Stolen Moments

by Rosie Harris

She had just returned from a leisurely walk with Beth and Mary when Polly informed her that Sir George wished to see her in the library.

  Puzzled, Kate removed her bonnet and passed her hands over her hair to smooth it into place.

  ‘Master’s asked for you twice already, he’ll be in a right tizzy if you don’t look sharp,’ Polly warned.

  Sir George was sitting at the leather-topped desk with his back to the long windows that looked out over the front lawn. His face was inscrutable as he told her to sit, nodding towards a chair strategically placed so that she would be facing him.

  Her heart thudded as she saw his hand was resting on a white envelope and she wondered if it was a letter for her from David. If so, she thought, panic rising like bile in her throat, what was Sir George doing with it? David had made her promise to send messages only through Helen, and he would do likewise. Had Sir George intercepted one of his letters containing a message for her? she wondered. Was this why Helen seemed to be under some sort of strain?

  Kate tried to control her fears as she studied Sir George’s face. He was the complete opposite to David. No one could ever have termed him handsome, she thought critically. The heavy jowls, the watery eyes, the scant, tow-coloured hair brushed to one side revealing a high, dominant forehead and shaggy brows. His thick lips had an unpleasant downward droop, the corners disappearing into his speckled beard.

  ‘I’m terminating your appointment as nanny,’ he barked, leaning back in his chair and watching her reaction from beneath hooded lids.

  ‘But why… what have I done wrong?’

  ‘It should never have been made in the first place… not without my foreknowledge,’ he added pompously.

  For a moment Kate was unable to comprehend what he had said. Then, slowly, the colour drained from her face, only to come rushing back as a tide of fury swept through her. He’d waited until David was well out of the way before delivering this blow, she thought angrily, because he knew David would have spoken out in her defence.

  ‘This,’ Sir George went on, indicating the white envelope on the desk, ‘is payment in lieu of notice. You will find it is most generous. There is also a reference for when you find yourself a new position.’

  Kate clenched her lower lip between her teeth to hold her temper in check. If Sir George had thought the spat he had overheard between Beth and Mary a couple of months ago had been unladylike, he would think what she was ready to hurl at him was positively obscene, she thought grimly.

  ‘You may go and pack your things,’ he ordered.

  ‘You want me to leave right away!’

  ‘Richards is waiting to convey you and your belongings to your home.’

  Stunned, as she realized the full implication of the situation she was now in, Kate desperately tried to think clearly but her mind was in a jumble. She had sensed the changed atmosphere over the past few days but she’d had no idea what it was leading up to. She had even tried to tell herself that it was all in her imagination and that her sense of unease was because she was missing David so much.

  Now she understood Helen’s reticence. She must have known, or at least suspected, that Sir George intended to dismiss her.

  ‘I want you out of the house within the hour. Understood?’

  She took a deep breath, determined not to let him see her anguish. She met his challenging gaze in proud silence. Let him assume she was arrogant or insolent, his opinion no longer mattered to her.

  ‘I forbid you to speak to Beth or Mary. I shall acquaint them of what has happened in due course,’ he added.

  His words added to her resentment. Being dismissed was one thing, but to be sent away without the chance of saying goodbye cut her to the quick. And she needed to see Helen to find out where she could contact David.

  ‘How do you intend to explain to them that you dismissed me for no reason whatsoever, may I ask?’ she said pertly, her blue eyes flaring.

  ‘That will do!’ A film of sweat glistened on Sir George’s upper lip.

  ‘You can hardly tell them the truth… that you are dismissing me because you don’t like me.’

  ‘After such comments, Miss Stacey, I am more than ever convinced that I am doing the right thing. What my mother, or my wife’s brother, could have been thinking about when they recommended you as being suitable to look after two young, impressionable girls, I really can’t imagine. However, that is now in the past.’

  ‘That’s really what all this is about, isn’t it?’ Kate exclaimed furiously. ‘You didn’t like it because you weren’t consulted when I was appointed as nanny. You like to think your opinion is the only one that counts in this house.’

