Her Mother's Daughter

by Evie Grace

The footman smiled. ‘Can I tell ’im you’ll be there?’

  ‘Yes, of course. Thank you.’ Agnes returned to the lesson.

  ‘Are you well, Miss Linnet?’ Elizabeth said. ‘You have gone quite pale.’

  ‘I’m grateful for your concern, but there is no need for it. Charlotte, please continue with the next paragraph.’

  She was reading out a page from a tome called A General History of Quadrupeds, about the Great White Bear of the Arctic. It seemed odd hearing about an animal which lived in the frozen wastes of the north, when the sun was shining, showing up the dust that billowed from every surface. The schoolroom wasn’t a priority for the maids at Roper House.

  ‘Oh, let’s finish there,’ she sighed. ‘We will go on to drawing.’

  Elizabeth clapped her hands together. ‘I’ll finish my picture of Sunny. Miss Linnet, you are more like a friend to us than a governess.’

  Agnes was touched, but she wouldn’t be inveigled into time-wasting chatter about the value of friendship.

  ‘Charlotte, what about you? What subject would you like to draw?’

  The older sister settled on a still life, created from items they had in the schoolroom: a book, wooden rule, pen and inkwell.

  Agnes paced up and down while they applied themselves. She should be writing up their reports for Lady Faraday, but she was too distracted. What if Pell had found out who she really was? How could she persuade him that he was mistaken, if that turned out to be the case? The air was hot and stifling, even with the windows open. She felt oppressed.

  She would do anything, say anything to keep her place here. She couldn’t bear to be set adrift for a second time.

  As the clock on the mantel chimed four, Charlotte and Elizabeth put their pencils away before bidding her a good afternoon.

  ‘Are you expected at dinner tonight?’ Elizabeth asked.

  ‘Not this evening.’

  ‘We will miss your company.’

  Agnes smiled. ‘I thought you would have had enough of it.’

  ‘No, not at all.’ Elizabeth almost danced out of the room. Charlotte followed.

  Agnes remained in the schoolroom, tidying up to delay her appointment with Pell for as long as possible, but she couldn’t put it off for ever. She trudged down the stairs and went through to the front of the house, past the paintings of the Faraday heirs in their pink hunting coats with their dogs and guns, all bearing a marked resemblance to Felix. The last thing she needed was for Pell to spoil things for her now.

  The door to the butler’s room was open. Sick at heart, she knocked.

  ‘Come in.’

  She stepped inside. Pell was standing at the table, counting out the silver for dinner: soup spoons, dessert spoons, fish knives and forks. He picked up a knife and rubbed it with a white cloth before examining it closely. It glinted in the light from the window. Once it had passed muster, he placed it on the table with the rest of the cutlery, then turned to her slowly. His mouth twisted into a smile.

  ‘Close the door and take a seat, Miss Linnet. This needn’t concern anyone else as yet.’

  She pushed the door. It clicked shut behind her.

  ‘Tea?’ he asked as she sat down at the table.

  ‘No, thank you.’ Her hands grew damp with perspiration.

  ‘I expect you are wondering what this is about.’

  She didn’t respond. He was clearly intending to draw out her ordeal for as long as possible, like a cat playing with a mouse.

  His gold signet ring looked as if it had been set into the fat little finger that he used to beckon his staff.

  ‘I won’t beat about the bush. I’ve always taken pride in my work and put my employers first. The Faradays have rewarded me generously for my loyalty and attention to detail.’ He rested his hands on the table. ‘I have evidence.’

  ‘Of what, Pell?’ She feigned weariness.

  ‘That you are a fraud.’

  She tried to hide the jolt of shock that shot through her body.

  ‘Your accusation is false, therefore you cannot possibly have proof.’

  ‘There’s no need to keep up the pretence.’ He pulled a letter from his waistcoat pocket. ‘I took the liberty of keeping your post aside for you. Oh yes, it is addressed to a Miss Linnet, but unfortunately the seal was not secure and the paper unfolded to reveal its intriguing contents.’

  ‘How could you? It’s private.’ Who on earth had written to her? Who knew of her address?

