by Anne Herries
‘Yes, ma’am…’ Mrs Raven hesitated. ‘I don’t think ill of Mr Elworthy. He has always been a good master to me, but some of the girls thought he was unkind to her. The child was born too soon for it to have been conceived after marriage, ma’am, and it was whispered that he believed she had been with another man and resented her for it…though I saw no sign of it. He was kind enough when I saw them together, but more like a father than a husband, if you know what I mean, ma’am—though it was only to be expected. If what they say is true…’
‘What do you mean?’ Sarah asked and looked her straight in the eyes. ‘What are you suggesting?’
‘I don’t know if it is right or merely a tale, but I have heard it said that he had a mistress, ma’am…and that he made no secret of it. My late mistress told me once that he loved someone else…’
‘I am sure she was mistaken,’ Sarah replied. ‘My husband is an honourable man. Any connection of that nature he may have had would have been ended when he married.’
‘If you say so, ma’am,’ Mrs Raven said. ‘I was just telling you what I’ve heard.’
‘Yes, I understand that,’ Sarah said. ‘My husband has done nothing wrong, Mrs Raven. I want it made quite clear to the others that he is not a murderer. Nor is he responsible for his wife’s death. If need be, we shall bring in servants from outside the village. This house must be brought to life again, Mrs Raven—and I am determined to do it one way or the other.’ Her head lifted and her face wore an expression of pride.
‘Yes, ma’am.’ Mrs Raven was looking at her with a new respect. ‘I am glad we’ve had this little talk. Things have been far from right here and I am glad you’ve come. The master needed someone like you.’
It was a huge compliment from the housekeeper, for she was not given to praise. Sarah was glad that she had taken the trouble to clear the air. She smiled at Mrs Raven.
‘Very well, I think we have come to understand each other a little better and that is good. Now I am going to the nursery to see how Nathaniel is getting on with his nurse.’
Sarah enjoyed an hour or so playing with the little boy and his nurse. June Harrington was a pleasant, friendly girl and it was clear that she liked being Nathaniel’s nurse. He was certainly very happy in her company, a bright, intelligent little boy who laughed and crawled about the room as he played. June was pleased to see her mistress and made it clear that she was glad to work for Sarah.
‘I’m very happy to see you home, Mrs Elworthy,’ she said. ‘Nathaniel has been good, but he does love his father—and you, I think. He has asked me several times when the nice lady was coming back to see him.’
‘Well, I shall see him every day now,’ Sarah said and looked affectionately at the child as he played with his wooden soldiers and some skittles. ‘I wanted to ask you if you are happy here, June? I shall try to engage another girl to help you as soon as I can.’
‘I know someone who would like to come,’ June told her, looking pleased. ‘Mary is my cousin. She is only fifteen, but she is a good girl and willing. She would do anything I asked of her.’
‘Will you ask her if she would like to work here please, June? I want as many servants as possible so that everything is easy and we have some life and noise in this big house. At the moment it is too empty and silent.’
‘Yes, Mrs Elworthy,’ June agreed with a smile. ‘This house needs people to bring it to life, to make it a proper home, as it used to be years ago. For too long it has been left to gather dust and shadows. Mr Elworthy’s father had other estates, which belong to Sir Philip now, of course. The family seldom came here, though it has been Mr Elworthy’s home since he inherited it from his grandfather.’
‘Well, I am going to blow away the dust and ignore the shadows,’ Sarah said and laughed. ‘Your cousin will be very welcome here, June.’
Sarah left the nursery and walked back towards her own apartments. It was as she was about to enter her rooms that she saw John come out into the hall. She hesitated for there was an air of anxiety about him, a stern look to his mouth as he met her gaze.
‘You came in very late last night,’ she said. ‘I was beginning to worry about you, but then I fell asleep.’
‘I put you to bed,’ John said, his eyes moving over her face as if he were searching for something. ‘I am sorry if you were worried, Sarah. I had business that kept me late.’
