by Dilly Court
‘Where are these people now?’ Eloise rose from her chair and started pacing the floor, wringing her hands. ‘They could be thieves or murderers and you expect me to welcome them into my home?’
‘You do me an injustice if you think I would be foolish enough to bring anyone like that to Grantley. At the moment they’re in the morning parlour, and I told Lil to take them tea and cake. You must meet them and decide for yourself, Aunt Eloise.’
‘This is ridiculous.’ Susannah rose to her feet, glaring at Angel. ‘You’ve really gone too far this time.’
‘I’m sorry, but you need to face facts,’ Angel said with a determined lift of her chin. ‘I went to see Galloway this morning. The creditors will take possession of the estate if the mortgage repayments aren’t received. Hector is going to try to sort matters out with Uncle Dolph, but that will take time, and there are a pile of unpaid accounts in the study. I don’t think you showed them to Hector, Aunt Eloise, so he doesn’t know the full extent of our financial troubles.’
Eloise sat down again, wafting the vinaigrette under her nose. ‘I meant to give them to him, but the ghastly business with Rupert and the maid put everything else out of my mind. The tradesmen will wait for their money – they always do.’
‘The accounts are very much overdue, Aunt.’
‘My brother is responsible for the family finances. He won’t allow us to lose our home.’
‘Mama is right,’ Susannah said carelessly. ‘Don’t interfere. We’ll get by, we always do.’
Angel bit back a sharp retort. It was obvious that neither her aunt nor Susannah was taking the matter seriously. They appeared to live in a world where everything would turn out all right in the end, regardless of what they were told.
‘It’s not quite as simple as that,’ Angel said patiently. ‘Uncle Dolph doesn’t know the full extent of the problem, and by the time Hector reaches him and explains things it could be too late to save Grantley. We have to do something, and to be honest I can’t see any other way than to make use of what we have – the house and its beautiful parkland.’
‘But we would be a laughing stock,’ Susannah protested. ‘What would Sir Eugene say if he discovered that we took in paying guests?’
‘He would probably congratulate you on your enterprise.’ Angel looked from one to the other. ‘The Montgomeries are not common people, Aunt Eloise. They are what Miss Creedy would call “carriage trade” and quite charming.’
‘Then, of course, we must offer them our hospitality,’ Eloise countered, ‘but I wouldn’t dream of taking money from them.’
The faint hope that she might make her aunt see sense vanished like morning mist. Angel knew when she was beaten, but there was someone closer to Aunt Eloise who had a stronger grasp on reality. She backed towards the doorway. ‘Will you excuse me a moment, please? Don’t go away because I’ll return shortly.’ She let herself out of the drawing room and went in search of Toby.
She found him in the gun room where the fishing tackle was kept alongside the twelve-bore guns he used when out hunting. ‘Toby, thank goodness I’ve found you.’
‘I’m just off fishing,’ he said casually. ‘Thought I’d see if I can catch our supper tonight.’
‘We have guests,’ Angel said warily.
‘Really?’ Toby’s eyes were alight with curiosity. ‘That sounds interesting. Who are they?’
‘A brother and sister by the name of Montgomerie. Their carriage lost a wheel and I’ve asked them to stay until it’s fixed.’
‘Splendid. Is she young and pretty?’
‘Both of those,’ Angel said firmly.
‘Then I’ll catch twice the number of trout or maybe a few eels. It’s time we started entertaining, even if we are all but bankrupt.’
‘That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Toby.’
He closed the lid on his wicker fishing basket. ‘Not now, Angel. Maybe after supper when I’ve had a couple of brandies and I’m feeling mellow.’
‘No, now.’ Angel spoke sternly and was rewarded by a startled look. ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t think that any of you understand quite how serious this situation is.’
‘Come on, Angel. You know that Hector will sort it out when he’s had a word with Uncle Dolph. Leave it to the men in the family, my dear.’
‘Things are more serious than you imagine. We need to find the money ourselves or Grantley will be lost for ever, and you’ll have to leave university and look for work.’
‘By golly, is it as bad as all that? I thought Hector was sorting things out.’
