Fairfield Hall

by Margaret Dickinson

  Mr Hoyles’s expression was now very serious. He leaned forward and rested his forearms on his desk as he said quietly, ‘You know I cannot discuss your husband’s affairs with you, even though this is where he banks. But, go on.’ They stared at each other across the broad expanse of his desk and, shrewdly, Annabel guessed his intention. He could not tell her anything, but if she were to say what she believed to be the facts and he did not deny them, then she would be able to glean most of the truth.

  ‘I presume that the ten thousand pounds has paid all or part of a loan or whatever it is on the house and land.’ She paused and Mr Hoyles said nothing. ‘But – if I’m right – it has not left anything with which to revitalize the estate.’ Still he remained silent. ‘I have been told by my sister-in-law that –’ here Annabel paused. She did not intend to tell him everything that Dorothea had said. Choosing her words carefully, she went on, ‘Mr Jackson has been instructed to give everyone on the estate – and that includes the tenant farmers and all the dwellings in the village – notice. It is hoped that new tenants will be found to pay what I’m guessing will be extortionate rents. Personally, I doubt the sense in that anyway since no one in their right mind is going to take on tenancies with exorbitant rents, especially considering the dilapidated state of the farms and cottages.’

  ‘I agree,’ Mr Hoyles said briefly, able for once to make a comment.

  ‘So, I intend to help the tenant farmers and the villagers get back on their feet and see that they are charged affordable rents when they are able to start paying them again.’

  ‘Your husband has agreed to this?’

  ‘He knows nothing about it. He’s away playing soldiers.’ Immediately, she regretted her sarcasm and the hint of censure against her husband her words held. And yet, she was angry with him for not noticing that his people were in dire need.

  ‘And the dowager countess? Does she approve?’

  ‘It’s of no consequence. She takes no interest in the running of the estate and my sister-in-law has no empathy with the villagers.’

  ‘I must warn you that whatever you spend, my lady, you are unlikely to recoup it.’

  Annabel shrugged. ‘I realize that. But it’s only money and there are people’s lives at stake here.’ She leaned forward to emphasize her point. ‘The villagers are starving, Mr Hoyles. We have to act swiftly.’

  He nodded. ‘I had heard that there was suffering amongst the villagers. What can I do to help you?’

  ‘I have this morning asked Mr Parker to sell some of my shares and my grandfather will have to countersign my instructions. This may take a few days for the money to come through. In the meantime, could you advance me a loan so that I can pay the town’s tradesmen whatever they are owed and buy more supplies for the villagers?’

  ‘Your deposit account already has a healthy sum in it and I’ll arrange a transfer of that to your current account so that you may make cheques out immediately, which I will ensure are honoured. And we’ll arrange a temporary loan too,’ Mr Hoyles agreed readily and smiled as he rang a bell to summon his chief cashier. ‘But of course I, too, will need to see your grandfather.’

  ‘I’ll make sure he calls in to the bank. Will tomorrow morning be soon enough?’

  ‘Certainly. Any cheques you make out today probably won’t be presented immediately, so as long as everything is in place by tomorrow that will be fine.’ He paused and added, with a note of caution in his tone, ‘You’re a very astute businesswoman, Lady Annabel, for one so young, but I wonder if you realize just what a considerable amount of money it is going to take to restore the estate?’

  Annabel treated him to her most winning smile. ‘I had been wondering what to do with the money I have made – and am still making. Rather than just buying more and more shares, this seems like a very worthwhile investment.’ Mr Hoyles still didn’t look convinced, but Annabel went on, ‘The Fairfield Estate is now my future and – if I’m blessed with children – it’s their future too. And in the meantime, I’ll be helping the tenants get back their livelihood. They’ve been treated rather shabbily, I fear, though that is just between you and me, Mr Hoyles.’

  ‘Of course,’ he murmured, his gaze still on her lovely face that had not only beauty but also a steely determination. He took a deep breath as he said, ‘I will make sure the bank supports you in your worthy endeavours, my lady.’

