by Barker, Ann
Michael walked into the village to visit his father at Illingham Hall as soon as he had received the letter telling him of the change of plan. He found the earl sitting in the back parlour with his wife and daughter-in-law. The two youngest members of the Montgomery family had lately been attracting their fair share of attention, but they had both been taken upstairs by their respective nursemaids. Gabriel was out dealing with some estate business.
Michael was a little inclined to accuse the earl of manipulating the whole situation, but with a great air of innocence, Ashbourne denied this accusation. ‘I informed the bishop that my wife had only just given birth to our child,’ he explained. He was, as always, immaculately dressed, his every garment fitting him to perfection, his movements easy and graceful. ‘I am not surprised that he offered to come here so that I would not have to leave Jez’s side.’
Michael had spent many anxious hours wondering how to tell Theodora about his parentage. To his great surprise, in a quiet moment, Lord Ashbourne had offered to do so whilst Michael talked with Lady Ashbourne about the baby’s Baptism. A little later, Michael had asked his sister very tentatively how she felt about the matter. The maturity of her reaction had surprised him.
‘You were born when he was too young to be able to take responsibility for you,’ she reasoned. ‘Just think, Michael, he was less than my age!’
‘He was much too young,’ Michael agreed. He was thinking about how protective he felt towards his sister. Who had been there to protect and advise Ashbourne when he had most needed it? No one.
‘He said that he would have liked to get to know you when you were younger, but that it had not been possible,’ Theodora went on. ‘Then when you got older, he did not want to interfere in your life.’
‘Yes.’ Ashbourne had obviously not told her about the beating he had received. Michael found himself admiring the man for his reticence. Quite clearly it was something that he only shared if compelled to do so.
‘Just think, I am in the same position as you, now,’ said Theodora happily. ‘You have a father and a stepfather, and so do I.’ She paused. ‘Of course, he isn’t really my stepfather, but he says that I can think of him as one if I want to. You’re so lucky, Michael. You haven’t just found your father, you have a stepmother, and a brother and sister-in-law and a niece, and now you have a new baby sister as well. I only have you and Papa.’
‘You can share any family I have,’ he replied warmly, putting his arm around her.
Every day, Michael went to Granby Park and each time he was greeted with the news that Mr Granby had not yet returned. He did not know whether to be glad or sorry. He could not in all conscience offer for Evangeline until the threat of dismissal was gone, yet he longed to claim the privileges of an engaged man. Perversely, Mrs Granby seemed to have gained new resources of energy. Guessing what might be in the wind, she had developed strict notions of chaperonage and did not leave them alone for a single moment. The best thing that happened was when Evangeline brought him a glass of wine and fleetingly he touched her fingers with his own. How sweet it was, yet how tantalizing!
The meeting with the bishop took place in the library at Illingham Hall. It was a handsome yet welcoming room, with high, mullioned windows, dark panelling, and oak furniture set upon a dark-red carpet, whose predominant tone matched the curtains which hung at the windows. The bishop and Henry Lusty were shown into the room, where they were joined by Lord Ashbourne. On this occasion, he had chosen to dress in a coat of dull gold brocade with a matching waistcoat. His bow of greeting was perfection. ‘Welcome to Illingham Hall, Bishop, Lusty,’ he said. ‘May I offer you a glass of wine?’
Both clergymen accepted, the bishop rather abstractedly. This was the first time that he had met Ashbourne. The earl’s reputation together with Lusty’s rather jaundiced view had led him to expect a drunken debauchee. This immaculate, smoothly courteous gentleman was very far removed from his imaginings. ‘I trust that Lady Ashbourne is in good health,’ said the bishop. ‘I understand that she has come safely through her confinement.’
‘That is correct,’ replied the earl. ‘She is well, as is my daughter. You may see them before you go, if you wish.’
‘My congratulations,’ said Lusty stiffly. Ashbourne acknowledged his words with a grave inclination of the head.
‘Now, to Mr Buckleigh,’ began the bishop.
Ashbourne held up his hand. ‘Forgive me, but I did promise my son that I would not discuss this matter in his absence,’ he said.
