The demise of Mr Quarrington affected the whole family, and the Grafhams particularly, he being a direct cousin of theirs. Robert made his way to Grafham House to discuss their presence at the funeral - they must be properly represented and if his lady could not attend then it would be as well to ensure a replacement.
"My mother is closest, of course, Robert, but she cannot undertake the journey at her age. Two days of bumping about in a post-chaise would not be her doctor's prescription, I believe."
"I fully agree, sir. My Grandmama must not be subjected to that treatment."
"I really should attend, that is unarguable, and, from all I have ever heard of the Minchinhamptons, the presence of a Marquis and a Viscount together will delight them by pandering to their overblown sense of consequence."
It was very probable, and not wholly an undesirable result - they were wealthy and influential throughout the whole of the West Country.
"Your lady as well, Frederick?"
Silence.
The Minchinhamptons were renowned as the epitome of the conventional country gentlefolk - they had very little knowledge of Jews and might be expected to have difficulty in dealing with one of the species, be she never so much a Marchioness.
"Perhaps not."
"A funeral with its religious rites might offer some slight difficulties in their minds, Robert."
"Very true."
"One might perhaps suggest to Eustace - to Captain Hood - that he should accompany us. It may prove advantageous to introduce him to their company. Meg will not wish to make the journey - for the same reason as your lady, Robert."
Robert wondered just what the advantage might be and the Marquis replied that he found his son-in-law to be more a man of business and enterprise than either of his own boys.
"He has it in him to do much for the family, Robert, and for himself. Rothwell will now be taken up wholly with the Massingham estates and Frederick is at least fairly much out of harm's way - thanks to Captain Hood's contriving, I would add!"
Robert confessed that he knew the bulk of the story, Captain Hood having been his man first.
"I am glad, however, to see him rising in the world - he is a man of great ability. You are aware though that he is a fraction blown upon in the highest circles for uncovering a pair of aristocratic traitors?"
The Marquis had not heard the tale but was very much inclined to approve - he had no love for those who would sell their country.
The journey into the West Country was as tedious as ever; the days were wet and the travelling slow and cold. They had taken two chaises and Robert was inevitably solitary in his - but it was far better than the discomfort of sitting three together. Wrapped up in rugs and a warm fur, Robert was not actively uncomfortable, but he was bored and in any case was sure that he would receive poor hospitality. The Minchinhamptons were renowned for Puritan sympathies, and Mr Quarrington was no longer there to provide a leavening of sophistication. He read his books and prepared his mind for the ordeal.
"You are welcome indeed, my lords, and you, Captain Hood. A sad occasion indeed, and coming at a moment when one had expected great things of Mr Quarrington!"
Marquis and Viscount were taken aback - one tended to be a little less mercenary at the average funeral. Captain Hood had been member of a hard-nosed profession, asked what opportunity had been compromised by the unfortunate taking-off. Over the three days of their stay the details slowly emerged - the coal mining enterprise to have been commenced near Radstock; the political manoeuvres contemplated but not quite initiated. Financially, all had been in the final stages, but poor Mr Quarrington had not signed the documents that would complete the purchase from Cousin Jabez and his twenty thousands had been subsumed into the estate and left by Will and Entail. Politically, my lords Melbourne and Grey had been awaiting his visit, but the Cholera had rendered all plans null and void.
"I believe Mr James Andrews, the Minister of the Crown, was acting as sponsor to Mr Quarrington, was to introduce him to the noble lords. Have you made his acquaintance, sir?"
The patriarch had not, listened with some interest to Captain Hood's suggestion that he might himself carry a letter to London to the gentleman.
"It would be much to the benefit of Mr James Andrews, as well as to our families, sir, and I am very sure he would exert his best efforts to attain a favourable response."
General Minchinhampton's name was mentioned, of the desirability of the youngest of the brothers becoming commander of the forces in one of the several colonies of the Crown. Captain Hood gravely noted the wisdom of such a course.
"Canada or the Cape spring to mind as sites of potential military activity, sir. The Americans are yet again making territorial demands and there are numerous hostile tribes in the southern parts of Africa. The General could well profit from either locality. I shall make personally certain that Mr James Andrews is fully aware of the ramifications."
Captain Hood had nothing to offer on the matter of the twenty thousands that it was so necessary to place in Cousin Jabez' hands. He had met the gentleman at the obsequies and had observed him to be in bad odour with the clan as a whole; he had not quite been cut by the ladies but had been given very scant courtesy and the men had barely spoken to him.
Robert raised the matter of the coal mines as they sat over a decanter of inferior port after a plain dinner suitable to the erratic digestive facilities of their aged host. Far too much of the meal had been thoroughly boiled to meet the approval of either peer.
"Radstock - a smallish town in Somerset, I believe, sir. I had not known it to have coal deposits."
"Quite substantial, Mr Quarrington assured me, and of a quality similar to that to be found in Wales, my lord. A 'railway line' was to be built to the Bristol Channel and then the coal was to be despatched to London or north to the iron foundries or the new Potteries, one understands. There was to be a substantial income to the family!"
