by Diane Allen
‘Delighted to meet you, Mrs Fox. My grandfather spoke often of your family and was insistent that I made myself known to you and your brother.’ Daniel looked at Isabelle and recognized a change in her manner as she studied his features.
‘Please accept my condolences on the loss of your grandfather. He will be missed by the local community. I know my stepfather and stepbrother knew him very well. Tell me, Mr Bland, are you his only grandchild? I have quite lost track of your mother and what family she has, since she moved over to Slaidburn.’ Isabelle fished cautiously for what she already knew was the answer. It was clear to her who this young man was – and who his father was, for the likeness was uncanny.
‘I’m the oldest and I have left four brothers back in Slaidburn. However, I’m afraid I have fallen out of favour with them, as my grandfather left me Ragged Hall upon his death. My father is not happy that he did not see fit to will it to my mother, for some reason. There is nothing stranger than families, but I was always there for my grandfather, and he was there for me. I seem to be the odd one out in the family, but blessed when it comes to luck.’ Daniel smiled, knowing full well what Isabelle was thinking.
‘So, will you be staying in the area? I’m sure it would have pleased your grandfather to know that his farm is in good hands and will be remaining in the family.’ Isabelle looked at Jane, who kept glancing at her companion. She was smitten by him, even though he was improperly dressed for the occasion and of little standing in the community.
‘Yes, it needs a lot of work and a great deal of time spending on it. But I’m willing to give it both, so you won’t be seeing the back of me quite yet.’ Daniel grinned. Isabelle knew who he was, and his grandfather had told him that the stepsister and brother were very close. She knew that he was Danny Atkinson’s son – something his mother had told him when he was old enough to understand.
‘Well, I wish you well, Mr Bland. Jane, I know you are enjoying Mr Bland’s company, but don’t neglect our other guests.’ Isabelle gave a tight smile as she stepped away from the young couple.
‘Please, Mrs Fox, my name is Daniel. In future, please call me Daniel – I’m sure you know why.’ He caught her arm.
‘Oh yes, I know why. I only hope you are not here to cause trouble or hurt any of my family,’ whispered Isabelle out of earshot of Jane, thankful that the band was extremely loud.
‘No, I simply want to meet my father, and this is one way to do it. My mother loved him, and still does, but I’ll keep that to myself. There’s been enough hurt in my life, without causing it in somebody else’s. I’ll take care.’
Daniel looked earnest as he watched Isabelle make her way to her husband and then on towards her stepbrother, and then lead Danny away from his wife and family. He didn’t want to hurt anyone, not in the way he had been hurt in his life; he just wanted to fit in. The more he had talked to Jane, the more he knew he was where he belonged, and that this was his true family. The family his mother had wanted to be part of, but had never had the chance.
29
‘I can’t be down here long, Ethan, they will miss me.’ Mazy stood back in the bustling kitchen of Windfell and looked at her son. ‘Heavens, you look different. Nancy’s done a right good job of cutting your hair and shortening the trousers – I couldn’t have managed without her. I feel real tearful, just looking at you: my son dressed up like a gentleman. A handsome one at that.’ Mazy bit her lip and stood back to look at her son, dressed in the evening suit that had been discarded for the rag-and-bone man. He looked handsome, clean-shaven, his black hair slick and neat; a match for any man on the dance floor.
‘Aye, I don’t think Rosie will look at another bloke once she sees me. I may have no money, but even I’m surprised at how well I scrub up.’ Ethan looked down at his black trousers and at the work shoes that were just hidden under the length of them. ‘Pity he wasn’t throwing out some shoes as well, but you can’t have everything.’
‘Yes, your feet are too small for anybody’s cast-offs – I did try. Well, you had better get yourself up our stairs and make a quiet entrance; don’t be too flash. If Miss Rosie’s meeting you by the Christmas tree, I’ll stand there with you and serve drinks, to support you both. Mistress Isabelle won’t dare make a scene, once you are both up and dancing, as she won’t want her night spoiled. So she’ll just have to accept you.’ Mazy looked at her precious son. He was good enough for anybody, in her eyes, and she would walk through hell to protect him.
