by Anne Herries
After a while they began to leave the noise and bustle of the town behind. Grimy streets and mean houses were replaced by fields and trees. Helene saw horses and cows grazing, even a few late lambs in one field. She had a sudden nostalgic feeling for home. Not the house they lived in with her uncle these days, but the small country house they had rented while her father was alive.
Max shot a glance at her when she had been silent for some minutes. ‘You look pensive, Helene—anything you wish to share?’
‘I was thinking of my childhood in the country,’ Helene told him. ‘My father would take me to see the new lambs every year. Those we passed were late, I think?’
‘Yes, perhaps. We had a cold spring.’ Max turned back to the road. ‘Do you enjoy living in the country? I know some ladies who would never set foot there if they had their way and prefer to be in Bath or London.’
‘I do not think I should care to live always in town,’ Helene replied. ‘I love to dance and I enjoy the theatre. A visit to town must always be pleasant, but there is nothing so refreshing as a long walk in the country with dogs or a companion. Besides, I do not think I should care to be always at some society affair. Life should be about more than simply going from one engagement to another—do you not think so?’
‘You censure society for being too thoughtless—too selfish and uncaring of others?’
‘Not exactly. I see no reason why people should not enjoy themselves, but some part of life should be dedicated to more serious pursuits, do you not agree?’
‘I do not see that it follows that you must be serious to lead a good life. Indeed, if one were to think only of the serious side of life, it would be very dull indeed. I fear I should find it intolerable—I must laugh at what I see or I might cry.’
‘The poor have no choice. They have nothing to look forward to and nothing to sustain their spirits.’
‘Yet, I think the poor are often happy with their lot.’
‘No! How can they be when they do not know how to find enough money to put food in the mouths of their children?’
‘To be in that situation is hard indeed, but there are degrees of poverty and most working folk find something to bring pleasure into their lives, even if it is merely a chance to dance at harvest time.’
‘Yes, that is true, but I was thinking more of those who have nothing—no home or work—the unfortunates who are forced to live on the streets or wherever they can find shelter from the rain. I believe that the government should work to alleviate the plight of the destitute. In the meantime people of fortune should do much more.’
‘I cannot disagree with your point of view, but we cannot expect all our friends and acquaintances to feel the same, Helene.’
She blushed. ‘You think me foolish, I dare say. I am no killjoy, I assure you. I take much pleasure in my friends, though I also like the quieter pursuit of walking in the country.’
‘I agree with you there,’ Max said. ‘I particularly like to have a house party in the country, though I have not done so for some years. I spent some time in the army. My father died just before the last campaign in Brussels, my mother some years ago, as I believe I told you. I left my estate in the care of an agent and joined Wellington for the final fling against Boney. I think the estate may have suffered for it, though it thrives now. I shall go down again in a few weeks.’
‘I suppose we shall return to my uncle’s house,’ Helene said and smothered a sigh. ‘We have lived with him since Papa died last year.’
‘You must miss your own home. Was the estate entailed?’
‘I do not know exactly how things stood,’ Helene replied and wrinkled her brow. ‘Mama has never told me—but I know we had to leave almost immediately. My uncle took us in and Mama has a little money, but we could not have come to London had it not been for Miss Royston. She is a generous friend to us.’
‘Yes, I think she understands what it is to live under someone else’s roof and feel unwelcome.’
‘She said something of the sort,’ Helene said. She noticed that he had begun to slow the pace of his horses. ‘Are we nearly there?’
‘Yes, this is the house,’ Max said, turning in at a gateway. There were some tall iron gates, which had been opened and fastened back before their arrival. ‘It had fallen into disrepair before I purchased it. I made the repairs necessary and now it is a good solid property. As you have probably realised, it is a favourite project with me.’
‘Oh…it is just like a large country house,’ Helene cried as she saw the faded rose bricks of an attractive house. It was not huge by country-house standards, and of a similar size to her uncle’s, but she thought nicer. ‘Are the children expecting us?’
