She began walking the stony path toward home, but then she smelled the gentleman’s gray nag, that oddly scented creature, and she turned back to where she stood tied to the side of the shop.
Which happened to be near an open window.
A sly smile crossed Ella’s rosy face.
What harm would it do to entertain their curious guest’s horse? If she happened to overhear more particulars as she watered and fed the nag . . . well, then . . . surely she would learn everything in a fortnight anyway? Nothing remained a secret in a little village like Haven.
The nag bared its teeth at her as if in a conspiratorial grin, its long eyelashes fluttering, tail gently flicking away the flies that encircled its bottom.
Come join in my merriment, the nag seemed to say. I am here for the same reason as you: to see what my master is about . . .
Ella attended the horse while cocking her rather large ear toward the open casement.
“These words have the power . . . disastrous if spoken aloud . . . you must understand my dilemma . . .” the stranger said, his voice growing tinny as he grew more agitated.
And then her father’s reassuring murmur, “You may trust me, sir. I have even printed . . . for earls . . .”
Then Ella could hear the bundle being unfurled and spread across the table she had been standing on.
“Oh, my. This is quite old . . . ” her father said. She pictured him squinting through his glasses, fingering the parchment reverently, already deducing how the machine components would need to be assembled.
Then a clearing of throats, and the clinking of coins on the table. Minutes later, Farvington crossed the threshold again, and Ella walked up to him, pretending to have just come up from the pathway with his mount.
“Sir, I trust your horse is quite rested now,” said she, releasing the reins into his long, bony fingers.
“Aye, aye, kind lass,” he said, sounding distracted. “Your father has my instructions. If he encounters any difficulties, you may find me at the village tavern. Perhaps a tankard of ale can ease my burdens this afternoon.”
Farvington threw himself atop his horse dejectedly, murmured “Sorry” beneath his breath, and the duo slowly made their way back down the path again, the green of the stranger’s coat blending into the surrounding pasture.
Ella waited until he had disappeared from sight before entering the shop, lest he see what she intended.