‘Is he to have no say in the matter?’
‘He won’t raise any objections,’ said Julia confidently.
‘Didn’t you see how agitated he was at meeting me once again? He hasn’t forgotten what we used to be to each other. It won’t take long for me to persuade him that our marriage is the obvious solution to the whole problem. I won’t let you or anyone else stand in my way.’
‘What about Weston?’ Anne was stung into retorting. ‘What will he think of this plan? He appears to be adopting a very dictatorial attitude to you lately.’
Her sister paled.
‘Good lord! I was forgetting. Weston won’t have heard the news yet. I must send word at once to warn him of Edmund’s arrival.’
‘Why?’ demanded Anne. ‘He’ll hear of it soon enough. If anything isn’t in order then that is his own fault. Why should you worry about Weston?’
‘You don’t understand!’
‘I think I am beginning to, Julia. There is something odd going on between Weston and you, isn’t there? What is it? You aren’t in any kind of trouble?’
‘Trouble? Gracious, no!’ Julia laughed scornfully. ‘What do you take me for? Some silly little servant girl who has been seduced by the footman?’
‘Not that sort of trouble. It is just that when I accidentally overheard you talking the other day, I imagined that Weston was in some way threatening you.’
‘Then stop imagining things. There’s no need for any more eavesdropping. I can deal with Phillip Weston.’
Julia sounded confident enough, but Anne was not satisfied. Remembering the angry exchange she had unwittingly overheard, she knew there was something afoot between her sister and the steward. She was not as sure that Julia could cope alone as the other seemed to be. Weston’s manner then had been horribly menacing. Although Julia might be unwilling to accept help or advice at present, Anne determined to watch how the situation developed.
Things should not go all Weston’s way if she could prevent it.
It might be interesting to see the steward’s reaction to Edmund’s arrival. It was unlikely that even Weston would have the impudence to come to the house today, but they were bound to meet him at church tomorrow. Julia had been in the habit of inviting him back to dine with them after the service. Her sister disapproved of the arrangement and the familiarity it encouraged, but Julia had never consulted her feelings so she had to accept it. Weston had begun to expect the invitation as his right; presumably he would be waiting for it tomorrow.
Would Julia extend it?
Anne was not looking forward to the ordeal of encountering all the friends and neighbours who were bound by then to have heard of the upset at the Manor. Julia had no such qualms.
Despite her sister’s protests, she blossomed out in one of the newly purchased gowns for the occasion, a blue silk gown trimmed with deeper blue lace. It suited Julia’s dainty figure to perfection. Though the bodice was too tightly fitted for Anne’s taste, a matching silk redingote concealed that for the present. Blue kid gloves, a fur trimmed bonnet and enormous fur muff completed the outfit. Anne felt positively dowdy beside her in last season’s muslin and a sensible dark cape.
‘If they are going to talk about me I might as well give them something worth talking about,’
Julia declared airily, when Anne had questioned the wisdom of choosing this occasion to cast off her blacks.
‘But won’t they think it odd? Half-mourning might have been wiser. It isn’t quite a year yet.’
‘Phoo! What do I care for the opinions of a parcel of country bumpkins? I’m tired of that dreary black and they all know Thomas didn’t care a fig for me, nor I for him!’ ‘They’ll say that you are setting your cap at Edmund.’ ‘Let them! They won’t say it to his face, so what’s the harm?’
Julia totally ignored the ripple of curiosity that ran through the church as they entered, though Anne was uncomfortably aware of it. While she sat embarrassed in the high-back pew feeling that all eyes were boring through to them, speculating the consequences of Edmund’s unlooked-for return, Julia beside her appeared perfectly at ease. At the far end Edmund looked equally unconcerned.
The service ended at last, and again they ran the gauntlet of curious onlookers. Once in the churchyard, many people came over to congratulate Edmund on his safe return. While they stood waiting for him Weston hastened across to greet them. Julia acknowledged his bow coolly and turned to present him to Edmund, who surveyed him with some astonishment.