  An hour later, armed with her chequebook and the promise of ample funds to be available in her current account to meet any cheques she needed to make out, Annabel stepped out into the market town’s main street. She made her way at once to the grocer’s shop. As she entered, there were three customers and the proprietor behind his counter. All four heads turned to look at her, but she took her place in the queue behind the other women. When they’d all left, whispering to one another, Annabel approached the counter.

  ‘Good morning. I am Annabel Lyndon and—’

  ‘I know full well who you are and I’m sorry to say it, but you’re not welcome in my shop.’ The man stood tall and rotund behind his counter, a white apron stretched around his middle.

  ‘Then would you be kind enough to tell me the amount that is owed to you by both Fairfield Hall and everyone in Fairfield village too? I will pay you in full and then find another supplier. I’m sure there must be another grocer in the town, or I could travel to Lincoln, of course. It’s not so many miles away.’

  ‘Ah well, now, m’lady, there’s no need to be hasty. You’ll not find another establishment within easy reach to compare with my shop. And if you’ve come to pay up, then—’

  Annabel’s eyes gleamed. ‘I have and I have also come to buy a quantity of supplies which I intend to pay for at once.’

  ‘It’ll take me a few moments to add everything up that’s owed.’

  ‘Then I’ll go next door to the butcher’s whilst you do.’ With that, she turned on her heel and left the shop with the man staring after her, his mouth half open.

  More or less the same words were exchanged in the butcher’s shop further along the street. He was reluctant at first to serve her but then the shopkeeper almost fell over himself in his eagerness to retain her custom. When she returned to the grocer’s, he was waiting for her with an itemized bill in his hand. Annabel glanced at the total and was not surprised that the man had refused to serve her. For a small businessman, he was owed a great deal of money by Fairfield Hall and the villagers. She glanced up at him. ‘I promise you this will not happen again. And now, if you will make up this order as soon as you can and add it to this account, I will settle at once. You will take a cheque?’

  For a brief moment the man looked uncertain again. He hesitated and bit his lip.

  ‘Mr Hoyles is my bank manager. If you wish to check with him first, I am happy to wait.’

  The man relaxed and nodded. ‘That’ll be all right, m’lady. It’s where I bank too.’

  ‘There is just one more thing. Are you able to deliver to Fairfield? I won’t be able to get everything in my trap.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘If there’s a charge for delivery then please add it to the bill.’

  ‘Since you’re settling everything, I’ll not charge on this occasion, though in normal circumstances, I do make a small charge to come out to Fairfield.’

  Annabel nodded as she left his shop to make similar arrangements with the butcher. The goods were promised for delivery later in the day.

  As she climbed into the trap once more and turned for home, another thought struck her and she pulled to a halt outside the smithy’s where Jabez and Josh worked. She climbed down and went into the yard and to the doorway, but hesitated to interrupt the two men who were working at the glowing forge. She waited until another man came up and asked what she wanted.

  ‘Is it ya pony, missis?’ He jerked his head towards the animal standing patiently just outside the gate.

  ‘No, no, I just wanted to speak to Josh or Jabez, but I didn’t want to interrupt them.’

>   ‘That was thoughtful of you, missis. You’d be surprised how many folk just walk in here and disturb them without realizing how dangerous this work is. Can I give them a message?’

  ‘If you would, I’d be grateful. What time do they finish work tonight?’

  ‘About six.’

  ‘Then please tell them I’ll arrange for Mr Jackson to fetch them in the trap.’

  The man’s eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded. ‘I’ll be sure to tell them. They’ll be glad to hear it. Young Josh don’t look too well today.’

  Annabel made no comment but merely smiled and bade him good day. Then she climbed back into the trap, anxious now to get home.

  Twenty

  When her pony trotted into the village, Annabel saw her grandfather’s farm cart standing outside the vicarage gate. Edward, Ben and the vicar were carrying goods into the house. When they saw her, they stopped what they were doing and came to her. Further down the street, she could see the doctor’s pony and trap and guessed he had arrived already to continue his examination of all the villagers as she had asked.

