Miss Langrishe looked at the excited girls. ‘I believe I may speak for all of us, James. We shall be happy to join you.’
‘You will allow me to be joint host, Richmond?’ Sir William suggested. ‘I am advised that the food at the Sarcacen’s Head is excellent.’
James nodded. ‘Then shall we say that we shall call for you at eight?’ He grinned at Henry and Crispin. ‘That will give these two young bucks time to change into their finery.’
Amy laughed. ‘You put your faith in us? Have you no fear that we shall keep you waiting?’
‘Not you, my dear. I have never known you to be late for an appointment. No one is able to arrange a change of clothing more quickly than Miss Amy Wentworth when she is offered entertainment.’
Amy joined in the laughter, but then she noticed that Charlotte’s face had clouded.
‘What is it?’ she asked quickly. ‘You do wish to join us, don’t you? Oh, do pray say that you will come!’
‘I should like nothing more,’ Charlotte admitted. ‘But Mamma is expecting me.’
‘That is no problem!’ Amy waved the objection aside. ‘We shall send a message to her. When she hears that James and Sir William are to be our hosts tonight, she will be delighted.’
Charlotte brightened ‘Do you think so?’
‘I am sure of it,’ Amy said with feeling. ‘Now you must be pleased that you set off in your finest gown. I have nothing to compare with it. You will quite outshine me!’
‘What nonsense! As if I could! Oh, Amy, I am so very happy. Today has been such fun. I want it to go on forever.’
Amy looked at her. ‘That may not be altogether impossible,’ she said in mysterious tones.
‘Whatever can you mean?’
‘Oh, nothing in particular, but days like this are not so very rare, you know, if one has good friends.’
‘They are rare for me,’ Charlotte told her wistfully.
‘Then you must make the most of it. Oh, my dear, I am so very thrilled to hear about my nephew. I love my sister dearly. I cannot wait to see her and her son.’
‘Then you will be going away quite soon?’
‘Not quite yet. Papa suggested that I travel north and return with them, but he has not settled upon a date. Now, quickly, let us change, otherwise I shall be accused of giving James the lie.’
‘Sir James thinks very highly of you, doesn’t he?’
‘I am his sparring partner, Charlotte. You would be surprised by some of the things he says to me.’
‘Oh, I am sure that he cannot mean them. I have noticed the way he looks at you.’
‘Horror, mingled with amazement?’ Amy was chuckling to herself.
‘Not at all!’ Charlotte took her courage in both hands. ‘Amy, don’t you know how much he loves you?’
Amy stared at her. ‘Of course I do. I love him too, in exactly the same way. He is my dearest friend.’
‘And nothing more?’
‘Oh, Charlotte, don’t start that again! I can lay my hand upon my heart with perfect truth and tell you that there is no attachment between James Richmond and myself. I cannot understand why people should suppose it. Is it so strange to have a friend with whom one is perfectly at ease…a person who offers understanding, and who laughs and jokes in the most delightful way with no ulterior motives?’
‘To find such a person would be happiness indeed,’ Charlotte agreed quietly.
‘Well, then, don’t you see? That is why I value James so much. My dearest wish is that he will find happiness again, with someone who values his sterling qualities. You will admit that he is a person of great strength of character?’
‘He is. That is why Sir William thinks so highly of him.’ The temptation to speak the beloved name had been irresistible, but Amy did not notice.
After a quick glance in the mirror she dismissed her maid and turned to inspect Charlotte.
‘There now,’ she said. ‘You are once again as fine as fivepence. Your mamma will not scold if we should meet her.’
Charlotte did not seem to find much encouragement in this cheerful statement. ‘I shall miss you so dreadfully when you leave Bath,’ she said in a low voice. ‘Everything will be as it was before.’
‘No, it won’t! Henry and Crispin are to leave for Scotland, but you will not lose your other friends. James and Sir William will still be here.’
‘You don’t understand. I shall not be able to go about in their company without female companion. Mamma will not allow it.’
‘Silly goose! She cannot object if you are betrothed.’