Weston had, as ever, taken pains with his appearance. His fair hair was combed into the latest style; his white-topped boots gleamed spotlessly. His pale primrose pantaloons and elaborately knotted neckcloth were far finer than was usual for a steward to wear. But despite the care he had taken to present a gentlemanly appearance, to Anne’s critical eye, Weston’s coat with its nipped-in waist and exaggerated collar looked fussy beside the military elegance of Edmund’s more soberly cut but perfectly fitting one.
If Weston’s dress was suspect, however, his manners could scarcely be faulted. He was careful not to betray the overfamiliarity he normally used towards Julia. If there was any censure Anne could level, it was of a faint obsequiousness that was perhaps excusable in one anxious not to offend his new master.
‘You appear very young to be in so responsible a job, Weston,’ Edmund observed with a slight frown. ‘Stoneleigh was the steward when I left. What happened to him?’
‘Oh he grew too senile to be borne!’ declared Julia. ‘He would not agree to a thing I asked.
It was most provoking. So after Thomas was killed I asked Weston to take complete charge of both estates. After all, he had been doing the lion’s share of the work for years. I knew him capable, as his father had always handled Thomas’s Melthorpe estates and had trained Phillip to follow him.’
‘I trust, my lord, that you will be gracious enough to allow me to continue to serve you in the same capacity. I feel sure that her ladyship will vouch…’ began Weston, but Edmund cut him off brusquely.
‘This is neither the time nor the place to discuss business. Come to see me tomorrow at ten and we can go through the accounts and discuss your position then. Good day.’
He turned back to Julia and so missed the furious scowl that darkened Weston’s face at this summary dismissal, but Anne noted it. So, she suspected from her sister’s heightened colour, did Julia. Weston lingered a few moments longer, clearly expecting Julia to extend the customary invitation to dine with them. Instead, tucking her arm in Edmund’s, she began an animated conversation with him, totally ignoring the steward. Weston was forced to turn on his heel and walk away under the amused gaze of the other parishioners, amongst whom his supercilious manners had never been popular.
Anne hoped that Julia knew what she was doing. Weston’s pride had been wounded and she fancied that he would make a bad enemy. It might be unwise to drop him so haughtily after indulging his pretensions so long.
She turned back to find that Kit, who had been fidgeting impatiently at all the delays, was tugging at Edmund’s sleeve and trying to persuade him to follow across the churchyard ‘Do come and see this!’
‘No, Kit! Don’t tease Lord Ashorne!’ she protested sharply, guessing his intention, but she was too late. Kit was already laughingly dragging Edmund over to the tall stone column that stood beside the lych gate, a bunch of withered snowdrops at its base.
‘See! It says Sacred to the memory of Edmund, Lord Ashorne .’ Kit pointed out triumphantly. ‘That’s you, isn’t it?’
‘It is indeed.’ Edmund bent to read the rest of the adulatory inscription then straightened with an amused smile. ‘I had not realised what a worthy fellow I was! Thank you for showing it to me, Kit. It was most illuminating. Not many people have the pleasure of discovering what their friends think of them after they are dead.’
‘Surely you don’t expect to find that on a tombstone,’ Anne exclaimed. ‘Whatever one may think is quite a different matter from what one says.
No one speaks ill of the dead.’
‘Perhaps you are right, but if I have to admit that the sentiments are exaggerated, it is at least pleasant to learn that someone remembered me with affection even after six years.’ He smiled tenderly down at Julia. ‘You did not forget that snowdrops were my favourite flowers, did you, Julia?’
‘Snowdrops…?’ she faltered, at a loss, then following his glance saw the bunch of fading blooms. ‘Oh those! Days old, I fear. I little thought when I gathered that poor tribute that I should be seeing you again so soon.’
‘But it wasn’t…’ began Kit indignantly before Anne could prevent him. He had often accompanied her when she left her tributes, and had helped pick these. How, she wondered wildly, could she prevent his betraying her?
‘Now, Kit, that is quite enough talk of tombstones and suchlike.’ Julia was prompter to interrupt him. ‘Don’t let us ruin such a lovely day with such gloomy subjects. I am too happy to have Edmund back with us, safe and well, to bother about such matters, and I am sure he doesn’t want to be reminded of them either.’
