‘But we survived,’ said Oliver. ‘At least some of us did. The Rose of Taw went down and a lot of good men with her. Most of the crew couldn’t swim. A few of us could and some of those that could reached dry land. A very few. I was one of them but I didn’t know the fate of the other survivors. I was thrown up, literally, on a beach in Portugal and would surely have perished. I was barely conscious and my left leg was badly torn on the rocks. I had lost a great deal of blood and was very weak. Too weak to tend my wounds or find food and water. I lay on the beach all night and was quite resigned never to see the dawn.’
Melissa put a hand to her mouth to hide her emotion. She tore her eyes from her son and glanced at Nina, who stared at him with such a look of pure adoration that Melissa’s heart went out to her in that moment. The child lay asleep in Maggie’s arms, but Melissa fancied she could detect a likeness to her son.
‘Don’t fret, Mama,’ said Oliver gently, seeing the telltale movement of Melissa’s hand. ‘You can see that whatever dangers I’ve encountered heaven has seen fit to preserve me. As I say, I thought I would die and most surely would have done so, but a dark-eyed girl appeared like an angel from heaven. She brought a pony and helped me on to it. Then she led me home to a rude little hut where she lived alone. Why I know not. She can’t tell me. I only knew she had no man of her own for she wore no ring but of her father or brothers — or any family — I could learn nothing. My dear little Nina is a mystery and will probably remain so.’
Thomas shook her head slowly, marvelling at the story. ‘But you are wed?’ he asked. ‘And the child is yours?’
‘Most certainly! How could such a beautiful child have any other father? No, we are wed and little Della is my firstborn. The second born — ’ He paused, waiting for the significance of his remark to sink in.
‘Another child?’ cried Maggie. ‘Nina is expecting another?’
There was an excited clamour of congratulations. He laid a gentle hand on Nina’s abdomen and She nodded and smiled.
‘But when?’ said Melissa. ‘She looks so trim.’
‘June of next year most likely. There is plenty of time for you to get to know each other. I shall leave her in your capable hands.’
‘Leave her? Oh, Oliver, you are not going away again? Say you will not leave us again.’
‘But I must go, Mama. I am a poor man but determined to be rich. All we have at present is in the stable. I sent Nina and Della ahead to find you while I took the pack pony to Jacob. He has unloaded it by now and there is precious little. A few trinkets, pots and pans, a blanket or two.’
Thomas leaned forward. ‘Finish your tale, Oliver. ’Tis not quite done and my head grows heavy with sleep. I don’t wish to miss a single detail. ’Tis all so daring and I am so proud of you. I have had so few adventures in my life that I am doubly enjoying yours.’
There was a chorus of agreement and so Oliver finished his story. The dark-haired girl had cared for him as well as she could. Their food was frugal — fish from the sea, a few birds’ eggs from the cliffs and milk from the goat. His recovery had been slow, but in all that time he had seen no other living soul, so remote were they from civilization. They had fallen in love and Oliver had determined to bring her back to Ladyford. They had followed the coast for many months, until at last they came upon a small fishing village where they begged a passage on one of the boats in return for Oliver’s labour. From there they had sailed to a larger port and Oliver had joined the crew of another privateer, agreeing to ask no wages if Nina could accompany him. They landed up at Calais and then it was a comparatively simple matter to cross the Channel. They were lucky enough to make Ladyford at Plymouth and had bought an ancient pony for their few items of baggage.
There was a long silence when he finally ended the story of his adventures.
‘We stopped in Plymouth just long enough to be wed,’ he said. ‘She is very brave, don’t you agree? To follow a perfect stranger to a foreign country and all with no language. She is an exceptional woman and very dear to me. I think she is Portuguese, yet she understands a few words of French but I want you to teach them both English. Nina must understand it even if she cannot speak it.’ Melissa sighed deeply and looked at Thomas. They exchanged a glance of complete understanding and Melissa stood up.
‘Enough talk for one night,’ she said gaily. ‘Thomas must go back to his bed and Maggie and I will make up beds for the rest of you. Set your heart at rest, Oliver. Your bonny family will be in good hands and will be most welcome to stay at Ladyford for as long as you wish. I don’t need to tell you they will be greatly loved. As for you, you must come back safely and claim them. If you must go back to the sea then we shall do nothing to try and dissuade you. But dearest Oliver, you have been so long away. I beg you, do not leave us again too soon.’
