After a long pause, she took a deep breath. ‘All right, Major Frenshaw, I accept your offer.’
Relief flooded through him and he wanted to hug her in sheer pleasure, but knew that would be the wrong thing to do. This was a business arrangement and he must keep it that way, so he shook her hand to seal the deal.
Chapter Thirty-Five
That evening the entire group settled down on the grass and listened as Harry told them they would be leaving first thing in the morning.
‘You can’t travel with our girl on your own, Major,’ Pa told him firmly. ‘Ma and Sandy will come with you as chaperones, because this has got to be done properly. We won’t have Chrissie’s reputation sullied.’
‘I understand, and all expenses for the journey will be met by me.’
Pa nodded and turned to Chrissie. ‘Are you sure you want to take a chance on this man’s word?’
‘I’ve been over it thoroughly with him, and I believe he answered all my questions truthfully. It’s an opportunity I would be foolish to turn down.’
‘It would seem so, but we need to make one thing clear with the major. If we could stop our girl from coming with you, we would, but she is her own person and free to come and go as she wishes. We will give you a list of places we will be visiting and the approximate times, and if you should decide you don’t want to employ her any more, you must send us word and we will come and collect her. We will not have her wandering, starving and broke, as she tries to catch up with us. Is that clearly understood?’
‘Perfectly, and you have my promise that I will do as you say, but you can be sure that situation will not arise again.’
‘Best see it doesn’t, or you will have us to answer to.’
The journey back to the estate was slow, as Ma and Sandy’s mounts did not have the speed or stamina of the warhorses. Chrissie could feel the major’s eagerness to reach home, but he didn’t give any indication that he was impatient with the slow progress.
When the gates came in to view she could hardly contain her excitement. She was fully aware she was taking a chance by returning, but she did love this place so much, and in the end she hadn’t been able to refuse. It could end in heartbreak again, but it was a risk worth taking, and this time her eyes were wide open. If the time came when she had to move on again, she wouldn’t be wandering around too upset to make sensible decisions. What she had been through had changed her and she felt she was now a much stronger person.
Sandy whistled softly as they continued towards the house, and said quietly to his mother, ‘Have you ever seen anything like this?’
‘Never.’ She glanced at Chrissie. ‘No wonder you wanted to come back.’
A crowd had gathered to meet them and she could see his lordship standing there with a huge smile on his face as he watched them ride towards him. In fact, everyone was smiling, and the feeling of being welcomed back was almost overwhelming, but she kept the tears at bay with effort.
Harry dismounted and then helped Chrissie and Ma off their mounts before going to greet his father, estate manager and all members of his staff.
‘Chrissie.’ His lordship grasped her hands. ‘It’s so wonderful to see you, and who have you brought with you?’
She introduced Ma and Sandy. ‘They’ve been my chaperones for the journey,’ she told him.
‘Quite right too. Thank you for seeing Chrissie safely back to us.’
Harry strode over to them. ‘Ma and Sandy, welcome to my home. You kindly allowed me to stay with you, so I hope you will let me return the favour by staying with us for at least a couple of days. That will allow time for both you and your horses to recover from the journey.’
‘We would be happy to accept your invitation, Major.’ Ma glanced around at the stable hands all talking excitedly to Chrissie, clearly delighted to see her again. She winked at Harry. ‘It will give us a chance to make sure our girl will really be all right here. If we have any doubts we might take her back.’
‘Not a chance. This is where she belongs, and this is where she will stay. Look how happy she is.’
‘I grant you she’s happy now, but will she stay that way?’
‘Of course she will.’ Harry stood to his full height. ‘Are you going to make things difficult for me, Ma?’
‘Me?’ A slow smile spread across her face. ‘I was hoping you would stay with us permanently, because we could do with some new blood in our group, and you’re a fine specimen of a man.’
He tipped his head back and laughed. ‘I did enjoy my time with you, but do you seriously think I could leave all this? This is where my heart is.’
‘I guess you’re right. It’s a pity, though.’
Charles had been talking to the butler and came to stand beside his son. They were both tall, impressive men, and there was no doubting they were father and son. ‘I am sure you are hungry and thirsty after your journey. There is a meal waiting for you in the dining room.’
While Ma and Sandy made their way to the house, Harry strode over to Chrissie to prise her away from the stable hands. ‘There’s food ready for us.’
‘Oh, good, I’m ravenous.’ She fell in to step beside him, expecting to go to the kitchen. Instead he took her to a stunningly beautiful dining room. The carpet and drapes were in pale green with a delicate pattern of small white and yellow flowers. The long table was polished until you could see your face in it, and the china and cutlery took her breath away.
Sandy looked at Harry with a glint of devilment in his eyes. ‘This is a bit different from our celebration on the beach.’
Harry grinned, remembering that riotous evening.
The butler and two maids were waiting to serve them, and Chrissie knew them well. Their expressions were serious until she raised her eyebrows at them and smirked, then they were struggling not to smile.
‘Don’t tease the staff,’ Harry whispered in her ear as he held her chair for her, indicating she should be seated.
