by Mary Nichols
‘I imagine she is fully recovered,’ he said drily. ‘Bessie has just informed me she has gone out with Lady Cartrose and Drew.’
‘Gone out?’ Jane echoed. ‘I thought she had gone to rest before changing for dinner. I did not even know Mr Ashton had arrived. I hope it will not exhaust her.’
‘Your aunt and Drew will make sure she does not become too tired.’
‘Will you wait for them?’
‘Of course.’
‘Did you see my parents?’
‘Yes, I did. They are naturally very concerned about Isabel, but I was able to reassure them. They are looking forward to having you both safely home again.’
‘I shall be glad to go home too,’ she said. ‘But there is the soirée tomorrow evening. I must stay for that.’
‘You are going ahead with it, then.’
‘Yes, Isabel would not have it cancelled on her account, so we simply informed everyone it would be a week later. I have been rehearsing what I will say to persuade people to part with their money.’
‘While we wait, will you tell me what you are planning to say?’
They seated themselves on a bench in an arbour, shaded from the sun. ‘I thought I would begin by telling everyone about the little beggar boy that set me thinking and how I felt not enough was being done for the soldiers’ families. The men left their homes, wives and children to risk their lives and die for king and country and we should not forget that. The least we can do is remember their sacrifice and help their children. After that I will tell them about the Hadlea Children’s Home and how we plan to run it and how much it will cost. I have worked out some expenditure: buying the home, furnishing it, taking on staff, running expenses like food, clothes, heating.’
‘Would you like me to check the figures?’
‘Would you? That would be a great help, but can you spare the time?’
‘For you, Jane, I will always spare time.’
‘Oh.’ She was taken aback, but pulled herself together to laugh. ‘You want to know how your money is being spent?’
‘No, of course not. I trust you implicitly.’
‘I was only joking.’
‘I know, but other contributors might be more demanding and it is as well to have the answers at your fingertips.’
‘If I get any other contributors.’
‘I am sure you will.’
‘Shall we go indoors? My notes are all there.’
They rose and went into the morning room, where Jane had left her papers spread out on the table.
* * *
They were absorbed in the calculations when Lady Cartrose and Isabel returned, accompanied by Drew.
‘Mark,’ Isabel said as he rose to greet them. ‘I was not expecting you back so soon.’
‘I came in order to attend the soirée tomorrow evening and to take you home. Your parents are anxious to have you back.’
‘I am not sure I am recovered enough.’
‘You were well enough to go out,’ Jane said.
‘We did not go far and we went in the carriage.’
Lady Cartrose summoned a maid to bring refreshments and they sat down to converse until they arrived. ‘I wanted some pink ribbon to match my gown for tomorrow,’ Isabel went on. ‘And Drew bought us ice creams at Gunter’s. Then we saw the Regent riding by in his carriage. He deigned to smile and lift a hand in salute to us, but there were others on the road who booed him. He is enormously fat.’
‘He is known to eat prodigious quantities,’ her ladyship put in, demonstrating her own ability in that area when a maid brought in the tea tray and a plate of cakes.
‘And that when half his people are starving,’ Jane added, accepting a cup of tea, but declining anything to eat. ‘No wonder he is booed.’
‘There are rumours he means to divorce his wife,’ Lady Cartrose put in. ‘He wants an heir, but if Princess Charlotte manages to bring her latest pregnancy to term, we might have one sooner than we think.’
‘I have a good mind to write to him and point out the desperate straits of the soldiers’ orphans,’ Jane said.
‘I do not suppose a letter would ever advance beyond a second or third secretary,’ Mark said, smiling at her. ‘You would do better appealing to others further down the social scale.’
‘Like the Duke of Wellington,’ Isabel said with a giggle. ‘Do you know, Mark, Jane had a reply from his secretary.’
‘Did you, Jane?’
‘Yes. He said the Duke was cognisant of the problem and would enter into anything the Government might do to alleviate it,’ she answered, ‘But he did not feel it fair to subscribe to one small charity above others, especially in a part of the country with which he is unfamiliar. His Grace could not give to all and therefore must decline.’
‘An evasive answer if ever I heard one,’ Mark said.
They finished drinking their tea and the men took their leave, walking swiftly in the direction of South Audley Street. ‘You have been a constant visitor to Mount Street, I believe,’ Mark said.
‘I go to enquire of the invalid and, in your absence, to see if I can be of service to the ladies. Is there anything wrong with that?’
‘No, of course not, but I did notice Isabel referred to you as Drew.’
‘A slip of the tongue, no doubt. She often hears you call me that. I do not mind it, if you do not.’
‘No, we are all friends. Will you come to the soirée tomorrow evening?’
‘Indeed I will. I think Miss Cavenhurst will need all the support she can get. I fear she is going to be disappointed—there are too many people, like the good Duke, who think the problem is for others to solve.’
‘I doubt His Grace ever saw Jane’s letter.’
‘You are probably right, but it is not only that. There have been rumours...’
‘What rumours?’ Mark asked sharply.
‘That Miss Cavenhurst is using whatever funds she gathers, not for the benefit of orphans, but to help solve her father’s financial difficulties.’