  ‘Grandfather,’ she greeted him and kissed his cheek.

  ‘Ben told us where you’d gone, but we were starting to worry. You’ve been a long time.’

  Her eyes sparkling at the success of her morning’s work, she said, ‘Let’s go inside. Perhaps Mrs Webster can find us a cup of tea and I’ll tell you everything.’

  ‘Oh, miss, I’ve been that worried.’ Jane hurried towards her as they entered the kitchen. ‘When I found you gone, I – I thought – well, I didn’t know what to think and Lady Dorothea said you’d likely gone home – back to your folks. But I – I didn’t think you’d have gone without me, miss.’

  ‘Of course I wouldn’t have, Jane.’ Annabel smiled as she sat down and drew off her gloves. ‘Besides, this is our home now. Whatever anyone else says, we’re here to stay.’

  Jane couldn’t stop herself grimacing, but she said softly, ‘Whatever you say, miss.’

  ‘Don’t worry.’ Annabel patted the girl’s hand. ‘Things will soon be better.’ And, as Phoebe Webster poured out tea for them all, she told them everything that she’d done that morning. ‘You’ll have to call in at both Mr Parker’s and the bank, Gramps, to sign some papers, but they said there was no immediate hurry.’ When at last she fell silent, they were all gaping at her – all except her grandfather, who was smiling with pride. ‘That’s my girl,’ he murmured.

  It was the vicar who said what they were all thinking. ‘You shouldn’t have to spend your own money. Your dowry was supposed to –’ He stopped in embarrassment, wondering if he had said too much. Gently, Annabel reassured him, but she was careful not to let Ben down in any way. ‘I know about my dowry and, yes, it should have solved everything, but it didn’t. My sister-in-law wasted no time in telling me that the sum of money my father paid my husband – a large sum of money, I might add – was not nearly enough. It has only secured Fairfield Hall and the land, and, I suspect, only for the time being, seeing as there is no income from the estate at the present time.’ Now she glanced at Ben. ‘She also told me that you had been instructed to give notice to the tenant farmers and to all the villagers. I do hope you haven’t done anything about that yet.’

  Ben glanced uncomfortably around the gathering before saying, stiltingly, ‘No, m’lady, I haven’t. I was hoping – like you’ve just said – that the money his lordship had been promised on your marriage to him would . . .’ He spread his hands in a helpless gesture and didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone there knew exactly what he meant. Instead, he went on flatly, ‘But if, as you say, it’s all been used to save the house and estate, then’ – he sighed heavily – ‘I suppose now I have no choice but to carry out those orders. But who’ll want to take on the farms in their present state?’

  ‘You’ll do no such thing,’ Annabel said swiftly, but her smile took the sting out of her demand. ‘Everyone will be staying. Between us, we’ll get this village – and the estate – back on its feet. Oh, and by the way, Ben, please would you take the pony and trap into town to be at the smithy’s in town by six o’clock. Jabez and Josh need a ride home.’

  A slow grin spread across Ben’s face. ‘Indeed I will, m’lady. And – thank you.’ His deep voice was suddenly husky with emotion and Annabel knew he was thanking her for a good deal more than her thoughtfulness for the two working men.

  Hands on her hips, Phoebe was looking at the goods stacked around her kitchen. ‘And you say there’s more coming from the town later today, m’lady? Whatever are we going to do with it all?’

  ‘Ah, now I need to talk to Dr Maybury and ask him the best way to distribute everything. I don’t want anyone to make themselves ill with over-indulgence.’

  ‘Shall I go and find him, miss?’ Jane offered. ‘He’s down the street.’

  Annabel nodded. ‘Yes, please. Then we can organize how it’s to be done. In the meantime,’ she added, as her maid hurried out, ‘I want to be sure that the woman and her child in the cottage on the outskirts of the village will be included when the provisions are given out.’

