A Debt From the Past

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘I hope we shall find some answers tomorrow.’

  Watching the time carefully, they finished the tea, and then Beth said, ‘Time to go, Helen. We’ll take the back stairs via the servants’ quarters; with luck, we should be able to reach the stables unobserved.’

  Halfway down, they met the butler. ‘Where is he, Jenkins?’

  Still in the master’s rooms, miss. He’s asked for hot water so he can bathe.’

  ‘Ah, that should keep him occupied for a while. I’m going to meet Mr Greenway to tell him what has happened and work out a plan of action with him. The estate must not suffer because of this unfortunate turn of events.’

  ‘You’ll have to hurry, then, miss, because he’s informed Cook that in future dinner will be served at seven o’clock and not eight. We’ll try and keep him busy until you get back.’

  ‘Thank you, Jenkins. If he asks for me, tell him that I am indisposed.’

  ‘I’ll do that, miss.’

  The stables were not overlooked from the house and they ran the last few yards.

  Tom was there with three horses already saddled. ‘I’d better come with you, miss, in case his nibs turns up.’

  As wretched as she felt, that almost brought a smile to Beth’s face. Tom was only thirteen, with a lot of growing still to do, but he’d clearly taken on the role of her protector.

  ‘Thank you, Tom. We shall be pleased to have you ride with us.’

  The estate manager was waiting for them, anxious to hear what had happened. ‘Young Tom told us the sad news about Lord Edward, Miss Langton, but he didn’t know much about the stranger who’s turned up.’

  Beth quickly explained and saw Mr Greenway’s face darken with concern. ‘I don’t like the sound of that. This estate runs smoothly and makes a steady profit. Your father saw to that and he taught you his ways. As soon as you could sit on a horse, you were by his side, asking questions. You’ve a good business head on your shoulders, and we don’t want a stranger coming in and changing things.’

  ‘That is also my concern, so I want you to come and see me if he does anything you disagree with.’ Beth ran a hand over her tired eyes. ‘Please tell everyone to obey him for the moment, while I endeavour to find a way to overturn this decision. I cannot believe my godfather would put me in such a perilous position.’

  ‘Neither can I, but we’ll do as you say and try to see he doesn’t do too much damage. Do you know what experience he has in running an estate?’

  ‘I’m afraid not.’ Beth shook her head in dismay. ‘I know nothing about the man. It has come as a complete surprise to hear that my godfather had a son. I didn’t even know he had been married. I am going to look into his legitimacy very carefully.’

  ‘Try not to worry too much, Miss Langton. I’ll spread the word, and you can be sure that he won’t be able to make a move without one of us seeing.’

  ‘Thank you. I will meet you here at our usual time each week, and not at the house, so we can go through everything together. I shall still keep the accounts, whether this man likes it or not! Now, you must all be very careful, for he does not appear to be a man with any kindness in him, and I do not want to lose any of you.’

  Helen came into the barn with Tom. ‘We should get back. It would not do to be late for dinner. Until you have the full facts, it would not be wise to antagonize this man.’

  Beth nodded, grateful for her friend’s steady wisdom. ‘You’re right, Helen. We must not give any indication that we are plotting behind his back to be rid of him.’

  Four

  It was a relief when Beth saw that her unwelcome guest was not at breakfast. Dinner the night before had been an ordeal. She would have preferred to have taken a meal in her rooms but was aware that she must not show the slightest sign of weakness. Not only was she dreadfully upset about her godfather’s death so soon after her dear father, but she was furious that this arrogant man had taken her place at the head of the table. Hiding her displeasure, she had tried to find out more about him by being as polite as possible. To no avail. Not one piece of information did she manage to glean from him.

  The butler held her chair for her, and she asked, ‘Where is he, Jenkins?’

  He came down two hours ago, Miss Langton, and has now left with Tom.’

  Beth’s frown deepened. ‘If he’s taken Tom with him, then there’s no doubt he is going to inspect the estate.’

