page17 (1/2)
Sebastian ca a thuhtly over the riveted seams of the metal shell around the boiler “Consolidated Loco the manufacturer’s mark “I happen to be acquainted with the owner”
“It’s a well-ht tell hi to replace them”
“You could tell hiuests”
Mr Ravenel grinned at him “I know But I’ines to his face It would ruin any chance of getting a discount in the future”
Sebastian laughed—one of the full, unguarded laughs he permitted himself when in the company of family or the closest of friends There was no doubt about it—he liked the audacious young man, who clearly didn’t fear him in the least
Phoebe frowned at the use of a curse word in front of Justin, but she held her tongue
“How does the engine knohere to go?” Justin was asking Mr Ravenel
“Apost”
“The long stick with the handle?”
“Yes, that one”
They squatted to look at the gearing leading to the wheels, their two dark heads close together Justin seemed fascinated by theit to him
Reluctantly Phoebe acknowledged that Justin needed a father, not randfather and uncles could spare It grieved her that neither of her sons had any h a bloo to exas It was disconcerting to contrast those hazy ro Justin the gears and levers of a traction engine in a machine shop
She watched apprehensively as Mr Ravenel began to lift her son to the seat board of the traction engine “Wait,” she said He paused, glancing at her over his shoulder “Do you mean for him to climb up there?” she asked “On that machine?”
“Mama,” Justin protested, “I just want to sit on it”
“Can’t you see enough of it froround?” she asked
Her son gave her an aggrieved glance “That’s not the sa on it”
Sebastian grinned “It’s all right, Redbird I’ll go up there with him”
Mr Ravenel glanced at the work nearby “Neddy,” he asked, “will you distract Lady Clare while I proceed to endanger her father and son?”
The ht Phoebe ery?” He seeh
“Thank you,” she said “I would appreciate that”
Chapter 10
Phoebe ith the workman to a partially covered pen where a newly farrowed sow reclined with her piglets “How long have you worked on the estate home farm, Neddy?”
“Since I be a lad, milady”
“What do you ’ business?”
“Couldn’t say But I trust Mr Ravenel Solid as a brick, he be When he first came pokin’ about Eversby Priory, none on us wanted nothin’ to do with a fine-feathered city toff”
“What changed your mind about him?”
The oldwith a faint, reood, honest man, he be, for all his cleverness Give him a halter, and he’ll find a horse” His smile broadened as he added, “He be a sprack ’un”
“Sprack?” Phoebe repeated, unfamiliar with the word
“A lively lad, quick in mind and body Up early and late Sprack” He snapped his lean fingers smartly as he said the word “Mr Ravenel kno to ether—the neays and the old Has a touch for it Put the land in good heart, he has”
“It seems I should take his advice, then,” Phoebe mused aloud “About my own farms”
Neddy looked at her alertly “Your farms, milady?”