'And what is the meaning of this?' Anne waved the note from Major Blyth at her son.
She sat in a velvet gown at her make-up table in her boudoir where she had been applying beauty spots for that evening's party. She would be attending by herself since Garrett had been bed-bound for the last week with a cough.The doctor had prescribed rest and leeches. Garrett had consented to the first treatment but insisted that his bankers provided more than enough of the second.
Arthur had been summoned from his room the moment she had finished reading the note and now stood in the doorway, eyes downcast.
'Well, speak up!'
'There was a fight, Mother. These things happen in schools.'
She fixed him with a cold stare. 'Don't you dare address me in that tone.'
'I'm sorry.'
'Major Blyth informs me that you started the fight.'
'Yes, Mother.'
'Why?'
'I was insulted.'
'So you thought you would call him out.'
'No, I just punched him.'
'You punched him?' Anne looked over his frail frame. 'I'm surprised the other boy didn't snap you in two. Lucky for you Major Blyth was on hand to break it up.'
Arthur shrugged. 'Seems my fortune is changing.'
'And what does that mean exactly?'
For a moment Arthur felt his emotions rushing to the surface and he had to pause to control them. 'I don't like it here, Mother. I never have. I don't like the school. I don't like London. I don't like feeling abandoned by you and Father-'
'Oh, grow up, Arthur!' his mother snapped, slapping down the headmaster's note. 'You can't spend your life squirrelled away in some draughty Irish backwater. London is where things happen. Make the most of it.'
'I'm tired of London.'
'Arthur,' she continued in a more kindly tone, 'this is your home now and you had better get used to it. It is also my home and your father's, and we like it here. Please try not to spoil it for us.'
'What happens when the money runs out?'
'I beg your pardon?'
'I'm not a fool, Mother. I know what an overdraft is. I heard you talking about it with Father the other night. What happens when his debts are called in?'
'They won't be. It is in no one's interest to beggar a peer. And since you have decided to take such a keen interest in the financial affairs of other people you should know that our income has only been reduced temporarily. As soon as the war in the American colonies is over, confidence in the markets will recover and our income will return to its previous level. So please don't worry on that account.'
Arthur stared at her for a moment. 'Is that all, Mother?'
'Damn you, that is not all!' She brandished the note at him. 'That fight of yours is not the only issue raised by Major Blyth. It seems that it is merely a symptom of wider failure. He says you are… "dreamy, idle, careless and lethargic". He says that you are making no progress in any subject and that you have poor relations with your peers as well as teachers. Now what do you make of that?'
'It's true.'
'I see… Then you must be punished.'
'Will you tell Father?'
'No. Not at the moment. He is not well. He does not seem to have shaken that chill he caught in the spring. I have no desire to make his health any worse by telling him about your woeful performance at school.'
Arthur tried to hide his disappointment. In truth, he wished that his father was made aware of his unhappy state, so that he might reconsider their move to London. Maybe his father would see sense where his mother would not.
'Now go.' Anne gestured impatiently towards the door. 'I have much to do before I go out.'
Arthur nodded and quietly left her boudoir, shutting the door behind him. He made for the staircase to climb back up to his room, but as he reached the first step he heard a strange sound from the street in front of the house, a rhythmic harsh trampling. As it grew in intensity he left the stairs and made his way to the doors of the first-floor balcony overlooking the street, and stepped outside into the evening air. Down below a long column of soldiers was marching up the cobbled street, their nailed boots making the loud noise he had heard from inside. Three officers rode at the head of the column and in a moment of childish high spirits at so brave a sight, Arthur smiled and waved at them. Only a sergeant saw him, and did not return the greeting, but looked sober and strained before he faced front again. Arthur continued to watch as the column snaked past. He tried to count them but gave up when he passed two hundred and still they came. Hundreds more of them. At last the tail of the column went by and he continued to stare as they disappeared down the street. Only then was he aware of a presence behind him and turning quickly he saw his father, wrapped in a thick coat, holding on to the doorframe for support. Arthur had not seen him for days and was shocked by the pallor of his skin and the shrunken look in his eyes.
