Brothers at Arms

by Brothers at Arms (epub)

  “As a magistrate, I can tell you that if he dies, questions will have to be asked, but if you are not here you can’t be compelled to answer. In the first instance, the physician was more interested in repairing the wound than probing the cause…”

  “What about Sophie?” Charlie asked, chalky faced.

  “Your sister will accompany you to stay with my sister, Mrs Pontesbury. I will inform the headmistress of her school that we have decided that Sophie is going to London to prepare for her coming out in the small season of the autumn. I will leave it to Sophie to break the news to her particular friends.

  “That will satisfy idle curiosity. I daresay that many pupils will envy her, as most of the girls, whose parents are in trade, don’t have access to such refinements. I will also make it known that Joshua will join you later, because it will be expected, but he will not.”

  Charlie lapsed into silence, looking stunned. No doubt, thought Joshua, he had realised that there would be no more visits to his precious goddess in Bredenbridge.

  He was astounded by the completeness of his father’s plans. Tom Norbery had obviously not wasted a moment since the scene in the stable-yard.

  Whilst Joshua couldn’t deny having touched Sophie, he knew that she had molested him more than he her, and revelled in so doing. He cringed at the thought of his complicity. Why the hell, when he felt the prickly feeling between his shoulder-blades halfway across the hayloft floor, hadn’t he recognised it as a sign that she was near, when he’d always known before? Or gone out early to ride with his father, instead of turning over and going back to sleep? Better still, why hadn’t he stayed in bed all day and ignored any notes that purported to come from Millie?

  If he had done that, Ed Salter would be safe, his friendship with Charlie intact and he wouldn’t now be awaiting banishment from home. How he wished that he could wake up from the nightmare and find that everything was normal again.

  “Joshua…” His father’s blunt voice interrupted his reverie. “There are things that I wish to discuss with Charlie that don’t concern you. Take this note to Gilbert and stay in your room until you are told to leave.”

  “Yes, sir,” he said, taking the folded sheet of paper that his father offered.

  He made his way upstairs, wondering if Aunt Jane was still with Ed Salter. He wanted to see her to explain. If anyone could make things right, she could.

  Gilbert read the note and left the room without a word. He returned minutes later carrying a portmanteau, which he proceeded to fill with clothes from the dressing room cupboards. Joshua watched him count out a number of shirts for the day and a similar quantity for night, then a pile of neck-cloths, underwear, handkerchiefs and several pairs of hose. A spare jacket, waistcoat and breeches followed in turn, before he closed the case and placed it by the door.

  “Is that for me?” he said.

  “Yes,” said the valet.

  “Where am I going?”

  “The note doesn’t say. Just to get a few essentials together, and then I’m to bring you something to eat up here.”

  “Do you know what happened?” Joshua ventured to ask.

  “No, and it doesn’t concern me,” said the man.

  Martha’s family were loyal to the last.

  “Do you know where Aunt Jane is? I’d like to see her.”

  “Busy, I expect,” came the blunt reply that didn’t really tell him anything.

  Not for the last seven years had he felt so bereft of friendship. People moved around him with kindly intent but it wasn’t the same, nor would it ever be again.

  Joshua didn’t have to protest his innocence or admit guilt for his father had conducted his investigations before they went downstairs to the library. That took everything out of their hands, for it was obvious that the matter with Sophie, serious though it was, lacked the urgency of what followed.

  His father had swept it aside, but Joshua knew that in having given his word to help protect Sophie, Charlie saw the illicit meeting in the hayloft as a betrayal of their friendship, whereas nothing could have been further from his mind.

  CHAPTER 24

  Charlie turned away as Joshua left the library, not wanting to look on him. He heard the door close, and suddenly felt bereft. When he awoke in the morning it was a day like any other. He’d opened one eye long enough to debate going for an early morning ride with Uncle Tom; decided that he would do it tomorrow and fell asleep to dream of Annie.

  After they shared breakfast, Joshua disappeared and Charlie went to the stables looking for Sophie to find out when she would see Annie again, intent on going with her. How he wished that he’d stayed in bed, then none of this would have happened, or if it had, he wouldn’t be involved.

  All he could think of was that Ed Salter, who helped him learn to ride, lay injured. Charlie would never have harmed any of the grooms. He’d worked hard to earn their respect, just as Sophie had. Now they looked on him with loathing. Millie, who had always been free and easy with her favours, made that clear when she berated him about the note to Joshua.

  “How could it be from me,” she had said, “when I don’t have the letters?”

  Of course she must be able to write. Surely everyone could… couldn’t they? He’d never thought about it before. But if she hadn’t written the note that took Joshua to the hayloft, who did? The paper Millie claimed to have found was dreadfully crumpled, so it was impossible to tell.

  Thankfully Salter wasn’t dead. A minute later it could have been Joshua, and would have been the way Charlie was feeling. He wished they had been flogged, for that way he knew Joshua would have been punished. And so he should be.

  She wasn’t like that when she left me…

  Joshua hadn’t denied being with Sophie in the hayloft, although he did later in the presence of other people. What else could be said when he’d admitted his guilt?

