by R J Lynch
‘I… Well, certainly I… But she…’
This time, Job felt no compulsion to relieve Claverley from the hole he had dug for himself. “She is the daughter of a clergyman, while Ann Foreman is a person of no account.” That was the thought in the rector’s mind, even if he found it impossible to speak the words. Job signed the document before him and pushed it back across the desk for the rector to shake sand over the ink. He stood, as if to leave.
The rector, embarrassment still clear, said, ‘My dear fellow. We have not yet entertained you to dinner at the rectory.’
That’s true, thought Job, and the failure has caused me no discomfort at all. Nevertheless, an invitation was clearly coming, and he could not bring himself to be so rude as to reject it.
‘I shall speak to Lady Isabella. I know she will share my wish to break bread with you.’
Job bowed his head in acknowledgement, and Thomas walked him to the front door.
Chapter 7
The following day was the twenty-sixth of August and a Sunday. The sun shone brilliantly and the morning was already warm at seven. Blakiston mounted Obsidian and set off towards the water meadows by the river at Stella. Near Hussey’s Forge he met the animal doctor, Tobias Foster. Cordial nods were exchanged in the spirit of a warm Sunday morning.
‘What brings you here, Foster?’ asked Blakiston.
‘Lord Widdrington’s man wanted my opinion on a horse he has stabled on Shipley’s Farm. Or he said he did.’
‘You doubt it?’
‘He asked my opinion and I gave it and I shall account to his Lordship for my trouble and see that he pays me. But there was nothing the matter with the horse and the man knew that. No, he is in a tizz over this canal that Wrightson’s want, to connect Parsons Banks and Ryton Willows with their staithes near here.’
‘My dear fellow, I will hear this story. Have you eaten breakfast?’
‘I am on my way home now.’
‘Come with me to the inn at Beggar’s Bank. It is my pleasure to eat there by the river on a fine Sunday before church.’
Foster turned his horse in the direction Blakiston took and the two rode companionably side by side.
‘You are not a church goer yourself, Foster?’
‘No more by nature than I imagine you are. But I have no lord to defer to, and no appearances to keep up, and so I may please myself in the matter.’
When they were seated in the garden, surrounded by the sweet smell of roses and phlox, Blakiston ordered plates of cheese and ham. “Cut thickly, now. And this week’s bread, if you please. We want nothing old or stale. And bring us two pots of small beer before you begin.”
He turned to Foster. ‘This canal. Will it ever come to pass, do you think?’
‘Who can say? We have had canals mooted here before, and none built. The country around Stafford is so chopped and crossed by canals I wonder some portion of the land does not detach itself and float away into the Irish Sea, but in Durham and Northumberland we have not a one. But, you know, the route Wrightson’s have in mind runs over land where Lord Widdrington has the freehold, and he wants the diggings to go forward to increase his rents. And so his man asks me to look at a horse that ails nothing, and all the time he is telling me how wonderful a canal would be for the people hereabouts.’
‘Has he no friends at Parliament to advance his cause?’
‘The Blacketts will not help a papist.’
‘I am not from these parts, as you know.’
‘The Widdringtons are wrapped up with many of our oldest families, and some not so old. The Brandlings and the Tempests among them. I believe Sir Edward Blackett tried to bribe you with a Tempest woman.’
‘Are there no secrets? Grace Hodgson is a Tempest?’
‘She is of that stock. This is fine ham. I wonder where he gets it?’
‘He cures it himself. But Grace Hodgson is a cousin of Sir Edward. If she is a Tempest, and Tempests are married with Widdringtons, then the Blacketts have a family interest there. And still Sir Edward will not advance Widdrington’s canal?’
