Prue Phillipson - Hordens of Horden Hall

by Height of Folly

  “But they have. For all we know he may have been pleading with them to land but the fact is they have not. So you can get down on your knees and thank God for your family that has saved you from a certain and ignominious death. I am told the rebels they catch are likely to be hanged as traitors.”

  John did not sink to his knees but he did sink to the nearest chair and bowed his head on his hands. “I cannot believe it has all come to this. The months, nay years of preparation!” He looked up. “No, Father, they will be landing elsewhere. They will put ashore on the highland coast. Loch Tay perhaps. They could not abandon it. I was told twenty-three ships and thousands of troops. Who has told you they have returned to France? It cannot be.”

  “A gentleman just arrived from Edinburgh. Newcastle is in happy mood. Did you ever think the population here wanted their lives disrupted by war again?”

  Eunice went over to John and put an arm round his shoulders. He shrugged it off. “You too connived at my imprisonment. Was that done like a mother?”

  Daniel, still standing opposite the window, saw Matt approaching warily from the path to the Grange. “I am sorry you involved Matthew in this, John. He must be coming to tell you the horses are saddled again.” John looked round as Matthew passed the window, his mobile face showing alarm at the gathering of people in the library.

  “Stay there, John. Iwill speak to him.”

  Daniel went out and called to him. “I let you out in good faith. You can get back and stable those horses again. Master John has accepted that there is nowhere for you to ride today.”

  Matt looked suspicious. “I’d like to hear that from his own lips, begging your pardon, Sir Daniel.”

  “Now Matthew, just you understand this. You were allocated to accompany Master John on his travels because you are our most experienced and longest-serving manservant. But it is I who still pay your wages. You answer to me. You have your quarters at the Grange and look after the stables there but it is I who will discipline you if you step out of line again. Just tell me, were you yourself convinced of the rightness of the pretender’s cause?”

  Matt hung his head. “It seemed like a bit of adventure, sir. Life’s mighty quiet here.”

  “You’ve said enough. The rebellion has failed. Be thankful you were not there and if Master John ventures on any more wild escapades come and tell me.”

  Matt touched his hat but couldn’t bear not to put in a word more. “That could sound a bit like spying on him, sir.”

  Daniel lost patience. “Then spy on him for God’s sake, rather than you and he should dangle together on a gibbet.”

  At that Matt fled back to the Grange.

  Back in the library Daniel found his mother hard at work on the task of reconciliation, aided – or possibly impeded – by the efforts of Lady Branford who seemed to be trying to persuade John to laugh at the whole thing. That he could not do. His mind was full of fears for the families he had visited the previous summer and what they would think of his non-appearance. Had the men ridden off themselves without a word from him and were they now being hounded down and taken prisoner?

  “I wonder about le Vent. Did he rouse them in my place or will he still come seeking me and upbraid me for my disloyalty?”

  He looked up at Deborah. “You are going to say this is not the atmosphere for a happy family wedding.”

  “I am and I do say it. We are rejoicing because the nation is at peace again and because of that and the happiness Frederick and I are looking forward to we are ready to forgive and forget the lies you told us in France and the trouble you have caused here.”

  “Well said,” cried Lady Branford. “Fred, come forward and shake John’s hand.”

  “Nay,” Daniel said, “if you’ll pardon me, madam. John must be in a better frame of mind first. He might shake hands now but does it come from his heart? I heard him say he never wanted to see Lord Branford again. There are things you must take back, John, and there is a thing you must do to satisfy me. But first stand up when I’m speaking to you.”

  John looked at Jeanetta. “You see they treat me like a little boy here.”

  “Yes.” She twined her arms round his waist as he grudgingly rose to his feet. “We had better go back to France at once.”

  “I’ll treat you like a man when you act like one,” Daniel said. “This place is your inheritance and if I am to feel comfortable leaving it in your hands I would want you to swear a solemn oath you would never again think of taking up arms against your lawful monarch. I fear these fanatical people will not accept this setback quietly but may again be plotting and scheming to put James on the British throne.”

  John stared at him. “Are you saying, Father, that you will disinherit me if I can’t take such an oath?”

  Eunice looked up nervously. “I like not taking oaths. John’s word should be enough.”

  “It would be if he had not told us so many lies. No, John, believe me, if I doubt your commitment to this place and observe you hankering after rebellion and sedition and your strong connections with France I would do what I said. I will not leave what I have built up here to one who cares nothing for it and who would gladly remove his family abroad.”

  “Who could you leave Horden to if not to me?” John shouted at him.

  “Ruth may have a family. Deborah and Frederick may produce sons and daughters. If they have an heir to the Branford estates they may be able to spare one for Horden. At least I am surer my Deb will never lose her interest in the place.”

  Deborah stepped to his side with tears in her eyes. “That I won’t, Father, but I fear my presence has always overshadowed John as I have always overtopped him. When I am in Hertfordshire he’ll come more into his own. Is that not possible, John?”

  John looked up at her with a mixture of longing and desperation. It was the same look she had seen so often in her childhood when she set him goals he knew he could never attain to. He didn’t speak.