*
The dark mists of November gave way to a cold, clear December. The gardens were white with frost each morning until the sun warmed them, but underneath dense shrubs the heavy frost persisted all day. The air was still and so sharp that it caught at the lungs of the careless and made them gasp and fall to coughing. The horses twitched restlessly in their stables and their breath formed small clouds of vapour with the cold air. Jon took every opportunity he could to light bonfires which Lorna and Piers attended. They roasted chestnuts and toasted bread on long-handled forks and then fed it to a family of ducks which had left the freezing water of the river and adopted the riverside garden at Heron as their temporary home. Thin ice formed overnight on the slow-moving pools around the tree roots, but the current shattered it each morning when the winter sunshine shone through the bare branches and thawed it. Squirrels returned to their nests and were rarely seen and any wild creatures that did venture out moved cautiously over the frosted earth.
James Ballantyne wrote to his daughter every week, although his letters did not reach Heron with the same regularity. Nevertheless they were a constant reminder to Maria and Hugo that Eloise’s father was determined to safeguard his daughter’s happiness.
Eloise’s frequent replies kept her father informed of the situation.
He was told of Oliver’s return to Ladyford and Allan’s frequent visits there to talk or ride out with the cousin he had always admired. For nearly two weeks Allan had spent most of his days at Ladyford until Maria, in her role as peacemaker, had privately pointed out to him that he was neglecting Eloise. The latter, however, did not object to Allan’s visits to Ladyford, but she did resent not being included.
She had met Oliver once only, when Allan had first introduced her as his bride-to-be. Oliver, she told her father, had been charming. He had kissed her hand and he had laughed a lot and told endless stories to amuse them.
On that occasion Eloise imagined that she read in his eyes a grudging admiration and hoped that he envied Allan. The dumb girl was scarcely competition, she thought, and yet the handsome sailor was obviously devoted to her and the child. Even Eloise could not pretend otherwise. She thought it likely, however, that as Nina’s pregnancy developed her attractiveness would be diminished by a thickening figure and a certain loss of mobility. Eloise was appalled by what she considered Oliver’s foolishness in marrying the girl, but she was careful to keep her opinion to herself. She wished he had come back to England fancy-free and allowed her imagination to dwell on the possible consequences. She saw herself being admired, wooed even, by Allan, Martin and Oliver.
These fantasies were allowed rein whenever Allan left her to her own devices. She imagined how it would be if Oliver declared his love for her instead of the Portuguese peasant he had chosen. What a handsome couple they would make! It was true Allan was good looking in his own way, with his slim build, fair colouring and delicate bone structure. Martin was a contrast with strong dark looks, but Oliver — Ah, he had the edge on them both with his tall muscular body and those large grey eyes. Surely Oliver found her attractive? All men did … And then Martin came home for the holidays. Three handsome men to pay court to her beauty
, she thought, and was looking forward to it more then she cared to admit.
Eloise contrived to be alone at Heron when Martin arrived. She had feigned a slight indisposition and kept to her bed. If Maria suspected she said nothing. She had promised a length of woollen cloth for a new gown for Della and had finally finished it. She rode over to Ladyford with it, intending to return in time to greet Martin. Hugo and Allan had gone to the mine. Only Minnie and Ellie remained at Heron and both were busy in the kitchen making a fresh supply of candles from the last of the tallow.
By midday Eloise was hungry, for she had refused breakfast as part of her deceit. She therefore dressed carefully and went downstairs to the kitchen.
Ellie looked up, glad of an excuse to stop what she was doing. ‘Good morning, ma’am. Are you recovered?’
‘I think so,’ said Eloise. She moved carefully and sat down on a stool beside the table. ‘I feel a trifle light-headed but — ’ She let her sentence die and put a hand to her temple.
Minnie clucked sympathetically. ‘Probably an empty belly, ma’am,’ she said. ‘Begging your pardon, but you should eat something. An egg lightly coddled or a little broth? Ellie shall get it for you.’
Ellie was off her stool in a flash and halfway to the larder.