‘The last Lord Widdrington was a Jacobite. He took part in the Fifteen Rebellion and was sentenced to death. In fact, they did not hang him and he lived another thirty years, but all his estates were forfeit to the Crown except the ones hereabouts, because he had those through his wife. William Hodgson’s daughter married Sir Thomas Tempest and their daughter married Widdrington and was this Widdrington’s mother. Sir Edward Blackett rejects him as a son of Rome, or so he says, though we may suspect that his desire to limit the number of landowners of substance in the district may play a greater part than he would acknowledge.
‘The Member of Parliament for Newcastle at the time of the uprising was Sir William Blackett and there are those who say that Widdrington expected his help in occupying the city. There are also those who believe that that was Sir William’s original intention, and that he was swayed by Scarborough’s arrival with more than twice the number of men Widdrington could put in the field. In any case, Widdrington was disappointed. There is no love lost between the two families even today. I must say, Blakiston, I admire your fortitude in rejecting Blackett’s offer of Grace. I have always admired large-breasted women, and large-breasted women with a thousand a year are not so abundant as to be readily cast aside.’
‘The figure Sir Edward mentioned was five hundred. Well, Widdrington must make his way as best he can. But I have wanted to see you, Foster, for I have a question and you may have the answer. When a man dies, he is limp. And then he goes stiff. And then he is limp again.’
‘That is also true when a man is alive. Especially in the presence of such as Grace Hodgson. But you speak of the effects of rigor mortis.’
‘Do I? Well, what I wish to know is, how long does it take for the first limpness to go? And, after that, how long before it returns?’
‘I had heard of the death of Margaret Laws. You ask in connection with that?’
‘I do.’
‘Very well. The stiffness, or rigor as we call it, begins to show itself about three hours after death and is at its height after twelve. Then it begins to leave the body. But it is not completely absent until another three days have elapsed.’
‘And it is the same for women as for men? Does it make a difference if the woman was expecting?’
‘Do you tell me Maggie Laws was with child? Is the father known?’
‘Is the father...for the love of God, Foster, you are speaking of a married woman.’
‘Ah, yes. So I am. What can I have been thinking of?’
‘Look here, Foster. Is there something I should know about the dead woman? Rector Claverley felt the constable spoke slightingly of her. Or at least that he lacked respect. And now you ask such a question. Was she a wanton? Is this something all know but the Rector and I?’
‘I am sure she was no more than a red-blooded woman.’
‘So there was something...’
‘I shall say no more, Blakiston. As you have reminded me, she was married, and to a man raising himself into the middling sort. I regret any untoward allusion. The common kind will snigger and hint, and you and I should pay no heed.’
‘But...’
‘There are no buts. I must be about my business, and you will have your own to attend to. Thank you for my breakfast. I must bid you good day.’
Blakiston sat a little longer in the garden of this house for which he had great affection but where now he found a cloud over his enjoyment. The implication of Foster’s offhand question was clear: that Margaret Laws had been no better than she should have been, that paternity of her child was open to doubt and that her husband must therefore come under suspicion for her death.
That meant that times became important: the time that Margaret Laws had been killed; the time that she had been discovered; the time that help had been sought. Blakiston realised with a start that he had not even established what time Joseph Laws had arrived home that morning, or how long afterwards it h
ad been when he reached Chopwell Garth. He finished his pot of ale, pushed the last of his bread and ham into his mouth, left coins on the table and hurried outside to his horse.
As Tobias Foster had hinted, Blakiston went to church because he had to. Lord Ravenshead did not much mind what his employees actually believed, so long as they kept to the expected forms of Church of England devotion. His Lordship had his own chapel and his own chaplain and so did not worship at Holy Cross Church in Ryton, but he would hear of anyone who was absent from Thomas’s services and he would make his views known. Blakiston therefore rode to Ryton after breakfast, left Obsidian in his own stable and walked across the green to the church. He did not want to face Thomas but saw no way to avoid it.
He would have hurried away as soon as it was over, and indeed he stood and left the church as the last blessing was given and before the Rector could get outside to say goodbye to his parishioners, but Isabella had foreseen this manoeuvre and was there before him.
‘Please wait,’ she said.
