“You should rather say, why should anyone of Bella’s class stoop so low as to fraternise with anyone of ours.”
Was he teasing her now? “Whatever can you mean? Jack, it’s not funny.”
“I think it’s time for my news now.” He leaned his tall body against a stile by the side of the road. “You might want to sit down. There’s a tree stump there.”
Chapter 41
Harriet fussed about her skirts for a moment, but there was a look in her brother’s eye that told her she should just obey. She sat and folded her hands in her lap, aware that her own particular problem was going to have to wait.
“I won’t bore you with the ins and outs of it, but I tracked down a man called Finchdean, who once came to the Union in search of Bella, but never came back for her. I found him in a similar institution himself, where he had ended up after all his savings were gone—spent on physician’s fees, as he wasn’t a well man. The poor chap had nearly died from consumption—that’s why he was unable to return for Bella. Anyway, many years ago, this Finchdean was a butler in the employ of Lord Sutcliffe, Earl of Linden. He lived in Derbyshire on a great estate, I understand. There was a bit of a scandal up there with the son of the house, and two children resulted from it, one of whom was Bella—”
“Oh, don’t spare me the details, Jack. I know enough about the world not to be shocked. You must tell me everything.”
“Very well, but don’t blame me if you don’t like what you hear. Charles, the son and heir, the only son and heir, mark you, to the great estate and the vast fortune, fell in love with one Sarah Hart, the daughter of a local butcher. God only knows how they met, and I struggle to understand how a romance could have developed amongst the ox tongues and the cold cuts, but there it is. Love is a strange thing.”
Harriet stared at her hands. It was indeed. But this news about Bella was a welcome distraction.
Jack had paused and seemed to be staring at nothing. Then he recovered himself. “Of course, there was no way the match could ever be condoned because of the difference in class, so it was kept secret. Unfortunately, Sarah Hart became pregnant, and the young man begged to be allowed to marry her but was absolutely refused by his parents. They threatened to cut him off without a penny.”
“Why should parents have so much power over their offspring? It just isn’t fair for them to use that sort of blackmail.” She hadn’t forgiven Papa, nor was she likely to. Not for a while.
“In this case, I have to sympathise with them. But to continue. The girl braved it out and stayed in the area, and the rich son was so pleased with the handsome boy she bore, he started visiting again in secret. The inevitable happened, and she got pregnant again—a girl this time. However, the parents, Lord and Lady Sutcliffe, had found a suitable filly to produce heirs for their son by this point, and of course, they pushed him to marry this new woman.”
Jack paused again and walked up and down a couple of paces. The story had clearly affected him quite deeply. He wasn’t even looking at Harriet.
“The marriage never happened. Her parents were very protective of their little darling, so they made enquiries to ensure she could expect a reasonable amount of happiness and security in her marriage. She was very spoilt, Mr Finchdean said, so they needed to make sure her husband was prepared to pamper her as much as they had. Well, of course, their investigations brought the whole sordid affair of the butcher’s daughter and the illegitimate children into the open, and the engagement was dissolved immediately. Sarah Hart and her offspring were removed from the area, as far away as possible. Remember, they were in Derbyshire, and they ended up in Bristol. The Sutcliffes felt it better that their precious son shouldn’t be able to trace his mistress, just in case he weakened, perhaps, and decided to shame everybody by marrying Miss Hart after all.”
This was starting to sound like a tragedy. Harriet asked, “But what about the butcher? Surely, he did something about it?”
“Yes, he did as I understand. He got very drunk and staggered up to the house with a meat cleaver. Mr Finchdean let him in because he felt sorry for the man, and thought he was too drunk to do any harm. The servants had a hilarious time chasing him around and trying to keep him away from their master and his son. The Sutcliffes never knew that Finchdean deliberately let him in. I don’t think they realised how much their butler hated them and their stiff-necked ways. He’s quite a character, old Finchdean. I hope you get to meet him someday.”
