by Rosie Clarke
‘Yes, I think I would too.’
‘Oh, you won’t be asked to leave. Lady Kendle thinks you’re wonderful and so does the captain.’
Jessie looked at her sharply but there was no malice in the other girl’s remark. She obviously had no idea that Jessie had a relationship with Harry Kendle.
‘I shall miss you when you go, Alice.’
‘I’ll write to you,’ Alice promised.
The subject was changed and Alice went off to her own room while Jessie visited Nanny. She had been knitting a pair of socks for Jack but she put her work aside, eager to talk about Mrs Barrington’s visit. She was clearly pleased that they were to have a visitor.
‘Miss Priscilla always cheers things up,’ she told Jessie. ‘Like a breath of fresh air she is. She’ll put Master Harry back on his feet, you’ll see.’
‘But what can she do? Is she rich?’
‘She has a rich husband,’ Nanny said. ‘But she’ll know what to do. If there’s a way of getting the money he needs Miss Priscilla will find it.’
Jessie wasn’t sure how Harry would take interference from his well-meaning sister. He was already trying as hard as he possibly could to find a solution. However, she mustn’t prejudge. She hadn’t even met Mrs Barrington and she was a little nervous. Everyone said she was a past master at discovering secrets. Jessie just hoped she wouldn’t discover hers.
*
Jessie confessed her secret worry as she lay in Harry’s arms that night. Their loving had been passionate, even more fulfilling than the first time.
‘You need not worry about Priscilla,’ he said and touched her face lovingly with his fingertips. ‘She has always been on my side. If she knew she would say good luck and be happy.’
Jessie didn’t argue. How could she when she didn’t know his sister? She couldn’t help worrying about it during the week before the visit. Harry was coming to her bed every night now and though she welcomed him with love in her heart she was nervous.
Harry had told her that he believed he’d partly solved his problem.
‘There’s a barn I could use to set up the workshop until the old one is rebuilt,’ he told her looking excited. ‘Some of the tools were saved. Quite a few are the personal property of the men themselves and they take them home, others were dragged out into the yard and escaped the worst. I would need to buy larger things, benches and vices, and cramps, that kind of thing. It’s the wood and other materials that cost, of course – and the wages until we are up and running.’
‘Would the bank lend you some more money?’
‘They aren’t keen until the insurance comes through, and they are being difficult at the moment. They’ll pay up in the end, of course, but until then it’s awkward. However, my father has offered me a small loan. It’s hardly enough but it’s all he can afford and very good of him. He has actually been very decent over this, better than I expected.’
‘I’m glad,’ Jessie said. It meant that he could put some of his craftsmen back to work, but it also meant that he would be even more tied to the estate. She knew that he was pleased with the offer and also that she mustn’t question, mustn’t ask about the future.
Henry sensed her reserve. He raised himself on one elbow, gazing down into her face. ‘You’re thinking it means I can never leave Mary?’ He smiled as she remained silent and traced the line of her mouth with the tip of his forefinger. ‘You don’t need to say. Of course I know how you feel. You’ve given me so much, Jessie. Until you came into my life I thought I would be better off if I’d died in the trenches with the others. Now I have something to live for and I don’t intend to let it go. I said I would find a way and I shall. I’m going to France to see Mary. I’m going to ask her to divorce me.’
‘You mustn’t,’ Jessie said. ‘Supposing she refuses? What will you tell her if she asks why?’
‘Nothing about you. Mary is no happier than I am. She has her… friends. She may welcome the suggestion. I don’t know for sure but I believe she has a lover.’
Jessie remembered the couple on the beach. She had thought the woman was Mary but couldn’t be sure. She wouldn’t tell Harry, could never tell him, but she thought Mary had been with her lover that day.
‘Are you sure you ought to do this?’
‘Yes, of course. It’s the best way.’
‘But your mother…’
‘She will be shocked when I marry you but she’ll get used to it.’
‘And your father?’
Harry smiled grimly. ‘He was always after the maids in the old days, when I was just a boy. I imagine my mother knew but she turned a blind eye; they did in those days, stiff upper lip and all that. I dare say I’ve got half brothers and sisters somewhere. One or two of the girls left in a hurry.’
