by Kira Stewart
She could tell that the young man was laughing at her in the darkness.
“Well, I was feeling a bit peckish, too, and father sent me down to see what I could find. I hope you don’t mind?”
“Well, it is strictly yours now, anyway. It should be me who should be asking if I can have any supper.”
He could sense the sarcasm in her voice.
“Please, don’t be like that. Father doesn’t mean to be so, so ...”
“Unpleasant?”
She finished the sentence for him.
“Well, I suppose he can seem rather brusque. But he has been on his own now for rather a long time. I’m afraid he does sometimes come over as a bit of a tyrant. Please, don’t be offended by him and what he was saying earlier. Of course you are welcome to stay here as long as you like.”
Rebecca could feel her hackles rise.
“Well, that’s very good and noble of you, sir, but once mother is feeling better, I am sure we will be leaving. We would not want to stay where we are not welcome.”
She could feel him hesitate as he wondered how to respond. The only sound was his breath, as it mingled with hers in the darkness.
She shivered involuntary, although she was not cold.
“You will catch a chill down here. Have this.”
Before she had chance to protest, Edward had removed his jacket and was placing it tenderly around her shoulders. She could feel the heat from his body as he stood close behind her and her heart began to beat quickly.
“I am sorry about my father, Rebecca. I wish … I hope that we can be friends?”
Before she could answer, the door opened once again at the top of the stairs, and another dark shadow lowered down upon them.
“Edward, what in hells name is keeping you, man? I am ready for some supper. Are you talking to someone down there? Now, come along at once.”
The young man’s manner immediately changed, and Rebecca noticed that he jumped a little.
“I’m coming, sir. I was just cutting some bread.”
Putting the remains of the meat and cheese onto a plate, he picked up the loaf and cut it in half. She could feel his gaze once more upon her.
“I’m sorry, Rebecca.”
With a final glance at the girl, he quickly rushed back up the stairs, to where his father was waiting.
Standing quietly in the dark, Rebecca waited until she was quite sure that they had gone, before speaking aloud to herself.
“What a spineless young man he is … obviously afraid of his father. His words are meaningless, and even if he meant them, his father is not a kind man, and the son is weak. I will have to break it to mother gently, but we must leave here as soon as we can.”
6.
It was late, when Rebecca woke the next day. Exhausted, she had slept until her sister, Grace, had kissed her lightly on the forehead to wake her.
“Mother is asking for you, Rebecca. Do come, it is past ten o’clock.”
Grace sat on the bed, her face pale and looking worried.
“I took mother some tea this morning, and she started asking me about Percy D’Arcy. I hardly knew what to say. Oh Becky, she looks so weak and frail. I was afraid to tell her of D’Arcy’s plans to stay here. Poor mama needs some time to get used to the idea.”
Rebecca yawned, as she stretched her body awake.
“I think we all need time, Grace, but I doubt if Sir Percy is willing to give it. It seems like his mind is made up, and he does not seem like a man who changes it, just for the sake of others. I will go and speak with mother. We need not tell her anything yet, not until she is feeling better. If she keeps to her bed, she need not know for the time being. Perhaps, in a couple of days, she will be feeling better.”
Kissing her sister, Rebecca slipped on her dressing gown, and walked across the landing to her mother’s room.
Elizabeth Brancepth was already sat up in bed, and drinking her tea.
She looked small, propped up against the large feather pillows, almost like a little girl, and Rebecca’s heart ached for her.
Taking her mother’s hand, the girl sat down next to her on the bed.
“How are you feeling, my dearest?”
“I am feeling much better today, my dear. I think I will get up later today. I can’t leave Sir Percy to his own devices, although, I guess he wishes that I would. I am so sorry to have left everything to you yesterday, playing hostess to Sir Percy and everything. How do you find him, Becky?”
It was hard to lie to her mother, but surely, a small white lie wouldn’t hurt.
“He seems quite tolerable, mother, but I think it is too soon to make a judgment. Father used to say that we must not judge a character too soon.”
“Then, you do not like him.”
Her mother’s eyes twinkled. She knew her daughter well.
“It is not that, mother, but he seems rather brusque in his manner. He is not like us at all. In fact, he seems rather a bit of a cold fish.”
