'You were not here,' Letty replied quietly. She had said all that she intended, and now she retired to the window-seat and picked up her embroidery.
'Should I have stayed here in this house, and lived on Uncle James's charity?' Giles demanded. 'Why do you suppose I left? It was to find some occupation...'
Letty did not answer him. It was India who became aware of his dejected look and understood. Her brother was suffering from bitter disappointment and hurt pride. He loved them all and blamed himself for being unable to help them. She gave him a loving smile, but it was Mrs Rushford who spoke.
'My dear, do try to understand. This is a splendid match for India, and his lordship has been so generous. Why, even now he is restoring the Grange. He has invited us to see it...'
'You may go, but I shall not. I have no wish to see a stranger in my home.'
'But it is to be our home now. After the wedding Letty and I will live there. It is a part of India's settlement.'
'I wish her joy of it, and Isham too.'
'Please don't be cross, my darling. I felt sure you would be glad to share in India's happiness.'
'Are you happy, India?' Giles Stopped his pacing and stood in front of her, his eyes looking deep into her own.
India did not flinch. 'Yes!' she said steadily. 'Isham and I have much in common...'
Her brother gave a sarcastic laugh. 'Gambling? Opera-dancers? You surprise me, India.'
'Possibly, but I have given my word. This marriage will take place, and you, Giles, will give me away.'
'Never! I shall not attend. I will not see you yoked to a man who will bring you nothing but misery.'
This was too much for Mrs Rushford. With a feeble sigh she fainted.
'Now see what you have done!' Letty dropped her work and hurried over to her mother, whilst India chafed her hands.
'Bring me some brandy!' she snapped over her shoulder.
Giles hurried to do her bidding. Then he stood by helplessly until his mother recovered consciousness.
'Mama, I did not mean... Oh Lord, I'm sorry!'
India had summoned Martha, and together she and Letty helped the stricken woman to her room.
Then India turned to her brother. 'Don't blame yourself too much,' she murmured. 'It does not take much to overset Mama. She has been under a strain.'
'I know it.' Giles had slumped into a chair. 'I haven't helped, though, have I? I wanted so much to help you all, but it seems that I fail in all I try to do.'
'Nonsense!' India said robustly. 'In these past few years you have restored so much of the estate.'
'But it didn't save us, did it?'
'How could it, love? I haven't been blind, you know. There were so many demands upon you...'
'It's true. Money that might have been used for seed, or stock, or drainage and ditching was all swallowed up...I don't mean to criticise, but if Father could have understood...'
'It wasn't in his nature, Giles, but we loved him for the man he was. I still miss him dreadfully.'
'So do I.' It was true in spite of all his father's failings, though sometimes he had despaired of bringing the estate into a profitable concern.
The present situation of the family was nothing new. Nine years ago he had been summoned back from Italy by his uncle with a suggestion that he take the management of their lands into his own hands. Even then they had been on the brink of ruin, but he had brought things round. This time he could do nothing.
'I so wish you happy, India,' he told her gently. 'If it will please you I'll attend your wedding and give you away.'
'I knew you would.' She gave him a tender smile. 'Now you shan't despair. Won't you give me all your news?'
'There isn't much, I'm afraid. Conditions are disastrous everywhere, partly due to Napoleon's blockade and in part to the failed harvest. No one has need of a manager for their estates.'
'It will come round. It cannot last.'
'I don't know. There is so much disaffection in the country. Martha tells me that there has been trouble here.'
'Yes, they are known as Luddites. The workmen burned a factory earlier this week.' She went on to tell him the story of the climbing boys and Isham's part in their rescue.
"You surprise me,' he said when she had finished.
'From what I heard of him it does seem out of character.'
'You should have heard him with the sweep.' India's lips curved in a reminiscent smile. 'He put the fear of God into that man, and rightly so.'
'A knight in shining armour?' Giles said wickedly.
'Hardly, but he did not hesitate to offer his help when I needed it. Mother, you see, did not want the boys to stay here.'