"And, one presumes, the problems faced by Mr Jabez Minchinhampton would have been alleviated." The Marquis was fishing, alerted by Captain Hood that there was a problem with the young gentleman.
"Yes, indeed, my lord. A foolish young man, and one whose troubling has not ceased!"
Robert tapped the Marquis’ knee under the table and took over the discussion.
"It might not be impossible to find the sum involved from the Andrews coffers, sir. Another coal mine and a new railway could offer a chance of a satisfactory profit, and there is the matter of family, as well."
They agreed to beg Mr Joseph Andrews to travel to Somerset and to examine the proposition thoroughly. The sum of twenty thousands would be placed in Mr Minchinhampton's hands at an early day to show the willingness of the family to come to each other's aid.
"Could not Mr Minchinhampton come by twenty thousands himself, Frederick? It is no small sum, certainly, but the old gentleman is held to be very rich."
The Marquis scowled, informed Robert that the old skinflint would never spend his own money if he could screw the cash out of any other's purse.
"I had heard that he was a fraction near, disinclined to pay out a penny where a ha'penny would do. I must take pains to ensure that the deeds of sale are well signed and delivered at an early juncture. I think I must prevail on Mr Michael to attend to the matter - he must at least send an able junior to read the documents for me."
"Why, Robert?"
The Viscount was aware that he was being asked why he was to involve himself with the affairs of the Minchinhamptons - there were many other business propositions that might be considered, and in far more accessible places than the hills of Somerset.
"I have reason to believe that I am to act as trustee for certain funds left by Mr Quarrington, and it will be as well for them to have a degree of obligation to me - it may avert much argument and ill-temper. The Will may have been changed, of course, but my father mentioned an interesting fact to me some years ago... What do you know of the Hawkers, Frederick?"
"The Vis
count must be advanced in years by now, I think - he cannot be less than seventy, in fact, close to eighty, at a guess."
"His son is older than you, and I suspect the father is past eighty. I know him to be infirm. His daughter, Mrs Plenderleith, is well into her forties and has a daughter of her own who must be of an age to have come out this year, or even last."
"I seem to have a memory of the son, for some disreputable reason, do I not?"
"The gentleman was renowned as a leader of fashion, a true Dandy. He has chosen not to enter wedlock."
"Ah... Saving himself for a love-match, perhaps, Robert?"
"All things are possible, Frederick, though my father was used to say that some things are more likely than others."
"Enough said, sir?"
"Too much, perhaps, on that topic. He has no heir of his body, and the entail has been ended with him - by order of the High Court of Justice in Chancery - he and his father bringing a case that there are none of the line remaining and submitting a Will in its stead which was agreed by the Court."
"Unusual, but not unheard of. None of the male line for what, four generations, is the normal proof required, I believe."
"They were able to show that every cadet born in the past century had taken up a military career and died before entering into a marriage. The line, and therefore the title, dies with the son, Frederick, but the estates are to be passed to Mrs Plenderleith and then to her daughter."
"She will be sought by every impecunious bachelor in London, I suspect."
"The more so because she is to inherit as well from her actual father - hence the Trust I mentioned."
"What, Quarrington?"
"Indeed!"
"A pity that we have none of the family in need of a wife, Robert! The reading of the Will may be amusing - when is it to take place?"
"Tomorrow, which is why I have delayed here the extra day."
"Am I to understand that you were aware of this disgraceful affair, my lord?"
"Known in the family these many years, Mr Minchinhampton! That there was a... connection, shall we say, between Mr Quarrington and the lady who became Mrs Plenderleith was first noticed when he was a young man and, indeed, my father told me, not yet of age. Prior to the years he spent in America, I understand. They remained in conversation for very many years - I would suggest, in fact, until Mr Quarrington's much to be lamented demise. It might be possible to take a plea to the High Court to deny the particular clause of the Will on grounds of decency and public morality; it is not impossible that your case would succeed - but not without much sniggering in the columns of the press. The action would be reported, of a certainty, in all of its details, and with names given in full, to the embarrassment of all."
The old man shuddered - to be named in a newspaper was the ultimate that he could imagine in humiliation, particularly when in relation to adultery and the inheritance of a bastard. Generations of carefully achieved obscurity would be cast aside and the family name would be on the lips and in the ears of the scaff and raff of society; indeed, they might be mentioned by the most absolute of outcasts who had no business even to know the family existed!
"Unthinkable, my lord! But, the income of thirty thousands! Could that not be made subject to negotiation, perhaps, my lord?"
"No."
The word was almost unknown to the old man - he had not been gainsaid in many decades. He swelled in outrage, then subsided in dismay, for he realised he could do nothing.
"It will require some months to release the funds to your care, of course, my lord."