  That’s what hurt most and made Charlie angry. Now, if what Squire Norbery said was true, Sophie had denied any knowledge of the situation, just as she did as a child. Where did that leave him in the light of what had followed? He shook his head feeling overwhelmed.

  The sound of someone clearing their throat broke through his reverie. When he opened his eyes, he saw Tom Norbery still sitting at the desk, watching him, a handkerchief in his outstretched hand. Not wanting to be beholden, Charlie fumbled in his pocket, determined to use his own.

  “Are you ready to continue?”

  The voice was kindly as it always was; deceptively so. Charlie wanted to believe that nothing had changed, but knew that it had, for the Uncle Tom of old would never have let a servant berate a member of the family.

  He blew his nose whilst waiting for Squire Norbery to speak. Until a few minutes ago, he thought of him as Uncle Tom, but could not be sure of their relationship now.

  “I’m sorry you heard about your sister’s previous behaviour like that, Charlie. I would much rather not involve the servants, but whether you like it or not, the young woman had a point to make. Somewhat vociferously, I admit.”

  He seemed to realise Charlie was still standing.

  “For goodness sake, boy, sit down,” he said gruffly. “I can’t talk with you standing there, looking at me as if you’re about to go to the gallows.”

  The expression so echoed what Charlie was feeling that he remained woodenly on his feet, even though his legs threatened to let him down. He hated to be at odds with Uncle Tom, but it was easier to maintain what remained of his dignity when he stood to attention. He dared not let it go for it was all he had left to support him.

  “Very well, stand if you prefer,” Squire Norbery said, sitting at his desk. “Maybe you can tell me whether you wish to see Joshua before you leave and speak man to man?”

  “No, sir,” he said. “I never want to see him again.”

  There was a silence before Squire Norbery responded. “As you wish, Charlie, but I am saddened that this occurred under my roof. Civility is clearly out of the question, so I think the best c
ourse of action is expedite your entry into the army. I also think that Sophie might benefit from a sojourn in town to help her to make a recovery from this shocking event, and prepare her for her future life.”

  It was strange how the emphasis changed when they were alone. Courtesy was everything, and Uncle Tom implied that Sophie’s needs were being considered, whereas when Joshua was there they were told what would happen. The difference was beguiling, but Charlie knew what he must say.

  “The sooner it can be done the better, sir,” He raised his chin and thrust his shoulders back to stop himself wavering, “but I would like to know if my father left sufficient funds for a pair of colours. If not, I’ll enlist as a common soldier; in fact, it might be my best option. I don’t want to be beholden to anyone. All I ask is that you think kindly of Sophie.”

  Charlie met the older man’s gaze squarely. It was hard, but he was determined not to weaken. Leaving Linmore was like losing his pa all over again. Last time it was beyond his control. Now he blamed the friend he had thought of as a brother, and it left an acrid taste.

  “Well said, young man, but I will ask you not to be hasty, or too proud to permit me to make enquiries on your behalf. Would I be right in assuming that you wish to join your father’s old regiment? The King’s Own Irish Dragoons, was it not? I imagine he will still be remembered with respect.”

  His uncle’s words brought Charlie closer to tears.

  “I want you to know that Aunt Jane and I held your parents in great esteem, and have a fondness for you and your sister. Be assured that I will investigate the matter of funding, and let you know the outcome.”

  “What… will happen to…your son, sir?”

  “That need not concern you, unless you wish to see him.” The voice was cool and controlled.

  Charlie shook his head. He knew if he laid eyes on Joshua, he would still want to throttle him. He told himself that because he did not want to accept the possibility that Sophie might not have been honest with him. To think badly of her would be a betrayal of his promise to their pa, which kept him strong at a time when she was all the family he had.

  Just when he thought the ordeal was over, Squire Norbery added, “What I suggest is a temporary matter, Charlie. As far as I am concerned, Linmore is still your home, and you will be welcome to return. I hope you feel able to keep in touch with me.”

  When Charlie had left the library, Tom walked slowly around the back of the bookcases to where Jane was sitting in an alcove. He sat down beside her on the sofa, feeling older than his years.

  “Where do we go from here?” he asked wearily. “Charlie doesn’t want anything to do with Joshua, which is why I let Millie have her say. I would not normally let a servant be so outspoken, but better it came from her than me. After all, Sophie involved her, but I have to deal with the aftermath.”

  “I know,” she said. “He’s so conditioned to fighting Sophie’s battles, he won’t believe ill of her, even when he must know it’s true.”

  “It might have been easier for Charlie to understand if I had explained about the problems we had with Sophie before we sent her away to school,” he said, “but I didn’t want to humiliate him when he was close to breaking point. He already thinks that everyone is against him.”

  “And they’re not, but he wouldn’t believe it,” Jane ended on a sniff, and gratefully accepted the handkerchief that Tom offered. After a minute she said in a stronger tone, “What are your plans?”

  “If it can be arranged in the time, I’ll go to London tomorrow, and take Charlie and his sister with me,” Tom said. “No one will remark on my departure for I should be there with Parliament in session. Thank God I wasn’t, for I shudder to think how you would have dealt with this appalling situation in my absence. I daresay that their hasty departure might be remarked upon, but to delay, we risk further problems if Kate heard of it.”