Charlotte turned her head away. She was blushing furiously. ‘But I am not betrothed.’
‘But you will be, and quite soon, if I am any judge. Oh, I know that you have not had a formal offer yet, but, my dear, you must have noticed that the gentleman has a tendre for you.’
‘Do you think so? Oh, I confess that I had hoped, but I cannot be sure.’
‘Do you love him, Charlotte?’
‘I do, much more than I can say. He is all that I could wish for in a husband, but, well, you may be wrong. I can’t imagine that he would feel the same.’
‘You have had no indications?’ Amy was laughing openly.
‘Perhaps one or two, but why should he choose me? He might offer for any girl in the country and be accepted.’
Amy kissed her cheek. ‘And what is the matter with you?’ she demanded. ‘I should have been more observant. Perhaps I have not noticed your two heads, or the single eye in the middle of your forehead?’
Her teasing brought a reluctant smile. Charlotte shook her head. ‘You are impossible!’ she said fondly. ‘Why won’t you take these matters seriously?’
‘But I do!’ Amy pretended mock annoyance. ‘Marriage is a serious business, and requires much thought. Planning my toilette for your wedding is keeping me awake at night, I assure you.’
Charlotte threw up her hands in despair. ‘I doubt if the problem is urgent, Amy. Your famous imagination has got the better of you.’
‘We’ll see!’ Amy’s eyes were dancing. ‘In this case I have not needed to use it. Pay more attention, miss! The gentleman’s disposition may be quiet. He does not wear his heart upon his sleeve in the usual way, but he cannot hide his affection for you.’
Charlotte’s face was radiant, and Amy felt satisfied. Charlotte in love was a different person from the timid creature who lived in daily fear of scoldings and humiliation.
Now, if only James would bestir himself to offer for her. She could not think what was taking him so long. The match would be ideal for both her friends, bringing them all the happiness she wished for them. Sometimes to be the go-between was a most delightful experience.
She waited until they were seated at the dining-table in the Saracen’s Head before she challenged James, who was seated at her right hand.
‘Is not Charlotte in famous looks tonight?’ she asked innocently.
‘She is, my dear. I have seldom seen such a change in anyone. You have been a good friend to her, I believe.’
‘It is easy to be her friend. She is so gentle and so kind. I hate to think of returning her to her mother’s tender care, but I fear that it will happen when I leave upon my visit to Perdita.’
‘I doubt it.’ James was smiling down at her. ‘In the very near future her life is sure to change.’
‘Oh, do you think so?’ Amy tried to hide her excitement. Was James on the verge of telling her his plans? ‘I can’t think how.’
‘Can’t you? Well now, I forecast that she will receive an offer which I believe she will accept.’
Amy beamed at him. ‘That would be my dearest wish,’ she cried. ‘May I tell her?’
‘You may not! The gentleman must be allowed to make his offer in his own time, but it will happen, you may be sure of it.’
Amy felt a surge of joy. She had been warned against interfering in Charlotte’s affairs, but it had been justified. She had succeeded in bringing her friends together. Now all s
he could foresee for them was a lifetime of happiness.
Then James was on his feet. ‘I propose a toast to the new arrival, his mother and his father, and also to his charming aunt!’
As the company raised their glasses to her, Amy’s eyes misted over. There was a most ridiculous lump in the throat and she found it impossible to reply to the toast.
‘Lord, James, you’ve struck her dumb!’ Henry was grinning at her across the table. ‘Amy ain’t used to being described as charming. From the look on her face she’s about to be a watering-pot! Steady on, coz! Tears won’t baptise the child from here, you know.’
It was enough to bring Amy round. ‘Why, you horrible monster!’ she exclaimed. ‘I’ve never been a watering-pot and well you know it, though I’ve often brought tears to your eyes, Henry.’
‘I admit it!’ Henry turned to James. ‘She has a punishing left, you know, and she’s pulled my cork before now.’
‘Children, please!’ Miss Langrishe brought the table to order. ‘Amy, you must reply to James’s toast.’
