A Suitable Husband

by Fenella Miller

  Satisfied, at last, the missive would achieve its object, she folded and sealed it. Jack could ride over to Hepworth House. Dear Hepworth would, as always, place his frank upon it without demure. ‘It is time to come in now, Edward. You must not keep Captain Mayhew waiting.’

  The boy trotted in obediently. ‘Yes, Mama, I’m going straightaway.’

  ‘I will accompany you, love as I wish to speak to him myself.’

  The three flights of stairs made Sarah’s head spin and she was forced to grab the wooden banister for support. An arm unexpectedly encircled her shoulders.

  ‘Allow me to assist you.’ Oliver escorted her into the schoolroom and placed her on a convenient chair. ‘You’re overdoing it, Sarah; you’ll make yourself ill. You lost a deal of blood two days ago and it will take time for your body to recover.’ His voice was gruff, his face etched with concern.

  This made her task so much simpler. ‘I have come to apologize for my unpardonable incivility early this morning. I am not normally so rude. I must blame my injury for my intemperate words.’

  He dropped to his haunches beside her; both forgetting Edward was hanging onto every word. He took her hands in his and held her eyes captive with the intensity of his gaze. ‘It is I who

  must apologize, Sarah, I overstepped my authority, and will not do so again.’

  Strangely unwilling to remove her hands, she smiled. ‘I am sure you will not, until the next time! And I will not be rude…’

  ‘Until the next time.’ He released her and straightened smoothly. A shuffle from across the room reminded them, too late, that their conversation had been overheard. For an instant their eyes locked in total understanding. ‘Are you feeling well enough to return to your room, madam? Should I send for Beth to help you?’

  ‘I am fully recovered, thank you, sir. However I will take your advice and return to my apartment. I believe I am not as robust as I thought.’ She turned and smiled at her son. ‘I will see you later, Edward, when your studies are done for the day.’ Edward beamed. His delight at their growing closeness was quite obvious.

  ***

  The following day David Witherspoon pronounced Sarah well enough to resume her normal activities. He removed the cumbersome bandage and replaced it with a smaller dressing, reporting that the deep wound was healing well. The militia completed their search for vagrants, and possible insurgents, and finding nothing, departed for their next assignment. Lady Hepworth came for a second visit and Lord Hepworth accompanied his wife. Two visits in a week was an unlooked for privilege! But this time when he closeted himself with Oliver Sarah did not resent it. Although, as she had remained in her room recuperating for the past twenty-four hours, there had been no further opportunity to fall out.

  Lady Hepworth found her daughter-in-law reading in the Orangery. ‘My dear Sarah, I am so pleased to see you looking well. Hepworth’s with your captain once again, it appears he has had some information from London he wishes to share.’

  Sarah, in spite of her best resolve, felt her hackles rising. Before the arrival of Captain Mayhew, (who was not her captain, but Edward’s,) Lord Hepworth would have shared whatever news he had with her. She frowned, the gesture pulling at her stitches unpleasantly and the sharp reminder made her smile instead.

  Harriet had watched this display of emotions with interest. ‘Good heavens, my love, your face is changing like a weathervane! I would dearly like to know what caused it.’

  ‘And so you shall, Harriet. I was cross because Hepworth has not seen fit to speak directly to me, as he used to, and indeed, as he still should.’ Harriet raised her eyebrows but said nothing. ‘I smiled because my sour expression pulled my stitches and it was a timely reminder not to be so ungrateful.’

  ‘He does not mean to give offence, my love; he has your best interests at heart. You have been unwell and Captain Mayhew is a military man.’

  Sarah rested her hand on Harriet’s plump arm. ‘I know that, but it still rankles. I have been my own mistress for so long it’s hard for me to allow anyone, however well-meaning, to take decisions for me.’

  Harriet smiled archly. ‘I do believe it is the handsome captain you resent, my dear. Now I wonder why he should stir up your passions so?’