‘It’s extremely serious, and the Montgomeries have offered to pay for their accommodation while they wait for their carriage to be mended.’
He shrugged. ‘Then that’s all right. Take the money and put it towards the mortgage repayments, if it makes you happy. I see nothing wrong with your idea.’
‘But your mama disagrees. I can’t make her see sense, Toby, but she always listens to you. Please speak to her and make her realise that if we don’t do something quickly we will all be out on the street, and it’s not a nice place to be. I know, because I’ve been there.’
‘You really are serious, aren’t you? Is it that bad, Angel? I thought that Hector was just exaggerating things in order to keep me in line.’
‘It’s worse than bad. Galloway is thoroughly dishonest. I don’t know why he wants to cheat your family, but I can assure you that he’s not on our side. If you can convince Aunt Eloise that our only hope of saving Grantley is to make it pay for itself we might stand a chance.’
‘Uncle Dolph won’t let it happen, Angel. He loves Grantley.’
‘He was the cause of this mess in the first place. Are you going to back me up, Toby? Or do we sit back and allow the estate to sink into bankruptcy?’
‘Leave it to me. I can handle Mama, but I hope this works, Angel.’
She breathed a sigh of relief. ‘There’s only one way to find out.’
That evening at dinner, the family and their guests sat down to eat in the dining room. Cook’s watercress soup had been a success and Lil had managed to serve it without dropping the tureen or emptying the ladle into anyone’s lap. Toby had eventually gone fishing and the second course of grilled trout was followed by pigeon pie accompanied by peas that Angel had picked in the kitchen garden.
‘It is so kind of you to entertain us so royally,’ Belinda said, pouring cream over a bowl filled with ripe red strawberries, also plucked from the walled garden and still warm from the sun.
‘Indeed it is,’ Percy added. ‘Please offer my compliments to your cook.’
Eloise smiled and inclined her head graciously. ‘We do pride ourselves on our table at Grantley.’
‘And everything tastes so much better here in the country,’ Belinda said eagerly. ‘We live in London and I’m sure that produce sold in the markets doesn’t have nearly as much flavour.’
Percy raised his glass. ‘A wonderful meal and excellent wine. We can’t thank you enough for your hospitality.’
Toby puffed out his chest. ‘I pride myself in knowing a fine wine from one that’s merely palatable.’
‘So that’s why your allowance never lasts a term.’ Eloise gave him a fond smile. ‘My son is studying law. One day he’ll be a High Court judge.’
Humphrey opened his mouth to make a comment but a warning glance from Angel was enough to silence him.
Susannah treated Percy to an arch smile. ‘Would you like some more strawberries, Mr Montgomerie?’
He shook his head. ‘Thank you, no. I couldn’t manage another mouthful, but we’ve dined like royalty.’
‘You’ve been so kind, inviting us into your lovely home, Mrs Devane,’ Belinda said shyly. ‘We were so lucky to have been rescued by Angel.’
‘Indeed we were,’ Percy said, nodding. ‘I think you must be our guardian angel, Miss Winter.’
Eloise’s lips pursed into a semblance of a smile, and she rose to her feet. ‘We will withdraw and leave you
gentlemen to enjoy your cigars and brandy.’ She eyed the almost empty decanter on a side table. ‘Or I believe we have a fine old port wine in the cellar. Humphrey dear, maybe you could find a bottle. We had to dismiss the butler quite recently, for reasons I won’t go into now,’ she added hastily. ‘Go now, there’s a good fellow.’
Angel waited by her chair until Eloise had left the dining room, followed by Belinda and Susannah. With Humphrey having gone in search of the port wine Angel took the opportunity to broach the subject of money. She grasped the back of the chair with both hands and cleared her throat.
‘Might I have a few words with you, in private, Mr Montgomerie?’
Percy gave her a searching look and a slow smile crinkled the corners of his hazel eyes. ‘I think Miss Winter is anxious because she knows I will insist on making a contribution towards our stay here, which is only fair. If we had put up at the inn we would have had to pay for our bed and board, and I refuse to take advantage of Mrs Devane’s generous hospitality.’
