by Aria Norton
“Truthfully? I do not know yet, Lily, that is why I wish to find out who is behind the death threats before anything irreversible were to happen.”
“I hope that you find this person. I may not like your father, but I would never wish him dead.”
“Yes, thank you, Lily. I shall be going now.”
Lily escorted him out, asking him to call again. He promised to do so, but if he did not solve this mystery soon, Nash would have to return to France without Freddi.
***
Freddi decided that church would be the best place for her that Sunday. She had not been since her parents’ passing as she wanted to avoid too many questions about her well-being and listen to what good people her parents were. Freddi had wanted peace, but it seemed that she was not getting it sitting in the cottage and mulling over her current circumstances. She had put on her best dress, had arranged her hair, and even dabbed on some of the perfume her parents had spent a fortune to get for her birthday last year. She did not want anyone to pity her; she just wanted a normal service.
The church was not too far from the estate, but the walk was long enough for her to prepare herself for what lay ahead. It was one thing to not wish anyone to make a fuss, but quite another to have it happen.
But what if they reject me due to these false rumours?
Reverend John would never do so, but the other church members could be nasty towards her.
"Then, it is something that I shall have to bear. Life is not a bed of roses, there are some thorns as well."
That is what her father used to say, and he was right. Perhaps if she sat right at the back in the corner, no one would notice her. She was wearing a bonnet that had a slightly wider brim than usual. If she kept her head down, she could potentially get away with having a smooth service. Those women are awfully nosey, I doubt that I shall go unnoticed by them.
Freddi arrived at the little church, immediately going to the back as she had decided. A few curious glances came her way, but she kept her head resolutely down. She was there to ask for mercy and grace, she was not there to please people. The sermon given by Reverend John seemed for just her. He spoke of trials, of perseverance and patience.
Freddi was going through a trial of her own where it seemed that everyone was against her and yet she had done nothing wrong. Her world was falling apart, and she hadn't the foggiest notion of how to put it back together again. Tears fell unchecked, wetting her hands as she held them in prayer. I have respected my parents, my employers, and my elders. I have always done good to those around me, and even now when they say all manner of things about me, I have not retaliated. Please, I need hope to get me through this trial, I cannot do it alone.
“My child, are you all right?”
Freddi looked up, blinking as the light burned her eyes. The church was empty, and she hadn't noticed it.
“Reverend John, I am sorry, I did not realise that the sermon had ended.”
He smiled. “I can see that. You must have been praying a powerful prayer to not be aware of your surroundings.”
“I suppose so, but I am quite surprised. It has never happened to me before, and I am a praying woman.”
“But you have never encountered such a trial before, child. How are you?”
Freddi shrugged. “As well as can be expected. I have been getting by, but my spirits are low. There is only so much one can take before it is too much.”
"I understand what you are saying. Remember that the Lord only gives the strongest battles to the servants who He knows will come through it victoriously. You need only ask Him for an extra measure of grace and mercy to ride this trial."
“I have done so, but I feel no better.”
“You cannot rely on your feelings, but on what you know. Your feelings can take you down a dangerous path, but if you rely on the Lord, He will bring you through this trial. We have faith that can move mountains; you need only trust in Him.”
Reverend John was right; paying attention to her feelings was not doing her any good. They were filling her with despair, but if she focused on the One who had created her, she was sure to get through this trial.
“Thank you, Reverend John, this is precisely what I needed to hear.”
She watched him take something from his pocket, before taking her hand and placing the bundle on her palm.
“What is this, Reverend John?”
“A gift from the Lord, child. Use this while you search for a job, but I believe that your time will come soon. The Lord has a wonderful plan for your life.”
Frowning, she opened the material covering it, going still when she saw that it was a pile of notes.
“No, Reverend John, I cannot possibly take this from you.”
He closed her hand over the money. “But you can. It is a gift from the Lord, Frederica, do not refuse His hand.”
Freddi's eyes welled up with tears, overcome with emotion. “Thank you.”
That was all that she could manage to say, for she could hardly talk around the lump in her throat.
“Thank the Lord, child, thank the Lord.”
“Yes, yes, you are right. I was so worried that I would have nothing for food, but He has come through for me.”