‘Thank you, Mother. You know how I feel about Rosie, I had to be with her tonight.’ Ethan kissed his mother and held her tightly.
‘Aye, well, your father will have something to say to us both in the morning no doubt. But it’ll be worth it, just for the pair of you to turn a few heads and to let them know nothing’s going to stand between you.’ Mazy wiped her eyes with her hanky and led the way up the servants’ stairs, weaving through the crowds to where the Christmas tree stood.
‘She’s not here yet. I can see her father talking to Mrs Fox, but I can’t see Rosie, nor her mother.’ Ethan gazed around the room at all the well-to-do guests and tried to hide behind his mother, as she picked up a tray of full champagne glasses from the dresser and offered them to passing revellers.
‘She’ll be here, don’t fret. She keeps her promises, does Rosie – not like that Jane, who seems to be occupied with a young man. Although her mother and Mr Atkinson don’t seem that happy with her, by the look of the glances they are giving her and the young man. Happen you won’t be the scandal of the evening after all.’ Mazy smiled as her tray started to empty to all the partygoers.
‘Ethan! Ethan, I’m here.’ Rosie tugged on his jacket and pulled him towards her into the relative quiet of the drawing-room doorway.
‘I couldn’t see you. How do I look – swanky, eh? Not so much a stable boy now.’ Ethan grinned. He held his hands and arms out and looked himself up and down. ‘Do you think you can afford to be seen with me, Miss Atkinson?’
‘Oh, Ethan, I wouldn’t be bothered if you were still in your old work clothes, as long as we are together. But yes, I’m right proud to be on the arm of such a good-looking man. Let’s see what they do about us now.’ Rosie grinned.
‘Could I interest you in a dance, madam? I do believe the band is playing a waltz and, as that is the only dance I can do, we had better make a move and show them how it is done.’ Ethan winked; he was going to enjoy himself, just like everybody else.
‘Do you think we should? My mother will have a fit when she sees you. She’s been trying to introduce me to eligible young men all evening. The only one she hasn’t bothered with is the one Jane is talking to, and although Mother says she doesn’t know him, she keeps looking at him strangely.’ Rosie took Ethan’s arm as he led her onto the dance floor, feeling excitement and a little fear as she realized that people were looking at what, in their eyes, was a handsome young couple making the most of Christmas at Windfell.
‘That’s our Rosie. Who’s she with? Oh my Lord, it’s Ethan. Just look at him, he’s in a suit. You can hardly tell it’s the same boy that drove us down here tonight. Oh, I could die with embarrassment!’ Harriet turned to Archie and then looked around her, at the faces watching the couple as they glided around the room. ‘Where’s Danny? Has he seen? What will Isabelle say about this? Oh, heavens! She’ll never talk to me again.’
‘Stop getting yourself flustered. Just look at them, they are the bonniest couple here tonight, and they know it. You should be proud of them, especially Rosie – she loves that lad, you know. And you can’t say you haven’t been there yourself, because you have. My lad had money, and you didn’t have much, so how do you think we felt when you became part of the family? It didn’t worry us, and it shouldn’t worry you now. Just look at them, they are as pretty as a picture.’ Archie leaned on his stick as he sat at the edge of the ballroom and watched Rosie and Ethan holding one another tightly as they waltzed around the room. Rosie’s face was full of love, and Ethan looked so proud
as he concentrated on his footwork. ‘Bonniest couple in Yorkshire, that’s what they are.’ He sat back and shook his head as Harriet pushed her way through the crowds in search of Danny and Isabelle, to reassure her sister-in-law that she had known nothing of Ethan and Rosie’s plans.
‘I know – I’ve seen him, he’s here!’ Flustered, Harriet broke into the conversation that Danny and Isabelle were having. She didn’t notice the look of worry on both their faces when she spoke to them, and was nearly in tears as she saw the anger on Isabelle’s face.
Isabelle looked shocked at Harriet’s words.