‘That’s exactly the case,’ Angel said hastily. ‘This is hard to admit, but Grantley is in danger of repossession, Mr Montgomerie, and we have to take drastic measures in order to keep it in the family.’
‘That’s a bit harsh,’ Toby protested. ‘I’m sure we can afford a bit of supper and a bed for a night or two.’
‘That’s just it – we can’t. I’m sorry, Toby, I thought you understood.’
Percy cleared his throat. ‘Please don’t be embarrassed, Devane. I understand completely.’ He took a wallet from his pocket and handed a crisp five-pound note to Angel.
‘No, really. That’s far too much.’ Startled, she tried to give it back to him, but he put his wallet away, shaking his head.
‘Not at all. My carriage is in your coach house waiting for the blacksmith to do the necessary, and my sister and I are being treated royally. Let’s say no more about it.’
‘That’s damned good of you, Montgomerie,’ Toby said with a tipsy grin. ‘More than generous.’
Angel folded the money and tucked it down the front of her bodice for safekeeping. ‘I say thank you a million times, sir.’
‘I’ll demand it back if you continue to call me sir.’
‘Then, thank you, Percy,’ Angel said, chuckling. ‘It is very good of you, and we’ll make sure that you enjoy your stay at Grantley.’ She glanced over her shoulder as Humphrey burst into the room brandishing a crusty bottle of port.
‘This is definitely the last one, Toby.’
Toby leaped to his feet and took it from him, treating it as gently as if it were a newborn baby. ‘If you’ve shaken it I’ll skin you alive, Humpty Dumpty.’
‘Now I really feel at home,’ Percy said, laughing.
Satisfied with her own efforts, Angel left them to drink their port and made her way to the drawing room. The five-pound note was just the beginning – she planned to show it to Aunt Eloise at the first opportunity. If that did not convince her there was money to be made by entertaining wealthy guests, nothing would.
Encouraged by Percy Montgomerie’s munificence, Angel was up early next morning and went straight to the kitchen to discuss the menus for that day. Cook was flattered by the favourable comments she had received from their guests, but Lil was not so enthusiastic.
‘We need more help, Angel,’ she said flatly. ‘There’s only the three of us to do everything. You can’t count Meg because she’s a lady’s maid and she don’t get her hands dirty.’
Cook nodded vigorously. ‘That’s right, Angel. In the old days we had a dozen or more indoor servants and a housekeeper, not to mention the butler. Then there was the gardeners and the stable boys, grooms and two coachmen. You can’t expect us to manage on our own.’
Angel took a deep breath. She had been expecting this sort of argument. ‘Of course you need more help. I don’t expect you to do it all.’
‘Are you going to roll your sleeves up and set to?’ Lil stood, arms akimbo, and her chin outthrust, but there was a twinkle in her eyes and her lips twitched as if she were about to burst out laughing.
‘Yes, I am,’ Angel countered. ‘I’m not afraid of hard work. I’ll be housekeeper, chambermaid and scullery maid too, if necessary. I don’t think my aunt would like it if I waited on table, but we can get a girl in from the village to take Dolly’s place.’
Lil and Cook exchanged wary glances. ‘If you say so, love,’ Lil said doubtfully.
Cook wiped her hands on her apron. ‘Well, then, Miss Angel. You could start by fetching me some vegetables from the kitchen garden. I’ve got a boiling fowl and I’m making soup for luncheon, so I’ll need onions and carrots and some herbs. Then there’s dinner tonight. Perhaps Mr Toby could bag me a couple of rabbits.’
Angel made a move towards the door. ‘Leave it to me, Cook.’ She paused, frowning. ‘Maybe you could make some of those dainty fairy cakes for dessert and I’ll pick some raspberries to go with them.’
Angel’s first task was to rouse Toby from his bed, but she found him already up and dressed and looking forward to a day’s hunting and fishing, his favourite pastime. It was more difficult to rouse Humphrey, but in the end she managed to persuade him to ride into town to settle the vintner’s bill and give him an order for wine and brandy. Having satisfied herself that she had done all she could do for the moment, she went to fetch a couple of trugs from the potting shed.