Along with the termination of employment, Lord Blackmore had refused for her to get any food from the kitchen. She had been living on the little money she had saved, but she had used the last cent to purchase some food. Freddi would have had nothing to eat tomorrow, but this money would see her through for at least another two or three weeks if she were wise with her purchases. But what use was it having food when she did not have a roof over her head? Where would she live?
Freddi spoke a little more with the Reverend before she left, thankful to have someone speak kind and uplifting words to her. Just ahead of her, she spotted her friend Caroline chatting with a group of young women. As soon as they saw her they scattered, but Caroline waited for her, offering her a smile.
“Freddi, how are you?”
“I certainly feel better for coming to church, but my situation has not changed.”
“I am terribly sorry that I could not help you, I did not know that Lord Blackmore had so viciously maligned your name.”
“Yes, he does seem to hate me with great intensity. I have not been able to find employment anywhere in Alfriston. However, I do have one option available to me, but it is not an option that I am enthusiastic about.”
“An option is an option, Freddi. You are in a desperate situation, you must consider it. What is it? You surely will not sell yourself, will you?”
“No! Why would you think such a thing? Mind you, one could look at it in that way.”
Caroline gasped. “No, Frederica Dunn, do not go down that road.”
“It is not as bad as that, but I do not wish to do it.”
The thought of marrying Mr Down was a horrible one, but what other option did she have?
“For heaven's sake! Tell me what it is, you have frightened me so.”
Freddi drew in a deep breath, letting it out in one swoop. “Mr Down has asked me to marry him.”
“What?”
“Yes.”
“Mr Down? But he is so old! Is he not older than your parents?”
“I think so.”
“When did he ask you?”
"Some days ago. I had been looking for work and took a seat on a bench near his workshop. That was when he saw me and offered to marry me."
Caroline scratched her brow. “Goodness me, who would have thought it? I suppose that there are worse options, but this is simply too much.”
“My thoughts precisely, Caro.”
They soon parted ways, Caroline promising to help her move her things out when the time came. Freddi's mind filled with her suspicions about her parents’ deaths as she walked home, but what could she do about it when she would be homeless in a few days? What she needed to think about was her survival; that was her most pressing matter.
Chapter 7
; Nash had thought to return to the tavern and think about what he had learnt about his father's situation, but there were still some hours before nightfall. It was as good a time as any to see the Marquis and question him about his enemies as well as the nature of the death threats.
I have been unsuccessful thus far, and time is not on my side. There must be more information other than that which my father is willing to share. It is in his own best interests to divulge every little detail about his known enemies and those he believes may be potential enemies.
From what Nash could tell, his father had angered many people, but none of them wished him any harm beyond a good fisticuff. Others sought justice, but not one of the people he had spoken to had a real need for revenge to the extent of death threats.
There are some people that I have yet to speak to, but unless I know more of my father's business operations, my seeing them shall be in vain.
Nash did not wish to waste any more time with the method he had chosen. He needed real results, and to obtain them, he needed his father's complete cooperation. Looking ahead, Nash could see someone he believed he knew. Mr Down? The cobbler? The man was looking well, far more round than when he had last seen him. Nash recalled a thin man with a hooked nose and slender fingers that were never still.
Business must be thriving. I do believe that he was friends with Mr Dunn, but I never particularly liked the fellow. Always appeared to be looking for something, and his eyes were mighty sharp. Father hired him on several occasions, did he not?
Mr Down's name had not been on the list, and while he did not suspect the man, there was no harm in speaking with him. But what if he should recognise me? No, he too, must know of my accident- the whole of Alfriston knows of it. Many expect to see a cripple. He might not realise my connection to Lord Blackmore. However, Lily had recognised him. Yes, but that was partially due to my own foolishness. I shall not do the same with Mr Down. Perhaps the man knew something of Lord Blackmore's enemies, anything that would help him discover the person behind the threats.
