Nancy Atherton Read Online Free Page A

Barlow
    inquired.
    “Not far from Finch,” Calvin replied, “which is why I’m here
    tonight. We want to be on good terms with our nearest neighbors.”
    He stretched an arm toward Mr. Malvern. “Uncle Horace has generously allowed us to lay claim to the northeast corner of Fivefold
    Farm. King Wilfred’s Faire will take place in and around Bishop’s
    Wood. During fair hours, there will be free parking in the pasture
    adjacent to the wood.”
    Mr. Barlow’s eyebrows shot up and he glanced at Mr. Malvern
    questioningly, but Mr. Malvern kept his gaze fixed firmly on the
    fl oor.
    “I collect herbs in Bishop’s Wood,” Miranda Morrow commented. “I don’t recall seeing any winding lanes there.”
    “There aren’t any lanes at the moment,” Calvin acknowledged,
    smiling at her. “Construction will begin bright and early tomorrow
    16 Nancy Atherton
    morning. I assure you that we will do no permanent damage to the
    wood. All structures will be temporary in nature. When the fair is
    finished, they will be removed.”
    “How much will it cost to attend the fair?” Jasper Taxman asked
    shrewdly, tapping his calculator.
    “There is an admission fee,” Calvin admitted, turning to face
    the retired accountant, “but the cost is trifling compared to the
    enjoyment you and your loved ones will derive from the fair—nine
    pounds for adults and four pounds for children aged fi ve to twelve.
    Children under the age of five will, of course, be admitted without
    charge.”
    A peculiar sound filled the schoolhouse, a mingling of disappointed groans with outraged grunts. The groans came exclusively
    from the women, the grunts from the men.
    “Nine pounds?” said Jasper, appalled. “Do you seriously expect
    me to pay nine pounds to watch people strut about in fancy dress?”
    “Indeed not, good sir,” Calvin said solemnly. “I expect you to
    pay nine pounds, and gladly, for much more. Your hesitation is understandable, however. After all, you know not whereof I speak. I
    will, therefore, make a pact with you and with everyone here tonight.” He raised his voice as he turned away from Jasper to face
    the schoolroom. “If you are not completely satisfied with your day
    at King Wilfred’s Faire, I will personally return your admission fee
    to you in full.”
    “Can’t say fairer than that,” Christine stated firmly.
    The women sitting near her nodded eagerly.
    Calvin’s smile held a hint of triumph as he returned to the foot
    of the stage, but if he thought he was home and dry, he was mistaken. The villagers were just getting warmed up.
    “This all sounds very interesting,” Dick Peacock allowed, “but
    I’d like to hear more about the food and drink you mentioned. Are
    you trying to put my pub out of business?”
    “I could ask the same thing about my tearoom,” said Sally Pyne.
    “And what about our summer calendar?” demanded Peggy Tax-Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon
    17
    man. “It’s hard enough to get people to attend village events. How
    can we hope to attract a crowd if everyone’s gone to your fair?”
    Calvin raised a pacifying hand. “Fear not, good people. Neither
    your businesses nor your events will suffer because of the fair. To
    the contrary, they’ll prosper. King Wilfred’s Faire will bring more
    people to Finch than ever before.”
    “Which means traffic congestion,” Mr. Barlow said gloomily.
    Before Calvin could address the traffic issue, villagers began firing a barrage of questions at him. Did he have the proper building
    permits? Did he have a liquor license? A food license? A sales license? Had the county planning board approved his project? Where
    would the performers stay once the fair was under way? Although
    Calvin tried to respond, the questions came so thick and fast that
    he couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
    Finally, Mr. Malvern took a deep breath, got to his feet, and
    shouted, “Shut it, the lot of you!”
    “Well, really, ” Peggy Taxman said