‘Of course,’ said the bishop, beaming. ‘I shall be pleased to meet Lord Ilam again. I understand that he, too, has recently become a father.’
Ashbourne smiled, but said nothing. Moments later, the door of the library opened and Michael and Gabriel walked in and made their bows. Quite deliberately, Ashbourne walked over to them and stood next to Michael.
‘Ah!’ exclaimed the bishop, speaking before he had considered the wisdom of doing so. ‘The likeness is not strong, but now that I see you side by side, I can detect it. Lusty thought that you might be related and I can see that it is so.’
Ashbourne raised those famous brows. ‘Did he?’ He glanced at Henry Lusty, who was looking very embarrassed, as well he might. ‘He is right, of course. Mr Buckleigh is my son; a fact that I am delighted to acknowledge. One wonders, however, about Mr Lusty’s reasons for sending him to Illingham. I would be interested to hear your thoughts upon the matter, Bishop.’
The bishop spluttered for a moment or two, his face turning a similar shade to his bishop’s purple. ‘I … I … I … think that Mr Lusty’s only motive was to allow the young man to prove himself,’ he said.
‘Without informing me or Lord Ilam?’ Ashbourne continued. ‘Anyone who did not have the highest regard for you might suspect a desire to embarrass me. Mr Lusty ought to have informed you that I am a shameless rake who is utterly beyond embarrassment.’
‘A trait that you appear to have passed on to your son,’ said Mr Lusty impetuously, unable to keep silent any longer. ‘Part of the complaint says—’
‘You mean the complaint that has been withdrawn?’ enquired Ilam, a hint of menace in his voice.
‘I would like the opportunity to speak,’ said Michael, his voice firm and dignified. He turned to the bishop. ‘I am grateful to you, my lord, for coming all this way to talk about my present situation. I am also grateful to you for three other reasons. The first is that in sending me here, whatever your reasoning might have been, you have enabled me to meet members of my family for the first time. I had thought myself to be virtually alone in the world. Now, I have a brother, a sister, relatives by marriage …’ He paused, then looked at Ashbourne. ‘And I have a father. You have also made it possible for me to meet the lady whom I hope very much to marry. Finally, though, you have given me another chance to exercise my ministry as a clergyman; a ministry that with your permission I would like to continue.’
The bishop nodded seriously. ‘No doubt you would find it hard to support a wife on a curate’s money.’
Michael drew back his shoulders. ‘Her family is not poor, but I have no desire to live off my wife; or my father,’ he added, looking at Ashbourne.
‘A commendable sentiment,’ agreed the bishop. ‘There is much to discuss.’ He turned to Ashbourne. ‘My lord, with your permission, I would like to have a little private conversation with my chaplain.’
‘Of course,’ Ashbourne answered. He rang the bell. ‘Conduct the bishop and Mr Lusty to the small drawing room,’ he said to the servant who came at his summons. After the two clergymen had left the room, Ashbourne turned to Ilam. ‘Give me a few minutes alone with Michael, if you please.’ There was silence for a short time after Ilam had gone. Eventually, Ashbourne said, ‘This is rather difficult for me to say. I’m only too aware that had I been permitted to marry your mother, you would be my heir and Ilam would not exist.’
‘That had occurred to me,’ Michael replied. ‘I shouldn’t like that. I … like Ilam.�
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‘It relieves me to hear you say so,’ Ashbourne answered. ‘Did I have two legitimate sons, however, I would expect to provide for the second as well as the first.’
Michael straightened his shoulders. ‘You have provided for me,’ he said stiffly. ‘You paid for my education and care until I gained my majority.’
‘You forget that for the early years of your life, that provision was made by my father,’ Ashbourne replied. ‘I consider that I have done less than my duty by you.’
‘I don’t want your duty,’ Michael stormed. ‘I want—’ He broke off abruptly.
‘Yes?’
Michael shook his head. ‘I don’t know what I want.’
After a long silence, Ashbourne said, ‘You told the bishop that you would like to continue to be a clergyman. Is that really your desire?’
Michael explained how he had begun reading for the priesthood to please his stepfather, but had continued on this journey for its own sake. ‘I would be deeply grieved if my journey on this route was to end now,’ he confessed.
