“Check that new fellow. Max was here telling me that he doesn’t trust him. Andy, I think his name is.” Robert coughed. “Go and see Max. He will keep an eye on him.”
Mary Margaret’s pregnancy went well. She sang softly to her child in the womb. Doris took very good care of her, fussing over her every day. Doris, who could not wait to be the loving grandmother, spent time making knitted bonnets and sweaters. Daniel and Elana spent time together when they could and their friendship deepened. Early one morning, Max caught Andy with one of the silver goblets from the manor. Charles dismissed him immediately.
Chapter Eight
Spring was Elana’s favorite time of year. The lambs were born and ran in the fields. She and Daniel watched them frolicking happily, leaping one over the other in a great kids’ game.
“They are so cute. Listen how the mothers bleat to keep track of them.”
“I don’t know how the ewes tell their own lamb from the others, or vice versa. One sheep looks like another to me.” Daniel laughed as one of the lambs leapt high in the air and then tumbled down the hill. “Look over there, a beautiful patch of bluebells. Go and pick a bunch and then we will head for home.”
Elana followed his gaze. A patch of blue reflected against the green hill. She ran off to pick some. Her mother loved bluebells and she would be delighted. Daniel followed her.
He watched her as she crouched to pick the lovely flowers. She stood with her hands full, turning around to find him close behind her. He didn’t step back, but stood firm looking down at her. Her face upturned to his.
She was unable to speak, for she knew Daniel was having thoughts of her in the night, just as she thought of him. She would imagine him touching her or her head on his shoulder, as he sat drawing, just for her. She inhaled deeply. He smelled good, a warm sweet smell. She likened the smell to one that she experienced in the garden in the evening, one that you couldn’t put a name to because it didn’t come from one particular flower. Even before he reached for her, she was pressing against him. When his lips touched her neck, shivers shot through her body. When his lips reached her mouth, she let herself fall into his arms. He kissed her gently. She returned the pressure. Suddenly, he gently pushed her away.
“Stop Elana, we can’t do this!” She stared at him disappointed. “Please understand how badly I want to, but we mustn’t.”
She had to admit that she wanted him to caress her; in fact she had leaned into him wanting him to hold her close. She blushed a bright pink. “You are right, Daniel. It isn’t proper, but I did like it.” She smiled coquettishly at him and he put his finger to her lips.
“I did too, Elana, I did too. I hate myself for wanting you so much.” He needed to expend some of the energy and tension that was filling his body. He needed a distraction. He grabbed her hand and started running off over the moors pulling her along. Bluebells bouncing in her hands as she ran, they laughed happily.
Days later, Daniel discussed the event with Max in confidence. “I don’t know what to do, Max. She is only sixteen, but such a lovely lass. I don’t have any money to support a wife.”
“Whoa there lad, don’t get ahead of yourself. I don’t think you are ready for a wife just yet.” Max listened patiently to the young man, remembering his own youth.
“But I want her, Max and I would never ask her to do anything improper. I have never felt like this before.” Daniel paced the stable. He ran his hand through his blond locks in frustration.
“Listen to me, lad. All men go through this at your age. You have to fight the urge or I can take you into Manchester to see some ladies of the night. You can relieve yourself and remain chaste with Elana.” Daniel looked at him as if he had gone mad.
“Ladies of the night, oh no, I couldn’t, I wouldn’t I…..” Max laughed as the lad stuttered and stammered, turning crimson with embarrassment.
“Relax then, lad. You will just have to work this out, but don’t even talk about marriage. Young ladies have a way of twisting casual comments into formal engagements and you don’t want to find yourself wed before your time. Of course, you have a fine lass in Elana. I have watched that girl help birth a calf and cry over a dead chick. She is a soft-hearted, loving lass.”
“You are right, Max. I will be careful, but I think I love her.” He pushed his hand through his thick, blond locks. “Thanks, Max, you are a good man.” Max left Daniel to think about the situation. He was glad the young man trusted him enough to share his confidences. He liked Daniel and Elana very much.
