“I’d rather you stayed here with Mrs. Moyle.”
“Do, dear,” entreated the good lady, and I could see how worried she was for her young friend. “I promise not to put you to work.”
If I had entertained any fantasy that marrying Mina would make her more likely to conform to my wishes, that notion was now dispelled. She stood up from the table, fixing her eyes first on me. “I’m sure you would, but I’m coming.” Then on her employer, more softly. “Please don’t worry. I promise to return as soon as we’ve seen the constable.”
While I was chewing on that, she continued, “I don’t suppose you’ve seen Jack recently? Last night or this morning?”
The lady’s forehead creased deeply. “No, I’m afraid I haven’t. I hope you don’t mean to say he’s gone missing!”
“He has. Father Kelly glimpsed him last night. I fear he’s not quite right in his mind. Will you keep an eye out for him? And if anyone from Wheal Enys comes in, maybe ask them?”
“Of course, dear.”
I drained my teacup in one draught and rose to my feet. Mina picked up a scone, and we started for the door. Before we could take our leave, Mrs. Moyle, eyeing us expectantly, asked, “Was there something the two of you wanted to tell me?”
Mina stepped closer to her. “It’s not exactly the right moment for this, but I wanted you to hear it from me. Harker and I are to be married. Father Kelly will read the banns this Sunday.”
Mrs. Moyle’s brows lifted almost to her hairline, much as Father Kelly’s had, and her gaze moved between us. “Heavens!” she said again. “Congratulations to you both.”
“I can’t imagine what you’ll be thinking of me,” Mina said, “and I promise to explain better when I have more time.”
Mrs. Moyle reached out and squeezed Mina’s hand, a smile defeating the worry in her expression. “You finding love is the happiest news I could receive, Mina. I do want to hear all about it, but we’ll catch up later.”
Mina folded her arms around the lady, and Mrs. Moyle let out a soft laugh as she returned the embrace. “All will be well, my dear,” she said. “You’ll see.”
Once we were out on the road again, I said, “This Jeremy Martin—he’s one of the boys who snares rabbits on my estate, isn’t he?”
Mina nodded and broke her scone in half, steam rising from its fluffy center. “I know you warned him away, and I did, too, but his father died not long ago, and I think his mother may depend on the meat. He’s got a limp, and I doubt they’ll have him at the mine.”
I wondered if she had any idea how good hearted she was,orhow uncommon that was. At least based on my limited, book-forged understanding of the world.
“I’m glad he hasn’t come to any harm,” I said.
“When I spoke to him, I noticed he wore a crude cross around his neck. Maybe it’s kept him safe.”
“Mmm. When I found him in the birchwood, there were several other boys hiding in the trees. Their numbers may also make them a less-than-ideal target.”
We were close enough to each other that I felt her shiver as she looked up at me. “The very idea there’s been a body in the pool. You and I stood there together only the other day. You skipped a stone!”
I reached for her free hand. “I can’t understand it, either.”And I wonder how many more such surprises are in store.
“It frightens me that they’ve found this one so clearly on your estate.”
I ground my teeth together. “Yes. The constable will have many questions, and there’s very little I can—”
My thought was cut short by the sound of voices. The morning’s fog had somewhat thinned, and I glanced up to find that a man and woman had stopped just on the other side of the road and stood watching us.
“God above,” the man muttered, “can that beTregarrick? Penrose has been telling anyone who’ll listen—that wolf has skulked out of his tower to sniff round his sister. Says it was him that attacked her!”
“That’s the miller and his wife,” whispered Mina, “from down near Coldvreath. I don’t much like the way they’re staring at us. Can you hear what they’re saying?”
“Yes,” I said stiffly.
“That’sher, sure enough,” the woman replied to her husband. “I’ve seen her at The Magpie.”
“Keep walking,” I said quietly. We were almost to the path that led through the hedge to the chapel.
As Mina stepped through, the miller said in a louder voice, “If the constable is too much of a coward to do his job, I guess some of us will have to do it for him!”