'I can imagine. Urchins are not her style, I fear.' Giles regarded her with his head on one side. 'You haven't changed, I see. Still battling on the side of justice?'
She bore his teasing with good grace. 'I've never yet learned to stand aside,' she told him.
'And Isham does not mind?'
'I think it amuses him. He was good enough to tell me that he had not time for a milk-and-water miss.'
'That's fortunate. Certainly he has not chosen such a one.' Then he grew thoughtful. 'The trouble is spreading, India. It is rife in Derbyshire and further north.'
'You do not think that it will come to revolution?' she cried in alarm. 'Those horrors in France! I could not bear it if it were to happen here.'
'It is unlikely, love. We grumble in this country, and even riot upon occasion, but we are not given to savagery.'
'I hope you are right. Oh, Giles, you will stay with us now that you are home?'
'If you have room for me. This place is very small.' Giles looked about him. 'Uncle will offer me a bed at Perceval Hall. It may be more convenient for you.'
'No, it won't. You may have my room. Letty and I will share. Then I shall be able to impress you with my cooking...'
He laughed at that. 'Is there no end to your talents, sister dear? What time do you plan to dine? I have promised to visit Uncle William at the Rectory.'
'Shall we say at seven?' India waved him off and went upstairs to change her dress. There was much to do. A meal that might serve quite well for three ladies would do nothing to satisfy the appetite of a hungry man.
She inspected her larder with some anxiety. The remains of the leg of pork would fricassee and there were plenty of winter vegetables. She set Martha to peeling carrots and turnips in preparation for mashing them together with pepper, salt and a lump of butter. A tough old hen would casserole, with onions in the pot, and the eggs would make an omelette to be thickly spread with jam.
She was sorting through her selection of preserves when Letty came to find her.
'Anything I can do?' her sister asked.
'You might beat these eggs. How is Mama?'
'Much better now. Delighted to see Giles, of course, but, India, she is so troubled because you quarrelled.'
'We've made it up. I can't be cross with him for long. Letty, it was so good of you to take my part.'
'I like to be fair,' her sister said calmly. 'Isham is much maligned. In reality, he is the best of men.'
'Those were Henry's words.'
'Oh, were they?' Letty began to beat the eggs.
'Letty. you don't care for Mr Salton. Why is that?'
'I don't know him, India. May I not reserve my judgement?'
'You haven't done so in the case of Isham.'
Letty was silent.
'I must ask you something.' India was aware that she was on dangerous ground. 'You and his lordship? Well, you seem to get along so well. Please tell me! Do you regret that you did not accept his offer? You might deal together much better than he and I.'
Letty stared at her in astonishment.
.'Forgive me!' India faltered. 'I could not help but notice that you are always deep in conversation. Letty, it is not too late. If you wish it I can give back word.'
Letty shook her head. 'You must be mad!' she said with conviction. 'Isham is not in
terested in me. He loves you, India. Have you not seen it?'
'How could he?' India was unaccountably annoyed. 'Had you forgot? He would have taken either of us to suit his purpose.'
'Would he?' Letty continued to beat the eggs. 'In case you had forgot, my heart is given to Oliver Wells.'
'Have you heard from him?'
'Not yet.' Letty's smile was mysterious as she went on with her work.
India was growing impatient. Strange undercurrents seemed to be flowing through her life. She neither understood nor liked them.
'Well, Giles at least is home,' she said with satisfaction. 'Letty, I have been thinking. If the Grange is to be mine, to do with as I please, Giles might agree to manage the estate for me. There would be money enough to improve the land and restock it and he could live with you.'
'I don't know. He might regard the offer as coming from Isham. He would not accept his lordship's charity.'
'It wouldn't be charity,' India said indignantly. 'There is so much to do. He would have to work all the hours God sends. I shall speak to Isham about it. Meantime, do not mention it to Giles. He is coming round to the idea of my marriage. I have no wish to upset him again.'
'He has agreed to give you away?'