  ‘There is no need to be impertinent!’

  ‘And you certainly don’t like the idea of me sitting at the same table as you. You’ve made that abundantly clear.’

  ‘That will do. I should have sent you packing months ago. I dread to think what radical ideas you may have instilled into my daughters.’

  Maintaining a dignified silence, Kate rose to her feet. Squaring her slim shoulders, tilting her chin proudly in the air, she smoothed down the skirt of her dark blue dress.

  ‘I wish to speak to Lady Helen before I leave.’

  ‘No!’

  ‘I can’t just walk away and leave all the clothes she has given me hanging in the closet…’

  ‘Take them!’

  ‘Without her permission?’

  ‘They would only be burned,’ he snapped.

  ‘I must speak to her,’ Kate insisted stubbornly.

  ‘No! I forbid it. Here,’ he held out the envelope. ‘I want you gone within the hour.’

  She reached out to take it, but he held it slightly out of her reach.

  ‘Remember now, you are not to speak to my daughters or anyone else in the house,’ he rasped as her fingers curled round the envelope. ‘The carriage will be ready in exactly one hour.’

  For one desperate moment, Kate wondered if she dare ask Sir George where she could contact David. Then, as she saw the thin, ugly smile snake across his face, she knew it would not only be a waste of time but would add to his sense of power over her.

  ‘I’m glad you are being sensible about this, Kate Stacey.’ His eyes narrowed speculatively. ‘With your looks and youth I am sure you will find some other opening more suitable for your talents,’ he added with a derisory sneer.

  Sensible! Outwardly she may appear calm, but inwardly she was in turmoil. If only there was someone she could confide in, she thought desperately. In the old days she would have turned to her grandmother, but now there was no one… not even David.

  Struggling to control her tears, she went upstairs to her room. Standing at the window, staring out over the smooth lawns to the woods in the distance, she ached for David.

  Her grandmother’s cautionary words when she had first said she intended to move to Bramwood Hall rang in her head.

  ‘’Tidden the sort of place for you, m’lovey. Stay where you are at the Manor. Remember your place in life.’

  But what was her place in life? Again a mixture of anger and frustration seethed through her. She certainly didn’t intend becoming a servant again, doing menial chores for other people for the rest of her life.

  A plan bubbled in her mind.

  Schoolmaster Barnes had said she was quick to learn, so perhaps she could live on the money she’d just been given while she trained to be a teacher!

  Her hopes rose like autumn leaves in a high wind.

  It might mean the start of a whole new way of life, she thought excitedly. She’d go and see Schoolmaster Barnes right away. He and his wife Julia might even let her lodge with them. She would help out with their little ones as well as studying every minute of the day. Help out in the schoolroom as well if he would let her.

  Her heart lightened.

  Losing her job as a nanny no longer seemed such a tragedy. She had always wanted to become a teacher, but like so many of her aspirations it had seemed like sighing for the moon. />
  ‘Them sort of jobs is not for the likes of ’ee, m’lovey,’ her grandmother had always warned.

  She hadn’t argued with her because she knew her gran believed the parson when he said everyone had their allotted place in the scheme of things. And in her grandmother’s eyes, Kate knew, she was destined to be a servant.

  She had never believed it, though. And now she had tasted the power of telling others what to do, instead of having them giving her orders, she never wanted to be a servant again.

  Becoming a nanny, even though it wasn’t in the same class as being a governess, since they were mostly educated gentlefolk forced by reduced family circumstances to find work, had been the first step up. Whatever happened now, she was determined not to slip back down again. Her life at Bramwood Hall had given her a new sense of self-esteem.

  She’d enjoyed being called Miss Stacey, having servants at hand to clear away after her and do her bidding, being accepted almost as an equal by Lady Helen.

  She would never forget the look of astonishment on her grandmother’s face the first time she had told her that she had sat at the same table for dinner as Lady Helen and Sir George, David Owen, Beth and Mary.