“I had already surmised that, from his manner at the funeral toward us. I am afraid he is not like your poor papa. From what I hear, he has been a widower for almost sixteen years. His late wife died in childbirth with Theresa. That can harden a man, Becky. Perhaps, we shouldn’t be too hard on the man? What about the son, Edward? How do you find him?”
Despite herself, Rebecca could not help blushing at the sound of the young man’s name.
“I believe that he is just as bad as his father. There is something about all of the D’Arcys, which I have not warmed to. Even the girl is quiet and withdrawn.”
Mrs. Brancepth squeezed her daughter’s hand.
“I suppose that we are biased, my dear. How are we supposed to feel about people who will be taking over our lives and our home? We must be generous. Remember, Edward and Theresa have no mother; it must have been difficult for them. And poor Sir Percy, on his own for all of these years, no woman to soften his temper. And this stupid family feud that has come between us all doesn’t help. You would think, that after all of the years that have passed, that time would have healed over whatever wounds have been inflicted. But families are strange, Rebecca, and sometimes the sins of the fathers are never forgotten. In fact, they seem to have been actively promoted in this case.”
“But what was the quarrel about, mother?”
Elizabeth Brancepth shook her head and smiled.
“I don’t think even your father really knew the answer to that. Although he was a fair man, he had been brought up to think that the D’Arcys were the black sheep of the family, and I suppose it was the same for Sir Percy with us. I once asked him about it. We knew that Percy D’Arcy would inherit the title, should anything happen to your father, but that seemed such a remote possibility. With six daughters, he was hoping for at least one grandson to take over the title of Duke. I wanted him to extend his hand in peace, to re-unite the families once again, but he wouldn’t hear of it. So, you see, my dear, it will be impossible to stay here. We shall have to move out.”
“Oh, but, mother, that won’t be for some time yet.”
Elizabeth smiled.
“I don’t expect that a man like Sir Percy will be kept waiting. This is his rightful home, and we must think about moving. I have been thinking it through, whilst laying here. I know we cannot yet move to the house in London, but there is a cottage on the estate, the old Dowager’s Lodge. We used to put up our guests there when the house was full. It is small, but cozy, and will do us fine for a while, if you girls don’t mind sharing a bedroom, that is.”
Rebecca blinked back the tears.
“Oh, mother, please, don’t talk so. I’m sure we can stay here as long as we like.”
Shaking her head, Elizabeth Brancepth smiled sadly at her daughter.
“I think it would be too difficult to stay here now, my dear. There are too many memories. The longer we stay here, the harder it will be to leave.”
Suddenly, the tears started and would not stop. The sorrow of the last two we
eks broke from the girl’s heart, and she lay sobbing on the bed, as her mother stroked her long chestnut hair.
“There, there, my dear. Do not be sad, your father would not have wanted it so. We must both be strong for your sisters. Nothing stays the same forever, and we must move on, Becky darling. Your father will always be in our hearts. Now, let us think of the future. What of your young man, Thomas? I did not get chance to speak with him yesterday.”
It was strange, but Rebecca had forgotten all about him. Suddenly, she remembered the letter she had vowed to write. Of course, she must write it straight away. Her mother was right—she just needed to concentrate on the future, not the past, and everything would work out somehow.
•••
Sat at her desk, Rebecca contemplated the blank sheet of paper in front of her. A few days ago, she wouldn’t have hesitated to write. The words would have been written as soon as she dipped the nib into the inkwell, but now, something had changed and she wasn’t sure what it was or why. She felt the same way she had before. Her father had died and there was a great sorrow in her life, but her feelings for Thomas were just the same. Or were they?
Although it was almost midday, the sun was weak and low in the sky, casting a watery and melancholy sheen across the landscape. Rebecca sighed as she looked out across the estate at the small coppice of elm trees to the left, and the glassy lake to the right. This had been her view as long as she could remember, and now it would belong to someone else. Everything changed, and nothing remained constant. Yet, there was no use in crying about it. She couldn’t change a thing.
Picking up her pen, she started to write:
Dearest Thomas,
I missed you yesterday after father’s funeral. Mother was ill and I had to play hostess to the new Duke. Everything is to change here, and it would be good to see a friendly face. Please, visit soon.