It was still early and the dew sparkled on the grass as Angel made her way to the walled garden. A cloudless azure sky held the promise of another fine day and it was going to be hot, but a light breeze fanned her cheeks and played with her blonde curls as she worked in the walled garden. A robin followed her movements as she used a trowel to dig up carrots and ease onions from the warm soil. She cut lettuce and picked tomatoes, and having filled one trug she concentrated on the raspberry canes, popping the occasional succulent fruit into her mouth as she worked. It was hunger that made her remember she had not had any breakfast, but by then the trugs were overflowing with fruit and vegetables, and Cook would be waiting. She let herself out of the walled garden and was taking a short cut across the lawn when she saw Percy Montgomerie striding across the grass towards her.
‘You’re up early, Angel.’
She was suddenly conscious of her dishevelled appearance. Raspberry juice had stained her apron and hands and her hair had escaped from the snood at the back of her neck and was curling wildly about her face and shoulders. ‘I’ve been to the kitchen garden,’ she said lamely.
He took the trugs from her hands. ‘Allow me. These are heavy. Where are you taking them?’
‘To the kitchen. We’re rather short staffed so I’m helping out.’
‘Do you often help out?’
‘Not really.’
‘Forgive me for saying so but it seems to me that you’re being taken advantage of. I’m sorry if that seems impertinent, but this is servants’ work.’
‘As I told you last night, Grantley is in financial difficulties. My uncle and cousin are far away, in Natal Province, or they would be taking charge.’
‘And your aunt is too much a lady to dirty her hands.’
‘You are very blunt, Percy.’
He met her angry look with an apologetic smile. ‘I’m sorry. It’s a failing of mine, but I hate to see someone like you put upon by others, especially when that person is part of the family.’
‘But I’m not, you see.’ Angel could have bitten her tongue out. The surprised look he gave her made it impossible to leave it at that. ‘I am not related to Sir Adolphus or to Mrs Devane. It’s a long story, and I really have to get these vegetables to Cook, and then there’s breakfast …’
He stopped outside the scullery door. ‘Shall I take these in, or will I make your life even more difficult if I do so?’
‘I’ll take them. Thank you for your help but I mustn’t keep you.’
‘You mentioned breakfast. Come to think of it I haven’t had mine yet. Shall I see you in the dining room? Or will y
ou be waiting on table?’
She shot him a suspicious glance. ‘Are you laughing at me, Percy?’
‘That’s better. No, Angel, I’m not laughing at you, but I find it distressing to see a lady being treated like a servant.’
She opened the door. ‘Thank you for carrying the trugs.’
‘I’ll see you at breakfast.’
Percy, Belinda and Susannah were halfway through their meal when Angel joined them in the dining room.
‘What’s the matter with your hands?’ Susannah stared pointedly at Angel’s fingers, which were stained red.
‘You have a very productive kitchen garden,’ Percy said smoothly. ‘If the raspberries Angel picked are half as delicious as the strawberries we enjoyed last evening, I can’t wait to taste them.’
Susannah’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘Er – quite so.’
‘You must have been up early, Percy,’ Belinda said curiously. ‘I knocked on your door several times and received no answer.’ She turned to Susannah, smiling. ‘I thought he must still be asleep. Do your brothers lie in bed until noon?’
‘Yes, they’re lazy devils.’ Susannah shot a sideways glance at Percy. ‘Did you enjoy your early morning walk?’
‘As a matter of fact I went to the stables to find out if anything had been done to mend the broken axle, and I was walking back across the park when I met Angel.’
A frown creased Susannah’s brow. ‘I see.’
‘I’d just come from the walled garden,’ Angel said hastily. ‘I’d been picking fruit and digging up vegetables for Cook.’
‘Oh, heavens! I’ve just remembered that Blanche and her papa are coming to luncheon today.’ Susannah leaped to her feet, spilling coffee on the white damask tablecloth. ‘Have you told Cook to prepare something special?’
‘I didn’t know they were coming,’ Angel said, shrugging. ‘I’ll let Cook know, although I’m sure there’ll be plenty of chicken soup.’
‘Is that all we’re having? They’re used to finer fare than that.’