'Yes, thank heavens! I could not bear a family feud, especially now.'
'I agree. Nothing is more horrible, and Giles too has enough to worry him. Oh, India, he used to be so carefree as a boy. Do you remember? He was always laughing and joking and playing pranks.'
'I know. It was after he returned from Italy all those years ago that we found him changed.'
'Perhaps it was the responsibility of the estate. He was young to undertake it, though Father was happy to hand it over to him. Poor Giles! Life has not been easy for him.'
'That's true. And then, at thirty, to be forced to face the bitterest blow of all? His work apparently gone for nothing? I cannot blame him for feeling bitter.'
'It will all be different now,' Letty comforted. 'Do you think you can persuade him?'
'I don't know. Anthony may be able to suggest how...' India stopped, feeling a little self-conscious, but Letty smiled to herself. Was her independent sister beginning to rely upon the judgement of her formidable suitor?
India was aware of her amusement. 'Letty, you need not laugh,' she said indignantly. 'Isham seems to have a gift for getting what he wants...'
'He does indeed!' Letty's tone was solemn, but her eyes were twinkling.
'I meant only that as a man he might be able to advise me as to what might weigh most with Giles. Men are the strangest creatures. I shall never understand them.'
'A task for a lifetime!' Letty agreed. 'Shall you speak to his lordship soon?'
'Yes. The sooner the better. Giles is so unhappy at this present time. I would change that if I could.'
'It would be wonderful. He might become himself again.'
'I'm not so sure. Perhaps it is my fancy, but sometimes I felt that there was something else upon his mind, not merely the estate. I did not like to question him and he said nothing, but I wondered if something happened to him whilst he was in Italy.'
'An unhappy love affair? But, India, that was a full nine years ago. He would have forgotten it by now.'
'Would you?' India looked at her sister's face and was stricken. 'Oh, love, I'm sorry. I did not mean to hurt you, but Giles may be no less constant than yourself.'
'You are right. Time does not always heal a wounded heart. I have often wondered why Giles has made no effort to find himself a bride. Mama has been troubled by it.'
'I wondered too, but thought perhaps that he felt himself in no position to offer for anyone.'
'I can't think why. He is so charming and so handsome, although I may be biased.'
'Me too.' The girls looked at each other and laughed, in complete accord in their opinion of their brother.
At that moment the subject of their conversation walked into the kitchen. Giles was looking grim.
'What is it?' India asked in alarm. 'Is someone sick at the Vicarage?'
Giles shook his head. 'They are all well, but there has been more trouble. Last night a man was shot. Uncle William was called to attend his deathbed.'
'Murder?' Letty had paled.
'I can think of no other word for it. He was travelling peacefully about his business when he was fired on from behind a hedge.'
'But why?' Letty was horrified.
'No reason, as far as we know. Uncle thinks that he might have been mistaken for one of the factory owners.'
'Luddites again? Oh, Giles, this is so unlike our local men. They may have grievances, but I can't believe this of them.'
Her brother gave her a sharp look. India was no fool. 'Uncle shares your opinion, but the word is now that agitators are moving in from other parts of the country. They are not weavers. Their purpose is to stir up trouble.'
India grew thoughtful. Isham must have heard of the incident, though he had not mentioned it to her. Was this the reason for his sudden appearance earlier in the day? He and his brother had ridden close beside their carriage on the journey to Northampton, and also on their return. Her mother had ascribed it to his wish to be with India. Now, it seemed, there might be a more sinister explanation.
'Pray do not tell Mama,' she urged. 'There is nothing we can do, and it will frighten her.'
Suddenly she felt an overwhelming wish to see Isham. He would be honest with her and she knew that he would not try to shield her from the stark facts.
She broached the subject of their proposed visit to the Grange as they sat down to dine.
'When shall you like to go, Mama?' she asked.
'I thought it was arranged that we are to go tomorrow. His lordship suggested it himself.' Mrs Rushford looked more cheerful since her family appeared to have resolved their differences.