  Jeanetta sobbed, “I want to go home. I want to take my babies back to Rombeau. Oh,” she put her hand to her mouth, “I’ve just had a fearful thought. We must tell Uncle Neury to destroy all his papers. Someone might find them and know what you were up to.”

  “Indeed, I might have to go,” he said then. “At least till all this has blown over. But will they ever forget I let them down when the call came? And if some are imprisoned and some hung the families will never forgive me for being still alive. They will come for me.”

  Jeanetta jumped up and down like a child. “We must go at once. You won’t mind if we miss your wedding, Deb, will you?”

  “I will, very much.”

  “And the ports will be watched for fugitives,” Daniel said. “That is what you must notdo. Your safety is in having been here all the time and life being as normal as possible. It would be very odd to our friends and neighbours, who are notamong your so-called comrades, if the bride’s brother and family were not at her wedding.”

  “Then I must writeto Uncle Neury,” Jeanetta said.

  “That is also what you should notdo. Letters to France are likely to be opened here and read. Your uncle will have heard of the failure of the plot and will have the sense to destroy anything that might incriminate John. The French government will not punish their ownpeople for being involved since the expedition had King Louis’ backing. He may punish the admiral who turned tail, that’s all.”

  “So what shouldwe do now?” Jeanetta turned her big black eyes, filmed with tears, up to Daniel as she still clung with her arms round John’s waist. He felt her power and her helplessness both at once. She had not been the wife John needed but that could not be undone now.

  He softened his voice. “Why don’t you go and dress up again?” and to John he said, “I sent the tailor away yesterday but when I heard the news I told Luke to call on him in the town and ask him to come today for your fitting. I assumed you would be in a proper state to see him and I will expect you to behave – as I have already said – quite as normal. This i
s for your own sakes.”

  Jeanetta was excited again. “Oh yes, John you must see my dress and I need you to choose between two hats.”

  She pulled him towards the door. As he went, Daniel heard him mutter, “Dress, hats. Today should have been my day of glory.”

  Daniel addressed the remaining company. “Our servants have seen and heard too much. Except for Maria and the two nurses I need to summon them all together, including your men, Lord Branford, if that is agreeable to you, and explain as best I can what some of these unusual goings-on have signified. I trust they will never be questioned by the authorities, but at least they can say with truth that John has never left these premises. I will do that now and then I trust we can proceed to dinner at peace as one family.”

  “Amen to that,” said Eunice.

  Before he left the room Daniel felt he must say something to Lady Branford. She had bobbed up from the stool she had found to sit on and was approaching him with her cheerful smile.

  “I do beg your pardon, Lady Branford, that you have had to witness something that I assure has been a rarity in this house – a family dispute.”

  “Bless your heart, Sir Daniel, you have handled it beautifully. As for me, well, it was better than many a play I’ve had to witness on the London stage.”

  It was not quite what he wanted to hear but the compliment to himself was very comfortable. He bowed and left them all to make his way through to the kitchen where cook was beginning to prepare dinner. He gave orders for all the servants to be fetched, from the stables, the Grange, the gardens and to assemble in the Hall kitchen.

  As he feared Eunice came through after him. In her presence he could in no way smother the truth. As they were assembling, all agog and whispering, she said softly to him, “Daniel, as your housekeeper may Ibe the one who speaks to them?”

  He was startled, but as he didn’t know what he was going to say he thought he might risk it. “If I can add anything that I see fit afterwards.”

  She nodded. Her small size meant there were several who couldn’t see her so she got up on the sturdy steps used to reach the vessels stored on the top cupboards.

  They were all assembled now and gazing up at her in silent surprise.

  “Friends, I speak to you as Eunice, mother of John.”

  Daniel cringed. This was her leveller background speaking.

  “Those of you who are parents know that children can be troublesome.” She glanced at cook whose son had been caught by a gamekeeper stealing pheasants. “My John was led astray in France by those who want James as our king. When we found this out we stopped him from going to meet with others over here who support James Stuart’s claim. We have heard today that James has notbeen set ashore in Scotland and the French ships have taken him back again. We hope to learn more later but that appears to be the end of the matter. All you need to know is that no one from Horden Hall has been involved or will be involved in this. As it is all over we trust you not to speak of it outside our little family gathered here today. We are all sinners in one way or another and will be judged by God at the last day. Let us be glad if anyone holds us back from committing a wrong. Now we are looking forward to the wedding of Deborah and Frederick the day after tomorrow and you all know what duties we expect from you to make it a happy day. Daniel is in charge and has promised you an extra day’s pay as part of the celebrations. Marriage is a holy ceremony so I trust you not to spend it in strong drink. May God bless you all.”

  She held out a hand to Daniel and stepped down. There was silence as she did so, the silence of astonishment at the bare Christian names and the simplicity of the statement. As she had announced the little bonus Daniel had nothing more to say.

  “Thank you all, you may return to your duties.”