Garrett made a thin smile. 'Soldiers, eh? It seems that the government has finally decided to put Gordon and his rabble in order.'
'Will there be fighting, Father?'
'Perhaps. I doubt it.'
'Will the soldiers shoot at them?'
'No.' Garrett laughed and ruffled his son's fair hair. 'Of course not. There's no need. The mob will take one look at them and then run for their lives.'
As the tramp of boots faded away they heard faint sounds in the far distance: the indistinguishable roar of a crowd that rose and fell like a fluky breeze. Interspersed with the shouting was an occasional crackle of gunfire. Garrett stepped on to the balcony and rested a hand on his son's shoulder as he concentrated his attention on the distant sounds. Arthur felt the tremor in his father's hand and put it down to the chill of the evening air. His father coughed. Coughed again, and then his body was racked by a fit of coughing. Arthur reached up and patted his back gently, then stroked it as the fit eased off.
'You should get back to bed, Father.'
'What are you now? A physician as well as a pugilist?' He smiled. 'I overheard some of your conversation.'
Arthur smiled back conspiratorially, and for a moment there was sense of that old relationship, before the move to London.
'I haven't seen you for days,' his father continued, then frowned. 'Feels longer. In fact I can't remember the last occasion when we had a decent conversation.'
'I can. Two years ago. Back in Dangan.'
His father laughed, and started coughing again for a moment. 'That was a long time ago. Life was much quieter then.'
'Life was better, Father.'
Garrett turned to look at his son, and the expression of unhappiness in the young boy's face was palpable. He squeezed Arthur's shoulder. 'You really don't like it here, do you?'
'No.'
Garrett nodded. 'I should have noticed. I haven't been paying much attention to you.'
'No.'
'I'm sorry… I must admit, I'm getting a bit jaded by life here. Much too ornamental. Too little substance. And very expensive. The air's not good for me either. Perhaps we should leave for a while. Take a holiday. Go back to Dangan for a few months. Would you like that?'
'Yes.'Arthur spoke quietly, but his heart swelled with hope.'We could learn Dr Buckleby's piece together.'
'What? Oh, yes. That old thing… Be interesting to see if he still has his touch. Soon as I'm better I'll have a word with-'
He was interrupted by a volley of of musket fire and both of them turned in the direction of the distant shouting. A terrible, shrill noise rose up from the invisible crowd and Arthur felt his spine tingle with cold as he realised that he was hearing screaming. A vast mass of people screaming in terror.
'What's happening, Father?'
'I'm not sure.' He strained his ears. 'It sounds like a battle. Or a massacre.'
They stood a while longer listening. More volleys were fired and the screaming went on and on, rising and falling in intensity.
'What on earth is going on out there?' Anne called from inside. A moment later she emerged on t
o the balcony. 'Garrett! You should be in bed.You're not-'
'Quiet! Listen!'
The sounds of the violence carried clearly across the rooftops and her eyes widened in surprise. 'Good Lord, sounds like a quite a fracas. Hope it doesn't come this way.' She kissed her husband on the cheek. 'I'm going to the party now. I've sent O'Shea for the carriage.'
'Do you think it's wise to go out?'
'Why on earth not? That trouble is in the opposite direction.'
'For now.'
'Oh, tish! It's nothing to be worried about. Now get back to bed.'
Suddenly there was shouting from further up the street. Then the first dim shadows flitted between the streetlamps. As they watched more of them appeared, like rats running for their lives, some crying out in panic. Then they heard some harsh shouting and the grinding thud of army boots charging down the street towards the house.
'Get them! Get those bastards!' a voice bellowed.
Now Arthur could make out the forms of soldiers in amongst the people fleeing along the street. They had fixed their bayonets and the wicked spikes glinted in the lamplight as the soldiers ran down their prey. Arthur held his breath as he saw one of the soldiers slam the butt of his musket into the back of a man's head, and as his victim slipped to the ground the soldier calmly reversed the weapon and drove the bayonet into the man's chest, twisted it and wrenched it free before continuing the chase.
Suddenly there was a shout from directly below the balcony. A woman had seen the family gazing down into the street and was calling up to them.