  ‘It is my business to know about everything that goes on in this house. I make no apology, Miss Berry-Clay.’ He spread the letter open on the table. Agnes cast her eye across it. She recognised the handwriting immediately. Nanny! Why had she done this, when she had been the one who had suggested that they shouldn’t contact each other?

  Dear Agnes

  I hope this letter finds you well. Please don’t blame me for breaking our agreement, but I thought that enough time had elapsed by now for you to be comfortably settled at Roper House. I had to let you know that I have found a new situation in Whitstable … After you left Windmarsh Court, I found it intolerable to remain. Henry is well and looking forward to going to school.

  I have heard that Philip is happily embarking on his studies. I thought you would like to know.

  I have enclosed my address. I would love to hear your news.

  I miss you.

  Kind regards,

  Marjorie

  ‘You can’t deny that this letter is addressed to you.’

  She shook her head.

  ‘It didn’t take me long to make enquiries about the house at Windmarsh. I made contact with the housekeeper there – she told me the whole story. Now, I’d have thought that the servants would have been under pressure to keep the scandal quiet, but she was more than happy to discuss it, especially when I told her of my fears for the Misses Faraday.’

  ‘You’re going to tell her ladyship?’

  ‘I will manage this information as I see fit. I can see you are doing wonders for Charlotte and Elizabeth and I should hate to distress them by causing their governess to be sent away, at least for now. I think that a small honorarium, a percentage of your wages, would help me maintain my silence.’

  ‘No, that isn’t fair.’

  ‘You have no right to be the judge of what is fair, or not. You are an impostor, a cheat and a liar.’

  ‘If I don’t agree to pay?’

  ‘Then’ – he shrugged, his fat neck creasing above the collar of his shirt – ‘I have no choice but to speak to Lady Faraday and have you dismissed.’

  ‘This is blackmail.’ She realised that Evie had been right about Pell. She had underestimated him.

  ‘Call it what you will. I consider it as an insurance for your immediate future, and a little investment on my part.’

  She was furious with herself, with Pell and with Nanny for breaking her word.

  What choice did she have other than to pay the butler?

  If she could keep him sweet until such time as the engagement was settled, all would be well. Felix would be obliged to protect her, not only out of love, but for the sake of his reputation. A gentleman would never break his promise of marriage. She had to admit that her plan was devious, but what else could she do?

  ‘You will give me one quarter of your income, a regular weekly payment,’ Pell said.

  ‘As much as that?’

  ‘I should have thought you’d be more than happy to settle on that amount for my silence.’ There was a blob of spittle on his fat lip. He’d won, she thought. For now.

  ‘I agree,’ she said softly.

  ‘I’m glad we see eye to eye on this matter. By the way, in addition to the money, I expect you to end this dalliance with Master Faraday. It will come to nothing.’

  Agnes took a deep breath and walked to the door with her head held high.

  She would do nothing of the sort.

  ‘Do not cross me,’ she heard Pell say as she left the room.

  She headed up the
stairs, reaching out to hold the oak handrail to steady herself. It had been smoothed by years of use by the Faradays. She surveyed the paintings and hunting trophies, the Wedgwood vases in Portland blue, and the Axminster carpet underfoot. This would be her house. She belonged here, and she would play along with Pell’s nasty plot for as long as it took for Felix to settle their engagement.

  A week passed without progress. She paid Pell the first of his instalments, but she didn’t trust him and worried that he would let her secret slip at any time. She revelled in her memories of the afternoon she and Felix had spent in the hut: his expressions of love; his proposal of marriage; his sherry-laced kisses and the force of his body. They met in secret once more, this time in the hayloft above the stables. Felix reached for her hand when she arrived a little later than planned.

  ‘You have the radiance of an angel,’ he breathed softly against her ear. ‘You are the queen rose in a garden of ordinary blooms. Let me undress you, my love.’

  He unfastened the buttons on her blouse and released her stays before taking her into his arms and laying her down in the soft bed of hay. The moonlight slanted in between the slats of weatherboard, illuminating her lover’s face as the intensity of his embrace forced the breath from her body.

  When it was over, he pulled away and rolled on to his back. She rested her head on his chest.

