Page 34 of Dare it all for Love

Mr Oak’s attention slid unwillingly from Grace to Florence. “I couldn’t say, Miss Knight. Generally, corn dolls are positive symbols. You must know that much.”

“Of course. The last sheaf is said to hold the spirit of the corn. It’s plaited into a corn doll to give the spirit a place to live until the next harvest, then it’s ploughed back into the soil. They are supposed to bring good luck, I think?”

“That’s right.”

“So why does it feel like a threat?”

Mr Oak shrugged. “Perhaps it’s the spirit of the corn that’s in danger.”

Henry made a pained sound, so Florence glared at him. He rolled his eyes to the ceiling but held his tongue.

“Or perhaps the Maiden represents someone, a woman in danger,” Grace offered.

Mr Oak looked back at her. His eyes were a very dark brown and he regarded Grace with a speculative but approving expression. “Could be,” he agreed, not taking his eyes from her.

Grace flushed and took a step back, so she was slightly behind Florence.

“Look,” Henry said, and Florence felt he was counting to ten. “I know there are some riveting and bizarre customs among the locals. Indeed, on my travels I have discovered there are stories like this all over the world. Every culture has its witches and superstitions, some more outlandish than others. No doubt there is a kernel of truth to be found here or there,” he allowed.

Mr Oak snorted and folded his arms.

“But honestly, Sterling. Whatever the origins of this… this Maiden, her use has clearly been appropriated to put the wind up me.”

No answer from Mr Oak was forthcoming past a noncommittal shrug.

“So I need to find out who and why. Yes? Do you have any ideas?”

Mr Oak considered this for a lengthy moment. “No.”

Henry threw up his hands. “Well, as fascinating as this all is, what the devil am I supposed to do with that thing? Burn it?”

“No!” Mr Oak said, with such vehemence Grace flinched. He cleared his throat and spoke again, looking somewhat apologetic. “No. Don’t do that. Keep her safe. If she represents a real person, it’s best you keep her with care, just in case.”

“Do I invite her to dinner? Make up a bed for her?” Henry asked, apparently at the limit of what he could take.

“Don’t burn her,” Mr Oak advised, his voice holding a clear warning.

With that, he turned and strode out of the room.

Chapter 10

Dear Pippin,

I hope you and that wicked husband of yours are keeping well and enjoying the peace our absence must surely afford you. If by some strange quirk of character, you miss our unruly presence in your life, I wondered if you might like to take a few days holiday here at Holbrook House? Cat will be beside herself with joy, especially if you bring that old rogue with you. She believes her skill at cards is waning in his absence.

The earl assures me you would be most welcome and made very comfortable. I believe we urgently need your rather specialist skills to solve a mystery that is becoming a matter of some concern. Tell me, what do you know of corn dolls and their use in witchcraft?

―Excerpt of a letter from Lucian Barrington, The Most Hon’ble, The Marquess of Montagu to his old cook “Pippin”, Mrs Bertha Appleton.

16th August 1839, Holbrook House, Sussex.

Florence took Grace for a walk about the gardens whilst the staff set about restoring the dining room to order for their meal. She wondered where Henry would put the Maiden for safe keeping, and then about Mr Oak and the things he’d said. He was a very forbidding looking man, so stern and not a little intimidating. She did not much like him and was uncertain he was trustworthy.

“What do you think of Mr Oak?” she asked Grace.

Grace looked up. She had been staring down at an ornamental fishpond at the centre of the formal gardens they were strolling around, stooping to trail her fingers in the cool water. Her skin was flushed, and she pressed her damp fingers to her throat with a sigh. The heat of the day was becoming quite unbearable.

“I’m not sure. He’s rather taciturn, but I wonder if that’s just his manner. Some men simply do not feel at ease in company.”