‘You were not there when I woke. Why did you not sleep beside me, John? Why did you not wake me last night before you carried me to the bed? Have I done something to make you angry with me?’
‘No! No, of course you haven’t,’ John said and a look of anguish passed across his face. ‘Never think that, Sarah. You know I love you. I always shall—but I have so much to do. I have neglected the estate for a long time and I must work hard to set my affairs in order. My grandfather left this place to me, but it has not been refurbished for many years, as I am sure you have realised. I am a younger son and the bulk of the Elworthy estates were left to my brother, as is right and proper. However, I have made my own way in the world and am no worse off for it.’
‘Yes, I understand that, my dearest,’ Sarah said with a smile. She moved towards him, leaned up and kissed him lightly on the mouth. ‘I have duties too and I have been very busy this morning. I have been touring the house, deciding what should go and what must stay.’
‘Ah, yes, that is a good start,’ John said. ‘My grandfather ignored the house after his wife died, for it was her home and came to him through her family. He mourned her for more than twenty years, and I have always felt it was an empty, unhappy house. My father preferred the estate in Hampshire. I have thought of pulling both the wings and the tower down and extending on to the main section with a new wing.’ He had meant to do it when he married the first time, but somehow he had not found the will to start, even though Andrea had hated the place, calling it dark and cold.
‘The building is sound and not damp,’ Sarah said, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. ‘It is actually rather a wonderful old house, John. I like it now that I have been into most of the rooms, and I think all it needs is a woman’s touch. I want to buy some new furniture, and we shall need fresh curtains in most of the rooms—but the house is very well made. Some restoration needs doing here and there, of course, but most of all it needs people to make it live. I have been talking to Mrs Raven. We must have several more servants so that she does not have so much to do, because when the house is finished we shall want to invite our friends to stay.’
‘You are right, of course,’ John said and looked relieved. ‘You are the mistress here and you must do exactly as you please. You have my approval for anything you wish to order for the house, Sarah.’
‘Thank you,’ Sarah said. ‘I did not bother with nuncheon for you were out and I was busy, but I think I shall ask for tea in the parlour downstairs—the one that looks out towards the park. I have decided that it will be my room when I am not entertaining and I have already made several changes. Will you join me for tea?’
John hesitated. He had meant to keep his distance so that his enemy would have no interest in harming Sarah, but he could not resist her when she looked at him and smiled as she was doing now.
‘Yes, of course,’ he said. ‘But if I am not here another day, you must ask for something for yourself.’
Sarah slipped her arm through his as they walked to the head of the stairs together. She smiled at him, her eyes soft with love. ‘I have promised Mrs Raven that you will advertise for a cook, John. She has more than enough to do. We should not expect her to produce meals as well.’
‘That is an excellent idea,’ he said. ‘I shall place an advertisement in the Yorkshire Gazette and see who comes. My valet is due to arrive tomorrow and your maid was arriving just as I came home. I saw Mrs Raven taking her to her room.’
‘I am pleased Ellie is here,’ Sarah said, one of her doubts lifting instantly. She had said nothing to John about Ruth—she was determined that she would solve he
r problems for herself. Mrs Raven had come out of her sullen mood, and perhaps if Sarah spoke to the girl on her own she could find a way to break through Ruth’s insolence. If that proved impossible, she would have to let Ruth go. But she would not be in a hurry to do so, for she suspected that it might be hard for the girl to find work elsewhere. ‘We must make this house a home, John. So many of your servants left because the house is big and old and there were shadows here. I am determined to make them fade away, to let the light in and make the house live again.’
‘If you can do that, you have more magic than I,’ John said and smiled at her. They were alone and he had let down his guard, his love for her showing plainly in his eyes. ‘But I think you will do it, Sarah, for you are brave and wise—and as lovely inside as out.’
Sarah smiled and hugged his arm. She paused at the head of the stairs, something making her turn her head to glance back. Ruth was standing at the far end of the hall, watching them, her eyes narrowed and hostile. Sarah felt a cold breeze at the back of her neck and shivered, but told herself it was nonsense to feel anxious.