Mary Margaret and Charles were finishing their breakfast when Thomas came to the west wing. “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Charles, but it is his lordship. He is poorly.” Both Mary Margaret and Charles leapt up and, with Thomas trailing behind, rushed into the main house.
Evelyn was at the door of Robert’s room. She had not entered. “Mother what is it? How is he?” She stared at him without answering. Mary Margaret pushed past her and rushed to Robert’s side. She took his hand and then felt his forehead. “Is he burning up? Do you need cool cloths?” Charles stood beside her frantic with worry. Mary Margaret looked up at him sadly.
“He is quite cool. But his breathing is very shallow.”
“Mother has Dr. Phillips been sent for?” Evelyn didn’t answer him. She just stared at Robert with a strange look on her face. “Mother?” Charles went to her and gave her a shake. She seemed to snap out of her trancelike state.
“Charles, what did you say?” She seemed disoriented.
“Has someone sent for Dr. Phillips?” Charles had no time to worry about her. He was concerned about his father.
Thomas interrupted. “I sent Max, Mr. Charles. They should be here any minute.”
When the doctor arrived, they all left him alone with Robert. An hour later, Dr. Phillips walked into the parlor. Evelyn stood staring out the window in silence. She had not spoken a word. It was obvious she was in deep thought. Charles and Mary Margaret sat together holding hands. “Excuse me.” Dr. Phillips walked in the room.
“Doctor, how is he?” Charles approached the doctor. Offering the man a brandy, he directed him to the chair nearest the fire.
“I am afraid, it is not good. I have given him some morphine for the pain, but he will not live out the day.” Mary Margaret broke into a loud sob. Charles’ eyes began to fill with tears. Evelyn didn’t move or react. Dr. Phillips moved toward her.
“Lady Birmingham, can I give you something? Perhaps something to help you sleep and you can go and lie down?” She turned and looked at him blankly. Without a word she left the room. But when Charles and Mary Margaret returned to Robert’s room expecting to find her there, she was nowhere to be found.
Robert opened his eyes and lifted his hand slowly towards Charles. “Father, I am here.”
“Charles, come closer.” His voice was a mere whisper and his breathing was labored.
Charles leaned over to put his ear near his father’s mouth. “You must be strong, Charles. You must watch over Mary Margaret. Do not let anything happen to her. There is danger.” Charles pulled back staring at his father strangely.
“What did he say, Charles?” Mary Margaret looked at her husband. His face was white.
“Charles?” He shook his head and bent back down to his father.
“Be a strong leader, Charles. I love you, my boy. But your mother……” suddenly he was overcome by a fit of coughing. Charles moved back to give him room. When Mary Margaret put the cloth to his mouth to wipe his lips, blood stained the cloth. She looked up at Charles, trying to hold back the tears. He put his arms around her before kneeling at his father’s side. Taking his father’s hand, he laid his head on his father’s shoulder. Robert lifted his hand and rested it on his son’s head lovingly. The scene broke Mary Margaret’s heart. How she would miss Lord Birmingham.
A loud gasp was heard from the old man’s lips and his body went slack. Charles sobbed on his dead father’s chest. Mary Margaret put her hand on his back to reassure him. She cried.
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Thomas arrived at the door. “Is it over, Sir?” Charles nodded in the affirmative and the butler went to inform the staff. No one had seen Evelyn.
It was Doris that arrived next. She hugged her daughter, patted Charles on the back and then went to the bureau. Gently she stopped the hands of the clock. She drew the curtains and covered the mirror with a black cloth. Once done, she ushered Mary Margaret and Charles from the room. They went unwillingly, sadly returning to the west wing.
Both changed into black apparel as soon as they arrived back in their own bedroom. Mary Margaret lay down on the bed, dressed in her black gown and Charles lay beside her. She put her arms around him and they both cried until they were spent. If Mary Margaret were honest with herself, she would admit that her sorrow was strongly laced with the fear of what Lady Birmingham would do now that her husband was gone.