‘Good God! Who is spreading such tales? No, let me guess. Hector Bolsover.’
‘You are right. He is saying that none of the Cavenhursts can be trusted with money.’
‘I was right, was I not? This is not about Teddy and his debts. Have you managed to discover what is behind it?’
‘No, but I think Toby Moore might know something, so I am cultivating the gentleman. He is a very poor card player.’
Mark laughed. ‘It is more the case that you are an exceptionally good one.’
‘However, when he owes me a great deal of blunt I shall magnanimously offer to waive it for information. I have undertaken to play tonight. Do you come?’
‘No, I have Jane’s figures to check and suggestions to make ready for tomorrow.’ He tapped the folder of notes he carried. ‘I want to give her the best possible chance, especially in view of what you have told me.’
They parted on the corner of the road. Mark walked half the length of South Audley Street, dwelling, not on Jane’s figures, but on Isabel and Drew and wondering if Bolsover, for all his nastiness, had been right in his insinuation. He should have felt angry and jealous, but surprisingly did not, or only in so far as the gossip would harm both families if the engagement were broken. It would be decidedly dishonourable to consider breaking it himself and so he must remain passive and await events. The alternative would be to tackle Drew and call him out. But what would that achieve? The death or injury of one or the other and a great many unhappy people. And maybe he was reading more into it than was actually there. He shrugged his shoulders and entered his house.
* * *
The following evening, with wine and refreshments ready in the dining room and the drawing room cleared of most of its furniture and ornaments
to make room for people, Jane prepared herself for what she knew would be an ordeal. Her gown was a pale sea-green silk of a plain design, trimmed with dark green velvet ribbon. Bessie, who dressed her hair, threaded it with more green ribbon and she wore the pearls her father had bought for her on her twenty-first birthday.
Her head was buzzing with the speech she meant to make, which she intended to be brief in favour of circulating among the guests and speaking to them individually. Mark arrived early so that they could take a last look at her figures and the notes she had made. At eight o’clock friends of Lady Cartrose began arriving and, being plied with refreshments, stood about eating, drinking and gossiping. They were followed by others, less well known, and by nine o’clock the room was full. It was then Isabel made her entrance, wearing her sari and causing something of a stir, which, of course, she had known it would. Jane could do nothing about it as her sister drifted over to Drew and asked him if he approved. Neither Mark nor Jane heard his reply.
‘Let us make a start,’ Mark said, turning away from the sight of his fiancée flirting with his friend. He called for attention and said a little about the reason they were gathered together and introduced Jane. Then he helped her stand on a stool so that she could be seen and heard.
She was shaking with nerves, but was so passionate about her subject, she forgot everything else and was soon in full spate. At first the audience were silent, but as she went on the murmurs grew until she was forced to stop to deal with them. ‘You have questions?’ she asked. ‘I will answer them in due time.’
‘Answer them now,’ one gentleman called out.
‘Very well. Who is to be first?’
‘I will,’ the same man said. ‘How can we be sure the money you collect from us will be used for the purpose you state? I have heard your father is close to bankruptcy and the money will go to settle his debts.’
‘That is a monstrous accusation,’ Jane retorted angrily. ‘Even if my father were bankrupt, which is a downright lie and which, were I a man, I would call you out for, it would have no bearing on the Hadlea Home, whose finances will be kept entirely separate.’
‘So you say.’
‘Toby Moore,’ Drew had left Isabel talking to her aunt and come to Mark’s side. ‘He has no doubt been sent by Bolsover to disrupt the meeting. Let us throw him out.’
They moved towards the questioner. Seeing them approach, the man backed away and, reaching the door, bolted through it. But the damage had been done. Jane could not finish her speech for the heckling, as one question after another was fired at her, not about the home, which she could have understood, but about her father and brother. She did her best to parry them, but in the end it was Mark who rescued her, helping her down from the stool and climbing on it himself.
‘If you will not listen to Miss Cavenhurst, then listen to me,’ he shouted above the din. ‘Most of you know who I am, but for those who do not, I am Lord Wyndham of Broadacres, close by the village of Hadlea. My family has been in residence there for hundreds of years and is well respected both in Norfolk and in London. I and my late father have both subscribed to the Hadlea Children’s Home and I will personally guarantee Miss Cavenhurst’s integrity.’
‘You have an interest, you are betrothed to her sister,’ someone commented in a loud voice.
‘So I am, but that is all the more reason to make sure my good name is not brought into disrepute. I will appoint my own man of business to set up a trust and oversee the funds. This home is important for the little children who need it and I think it is shameful that so good a cause should be sullied by innuendo and downright calumny. Now, if you would like to make a donation, Miss Cavenhurst is here to take it. If not, I bid you goodnight.’
He stood and watched as several people made their escape, but one or two came forward to ask Jane more about what she planned to do and she was able to make the points she had been prevented from making earlier.
* * *
Only when they had all gone and she had some pledges, though not nearly as many as she had hoped, and a small pile of jewellery to which she had added her own pearls, was she able to breathe freely and thank Mark for his timely assistance.
‘You were magnificent,’ she said. ‘I could not have managed without you.’
‘It was my privilege and pleasure.’