‘Lady Isabella...’
‘Please, Mister Blakiston. My husband and I talked until late into the night. We wish you to come to dinner tonight.’
‘But Lady...’
‘I have told Rosina you will be there. She is preparing a special meal. And I know you cannot bring Kate while you are only engaged to be married. But when she is Mistress Blakiston, know that she will be as welcome a guest at the Rectory as you are. And I speak for the Rector as well as for me. He has been so angry with himself at having taken such a thoughtless position. I can tell you he has something very positive to say to you about reading your banns, which he will do, and marrying you to Kate, which he will also do.’
Blakiston was silent. Then he said, ‘How can I possibly refuse?’
‘Thank you, Mister Blakiston. I promise you my husband will be even more pleased than I am. And I am delighted.’
Next, Blakiston went home to mull over his next steps in looking for the killer of Margaret Laws and to give the people he wanted to speak to time to get home from church. Then he rode to Chopwell Garth, for Kate must hear the glad news of the Rector’s change of heart, and the sooner the better.
‘Joseph is not here, Mister Blakiston,’ said Lizzie. ‘He has returned to New Hope to see that all is well. Kate will join him there this afternoon.’
‘Kate? For what purpose?’
‘You have turned white, sir. I did not mean to startle you. May I bring you some water?’
‘There is no need. Kate; what will she do at that farm?’
‘She is to look after little Samuel, Sir. The bairn must have a mother.’
‘And the bairn’s father? Must he have a wife?’
Lizzie stared at Blakiston, but said nothing. The silence continued so long that he was obliged to break it himself. ‘Mistress Laws, I have asked Kate to marry me and Kate has said yes. As you are aware. She does not want it to be public knowledge until she is ready to fix our wedding day and she will not do that till I have calmed her fears about the gentry and my family, but you know that we are to be husband and wife. I could understand your opposition when you thought my intentions dishonourable, but you are still opposed and I would know why.’
Lizzie sighed. ‘Life is not so simple, sir. I cannot speak my mind. My husband depends on you for his living. You are gentry. I am but a common person. As is Kate.’
‘Am I to be discussed while I am out of the room?’
Blakiston stepped back. ‘Kate! I did not hear you enter. You are to leave Chopwell Garth?’
‘No, sir, I am not to leave. I am to go to New Hope Farm, which is not a half hour from here by horse, though I have no such thing to take me there.’
‘I had noticed the coach you arrived in was gone. You have told Mistress Wortley that we are to marry?’
‘No, James, I have not. And you know why. I wrote her a note to say that I must stay for longer than I had expected, and that I did not feel I could keep the coach and coachman here, and that it might be best if she found a new lady’s maid. But I shall stay at New Hope for not more than four weeks while Joseph Laws finds someone willing to be a mother to his son. I am not that person.’
Clicking her tongue in irritation, Lizzie walked out of the room.
‘The matter of the horse is easily settled,’ said Blakiston. ‘I shall take you on mine, for I must go there in any case. I wish to speak to Joseph Laws.’
‘I have my things to carry. I cannot ride on a horse with two bags.’
‘I shall send a man to take whatever you wish. And to bring them back when your four weeks are done.’
Kate smiled. ‘Thank you. What is it you wish to speak to Joseph about?’
‘A question I may put also to you. I need to know at exactly what time he returned home on the morning his wife was killed, and at what time he arrived here.’
‘I can answer for the last. He arrived here a moment after seven, for the clock you see on that wall and which is such a matter of pride to our Lizzie since it arrived but four weeks past had just finished chiming. I can tell you it is right for it agrees with the church clock, although in Lizzie’s view it is the other way about. She was seeing to little Lulu’s breakfast and Tom and Ned had been in the fields since five and were about to sit down for theirs. Tom remarked on the time.’
‘His exact words?’
‘He looked at the clock and said, “Great God, Joe man hinny, just seven and you here already? Is summat up?”’