The door to Robert’s room was closed. Evelyn crept silently down the hall and opened the door. She walked over to the bed where the body was covered. She lifted the sheet back from Robert’s face. So you have finally gone. You betrayed me Robert, and I will not forgive you even in death. Charles is the Lord Birmingham now. You are gone. You cannot stop me now, Robert. Carelessly, she dropped the sheet back on his face and walked stoically from the room.
Hazel was becoming an expert eavesdropper and snoop. She scurried through the house like a rat in search of some ripe cheese. Standing in the hall, watching Evelyn, she made sure she remained in the shadows as Evelyn stared at Robert’s corpse. She could not believe the cold hard stare the woman gave her dead husband. You cold-hearted bitch. Your day is coming and it is going to cost you plenty. When Evelyn passed by and returned to her own room, Hazel rushed out to meet Andy. Although he had been dismissed, he stayed within close range of the manor house. The two had a meeting place hidden from view of the manor.
“He’s dead and she didn’t even shed a tear. She’s the devil herself that one. You be careful, Andy, my love.” She rested her hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Ma. I have it all under control. We have a tidy sum from all that stuff I pinched. I sold most of it in Manchester last week. You just be ready to leave when I give you the word. Once the final job is done, we are on our way.” He turned and spat on the ground. They both laughed out loud.
Daniel backed into the shadows of the barn. Had he heard correctly? He waited until Hazel and Andy left before going to find Max.
“I tell you, Max, that is what they said. Those two are up to something and who knew that Hazel was his mother. That’s more than a coincidence.” Daniel rambled, the words spilling out as fast as he could make them. “Lady Birmingham brought them both here. Do you think she is involved?”
Max scratched his head in thought. “I always suspected Andy was up to no good, but I didn’t connect him with Hazel. Maude said she was up to something. Why is he still around here when he was dismissed?” Max sat down pondering his next move. “Let me think about this, Daniel, but keep your ears open. You had better keep this to yourself lad. Not only might you lose your job, but your life. In this house, her ladyship is very capable of doing whatever is necessary to hush up a scandal.” Daniel looked at Max, pulled his collar up around his neck, as if protecting himself from some unseen predator, and left the barn. He would be careful. Now Max had to decide what to do. He couldn’t go to Mr. Charles now. The lad was in mourning. He would think of something.
The funeral was a large affair. Dozens of mourners walked in the procession with style and great weeping. Mourners were hired, as was the custom, to weep loudly while adorned in yards of black material.
The funeral carriage containing Robert’s casket bumped down the dusty road, followed closely by the second carriage containing Evelyn, wearing widow’s black and a veil over her face. Beside her, Charles also dressed completely in black, sat silently. They did not touch or speak. Mary Margaret followed in the third carriage. Charles had decided to heed his father’s unfinished warning and keep the two women apart as much as possible. Doris and Elana rode with Mary Margaret. The three of them were silent but shared their grief by holding hands.
Dozens of mourners, which included most of the servants and friends of Lord Birmingham, followed; the aristocrats in their carriages and the servants and paid mourners on foot. All crowded into the small cemetery in the churchyard. The service was brief as requested by Lady Birmingham. Lord Robert Birmingham was laid to rest in the plot, which contained more than ten of his relatives, including his parents. Charles let the tears fall freely. Mary Margaret held his hand, wiping her own tears from her cheek with her lace handkerchief. There was much weeping and sadness, but Lady Evelyn remained dry eyed and stoic throughout. She spoke to no one. Lady Douglas thought this rather rude. When she and her husband offered their condolences, Evelyn rebuffed them. Lord Douglas was one of Robert’s oldest friends. He did not appreciate Robert’s wife’s rudeness.
Jesse Douglas mentioned it to Mary Margaret later at the reception. “I am sure she is in shock, poor woman, but good manners are important.” Jesse pursed her lips. Mary Margaret nodded. Doris, Jesse, Maude and Mary Margaret were gathered together beside the large dining table at the manor. “Protect yourself from other people’s bad manners by a conspicuous display of your own good ones, I always say,” piped Maude. Jesse looked at her and nodded in agreement.
