Page 28 of The Right to Remain Single

“She explained the problem to me,” James said. “I’ll protect her, never fear.”

Joey let out a breath. “That’s a load off my mind, sir, and that’s the truth.”

In the stable, James gave the letter to Mick. “I’m as uneasy as you and Joey about Mr. Furbelow’s presence here, and I want Mr. Colin Warren to know as soon as possible.”

“I’ll go straightaway, sir.” Mick hefted a saddle onto a huge bay stallion. “This fellow needs exercise. He don’t get much nowadays, since Mr. Warren don’t ride no more, and he’s no lady’s mount, that’s for sure.”

James caressed the bay’s velvet nose. “He’s a powerful one. I wouldn’t mind taking him out someday.” How, he wondered, would he manage to court Thomasina in only a few short days? Once Furbelow and the monk were gone and Colin informed, he would have no valid reason to stay.

First things first. “I’d like you two to keep your eyes and ears open. Let me know if you notice anything…unusual about either Mr. Furbelow or Brother Antoine. Anything suspicious.”

Joey frowned. “Such as what, sir?”

“I have no idea. I’m not convinced that they are really here because of the ghost. Mr. Furbelow is deep in debt, and the reward for getting rid of the ghost is nowhere near what he needs. Add to that my doubts that Brother Antoine can really perform an exorcism, and I can’t help but wonder what their true motives are.”

“That monk’s took to his bed, scared witless by our ghost.” Joey hesitated, and then blurted, “What about you, sir? Do you mean to drive the ghost away?”

James shook his head. “No, Miss Thomasina wants him to stay. So do I, and so do you, and so do most of the villagers, I’ll bet.”

“Aye, that we do, sir. He’s a right good ghost.” Mick paused. “Suspicious, eh? Like Mr. Furbelow riding to the village to buy some rope?”

Rope?

“What’s he want rope for, I ask you?” Mick went on. “And if he does need it, we’ve plenty here in the stables. Never known him to spend a penny more than he must.”

“Maybe he got it on credit.”

Mick raised his head from tightening the girths. “Nay, sir, hereabouts we know him too well. If he pays nowt, he gets nowt.”

James nodded. “Where is this rope?”

“Took it indoors, he did. Says he can’t trust us not to confuse it with ours.” He reddened. “Like we was idiots, sir. What he meant, if you ask me, was that he’s afeard we’ll steal it and sell it.”

“As if we would!” said Joey indignantly.

“He certainly does his best to make everyone dislike him, doesn’t he?” James said. “Thank you, and please continue to keep your eyes open.”

Mick heaved himself onto the stallion’s back. “Will do, sir, never fear.”

On the way back to the house, Joey said shyly, “Me and Mick, we was saying seems like Providence sent you here special to take care of Miss Tommie.”

If she’ll let me, James thought. “I’ll do my best.” Which wasn’t good enough, according to the ghost. If only he knew what Furbelow intended…

Dinner was interminable, what with Samuel Furbelow’s leers and sneers, Brother Antoine cowed and silent, and Walt Warren irritable because of Mr. Tilson’s defection. “Told him he should stay to dine. Told him to ignore the damned ghost, like the rest of us.” He scowled down the table at Thomasina. “Did you introduce Blakely here as a friend?”

She nodded. “Max is celebrating Saturnalia, which is a Roman festival.”

“I know what it is,” her father grumbled.

“It explains why Max is more rumbustious at this time of year.”

“Damnable pagan nonsense.” He turned to James. “Did you convince him to leave us be?”

“Not yet,” James said. “He was inviting us to join him in the Saturnalia revels, when Mr. Furbelow and Brother Antoine came along. He hurled curses and his ghostly spear, and then vanished.”

Walt Warren rubbed his hands together. “Knows an exorcist when he sees one, does he? Realizes what’s coming to him.”

Sam chuckled. “I’ll bet he does. He called Brother Antoine the Evil One.”