Page 140 of The Secrets of Ashmore Castle

‘Let’s see where he’s going,’ said Speen. They followed round the side of the church, and were in time to see Crooks standing at the lych-gate, in conversation with Axe Brandom. Axe had removed his hat, and his fair hair was a flag of brightness in the dull air. ‘Who’s the pretty boy?’ Speen asked.

‘Blacksmith’s assistant. Pretty boy? He could break you in half with his bare hands.’

‘Yeah, but he wouldn’t. That sort, the stronger they are, the softer inside. Come on.’ He turned back the way they had come.

‘Thought you wanted to know where he was going,’ said James.

‘Know now, don’t we? Come on, we’ll have to hurry or we’ll miss the brake, and I don’t want to walk up that hill.’

‘So, what was you going to tell me about Crooky in London?’

‘Tell you later. Not in front of the ladies. But it explains a lot, does this,’ said Speen. ‘Secret assignations with pretty boys? Explains a lot.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Course you don’t. Dead innocent all you country folk.’

‘I’m as smart as any Town valet,’ James said angrily. ‘You’d never survive in the country.’

‘I wouldn’t want to,’ said Speen. ‘If Mr Richard stays here, he’ll have to look for a new man.’

*

‘May I speak with you, my lord?’ James said, holding out the waistcoat for Giles to slip into.

‘Yes. What is it?’ Giles asked, not really listening. He was pondering a list of barn and cottage repairs Markham had given him. So many roofs! So much rain!

‘Am I giving satisfaction, my lord?’

Giles jerked back to the present. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Well, my lord, you asked me to go on the trip abroad in place of Mr Crooks, him being too old and p’r’aps a bit frail for so much foreign travel. And I was wondering whether you were satisfied with how I looked after you.’

‘I’d have damn soon told you if I wasn’t,’ Giles said, scowling. ‘What is it you want? Speak out. I haven’t time for all this Uriah Heep nonsense.’

James didn’t know what a uriah heap might be – did he mean the dung heap in the stable-yard that the grooms wee’d on? What had that got to do with him? But he knew better than to provoke a wasp. ‘I’d like to know if the position is now permanent, my lord.’

‘Of course it is. Why are you asking me now?’

‘It’s just that a gentleman’s gentleman is called by his surname, and I’m still known as James, which is a footman’s name.’

Giles was about to snap, but reflected in time that these little points of status were important downstairs. ‘I wasn’t even aware you had a surname,’ he said, to lighten things.

James’s stony look said it was no joking matter. ‘I have, my lord, and it’s Hook. If it’s not too much trouble, would you be so good as to tell Mr Moss that I’m to be referred to as Mr Hook from now on?’

‘Very well, James – Hook, I mean. I’ll speak to Moss. Anything else?’

‘No, my lord. And thank you.’

As he left the Blue Bedroom with a soiled shirt over his arm, he looked to his left and saw Miss Taylor just starting down the stairs. ‘That’ll teach you, you old bitch,’ he said softly. He’d get his revenge on her. Call him a pig? He wouldn’t forget that. He never forgot a slight, and he was patient. He’d wait for his moment, and his revenge would be a good one.

And that Speen would have to show him a bit of respect now.

Giles and Richard walked their horses side by side down the hill. ‘What do you think of him?’ Giles asked.

Richard patted Lucifer’s black neck. ‘He’s fine. He’ll carry you all day, if I’m any judge. What’s yours like?’

Giles was riding dark bay Zelos. They were the two hunters they had taken on approval from Lord Shacklock’s stable. ‘He’s fast. I like him.’