“It smells like tobacco to me. It’s because I’m …” Harriet pointed at her stomach. “I’ve become very sensitive to odors. Poor Robert has to go outside to smoke his pipe because I can’t stand the smell of the tobacco.”
Emma didn’t smell anything akin to tobacco, but she wasn’t going to make her friend suffer with a queasy stomach.
“Come along, Henry,” she said. “We don’t want Mrs. Martin to become ill.”
“I’m fine,” Harriet protested. “I’ll just go stand outside.”
Emma took her arm and escorted her to the stairs. “Nonsense. We’ll get you a nice cup of tea, and then I’ll ask Harry to walk you home.”
Harriet gave her a grateful smile. “There’s no need for Harry to put himself out.”
Henry skipped ahead of them. “I’ll walk you home, Mrs. Martin. I’d like to check the pond and see if it’s frozen yet for skating.”
Emma closed the door to the undercroft and followed the others up the stairs. As they approached the kitchen, the door opened and Larkins came out.
“I was just coming to look for you, Mrs. Knightley. Mrs. Hodges said you were down in the old cellar.”
“It’s really more of an undercroft, isn’t it? I had no idea there was one so big under the abbey.”
“I understand it was used for storing cider and ale, as well as the cheeses the monks used to make.”
“I was surprised at how clean it is.”
Harriet crinkled her nose. “Except for the smell.”
Larkins frowned. “What smell is that, Mrs. Martin?”
“Harriet thought it was tobacco,” Emma explained, “but I couldn’t smell it. I don’t suppose anyone was storing tobacco down there, were they?”
“Not for a long time, if ever.” Then he scowled. “Mayhap it’s Harry smoking his pipe. He’s been told more than once not to smoke in the house. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was sneaking off there to have a smoke.”
No wonder Harry tried to stop them from going in there.
“We cannot have that,” Emma replied in a humorous tone.
“I’ll speak to him, ma’am.” Larkins looked most put out. “He won’t be doing it again.”
She waved a hand. “I shouldn’t worry about it.”
“And I might be wrong about it being tobacco,” Harriet hastily put in. “I don’t want to get the fellow in trouble.”
Larkins snorted. “The fellow is neveroutof trouble.”
It would seem that their estate steward had as little use for Harry as their housekeeper did.
“Whatever you think is best. Oh, Larkins,” Emma said, after pausing for a moment. “Harry said that you installed new locks on all the outer entrances last year. May I ask why?”
“Just a precaution, ma’am. We’re a big house with a small staff, and it’s best to have the place as secure as possible.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Harry thought it might have something to do with the poultry thief. Have there been any incidents of thieving?”
“As I said, ma’am, it was just a precaution.” He scowled. “And Harry would do best to keep his opinions to himself, if you don’t mind me saying. Now, if you’ll excuse me, ma’am, I’d best be at my work.”
He tipped his hat and strode off toward the stables.
“Is Mr. Larkins unwell?” asked Harriet. “He’s generally so even-tempered.”
Emma stared after the estate steward as he disappeared into the stables.