'Let us in! For pity's sake, let us in. They're murderin' us out 'ere!'
She ran to the door and started pounding on the gleaming paint work. In the middle of the street a soldier stopped and Arthur saw that it was the sergeant who had marched past earlier. Only now he had a sword in his hand. He strode across and mounted the pavement. With his spare hand he grabbed a fistful of the woman's hair, wrenched her away from the door and spun her into the gutter. She shrieked in pain, then terror as the sword arm swept up. Then the blade glinted down, crushing the pale hand that had risen to try to fend the blade off, and an instant later there was a crunch as the sword cut into the woman's skull. She lay still in the street as a dark halo slowly pooled about her face.
'Inside!' Garrett ordered, pressing his wife and son towards the doors. They did not resist and mutely retreated from the horror outside.Then Garrett shut the doors and swept the curtain across, shutting off the view of the street.
'Oh God,' Anne muttered. 'Did you see? Did you see what he did to that woman? I think I'm going to be sick. Garrett… Garrett?'
Arthur turned round and saw that his father was clutching his chest. He was making small, agonised grunting noises as he tried to breathe.
'Father?' Arthur grabbed his arm. 'Father? What's the matter?'
Garrett shook his head, then his face crumpled into an expression of terrible agony. As Anne screamed, he collapsed to the floor.
Chapter 20
'I'm afraid your husband has something of a weak constitution, my lady.' The doctor pulled on his coat as he delivered his conclusions. 'His heart is particularly susceptible to his overall condition. He'll need as much rest as he can manage for what is left of his life. On no account is he to exert himself. Is that clear?'
Anne nodded and turned to her husband lying in the bed, propped up on pillows. His arms lay limply each side of his body, on the bedclothes. She took his hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. 'So, no more concerts for you, my dear. You heard the doctor.You must rest.'
'Indeed you must.' Dr Henderson added with an emphatic nod, 'Your condition demands it, sir.'
Garrett Wesley smiled faintly. 'Very well. I'm outnumbered. I give in.'
'Good,' Anne smiled, rising from the chair. 'I'll see the doctor out.'
'Wait.' Garrett raised a hand. 'Doctor?'
'What is it, sir?'
'You've been on your calls this morning. How is it on the streets?'
The doctor had picked up his cane and bag and now rapped the cane sharply on the floorboards. 'Terrible, sir. Bodies everywhere, and troops… They're stopping everyone, regardless of their social station, and demanding to know their business. It's an intolerable state of affairs.'
'Quite.' Garrett frowned. 'Bodies, you say? Has there been any report of how many?'
'There must be hundreds dead, sir. Thousands more wounded. Not to mention the destruction caused by that damned rabble. Dozens of Catholic chapels and houses burned to the ground, or damaged beyond repair.They even had the gall to attack Newgate and Fleet prisons and set the inmates loose on the street. The Bank of England itself was assaulted. If it hadn't been for John Wilkes and his militia the Bank would have been burned to the ground. I tell you, sir, it was a close-run thing. We've escaped anarchy by a whisker.'
Anne stared at him. 'Surely it can't have been as bad as that?'
The doctor pursed his lips. 'I'm sure of it. If it hadn't been for the army, law and order would have gone up in smoke as well. Now, if you'll excuse me, my lady, I have much urgent business this morning.' He turned to Garrett and made a formal bow.'I bid you good day, my lord.'
'Thank you, Doctor.'
'I'll send my man with the bill later.'
Garrett smiled. 'Receipt of which will ensure a speedy recovery.'
They both laughed and then Garrett's face twisted in pain and he hunched forward, fists clenched as a fit of coughing seized him. It quickly passed and he slumped back, sweat gleaming on his brow.The doctor wagged a finger at him, and then turned and left the room, dodging to one side as he became aware of Arthur and Gerald, who had been surreptitiously watching the consultation around the doorframe.
They smiled guiltily and were about to make off when their mother called out to them, 'You might as well come in, since I assume you overheard our conversation.'
The two shuffled into the room and stood at the end of their father's bed. He smiled at them. 'It's all right, boys, the doctor says I won't die.'