‘Oh, Harriet, I’m sorry. I had no idea he was going to attend. I didn’t know Jane had invited him, otherwise I would never have allowed Daniel Bland to come. I’m sorry, it must be deeply upsetting for you. Danny knew nothing about him until just recently, I can assure you. But how long have you known? Please don’t upset yourself; it is only us who knows who he really is, after all.’ Isabelle looked at Harriet, distraught, and then pleadingly at Danny, who now had to face his wife and then make himself known to his illegitimate son.
‘Harriet, I’m sorry you’ve had to find out this way. You do know that I loved only you, and that Amy was just an easy distraction – there was never anything between us.’ Danny tried to put his arms around his wife, who looked puzzled by their responses.
‘What are you both on about? Who is Daniel Bland, and why are you mentioning Amy Brown? At least I presume it is Amy Brown, considering that I told you, Isabelle, that I knew Danny had been unfaithful to me all those years ago. Don’t look so shocked, Danny, you made it so obvious at the time, and I’ve always known I was second best.’ Harriet looked at brother and sister and knew something untoward was in the making, with this so-called Daniel Bland. ‘I was referring to the fact that Ethan is dressed up to the nines and is parading our daughter around the dance floor, for all the world to see. So whatever it is that I’m not supposed to know and will be so shocked by, tell me now.’ She breathed in and looked at them both. It must be bad, as neither of them had blinked regarding the news of Ethan and Rosie’s escapade.
‘I think I have a son! That’s who Daniel Bland is. And he’s caught the eye of Jane; she’s been with him all night. That’s what Isabelle was telling me when you came over to us. I’d no idea – I’m so sorry Harriet, I must have hurt you all those years back, and now for you to have all this thrown in your face. He’s not thought of his actions.’ Danny reached for Harriet’s hand, but she pulled it away from him.
‘He’s not the only one who hasn’t thought about his rash actions, is he? Where are they? Does he know you are his father?’ Harriet gazed around the dance floor. Her eyes flitted from person to person, and the noise of the band and the sight of her Rosie and Ethan making fools of themselves to one and all made her feel quite faint.
‘They are over there by the window. I am sorry to say that when you look at him, I don’t think there is any doubt about his parentage.’ Isabelle put her arm around her sister-in-law, feeling her body shake and seeing tears well up in her eyes.
‘And does he know that Danny is his father?’ Harriet spotted Jane and Daniel standing together, lost in conversation. ‘He is more like you, Danny, than any of our children are, so I’d say there is no doubt whatsoever.’ Harriet pulled her handkerchief out of her pocket and held it against her mouth, stifling a cry.
‘I think so. From the way he talked, I believe his mother has told him who he is and that he is named after his true father.’ Isabelle breathed in deeply. This was not the night she had planned. Yet again family scandals were being played out under the roof of Windfell Manor.
‘I’m sorry, Harriet, I’m so sorry. I was young and I was foolish, and when Amy got married to the fella from Slaidburn, I thought that would be the last I’d see or hear of her.’ Danny tried to put his arm around his wife, but she pulled away.
‘You mean you hoped that your sins would not be found out! Well, he’s standing there and looking every inch like you. And there I was, worried about Ethan showing us up with Rosie. At least they are not sneaking about with their love; they are proud to declare it to the world.’ Harriet looked across at Daniel and then at Danny. ‘No wonder you didn’t stay long at Bill Brown’s funeral. You and Archie realized then. You both had nothing much to say about how it went, because you had seen Daniel and noticed the resemblance and knew instantly that he was your son.’
‘Oh, Harriet, if only you had said that you knew about Amy. I’ve been carrying the guilt for years.’ Danny looked at his wife. All around him people were enjoying the festive season, but his world was falling apart.
‘Guilt – you know nothing about guilt. Remember that I was to blame for the death of our two boys. It was my fault I put my work before them both. I lost my firstborn, while Amy kept her son and your heart.’ Harriet looked across at Jane laughing and flirting with Daniel. ‘You make it right by him; go and tell him that you are his father, and then he has no hold over us.’
‘I can’t. How do I do that?’ Danny looked at the hurt in his wife’s eyes. Their marriage had been tempestuous, but now he knew why, for Harriet had always known about his love for Amy and had kept it her secret. A secret that had eaten away at her, every year she had been married to him. Every time life’s trials went against them, she had questioned his love for her and it had gnawed away inside her.