‘Poor girls,’ Jessie said. ‘I wonder what happened to them.’
‘Father paid them off I expect. He was fair enough in that way and it used to happen all the time,’ Harry said and kissed her softly on the mouth. ‘It won’t happen to you, Jessie. I promise you. If you have a child it will be mine, acknowledged and loved. We’ll be together one day. I swear it on my brother’s grave.’
She heard the intense note in his voice and surrendered to his loving. Harry truly cared for her. There would be problems, gossip, harsh words and knowing looks to be faced, but somehow they would get through it together.
*
Jack had riding lessons with his father every day for the next week. He was growing in confidence and Harry said it wouldn’t be long before he could ride with just a lad from the farm to watch over him.
‘We’ll finish our lessons when I come home,’ he told Jack. ‘Your aunt is coming this evening and she’ll keep an eye on you. Priscilla was always a brilliant rider so you’ll be fine with her.’
Jessie was nervous about meeting Mrs Barrington but when it happened she liked the other woman immediately. Priscilla was several years older than Jessie but an attractive, open, active person with a bright manner. She wasn’t like her brother in appearance; her hair darker in colour, eyes more grey than blue, but sometimes when she smiled the resemblance was there.
‘So you’re Jessie,’ she said and shook hands firmly. ‘I’m Priscilla. I’m so pleased to meet you at last. Mother and Harry have both told me how wonderful you are, and how lucky they are to have you.’
‘Oh no,’ Jessie said and blushed. ‘I just do what I can, that’s all.’
‘Not from what I hear.’ Priscilla laughed. ‘I think Harry has fallen for you, Jessie, but you mustn’t tell him I said so.’
‘No, of course not. I’m sure it isn’t true.’ Jessie’s cheeks were burning and she couldn’t look at the other woman.
‘I know my brother and something is making him look younger these days.’ Priscilla’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Jessie. ‘You would be the very thing for him if he weren’t married. It’s a pity Mary won’t run off and leave him; it would make things so much easier.’
‘Priscilla!’ Lady Kendle was shocked. ‘Please do not embarrass Jessie. She doesn’t know what a tease you are.’
‘I’m sure Jessie has too much sense,’ Priscilla replied but her gaze was intent, thoughtful. ‘They tell me Catherine is much better since you came. I am looking forward to seeing her – and that monster Jack. Harry tells me he is teaching him to ride. I’ve been asked to oversee him while my brother nips over to France. I can’t imagine why he wants to go. The country is bound to have bad memories for him.’
‘He wants to see Mary, of course,’ Lady Kendle said rebuking her daughter. ‘It is only natural.’
‘Pull the other one, Ma! Their marriage was a complete mistake. Her money has helped the estate of course, but as I keep telling Father it would be far better to sell this place. It’s far too large for you these days. You need lots of money to run a house like this, more than Harry is ever going to make.’
‘Priscilla! Your tongue always did run away with you.’
‘Well, why not tell t
he truth? Everyone knows, of course they do. The servants usually know before we do – and I’m sure Jessie won’t gossip. She doesn’t look the type, too intelligent.’
Lady Kendle sighed. ‘Do you imagine we could sell? Harry says it would make a decent hotel if it were nearer Torquay.’
‘Father should look for a rich American,’ Priscilla said and laughed. ‘Advertise in The Times and tell them about the ghosts.’
‘What ghosts?’ Jessie asked, intrigued. She hadn’t heard anything about ghosts.
‘The one that walks the corridors moaning and trying the bedroom doors,’ Priscilla said and Lady Kendle frowned at her.
‘That isn’t funny, Priscilla. Please stop this nonsense at once. You know that your father would never sell, and for the moment we manage well enough.’
‘On Mary’s money,’ Priscilla said. ‘I feel sorry for Harry. He only married her because Father pushed him into it.’
‘Now that is more than enough,’ Lady Kendle said. ‘Would you leave us please, Jessie? I wish to talk to my daughter alone.’