  Sarah jumped up covering her embarrassment under the pretext of ringing the bell to order refreshments. Her mother-in-law had seen her agitation and looked delighted. She was forever telling Sarah that she been on her own too long. Good grief! Did Harriet think Oliver the man to persuade her that matrimony, with the right partner, was a positive step, not a sacrifice?

  Edward joined them, released from his lessons whilst Oliver was engaged with Lord Hepworth. His happy chatter filled the time, allowing Sarah to push her preoccupations temporarily to one side. But when Harriet rose to take her leave Sarah was relieved.

  ‘I am afraid that neither Edward, nor I, can come and visit you, Harriet. Until this tiresome business is resolved it is not safe for us to venture out of doors.’

  ‘No matter, dearest, I will come to see you both. I will bring the girls next time; they are for ever asking to see their favourite nephew.’

  Blessed peace fell at last on the orangery. Her guests had departed in their carriage and Edward had scampered eagerly upstairs to resume his lessons. Sarah knew why Latin verbs and geometrical problems had suddenly become so interesting and was not entirely happy with the thought.

  Captain Mayhew, she found it difficult to think of him as Oliver, had been with them a little more than a week. How could his presence have changed both their lives so quickly? The answer to her riddle was obvious but she refused to acknowledge it, even to herself.

  As usual she dined alone and afterwards returned to sit in the small drawing-room to gaze pensively into the sweet smelling apple wood fire. She was startled out of her reverie by a knock on the door. A maid appeared.

  ‘Captain Mayhew would like a word, madam.’

  Sarah was tempted to refuse. ‘Very well, show him in please.’ She rose gracefully from her position by the fire, shook out her becoming dinner gown, a dark green silk, and positioned herself in the shadows, away from the revealing lamps.

  ‘Captain Mayhew, madam.’

  Sarah’s stomach lurched and she clenched her hands to stop them trembling. ‘Good evening, sir, what can I do for you?’

  He halted, framed in the doorway, and Sarah thought she saw a flicker of uncertainty cross his face. Surely not? Then he closed the space between them and bowed, his blue-grey eyes giving nothing else away. ‘I believe we agreed to use our given names, Sarah? I thought we were friends now?’

  She kept her hands beside her and forced her lips to form a smile. ‘Yes, of course we are…. Oliver. It is hard for me; I am finding being on such terms with someone I have known for scarcely more than a week very difficult.’

  He stepped away and her pulse returned to normal. ‘Come and sit down, I cannot converse with you whilst you hide in the darkness.’

  Reluctantly she emerged from the gloom and instantly regretted it. She saw his eyes narrow and his jaw harden as he ran his gaze from head to toe, frank appreciation written on his face.

  Her mouth went dry and she wanted to run away; instead she glided, apparently calm, to the chaise-longue and sat down. She sought a safe topic of conversation. ‘Edward appears to be enjoying his lessons; I hope he is proving an able pupil?’

  He cleared his throat and folded his length onto a padded, gilt-legged chair, placed opposite. ‘He is an intelligent lad. I am pleased with his progress. You are welcome to come and watch us work, Sarah; your son would appreciate your interest in his studies.’

  ‘Thank you, I would like to do that.’ She finally raised her head. ‘What was it you wished to see me about, Oliver?’

  ‘I wished to pass on to you the information Lord Hepworth brought this afternoon. As fa
r as he is aware there are no strangers, of any sort, lurking in the vicinity. The militia has, it appears, scared whoever it was, away.

  ‘Does that mean Edward and I are free of restrictions now?’

  He shook his head. ‘No, I’m afraid not. I have had news that some of my rifle-men will be here tomorrow, and by the end of the week I should have the rest. Then I believe it will be safe for you to resume your normal routine.’

  ‘I am anxious not to miss morning service a second time. Will we be able to leave the park to attend church this Sunday?’

  ‘If I company you, and my men follow, then I believe it will be safe.’

  Sarah’s eyes widened. Had this man no idea what a small community would think if she appeared in church hanging on the arm of her son’s tutor? She shuddered at the thought. ‘If there is the slightest risk to either Edward, or myself, we shall not go. We have a small chapel here, which will suffice for the present.’ She smiled all courteous politeness. ‘Was there anything else, Oliver?’

