Tuppence (The Tipton Hollow 3)

Isaac frowned. He sensed there was something that she wasn’t telling him; some reason why she didn’t want him accompanying her to the farm. “While we are there, you can tell me what happened the night you heard the intruder. Then you can make sure that my men have secured the farm properly.”

Tuppence nodded but her thoughts were in turmoil. In contrast to the almost serene contentment she had been experiencing a moment ago, her entire world was now in chaos again, but only because of the affect Isaac had on her senses. With him nearby it was difficult to concentrate on anything but him. She didn’t want to have to think about the farm, as much as she had called it home. She hated to have to think about Mr Lewis’s death. When she did, she felt that horribly familiar feeling of sickness form deep in the pit of her stomach. It immediately tossed her back into that horrid cell in the depths of Great Tipton Police Station, and the awful whirl of emotions she had experienced that she hadn’t been able to control.

“Are you all right?” Isaac asked when he saw her scowling at the floor, obviously miles away.

“Yes, I am fine.” Tuppence offered him a smile.

It was so brisk, so dismissive, that Isaac knew she wasn’t being honest with him. After a moment of trying to decide if he should press her to tell him what was wrong, Isaac waved an airy hand toward the room opposite. At least he could be certain that he could read her properly. “We can go out of the side door. The stable hands have already prepared a carriage.”

“Oh, but-” Tuppence hesitated.

“What’s wrong?” Isaac demanded, wondering when she was going to start to trust him.

Tuppence stared out of the French doors. She saw little of the rolling lawns, and neatly tended flower borders, because she was focused on her inner thoughts.

“Tuppence?” When she still didn’t answer him, Isaac tipped her chin around, forcing her to face him. “What’s wrong?”

“Do you think it is wise for you to be seen out with me?” Tuppence whispered. “I know I didn’t do anything wrong. I only found Mr Lewis, I didn’t kill him, but the locals think otherwise. It won’t do your reputation any good to be seen in a carriage with me.”

Gertrude, who was sitting in the parlour across the hallway, heard every word. She looked at Isaac through the door. Tuppence couldn’t see her because her back was turned to the door, but Isaac knew that look on his mother’s face. She agreed with what Tuppence said. Isaac wanted to tell her that he didn’t care what people gossiped about but knew that Tuppence would then be uncomfortable with him throughout the journey because she did care.

“We can cut across the fields if you like. There is an old, rarely used cart track we can take,” Isaac explained. “It is a more scenic route, so you might need to wear a thicker shawl, or a cloak.”

Tuppence was wearing the only shawl she owned. “Most of my clothing is at the house. I need to fetch something warmer.”

“And something that fits properly,” Isaac grinned, before leading her out of the house.

At any other time, Tuppence would have enjoyed the invigorating feel of the sunshine on her face, and the cool breeze nipping at her cheeks. Today, though, she was weighed down by the thought of going home.

“Penny for them.”

Tuppence sighed. “I have never experienced dread when I have returned to the farm before. I am not sure what to make of it.”

“Can you see yourself ever living there again?”

“I have to,” Tuppence replied although was shaken by how much dread the thought of it caused her.

“Not necessarily. If you are not going to feel safe, maybe it is time to move. If you can run a farm you can certainly run a smaller house by yourself,” Isaac offered although secretly he had no intention of allowing her to do that either. As far as he was concerned, he hoped that Tuppence would be a permanent occupant at Aldridge Manor by the time the killer had been arrested. His mother had already started to thaw toward Tuppence and, while she wasn’t amenable to Isaac suggesting a more permanent union between him and Tuppence yet, it was only a matter of time before she relented, especially given her brother, Reginald, liked Tuppence.

“I refuse to sell my farm to Angus Richmond,” Tuppence bit out with uncharacteristic vehemence.

“Seeing as he hasn’t offered you a reasonable price for it, you shouldn’t,” Isaac confirmed. “Do you know much about him?”

“Nothing.” Tuppence’s thoughts immediately turned to Harriett. She might have heard a little more had she joined Harriett for tea more frequently, or Beatrice for that matter, but Tuppence hadn’t and so wasn’t up to date on the village gossip.

“What have you heard about him?” Isaac pressed.

“As you know, I am friends with Mark’s wife. We have known each other for an age. She told me about Richmond moving into the area, and that he has purchased several farms and a lot of land in the county. I didn’t really pay all that much attention to what she said to be fair because I don’t know Richmond and had never met the man. He was just another newcomer to the village.”

“Have you been introduced to him?” Isaac asked.

“No. Harriett pointed him out to me just before harvesting began, but I was busy and barely paid her any attention. We were in Great Tipton at the time and he was just coming out of the tavern,” Tuppence reported.

“Does Harriett know him?”

“I don’t know. She certainly didn’t offer to introduce me. I don’t know how she recognised him either, before you ask,” Tuppence slid a look at Isaac and watched him smile at her.

“How do you do that?” he demanded but without any hint of criticism or heat.