“I won’t forget this in a hurry, Mr Anderton,” Martha whispered as she passed Charles. She may be angry with him, but it would not be wise to let the other staff know. Gossip between the staff about other members of staff was avoided if at all possible, especially the senior staff. It only made their positions more difficult.
“What do you mean?” Charles replied in genuine puzzlement and surprise. He had not expected to be exchanging pleasantries, but he had not expect to be spoken to with such venom.
“If you didn’t keep undermining me at every opportunity, I would not be being sent away now!” she whispered angrily.
“What? I had nothing to do with it!” Charles exclaimed, astounded that he was being accused of such a crime.
“You have been quick to point out my shortcomings at every possible opportunity, the result being that they no longer have faith in me,” Martha continued. “If you hadn’t criticised me in the most public of ways, I’m sure her Ladyship would never have suggested such a scheme.”
“Lady Dunham said that you were the best person for the job,” Charles tried to defend himself. “Her reasons were sensible, I saw no great scheme to undermine you, tonight or any other night. It is all in your imagination.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to think anything else, other than it was my imagination, or twisted viewpoint. I know your low opinion of me, but you are wrong! I won’t now be employing the nanny will I?” Martha snapped. “So, I’m obviously good enough for before the baby is born, but not once it arrives!” She walked away with a stiff back and her head held high, while Charles was left standing open mouthed at her retreating figure.
He had never thought for one moment that she had taken such a dislike to him, but after that outburst, she appeared to detest him. All his previous thoughts about Martha having some feeling for him had disappeared during her tirade, and he was left with the remorse of realising the consequence of his foolish actions. The one woman who he thought about for much of the day, disliked him with all of her being. It was going to be a long trip. A very long trip indeed.
Chapter 9
London
Alfred and Laura had not fallen back into their easy companionship after Laura had tried to persuade Alfred to give in to his feelings. Laura had been hurt by the rejection and Alfred refused to let himself to get into such a position where his weakness would show again. He did not blame Laura, they both had feelings for each other, which had been obvious almost from the moment they had met, but as he had told her, things had changed.
So, an uneasy pact had developed in which they avoided each other as much as possible in the small space of Alfred’s lodgings. It helped that Alfred tried to stay out of his rooms as much as possible. On one of his excursions out he decided that he needed to speak to his senior officer and explain what was happening. It was a difficult interview, as he had been absent from his position, without a just cause.
“I could dismiss you,” Mr Frost said quietly, after listening to Alfred’s explanation.
“I understand if you choose to, sir,” Alfred responded, sitting squarely in his seat. He was trying not to let show just what it would mean if he lost his position.
“I took a leap of faith when I appointed you, Peters,” Mr Frost said, his voice not betraying whether he was disappointed or angry.
“I know sir, and I appreciate what you did for me before I started my employment,” Alfred responded, acknowledging something from his past that he would rather forget.
“I suppose it shows that my faith in you was justified since you have not turned the woman away, and protected her, in a fashion,” the calm voice said. “But you will only be a true officer when you learn to rely on your fellow colleagues. By working together we can help each other, if you had the support of the rest of the team, you would not have had to spend so much time locked away.”
Alfred smiled a slight smile. “That would have been a help certainly. I suppose I just reacted to the situation when she followed me. My first aim was to get her to safety,” he explained.
“Your actions probably saved her life,” Mr Frost said. “The team working will come with time. I sometimes forget how short a time you have been with us, because you are so efficient.”
“Thank you sir,” Alfred said, flushing at the praise.
“So, I suppose while you are so far involved, it just is down to me to give you permission to accompany this young woman to Yorkshire and make sure she is safe,” Mr Frost said.
“I don’t know how long I will be, I understand if you want to replace me sir,” Alfred offered, holding himself stiff in an effort to absorb the blow if it came.
“Take as much time as you need, and we will welcome you when you return,” Mr Frost said, reassuringly.
“Thank you Sir, I really appreciate it,” Alfred said with one of his rare smiles.
“You’re welcome, now get out of my office and sort yourself out. I will tell everyone that you have a sick relative in the North and won’t be back for some time,” Mr Frost said, and watched as his officer left his office. He wondered if he would see the young man again, although he hoped not to.
Although Alfred did not realise it, the chance to get out of London, was an opportunity to once and for all leave his old life behind. Mr Frost hoped sincerely that Alfred would find a life outside of the city and become the man that he had seen glimpses of during his acquaintance. For Alfred’s sake he hoped so, although he would miss the serious young man.
The evening arrived that Alfred and Laura were to be collected. Both waited nervously in the lodgings, until Mr Anderton knocked on the door. Alfred opened the door and let the gentleman in. He remembered Mr Anderton from the time when he had been asked to help Lord Dunham by Lord Halkyn in protecting Lady Dunham. When he had arrived at Dunham House, Lady Dunham was safe, but there was chaos because Miss Webster had been missing. Alfred had taken control and set out to search for her and he had been successful, although she had been injured.
“Good evening Mr Peters,” Mr Anderton said. “We have the carriage waiting outside. This is Miss Fairfield, who I’m sure you remember from your visit to Dunham House.”