‘They knew I would come one day this week,’ Max told her. He shot a wicked glance at her. ‘I hope that very fetching gown will wash, Helene. You are likely to be touched and admired, and young lads almost always have dirty hands.’
‘Oh, I did not think to warn Emily,’ Helene said. ‘My gown will not show every mark, but hers will.’
‘Perhaps she will have the good sense to stay out of reach,’ Max said. His eyes twinkled as he threw the reins to Jemmy and handed her down. ‘Walk them, Jemmy—and give them a drink, please.’
‘Yes, milord.’ Jemmy saluted smartly and then winked at Helene. She wondered if he had once been one of Lord Coleridge’s orphans.
She smiled at the lad, taking Lord Coleridge’s arm as they walked up to the front door. It was flung open before they reached it and eight or nine children came streaming out, screaming and yelling with what was clearly delight. They threw themselves at Max, clinging to his legs and hanging on to his arms, their hands reaching for his pockets.
‘These rascals have forgotten their manners,’ he said but he was smiling. ‘They think they may find something sweet in my pockets—but they have not bid my guests welcome.’ He pulled one boy off him, took a handful of comfits wrapped in paper from his pocket and tossed them into the air. The children screamed and jumped to catch them. ‘Enough, lads! Have you nothing to say to the guest I have brought to see you?’
‘Good morning, miss,’ the children chimed in unison. ‘Welcome to our school.’
A woman in her middle years came to the door and clapped her hands. She was wearing a dark grey gown, her hair drawn back into a knot at the back of her head, but her smile was open and friendly.
‘Now, children, that is enough,’ she said and ushered them inside. ‘Back to your places and allow our visitors to come in, please. My lord, forgive their excitement. You know how they love to see you.’
‘There is nothing to forgive, Ann,’ he told her. ‘Miss Henderson, this is my angel. I call her that because she cares for these little monsters with a devotion that is nothing short of angelic. Her name is Ann Saunders—and she is schoolmistress, mother and nurse to these brats.’
‘Now, sir, none of that,’ Ann said and smiled. ‘You will be pleased to know that Arthur is settling well after a few tantrums, my lord. Miss Henderson, I am glad to see you. The children enjoy having visitors and I am always pleased that anyone should show an interest in what we are doing here.’
Helene smiled, for she could see that the children were well cared for and happy. ‘I think that Lord Coleridge is right, ma’am. You clearly take great care of these children.’
‘I do my best,’ Ann replied. ‘Would you like to see where they have lessons and where they sleep?’
‘Yes, very much,’ Helene said. Toby’s curricle had come to a stop and he was handing Emily down. Helene followed the school mistress into the house while Max greeted the others.
‘This is the schoolroom. We are very proud of it,’ Ann said, taking Helene into a long room with several desks and a blackboard. The ceilings were high and the creampainted walls were covered with maps, drawings and lists of words that were clearly used to teach pupils how to spell. At one end of the large room there was a rocking horse and a box of toys, which included lead soldiers and models of an
imals, also wooden swords and shields. ‘We have school pageants to entertain our visitors sometimes. The children dress up as knights and ladies—we play mock battles and learn about the history behind them. I find they learn things they would reject if made to recite lists, as is often the case.’
‘How wonderful,’ Helene said. ‘I wish you had been my governess, Miss Saunders. I was made to recite the kings and queens of England until I knew them by heart, but my governess never bothered to concern herself with their history. I read that for myself from books I borrowed from the lending library.’
‘I am sorry that your governess did not see fit to make your lessons a pleasure. When Lord Coleridge offered me the post here I explained that I should want to make learning fun for my children and he agreed. If he had insisted on this place being run as so many others are, I could not have taken up his offer. I never use the cane and I do not force my pupils to do lessons they hate. Instead, I try to make them curious. Usually, the new ones hang back for a start, but after a while they come and ask about what we are doing.’