Ruth was hostile and sulky, but she could not harm Sarah. If she continued to be unpleasant, she would be dismissed.
After tea, they talked for a while about the house and their plans for the future, and then John said he had some work to do in his library and left her. Sarah rang the bell and after a few moments Ruth came to clear the tea tray.
‘I thought it was your day off?’ Sarah asked as the girl began to stack the tray. ‘You need not have come back this early. In future on your days off you may leave when you are ready and return before dark, that is all that is necessary. We shall have more than enough staff here to keep the house as it ought to be without you. However, when you are here, you will behave properly. I do not intend to stand for insolence.’
‘Are you threatening to turn me off?’ Ruth’s dark eyes burned with a deep-seated anger. ‘If you’ve heard anything, it is all lies…’
‘What do you mean?’ Sarah asked.
‘About me and the master,’ Ruth said. ‘His first wife thought I was his mistress, but it wasn’t true…’ There was a gleam in Ruth’s eyes, as though she wanted Sarah to believe otherwise, her head tilted proudly, challenging her. ‘So am I to go, Mrs Elworthy?’
John and this girl lovers? No, she would not believe it! Ruth had made it up to distress her, but she would not fall for such a trick. Sarah’s stomach churned, but she met the other’s hard gaze determinedly.
‘No, not for the moment. I believe Mrs Raven is your aunt?’ Ruth nodded. ‘If you are impertinent, it makes her life more difficult, Ruth. I know that we did not begin well, for I dismissed you from the nursery—but you might be a parlour maid and be happy here. It is up to you. All I want is for this to be a happy house, pleasant for us and for the people who work here. Do you understand me?’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ Ruth said and for a moment Sarah thought there were tears in her eyes. The woman stared through them, her expression clearly defiant. ‘Was there anything else?’
‘No, nothing more for the moment,’ Sarah said. ‘Unless you have something to say to me? I am not an unkind person, Ruth. I should like you to be happy in your work here if that is possible.’
Ruth looked at her in silence for a moment, then inclined her head. ‘Thank you, Mrs Elworthy. I shall do my best to make myself satisfactory.’
‘Then we shall say no more of this,’ Sarah said. ‘Would you ask Ellie to come up to my rooms, please? I am going to change before dinner and I want to speak to her about something.’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ Ruth said and went out carrying the tray.
Sarah got up and went over to the window, looking out at the gardens. Her thoughts were busy—she felt certain that Ruth had deliberately tried to put doubt into her mind. Now why would she do that? Why risk being dismissed if she wanted to stay here? It was a part of the mystery, which she was determined to solve. Ruth knew something she wasn’t telling. She was hostile and insolent, and yet she was also vulnerable. If Sarah could find a way to gain her confidence, she might prove the key to whatever was wrong here.
Sarah woke and lay listening for a moment. She was in her own room for John had gone out that evening, apologising because he would once again be late back. She hoped that it would not be a regular occurrence, because she had not particularly enjoyed spending the evening alone, even though she had plenty of needlework to occupy her and her books. Accustomed to being in company with other ladies, she was finding it a little lonely—though not when John was at home. She knew he had his work, but she had expected that they would spend their evenings together, sharing their love of music and books.
Was there another reason why he had not attempted to share her bed since they had come home? The niggling doubt wormed its way into her mind as she recalled Ruth’s sly look. Sarah had dismissed her insinuation as mere insolence, but she could not help wondering if there was more to it. Mrs Raven had told her that John was rumoured to have a mistress. If that mistress lived here in this house…something like that might drive any woman to such unhappiness that she took her own life.
Sarah sat up in bed, reflecting on her mother’s warnings. Why had John spent every night away from her since their homecoming? Surely it was not to find his pleasure in the arms of Ruth? No, she would not believe that! It was ridiculous and she was being unfair to John even to consider it. But Andrea might have believed it…Sarah wondered again what had finally driven John’s wife to take her own life. Andrea must have been desperately unhappy…Sarah’s thoughts were distracted as she heard something.
