The Bet

“What is happening to the farm now?” he asked politely, making a mental note to speak with his friend about it the first chance he got.

“I am not sure. The house was gutted in the fire. Because there was no place for me to live, I came to stay with my grandma. I haven’t heard anything about any formalities yet, so cannot be sure who inherits the land and what’s left of the house now.” She sighed because she wished she knew.

Myles frowned as he speared a sausage. “Do you have any male relatives, cousins, or an uncle who might inherit?”

He was surprised when she shook her head.

“No, my father was an only child. We didn’t have many relatives. Those we did have were elderly, and certainly wouldn’t be in any position to restore it. We had tenants, of course, who helped because the farm was so big and the crops so important. As such, I think they are still farming the lands but I have no idea who holds their tenancies now.”

“But there is no house, and so there is no home,” Myles replied.

Estelle nodded sadly. “I think a solicitor is working to establish who inherits it, but I have yet to hear anything about a will.”

“Does the solicitor know where you are?” Barnabas asked. It was highly unusual for their not to have been a reading of a will by now.

“Yes. I wrote to him the day before I left, but I didn’t have the opportunity to wait for a reply. I moved to live with my grandma a few days after the fire. I returned for the funerals, obviously, but-”

Aware that she was struggling, Myles smiled sympathetically at her. “I am sure the solicitor will be in touch with you in good time. If I my, with your permission, of course, I should like to ask him what is happening with the property. In light of your lack of guardian, I think it would be wise for someone to assist you in getting the formalities sorted. There must be some sort of inheritance for you.”

A little thrown, Estelle looked from Myles to Barnabas. “Oh, well, if it is not putting you out too much. I would confess that I should like to know what is going to happen to the place. I have been a little concerned that I have not heard anything from Mr Cadworthy yet.”

“Has your grandmother not written on your behalf?” Barnabas asked.

Estelle nodded. “As yet, we have received no answer.”

“I think that we need to be pushing the solicitor a little. I will write a letter today. However, from the look of the weather, nobody is going to be able to go anywhere to post it.” Myles glanced over his shoulder at the storm clouds that stretched far into the horizon.

“The moat is already washed out,” Barnabas warned.

Myles shook his head and threw Estelle an apologetic look. “I am sorry. Whenever the weather turns bad like this the river breaks its banks. The moat floods the bridge and renders us unable to cross into the village.”

“But I need to get home,” she protested.

“I am afraid nobody can go anywhere until this rain stops and the waters subside. It could take several days yet. I apologise. While you are here you must consider this house your home, so feel free to avail yourself of the vast library we have just down the hallway. If you need anything just pull on the bell pull and one of the maids will serve you. I wouldn’t recommend going outside to tour the gardens, but I am sure Myles will be happy to give you a tour of the house later,” Barnabas said gently.

“Was that why you were out in the dark last night? Did you get lost?” Isaac asked. “I suppose in an area like this it is easy to become disorientated.”

Estelle nodded. “I went into the woods for a walk and pick some apples but then couldn’t find my way home again. I got hopelessly confused by the trees, and just went around in circles.”

Myles shared a look with his father. “I apologise here and now for what happened last night. I was going too fast for a foggy night.”

Sensing his discomfort and deep regret, Estelle hastened to reassure him. “Oh, it isn’t your fault. Not really. I was confused, and upse

t.”

She fell silent and frowned at the table when the horrible memories began to resurface.

“Didn’t you meet anybody else who might give you directions?” Barnabas asked as casually as he could.

Estelle nodded but then hesitated. Thankfully, she was prevented from having to reply by the arrival of someone new.

“Morning,” Isaac called.

“Is it?” the resplendent woman grunted disparagingly as she sashayed across the room.

“Now there is no cause to be surly, Beatrice,” Barnabas chided. He ignored the glare she threw at him and shook his head.

“I don’t know what it is about you country people, Barnabas, in why you feel the need to eat so early in the morning. Why can’t you eat at a civilised time like normal people?” she grumbled.