  ‘Very likely, miss. He didn’t say where he was going or when he would be back. Cook is uncertain what to do about lunch.’

  ‘If his lordship does not turn up in time for lunch, then he will have to go hungry.’ Beth was in no mood to be charitable. One thing she could not abide in a man was bad manners. And this one appeared to have them in abundance.

  The butler’s mouth twitched at the corners. ‘I’ll tell Cook you require lunch as usual, shall I?’

  ‘Indeed. The smooth running of this house is my responsibility, and if he wishes to relieve me of that task also, he will discover he has a fight on his hands.’

  Helen looked at her with concern. ‘I don’t think it would be wise to upset him. We know so little about him.’

  ‘Little!’ Beth’s laugh lacked humour. ‘We know nothing about him, and as soon as we have eaten we will visit Mr Crighton and demand some answers.

  The lawyer shuffled the papers on his desk, showing his unease, clearly not relishing this unpleasant task. ‘I assure you, Miss Langton, that it is legal. Your godfather left a sealed package with me to be opened upon his death. In it he stated that his son, James Sharland, was his heir, and if he died before your twenty-first birthday, his son was to take over as your guardian.’

  ‘This is the first I have heard of such a person.’ She was becoming more concerned by the minute, for she had not thought her godfather to be a secretive man.

  ‘But what about my father’s wishes – that I continue to run the estate, even if I had not reached my majority before he died?’

  ‘That was only a verbal arrangement and it was never put in writing. Your father and godfather were certain one of them would survive to see that the agreement was carried out.’ He lifted his hands in a helpless gesture. ‘I did urge that it all be put into proper order, but they kept finding excuses not to do it.’

  That didn’t surprise her; they had always needed prodding to make them deal with the important things in life. Her father and godfather had been dear people, but they’d had the lamentable habit of procrastinating. ‘Are you telling me that I have to be under this man’s control for the next year?’

  ‘Yes, unless you marry, of course, and then everything will go to your husband.’

  ‘Never!’

  He appeared saddened by her vehemence. ‘I fear I have been lax in my duty towards you. I should have insisted the document be drawn up, but no one could have foreseen that Lord Edward Sharland would die so soon.’

  Beth agreed, grief nearly overcoming her. ‘And it has placed me in an untenable position. What will happen when I reach the age of twenty-one?’

  ‘The entire estate will revert back to you, and your guardian will no longer have any authority over your affairs. Your father did at least set that all down properly, so you will only have to wait a year and you will regain control.’

  ‘If there is anything left,’ she said in despair. ‘Can we prove that this man’s claim of being my godfather’s son is illegal? Is there no way out of this dilemma?’

  ‘I have looked into this with great care, but there is none, I am afraid. Here –’ he handed her some documents – ‘these prove he is who he claims to be.’

  ‘They could have been faked. And how do we know that he really is the person these documents relate to?’ She was grasping at any tiny crumb of hope.

  ‘I have checked. They are genuine, and to prove his identity your godfather left this with me.’ He handed her a photograph. ‘I’m so sorry, Miss Langton.’

  Her heart began to race in panic as she studied the likeness. There was
no doubt that this was the man claiming to be her new guardian. She was helpless, and it was not a feeling she was comfortable with, or would tolerate for long – and certainly not for the next twelve months.

  ‘Tell me what you know about the new Lord Sharland?’

  ‘Very little. As you know, we believed your godfather did not have children of his own, so when he died and I opened his letter, I was astonished. I thought it was just a formality, and the agreement made between Lord Edward and your father would stand, even though not set down in legal terms.’ He raised his hands in a helpless gesture. ‘But the Langton estate is a very desirable property, and I do not believe any gentleman would forgo the pleasure of running it for a while.’

  ‘And why have we never known of his existence?’ It was extremely hard to refer to him as a gentleman, for she was certain he was not one, but she was beginning to pray earnestly that there was some decency under his cold exterior. If not, she could well lose her inheritance.