  He took his cue. ‘Nothing, I will take my leave. I assume you check with the housekeeper that all the doors and windows are bolted, before you retire?’

  Sarah bridled. ‘No, of course I do not. I have absolute faith in Thomas’ efficiency in such matters.’

  ‘I see. If that is the case, I will check them myself before I leave. No doubt your housekeeper can bolt the front door securely after me.’

  He gave Sarah no time to reply. She was left staring at the closed-door fuming at his impertinence.

  ***

  When she settled down for the night she could sleep easily knowing her home was safe. She heard Rags patrolling the corridors outside; did he seem a little more restless this evening? Then she heard her door softly open and sat up. A sliver of light appeared and a small white shadow stepped into her room.

  ‘Can I come in with you, for a bit, Mama? I keep hearing noises and I can’t sleep.’

  Sarah threw back the comforter and welcomed her son into her bed. ‘Come in, darling, you are shivering. I expect you had a nightmare. Rags is outside and would soon let us know if anything was wrong, would he not?’

  Edward half asleep, mumbled his agreement and snuggled down into her arms. Lovingly, she stroked his head and kissed his sleeping eyes. She sighed sadly, knowing such nocturnal visits would not continue for much longer. But she would let him sleep for a little while, before returning him to his own bed in the nursery. Content, she pulled the covers up and lay back on the pillows, feeling the rhythmic breathing of her son against her shoulder.

  She drifted into a deep, refreshing slumber, and dreamt of the time when Edward was a baby and sat on his doting father’s knee. Only the father was not Jonathan, it was a grey eyed man, with a devastating smile.

  ***

  It was pitch black and there was no moon to spill its silvery light on the walls of Rowley Court. If it had one of the watchers might have spotted a dark shape climbing up the ivy-covered wall beneath Edward’s bedchamber. The intruder balanced skilfully and slipped a stiletto between the window frames and silently moved the latch cross. The window eased upwards and he slithered in; minutes later he reappeared and scrambled down the wall and vanished into the darkness.

  Rags frantic barking dragged Sarah awake. The dog was throwing himself against the door in his effort to gain entry. She scrambled out of bed and hastily lit her bedside candle. There had to be something wrong for the dog to be making so much noise outside her chamber.

  Chapter Seven

  Sarah flung open the door but Rags, surprisingly, did not rush in she had expected. ‘What is it boy? Why are you making so much noise?’

  The sound of someone banging furiously at the front door and shouting demands to be let in, gave her no time to think. She ran back into her room and hastily donned her robe before rushing downstairs to unbolt the door.

  Two of Captain Mayhew’s men, Jenkins and Peters, were waiting outside. ‘Good evening, ma’am. Is anything amiss? We heard the dog barking and have come to investigate.’

  ‘As far as I can see everything is as it should be.’ She stepped aside. ‘Please come in and look around. Is the captain here?’

  Jenkins shook his head. ‘No, madam, but he has been sent for and will be here in a moment.’

  Sarah followed the men upstairs where the dog was still barking and growling ferociously. It was only then she became aware of a strange smell. She sniffed then froze. ‘Jenkins, I can smell smoke.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am, so can I. Something is on fire.’ He gave the man beside him a sharp push. ‘Go down and bang the gong, Peters. We have to get everyone out of here.’

  Sarah did not wait to be told. She fled up the stairs and into her chamber. ‘Wake up, Edward; quickly, we must get out of the house, there is a fire somewhere upstairs.’ She shook him again more urgently and finally he stirred and allowed himself to be bundled out of bed and enveloped in a knitted shawl. It was the dog’s cold nose in his hand that brought him to full consciousness.

  ‘Rags is here, Mama? Is something wrong?’

  ‘Yes, dear; there is a fire upstairs, we have to go outside until it’s safe.’ Edward needed no further urging. He had once watched a cottage burn and would remember the speed with which the flames took hold. Hand in hand they ran down the stairs, the dog bounding beside them. They met Oliver racing in. He saw them and halted.