‘An egg then,’ said Eloise. She was wondering what time they could expect Martin but, knowing how shrewd Minnie was, she wanted to phrase her enquiry carefully.
‘I wonder what has befallen Martin,’ she said. ‘Maria will be fretting I don’t doubt.’
‘Fretting?’ said Minnie.
‘Aye. He was expected yesterday evening but — ’
‘No, ma’am, ’tis today he’s expected and not before noon, he said in his letter.’
‘Ah, how foolish of me. I was beginning to wonder if he had come to some harm.’
‘Not Master Martin!’ cried Ellie. ‘He has a charmed life, they say.’ She watched impatiently for the egg. ‘Always in scraps, he was, as a little ’un, so my ma tells.’
Minnie nodded. ‘Never knew what he’d be about — and usually something as was forbid! I pity the masters at that school of his.’
They laughed.
‘And what of Allan?’ asked Eloise casually. ‘What sort of boy was he?’
‘Why, real strange — ’ began Ellie eagerly, but was silenced by a warning cough from Minnie.
‘He was a sweet lad,’ said Minnie defensively. ‘Quiet and gentle … the way he is now. And he had a way of looking and listening. Very deep, he was, and he adored Master Oliver. They were more like brothers than cousins, those two.’
Ellie brought the egg to the table and Eloise thanked her with a nod and began to eat hungrily. She did not want to interrupt Minnie who liked nothing better than to talk about ‘bygone days’ and who could be relied upon to know all the gossip.
‘Master Allan was — ’ Minnie searched for the appropriate word.
‘Strange?’ offered Eloise pertly and Minnie shrugged.
‘Well, I dare say that is the only word that properly describes him, but he was strange in a good way, if you take my meaning.’ She glanced at Eloise who nodded again. ‘He was somehow in tune with nature. Animals trusted him and he could mend a bird’s wing or cure an ailing dog. And he spent hours on his own, listening to the trees, he once told me. And he had no fear of storms, or deep water, or such like. Once they say he let a hive of bees swarm round him and they didn’t harm him. Not one of them.’
Ellie shuddered dramatically and Eloise smiled briefly as Minnie went on. ‘Another time he went dowsing for tin, up on the moors with a queer old man. Oliver went too but he found nothing. ’Twas Allan had the power, you see.’
At that moment the dogs began to bark and Eloise jumped to her feet. ‘That might well be Martin,’ she said. ‘I’d best go and greet him since there’s no one else. Bring him some hot refreshment to the Hall but give him time to change his clothes. He’ll be weary no doubt.’
This way she managed to ensure that she went out alone to stand on the front steps, arms outstretched in welcome. Martin had already dismounted and Jon had run out from the stables to shout a greeting and lead his horse away. The dogs leapt ecstatically as Martin climbed the steps.
‘I’m afraid my greeting will have to suffice for the present,’ said Eloise. ‘There is no other mistress of Heron here.’
They embraced briefly and their eyes met.
‘And will you one day be mistress of Heron?’ he asked softly, for no word had reached him of a decision on the proposed betrothal.
‘I will,’ she said.
‘So I am too late!’ His tone was mocking but his gaze was direct. He had grown taller and she realized with a thrill that his thoughts were not those of a schoolboy, but of a young man faced with a desirable woman. The game they had started when they last met was to be continued. He would play the not-so-secret admirer. He would make up the triangle and would act as catalyst in the relationship between Eloise and Allan.
‘Too late?’ she echoed, pretending ignorance of his meaning.
‘Too late to woo the fair damsel.’
She laughed, tossing her head with a provocative movement of her hair. ‘Too late or too young?’ she teased.
‘Too late, I fear.’ Martin glanced round hurriedly but failed to see Ellie ensconced behind the door. Gently he put a finger beneath her chin and tilted her head back. He looked intently into her eyes and said, ‘Do you believe me too young? Then you are no judge of a man and I am disappointed in you.’
He let his finger travel over her chin and then traced the line of her lips, which parted eagerly.
‘Then you are betrothed?’ he insisted.
‘Aye. The marriage contract is being drawn up.’
He exaggerated his dismay and she laughed again.
‘But — ’ he whispered, ‘suppose I will not cease my wooing? What then?’