The moment he stepped away the butler came and placed a napkin on her lap. She glanced at Ma and Sandy, wondering what they thought about being served a meal in surroundings like this, but they appeared to be completely at ease. Relaxing then, she began to enjoy the excellent meal, watching carefully what utensils his lordship used. The conversation flowed as Harry told his father about the time he’d spent with the Travellers, and how he had enjoyed it.
They were on the third course and their guests were busy discussing the beauty of the china, when Harry asked his father if Edward had left without any trouble.
‘Yes, he appeared quite happy to be leaving. I watched the ship until it was out of sight, so you’ll be quite safe now.’
They had been speaking softly, but Chrissie heard them and frowned. ‘Safe?’
‘Yes, you were quite right with your warning,’ his lordship explained. ‘My nephew was so desperate to inherit the estate that he shot Harry.’
‘Oh no.’ When she had seen him at Sir Gretham’s she had felt he had been hurt again and Red was troubled about something, but she hadn’t known he had been injured in that way. She had assumed he’d had a bad fall. ‘Were you hurt badly?’
‘Just added another scar to the ones I already have,’ he replied dismissively.
That wasn’t much of an explanation, but she’d find out the full story later.
‘Another thing you don’t know, Chrissie, is that Stuart’s wife died quite suddenly. She was evidently very sick. He’s selling the house and moving his family back to London, and he asked me to tell you that there is a job waiting for you there if you ever want it.’
‘That is kind of him, and I’m so sorry to hear his wife died. I felt there was something terribly wrong, and my being there appeared to be making it worse. That’s why I left.’
The conversation then turned back to other things. Ma and Sandy were interested in the running of the estate, and Harry’s plans for the future.
When the meal was over, his lordship took their guests on a tour of the
house, and Chrissie ran to the barn, eager to see her room again, and hoping it hadn’t been too damaged in the storm they’d had. She scrambled up the ladder and tumbled in to the loft. When she saw that it was exactly the same as before she hugged herself in delight. Someone had been to work up there already because there were clean sheets on the bed, a small vase of wild flowers on the table, and her belongings neatly placed on the bed. One thing she hadn’t taken with her was the lucky horseshoe, and it was still over the bed where she had left it. Her belongings could be put away later, but now she must go and see the stables.
When nearly at the bottom of the ladder she felt strong hands grasp her round the waist to lift her down the last few steps.
‘Is everything to your liking?’ Harry asked, placing her on the floor and stepping back.
‘It’s perfect, but now I’d like to see the horses and the stables, please, sir.’
‘Don’t address me as sir.’
‘I’m sorry; I should have used your military rank.’
‘No, you shouldn’t. My discharge has finally come through and I am no longer in the cavalry.’
‘But I’ve known ex-officers who still use their rank right through life. What should I call you, then?’
‘Harry.’
Her expression was horrified. ‘I can’t do that.’
‘Why not? I thought we had become friends while we were with the Travellers.’
‘That was different. You are the owner of this fine estate and I am one of your staff now, and you must be treated with the respect that is rightfully yours. I will have to call you “sir”.’
Noting the determination on her face he lifted his hands in surrender. ‘As you please. Now, I’d like you to have a look at the mares, Miss Banner, and tell me how you think they are getting on.’
Managing to hide her smile, she nodded. ‘I would like that very much, sir.’
He muttered something under his breath, but she didn’t catch it, which was probably just as well, she thought. He might be high-born, but there was a rough edge to him now and again, probably from mixing with all those soldiers.
The mares were in a field behind the stables and Chrissie was glad she was still wearing her breeches as she climbed on the gate and sat there, legs dangling. ‘They look lovely, and I’m not surprised you wanted them.’
‘Well, they are under your care now, so you had better go and let them know.’ He leapt over the gate and helped her down.
The animals watched as they approached, and some steps away she began to talk to them softly. They had seen her before, but they still didn’t know her very well and were cautious. After only a couple of minutes they walked up to her so they could take a closer look at her. ‘You have done well buying these, and they like it here,’ she told him.
‘How do you know?’
‘They’ve told me, of course,’ she told him with a straight face.
‘I am so sorry for what I did,’ he told her, his eyes showing his regret. ‘I sent you away from all this, when it is the only place you should be.’
‘You don’t have to apologise,’ she told him quickly, troubled by his sad expression. ‘When my father died I thought I would set out to fulfil my dream of living in the country, and imagined it was going to be so easy. It has turned out to be a long and very rough road, but do you know, I am grateful it has been like that. I am no longer the silly girl with impossible dreams. I know now that things are not always perfect, and there are many hills and valleys to travel in life. I have grown up, and that is good because the next time I have to move on, I will be able to deal with it in a more sensible way. I will not allow my emotions to get in the way again. So you see, in a way you did me a favour.’
He was silent and absolutely still for a moment before speaking. ‘Are you saying that you still believe you will have to leave here one day, in spite of all my assurances?’
‘I’m sure you honestly believe what you’ve said, but the day will come when you no longer need me. You will marry a high-born wife, have a family and you will not want a girl running around looking like a stable lad. When I agreed to return I was fully aware that one day I will have to leave here again, but I am prepared for it and intend to enjoy whatever time I have here.’