"I understand that the sum - and more - is to be discovered in Consols which may be disposed of almost immediately. I would expect the whole amount to be placed in the hands of the lawyer, Mr Michael, very soon after Settling Day, sir. I would be distressed to be forced to claim the interest that might have been earned by the Trust Fund during any period of delay, but I would, of course, be under a legal obligation to do so - a Trustee must exercise all diligence, as you know."
"I will give the instruction to my attorney this day, my lord."
"That is very good of you, sir."
"It occurs to me, my lord, that the young lady is of marriageable age and must benefit from the introduction to a good family. Might one not perhaps make her known to Mr Jabez Minchinhampton?"
Robert could not help laughing.
"The scapegrace spendthrift of the family, sir? My duty to the young lady does not extend quite that far!"
Robert made it his business to travel to London to seek a personal interview with Mrs Plenderleith, preferring that to a letter bristling with the jargon of the law sent by Mr Michael.
"An income of some twelve hundreds, my lord? To be held by you as trustee until she is of age?"
"To be paid directly and immediately into her hands would be my preference, ma'am. She can hardly enter into the premises of a bank, obviously - a sadly ungenteel act for a young lady - but she may send bills, dressmakers' accounts and such, directly to Mr Michael's office for payment. Pin-money might be available there as well. If you preferred then the whole sum could be placed to your account as her guardian at law until she is of age."
"To be placed in the hands of her husband if she weds, I presume?"
"I would rather the Trust was remade at her marriage so that she remains sole and whole beneficiary and a husband might not have access to her capital."
"Agreed, my lord!"
They signed papers for a few minutes before Mrs Plenderleith cleared her throat and ventured to suggest that there was a possibly outrageous proposal in her mind.
“I have no great love for this country and its ways, my lord. I had rather live in Paris, or even in Rome, cities of culture and ease compared with London. My father is aware of my desire to do so, and I believe will make me an allowance that would make it possible. Could Jenny’s income be assigned overseas?”
He could not quite imagine why she might prefer to surround herself with foreigners, but there was nothing inherently vicious in the proposal.
“I will make the arrangements, ma’am. Mostyns Bank is to be found in both cities so it will not be difficult.”
Had he been seeking a marriage for the girl, with a brother or other family member, then he would have objected – but he had no such desire, was willing to allow her to come into contact with the less manly specimens of humanity to be found in foreign parts. It was her decision, regrettable though it might be.
“What have you in mind eventually for the family estates, Mrs Plenderleith?”
“When I inherit I shall sell up. I have no need for them, as there will no longer be a Hawker family.”
“How are the mighty fallen! Some grubby manufacturer to reside in the noble halls, I suspect, ma’am.”
He could not understand why she began to laugh.
“Brunel, my lord, the railway man, is to be discovered near Banbury at the moment. Not a very few miles off our direct line from London to the estate. We could meet him and perhaps discuss his proposals, my lord.”
“Is there good reason why we should, Captain Hood?”
“His railways from London to Bristol and then eventually down into South West will require hundreds of thousands of tons of coal, my lord. His nearest point of supply will be Radstock.”
Captain Hood had agreed to assist Robert in the initial years of the new mines and was displaying surprising business acumen for one who had been brought up to the sea and the pursuit of traitors.
“Brunel is a genius, my lord, and far more of a conventional soul than Stephenson. He is as well easier to talk with, being more at home with the English language.”
Brunel was also a magnetic personality, a man who could make his dreams come clear as he spoke and who could draw level-headed men into his enthusiasms. Robert fell under his spell immediately, agreeing with his every idea while in his presence. Fortunately Brunel did not beg him to write a cheque while he was there, and his training as a banker reasserted itself when h
e was away from the magical influence for a few hours.
“We must build a steam railway from the mines to the coast, Captain Hood. In seven foot gauge, sir!”
“We must, my lord. I shall write a letter to Brassey this week. Mr Joseph Andrews will send a surveyor and we shall plan a line to the port of Bristol. Rights-of-way will be easier attained than for most proposals, my lord – the Minchinhamptons have their uses!”
Joseph Andrews was not pleased with proposals for broad-gauge on their railway – the country was very small, geographically speaking, and he could see the possibility of connecting every major town to London and each other – and the Stephensons’ gauge had been accepted by every engineer other than Mr Brunel.
The effect would be to make it impossible to run through trains from, for example, Liverpool to Bristol. For passengers it would be a nuisance to have to step down from one carriage and cross a platform to another; for the transport of goods it would be an impossible impediment.
“Every truckload of coal, for example, would have to be shovelled empty and then reloaded at the junction of the lines – a massive addition to costs that would result in our Western coal never reaching even the furnaces of Birmingham, let alone those of the Potteries and the rest of the Black Country.”
Robert had not considered that question, but the Great Western that Brunel was planning would reach London, a major centre of industry and the largest market for domestic coals, so perhaps it was not so important.
“Mr Brunel has many other ideas as well, Joseph.”
“Most of which contribute to the greater glory of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, brother! The man is too little concerned with the prosperity of the nation, too much with his own self-satisfaction!”
Virtue’s Reward (A Poor Man at the Gate Series, Book 11) Page 15
