She stared resolutely at the pony’s ears and refused to glance to either side. Cluffo Dowdeswell slowed the pony’s pace as they reached the lane on the other side of the ford. Now the gig moved at a walking pace and she was conscious of the man’s interest in her. “You was with Sir Nicholas last night, was you?” “What are you insinuating, Cluffo?” “Nowt, nowt at all. I was just thinking of Harry Parr’s accident, that’s all.” “Oh.” “How did it happen?” She looked innocently at him. “I would not know, for I was not there at the time. I merely accompanied Sir Nicholas from Varangian and was with the unfortunate Mr. Parr for a while. Hence the bloodstains that, no doubt, you have noticed.” “Couldn’t help but notice, could I? Red do have a habit of showing up on yeller.” “How observant you are.” “Oh, you’re proper uppity now, aren’t you? Farmer Durleigh’s stuck-up daughter.” “You are as insolent now as ever you were, Cluffo. I wonder if Sir Nicholas would hear your words so kindly.”