‘What indeed?’ said Eloise, enchanted with his persistence.
‘Shall we fight a duel for your hand, sweet lady?’
‘That would be delightful,’ she said, adopting the same mocking tone.
‘So shall it be,’ he said. ‘But where is my fortunate brother? And Maria and Hugo?’
She told him as they mounted the steps and went into the house. Ellie, looking rather flustered, appeared with the hot mulled ale and cinnamon cake and Eloise glanced at her suspiciously.
‘I said wait a while,’ she reminded her, but Martin said he would drink and eat and change his clothes afterwards. A huge fire burned in the hearth in the Hall and more logs were stacked alongside.
‘Where are the children?’ he asked as he ate ravenously, scattering crumbs which the dogs licked up greedily.
‘Spending two days with Beatrice in Exeter,’ said Eloise, ‘and so excited. But they will be home tonight so you will have no peace.’
She sat opposite him and the firelight warmed her face and softened the gleam in her eyes. It shone also on Martin’s blond head and they watched each other with silent satisfaction. They continued to converse wordlessly, exhilarated by their mutual attraction until the dogs, leaping up once more, announced the return of Hugo and Allan and Eloise was forced to relinquish him to the family.
*
A week before Christmas, the lake froze. It lay between Heron and Ashburton and frequently did freeze over. When that happened, people converged on it from both directions to skate and slide and generally enjoy themselves. This year was no exception. As soon as Matt reported that it was freezing over there was a concerted rush to find suitable footwear and Maria sent him down to Ladyford to pass on the good news and to invite them to a ‘skating party’ that very evening.
He returned with the message that Thomas would not join them, as his chest was still paining him and Melissa would stay at home with him. He had not been out of bed since the night Oliver returned and Melissa was in daily consultation with his physician. But Oliver, Nina and Maggie would be there — little Della was too young and would sta
y at home in the care of her grandmother.
‘And don’t you go tumbling over,’ Melissa warned Nina then, remembering that she might not understand, she repeated her warning to Oliver. ‘We don’t want any accidents and falling on to ice is not going to do the unborn babe much good. You take care of her, Oliver, or you’ll have me to reckon with!’
And Oliver, grinning broadly, gave her his most solemn word on the subject. So Maggie, Nina and Oliver rode over to Heron just as the light was fading and arrived to a cheerful welcome from Maria, who was checking the contents of two large baskets.
‘I’m taking plenty of spiced ale,’ she told them, ‘and Matt and Jon will light a fire beside the lake. Where is Jon?’
She shouted for him and he appeared in the doorway, his arms full of kindling wood.
‘I’m here, ma’am.’
‘Jon, don’t forget to take some sheepskins for us to sit on. They’re in the big chest in the barn. If they’re damp you must dry them off by the heat of the fire. Oh — and a small barrel of cider. Ask Minnie. Has Jack got the pony ready? Do go and see. I thought we’d forgo the fish this year,’ she said. ‘’Twas Martin, I think, last year, got a bone in his throat. ’Tis too dark, even by fire light, to see properly — Ah! The torches. Jon! Come back!’
He reappeared, sighing audibly and muttering that his arms were growing cramped.
‘Stop grumbling,’ said Maria, ‘and tell Matt to prepare a few torches. Three or four will do, for there’ll be others there and ’tis a clear night. The moon will be shining later. And Jon! Bring the bellows. We may need it for the fire.’
Only then did she pause in her organizing to kiss the visitors, with an especially warm kiss for Nina. She rubbed her hands together, blew on her fingers and said, ‘Cold!’
Nina nodded, copied her actions and silently mouthed the word.
‘Well done!’ said Maria. She turned to Oliver. ‘Will this poor girl ever regain her speech, I wonder? Not that it seems to distress her. She has a sunny disposition, thank the Lord, but we must pray for her recovery. Now, where was I? Bread, butter, cheese — Oh, we must remember to take a spit or we shall dine off raw chicken! Ugh! I’d best see to that, since Jon has removed himself. Ah, here’s Eloise. You look bonny, my dear. That deep red becomes you. Doesn’t she look lovely, Allan? Now, the spit — ’ And she hurried out, leaving them all to make their ‘hellos’.
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