Nash walked closer to the man, looking about him as though he were enjoying the sights. As he approached the cobbler, he did not notice the little dip in the ground until it had caught his stick. The abrupt movement set him off balance, leaving him grasping for air as he fell. His hands met the ground, the fall jarring his leg, and sending sharp jolts of pain through him. Nash gritted his teeth, silently cursing himself for not being more vigilant about his steps. He was tired as it was, and his leg had been signalling its fatigue with waves of dull aches that reminded him of his ever-present injury.
Mortified, Nash struggled to his feet, shutting his eyes against the intense feeling filling his body. I seem to have overdone it today. Two feet appeared in front of him before he felt two hands under his armpits, pulling him up. I suppose my fall has done something good after all, it has caught the attention of the very man I wished to speak to. Mr Down looked him up and down, his eyes going to Nash's stick.
“Young man, you had quite the fall there.”
Nash almost thanked him by name, but he caught himself in the nick of time.
“Thank you, sir. I was entirely engrossed upon staring at the beauty of this town and did not look to see where I was going.”
The man frowned. “You are not from these parts?”
Alfriston was hardly a town where a newcomer could go unnoticed for too long. Surely he can see that I do not live here? Unless he recognises me? Nash sincerely hoped not; it would ruin his alias.
“No, I hail from Paris. I am here to do business.”
“Oh. Well, you reminded me of someone.” Mr Down held out his hand. “The name is Richard Down, welcome to Alfriston.”
"Thank you, Mr Down, I am Lucas Salisbury. I have been here for a few days, and I must say that your town is truly an English treasure."
Mr Down looked around, his grin lopsided. "I suppose you are right, Mr Salisbury. I have lived here for so many years that I suppose that I have taken it for granted. It has taken a stranger to remind me how fortunate I am to live in such a charming town, and for that, I thank you."
“The pleasure is all mine. I am sure that you must know every person by name, this looks to be such a town where everyone greets each other by name.”
The man puffed out his chest a little. “I am an important man around these parts, Mr Salisbury. It is only my duty to know everyone by name.”
An important person? How so? Is he not a humble cobbler? Mr Down spoke as though he were an influential and advantaged man.
“Indeed? Do you own businesses in these parts?”
A guarded look came over the man's eyes. Why do I have a distinct feeling that he is hiding something?
“No, no. I do not mean that I have businesses- I am but a simple cobbler, but as a respected member of this community, I am taken to be an important person. There is not a thing that I do not know about this town and its people.”
“Why, that is wonderful! I was looking for a man such as yourself, Mr Down. I am in search of a man who can give me truthful information about a certain resident of this town.”
“Truly? And which resident would that be?”
Nash payed close attention to the man's reaction as he spoke his next two words.
“Lord Blackmore.”
Mr Down's eyebrows hiked, his eyes darkening as he scratched his chin. And just like a brief winter's rain, the man's facial expression disappeared. It was as though Nash had seen another man, and not the Richard Down he was familiar with.
“Why would you wish to know about him, Mr Salisbury?”
“He wishes to do business with me, but I wish to know his business ethics before we can reach an agreement.”
“Business? You don't say. And what sort of business would this be?”
He looks mighty interested in this topic. Is he merely inquisitive, or is there something else to his interest?
“Livestock. Lord Blackmore contacted me some months ago about my livestock and a need to expand his own stock. I have managed to make a trip to come here, but I find myself hesitant to do business with him. Do you perhaps have any experiences with the man?”
“None worth speaking of. Lord Blackmore does not interact with the town's folk, Mr Salisbury, he prefers to keep to himself.”
Nash found the man's response strange. Did he not just say that he knows everything about the people in this town? He looks to be expertly avoiding my question.
“That is unfortunate, Mr Down. I was hoping that you would have information for me. Lord Blackmore appears quite keen, but I have my reservations. Oh, well, I shall have to see for myself if he is a man I wish to be associated with. Thank you for your help, Mr Down, I shall take my leave of you.”
Nash turned away, disappointed by his lack of findings. I have begun to despair of ever finding any evidence, and if Father does not give me the information I require, then I shall have to return to France empty-handed. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“Oh, Mr Salisbury, one moment please.”
Surprised, Nash turned back, lifting an eyebrow. “Yes? Is there something else that you wish to tell me, Mr Down?”
“Yes, yes. I would not recommend that you do any business with Lord Blackmore.”
