Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Hi Ho The Derry-O, A Hunting We Will Go
The day after Lizzy’s seventeenth birthday, she was once again on the road to perform her warding duties.
This time, her trip would begin in Scotland and then travel down through Derbyshire before returning home.
It was early in April, and she expected the weather would be only slightly colder in the north.
As she traveled south on the return trip, she knew the weather would become more pleasant without becoming too hot.
The furthest location in Scotland was north of Perth, an area she had never visited before.
She knew about the estates because Grandmother Bennet had described every estate, house, and location to her while Lizzy had been her apprentice.
Grandmother repeatedly warned never to keep a list of actual homes, family names, or locations.
Instead, she stressed, ‘Memorize some important detail about each location you will need to ward during your lifetime. Lists can be lost or stolen, and in the wrong hands, it can be dangerous to you, the brownies, and even the families you provide this service for.’
Lizzy tried to memorize the information, but words were harder to remember.
Now numbers, that was a different matter; they were easy to recall.
To help her, she began by locating every home and estate in a large atlas her father had in his bookroom.
She then learned about latitudes and longitudes and began locating each place and memorizing them by their numbers.
She then contacted her uncle Gardiner and requested three books.
One on the counties in England and two geographical books about Wales and Scotland.
Once Lizzy received the books, she found each and every location in the individual books.
This allowed her to then memorize the page number for each area she would have to find during her lifetime.
As to the family names, she devised a number code and wrote those down in the back of a diary she kept.
She also used a code for the page numbers of the books and wrote them down on the same page.
Showing the page to Jane and Mary, she asked, ‘Can you figure out what I have written?’
Jane was unable to decipher anything about the writing, but Mary realized it was in code. Fortunately, Mary was unable to break the code reassuring Lizzy that the information was safe, at least for the foreseeable future. This also allowed her time to memorize all the information.
The first part of her current trip took her ten long travel days before reaching Perth.
Had she been able to travel on Sunday, it would have taken only nine days.
Since they arrived at sundown, she registered at the chosen inn and waited until the following morning to begin her task.
On this part of the trip, Ben took responsibility for leaving early every morning to ride ahead and secure rooms for the evening.
Then, he would quickly ride back to take up his position on one side of the coach as a guard.
Purchasing horses for both Ben and Joseph had been an unexpected expense, but Lizzy had agreed with Uncle Gardiner that it made more sense for her guards to ride on either side of the coach rather than riding on the back of the coach.
Mr. Bennet, however, saw it as an unnecessary expense and an extra expense to stable so many horses.
Of course, Lizzy always provided the extra funding, but her father still seemed happy to complain about it.
“Miss,” Ben was leaning near the window addressing her, “we will be arriving in less than half an hour. I feel I must warn you that a unit of the militia are garrisoned near the town. It will be best if you use the private dining room I reserved, for I fear the officers will fill the public room as soon as they are released from their duties.”
While traveling, no last names were ever used. Even when registering at an inn, Ben and Joseph would sign her in as ‘Miss’.
With little thought, Lizzy replied, “I believe you are correct. I presume either you or Joseph will stand outside while Mrs. Mildred and I are dining.”
“Yes, Miss. Joseph will attend to your safety while I eat, and then I will relieve him.”
Lizzy nodded her head before saying, “Thank you for the information.”
Ben then returned to his normal position alongside the coach while leaving adequate space between its side and his horse.
Lizzy looked over at Mrs. Hanson. “I had hoped to take a short walk after reaching the inn. Do you suppose it will be safe with so many military officers in the area?”
“I believe so. We will request Joseph to accompany us,” Mrs. Hanson replied. “I must confess, after today’s journey, I too am in need of a walk. We did not get out as often to stretch our legs today since the weather was rather inclement.”
Lizzy smiled her agreement and pleasure at not being denied a walk.
Mrs. Mildred Hanson, she had discovered during her initial interview with the lady when she applied for the position, also enjoyed long walks.
