Page 78 of Exile's Return

‘The Colonel returned from London,’ the boy replied. He frowned in disapproval. ‘Looks like he drove the team hard to get here. No respect for ‘orses. He could’ve killed ‘em. His late Lordship would never…’ He broke off, conscious he’d spoken out of turn to a stranger. ‘Want me to see to your ‘orse?’

Daniel shook his head. ‘No, you’ve got your hands full. I’ll see to my horse.’

Cleaning and settling his horse took a good hour and it was gone dark when Daniel returned to the kitchens.

He had to warn Agnes of Ashby’s return if she did not know already. He sought out the cook and asked for a light meal to carry up to his mistress. A grumbling kitchen hand obliged and Daniel slipped up the kitchen stairs, trying to remember the route through the rabbit warren of an old house to Agnes’s quarters.

He had to stop a footman to ask for directions. The man glanced at the tray.

‘I’ll take it,’ he said.

‘No,’ Daniel said. ‘She has orders for me no doubt.’ He rolled his eyes to indicate that Agnes was one to issue orders and the footman smiled.

‘Like that, is she?’ he said and gave Daniel the directions he needed.

Brown did not bother getting to his feet as he approached.

‘Cold as a witch’s heart out here,’ he grumbled, knocking on the door and opening it to admit Daniel.

Agnes had been sitting by the fire reading a book and she jumped to her feet. A lock of hair curled down across her forehead and his fingers twitched. He longed to push it up behind her ear.

The guard remained in the doorway, watching as Daniel set the tray down on the table.

‘Yer supper, Mistress,’ he said.

‘Thank you, Lucas.’

She looked him up and down. ‘What do you mean by presenting yourself to me in this state?’

Daniel, who had thought he had done a fair effort of cleaning off the worst of the mud, looked down at himself. ‘I took the gelding out for a ride,’ he said. ‘I was worried that it was going lame.’

‘I see, and … ?’

‘We got caught in a narrow lane by the Colonel’s coach,’ he said. ‘Seemed in a hurry to get home.’

Agnes’s mouth formed an O of surprise. She swallowed, and with a quick glance at the soldier, said, ‘Have they found you a bed for the night?’

‘I’m to sleep in the kitchen, as is my place,’ Daniel replied.

‘Thank you, Lucas.’

‘Any orders for me, Mistress?’ Daniel enquired obsequiously. He could almost feel himself tugging his forelock.

The light of amusement flashed in her eyes and she bit her lip.

‘No, nothing for now,’ she said. ‘Good night.’

Daniel closed the door behind him and lingered as Brown sank onto his stool again.

‘You here for the night?’ he enquired.

‘Unless they send someone to relieve me,’ Brown grumbled. ‘Punishment for not cleanin’ me kit properly. That Turner is a stickler.’

‘If she,’ Daniel jerked his head at the door, ‘needs anything, ask for me. The name’s Lucas.’

‘Lucas,’ the man repeated. ‘Better get back and clean those boots she gave you. They’ll keep you busy tonight.’

Daniel pulled a face. ‘Got me own to do too,’ he said.