  There was an uncomfortable silence around the table and no one would meet her questioning gaze. Beside her, a puzzled frown furrowed her grandfather’s brow. After several minutes, it was Lizzie who burst out, ‘Begging your pardon, ma’am’ – she glanced at her mistress – ‘but it has to be said. That woman is a whore.’

  Now there were startled gasps and the vicar said sternly, ‘Lizzie, curb your tongue. I will not have such language in my house.’

  Unfazed, Annabel said softly, ‘Then tell me about her, Lizzie, if you please.’ Even though she knew the story, she was anxious yet again not to let Ben down. He was sitting across the table from her, his head bowed. But now, Lizzie too seemed uncertain. She glanced at her mistress, who shrugged and said flatly, ‘You’d better finish what you started, Lizzie, but mind what you say.’

  ‘She had a bairn out of wedlock. The boy you see playing in the garden. It wasn’t so bad at first. She lived with her mam and they were dressmakers, but when times got hard and there was no work coming in, Nancy had no means of supporting her child so she turned to –’ again Lizzie hesitated before whispering, ‘entertaining a couple of men from the town. They come nearly every Friday night. Mrs Banks couldn’t stand the shame so she – she left.’

  ‘So – Nancy’s regarded as a fallen woman and her child is treated as an outcast? Is that it?’

  ‘He’s a bastard, m’lady, he—’

  ‘Lizzie!’ Richard Webster thundered.

  ‘Sorry, sir, but he is. And the rest of the village will have nowt to do wi’ her – or him.’

  ‘You mean she is shunned by everyone? And the little boy has no playmates?’

  Lizzie shook her head.

  ‘She’s a lost sheep,’ Richard murmured sadly.

  Annabel turned to look at him, her jaw set determinedly. ‘Then, Mr Webster, it’s high time she and her child were brought back into the fold.’

  He shook his head. ‘Not whilst she still – um – entertains.’

  ‘That will be stopped. She’ll have no need to earn her living outside the village.’

  He gazed at her for a moment before saying. ‘No one in the village or on the estate will employ her. They could forgive her bearing an illegitimate child, but not what she’s doing now.’

  ‘Maybe not, Vicar, but I can and I will find gainful employment for her in due course. In the meantime’ – Annabel pushed back her chair and stood up – ‘she and her child are to be fed along with the rest of the villagers. Now, that sounds like Jane returning with the doctor. Come along, we have work to do.’

  For the rest of the day, until dusk fell, they worked as a team. When the supplies arrived from the town, they doled out the food to each household, under advice from Stephen Maybury with regard to how many adults and children lived in each dwelling.

  ‘Give them what we’ve given them today for the next three or fou
r days and then they should be all right to eat more or less what they want, though,’ he laughed, ‘there may still be one or two cases of indigestion, but it’ll no longer be harmful. I think most people have taken notice of what I’ve told them, particularly where their children are concerned. Country folk understand nature – even human nature – better than most. I’m confident now that they’ll all be sensible. It was just for the first few days when they were so desperately hungry that I was fearful they would over-indulge.’

  As the doctor was about to leave, Annabel held out her hand. ‘I don’t know how to thank you, Doctor, for everything you’ve done. You will send your bill to me, won’t you?’ But he waved her plea aside.

  ‘I’ve been glad to help. And don’t hesitate to call on me any time. I mean it.’ He took her hand in his warm grasp and looked down into her beautiful eyes, losing himself for a brief moment in their depths. ‘You are a most remarkable woman, Lady Fairfield. It is a privilege to know you.’

  Without waiting for her to reply, he turned and climbed up into his pony and trap and as he drew away, Annabel found she was blushing.

  By the time Ben returned with Jabez and Josh, it was almost dark, but there was just one more thing Annabel wanted to find out before she went home. She was waiting for them outside the vicarage when the trap rattled into the village street. Seeing her, Ben pulled the pony to a halt and his two passengers stepped down.

  ‘Thank ’ee, m’lady. That were kind of you,’ Jabez said.

  ‘Provisions have been left at your home, Mr Fletcher. I understand Josh lodges with you?’