Miss Fairfield followed Mr Anderton into the room and dropped a curtsey. “Mr Peters, it is good to see you again, but I just wish it was under better circumstances.”
Alfred, bowed to the two visitors and then turned to Laura, “This is Miss Atkinson. Miss Atkinson, please allow me to introduce, Mr Anderton and Miss Fairfield.”
Laura blushed, being introduced as a Miss when obviously expecting a child. It was a slur on the character of a woman to be in such a position and she felt mortified in front of two people who although also employees, were definitely of a higher class than herself. “Good evening, please call me Laura,” she said. She had never been known as Miss Atkinson, it hinted at a life she could only dream of.
“In that case, I’m Martha and this is Charles,” Martha said, much to the surprise of Mr Anderton. Martha caught his surprised glance. “We’ve already been travelling for days and are going to be travelling for many more, so there is little point in keeping up the formalities,” she responded defensively.
“I’m happy with you using Charles whenever you wish,” Charles said with a smile, but the glower he received in return prevented him from getting carried away with thinking that he was gaining any ground with Martha.
Their journey had been a tense few days, Martha only spoke when she was spoken to, and encouraged no further interactions. At the inns where they stayed, she ate with Charles and then immediately retired to her bed. Never had Charles been so glad to see the outskirts of London in his life. He had felt as if the journey had taken weeks, instead of days.
“In that case, please use my given name, Alfred,” Alfred offered, feeling a little strange at such familiarity on so short an acquaintance.
“Shall we make our way?” Charles enquired.
“If I could just have a word with you outside first?” Alfred asked. Cha
rles nodded and Alfred led the way downstairs and left the building, needing to speak to the man of business without being overheard.
When the gentlemen had left, Martha turned to her new acquaintance. “Are you well my dear? It must have been difficult remaining indoors for so many days,” she said, returning to the kind person that she was, once her nemesis was absent.
“When we arrive in Yorkshire, I don’t think I will step inside for a sen’night,” Laura said with feeling. “I imagine Alfred is just making sure there is no one loitering outside. I’m sure there isn’t. He has been so thorough in protecting me that I have never felt so safe.”
“That is good, he seemed like a capable man the last time I met him,” Martha said. “Soon we will be on our way and then you can really relax. The estate is lovely and a little out of the way, so people passing through the area don’t seem to find it. That’s one of the reasons Lady Dunham was attracted to it in the first instance,” Martha chatted.
“Everyone has been so very kind,” Laura said, a little overwhelmed. “I can never repay what is being done for me.”
“You paid in advance when you helped Lady Halkyn,” Martha reassured her. “Her friends are very grateful and I’m sure Lord Halkyn will also try and help when he returns from their tour.”
The conversation was interrupted by the return of Alfred and Charles, and the bags were taken to the carriage. Alfred had seen Mrs Edwards on the way down the stairs and had explained that he would be visiting family. She did not seem pleased at losing her best tenant, but Alfred paid for the following few weeks rent, to try and console her, which did the trick and she had returned to her rooms happy. Alfred had not wanted her to see who was leaving his rooms, the less people who saw Laura the better.
The carriage set off, but it was only when the last street of London were passed that Alfred began to relax, feeling that the further behind London was, the safer Laura would be. The occupants of the carriage were quiet, each wrapped in their own thoughts about the coming weeks.
Each night they stopped at an inn, Martha and Laura shared a room, as did Alfred and Charles. Laura had felt bereft at being so far away from Alfred, but had scolded herself, he did not want to be near her. She found Martha’s quiet confidence soothing and allowed the woman to take charge of everything. She had been embarrassed about money, but on the first evening Martha had put her worries at ease.
“Lord Dunham was sending Charles to Yorkshire anyway,” Martha explained when Laura had offered to pay for her room. “There is some business to attend to involving the replacement of the steward of the property.”
“But mine and Alfred’s board is extra, you must let me pay for it,” Laura insisted.
“Lord Dunham wouldn’t hear of you paying, even if there was no cause for us to travel to Yorkshire. You helped Lady Halkyn. If there is an account to settle, I am sure Lord Halkyn would settle it. Do not worry, everything has been taken care of,” Martha assured her.
As the days progressed, the travellers became weary of being stuck in a carriage for most of the hours of daylight, but Martha and Charles told Alfred and Laura about the estate to help familiarise them with the area they were going to be living in.
Eventually, the carriage turned into the parkland and Laura felt the first stirrings of excitement. This was to be her home for the next few months. Martha had explained that she was to live in the house as a guest until after the baby had arrived. Only then was she to think about what she needed to do, or where she wanted to live. Laura had never had a home and she was determined that she was going to enjoy every moment, however long it lasted.
The carriage stopped at the front door and the carriage steps were let down. Mr Smithson, the butler and Mr Lawson, the steward stood together, waiting to greet the occupants. Letters had been received from Lord Dunham giving instructions about the guests.
“Mr Smithson, how nice to see you again,” Martha said, smiling at the butler. She had worked closely with him when her mistress had lived on the estate, when his quick thinking had helped to save his mistress.