‘How clever of you to let them come to you,’ Helene said. ‘I cannot believe how well the children look. If you had seen the climbing boy I recently rescued from his master…’ Helene shook her head at the memory. ‘Do you not think it should be the right of all children to go to school?’
‘Oh, do not start me on politics,’ Miss Saunders said and laughed. ‘Lord Coleridge says I am a radical. My views are outrageous and I really should not harangue the guests. If ever women are allowed to stand for Parliament, you will find me on the hustings!’
‘I think I might like to join you.’
Helene was amused. She liked Miss Saunders very much, and she gave Lord Coleridge credit for having found her and giving her the freedom to run her school as she chose.
After an hour spent looking round the house, Helene wandered out into the gardens where some of the boys had badgered Lord Coleridge and Toby into playing a game of cricket with them. She was laughing as she saw Toby catch Lord Coleridge out, and did not immediately notice the young lad at her elbow.
‘Please, miss,’ he said and tugged at her skirt, ‘will you come?’
‘Come where?’ Helene asked, looking down. He had sandy hair, bright green eyes and a gap in his teeth. His face was streaked with dirt and she thought he might have been crying. ‘Is something the matter?’
‘It’s Tiddler, miss,’ the lad said and wiped his nose on his sleeve. ‘He’s in trouble, miss—will you come?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Helene said. ‘Where is Tiddler?’
‘Over here, miss.’ The boy pulled at her gown. ‘He’s stuck, miss…he can’t get down and it’s too high fer me ter climb.’
Helene was intrigued. She allowed the lad to hurry her down the path to the far end of the garden where a small apple orchard bordered the garden. She looked round for the child in trouble, but could see nothing.
‘Where is Tiddler?’
‘Up there, miss.’ The lad pointed into the branches of an apple tree. Helene looked and saw the small tortoiseshell kitten, its back hunched as it mewed in obvious distress. ‘He can’t get down and I can’t reach the first branch.’
‘No, I see it is too high for you.’ Helene glanced back towards the game of cricket. Ought she to summon Toby or Lord Coleridge? She hesitated and then saw the ladder lying on the ground near by. No need to summon help. She could quite easily go up the ladder and rescue the kitten herself. ‘Help me carry the ladder…then I will fetch Tiddler down to you.’
It was not a very long ladder and Helene was able to lift it easily, the boy balancing the end for her as she carried it to the tree in which the kitten was stuck. She leaned it up against the trunk, then, glancing over her shoulder to make sure she was unobserved, tucked her skirts up so that she could climb the ladder. She scrambled onto the most substantial branch, feeling sure it would hold her weight, and then looked for a foothold to climb to the next. From there she was able to see the kitten clearly.
‘Come, kitty,’ she coaxed softly. ‘Here, Tiddler…there’s a good kitty…’
The kitten arched its back, big round eyes looking at her suspiciously. She reached up and grabbed it, holding it to her breast as she tried to step backwards down to the substantial branch just below her. Her foot seemed not to be able to find it, so she turned her head, and let go of the kitten with one hand, still holding it close with the other as she tried to negotiate her way down to the ladder. The kitten suddenly hissed, dug its nails into her neck, causing Helene to cry out and wobble. The kitten made a bid for freedom and sprang down to the ground, shooting away into the bushes as if in fear of its life.
‘Tiddler…’ the boy yelled and set off after it. ‘Come back ’ere…’
Helene grasped at a branch, which cracked and broke, leaving her floundering as she half-fell, and half-scrambled back to the sturdy branch that she knew would hold her weight. Now if she could just reach the ladder… Her foot touched it and sent it crashing to the ground.
‘Oh, no!’ she cried, annoyed because she had not thought to tell the lad to hold it. It was too far to jump, which meant she was stuck here until someone came. ‘Lad…help me…someone…I’m stuck… I can’t get down…’
The young boy had disappeared in pursuit of the kitten. Helene could hear the sounds of laughter and cheering as the cricket match continued. She peered down at the ground. Should she try to jump—or could she find footholds on the trunk? She leaned forward slightly and felt something holding her back. Her dress had caught on the broken branch. She gave it a tug, but it would not budge.