  ‘Did you hear that?’ Felix whispered.

  ‘What?’ She strained her ears, but all she could hear was his heartbeat and the sound of a horse chewing its feed in the stall below.

  ‘That,’ he said, sitting up abruptly. He reached for his shirt and slipped it back on. ‘We should go.’

  ‘So soon? I thought we were going to spend some time together.’ She sat up too, straightened her clothing and ran her fingers through her hair to remove any stray fragments of hay.

  ‘George will be starting to wonder where I am, and I’m worried that Pell is on to us. He keeps following me around as if he’s about to say something. I don’t like it. I don’t want him speaking to Mama.’

  She was concerned about Pell too. Should she mention that he was blackmailing her? She and Felix shouldn’t have secrets between them. She held her tongue, though. She would tell him soon enough.

  She looked forward to writing back to Nanny to tell her that everything had worked out for the best.

  ‘I’m not concerned about Pell.’ He would keep his silence while she continued to pay him. ‘I shall be proud to call you my husband in the future.’

  ‘Oh, Agnes, you are very sweet.’ Felix touched his forehead against hers so she could smell the sweet taint of his breath. ‘Be patient. I promise I won’t let you down.’ He pulled back. ‘Now, we really must go before someone catches us out. I’ll go first.’

  He helped her down the ladder from the loft and she waited in the shadows while he walked across the yard to the back of the house. After a few minutes, she took the same route.

  Pell caught her on the way in past the servants’ hall.

  ‘Where have you bin, Miss Linnet?’ he said. ‘Why are you wandering the house at night?’ His eyes fixed on her skirt. She glanced down and quickly brushed away a stalk of hay, but it was too late.

  ‘I went out for a breath of fresh air – I couldn’t sleep.’

  ‘You would do well not to walk out alone on a night like this,’ he said. ‘You never know what dangers lurk for the unsuspecting.’

  ‘Thank you for your concern, but it is none of your business.’

  ‘I find that having a clear conscience helps me to slumber more peacefully,’ Pell said. ‘I wish you goodnight.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved

  She had no further doubts of Felix’s constancy and intentions. He seemed keen to deepen their association, because when she was next invited to join the Faradays for dinner two days later, he made sure that he was seated beside her at the long mahogany table. She had learned her lesson about modesty and had chosen to wear her pale silk dress. George was opposite her with Elizabeth at his side. Charlotte and her parents made up the rest of the party.

  Agnes glanced towards the older Faradays, looking for clues in their expressions. Had Felix talked to them yet about their engagement?

  ‘I hope that you will permit Felix to come and stay with us at the Moldbury residence,’ George said. ‘I’m very grateful for your hospitality, Sir Richard and Lady Faraday, and I have no wish to outstay my welcome.’

  ‘There’s no risk of that,’ Sir Richard said. ‘It’s been a pleasure. I’ve been glad of your company. My wife and daughters have no interest in hunting.’

  ‘You make it sound as if you’re thinking of leaving us,’ Lady Faraday said.

  ‘George and I are travelling to Paris tomorrow,’ Felix said as Pell moved around the table, filling their glasses with Bordeaux.

  Agnes heard Elizabeth’s gasp of shock and gave her a hard stare. It was unbecoming for a young lady to express disappointment at the thought of a gentleman’s absence – but she felt the same. Why hadn’t Felix told her of their plans before? She’d known that he intended to go to France, but not so soon.

  ‘That’s all rather sudden,’ Lady Faraday said. ‘I was under the impression you wished to stay for a few more weeks, at least for the rest of the summer.’

  ‘We think it’s for the best,’ George said firmly, looking at Felix. ‘We’ve been distracting the young ladies from their studies for long enough.’

  ‘You’ve been here for less than a month!’ Elizabeth turned to Agnes. ‘Please, tell Mama how we haven’t been in the slightest part diverted by their activities. George, you must stay.’

  ‘It’s already been decided,’ Felix said.

  ‘But you will come back to Roper House?’ Elizabeth said. ‘We will miss you.’

  ‘I shall return if I am invited,’ George said jovially.

