Marrying Miss Martha by Anna Jacobs

be ready early the next morning. “I’m Jem Saverby, miss, head of the stables at Wright’s. My master sent me with the men to make sure everything was done proper. And I were glad to see a bit of the world, too. Never been out of Lancashire afore.”
    “Leicestershire is a lot prettier in the summer than it is now.”
    “Aye, well, isn’t everywhere? You wait till you see our moors on a summer’s day. There’s nowt to beat it, in my opinion. Now, I’d be grateful if you’d show me what there is to load tomorrow.” He followed them round the house, not saying much, but occasionally making shapes in the air, as if fitting pieces of furniture together. In the end he nodded. “Aye, they’ll fit all right if we load ’em carefully, but it’ll take us a few days to drive back to Tapton, so Mr Wright’s booked rooms for you at the Dragon again.”
    “That’s very kind of him.”
    “If you don’t mind, we’ll start loading tomorrow as soon as it’s light. It’s too late to start now.” With a cheery wave he made his way back to the village inn, where he and his companions were to stay.
    That evening the three women sat together in the kitchen sharing a final meal.
    “I’m exhausted and shall be glad to leave tomorrow,” Martha admitted, yawning over the stew made from their own potatoes, carrots and onions with a bit of ham.
    “Well, at least Mr Edward has done his duty by you, sending his carriage for you to travel in again,” Sally said. “It’s a very comfortable one.”
    Penelope chuckled. “Oh, he always sees to his own comfort. His economies usually affect others, not himself.”
    The following morning they watched their possessions carried out to the drays one by one, and roped into place. The men worked quickly, with the skill of long practice. The sisters took a last walk round the echoing house and by the middle of the day were able to climb into Edward’s carriage.
    “Thank goodness that’s over!” said Penelope as the horses moved forward.
    Martha didn’t reply, couldn’t trust herself to speak steadily and was relieved when no one tried to make conversation for the first few minutes. She could only hope she didn’t look as sad and weary as her sister.
    They couldn’t make good time on the muddy roads and so were unable to reach the inn where they’d stayed last time. But as nightfall approached they found another inn which offered them a similar level of comfort.
    Once installed there, Sally didn’t try to hide her enjoyment of the rare treat of being waited on and that cheered up both sisters.
    * * * *
    The next day they set off at first light, driving through a bare winter landscape under lowering skies which were becoming increasingly overcast. Just after ten o'clock the first flakes of snow began to fall and soon were settling on the ground.
    They were all worried about whether they would manage to reach Tapton before the roads became impassable. Edward's carriage was solidly-built and the team of horses from the last inn was strong and willing, but still, you never knew what would happen when travelling in winter.
    An hour later they rounded a corner and the coachman yelled out in shock and reined in his horses sharply to avoid a shabby vehicle which had lost a wheel and run into the ditch. The carriage rocked wildly, tumbling the ladies against one another like skittles, but it drew to a halt with no harm done other than bonnets knocked askew, a bruise or two and pulses beating faster.
    The groom jumped down and ran to the horses’ heads, gentling them until they stopped edging about and tossing their heads.
    The other carriage had lost a wheel and lay tilted on one side, half in the ditch. A young man was leaning against a tree nearby, his eyes closed. His clothes were in disorder and there was a large bruise on his forehead. He was holding his right arm as if in pain and looked ready to collapse at any moment.
    Martha flung open the carriage door and hurried across to