‘You don’t trust me.’
‘No, sir, I don’t, because things change and you will always do what is right for your estate and family.’ She turned and smiled at the stunned man. ‘Now, if you will excuse me, sir, I have work to do.’
Harry watched her walk away, shattered by what she had just told him. He had really believed that during their informal time spent together at the camp she was beginning to like him, but that wasn’t the case at all. She had come back with him because she wanted to, not for anything else, and certainly not for him. Those words had cut through him like a sabre, but why was he surprised? By his thoughtless action he had caused her a great deal of worry and sadness. She was right. She had grown up because she’d had to – and he had started her on that road. In retrospect she had told him she was grateful to him, but he was sure the memory would linger. What on earth ever made him believe she would even like him, let alone love him? He needed a drink.
‘Who has upset you?’ his father asked when he walked in to the library.
‘No one, I’m all right. Why do you ask?’
‘The expression on your face tells me something has upset you.’
‘I was deep in thought, that’s all.’ He held up the decanter. ‘Fancy a drink?’
‘No, thanks.’ He glanced over at the mantelshelf where white cards were stuck behind the clock. ‘We have been receiving rather a lot of invitations after our visit to London.’
Harry nodded. ‘I must get around to sending polite refusals.’
‘I think we should accept some – and don’t give me that disgusted look, Harry. It’s time you thought about marrying and having a family, and that’s the best way to meet suitable girls.’
‘There’s no need to become involved in that circus because I already know who I want to marry.’
Charles couldn’t hide his surprise. ‘When did you meet her?’
‘Oh, a while ago, and the only problem is she doesn’t like me much. I will have to work hard to change her mind.’
‘I’m intrigued. Who is this person?’
‘I’m not ready to say at the moment.’
‘I’ll have to be patient, I suppose, but do make your mind up soon because you are not getting any younger.’
‘I’m only twenty-nine,’ he laughed, his earlier gloom disappearing.
‘Exactly, and high time you settled down with a wife and family. You won’t tell me who you want to marry, but now Edward is safely out of the country, will you tell me who you left the estate to?’
‘Chrissie.’
‘What? I would never have guessed. I thought it might have been Joe.’
Harry shook his head. ‘No, this isn’t the kind of life for Joe, but Chrissie loves the place and the animals.’
‘I’m astonished. Does she know?’
‘No, and don’t say anything to her.’
‘I understand why that must be kept quiet, because you will need to change it again once you marry.’
‘Hmm,’ was his only reply.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ma and Sandy were treated like honoured guests for two days, and when it came time for them to leave Chrissie hugged them. ‘Thank you for all the kindness you have shown me, but this isn’t goodbye, as I am sure I will be with you again one day. Give my love to Elsie.’
‘Why are you here if you believe you will have to leave again?’ Sandy asked.
‘I am here because I love this place, and I will enjoy whatever time I’m allowed to stay.’ There was also another reason, but that would be kept to herself.
‘That’s a sensible way to look at it, I suppose, but I’m not sure you are right to put your happiness at risk again. However, there will always be a place for you with us if you ev
er need it.’ Sandy handed her a list. ‘We’ve given one of these to the major, but you contact us if you need help at any time. You are one of us now, Chrissie, and you come to us if you need anything.’
‘Thank you, that is a great comfort. Have you got enough money for the journey back?’
‘More than enough. The major and his father have been very generous with their hospitality and a gift of money.’ Ma smiled and gazed around for a moment, then back at Chrissie. ‘I can see why you love this place. Be happy, dear girl.’
‘I will.’ Another hug and they were on their way, with everyone wishing them a safe journey.
She watched until they were out of sight, and then went back to work in the stables. She was singing softly to herself as she cleaned the stalls and put down fresh straw, when suddenly the fork was wrenched out of her hands, and she looked up in surprise.
‘What the blazes do you think you are doing?’
‘Mucking out the stables, sir. The horses have to be kept clean.’
‘I’m well aware of that, but it isn’t your job.’
When he tossed the fork down and she saw his furious expression, she couldn’t help thinking that her stay was going to be very short indeed. ‘What would you like me to do, sir?’ she asked politely.
‘I want you to get cleaned up, put on something respectable and meet me back here in half an hour. There is a stallion and two mares I want you to see before I buy them.’
‘Yes, sir. Will we be riding?’
‘No, we’ll be using the carriage.’
She nodded, turned and ran. During the morning she had been doing every mucky job there was around and was now very dirty. He hadn’t given her much time and she hoped her skirt wasn’t too creased.
It was a scramble but she made it just in time. When she skidded to a halt in front of him, he eyed her up and down, and then helped her in to the carriage without saying a word. He handled it with skill, and as he remained silent she enjoyed watching the countryside pass by. Her mind wandered back to the times she went with her dad on his rounds, though the old wooden cart was nothing like this luxurious carriage, but they were good memories. She cast a quick glance at the man beside her, still silent, but looking more relaxed.
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