The Passing Bell Tolls for Thee

6 Geoff with a G

Loud creaking from the barn startled him. Another creak. He looked inside the barn and saw Bill Bigwood was opening and shutting a supply closet door, the source of the creak. Drew checked the time. April should be here. He'd have to encourage her carefully to keep up with her duties as Mistress of Oakton. Perhaps he should take her body sooner than Ostara, although the other festivals permitted Hydd to escape his bonds if the proper guards failed. If his transfer to April failed, he'd have to keep April around and convince her she was imagining monsters until Hydd was bound to King's Oak once more. Easy enough with the drugs and herbs he could use.

Drew's thoughts returned to the present. April will have to be watched carefully. I've never had to live in another body waiting to possess my heir before. This body is so young and strong, pity I can't keep it, he thought. Too many people would notice Ben's personality changed. And unfortunately, April is heiress to Oakton. The crunch of boots on the stone path made him look up as April, in her shabby jacket, came around the corner of the barn.

He inspected his future self critically. British Rose described her complexion. Clear skin, pale pinkish complexion with rosy cheeks and lips. Dark hair. He approved. He'd think about a new wardrobe, hairstyle.

She stopped and looked up at him. "Is Mr. Lanfair inside?"

Drew nodded. "He examined Niko, the ram I-Oakton bought. I also want to discuss buying horses with him."

"Horses? Why? I can't ride. And you don't ride often."

"Time I took up riding and hunting again. You should learn." He looked down at her. "The Master or Mistress always rides. Sir Drew rode with the Pel Hunt as long as he could ride. " He pushed the barn door wide open and led her inside. "Geoff knows good horseflesh. He'll help me find the right ones for us." April wagged her head. Riding? She had never ridden but liked the idea.

Geoff Lanfair vet stood with one hand on Niko, who was tethered to a stall. April couldn't make out what his words to Bill Bigwood, Oakton's head shepherd. The tall, wiry vet pushed his blond curls off his forehead. He looked over as they entered, and his blue eyes met hers. She blushed. He smiled with pleasure. He released the ram. "Hello, Mrs. Waverly. A pleasure to see you again. I've got the report on Niko ready." He grinned and wiped his hands on a towel.

April had a crush on the handsome vet since she'd first met him a year ago. She'd seen just him a few times because the demands of Sir Drew's care and her own realization that she was not considered a proper match for a member of the gentry in money, family, or looks, and her own timidity, kept her from more than fantasizing about Geoff. He was friendly and professional, but no more, the few times they had met. He always seemed pleased to see her and would chat for a while, but she chalked it up to professional courtesy. They would never be what her brother called a 'ship.' He very obviously saw her as no more than a caregiver, and now, the future owner of Oakton and an important client.

April's heart beat faster, with warmth instead of anxiety. She smiled back and knew her crush was as strong as ever.

"Good day, Mrs. Waverly. Lovely day."

He shook her hand, and she managed to say, "Hello. Thanks for coming."

He held onto her hand. "My job and my pleasure. You're looking well."

"How is Niko, Geoff?" Drew asked. "April and I have a lot to do today."

Geoff released April's hand. The smile disappeared. He looked slowly at Ben. "Let's get to it then." He unfastened Niko's tether and led him to the center of the barn.

"Waaaah," Niko bleated and stood quietly.

Geoff said, "Niko is two years old, perfectly health and sound. Fertile. No problems there." He glanced over the ram. "In the few months since you bought him, he's filled out surprisingly well. You may have made a wonderful deal buying him when you did. He may do very well in the shows." Bill grinned and nodded. He loved showing his sheep and always hoped for a winner. "Good wool, clear eyes, healthy lungs, excellent conformation." Geoff nodded, "Yes, I think Niko will do you proud."

"That's nice," said April weakly. One sheep looked much like another to her. "Bill and Ben talked about choosing ewes for breeding with him. I suppose he can go to pasture with them now."

"The sooner the better," said Geoff. "He's ready to turn out."

"If I may suggest something, Missus," said Bill. At April's nod he continued. "Squire Afton at Eastwood Farm wants to sell some ewes. Three of them were show winners, regular as clockwork, but they're old. One didn't breed this year, and the others only had one lamb each. They should be good for another year or two of lambing, and the bloodline is one of the best in the shire. One of the ewes is from Niko's bloodline."

"I don't know what to say. How much does he want for them?"

"A bit of room for negotiation," said Bill, "since he has no offers. Most farmers are wary about buying such old ewes. But I think if they give us a few lambs, they'll be worth the price."

"I think I know the ewes you're talking about," said Geoff. He looked between Ben and April. "One bred but lost the lamb. Ben, if you want to check them, I can examine them for you. Afton keeps healthy sheep. Can't guarantee ewes that old will breed." He shrugged.

April started to speak as Ben interrupted. "Good idea, Lanfair." Geoff blinked at Ben's use of his last name, when he had always before called him 'Geoff.' Drew realized his mistake, and said, "I'll call Afton today. When are you free?"

"Tomorrow, if you confirm today."

Ben nodded. "I'll do that."

April tilted her head on one side. Ben was as bossy as Sir Drew had been. She'd have said something, but she knew so little about sheep. "Keep me informed on what you decide. I should start learning about sheep farming."

Geoff grinned. "That will come in useful on Oakton. I'm available to answer questions."

Ben frowned. Geoff was still too interested in April. In Sir Drew's body, he had halted Geoff's interest in April with the lie that her marriage ended because she didn't want children. This deceit was easy to keep going, as he had kept April too busy to see much of anybody, let alone Geoff. She would soon be free to look for another husband, and he noticed her interest in the vet. The risk of him learning Sir Drew lied increased every time they met. He'd have to find a way to stop it.

Or would he? He examined Geoff as a woman might. He was 31, eligible, rich, a successful vet, related to Baron Kennette, and would one day be Sir Geoffrey. He waas interested in the dowdy American for some reason. Lanfair could do as a future husband when I live in April's body, Drew thought, scrutinizing the Englishman with care. Those two will have to be watched so any relationship didn't get ahead of my transfer to April's body. If she were pregnant there was no way to control whether her body or the embryo's would receive his soul. His memories would be lost. He must have a body past childhood.

"It that it, then, Geoff?" Ben asked. "Come in and clean up. Mrs. Bigwood made tea and cinnamon rolls."

"Certainly," said Geoff. Ben cut April off and led the way to the house with Geoff.

Ben said, "You can wash up in the bathroom in the Lodge." April blinked. She was unsure of who was in charge of Oakton, but decided to let Ben lead the way, until she learned the ropes.

"Sure. But I'll wash the muck off in the laundry."