“So, what happened to the butcher, Sarah Hart’s father?”
“Oh, he was just left to cool his heels in a cell for a while. The Sutcliffes decided not to bring charges because that would have spread the scandal even further. The earl must have been beside himself.”
“Don’t tell me you’re on his side?”
“You’re too romantic, Hattie. Imagine yourself in his position. What his only son had done… but one can understand that a fellow might fall in love with someone very much below himself. Still, such a man should remember his status and consider the feelings of his family. That sounds harsh, I know, but we all have to remember our duty.” Jack looked down and started fiddling with his cuffs. Harriet noticed a hint of colour in his cheeks, but right now, she was more interested in his story than his feelings.
“But what about the poor woman, exiled with her children? And she probably as much in love as the son was?”
Jack sighed. “Well, let us agree on this at least—it was a sorry mess. And in some ways, it became worse. Anyway, in Bristol they were split up, and placed into separate workhouses—it must have cost a pretty penny in bribes because you know how strict workhouses are about taking anyone from outside their parish. Finchdean knew what was going on, but he couldn’t risk his position by objecting to it—although he told me it was something he’d regret till his dying day. He just couldn’t respect his master after that, he said, so he left Linden Hall as soon as he was able, and got himself a new position. Anyway, the long and the short of it is that the son and heir caught pneumonia and died. That left Sarah Hart’s illegitimate son. So, the Sutcliffes took him out of the Poor House, adopted him, and raised him as their own, though they never admitted the same blood ran through his veins. He was spoiled terribly, I understand.”
It was so unfair. Why could they not have adopted the girl as well? “I know what became of Bella, but what about her mother?”
“Finchdean couldn’t find Sarah, though he tried.”
“How does he know it’s really her? I mean, that Bella’s the one he’s looking for?”
“Well, firstly, the name. The surname Hart didn’t mean anything to anyone in Bristol so they thought the children might as well keep it. And Sarah had already named her Isabella. Secondly, Finchdean recognised her when he went to the workhouse—a lot like her mother, he said, but nothing of the Sutcliffes in her looks, which he said was a good thing.”
Harriet’s mind was working rapidly. Jack clasped his hands behind his back and fell silent. He must be so thrilled to have such news for Bella. Yet he didn’t look too happy, even though he’d achieved what he’d set out to do. Peace settled over them, and she could hear the sound of a farm boy urging a heavy horse up the hill in the distance, and the tinkling trill of skylarks high above.
Jack was so lost in his own thoughts, he jumped when she said, “So Bella is, possibly, a wealthy heiress. That means Mama and Papa can’t complain about me visiting her after all.”
His brow furrowed. “They complained about that?” He turned away for a moment, then swung back towards her. “It may mean nothing at all, of course. We don’t know how her brother feels about her. He has long been established as a legitimate heir. Who could blame him if he didn’t want his true history raked up?”
“But we can’t let the matter rest, Jack, can we? We have to tell her, don’t we? And doesn’t he have a right to know his sister is found?”
“I thought to write to him and explain the situation.”
“I’m sure Bella is just as capable of writing as
you are.” It struck her that Jack had gone to an awful lot of trouble over someone he barely knew. He must have been badly upset by that attack on her.
“I just thought, coming from a professional person, my words might have more weight.”
Harriet narrowed her eyes at her brother but thought better of the question she really wanted to ask. “You are good to take an interest in her. It makes a change for you to be interested in people instead of machines. I cannot think of anything more boring than spanners, and cogs, and governors, and whatever other paraphernalia you choose to play with.”
“It’s high time you had another tour around the factory, Hattie. Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean you have to remain ignorant of mechanics. I know Bella would like another… um, a tour herself. We can all go together.”
“What do you mean, another one? Oh, never mind, you’ve got your closed face on again. But what’s important now is to go in and tell Papa that it’s alright for me to visit.”