“Miss Fairfield, welcome. I hope the journey wasn’t too tedious?” the ever calm butler responded.
“Not too bad, although it is good to be on firm ground,” Martha responded with a smile. “Mr Lawson, you are looking well, Lady Dunham sends her very best regards.”
Mr Lawson, smiled and bowed slightly. He had worked for Lady Dunham’s family for most of his life and was very fond of her Ladyship. The remainder of the party were introduced to each other and led inside.
Smithson led the guests to the drawing room, in which refreshments already awaited the arrivals. “Oh, lovely, a decent cup of tea,” Martha said with feeling, moving across to start pouring. “Thank you Mr Smithson and these cakes look delicious, I see Cook is as efficient as ever.”
Mr Smithson smiled slightly. “She is looking forward to the house being busy, the food for the staff doesn’t stretch her talents enough,” the butler explained the cook’s frustration at producing far less fancy food when the family were not in residence.
Laura bit into one of the cakes and closed her eyes as the sponge almost melted in her mouth. She sighed when she finished the delicacy. “That has to be the nicest thing I have ever tasted,” she said, her tone showing real appreciation.
Martha smiled, “Cook will be feeding you all sorts of delicious meals while you are here, she is wasted in a house that the family rarely visits now.”
Alfred and Laura were shown to their separate rooms after they had had their fill of cake and tea. Martha and Charles had excused themselves, each having duties to undertake before the evening meal.
Laura waited until the door had been closed behind her and then turned slowly to take in every part of the room. This was not like one of Baron Kersal’s barely furnished rooms, it had everything a luxurious bed chamber needed. A large four poster took centre place along the main wall. Facing was a glowing fire, with a chaise lounge and small table. A desk faced one of the two large windows that let the beautiful view into the room. The second window had a comfortable looking window seat, which was partially hidden behind a dressing table, set near the window for best use of the light. A door led into a small dressing room, containing washing stand, a fire place, and a screen which one could use when extra privacy was needed.
Laura sat on the window seat and through the window at the long drive. She must be in one of the principal rooms, as if she was a real guest. She had never met Lord and Lady Dunham, but she was inclined to think they had to be the kindest people who had ever lived.
She was disturbed by a gentle knock on the door. “Come in,” she said and the door opened, and Martha entered the room.
“I hope you are settling in,” Martha asked, looking around the bed chamber, checking to make sure everything was to her satisfaction. “Ah good, it is here.” She moved across to a large trunk that had been placed at the foot of the bed. She opened the lid and began taking out dresses.
“Am I in the wrong room?” Laura asked, her heart sinking at the thought of being taken to a different room.
“No, not at all,” Martha said with a smile. “Lady Dunham has recently given birth to a little girl and had the thought that these dresses may be of some use to you.”
Laura flushed, she was well aware that her dress was little more than rags, since she had been forced to leave everything else that she owned behind in her room, once she had realised that she was being followed. Alfred would not hear of either of them approaching her lodging to retrieve any clothing or personal belongings. Added to that, she had travelled for days in the same dress. To say that it was travel stained was a huge understatement.
“I cannot accept those,” she said quietly, noticing the shimmer of fabric she had only ever seen in a shop window, let alone touched.
“Do you not like them?” Martha asked, fully aware of how overwhelmed Laura must be feeling. “I believe one of the farmhand’s wives is increasing, she may have a use of th
em, if you don’t like them.”
“Lady Dunham is giving them away?” Laura asked in disbelief.
“Yes, she doesn’t like dresses at the best of times,” Martha said obscurely, “but she especially didn’t like the dresses she had to wear while she was increasing. She told me in no uncertain terms that she would be glad to see the back of them.” Martha smiled at the recollection. She was sure that her mistress would soon need another new set of clothes, as she had the feeling that there would be a houseful of children at Dunham House within a few years, but for now Lady Dunham was refusing to accept just how quickly those babies would arrive.
Laura had moved slowly to the trunk, it was filled with every colour, and more types of material than she had ever seen. The quality of the dresses made her gulp, she would feel like an intruder wearing something so exquisite.
“They are beautiful,” she whispered, reaching out to touch the material.
Martha smiled, “Yes they are. You are taller than Lady Dunham, but are smaller in the body than she is. I have extra lace and edgings that we can use on some of the dresses if we need to lengthen them. Would you like to try them on?”
“Yes please!” Laura said, her green eyes sparkling.
Chapter 10
That evening, as the four gathered together in the drawing room before eating, Alfred wondered what Gods had gathered together and decided that he deserved to be tortured. Laura had walked in wearing a dress that made her striking features stand out, and almost seem to hit him around the cheeks in an effort to say ‘just in case you have not noticed how lovely she is, here is a reminder’. She had picked a deep emerald dress, which seemed to make her eyes almost leap out, they emphasised them so much. The deepness of the colour, tamed the rich red of her hair and she had tied it loosely at the top of her head, emphasising the slender whiteness of her neck.
An Inconvenient Trilogy - Three Regency Romances: Inconvenient Ward, Wife, Companion - all published separately on Kindle and paperback Page 48