“I apologize, Jesse. I am sure your condolences were appreciated. It is a difficult time for all of us. We shall miss Lord Birmingham.” Mary Margaret conducted herself with the utmost of dignity. Doris beamed with pride and Lady Douglas patted her hand affectionately.
Maude returned to the kitchen with the empty platter. Charles had allowed the staff to attend the funeral, however Evelyn was determined they would not attend the reception. There was work to do. Evelyn mingled amongst the guest for an hour, saying very little before disappearing without a word. Lady Douglas, Lady Eaglesham and Lady Montgomery all noted the behavior disapprovingly. “I know she is grieving, but protocol must take precedence in these occasions.” The three snorted their disapproval. “The younger Mrs. Birmingham certainly is a lovely woman. You must introduce us, Jesse. With the old lord dead, her husband is now the lord of this estate. As the new Lady Birmingham, she appears to be much more amiable than Evelyn Birmingham ever was.” The ladies chatted and gossiped for the rest of the afternoon while enjoying the hospitality of Charles and Mary Margaret.
Afterwards they were both exhausted. “You were marvelous today, Mary Margaret. I was very proud of you.” He rested his head on her shoulder, pulling the duvet up over both of them.
“It was very trying. I feel so sad and your mother was no help at all. What is wrong with that woman? She acts as if she couldn’t care at all if her husband has just died.” She snuggled close to him, her hand on her swollen belly. “I am sorry, Charles, but I really have trouble understanding her.”
“Mother was always distant, but now she seems cold, almost heartless. I understand what you mean though, she is not getting better. I just hope that now Father is gone, she will accept the fact that she has to move out of the manor.” He put his hand on top of hers, intertwining his fingers with hers. “How is the little one?”
“The little one is kicking. Feel this, over here.” She moved his hand to the left. He smiled widely.
“One dies and one is born, that is the cycle of life. I love you Mary Margaret, and I know you will be a wonderful mother; a mother that loves her children with all her heart.”
“Charles? What did you mean a minute ago when you said your mother would have to move out of the manor?” She sat up and turned directly toward him. Her eyebrows furrowed.
“I am now Lord Birmingham and you by the way, are Lady Birmingham. We will move into the main house and she will have to move into the west wing just as my grandmother did when grandfather died. It is how things are done.” She looked at him in surprise.
“Move! But I love our home.”
“I know Love, but you can t
ake whatever you want from the west wing and make the manor house as comfortable as you have made this home. You are Lady Birmingham now. You have the say over what goes on in the manor house. I shall run the farm and the stables, but you will have to run the house. You may hire and dismiss at your will, so if you want to change anything, please do.” She looked worried.
“Oh dear, she is not going to like this.” He knew exactly what she meant.
Evelyn didn’t like it, not one bit. She stared at Charles disapprovingly, waiting for him to tell her what she had been dreading. She was not blind to the influence this woman had over him. When Charles finally stated the purpose of his visit, she did not take it well. “How dare you tell me to move? I will not move and I will not relinquish my duties to that brazen hussy that you call a wife.” Her face was red with anger. “I won’t do it, Charles!” She shrieked like a banshee.
“Mother, calm down! You know it is the order of things. Father is gone and you will live out your days in the west wing, just as his mother did before you.” He tried to placate her, but she screamed at him.
“Just get out, Charles! I won’t do it.” He decided to leave her for the time being. All Charles wanted was to live his life in peace with his wife. There was certain to be discord that would greatly upset Mary Margaret, and he was determined to keep his mother as far away from her as possible. He instructed the staff to move whatever Mary Margaret wanted and to start making the arrangements for his mother to move.
“Just leave her room for now, Jill.” The young handmaiden looked at him as if she had a question. “Yes, is there something else?”
“Can I stay in the manor house, your Lord? I really would rather not go to the west wing with her.” She looked at him hopefully.
“Talk to my wife. She will decide all of the household schedules from now on.” Jill looked relieved. “Just wait until I tell you and then pack up all of my mother’s clothes and put them in the main bedroom in the west wing.” She curtsied and he left her to take care of other things.
When Fate Steps In Page 9