Anne took a sharp breath and glared at her husband. 'Of course you won't die. Not if you are sensible and do as the doctor says. Rest is what you need. You'll be back on your feet soon enough.'
'I hope so.'
'So do I,' Arthur added quietly. He had not forgotten the moment of companionship he had shared with his father before his collapse on the balcony. He looked up and smiled at his father. 'After all, we must set to learning Buckleby's piece together.'
Garrett nodded. 'I'm looking forward to it.'
Anne wagged her finger at her husband. 'All in good time. I forbid you to lay a hand on your violin until the doctor says you are well enough. Do you understand me, husband?'
'Yes, dear. You have my word. Arthur, you must practise without me for the moment. I'll join in as soon as I can.'
'Yes, Father.' Arthur lowered his gaze. 'But you must keep this promise.'›
'Oh! For heaven's sake!' Anne stamped her foot.'Don't be such a selfish child! Your poor father is sick and all you can think of is your precious fiddling-'
'Anne…' Garrett interrupted her. 'Anne, dearest, please.That's enough.'
'No it's not!' she said crossly. 'He's been moping about for months now. Whining that we're not giving him enough attention.And then this letter from Major Blyth about his fighting and his poor attitude at school. It's too much.'
'Yes it is,' Garrett nodded. 'It's too much. I agree with you. Now calm yourself.' He eased himself up, slowly and painfully. 'I'm hungry. I haven't eaten since last night. I could do with some soup. Could you and Gerald see to it, please?'
'What? Why should-'
'Please, my dear. I'm famished. And I'd like a little talk with Arthur. Alone.'
Anne stared at him, biting back on her irritation. Then she nodded and, taking Gerald by the hand, she quit the room. Father and son listened to the sounds of footsteps crossing the landing and then clacking on the stairs as Anne and Gerald made their way downstairs towards the kitche
n.
'That's better,' Garrett smiled, and patted the chair where Anne had been seated beside his bed. 'Sit there, Arthur.'
When his son had stepped round the bed and taken the seat, Garrett shifted slightly so that he could see Arthur more easily. They smiled at each other, uneasily as the silence unfolded. At length Garrett drew a breath and began.
'Your mother and I have been talking about you. In light of yesterday's letter.'
'I rather thought you might.'
'Arthur, please don't take that tone with me. I'm worried about you. Worried what is to become of you. Frankly, there's little sign that you derive any benefit from attending that school. Your grasp of the classics is slight, at best.'
'I'm sorry to let you down, Father,' Arthur frowned. 'I just don't have the head for Latin and Greek. It's not my fault.'
'Well, you might try harder.'
'To what end? So that I can be half as good as Richard? And still live in his shadow? There's no point, Father.'
'There's always a point to learning. If you carry on in this manner you'll be fit for nothing more than soldiering. And I did not raise you to belong to that class of wastrels and dandies that decorate the fringes of society with their gaudy uniforms.You're better than that, Arthur.'
'Am I?' he muttered bitterly.
'Enough!' his father snapped, but before he could continue he was seized by another fit of coughing. Arthur watched him in concern and gripped his father's hand tightly until the fit had passed.
'I'm sorry, Father. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm so sorry.'
Garrett shook his head.'Not your fault… As it happens, I am proud of you.You've a talent for the violin, so cherish it. One day you'll play it better than I ever could.'
'No.'
'You will. Trust me.' Garrett reached over and patted his son on the chest. 'Trust yourself. You have it in you to succeed. I know it.'
Arthur tilted his head to one side, and did not reply.
Garrett was watching his son's expression closely, trying to read the thoughts passing behind the screen of that thin face, made to appear thinner still by the long nose. The boy was consumed by doubt, that much was obvious, and Garrett wished there was more he could do to comfort him. But all he could offer was a father's love and affection.That was not nearly enough to sustain a boy of Arthur's age, who placed far more emphasis on the approval of his siblings and peers, against whom he would measure his value as a person. How sad, Garret reflected, that people should crave the goodwill of others and take the far deeper sentiment of parents for granted. He squeezed his son's hand.
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