  ‘We do not know why your godfather kept him a secret.’

  Beth frowned. ‘Why was I not told the moment news of my godfather’s death arrived?’

  He looked apologetic. ‘I did not know until your godfather’s son arrived, and I was reluctant to tell you until I’d had a chance to check that this man was really the son of Lord Edward Sharland. You were still grieving for your father.’

  Her chin came up in anger. ‘Do you consider me a weakling, Mr Crighton?’

  ‘No, no, of course not, but you are only just turned twenty ...’ His words tailed off. ‘I have misjudged you: you have great inner strength, and I can see that now.’

  ‘Indeed. And that is why my father was happy to leave the running of the estate in my hands. But do continue. Are you absolutely positive these documents are genuine?’

  ‘There is no doubt. As an added precaution, I took him to see your godfather’s mother, and she recognized him.’

  ‘But her wits are addled! Any scoundrel would be able to convince her that they were related to the Sharlands.’

  ‘I know she can be confused at times, but she recognized him as soon as he walked in the door. Before he uttered a word, she cried out his name and kissed him. And as I had all the necessary documents, your godfather’s instructions in writing and Lady Sharland vouching for his identity, I could not delay handing over the estate.’

  ‘And me with it.’ Beth gave a frustrated sigh.

  The lawyer nodded. ‘He had letters written to him by your godfather, going back over ten years. I was allowed to read them all except one that had been written before Lord Edward left for India. I was told that its contents were not to be seen by anyone else. But ...’

  When he didn’t complete the sentence, she prompted. ‘But?’

  ‘Oh, I do not know anything for sure.’ He shrugged, looking self-conscious. ‘I have never heard your godfather mention that he had once been married or that he had a son, and I have the uncomfortable feeling that there is something not quite the thing about him.’

  ‘On that point we do agree!’ she declared with some force. ‘Now, you mentioned a letter for me?’

  ‘Yes, yes, of course.’ He handed her a sealed envelope.

  She slit it open quickly, her hands shaking with emotion. After reading the short letter through twice, she handed it to Helen, and her friend frowned as she read it as well.

  ‘But it tells you nothing!’ she exclaimed.

  ‘May I ask what is in the letter?’ the lawyer asked. ‘No personal details, of course, just the main points.’

  ‘My godfather says that his son has promised to sort out a family problem, and the best way for him to do that is to become my guardian. He will need to reside at my house until I am of age. He apologizes for the inconvenience and worry this will cause me.’ Beth sighed in exasperation and disappointment. She had been hoping for some answers in this letter, but she was more confused than ever. ‘I do not understand why my godfather could not have explained what this is all about; then at least I would know what to expect. All this secrecy is not at all like him.’

  Mr Crighton looked at her sympathetically. ‘It appears that he was a secretive man. He knew he had a son, and yet he never mentioned him to anyone, not even me.’

  ‘You are right, of course, but that is hard to accept.’

  ‘There is one more thing I must inform you about. Lord Sharland leaves the bulk of his estate to his son, but there is a bequest of ten thousand pounds to you, Miss Langton, and a thousand for Lady Helen. These amounts will be paid to you as soon as the estate is wound up, but that may take some time.’

  Both girls gasped, and Helen was wide-eyed with shock. ‘That is extremely generous of him.’

  ‘He was a kind and generous man, and a very wealthy one.’ The lawyer smiled for the first time since they had arrived. ‘I am relieved to be able to give you some good news.’

  Back in the carriage and on their way home again, Beth struggled with a feeling of defeat. It seemed as if there was nothing she could do, but that was hard to accept. She turned to Helen who was sitting quietly, her hands tightly clasped together. ‘My father and godfather have left me in dire straits by their failure to make the proper legal arrangements for me, and I will have to fight for my future. But I shall not allow that stranger to ruin the Langton estate or deprive me of my heritage.’