  To his surprise it was Matt who set up a cheer and then they were all joining in, except he noticed Will Smyth whose face was stony. The sooner he is back in Castle Branford, Daniel thought, the happier he will be, though whether Frederick and Deborah can ever meet his idea of an earl and a countess I cannot imagine. Perhaps he should retire to a cottage and live on memories.

  “Was that to your liking?” Eunice peered up at him.

  “It was to theirliking certainly. But will they follow Johnas devotedly when hisday comes? I shall certainly require a solemn promise from him that he will live here and serve his Queen and country faithfully if he is to inherit Horden.”

  “This place means much to you, I know, but you will enjoy it for many more years. You are in good health. John will be a different man when he takes over.”

  “I believe he will. I had to grow up before Horden mattered so much to me.”

  They returned to the library where Mother Bel, Deborah and Frederick were showing Lady Branford the guest list. She looked up as Daniel and Eunice came in.

  “They are mostly farmers I hear. I shall get on with them splendidly.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Deborah stood at her narrow arched window on the morning of her wedding day and remembered the first day of the century when she had wondered if life would ever change for her. She went to her cheval mirror as she had done that day.

  “Today it will happen, Scarecrow,” she said aloud. “Today you will be a wife of the sweetest-tempered man in the world. Two days from now he and I will go a long way south and inhabit a room four times the size of this in a castle five times the size of Horden Hall. I will look out on a vast, lush parkland with great oaks and beeches as far as the eye can see and I will be called the Countess of Branford. But all I can think of is our bodies, his and mine. We have never seen each other naked. What will he think of mine, long, small-breasted, strong-limbed? And his? Neat, firm, athletic. We have ridden together and he sits a horse well, brought up on a farm. I have never known him ail anything and nor have I. Surely we can produce a child.”

  There was a tap on her door as there had been eight years before but this was her mother’s knock not her father’s. She took one stride and opened the door.

  “I thought you were talking to someone.” Her mother was not yet dressed for the wedding but some ointment obscured the mark on her chin. A grey wool bed-gown was wrapped round her. She reminded Deborah of a dumpy little pawn in a chess set.

  “Just myself. Come and sit on the window seat.”

  Eunice sat, becoming smaller than ever. “I should have so much to say to my daughter on her wedding morning but I find myself only thinking of my wedding to your father, the same church, the same villagers, a generation on. And you could say too we were a mismatched couple, he six-foot-three, me five-foot-one.” “Did you wonder how it would be in bed with him?” Her mother’s eyes opened wide. “Not for a minute. I thought of

  my tiny hovel with my father compared to this great mansion and prayed not to become proud. And now you are to go from this to something so much grander. People will say our family is going up in the world. In the world, yes.”

  Ah now, Deborah thought, she is on safe ground. But she and father did the other thing or John and Ruth and I would not be here.

  “Yes,” her mother went on, “that is what I should be saying to you, never let the world swamp the things of the spirit. Yet I don’t fear you with that, Deborah. You don’t speak much of your faith but I feel it is strong and I believe Frederick’s is a solid rock. I don’t show my feelings very much as you know but I love Frederick. I love his mother too although she is so different from me, so light-hearted, so care-free, but that too rests on a sound base. She seems without pride, except in Frederick himself. She wouldn’t let him go to his true family when he was a baby. She feared he would be taken from her and brought up in the world’s ways. Like me she made nothing of the grandeur of his title. When he was grown she knew she had to give him to Mary – she has talked with me of Mary, a quiet, meek little thing. And she remained at hand herself though she made them have their own home. Now she has accepted you, so different from Mary and says she may choose a cottage on the estate to give y
ou your own life together.”

  “She has no need. She has her own separate suite of rooms.

  The place is vast. You and father must come and see it soon.” “We will.” She stood up and took Deborah’s hands. “I can let

  you go to your new life with an easy mind. It was so hard when

  John married Jeanetta. I was unhappy at Castle Rombeau on their

  wedding day. I felt it was all wrong and would come to no good.

  And it hasn’t.” Her chin quivered.

  “It may not be so bad, Mother. They love each other in a wild

  passionate way and I trust they will both grow up as they watch

  their babies grow up. They will be so proud of them for they will be

  handsome children, that’s certain.”

  “But John will not give your father the solemn promise he

  requires for him to have Horden and that will drive them back to

  France where John seems to live a life of idle pleasures. John needs

  to have demands made upon him or he will be lazy and that

  makes him unhappy and restless.”

  Their hands were still clasped. Deborah pressed her mother’s

  and withdrew her own. Was John still to be uppermost in

  everyone’s minds even on this day?

  “Shall we go to breakfast? Suzette has been to me twice already

  to know at what hour she can begin dressing me.”

  Eunice pulled herself together. “Yes, yes of course. The Grange

  party will not appear till we all go to church. I trust all is well over

  there. That Will Smyth likes everything to be done properly and

  will keep them all in order.”

  She hurried out and Deborah followed slowly. She knew her

  father would not come. He would be busying himself over

  arrangements. What she dreaded was the morning of the day of

  their departure. He would struggle and fail to contain his tears and

  that would trigger hers when she wanted to show Frederick