  ‘Oh bless my soul, what an ordeal! Weren’t ’ee struck dumb and frightened out of your wits?’ her grandmother had exclaimed.

  She hadn’t been, of course, because David had been there, sitting facing her, smiling encouragement, making sure she was included in the general conversation.

  She came back to earth with a jolt as she opened the closet doors and saw all the clothes Helen had given her. Dresses which she had painstakingly altered in order to look pretty for David.

  She laid them out on the bed, together with their matching bonnets and gloves. Then she took down the canvas bag she had brought her own few things in and wondered how she was ever going to get them all into it.

  She stood there, reluctant to leave behind any of them because of the memories they held for her. A sound in the passage outside made her look up. The door opened and Helen, her face flushed with exertion, dragged a small tin trunk into the room.

  ‘I thought you might need this for your packing, Kate.’

  ‘Helen! So you do know…’

  ‘I have just been told… I am so sorry…’

  ‘Why am I being dismissed?’ Kate struggled to keep her voice steady.

  ‘It has nothing to do with me, Kate.’

  ‘Then why…?’

  ‘I’ve loved having you here and the girls have never been happier.’

  ‘Is it because of my friendship with David?’

  ‘I’m afraid so! My father heard and…’

  ‘Who told him… Sir George?’

  ‘My father has other plans for David. You see…’ Helen hesitated, a flush of embarrassment creeping over her face.

  ‘I know!’

  ‘You’ve heard Beth and Mary talking between themselves?’

  ‘They say David is expected to marry someone called Penelope Vaughan.’

  ‘It has been agreed since they were young children,’ Helen admitted almost apologetically.

  ‘Childhood sweethearts, do you mean?’

  ‘No! It’s all to do with land and property and business interests.’

  ‘A marriage of convenience,’ sighed Kate. ‘Poor David!’

  ‘It will be a loveless marriage and I know only too well what that will mean. Has David given you his address…?’ Her voice trailed away as Kate shook her head emphatically.

  ‘He said I was to send messages only through you.’

  ‘Oh, my dear! I will do my best to let him know what has happened, but don’t count too great a store by it, since it may not be possible.’

  ‘Sir George reads all your letters?’

  ‘Of course. And anything I write to David may be intercepted by my father.’

  ‘What am I to do?’ Kate’s blue eyes welled with tears, her lower lip trembled. ‘I love him so much,’ she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

  ‘I do understand,’ murmured Helen sympathetically.

  ‘Promise you will tell him the truth about why I left.’

  ‘Of course! It may be some while before I see him. My father will not wish him to come here again.’

  ‘But surely David doesn’t have to comply!’

  ‘Family loyalty has been instilled in him since he was in the nursery,’ Helen sighed, her round face sad.

  ‘He dictates your lives?’

  ‘He always has done. Of late, because he has allowed David a degree of freedom, I thought he was becoming more lenient in his advancing years.’

  ‘It would seem you were mistaken,’ Kate said bitterly.

  ‘I’m afraid so.’ She smiled weakly. ‘What of you, what are your plans?’

  ‘I’m going to see Schoolmaster Barnes at Mere. He once told me I should train to be a teacher so I’m hoping that now he will help me become one. I’m hoping that he and his wife will let me stay with them for a while and look after their children.’

  ‘Are you sure about all this, Kate? They have no idea you are coming, remember.’

  ‘I shall just have to hope for the best then, won’t I,’ Kate said sharply, with a defiant toss of her head.

  ‘Oh, Kate! I feel so anxious for you. If only David were still here…’

  ‘If he was, then Sir George wouldn’t have turned me out, now would he!’ Kate retorted with sour amusement.

  She turned away and began to fold the clothes laid out on the bed, packing them into the tin box. Helen’s kindness made her feel even more bitter about being dismissed from Bramwood Hall. She wished Helen had not voiced aloud her doubts that Schoolmaster Barnes might not be able to help her.

  ‘Take this, Kate,’ Helen murmured, handing her a piece of paper.