There it was again, the sound that had woken her. It was the thin wail of a child, and yet it had not seemed to come from the nursery. She supposed that sound was often distorted in an old house like this. It must have been Nathaniel crying. June would go to the boy if he were distressed. She slept in the room next to his and Sarah was certain that she would not neglect him. She waited, but there were no more cries and she turned over, drifting back to sleep.
In the morning she asked Ellie if she had slept well and the girl said she had, adding that she was settling down and thought that she would enjoy working here.
‘I’ve been to the nursery this morning, ma’am,’ Ellie said and smiled. ‘I thought I would give June a hand until her cousin comes. That lad of Mr Elworthy’s is such a cheerful little boy, always laughing and playing. June says he is never a bit of bother.’
‘Yes, he is a happy little boy,’ Sarah said, ‘though I think he woke last night. I believe I heard him crying.’
‘Well, that’s odd, I never heard a thing,’ Ellie said. ‘My room is only two doors away from the nursery, ma’am, and I slept right through.’
‘I am glad he did not disturb you,’ Sarah said and looked thoughtful. ‘I shall need my green walking gown this morning. It is a lovely day and I intend to walk in the gardens for a while.’
‘Yes, ma’am. That gown suits you very well. You always look beautiful in green.’
‘Thank you, Ellie.’ Sarah smiled at her, thinking how nice it was to have her own maid to look after her. For even after her talk with Ruth, she sensed that something still simmered in the girl’s mind, some secret resentment that she harboured inside.
After Sarah was dressed she went into John’s room. There was no sign of him, though she could see that his bed had been slept in. He must have returned late and not wanted to disturb her.
Leaving her own rooms, she went along to the nursery to look in at June and Nathaniel. The little boy was eating his breakfast of soft rolls and honey, evidently enjoying them.
‘He looks happy,’ Sarah said as June filled a cup with milk for him. ‘Did he wake and cry for a while last night?’
‘No, Mrs Elworthy, I am sure he didn’t,’ June said. ‘I looked in on him before I went to bed at eleven, and again when I woke at six this morning. He was sleeping soundly both times.’
‘Oh, then I must have imagined it,’ Sarah s
aid, wrinkling her brow. ‘I thought I heard a child’s cry but it was probably the wind or something.’
‘Wind can be terribly deceiving in a house like this,’ June said. ‘It makes the most awful wailing sound. I know because I stayed with my great-grandmother a few times when I was small. Her house was very much like this and I often thought the wind sounded like someone crying when it got into the eaves.’
‘Yes, I dare say you are right,’ Sarah said. She smiled at Nathaniel and ruffled his hair in passing. ‘I shall see you later on. I am going for a walk in the gardens now.’
Sarah took a light shawl with her when she went out, though she did not think she would need it, for it was very warm. She walked through the shrubbery towards an area of open grassland and large trees. As the house itself, the garden looked as if it needed some attention. The grass had been cut, but there was a general air of neglect, as if no one had bothered with it for a long time. She shaded her eyes, looking at some scrubby trees that seemed long past their usefulness. It would be best if they were to come down and a new avenue of beech or, better still, chestnut trees were planted in their place—and they might create a lake somewhere.
She decided that would talk to John about it, hopefully when he came back for luncheon that day, she decided. The landscaping should properly be his to order, but she had several ideas that might renew the park area and she hoped that he would agree to put the work in order. And she would like to have a new rose garden planted nearer to the house.
As she walked back to the house, her head buzzing with ideas, she glanced up at the roof and saw that some of the overhanging stone ornamentation looked as if it might be unstable in places. She must tell John about it, she thought, and then heard the rattle of wheels. She looked round and saw a carriage arrive and then a tall, attractive and distinguished man got down. He stood speaking to his groom for a moment, but then, as he was about to go up to the house, he turned and saw her. He stared at her for such a long time that Sarah was disturbed, but when she walked towards him he smiled.