Blakiston laughed out loud. ‘You are a good witness. And then Joseph Laws told you his wife was dead?’
‘James, I must be on my way to New Hope. If you are to take me, can we talk about this on the way?’
Chapter 8
He had been in church with the others, for why should he not? He had a right to worship there. At least as much right as those hypocrites, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
But you knew better, did you not? All four of you. Four of you killed four of mine. Or let them die, which comes to the same thing.
And four of you will have someone die in your turn. For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
He had heard the man after church, talking to the Rector, saying that God had taken his son and his son’s wife but spared his grandson. He thought that, did he? Well, he would learn soon enough that God was not done with him yet.
It was not the first time Blakiston had ridden behind Kate, but it was the first time since he had asked her to marry him and she had said yes. There was a difference now in the way he felt. Tension and worry were gone. Now, when he was in this young woman’s company, he was calm. Now, when he put his arms round her waist to keep her safe, when his nose drifted into the curls at the base of her hair and his lips gently nuzzled the back of her neck, he knew that this was how life was meant to be. This was what love was. This was why there were women as well as men.
‘I am going to dinner at the Rectory tonight,’ he murmured, confident that she would understand his meaning.
‘You are? As a friend?’
‘As a friend.’
‘Oh, I’m glad.’
‘Be gladder. The Rector will call our banns, and the Rector will marry us. Just as soon as you say the word.’
‘Oh, James! What ever changed his mind?’
‘He has the love of a good woman himself. How could he go on denying me the same joy?’
‘It’s Lady Isabella. Isn’t it? She has spoken to him.’
Gently, he squeezed her waist between his arms. ‘I said, in case you were not paying attention, the Rector will call our banns just as soon as you say the word.’
‘Oh, James! But what about your sister?’
‘My darling love, Hannah is not going to change her mind, and so you must put her out of y
ours. Tell me I can have the banns called.’
Kate turned her face towards him. ‘Do it. Do it next Sunday.’
They kissed, a long lingering kiss that only ended when Obsidian threatened to ride them into a wall. They rode on for a while, cheek resting against cheek. ‘I never believed I could be this happy,’ said Blakiston.
Kate laughed. ‘Think of the amazement on Sunday when our banns are called. Oh, James, please let us keep it a secret until then, just so that I can see people’s faces.’
‘Whatever you like, my dearest girl.’
‘I shall sit at the back, so that I can see everyone when they hear the news.’
Blakiston smiled. ‘You shall do so for the last time, in that case. After this Sunday, when the banns have been read and our secret is known, I shall expect you to join me in my own pew.’
They rode in companionable silence. Then Kate said, ‘We are nearly there, my sweet. There were questions you wanted to ask?’
‘Margaret Laws,’ said Blakiston. ‘What can you tell me about her?’
Kate shrugged. ‘She was Joseph’s wife. Really, I never liked her.’
‘Because?’
‘Oh. I don’t think there was anything particularly...she was stuck up, I suppose. You know it was only in April that she and Joseph wed. Her husband had died, and she had a son for whom she needed a father. Her own father has quite a big farm on the Bishop’s estate. Joseph was another farmer, so she married him. I don’t believe she ever loved him. Nor do I think she thought much of the rest of us. Tom was a second son who should have been a labourer. Lizzie should have been skivvying for the likes of her instead of running her own farmhouse. And as for me...well, she never spoke to me if she could help it.’
‘I heard...someone said something to me...there was a suggestion...’
‘That Margaret was no better than she should have been. Yes, people say that.’
‘With reason?’
‘James, Margaret was a farmer’s wife. She lived in a farmhouse. Her husband lived there too, and so did Susannah Ward. Others would have been in and out, for while Tom has changed to paying day labourers when he needs them, Joe still sticks to the old way of hiring his farm workers for the year. Apart from at harvest time, of course. Never mind whether Margaret might have wanted to betray Joe. What time did she have? What opportunity?’