In fact, Lizzy realized Mrs. Hanson was the only applicant who did not frown when long walks were mentioned and seemed happy about the opportunity, so she decided she had found the perfect companion.
During their first trip, Lizzy also learned Mrs. Hanson enjoyed reading just as she did, although they did not always read the same books.
On this trip, Lizzy selected a number of books on the geography of the areas she would visit.
She intended to make this both a business and pleasure trip.
Since two of their stops would be around the Lake District, Lizzy planned to tour the area.
The Lake District was one area she had always wanted to see, and she would not miss this golden opportunity.
Lizzy’s musings helped the time pass quickly, and before she realized it, they reached the inn. The Merry Stag appeared well tended on the outside which caused Lizzy to hope the inside would be just as charming and well kept.
As soon as Joseph handed the ladies out, Lizzy said, “Joseph, Mrs. Mildred and I wish to take a short walk. If you will accompany us, Ben can have our trunks transported to our rooms.” She then turned to Ben who was standing nearby, “Please reserve a private dining room for us and order a meal to be served in one hour.”
“Yes, Miss,” Ben acknowledged with a nod and then strode off toward the inn.
The following morning, Lizzy woke refreshed and ready to depart for the first estate on her list. After Mrs. Hanson helped her dress, the two ladies went downstairs to break their fast. Ben arrived shortly before they finished.
“Miss, the coach be waiting for you outside the door. Whenever you and Mrs. Mildred be ready, I will escort you to the coach.”
“Thank you, Ben,” Lizzy replied, placing her fork next to her nearly empty plate. “I believe I am ready. Mrs. Mildred?”
“I too am ready,” the lady replied as she patted her lips with the napkin and then placed it on her plate.
Both ladies rose from the table, and Ben escorted them outside and handed them into the waiting vehicle.
Once settled, the coach began to move and Mrs. Hanson asked, “Does this estate only need the wards reinforced?”
“That is the plan, but I have feeling there might be some issue needing to be resolved.” Looking over at the unseen, by Mrs. Hanson, occupant of the coach, Lizzy added, “Butterbell left before sunrise and returned with some disturbing news.”
Although Mrs. Hanson never acquired the ability to see the brownies, she was aware of the presence of one during every trip she took with Miss Lizzy. “What has he discovered?”
“It seems a stranger appeared in the area two months ago, and one of the local brownies disappeared. Since then, all the brownies have been fearful, and a few have gone into hiding.”
“Is this stranger still around?”
“He had not been seen lately, so it is believed he left the area,” Lizzy replied. “Butterbell wonders is he is the eliminator. I suspect he is, but he gave no name to anyone in the area. I will question the owners of the two estates we will visit and learn more about what occurred.”
Lizzy began with the estate the furthest distance from the village where they stayed. The journey took a little over two hours. Lizzy had never been to any of the estates she would currently visit except one of those in Derbyshire, but she expected the owner to meet her at the front steps.
One other piece of advice Grandmother Bennet had given was, ‘Always send a letter posted from London to the estate owner announcing your approximate arrival time. This has been the routine for many years now. Never show up unexpected. Upon arrival, announce yourself as the ward weaver, that too is the set routine.’
Lizzy smiled as she saw a gentleman awaiting her arrival, but it was Ben who helped her down.
The gentleman approached, bowed, to which Lizzy returned a curtsy, and said, “I am Lord Morefield, Miss. I welcome you to Iverson Hall. I must say, I expected someone older.”
“I assumed the role from my grandmother before she passed. She had no daughter, so she looked to her granddaughters for her successor. My age, however, does not affect my ability,” Lizzy replied with a cheerful smile.
Lord Morefield inclined his head in acknowledgement and then indicated to a lady standing just behind him, “This is my housekeeper, Mrs. McGilly.”
By this time, Ben had also handed Mrs. Hanson out of the coach.
“This is my companion, Mrs. Mildred,” Lizzy offered the introduction.
“If you follow me,” Lord Moorfield said as he began to lead the way into the house, “I wish to speak to you about a problem that has arisen.”