Jessie could see that Lady Kendle was very angry. She did not care to have such private family business discussed so openly in front of the nursemaid, and in her heart Jessie couldn’t blame her. Priscilla’s statement had not come as a surprise to her, because Harry had already told her, but she understood that his mother would not want it to be gossiped about downstairs.
It was a sad tangle, she thought as she went to bed that evening. Harry was tied to a wife he didn’t love because of his loyalty to his family, and, although he had promised to make changes, Jessie was afraid of the trouble it would undoubtedly cause.
Harry had told her he wouldn’t come to her room while Priscilla was in the house. ‘She would be bound to walk in or something,’ he said. And while Priscilla wouldn’t criticise, he didn’t want anyone to know about their affair until he had settled things with Mary.
In fact Priscilla did not come to Jessie’s room that evening, but the next morning she came to the nursery to collect Jack.
‘Want to come riding with me then, brat?’ she asked as he flung himself on her with enthusiasm. ‘What about you, Jessie? Are you going to bring Catherine to watch?’
‘Perhaps another time,’ Jessie said. ‘She’s a little sleepy this morning. We had a good walk yesterday. I might let her play with her toys today and bring her tomorrow – if that’s all right?’
‘You know what’s best for her,’ Priscilla said and bent to lift the child in her arms. ‘She’s grown since I was here, haven’t you, my sweet? What a lovely little thing you are.’
Catherine patted her face and cooed but didn’t say anything.
‘Come along then, Jack,’ Priscilla said putting her down again. ‘We’d better have a look at how you’re getting along with your pony, young man.’
After they had gone, Catherine seemed disinclined to do much other than hug her elephant. Jessie was a little concerned about her, but Nanny said she had often been like that in the past and it was nothing to worry about.
Jessie nursed her for quite a long time that morning, reading to her from a picture book and telling her stories. After a while Catherine fell asleep and Jessie laid her on some cushions on the floor so that she could play with her toys if she woke up.
She took some washing downstairs and spent an hour or so rinsing the clothes through and chatting to Maggie’s mother, who had come in to do a main wash for the household.
‘Maggie was that excited when she went dancing with you and Carter,’ she told Jessie. ‘But you got into trouble for it, I understand?’
‘It was just a misunderstanding,’ Jessie told her. ‘We must do it again one day if it can be arranged. There’s been so much to do that I haven’t bothered to take an afternoon off for ages.’
When she went back to the nursery Nanny was sitting watching Catherine, who had woken up full of energy and was playing with her bricks.
‘She’s been building some interesting shapes,’ Nanny said. ‘But she always knocks them down again.’
‘As long as she is happy,’ Jessie said. ‘I’m relieved she’s more herself again. I was beginning to worry about her and with Captain Kendle away…’
She was interrupted as the nursery door burst open and Jack came flying in well pleased with himself. He couldn’t wait to tell his news. His aunt thought he was a wonderful rider and had told him he would soon be able to start jumping over hurdles.
‘Oh, not yet surely,’ Jessie said. ‘You mustn’t try that until your father comes back, Jack. I don’t think he would permit you to jump your pony for a few weeks yet.’
‘Nonsense!’ Priscilla said coming in at that moment. ‘I’ve never seen a lad with more promise. Harry is an old woman sometimes.’
Jessie frowned but held her tongue. She knew nothing about riding, but she did know that Jack was impetuous and his father had meant to go slowly with him.
‘Hello, Nanny,’ Priscilla said and kissed her wrinkled cheek. ‘Be a darling and go and tell Mummy I’ll be along soon, will you?’
‘What are you up to, Miss Priscilla? Something I’ll be bound.’ Nanny asked with a mock frown, but she went off obediently, leaving Jessie alone with Harry’s sister.
‘Perhaps we could go in the sitting room?’ Priscilla suggested. ‘I’m dying for a cigarette and the children are all right for the moment, aren’t they?’
Since Jack was showing his sister how to play a game, Jessie agreed and they went into the next room, where Priscilla immediately lit up. She offered her cigarette case to Jessie, who shook her head.