Isabelle put her hand on Danny’s arm. ‘I’ll distract Jane. It is best if Daniel gets to know that his secret is out. Take him into the drawing room and speak to him, find out what he is about. Although it sounded to me as if he just aims to farm Ragged Hall and is not here to cause trouble.’ Isabelle looked at her brother and sister-in-law. Her perfect evening had been spoilt, but that was of little consequence compared to what Harriet and Danny were going through. She stepped through the crowds, passing Ethan and Rosie lost in one another’s arms on the dance floor. Both stopped in their tracks as they watched Danny and Harriet following Isabelle over to where Jane and her admirer stood.
‘Looks like Jane is in more trouble than we are.’ Ethan smiled as Rosie watched her parents looking distressed, while following her aunt.
‘No, something is wrong – my mother’s nearly in tears.’ Rosie let go of Ethan’s arms and walked to her parents’ side.
‘Go back to Ethan, Rosie.’ Danny glanced round at his daughter as Harriet stepped in front of Isabelle, intent on getting to Jane and Daniel first.
‘No, let her stay, she should hear this. In fact everyone should hear this; it is yet another dirty secret that has made itself known tonight,’ yelled Harriet, making everyone around her fall quiet as she strode up to Daniel and Jane. ‘Yes, yet another scandal – more for you all to talk about.’
Everyone looked at Harriet acting so strangely.
‘My daughter is courting a stable lad, and now my husband has another son in our midst. Is that not right, Daniel? For is my husband and the father of my children not your father, too?’ Harriet stood in front of Daniel Bland and the startled Jane, as tears flowed down her cheeks.
Daniel put his head down and looked at the faces of the revellers. The band had stopped playing and all eyes were on him and Jane, and the Atkinson family.
‘I believe so. That is what my mother has always told me, since I was young.’ Daniel looked at his father. ‘Although I had no intention of making my parentage so public. I didn’t come here to make trouble, just to see the family that my mother had talked about for as long as I can remember.’
‘Harriet, lass, come here to me, don’t get yourself so upset.’ Archie made his way through the crowd and put his arm around the hysterical woman, whose heart had been broken once more. ‘Come on – come over here with me, away from these folk. Rosie, you and Ethan go and tell Jethro to take us back to Crummock. I don’t think your mother will want to stay and see Christmas in with these good folk.’
‘Yes, Grandfather.’ Rosie looked as bewildered as everyone else, as she and Ethan ran to fetch Jet
hro to take her mother home. The man who was with Jane was her own half-brother? Where had he come from? Who was his mother? Rosie glanced back as she watched Archie and her mother walk steadily out of the hallway, her mother in tears; and then the crowds of guests turned their attention to her father, standing with his namesake. There was no doubt in anybody’s minds that Danny Atkinson had another son, and Rosie a half-brother.
‘I’m sorry, good people, please don’t let this outburst spoil your evening.’ James stood on the band’s platform and tried to draw attention away from Danny and his new-found son, as they made their way into the drawing room of Windfell. ‘Families, eh, who would have them?’ He was trying to make light of the situation. ‘Come on, we’ve still got a few hours until Christmas Day. Enjoy the band and food, and forget your worries, because compared to ours they will be nothing.’
James grinned and instructed the band to start playing again, as he looked across at his wife and daughter. He was not the first in the family to fall from grace and he certainly wouldn’t be the last, he was sure of that. Right now, he hoped that Danny was doing right by his new son, but also that he would return to Crummock and tell Harriet just how much she meant to him and that he had always loved her. He knew that, like his own fling with Madge, it must have ensued from the thrill of the moment, but unfortunately a son had been born from Danny’s forbidden passion.
‘Thank you, James. Isn’t it all a mess?’ Isabelle linked her arm into James’s and looked at Jane, standing alone and aghast, until Rosie reappeared without Ethan on her arm, making her way to where her father and her newly announced brother had been standing with Jane. Luke was moving through the crowd to join them, not wanting to be disassociated from the breaking scandal. ‘You try to protect your children from hurt and then you, as a parent, do more damage than you could possibly dream of,’ said Isabelle regretfully.