“Don’t be so selfish, Hattie. What we should be doing now is telling Bella. And Mrs Day can make us a cup of tea. I’m parched after my journey—it’s very dusty this time of year, you know.”
Chapter 42
When Jack arrived at Mrs Day’s with Hattie, he was shocked at Bella’s state. Although the swellings had gone down and she was sitting downstairs in a chair, she was deadly pale beneath her bruises, and her eyes were wet and red.
“What is it? Are you in pain still?” He crouched down beside her, but she shook her head, clamping her lips together.
“Not that,” said Mrs Day, as she grumbled in with the tea. “She’s just had a visit from those Froggatts. They asked her to get them their jobs back, but she’s too proud. Told ‘em where to take themselves off to. You’re your own worst enemy, Miss—how many times have I told you that?”
Jack stood and took the tray. “Thank you for the tea, Mrs Day. I wonder, is there anyone you would like to call upon? We need to speak with Bella in private.”
He kept his tone scrupulously polite, knowing she wouldn’t dare argue with the factory owner’s son. She collected her shawl and hobbled out the door, muttering what a disgrace it was to be thrown out of her own house by young Mr Henstridge—just loud enough for him to hear.
Hattie was full of concern and sympathy for Bella. He stood back and watched as his sister soothed the distressed girl, and suddenly wished he’d come on his own because then he could be doing what Hattie was doing.
“So, you say they threatened you?” he asked when Bella was calmer and concentrating on her cup of tea.
“They said wouldn’t nobody in the town talk to me again. They said they’d keep the children away from the school so I’d get into trouble with the authorities. They said they’d see to it that I wouldn’t be served in the shops, not even the ones owned by the factory. I was a newcomer, of no importance to anybody in Warbury, so I might as well just go back where I’d come from.”
Ire seethed up in him, but he contained it. “Nonsense, you’re very important. And I for one will have words with anyone I have to, to make sure they don’t keep their children away. And you needn’t worry about the shopkeepers—I can sort that out in no time.”
“I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble.”
“It’s no trouble for Jack.” Harriet looked as outraged as he felt. “They’re being totally unfair on you, and we won’t have it from lowlife like them.”
“But they’re my people, Miss Henstridge! It’s them I’ve got to spend my life amongst, so I’ve got to get on with them if I’m to be happy here.”
“Well, that’s where you’re wrong.” Harriet shot Jack a secretive smile.
He didn’t want Bella to hear their news yet. First things first. “Could you not have considered trying to get them their jobs back?”
Bella looked at him, askance. “You sacked them. Only you could put them back again.”
“And you think I wouldn’t have done that? If you’d asked me?”
Bella took a long draught of her tea, not meeting his eye. “I didn’t want to ask you.”
“You’re still angry with me, aren’t you? Harriet, take that look off your face. This has nothing to do with you. In fact, I would be much obliged if you would go outside for a moment.”
“But—”
“I’ll fetch you when it’s time, I promise. Please, go.”
Harriet went.
“Well? Are you still angry?” It didn’t feel right—her set against him. He needed it to stop.
She raised her eyes to his. “Maybe, just a little. I don’t like to look a fool. I’m that grateful that you rescued me from a beating, and came to see me afterwards, but I’m still cross at you for what you did.”
He knelt before her, took her hand, and held it reassuringly. “You don’t forgive easily, do you? Not me, nor those women. I don’t for a moment condone what they did to you, but if you’d come and asked me to let the matter go, I’d have done it for your sake, to save you further trouble.”
She stared at him, looking puzzled. “I just don’t understand you, Jack Henstridge. I don’t know if you like me or not—you often seem to be telling me off.”
Ah. He’d hurt her feelings. And that fact hurt him. “Not telling you off, gently admonishing you. But only to help you get by. If only you could get rid of that pride of yours, you’d be perfect.”