‘Oh, yes, I want to make a toast myself.’ Amy held up her glass. ‘Thank you, James, for your kind words, but now I want to thank you for this special evening. I shall remember it all my life. What can be more delightful than to be in the company of such good friends? To you, my dears! I wish you every joy in the future.’
Her words came from the heart, and were received as such by the assembled company. A burst of clapping rewarded her as she sat down, and it caused her eyes to sparkle.
‘Well done, my dear!’ James was smiling down at her. ‘Those were graceful sentiments.’
‘I meant them,’ she said quietly.
‘We all knew that. It is the reason why they meant so much to us.’
‘You are all so very dear to me.’ Amy gazed at her companions with undisguised pleasure. ‘What could be better than an evening such as this? I feel that I could burst with happiness.’
‘Pray don’t consider it!’ James said in mock alarm. ‘We have much work ahead of us and we need you as our scribe.’
There was general laughter, but Miss Langrishe was looking tired, and Amy was quick to see it.
‘We must not overtax my aunt,’ she said in a low voice. ‘She won’t admit it, but I believe that she is much in need of rest.’
James nodded his agreement and caught Sir William’s eye. It was enough to persuade that gentleman to bring the evening to a close with an offer to see Charlotte safely home.
Amy was a little disappointed. James was a positive slow-top when it came to monopolising Charlotte for himself. Perhaps he did not wish to advertise his intentions at this particular time.
With many thanks to Sir William for his hospitality she bade her friend farewell. Then she turned to James as he settled her cloak about her shoulders. Miss Langrishe was deep in conversation with her cousins so she would seize the opportunity to have a quiet word with him.
‘You did mean what you said about Charlotte?’ she asked in a low voice.
‘What was that?’ For a moment he looked puzzled. ‘Oh, I see! You are referring to the possibility that she will receive an offer shortly?’
‘Oh, James, I hope that it is more than a possibility…’
‘Don’t worry your head about it. Nothing is more certain. You do believe me, don’t you?’
‘Of course, but, well, should we have allowed Sir William to take her home? Her mamma might have strong objections to Charlotte riding in a closed carriage with a single gentleman.’
It was the closest Amy dared to come to scolding him for his tardiness in making the suggestion himself.
His hands were resting upon her shoulders, and now he gave her a little shake.
‘That is highly unlikely, Amy. Sometimes I wonder at you. Did I not ask you to be more observant?’
With this mysterious statement he offered his arm to Miss Langrishe and led her to the carriage. Amy followed, but she was lost in thought. What on earth could he mean?
Chapter Eleven
They made an early start next day, but the men were already working at the site when they arrived.
The Earl came towards them with his usual jovial welcome, but he was quick to excuse the absence of his Countess.
‘My wife begs your forgiveness that she is not here to greet you, but she is gone into Bath to take the waters. I confess that I am relieved. I have been begging her to do so for this age. She is not strong, you know.’
Polite protestations of regret followed his news, but Amy was relieved. Only the realisation that the Countess was, in effect, her hostess, had kept her silent until now. She looked at the Earl in wonder. It must be obvious to anyone who knew her that his wife was as strong as a horse.
‘Don’t look so disappointed, Amy!’ James said in a wicked whisper. ‘You must try to bear up under this blow.’
‘I’ll do my best!’ Amy’s eyes were dancing. ‘But it has quite ruined my day.’
‘In that case we must do what we can to improve matters.’ James turned to the Earl. ‘You have examined the site this morning, my lord?’
‘I ventured to the top of the earthwork. It is a mighty structure, is it not? It seems that the men must reach the Antipodes if they go on digging.’
Sir William did not share his amusement. ‘We must stop them shortly. It is too dangerous. The walls are unsupported and may come down at any time.’
‘But your men are wearing ropes?’
‘Indeed! I have insisted on it, but a man could suffocate before he was pulled free.’
‘My dear Linden, are you not becoming over-concerned?’
‘I do not think so. I cannot be easy in my mind as long as the shaft is open.’