‘I am certainly ready to forget a monument that will not, I trust, be appropriate for many years yet,’ agreed Edmund laughing. ‘I’d far rather look at the delightful picture you present in that charming outfit, Julia. Dare I suppose it was put on in my honour?’
‘Do you really like it?’ Julia preened herself happily. ‘I wanted to wear something a little special to celebrate your return. Black is so lowering, and I cannot be expected to mourn when you are restored to us, can I?’
Anne let out the breath she had been holding and relaxed. Another awkward moment had passed safely. Had she imagined the intent look Edmund had given her crimson countenance when she had feared Kit would blurt out that the flowers had been left by her not Julia? She hoped so, but he was so quick to see through evasion that she could not be sure.
How many more petty lies would they be forced into? she wondered despairingly. She had not realised when she reluctantly embarked on this deception how difficult it would prove— how many silly little details there would be to trap them or how far Julia was prepared to dissemble to gain her ends. Anne was not the stuff of which conspirators were made. Her only hope was to keep as much out of Edmund’s company as she could. Those clear grey eyes were too penetrating for her peace of mind. If she did not take immense care then sooner or later she would betray herself—and Julia.
It was not difficult to avoid Edmund for the rest of the day.
Julia was only too glad to entertain him unaided. Anne watched them walking together in the grounds and heard Julia’s silvery laugh ring out. She seemed to have no qualms about their deception.
Dressing for dinner took little time but she sat waiting in her room until she heard her sister go downstairs not wanting to run the risk of an uncomfortable tête-à-tête with Edmund. She knew she could not handle the situation as lightheartedly as Julia did.
Downstairs she was grateful to let Julia monopolise the conversation. Then, just as dinner was about to be announced, they heard the rumble of a post-chaise drawing up outside.
‘Who in the world can that be, calling at this hour?’ fretted Julia. ‘How vexing! Don’t they know that dinner will be on the table in minutes?’
‘Perhaps it is Anne’s fiancé,’ suggested Edmund. ‘You said that you were expecting him.’
‘On a Sunday! No, it couldn’t be James,’ Julia dismissed the idea scornfully. ‘Not possibly. James is far too correct to contemplate travelling on the Sabbath.’
But Anne, who had quietly slipped out to investigate, soon discovered that her sister was mistaken. As Stone opened the door she saw James, plump cheeks aquiver, panting up the steps towards her, feverishly clutching the shallow hat he had not given himself time to put on.
‘Dreadful news!’ he gasped, forgetful of the listening servants. ‘Must warn Julia without delay. There’s a rumour going round town that Ashorne is alive after all. What shall we do?’
‘Calm down, James,’ advised Anne, drawing him out of earshot into the library. ‘Have you rustled all the way here on a Sunday just to tell us that?’
‘You don’t understand!’ James was pacing up and down the room in his agitation. ‘It’s the soldier chappie I mean. If it is true he is alive, Julia will lose everything. Home, title, lands, the lot! It is enough to kill such a delicate creature. I came immediately I heard to break it to her gently.’
I fear that even so you are too late. Edmund has beaten you here. He arrived unexpectedly, yesterday.’
‘Here already?’ James’s plump jaw sagged as far as the elaborate neckcloth and high collar would permit. ‘But—how did he manage it? They told me at the turnpike that the Mail did not get through till a few days ago, and that mine was the first private carriage for nearly a month.
‘I believe that Edmund rode across country.’
‘Rode! Not at all the thing. Makes him appear far too eager to turf you out,’ declared James censoriously. ‘You are sure that this is Ashorne and not some impostor?’ he added hopefully.
‘Don’t be so foolish, James. Of course we know Edmund!’
‘I was afraid it wouldn’t be a mistake. Why does he have to turn up, upsetting everything when we thought him decently dead and buried!’
‘Keep your voice down!’ Anne warned impatiently. ‘He is in the drawing-room. You surely cannot blame him for being captured alive instead of dying.’