  ‘What is it?’ She studied the scrap of paper eagerly, hoping it was David’s address. ‘Who is Myfanwy Edwards?’

  ‘She’s a dear friend whom I grew up with in Wales. If things don’t work out for you in Mere then go to her.’

  ‘You mean for help?’ frowned Kate.

  ‘Yes. Her younger boy is about nine and Myfanwy has been unwell ever since he was born; she’ll take you as a nanny, I am sure. You’ll like her, Kate.’

  ‘And will you let David know he can find me either at Mere or at this address?’

  ‘Of course I will. At the first opportunity I get.’

  ‘Thank you, Helen.’ Kate’s eyes misted again with tears.

  ‘Goodbye… and good luck.’ Helen took Kate’s hands in her own, and leaning forward kissed her cheek. Suddenly, they were in each other’s arms, hugging as if they were already sisters.

  Kate felt her heart lighten. Knowing she had Helen’s approval over David lessened the hurt of being dismissed so abruptly.

  Chapter 7

  Lady Helen Sherwood made a rapid inspection of the bedroom to make sure Kate had left none of her possessions behind.

  It was a pleasant room, furnished in a style more suitable for a house guest than a servant. But then, she reflected, Kate had not been a servant in the recognized sense. The post of nanny had carried with it a great many privileges that even the highest ranking servant would neither expect nor be given.

  Kate had never taken advantage of the fact that she had full control over Beth and Mary most of the time. Indeed, she had handled the situation extremely well, Helen mused. As a result they had regarded her almost as a member of the family.

  Perhaps that had been a mistake, Helen sighed. Such familiarity had brought Kate into contact with David far too frequently. It was easy to see that he was taken by her. The look of pleasure on his face when she entered the room, the alacrity with which he opened doors for her, or held her chair at dinner, went beyond mere courtesy.

  Dear David! To her he had always been rather special. The twelve-year age gap between them meant that she had been a surrogate mother to him as well as a sister.

  She had watched him grow from babyhood, through lanky
boyhood into a handsome, broad-shouldered man. Now he towered over her so that she was forced to tip back her head to meet the warm brown eyes that twinkled above the straight nose, or to see the teasing smile soften his Byronic features. He was such a romantic figure with his dark hair waving to his collar that it was no wonder Kate had fallen for his charms.

  Even as a boy he had been sensitive as well as clever; eager to learn and absorbed by fine words. She could remember his passion for reciting poetry or reading aloud. It had been soothing to listen to him; his deep, gentle voice had always had the power to banish her feelings of tiredness or depression.

  Now, in view of what had happened, she was assailed with guilt.

  Perhaps she should not have encouraged him to visit Bramwood Hall so often, but her own life had become increasingly dull. She’d welcomed his company. David’s wit, ready laughter and sensitive understanding had brightened her days and made her existence more bearable.

  Helen wondered if she was partly to blame for the estrangement between David and Penelope Vaughan. Were his long absences, because he spent his vacations at Bramwood Hall instead of returning home, partly to blame for the rift? she wondered.

  She had never felt they were suited. Penelope was so deeply involved with her horses. Riding and hunting were all she seemed to think about or could discuss with any enthusiasm. She was so brawny and muscular that she made David appear almost effeminate by comparison.

  No wonder David had been captivated by Kate, Helen thought fondly, remembering the girl’s graceful, slender figure, her warm smile and her enthusiasm in everything that was happening.

  She’d found Kate such a stimulating companion that probably she had spent far more time with her than was customary, Helen reflected. It had pleased her to give Kate gowns she had tired of, or which no longer fitted, and watch her deftly adapt them to her own trim shape. Kate’s exclamations of delight as she pirouetted in front of the cheval mirror admiring the results had been a reward in themselves.

  Beth and Mary had both benefited from Kate’s dress sense. She had shown them how to choose the most flattering colours and fabrics, how to coordinate their outfits, even to selecting the right colour ribbon for their hair and to making an overskirt of cascading frills for their parasol in the same material as their gown.