  “It will have to be done, but this has come at a most unfortunate time,” said Jane. “We might have sent them to Shettleston Hall if Caroline’s second confinement hadn’t been due. As it is, her antipathy towards Sophie would complicate things dreadfully, and gossip would inevitably spread like wildfire about the reason for them being there. Wherever you send Joshua now, he will have to live at Linmore in the future, and to have the accusation of rape levelled at him would taint him for life. Nobody would want to know him.”

  Tom nodded grim agreement.

  “I ought to stay here with Ed Salter,” she said, “but for appearances’ sake, I must accompany you. Not that Sophie will appreciate my presence for a moment. The foolish girl needs to be spanked, but Charlie needs our support. He sounded so sad, I wanted to wrap my arms around him and give him a hug, for he desperately needs some affection. He believed in both Sophie and Joshua but knows that one betrayed his trust. The problem is that he is blaming the wrong person.”

  “I sent for Percival when it happened,” said Tom. “He’s taken charge and will work with Jessie and William Rufus in conjunction with Dr Althorpe. He suggested that Miss Finchley might take Lucy and Julia down to his cottage for tonight in his absence, and go to their grandparents tomorrow. I thought it was an excellent idea. If everyone is moving, it will draw attention away from the others.”

  “I will go to the cottage shortly to arrange with Jessie for Joshua to sleep there,” said Jane, “and remind her about our gypsy friends on the hill. Their remedies will be invaluable if there is any fever.”

  However hard Tom tried to keep the subject impersonal, it veered back at every turn. “Percy knows about dealing with infection, for he went out of his way to acquire herbs to save Dr Hawley’s life in the wilds of Macedonia.”

  “Yes, Joshua and Charlie told me about it on their return. Their friendship was so strong then, and it’s sad that Sophie’s wanton behaviour has spoiled it.”

  “Yes,” said Tom, “she always was a strange girl.”

  “Thinking of the events of today has reminded me of the first time Sophie came home from school in Bredenbridge. She used to talk to me then, and tell me about what she had learned. I know that her mother would have been pleased.” Jane sighed at the recollection of her cousin. “It was never the same after she started to visit the girl with the Onnybrook connection. From then on her behaviour became ever more grasping and outrageous.

  “This time she has overstepped the mark, and left Joshua and Charlie no time to resolve their differences, for with Ed Salter’s injury it’s impossible for them to remain together at Linmore.”

  “After Matthew’s death a parting of the ways was inevitable,” Tom said, “and Joshua needs to be brought to a sense of his responsibility to Linmore. I will consult Thomas Coke when I am in London. He’s the best source of advice on land management. I don’t know why I didn’t think of him before.

  “Purchasing Charlie’s commission will be easy, compared to arranging for Sophie to be presented at Court. I daresay Winifred won’t thank me for taking her to London halfway through the social season but she will understand the need when she knows the reason. I’ve never known her to be daunted by a challenge.”

  “Poor Winifred,” said Jane. “I don’t envy her the task ahead.”

  “Nonsense,” said Tom, “my sister positively thrives on conflict.”

  “Maybe she does, but she’s never had to deal with Sophie as we have.”

  The sound of the stable clock striking three reminded Charlie of the events that occurred to make this the last time he would sleep at Linmore. He remembered the first night he had slept here, and awoken to the open door that led to the room next door where Joshua Norbery slept.

  Now there was a deathly hush where once a friendly voice had bid him welcome. Charlie shivered, knowing how close to being true that word had come. When he closed his eyes, he saw the knife in his hand, and felt again the power at his command to cause terror. He saw it in Joshua’s eyes as he edged away.

  Coward, he thought, slashing the knife back and forth. Stand still and take your punish
ment. But what happened wasn’t a fight, and the man he hurt wasn’t his enemy. He would do anything to wash away the memory.

  It was an accident. Not that it was judged so by the onlookers for he had been heard to make a threat. He’d never felt such anger. Almost jealousy, if he probed deep enough. Joshua was his friend and for him to turn to Sophie, having promised to help guard her, was betrayal.

  “Charlie…” Sophie whispered across the bedroom that she still insisted on sharing when she was at home. “Are you awake?”

  “Yes,” he mumbled, feeling as if he’d never sleep again.

  “I’m cold, can I join you?”

  Wanting company, Charlie turned back the bedclothes to let her share his bed, just as they used to as children in Ireland and when they first came to Linmore. Then it was supposedly to save on linen. The bed was larger now than on their arrival, but the need for warmth and reassurance was the same.

  “I don’t want to go, Charlie,” she said in a subdued voice after a few minutes.

  Charlie made what he hoped were comforting noises, not daring to admit that the thought of leaving the place that he had made his home tore him apart. If he had spoken he would have cried, and he learned long ago that was unmanly. His pa had told him that when he grieved at the age of seven for the mother he dearly loved.

  Be a man, Charlie me boy, and leave the weeping for the womenfolk. It’s what they are good at. The words were indelibly imprinted in his memory.