‘Is that likely?’ Ashbourne asked him. He poured them each a glass of wine. ‘It does not seem to me that your sins have been so great.’
‘You do not know the whole story,’ said Michael heavily. He told Ashbourne about his two previous curacies and about the way in which each had ended. ‘This was my last chance,’ he concluded. ‘I have thrown it away.’
‘But it seems to me that most of this was not your fault anyway,’ the earl responded. ‘These women who have thrown themselves at you, for instance.’ Michael lifted his head and stared straight into his father’s eyes before looking away. ‘I see,’ Ashbourne responded. ‘You lay that at my door.’ Again, there was a long silence. Eventually, the earl said, ‘My son, I am very far from contradicting you. You have an inheritance from me which is nothing to do with any money or goods that you may or may not choose to accept. For good or ill, you have found that you are attractive to women. It’s something I discovered about myself in my youth. I have not always used that gift honourably. You have been much wiser and more restrained in the feeding of your appetites.
‘There are great similarities between our natures and our abilities. There are also vast differences between the paths we have taken. But I believe that the solution for both of us is the same: a good marriage.’
‘Sir?’
‘Marry Evangeline Granby. Do you doubt her ability to keep any others who may pursue you at bay?’
Michael smiled wryly. He thought about her courage during the hold-up, her spirited defence of her virtue at the Cockerel, and of how she had ridden all over the parish on his behalf. ‘I think her equal to anything.’
‘And do you love her?’
‘With all my heart.’
‘Then let us see what transpires.’
It was not long after this that the bishop returned accompanied by Ilam. ‘Mr Lusty is awaiting me in the carriage,’ the bishop said. ‘Lord Ashbourne, I would be grateful for a little private conversation with you.’
‘Come with me,’ said Ilam to Michael. Then, when they had got outside the door, he said, ‘There is a lady here who is very anxious to see you. She’s waiting in the garden.’ Ilam led him to a side door, opened it and pointed to where Evangeline was pacing up and down on one of the gravel paths that went to make up the parterre.
When she saw Michael, she gathered up the skirts of her riding habit and ran to him. He caught hold of her and held her close. ‘I couldn’t wait,’ she said. ‘I had to know what was happening.’
Michael shook his head. ‘I have no idea. At least I have had the chance to be very frank and open with the bishop,’ he said.
‘Was he angry?’ Evangeline asked.
Michael shook his head. ‘He seemed willing to hear me. Now he is speaking with my father.’
They both paused, taking in what he had just said. Neither of them commented upon it. ‘I am determined to see him,’ said Evangeline. ‘The bishop, I mean. He must be made to understand that if there has been any impropriety, I am just as guilty as you are.’
‘No, you are not,’ he protested.
‘I kissed you just as much as you kissed me,’ Evangeline pointed out.
He had to draw her close, then, and kiss her lightly upon her lips. ‘You are very gallant to say so, but a clergyman is supposed to set a better example.’
‘Yes, but you are only a human being,’ she reminded him, ‘and not the archangel after whom you are named. Human beings make mistakes, so surely clergymen who make mistakes are more understanding of their parishioners’ failings because of it.’
‘Then let us hope that the bishop himself has made plenty of mistakes in his time,’ Michael said with wry humour. They walked through the parterre and down one of the avenues of over-arching roses, not yet in bloom, but promising to be a delightful sight in a month or two. ‘Will you mind being married to a clergyman, if I am forgiven, and your father gives his consent?’ Michael asked her.
‘Will I mind?’
‘It’s not a very exciting calling in many people’s eyes.’
‘You can’t really be yourself unless you are doing what seems right to you; so if you want to be a clergyman, then that’s what I want as well.’
‘Evangeline, dearest,’ he murmured, pulling her into his arms, and kissing her. He paused. ‘I must tell you that my father has offered to support me with an allowance. I told him that I did not want it. No doubt he would also purchase a commission for me, if I asked. I don’t want that either.’
‘Then neither do I,’ Evangeline responded. She hesitated, then said, ‘We will have my money after all.’
