They were alone on the driveway.In the distance, the cowbells of a passing herd rang out, faint and discordant.The late afternoon sun was in Jed’s eyes, and he squinted against it to see Solomon’s face.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be staying in Barnstaple,” Solomon said, “but… maybe you know a tavern there where I can leave word for you?”
“There’s the Anchor.It’s a big place on the riverfront.I hope—” He broke off.“I have to see to this business about my horse and cart first.”
“Of course.”
And then there was nothing else to keep Solomon there.With a final nod, he turned and walked away, soon disappearing from sight beyond the gateposts.
Jed swallowed.Then he cursed himself for a fool.He had business to see to.
At some point he would have to find a place to sleep, for he did not intend to stay under Penwick’s roof.He had plenty of friends in the village, who would no doubt be happy to put him up for the night.But first—
He went to the stables.
The head groom was a man called Charlie Hodges, born down in the village, and with whom Jed had often played as a boy.
“Afternoon, sir,” he said cheerily, straightening up and touching his cap.
Jed scowled.“Knock it off, Charlie.”
“Well, you are the master’s brother-in-law now, en’t you?”Charlie said with a smirk.
“Do you know what became of my horse?A bay draft.She’ll be a ten-year-old by now.”
“Sorry, Jed.Don’t ring a bell.”
“Or my cart?”
They looked around the carriagehouse and the other outbuildings together, without success.
Charlie scratched his head.“I reckon you should take a look out at Blake’s farm.I mind as how he bought some of our old ploughs and harnesses a few years back.And the Williams brothers have a bay draft, I think.”
Jed spend the next few hours traipsing around the district in a fruitless search.He returned to Penwick’s house, hot and tired, and went round the back again.Crossing the stableyard, he ran into the same maid who had fetched tea and biscuits earlier.
“Mrs Penwick has been looking for you, sir.She would like to see you.”
Carrie was waiting for him in the parlour.Something in her expression reminded Jed of all those times when they were children and she was about to say something she knew he wouldn’t like.As soon as the door had closed behind the maid, she burst out, “Jed, you must leave.”
“What?Why?”
“I’m afraid… there’s a press gang has their Rondy at Minehead, you see.They’ve been there a week already.What if they were to discover there’s a deserter here in Ledcombe?”
“And how would they discover that?”
“Anyone might tell them.”
He gave her a long, hard look.The old Carrie had never hesitated to tell the truth.
“Oh, Jed!I tried to reason with him, I did!”
Damn Penwick.He’d punch his lights out.“Where is he?”
“Gone to Minehead himself to speak to Lieutenant Vaughan.”
“On horseback?When did he leave?”
“Immediately after you left the house.”
