Read Online Wendy Soliman by Duty's Destiny - Free Book Online

The Dove Inn, occupied a central position, but the most unusual aspect of the village was the two water mills, built to swingle and spin flax. Felix took an interest in them, and was treated to a lecture as to their purpose by an elderly villager, who appeared both proud of the structures and pleased to be able to pass the time of day with an interested visitor.
    Felix was aware of several eyebrows raised in curiosity as he sauntered the main street in Burton Bradstock. He was a stranger, and was clearly exciting interest amongst the locals, especially when he rushed to the assistance of two ladies leaving the circulating library, arms loaded with books. He made an elegant leg and held the door for them. Knowing he could do no more without first being introduced, he nevertheless made the most of the opportunity. His gentlemanly conduct had made an impression upon the women, and doubtless Barker would know of his presence in the village before the end of the day, just as Felix intended that he should.
    Felix met up with Perkins a little later and learned that he was comfortably ensconced in the inn. He was already making contacts amongst the clientele, not to mention a favourable impression upon an attractive young barmaid.
    “Just remember why we’re here, Perkins. I don’t want you distracted from your purpose.”
    “Naturally, my lord. But if I’m to gain the trust of these people, then I can’t afford to ignore any opportunities, can I, now?” Perkins’s apparent dedication to duty would have been quite convincing if Felix hadn’t been well aware of his predilection for the fairer sex, and had his statement not been accompanied by a devilish grin.
    Felix chuckled. “Just take care, Perkins.”
    “Of course. But this gal seems to know everything and everyone, and you know how women like to run on.”
    “When they’re on their backs you mean?”
    “My lord!” Perkins affected an injured expression.
    “Meet me at the same time tomorrow, Perkins, but this time on the dunes. In the meantime, arrange for this letter to be sent to the Earl of Newbury.”
    “At once, my lord.”
    Returning to Riverside House with a half-hour to spare before luncheon, Felix strolled through the French doors leading from the drawing room to an attractive honey-coloured stone terrace. At liberty now to take a closer interest in his surroundings, he was surprised to observe that weeds were growing between the terrace slabs and the benches and stone urns were covered with green lichen. The lawns, which sloped gently down towards the sea, were overdue for cutting and the flower borders, although artfully arranged to resemble a wild country garden, were in fact overgrown and in need of urgent pruning. Grass encroached upon the paths in places, and the entrance to one walk was completely obscured by brambles.
    Felix wondered why this should be. He was adding it to the list of anomalies he’d already noted at Riverside House, when an explosion of noise alerted him to the presence of the twins, with Hoskins leaping about and making as much noise as either of them.
    “Hello, Mr. Beaumont, we’ve just finished our lessons for the morning — ”
    “Thank goodness!”
    “Mr. Fothergill is beastly to us — ”
    “But we have several hours off now — ”
    “He likes to walk into Swyre before luncheon — ”
    “And when he comes back his breath smells funny.”
    “Yes,” Amy added sombrely, “but at least we don’t have to do many lessons in the afternoons — ”
    “Sometimes he slurs his words or falls asleep — ”
    “Hope he does today and then we won’t have to — ”
    “Oh no, I’d forgotten about that.”
    Felix smiled at them, glad of their company. So, Fothergill was unable to get past luncheon without first calling at Swyre Inn. Interesting. Before he could decide how important that might be, Amy’s voice, resonant with indignation, brought him back to the present.
    “We have to congregate — ”
    “We’re