  ‘Thank God, Edward you’re safe.’

  Edward grinned. ‘I was with Mama, sir, not in my room. And Rags woke us up. Isn’t he a clever dog?’

  ‘He is, lad. Now, outside, both of you. We have to rouse the rest of the house and get them out before we can tackle the blaze.’

  Several of the house staff already milled in the central area in front of the marble steps. Sarah handed Edward into the care of his nursemaid, Sally, and walked briskly over to Thomas. ‘You are here quickly. I am glad to see you. Are all the girls out yet?’

  ‘Yes, madam. We heard the dog barking and were already awake. Sally smelt the smoke, it was coming from Master Edward’s room. Luckily she knew he’d gone downstairs to you, she heard him go.’

  “So no one is missing, can you check please, Thomas.’ The housekeeper called the frightened group to her side and did a quick headcount.

  ‘Yes, madam, they’re all here, safe and well. We owe our lives to the dog, that’s for certain.’

  ‘I must go and tell Captain Mayhew everyone is out. Then he can try and put out the fire.

  God willing, he is not too late.’

  ‘Rags is a hero, Mrs Thomas. He’s saved everyone tonight.’

  ‘Indeed he has, Master Edward. Now, here comes madam with news.’

  Sarah shivered as she stumbled back, in the dark, to join her son. The night was chill and none of them were dressed. The men had vanished into the house carrying buckets snatched from the stables. It was a long climb from the pump in the kitchen to the top floor. She prayed Oliver would have enough men to complete the chain.

  She turned to the huddle of women. ‘Come; let us go to the stables. We can shelter there; at least it will be warmer than waiting outside. And as all the men are helping inside the house we will have the place to ourselves.’ She led the way around the drive, through the arched carriageway and into the cobbled stable yard. The loose boxes were closed but she could hear the horses moving restlessly, disturbed by the unusual activity. She was relieved to see that some lamps had been lit and hung, flickering, against the walls, making pools of welcome light.

  Edward ran ahead and unbolted the tack room. ‘It’s snug in here, Mama. I often come in to talk to Jack. And there are stools and boxes to sit on.’

  ‘Well done, Edward. Come along everyone. It will be a trifle crowded but at least we will be warm.’ Sarah removed a lantern from a hook and took it in with her.

  The subdued
and shivering group of women followed her into the small room, as glad to be out of the chill as she was. May evenings, could be deceptively cold. She placed the lantern onto a peg and then kindled two more from its flames. Edward was enjoying the adventure and, as the only male in evidence, decided it was his place to take charge.

  ‘Mama, you must sit on this stool, Mrs Thomas, you take this one.’ Half smiling Sarah allowed herself to be guided to the seat indicated and trying hard to ignore the dirt and cobwebs, gathered in the folds of her nightwear, and sat down.

  The housekeeper followed; the rest of the party perched and leant wherever there was a space available. Edward regarded them with satisfaction. ‘Shall I close the door?’

  Sarah shuddered. ‘No, leave it, my dear; we will be quite warm enough with it open.’ She smiled to herself; it would be ironic if, having escaped from the fire, they perished from suffocation.

  Thomas spoke. ‘How did a fire start in Master Edward’s room, madam? Sally swears she did not leave a candle burning.’

  Sarah believed she knew, but decided such knowledge was best kept to herself. ‘No one is blaming Sally. We must pray, Captain Mayhew, and the men will be able to put it out before too much damage has been done.’

  Edward, from his vantage point of the door, pronounced loudly. ‘If the fire was bad, Mama,we would be able to see it and hear it, and I can hear nothing and there’s no red glow in the sky is there?’

  Sarah got up, with difficulty, and went to join her son. She tilted her head to listen. ‘No, you are quite right, Edward. There is no sound of burning.’ She knew he was remembering the ravenous flames that had devoured the farm cottage the previous autumn. ‘This is a good sign. I am sure they will put out the fire and we will all be back indoors in no time.’