW
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He smirked. "Perhaps." More seriously he asked me, "You've never been invited to the Mayor's house? I was given to understand that you were quite close."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8eup4PiCC
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Nat snorted and said, "The Waverly family holds the post once held by the Harpers. Our great grandfather grew weary of the politics and retired. We became the Woodsmen ... at least until the plague that killed us all. It came from fleas carried by the deer and ... "469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5oRN9VVta
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I put my hand on Nat's shoulder as I knew it was an old worry of his. "Rest Nat. It was never your calling to be a Woodsman. Grandfather and father never regretted sending you to seminary. And that is ancient history. As for the connection with the Waverly family ... that too is ancient history and I would rather not discuss it. But I won't be part of a faradiddle either, not even for politics or politeness. I have no relationship with the Waverly family, certainly not a close one."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxvex9rAlf
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The man looked interested in questioning me more but I asked instead, "You seem to know about this ... this missive. Did you prompt it?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNNaYxQVhn
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"In a manner of speaking." I simply stared at him. He shrugged. "I dislike mysteries and I've faced far too many in the last few days, and them being primarily about you Widow."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCHs8ziSRT
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"Oh for goodness sake ..."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnWrW7S8PW
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"Oh aye ... you may doubt it if you wish but between being thwarted from questioning Marta because of her illness, from questioning Tosh because he's so stiff in his britches he must have his wife starch them, and then the so-called confusion that should not have been of you being informed of my tentative arrival date, I can assure you ... I am being good and mellow compared to how I wish to behave."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQystfmyLEX
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I was trying not to smile as his description of Mr. Tosh was very accurate. "And exactly what devilment have you gotten up to to release some of your fractious nerves?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C0bsBgsaB
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"I wish to see you at the Mayor's house, in company."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc73N8bTjvG
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I was no longer amused. "No."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyigmhMcM9n
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"I beg your pardon?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCIJX4mJEh
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"Leeda!" Nat hissed.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEvXdBK8Da
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"I won't go."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVgcIsfKKW
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The man looked at me calmly and said, "The invitation is for my benefit, not the Mayor's."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9vpXyKUeD
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"I care not," I told him rising from my seat. "I won't go and you can't make me even if you are the brother of the Guardian."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOE0BPC2cO
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I turned and left the cabin. It was a childish thing to do and I left Nat to clean up the mess but my anger had taken my commonsense.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6biMhQNFJy