‘I will not live off your money,’ he said firmly.
‘We have to live off something,’ she pointed out reasonably. ‘What does it matter where it comes from, after all? Once we are married, it will be ours, not mine.’ When he was still silent, she said urgently, ‘Michael, I love you because you’re you, not because of any money that you have or haven’t got.’
He smiled at her words, but there was a hint of anxiety behind his eyes. In an effort to dispel it, Evangeline said, ‘I have to tell you, my darling, that I think you would look very fetching in purple. How old is the bishop, do you suppose? Might he be stepping down soon? Would you like me to suggest it?’
Michael had to laugh then, despite the continued uncertainty of his position.
They heard the sound of footsteps and saw Lord Ashbourne and the bishop walking towards them. Michael released Evangeline, flushing, but the bishop did not appear to be annoyed.
Evangeline stepped forward, despite Michael’s attempts to prevent her. ‘My lord Bishop,’ she said curtsying, ‘I am Evangeline Granby, and I am one of Michael’s – I mean, Mr Buckleigh’s parishioners.’
‘I am pleased to meet you, Miss Granby,’ said the bishop, beaming as older gentlemen generally did when confronted with Evangeline’s remarkable beauty.
‘I must tell you something about him before you make a decision,’ she went on.
‘Miss Granby,’ the bishop began, whilst at the same time, Michael said, ‘Evangeline,’ and Lord Ashbourne looked on with an expression of wry amusement on his face.
‘No, please let me speak,’ said Evangeline, holding up one hand. ‘Mr Buckleigh is a good man and a fine clergyman, and he is liked by all his congregation. I have here comments from many of the parishioners to say how much they value his work.’ She handed him a notebook into which she had copied everything that anyone had said to her about Michael. ‘If he has been guilty of impropriety’ – here she coloured a little – ‘it has been entirely my fault for leading him astray.’
‘No, really, Evangeline,’ Michael protested, as much because her words made him sound a little pathetic as for any other reason.
‘Indeed,’ murmured the bishop.
‘You must not think that I make a habit of this,’ Evangeline went on, her face still flushed. ‘I must tell you, my lord Bishop, that I … I love
Mr Buckleigh, and … and …’
‘Thank you, my dear, you have been very brave,’ said the bishop, taking her hand and patting it benevolently. ‘If you will forgive me for speaking now, I have some news which I think will please you both. Lord Ashbourne and I have been discussing your future, Buckleigh. Lusty’s duties as my chaplain do not permit him to attend to the needs of Illingham as he would wish. The solution would be for him to have a parish nearer to Sheffield. Such has now become available. This means that the living of Illingham will shortly become vacant. Lord Ashbourne and I would both be pleased if you would be prepared to be installed as its vicar without delay.’
Michael’s face was suffused with delight. ‘Prepared?’ he echoed. ‘My lord, I should be delighted.’ He wrung the bishop’s hand, after which Evangeline surprised that clergyman by throwing herself into his arms and kissing him on the cheek. But it was Lord Ashbourne who was the nearest to being confounded when Michael turned to him and said quietly, ‘Thank you … Father.’
Chapter Twenty-two
‘I cannot believe how good she was,’ said Lady Ashbourne, looking fondly down at her daughter.
‘She was much better behaved than Claire,’ Eustacia replied frankly. Both babies had been baptized at the same ceremony, but whereas Jessie’s baby had cooed contentedly throughout, Miss Claire Montgomery, perhaps more aware because she was older, did not settle, and assaulted everyone’s ears with a piercing scream the moment that Michael had poured water over her head. The children were still clad in their christening dresses, following the ceremony which had been conducted by Michael in the family chapel at Ashbourne Abbey. Now, the family was gathered together in the drawing room, waiting for dinner to be announced.
There were a few additional guests. Mr and Mrs Granby were present, together with Evangeline, who was looking absolutely ravishing in a delectable shade of cream. Doctor Littlejohn was also there, as was Theodora Buckleigh. As Michael’s sister, she was already accepted as a member of the family and had called Lord Ashbourne ‘Steppapa’ almost from the first, an appellation which clearly delighted him, for all his sang-froid.
