Sweet Bargain Read Online Free Page B

have to say against his children and grandchildren. Good day."
    She turned away, and the little band of children disappeared around the hill. But the voice of the youngest came back. "Was that man the earl, Auntie Bel?"
    "Yes, Kit, he was," came the reply.
    "But he's not old and gouty as Auggie told us."
    "No," said the girl's voice, "but he is rude and haughty."
    "Is that worse?" asked the child.
    "Much worse," said the girl. Nick heard the confirming laughter of the others at her tone.
    "He'll hear us, Bel," said another voice in warning.
    "Let him hear."
    Suddenly Nick was aware of Farre behind him, a witness to the whole encounter. He returned to the wooded edge of the stream and lowered the holding net into the cool water, anchoring it in place with a few stones.
    "Farre," he said, "don't say a thing."
    "Wouldn't dream of it, lad," said his companion cheerfully. Nick felt a light touch on his shoulder. Then Farre spoke again. "Beauties, aren't they. Wager you those boys never took that lot out of this hole."
    Nick looked at the wide shallow pool that seemed so empty now that the Shaws were gone. He had routed the intruders. Why did he feel as if he'd lost a battle? "There's not a trout will rise again today after the commotion they made. I'll be lucky to get a fish this week."
    "Nay, lad. You'll get one this afternoon, though I don't know how many we can eat. Come along. Let's see if we can find where the Shaws poached from you."
    "Damn, I'm a fool," said Nick. Farre laughed. "That may be lad, but at least you introduced yourself to a lady."
    Monday evening
    Dear Tom,
    We have met the Earl of Haverly, though I must confess our introduction was not what Mama might have wished.
    Having a perfect day and good information that the earl had not yet arrived in Ashecombe, we dared to fish the Lower. Remember that Fanny and Louisa will descend upon us soon to spoil our summer, and forgive us for taking the risk. Auggie assures me you would have done the same.
    The earl and a servant came upon us at the low pool just around the bend from the waterwheel. You know the place. You will hardly credit the insults the earl offered us or his arrogance in claiming the Ashe as his own. He threatened in the end to bring us before the magistrate, and you may imagine my satisfaction in telling him our connection to that person.
    But, Bel, you will say, could you not find a way to make him welcome and win his friendship? I can only say that he is not what anyone expected and that one cannot welcome in friendship a man who begins by accusing one of misconduct. He used the word "crime" and suggested that I had led my innocent charges into poaching.
    The worst of it is I have not the courage to approach Papa as he has weightier matters on his mind, what with the poor folk from Hilcombe coming to trial. He must be told, I suppose, before he attempts to make the earl's acquaintance, but I do not think they will soon meet as the earl is most high-handed and unlikely to take an interest in the neighborhood.
    Auggie is hot for revenge, though Arthur and I have tried to dissuade him from such schemes as damming the Ashe at Eldon Barrow or loosing otters along the earl's banks. Still, I think revenge a most satisfying object of contemplation. The haughty earl should be forced to endure a Shaw dinner, he should be subjected to the toad-eating of Louisa and Fanny, he should face you in a regular mill and learn what it is to insult the Shaws. Trust me to think of some just retribution in your absence.
    As ever,
    Isabel

Chapter 4

A WET, GUSTY STORM following close on the heels of Bel's meeting with the earl confined the younger Shaws to the schoolroom for three days, until at last it blew itself out, leaving shining tracks on all the lanes. Bel pulled a faded red pelisse about her shoulders, strapped on her pattens, and escaped.
    Despite her teasing letter to Tom, she had dismissed revenge as a petty desire entirely unworthy of Miss Shaw of Shaw House. But