  ‘Of course you are,’ Lady Faraday said. ‘As my husband has said, we have enjoyed your company. The house comes to life when you and Felix are here, although the furniture suffers terribly.’

  ‘I’m sorry about the Chesterfield,’ Felix said.

  ‘We should never have worn our boots indoors,’ George said.

  ‘Your mother has been looking for an excuse to redecorate the drawing room.’ Sir Richard dropped a lamb chop into the gun dog’s open mouth as it sat at his feet. It crunched on the bone just once and swallowed it. ‘It will be done by the time you return,’ he said, addressing Felix.

  ‘When will that be?’ Elizabeth asked.

  ‘We plan to return here from Paris towards the end of September, and travel on to Oxford so we’re there in time for the start of the Michaelmas term,’ Felix said.

  Agnes glanced towards him. She couldn’t bear to think of the house without him.

  ‘One more year and we’ll have to start thinking about what you’re going to do with your time,’ Sir Richard went on.

  ‘I thought I’d take a year out to travel, Pa,’ he said. ‘It would be a good opportunity to look at making some business investments abroad. I was wondering about India or the South Americas.’

  Agnes’s heart plummeted. What was he thinking of?

  ‘I don’t see why not,’ Sir Richard guffawed. ‘It would do you good to sow your wild oats. What do you think, George?’

  George blushed. ‘I really don’t know, sir.’

  ‘Don’t embarrass him,’ Lady Faraday said. ‘George, do have some more of the duck.’

  The evening went on. It seemed interminable to Agnes when all she wanted was to spend time with her beloved. She sang to George’s accompaniment, but Elizabeth declined, saying that she had a headache. She grew paler and paler and eventually fled from the drawing room.

  ‘I’ll go after her,’ Agnes said, excusing herself. ‘You stay, George,’ she added as he made to rise from his seat.

  She found Elizabeth in her room, lying on her bed face down, sobbing.

  ‘Oh come on,’ she sig
hed. ‘I can guess what this is about.’

  ‘It is the end of the world,’ Elizabeth cried.

  ‘Sit up,’ Agnes said. ‘I will lend you my handkerchief. Please, Elizabeth, this is most unseemly, and unnecessary.’

  The distraught girl sat up on the edge of the bed, the fingers of one hand playing with the fringe of the coverlet.

  ‘What will Master Moldbury think of you?’ Agnes said, giving her the handkerchief from her pocket. ‘You are but fifteen years old.’

  ‘I’m almost sixteen.’

  ‘You are behaving worse than a child.’

  ‘I’m in love with him, his manners, his countenance, his smile.’

  ‘You are far too young to know anything of love,’ Agnes scolded. ‘This is an infatuation, that’s all. George doesn’t feel the same way about you.’

  ‘Of course he does. You’ve seen how attentive he is.’

  ‘That’s because he doesn’t want to hurt your feelings. There are times, I believe, when he has become weary of you and wished you to leave him alone, but he is too polite to say so.’

  ‘You are lying, Miss Linnet.’ Elizabeth’s eyes flashed with anger. ‘How dare you say such a thing?’ She stood up from the bed and tossed the handkerchief on to the floor. ‘Did Charlotte put you up to this? She’s always been jealous of me.’

  ‘No, she didn’t. This is me, speaking as the guardian of your good character. Don’t make a fool of yourself in front of your mama and papa, and most of all, the object of your affection.’ She took a step back. ‘You are quick-witted and light of heart. You would soon grow tired of him.’

  ‘Are you saying he is dull? He’s the most interesting person I’ve ever met.’

  ‘What do you think is the most important thing in George’s life? Which flame burns most passionately in his breast? Music? Hunting? His friendship with your brother?’

  ‘How do I know?’ Elizabeth said after a pause. ‘I can’t read his mind.’

  ‘Exactly. You assume that you are well acquainted with Master Moldbury, but that isn’t the case. You have no understanding of his motivations and deepest thoughts.’ She hesitated for a moment, thinking of Felix. Wasn’t she guilty of the same thing? Had she been foolish, succumbing to the idea of love at first sight? ‘He isn’t courting you. He is humouring you. Please, Elizabeth. I speak the truth.’