  With determination clear in every move of her slender body, she turned to her friend. ‘I know, after your own experiences, you must be fearful that I could also end up penniless, Helen, but my godfather has made sure neither of us will be left without money of our own, and together we will survive this next year.’

  ‘I cannot believe Lord Sharland has left me such a substantial sum of money. It will help my situation immensely. At least when I have to seek a position somewhere, I shall not be penniless.’

  ‘That is good news, indeed, and means you will not feel it so necessary to leave me too quickly. It will be a great comfort to have you by my side until this mess is sorted out.’ Beth smiled, happy for her friend. ‘Now, let us return home and decide on our strategy, for I would have the new Lord Sharland out of my house! If my godfather had wanted me to accept this situation willingly, then he should have given me more information!’

  His first inspection of the estate had shown James that it was well run, and the accounts he’d studied during the night showed a healthy profit. Although Elizabeth Langton was young, she had been well trained by her father. It had also been made abundantly clear by everyone he had met that they all respected her and were fiercely protective towards her.

  He rested his arms on a five-bar gate and gazed across the field, watching the herd of cows contentedly cropping the lush grass. It did not concern him that he was viewed with resentment and suspicion. That was the way it had to be if he was going to carry out his father’s instructions. What he was going to need was help, and there was no better friend than Daniel. He’d send for him this very day. He did not relish the task before him and wondered why his father hadn’t dealt with this long ago. And why the devil hadn’t he told him about it when he’d discovered he had a son? It would have been easier to deal with then, but the chances of resolving this mess after all these years was remote indeed.

  Suppressing a sigh, he turned his attention to the estate manager who was standing beside him. ‘That will do for this morning. It will take me a week or so to become familiar with the estate. Carry on as you are for the moment, but you need not bother Miss Langton with anything now. Bring any problems straight to me.’

  ‘Yes, your lordship.’ Henry Greenway’s tone was sharp, showing his disapproval as he walked beside the man who was a complete mystery to everyone.

  James noticed it but did not comment as they reached the horses. He was going to have to get used to being disliked; there was no way out of that. Taking the reins from Tom, he swung smoothly into the saddle and then waited for the lad to mount as well.

  Giving only a curt nod to the hostile faces wat
ching him, he headed back to the house.

  ‘Where is Miss Elizabeth?’ he asked the butler as soon as he walked through the door.

  ‘She has gone to town, your lordship, but will be back any moment. Lunch will be served in half an hour.’

  ‘Who is accompanying her?’ he asked sharply.

  ‘Her companion – Miss Helen.’

  At that moment there was a clatter of horses outside and James spun round, heading for the door. He met Beth and Helen at the entrance. ‘You must not leave this house without being properly escorted!’

  Helen did not react to his sharp tone, but Beth glared at him in astonishment. ‘It is none of your business what I do or where I go.’

  ‘Everything about you is my business for the next year, and I will not have you wandering off without my permission.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Beth tried to pass him, but he blocked her way.

  ‘You will do as I say.’ He moderated his tone a little. ‘Tell me when you need to go visiting, or anything else young ladies do, and I will see that you are properly escorted. That is all I’m asking.’

  ‘You are being overly protective, and it is quite unnecessary. My father and godfather trusted me completely to look after myself. And, anyway, Helen is always with me. I am not used to reporting my every move.’

  ‘I am aware of that, but you will do so now.’ He moved aside to let her pass, and as he watched them walking up the stairs to their rooms, he realized that this wasn’t going to be as easy as he had thought. Elizabeth Langton showed great strength of character, and he was still puzzled by the companion, Helen. She did not fit the role of servant. He sincerely prayed that Dan would be able to get here quickly because there was no way he could watch her and the estate every moment. And he had to be free to absent himself at all hours, night or day.

  With that thought uppermost in his mind, he went to the study to pen the letter to Daniel Edgemont.

  It was an uncomfortable lunch, and Beth did not even try to make conversation, still offended by his high-handed attitude towards her. She just could not understand why he would want to know every time she went out, and there was no way she would abide by such restricting rules.