‘You don’t, of course. Sensible woman,’ Priscilla said and sighed. ‘I should never have started. I’m hooked on them now, I’m afraid, but at least it’s better than drinking to excess – or those awful drugs some idiots take these days.’ She shuddered. ‘I had a friend who became an opium addict; it completely ruined her of course.’
‘I haven’t come across anyone like that,’ Jessie admitted. ‘It must be a terrible affliction.’
‘Oh, absolutely,’ Priscilla said. ‘But awfully smart in some circles. Not mine, thank goodness.’ She gave Jessie a long hard look. ‘Are you in love with my maddening brother?’
Jessie flushed and looked away. ‘Why do you ask? Has your mother said something?’
‘Mummy? Good lord, no. She wouldn’t approve, of course. Divorce would be the last straw for either of the parents, but I think it is exactly what Harry needs. Mary doesn’t love him. She never did.’
‘Why did she marry him?’ Jessie asked, relieved to turn the subject. ‘It wasn’t for money.’
‘Lord no, she has all the cash,’ Priscilla said and laughed. ‘She bought herself a title, Jessie. Harry will be Sir Harry one day you see. Her family is rich but not quite the thing – commerce. The Kendles have been here in this house since the dodo, or almost. Mary was quite impressed with that when she married Harry, but I think it means less to her now.’
‘That isn’t very nice,’ Jessie said slowly. ‘If she isn’t happy would she divorce him?’
‘I’ve no idea. There’s no reason why she shouldn’t. She isn’t a Catholic or anything, but it depends on whether it’s what she wants or not. You must have noticed that my sister-in-law is incredibly selfish?’
‘I imagine she is accustomed to having her own way.’
Priscilla raised her eyebrows. ‘That is a very tactful way of putting it, Jessie. Yes, Mary gets her own way in most things, because of the money of course. Money isn’t everything. I should like to see my brother happy and he won’t be if he stays married to that cold fish. She wouldn’t let him near her after the birth of the twins.’
‘She was upset,’ Jessie said.
‘So was Harry. It almost broke his heart when they told him Catherine wasn’t normal. I think he wanted to be killed when he went back to France, but all he got was a flesh wound and a commendation for bravery.’
Jessie nodded, knowing that for a while Harry had felt he
would be better off dead, but things were better now.
‘Is Catherine improving?’ Priscilla said. ‘Harry said she was but I couldn’t see much sign of it earlier.’
‘She was tired this morning. It’s her heart condition, I expect. Some days I can’t stop her talking.’
‘Bring her down to the paddock tomorrow,’ Priscilla said. ‘We might give her a little ride on Wellington.’
‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea. She got upset the last time she was offered a ride on a pony. It was a Shetland and it rolled its eyes and shrilled at her. She cried for ages.’
‘Bad tempered things. I wouldn’t let my children ride those when they were small,’ Priscilla said and blew a smoke ring. ‘I didn’t bring my brood down this time because it was only a short visit, but it’s their Easter holiday next month and I’ll bring them down for a couple of weeks then.’
‘They will be company for Jack,’ Jessie said. ‘We want him to enjoy this summer because he will be starting lessons at the Vicarage in the autumn. Captain Kendle doesn’t want him to go to boarding school too soon, because he was miserable there himself.’
‘Harry told you that, did he?’ Priscilla’s eyes were bright with amusement. ‘And you pretend there’s nothing between you. Shame on you, Jessie! If you aren’t in love with him now I predict it isn’t far off. I just hope he does something about it.’
She stubbed her cigarette out in an ashtray and jumped up from her chair.
‘I must visit Ma or she will think I’ve deserted her. Don’t look so worried, Jessie. I shall keep your secret – and Alice’s, the foolish girl. Tell her to come to me if the parents throw her out. I’ll find her a job when she’s had the baby.’
‘Did Alice tell you she’s having a child?’
‘No, but I guessed as soon as I saw her. She looked scared to death and pale. I bet she’s having a horrid time, just as I did. Don’t forget to tell her what I said, will you?’
Priscilla smiled and went out, leaving Jessie to stare after her. She wasn’t quite sure what to make out of Harry’s sister, but at least it seemed that she would have one member of the family on her side if it came to a divorce.