'He felt that you might prefer to put it off since Giles is home, although, of course, Giles is included in the invitation.'
'No, you shall not ask that of me,' Giles said quickly. A look from India reminded him that he was not to upset their mother. 'I shall, of course, give India away. If you will forgive me, Mother? I spoke in haste.'
'My dear boy, it is perfectly understandable.' Isabel smiled fondly at her first-born. Then she turned to India. 'I suppose it is too late to renew our arrangements for tomorrow. Perhaps the following day if it is convenient to Isham? After that we shall have too much to do. I must speak to your uncle to see if we may have the carriage again. We have not yet chosen our bonnets, though it will mean another journey to Northampton.'
India caught her brother's eye. 'No!' she said at once. 'I mean, we still have unworn bonnets from last Season. Besides, we cannot continue to monopolise the carriage. Uncle James may need it himself.'
Mrs Rushford waved aside the objection. 'Your uncle wishes you to do the family credit,' she snapped. 'As to last Season's bonnets, it is not to be thought of. They will be dated, and in any case they were intended for summer wear.'
It was Letty who stepped into the breach. 'Would it not be best to wait until our wedding clothes arrive?' she asked quietly. 'Without them it will be difficult to decide upon style, or colour.'
Mrs Rushford gave the matter her consideration. 'You are right, my dear,' she said at last. 'So sensible! Very well, let us visit the Grange as soon as possible, though how we are to send word to Isham...?'
'I'll go.' Giles was ashamed of his previous outbursts and was anxious to make amends. 'Just give me a note for him. I shall have no need to stay. I'll ride over to the Grange tomorrow.'
Giles was as good as his word, but in the event his absence was so prolonged that India was in a fever of anxiety. At best he might have quarrelled with Isham, and at worst he might be lying in some ditch, the victim of yet another cowardly attack.
It was late in the afternoon when he returned.
'Where on earth have you been?' India demanded.
'Just to the Grange.' Giles was looking thoughtful. 'I say, Ind
ia, did you know that Isham was with Sir John Moore at Corunna?'
'No. I knew that he had served in Spain, but I thought he was with Wellesley.'
"That was later. Great heavens, we can't imagine what conditions were like out there. My hair was standing on end!'
'He told me a little about it, but he did not go into detail.'
'I'm not surprised. You can have no idea... Still, if he would not tell you I'm sure that I shall not.'
'So you have been discussing military tactics for all this time?'
'Oh no, he took me round the Grange. It will astonish you. Everything is so much improved, and he has plans for the estate. I was surprised by his knowledge of the latest farming methods. He knows Italy, too...' His face clouded, and India's belief that he had unhappy memories of that country was confirmed.
'Farming?' she returned quickly to her brother's favourite topic. 'I had not thought that he would take an interest. Do not most gentlemen leave that to their managers?'
'Isham doesn't think it altogether wise. The man in Cheshire has a free hand, but Isham is in a position to seek the best advice and to pass it on. He knows how to make a profit.'
For the next hour India was treated to a lengthy discourse upon fertilisers, crop rotation and the merits of different types of cattle and sheep. She was only partially-attending, as she did not understand the half of it, but she was pleased. If she could persuade Isham to agree, Giles might yet take over the management of her estate.
She stopped her brother at last. 'So the date of our visit is acceptable to Anthony?'
'Oh, yes! He'll send his carriage. We are welcome at any time.'
'We?' India was smiling.
'Well, yes. I've been a fool. He ain't one half as bad as I thought him.'
'I'm glad to hear it.' Privately, India gave full credit to her betrothed. Not only had he found a place in Letty's affections, but he seemed well on the way to disarming her brother too. How like him to seize upon the topic so dear to Giles's heart.
When they reached the Grange on the following day she found that Giles had not exaggerated. Her old home had been transformed, and Mrs Rushford was in transports of delight.
'Was I not right to choose the colours and this furniture?' she demanded.
The Reluctant Bride Page 12