Stupid. What did he have to go and say something idiotic about perfection for? He stood up hurriedly. “Please accept my apology if I spoke out of turn. Anyway, I will happily take those women back on if you wish me to. But you may not be troubled with their sort, or even my sort much longer. Please wait while I fetch Harriet back—she would murder me if she wasn’t here when I told you.”
“Tell me what?”
He called Harriet back in, and, more hesitantly than he meant to, he told Bella everything he had found out about her background.
Her eyes grew round. “Oh!” she whispered. “Oh! I don’t know what to say—I don’t know what to do. Jack, what should I do?”
It warmed him that she should ask. “First, you decide if you want to be made known to your family. Then we track down your brother and find out if he wishes to be made known to you.”
“I couldn’t bear to see those awful Sutcliffes, the grandparents that cast us out and split us all up.”
He was inclined to agree but had no desire to stand in her way. “They are no longer living. So, you have no grandparents. But there’s still your Mama and your brother to consider.”
“But what about the butcher—is he still alive?”
Jack felt a stab of guilt. Trust him to be blinded by the significance of the noble blood, rather than enquire about the butcher. He looked away. “That question may be of secondary importance. I’m sure we can arrange for you to go to Derbyshire to search for him, but who knows what his reaction might be.”
“And my mother? What of my mother?”
He shook his head. “Who knows? We could try and track her down. I’m sure Mr Finchdean would do whatever he could to help.”
Bella’s eyes were shining. He could read her excitement in her glowing face, her expression no longer tired and pained. She was happy that she had a real family—and a happy Bella looked positively radiant. His breath caught in his throat.
“The kind man,” she was saying. “I wish I’d spoken to him when he came to find me, but I’d just nicked a turnip, you see—no, don’t laugh, Miss Henstridge. It weren’t funny at the time. This Mr Finchdean—is he any better now?”
“Oh, much better, just a little old and tottery.” He’d quite taken to Finchdean. A man of principle.
“Where is he?”
“Oh, he’s comfortable enough, I can assure you. What we need to concentrate on now is how you feel about things. Do you wish to be put in touch with your brother?” A question he didn’t really need to ask.
“Yes.” She clutched at his hand. “I’d like a real family more than anything, no matt
er who they are. If nothing comes of it, I won’t be no worse off than I am now.”
He resisted the urge to bring her hand to his mouth and kiss the scraped knuckles. Harriet would have made a mountain out of it. He said quickly, “And the Froggatts? Are they to be forgiven?”
Bella chewed on her lip, the bright look clouded. “I must go and see them,” she said eventually. “I need to make it clear I’m not afraid to go to them, or they’ll just think I’ve bent to their threats.”
“It’s the right thing to do, Bella. When I re-admit them, I’ll let them know I’m most unimpressed by their behaviour towards you, but I shall say you’ve been magnanimous. I’ll expect to see an alteration in their attitude towards you. In fact, as soon as you are up and about, we can put it to the test. I was just saying to Hattie here it was about time she had a tour of the factory—she needs to understand exactly what it is that keeps her in fine gowns and amusements. If you come too, Bella, you can see the Froggatts at work. I shall expect them to acknowledge you because we’ll be pushing the point home that you have powerful friends. There now, that’s something to keep us occupied while I write to, and await a response from, your brother.”
Bella seemed satisfied with this, and after arranging a day for the factory visit, and a few light-hearted speculations on what her long-lost brother might be like, Jack and Harriet left.
So, Bella had been every bit as thrilled by the news as he could have hoped. He should be happy too, about her turn of fortune. Only a small-minded man would feel resentful or regret what he had done. Because, if Bella’s family wanted her back, it would be selfish of him to try to keep her.
And he wasn’t small-minded.
Was he?
Chapter 43
Wearing her only decent dress, with her hair done up as fancy as she could manage, Bella was finally being welcomed to the Henstridge household, courtesy of Harriet.
“How delightful it is to meet you properly at last, my dear.” Mrs Veronica Henstridge offered her a limp, cool hand. She shook it gingerly, not at all sure what the etiquette should be.
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