Read Online The Two Lords of Wealdhant Manor by Katherine Marlowe - Free Book Online Page A

Phoebe said.
    Fuming, Jasper fetched his coat and boots, striving to ignore both of his sisters and their celebration over his departure.
    “Hat!” Phoebe called again.
    Jasper came back, snatched up his hat, and stormed out of the house.
    It was a mile to Wilston, an intimidating journey in the snow, but only a quarter of that to the Manor. Jasper set his steps at an angle parallel to the Manor, intending to inspect the old gate and see what might be done about it. The grounds of the estate were vast, too much work for one man, and Jasper had other duties in the village, but Mr. Clarke had commented regarding the old gate, and Jasper was too proud of his work to let anyone think that it was inadequately done.
    He was most of the way to the gate when he espied a crew of workers passing through it ahead of him. They were determined, despite the snow, and driving a wheelbarrow.
    Jasper’s temper was goaded at once, wanting to know their business and intent. He changed his course to intercept them, stomping irritably through the heavy, wet drifts of snow.
    It was clear they saw him, some of them pausing briefly to point, but they continued on their way. Jasper could see that they weren’t locals. He didn’t know any of them, and that worried him.
    Once he was only a few dozen feet from the drive, he hailed them. “Here, now! What’s your business?”
    They stopped and regarded him. None of them seemed particularly inclined to believe in the authority of a solitary scowling man storming across the moors in the snow.
    “We’re here to do the renovations on the Manor,” one of them said. He had a West Country accent and a stubborn jut to his jaw. “Who are you, then?”
    Jasper had never much needed titles before now. The locals all knew him and his authority: he saw to the necessities of law and management in the village, and kept the gardens and orchard of Wealdhant Manor. “I see to the grounds.”
    The leader of them huffed. “Well, we’re here to see to the house.”
    They resumed their course toward the house, satisfied of Jasper’s unimportance.
    Offended by this brusque dismissal, Jasper stared after them in fury for nearly a minute before he stormed after them.
    He knew that he’d agreed to stay away from the house after their last meeting and to refrain from interaction with Mr. Clarke, but his resolve to peaceably accept the situation was now dissolved. Repairs were one thing, but renovations were entirely another.
    Entering the house only a few steps behind the workmen, Jasper at once turned his glare upon the butler, who regarded him in return with unruffled calm.
    “Excellent, gentlemen,” said the butler. “If you’ll just come with me. Mr. Waltham, you may find Mr. Clarke in the study.”
    Jasper briefly considered making some objection to the butler’s brisk dismissal, but swiftly decided that his priority was indeed to speak to Mr. Clarke. He let himself into the study.
    Mr. Clarke jumped to his feet at the sight of him. “Mr. Waltham! What brings you here?”

    Algernon
    A lgernon’s first week in his new home had been simultaneously busy and lonely. He felt haunted by house and land, kept sleepless by doors slamming in the night and the melancholy howling of the wind on the moors.
    The sight of Jasper brought immediate pleasure and gratitude, followed by frustration and the illogical idea that Jasper had somehow cursed him.
    “What are you about with those workmen and their renovations?” Jasper demanded.
    “Renovating!” Algernon marched around his desk to face his visitor. Jasper’s scowls were as ill-tempered as ever, and Algernon immediately felt inclined to goad that temper.
    “What sort of renovating?” Jasper asked.
    “A variety of little things to bring Wealdhant into the nineteenth century,” Algernon said, lifting his chin with pride. “Most impressive among which will be indoor plumbing.”
    “Indoor plumbing!”
    “To be sure. It’s quite civilised. Within a few