Now she really was stuck until someone came!
Max looked round and smiled as Miss Saunders approached him. He had been bowling for some minutes, but now it was Toby’s turn and he was merely the outside fielder.
‘I came to tell you that nuncheon is prepared, sir.’
‘Very well. If you would like to summon the children, we shall join you.’ He glanced round, looking for Helene. ‘Is Miss Henderson in the house? I thought she was watching the cricket a few minutes ago?’
‘I haven’t seen her since she came out, sir,’ Ann said.
Emily walked up to them. ‘I noticed that Helene went off with one of the boys some minutes ago. I think she went in that direction—towards the orchard.’
‘I shall go and find her,’ Max said. ‘Please go in, all of you. We shall join you shortly.’
He strolled in the direction of the orchard. It was a little odd that Helene should go off alone. He had thought she might like to join in the game as Emily had, but before he could ask she had disappeared.
‘Please…someone help me…’
Max began to run as he heard Helene call. She was in the orchard somewhere. What could be the matter?
At first he could not see her, and then he heard her voice again and looked up. Seeing the ladder lying under the apple tree, he realised what had happened.
‘What are you doing up there? Or shouldn’t I ask?’
‘There was a kitten in distress…’
‘Of course, I understand perfectly,’ Max said, his eyes dancing with amusement. ‘Where is the poor creature now?’
‘Tiddler scratched me and made off into the bushes—the boy ran after it. When I tried to reach the ladder, it fell and my dress is caught on a broken branch so I could not jump even if I wished.’
‘Naturally,’ Max said. ‘It is all exactly as I should have imagined. You are impulsive, Miss Henderson. Did you not think that it would be safer to ask me or Toby for assistance?’
‘The boy asked me to help. You were playing cricket. I did not wish to disturb you. I tried to climb down, but I am caught fast so I could not even jump.’
‘No, of course not.’ Max shook his head at her. ‘Do not try anything so dangerous, Miss Henderson. You would break your ankle. Please stay exactly where you are. I shall come up and help you down.’
‘Thank you. I thought I might be stuck here
for some time, because no one knew where I was…’
Max did not reply immediately. He fetched the ladder and placed it against the tree, then looked for and found two large stones, which he wedged against the bottom, testing it to make sure it was safe. He then climbed up, reaching the branch Helene was now sitting on. He edged his way out to a position where he could pull her gown free. It tore slightly and he muttered his dissatisfaction, then came back to her.
‘I am sorry, but there was no time to fiddle about. This branch will not bear both of us for long. I shall return to the top of the ladder. Turn so that your back is towards me and reach out with your right foot. I shall place it on the ladder and hold you as you descend—do you understand?’
‘Yes, thank you. I shall be all right now the ladder is secure.’
Max stood on the ladder just below the top rung. When Helene’s foot searched tentatively for the first step, he took hold of her ankle and placed it firmly in position.
‘Now put your other foot on,’ he encouraged. ‘You cannot fall because I am right behind you. That’s right…now hold the ladder and down we go.’
Helene obeyed. She came down steadily, Max’s body steadying her until they reached the bottom. She turned to look at him, a smile of triumph on her lips and then saw what was clearly a scowl of displeasure.
‘What on earth did you think you were doing?’ he demanded. ‘You might have fallen and injured yourself badly. You had only to call me and I would have fetched the wretched creature down. You are thoughtless and reckless. What would your mother have said if you had come to harm while in my care?’
‘I am sorry,’ Helene said, feeling as if he had slapped her. ‘But there is no need to make such a fuss. I am not hurt and I should have come down myself had my gown not caught.’
‘Do you make it a habit to risk your life for nothing?’ Max demanded. ‘Rescuing a donkey and then a stupid animal! The kitten would have come down itself in time, they usually do.’