‘I suppose not,’ James admitted grudgingly. ‘But why did he go about it in such a peculiar fashion? Why skulk in prison for six years without telling anyone where he is? I’d have thought a dashing young fellow like that would have tried to escape, too, not waited tamely till someone came along to rescue him.’
‘You have been totally misinformed if you imagine that is what he did,’ Anne exclaimed indignantly. ‘Edmund grasped at every opportunity to escape once his wounds were sufficiently healed, but it is less simple than you suppose. On one occasion he was free for five days, but the French recaptured him.’
‘So he has been puffing off his exploits, has he?’
At the hint of scorn in his voice Anne fired up.
‘Not in the least. Edmund will speak very little about that time, but his servant told the grooms about it and you know how these stories travel. The groom told the footman and he passed it on to the maid who told us.’
‘With the tale growing more far-fetched at every telling, I’ll warrant.’
‘Now, James, be fair,’ Anne could not help smiling at his aggrieved tone. ‘Anyone would think you were jealous to hear you.’
‘Of course I am not,’ James protested sulkily. ‘But I am surprised to see you making so much of the fellow. Inviting him to stay here and everything.’
‘You are forgetting that this is Edmund’s home, not ours. He has been generous enough to allow us to remain until we can make other arrangements.’
‘How could he do anything less? Even the most arrant blackguard must be affected by your sister’s plight. But all this upset cannot be pleasant for her, poor Julia! When she has barely had time to recover from her husband’s tragic death too. This must be the last place she wants to be. Why don’t you both leave and come to stay with me at Torrington?’
‘I don’t think Julia would agree to that. Think how odd it would appear. She has no more right to expect your help than Edmund’s—less in fact, for after all he is a relation by marriage.’
James’s anxious face cleared.
‘Well if that is the only problem it is soon solved. We can be married as soon as you wish, then my claim is as valid as his. With a special licence we could have the whole thing settled in a trice. I’ll send off to town immediately.’
‘No!’ interrupted Anne firmly. ‘That won’t be necessary. I have already told you that I don’t intend to start my married life with my sister living with us. It will be far simpler to leave things as they stand. Melthorpe Hall is Julia’s still, and we intend to move there as soon as it can be
made habitable once more. When Julia and Kit are comfortably settled there, will be the time to start to think of our wedding. A few more months can make little difference. In the meantime it is much more convenient for us to accept Edmund’s hospitality.
There are a great many details to be worked out yet. Although the estate reverts to Edmund, much of the furnishings and equipment were brought across from Melthorpe and remain Julia’s. We have to sort out all that kind of thing, and it is far more easily settled on the spot.’
‘Then I will remain too, and make sure that Julia is not cheated of her rights. Poor little woman! She needs someone to protect her interests.’
‘I am perfectly capable of looking after my sister’s affairs, thank you,’ Anne retorted. ‘Not that she is in any need of protection. Edmund is scrupulously fair.’ Indeed, she reflected, remembering Julia’s recent bout of lavish spending and the plans she had already disclosed, it was Edmund who most needed protection from her rapacity.
‘You are only a female,’ James could be infuriatingly condescending when he chose, ‘so wouldn’t understand these matters. Let the fellow realise he has a man to deal with and it will be a different story. I shall not abandon Julia to his clutches.’
Knowing that once his mind was made up no argument would budge him, Anne grudgingly capitulated.
‘I suppose you must remain if you insist, but in that case you will have to put up at the inn.
We cannot expect Edmund to house all our friends as well as us. And don’t blame me if he finds your interference unnecessary and insulting!’
‘I hardly think Lord Ashorne will make any objection I when he understands that I am acting solely out of concern for poor Julia.’
‘If you are so worried about Julia,’ snapped Anne, goaded beyond endurance by his lofty air of condescending to an infant, ‘why didn’t you ask her to marry you instead of me?’
‘She wouldn’t have me,’ he replied simply.
Anne’s mouth gaped wide in astonishment.
‘You mean you have asked her?’
‘Oh, not recently!’ he hastened to reassure her. ‘Popped the question years ago—before she became engaged to Ashorne even, but she wasn’t interested. I wasn’t surprised—too far above my touch.’
Change of Heart Page 5