‘But you took such care to make it safe. The hurdle and the lantern, for example?’
‘They served the purpose overnight, but I don’t propose to lie awake again. If we have not reached the base by noon we must satisfy ourselves with what we have discovered. I shall not rest until the shaft is filled in again, and levelled.’ Sir William’s eyes ranged from one face to another. ‘I gave in to temptation,’ he admitted. ‘But safety should have been my first consideration.’
Charlotte touched his arm. ‘No harm has been done. Pray do not blame yourself, Sir William. The men know that you have their interests at heart. You would not knowingly place them in danger.’
The assurance brought a look of relief to Sir William’s face. ‘Even so, the work on the shaft must not continue beyond today. And now, perhaps, the trenches?’
‘Oh, yes!’ Charlotte was anxious to divert him. ‘Yesterday it looked so hopeful. I am convinced that we shall make some finds today.’
She was right. A change in the colour of the earth had revealed the site of a fireplace. Sir William examined the stain with interest, exclaiming at its length.
‘It is too early to be sure,’ he said at last. ‘But it is possible that we have come upon the site of the kitchens of the original house.’
He set the men to clearing away the surface rubble. As huge stones were unearthed it confirmed his belief that they were part of the foundations of the mansion, left where they lay when the place was razed to the ground.
Then, to his delight, the men came upon a massive iron spit, so rusted that parts of it broke away as it was lifted. He called a halt at once. Then he jumped into the trench.
‘Nothing must be moved,’ he warned the men. ‘We are unlikely to make more finds. Miss Wentworth will record them and their exact location. Miss Skelmersdale will sketch them as they come to light, to give us a clearer picture.’
He turned to both the girls. ‘You will not mind, I hope? These details are of the greatest importance.’
Charlotte beamed at him. ‘It will be a pleasure, sir. It really is the site of the kitchens?’
‘I think so. Look, here are some shards of broken pottery and some interesting implements. Wood does not survive the test of time in the usual way, but metal is more durable.’ He looked do
wn at his feet. He was standing upon an enormous slab of stone. ‘This, I believe, must be the original hearth. Now, I wonder…?’ He gazed about him. ‘I fancy we shall find the rubbish dump in this vicinity.’
Amy hid a smile. ‘And is that so important, sir?’
‘Indeed it is! James will bear me out. Much that is thrown away can tell us so much about this place and those who lived here.’
‘There, Amy, you have it from the expert!’ James was much amused. ‘How pleased you must be to have worn stout boots and a cotton gown. Now we shall set you to digging in the rubbish dump!’
Amy would not be drawn. ‘You haven’t found it yet,’ she announced cheerfully. ‘Meantime, Charlotte and I have much to do.’
For the rest of the morning finds came thick and fast, but it was the discovery of the outer wall of the mansion which pleased Sir William the most. Dressed stone could not be mistaken for anything other than the work of masons. If he discovered nothing more, the excavation would be justified.
Henry and Crispin did not share his enthusiasm. Tired of practising with the sling-shot, they had strolled over to the west trench in time to witness the unearthing of a gentleman’s small sword in almost perfect condition.
‘Now, James, what do you say?’ Henry handed the weapon to him. ‘Is it a relic of the Civil War, or was it buried yesterday?’
James hefted it in his hands. Then he examined it more closely. ‘It was made about 1660, I suggest.’
Henry looked disappointed. ‘The Restoration of King Charles? It was never used in battle then?’
‘I doubt it. Peace reigned for a time after the accession, but you must not despair. Show me the contents of that satchel.’
Crispin tipped out a pile of small stones. ‘Could this be musket-shot?’ he asked.
‘Most certainly. Deadly when trained upon the entrance to the building, and look at this.’ James picked up a large round object. ‘A cannon-ball! This was why the building fell at last to the enemies of King Charles.’
‘I knew it.’ Henry pointed to the only piece of rising ground which overlooked the site. ‘The Levellers set their cannon on yonder hill. The defenders would stand no chance.’
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