Sword to the Heart (Bantam Series No. 13) Read Online Free PDF Page B

great deal about the Dorchester labourers in The Times , ” Natalia said. “The men are receiving only 7 shillings per week, but they used no violence beyond breaking up a number of threshing machines.”
    “I read that,” her father said. “They behaved with restraint and actually said: ‘We do not intend to hurt the farmer but we are determined that we shall have more wages’.”
    “Nevertheless, two of the men were sentenced to death,” Natalia said in a low voice.
    “It is disgraceful,” the Vicar said angrily, “when a man cannot speak up for himself without being tried for his life or transported!” He pursed his lips before he continued:
    “I read the case of one man called Legge who was transported because he was declared by the Prosecutor to be ‘saucy and impudent’ and to have talked ‘rough and bobbish’.”
    “I read that too,” Natalia said. “Yet his character, which included a testimonial from a clergyman, was said to be exemplary.”
    “How could they do anything so unjust?” the Reverend Adolphus asked. “Legge had five children whom he supported without Parish help on 7 shillings per week. His cottage was given to him, but no fuel.”
    “I am sure Lord Colwall would never tolerate such cruelty on his estate!” Natalia exclaimed.
    “No, of course not,” her father agreed quickly. “But I have noticed that there has been trouble in Gloucester which is not far from Colwall.”
    “But there had never been one word either in The Times or the Morning Post about Herefordshire,” Natalia said quickly. “I am sure Lord Colwall cannot have a threshing machine.”
    “Let us hope not!” the Reverend Adolphus said in heartfelt tones. “A landowner near Canterbury wrote that in his parish, where no machines had been introduced, there were twenty-three barns. He calculated that in three barns fifteen men would find good, steady employment threshing corn by hand until May.”
    “And they make extra money!” Natalia exclaimed.
    “A man threshing by hand over the winter can earn from 15 to 20 shillings per week,” the Vicar replied.
    “It is easy for us to imagine,” Natalia said quietly, “what the sight of one of those hated machines can mean to men like that! Are you surprised they destroy what to them is a monster of injustice?”
    “I do not think,” her father said firmly, “that the labourers over the whole country are getting either a fair deal or a fair hearing.” He added positively:
    “You must speak to His Lordship when you are married, Natalia, and see that on the Colwall estate at least there is justice and a living wage for those who work there.”
    “I am sure His Lordship is most generous,” Natalia said softly, thinking of how kind her future husband had been to her.
    She could feel the softness of the ermine inside her cloak which had kept her warm against the bitter winds and sleet they had encountered soon after they started on their journey South.
    She remembered the gowns of silks and satins that had been sent to the Vicarage at the same time as the cloak.
    There had also been nightgowns like gossamer, petticoats and chemises so fine they could pass through a wedding ring.
    She then realised her trousseau must have cost an almost astronomical sum of money, and she thought that her mother’s quite obvious lack of enthusiasm was due to her feeling that Lord Colwall had been extravagant.
    Lady Margaret’s reaction was in fact because she considered the gifts had been sent in a somewhat arbitrary manner, but Natalia was overcome by such kindness.
    The way they travelled, the flowers that had awaited her at each stopping place, the money that had been expended on her over the years, and above all Crusader could only, Natalia thought, have been provided by a man who was unbelievably generous, in thought as well as in deed.
    They stayed the last night of their journey at a black and white Inn in Tewkesbury.
    Although she was a little tired after so many miles