The sound, that clop, clop, clop of hooves on paths, was familiar. They made soft and swift U-shaped indents in the grass, dusty imprints in the dirt. Willow’s muscles were flecked with dirt instead of mud. The lightest sweeping of trousers against it made my riding habit browner and, I thought, me as well.
Mr. van Kirk had prepared Victor for the task of running the manor, and fortunately I’d paid enough attention to understand the goings-on. I still felt uneasy at times. It fell to me to urge Mrs. van Kirk to attend meetings with Jones about the family’s affairs with me. She remained in shock from seeing the doctor identify the marks of strangulation on my neck, and she could hardly look at me. Even so, I felt it was necessary for her to stay informed.
The servants reported to me now,