‘What did that man mean about my father being bankrupt? Where did such rumours start?’
‘From Lord Bolsover, I imagine.’ He paused. ‘Jane, has anyone in your family ever come up against him before?’
‘Besides Teddy, you mean?’
‘Yes. Perhaps some time ago, something that might explain the grudge he seems to have.’
‘Teddy owes him money and has escaped his clutches, is that not grudge enough?’
‘I am not sure it has anything to do with Teddy. I think getting his hooks on Teddy was only a means to an end.’
‘What end?’
‘That I do not know, but I will endeavour to find out.’
‘I cannot think of anything. Papa has always been straight and true. I am sure you must be mistaken.’
‘Perhaps.’ He paused. ‘You are looking tired, Jane. This has all been too much for you after looking after Isabel as well.’
‘I am a little tired, but a night’s sleep is all I need.’ She paused, motioning to the pledges, the money and jewels. ‘Will you take charge of these? I do not want to bring any more accusations down on my head if I keep them by me.’
‘Yes, of course. If you are agreeable, I shall call tomorrow morning and we will go to Halliday and have a trust set up and open an account at the bank in the name of the trust. That way everyone can see it is all above board.’
‘Yes, please.’ She picked up a canvas bag, put everything into it and handed it to him. ‘I knew something like that would have to be done, but I had not thought it was urgent. This evening has made me see so how naïve I have been. I needed you.’
‘My pleasure.’ He smiled and touched her hand. ‘Away to your bed, Jane. I shall bid goodnight to Isabel and her ladyship and be off.’
When he had gone, she said goodnight to her aunt and sister and went to her room, undressed and tumbled into bed. It had been an eventful and troubling day, but it was over and she had made a start on her big project. She could not have done it without Mark’s help. Those rumours being spread by Bolsover were worrying, too. They could be very damaging especially if it became known that the Cavenhursts were having to economise. As always happened in such cases, every creditor who had been prepared to wait for his money would now be knocking at their door.
Mark had said he would try to find out what lay behind Bolsover’s animosity and she could trust him to do his best, but it was unfair of her to lean on him so heavily. She should be more self-reliant and that meant tackling Lord Bolsover herself. If only she could make him see reason about Teddy’s debts and retract his calumny, they might all live in peace and her father’s money troubles need not be made public. It would have to be the next day because Mark was taking them home the day after. But how to do it? She did not know his lordship’s direction and, even if she did, it was certainly not the thing for an unmarried lady to visit a gentleman in his quarters. He gambled at White’s and probably other clubs, but she certainly could not venture into St James’s.
Before she could decide what to do, she had drifted off to sleep.
* * *
Jane woke next morning very early with the problem still in her mind and it had not been solved by the time Mark arrived with his tilbury. She did not think that she needed a chaperon, but her aunt insisted on one and, as she was far too fat to squeeze into a vehicle meant for two, Bessie was told to accompany her.
Even so, it was a tight fit and Jane found herself so close to Mark, his trouser-clad thigh hard against hers, that she could feel its warmth throug
h her dress. It was so unnerving she could think of nothing else and found herself almost lost for words when Mark spoke to her. When they arrived, he jumped down to hand her out and she pulled herself together to precede him into the building.
Going through the front office, where the juniors worked at their desks, Jane was reminded that her brother had once been a junior here and had left under a cloud. Would that make Mr Halliday less inclined to help her? A clerk conducted them up to the younger Mr Halliday’s office, where Mark was greeted cordially.
‘I have brought Miss Cavenhurst to meet you, Cecil,’ Mark said. ‘She would do some business with you.’
Jane bobbed, shook the outstretched hand and was offered a chair.
‘The Cavenhurst affairs are usually handled by my father,’ the lawyer said as he and Mark also seated themselves. ‘If it is about Mr Cavenhurst...’
‘It is not about Teddy or my father,’ she said. ‘Lord Wyndham will explain.’
As Mark spoke, the lawyer’s initial wariness vanished and he became interested in Jane’s project and readily agreed to set up the trust. ‘Who had you in mind for trustees?’ he asked.
‘Miss Cavenhurst, of course,’ Mark said.
‘It is unusual for an unmarried lady to serve in that way,’ Mr Halliday said.
‘Yes, but it is Miss Cavenhurst’s project, she is its leading light, so I think we should allow it,’ Mark said. ‘But there must be others who are not connected with the family. Would you be one, Cecil? And perhaps we could ask our bank manager.’
* * *
They had gone on to discuss the details and, an hour later, left with everything in hand and without the canvas bag containing the money and jewels. The latter would be auctioned and the proceeds added to the funds and Mr Halliday had undertaken to make the arrangements for that. Mark escorted her out to the carriage and saw her safely in. ‘I have a little business of my own with Mr Halliday, Jane. I won’t be long.’ He went back into the building, leaving Jane sitting beside Bessie.
The street was busy with people hurrying to and fro on the pavement and vehicles of all kinds passing up and down, from gigs to grand carriages, from coster barrows to heavy drays. She was so engrossed in watching a skirmish between a skinny terrier and a spitting ginger cat, she did not see the man who approached the carriage and stopped.