Yours,
Rebecca hesitated before signing the letter “yours.” Was she really his? A coldness had crept into her heart, and she wasn’t sure why.
7.
All morning, Rebecca avoided leaving her room, not wanting to come into contact with the D’Arcys, but eventually, she dressed and descended the grand staircase. She couldn’t avoid them forever! Her mother’s words also resonated with the girl. Perhaps she should give them another chance. Edward had at least tried to speak with her. Perhaps she should give him the benefit of the doubt. At least it would make the time remaining at Heathfield Hall a little more pleasant.
The D’Arcys were still at breakfast when she entered the room, but only the young man and his sister looked up. Sir Percy was absorbed in reading, his long nose stuck in a newspaper, and he did not acknowledge her arrival.
“It is a little dull this morning, after yesterday’s brightness.”
The weather always seemed a safe topic, and Rebecca so wanted to make peace.
Edgar shifted the cup from which he was drinking, uneasily in its saucer.
“Indeed it is.”
The short answer threw her for a moment, perhaps he was embarrassed from their encounter the night before, and after taking her place at the table, she smiled across at the young man.
“Mother is feeling much better today, and will be out of bed this afternoon.”
The newspaper rustled, and Sir Percy stuck his long nose over the top of it.
“I need to speak with your mother. Two o’clock this afternoon should suffice.”
His face disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Rebecca could feel the anger start to stir within her. How dare he bark his orders at her. However, she pushed back her own feelings, for the sake of her mother, remembering her words that they needed to make allowances.
“Yes, I will tell her.”
Mrs. Thomas bustled in with more hot water and a basket of fresh bread.
“I thought I heard your voice, Miss Rebecca. Now, I don’t know where your sisters have got to this morning, but you are the first I have seen. I’ll take them something up to their rooms perhaps?”
“That would be good of you, Mrs. Thomas. It was a long and emotional day yesterday, and I think, perhaps they have slept in a little. Some hot chocolate and cake should do the trick.”
Sir Percy gave a small cough from behind his newspaper, but did not comment.
“And what about you, Miss Rebecca? What can I get for you?”
Suddenly, the girl felt hungry. Her supper had been interrupted, and now she was starving.
“Eggs would be lovely, Mrs. Thomas, and perhaps some of your delicious hot chocolate for me, too?”
The atmosphere in the breakfast room was still decidedly frosty, despite the girl’s attempt at conversation. Trying again, she addressed her attentions to the young Miss D’Arcy.
“And how are you finding Heathfield Hall, Miss D’Arcy? I expect you cannot wait to have a good look around. I will take you for a walk, if you would like, after breakfast? We could even take a walk outside on the grounds. The weather is not so bad, and if we wrap up warm, I think it would be rather pleasant. What say you?”
Before the young girl had chance to answer, the newspaper Sir Percy has been avidly reading was pushed to one side for the moment.
“It is far too cold for Theresa to take a walk outside today. My daughter is of a delicate constitution, and has to keep indoors during the winter months.”
Rebecca looked at the pale countenance of the young girl. Her skin was so pale, it looked as though she had never even seen the sun.”
“They say that fresh air is good for the constitution, sir. I am sure that if Miss D’Arcy wraps up warm, a breath of fresh air will do her the world of good.”
As if on cue, the young girl began to cough.
Sir Percy glared across the table at Rebecca.
“My daughter is not well, and will not be going outside today. Being sat for some time in that drafty chapel yesterday has not done her any good at all. In fact, it has gone straight to her chest. Fresh air would not do her any good, Miss Brancepth. In fact, it would have exactly the opposite effect.”
Rebecca could feel her temper start to rise.
“Surely, your daughter can speak for herself, sir.”
Sir Percy clenched his fists and his face colored. He was not used to being answered back.
“I know what is best for my own daughter, Miss Brancepth, and I pray that you do not meddle in things that you do not understand. Now, do not forget to tell your mother I will see her at two this afternoon in the Library.”
Snatching up his newspaper, Sir Percy took his leave from the table and left the room.
“How very rude!”
Rebecca could not help, but voice her thoughts.
The young man frowned, his loyalties tested. He did not want to argue with the girl and yet he wanted her to understand.
“My father only wants what is best for us. As you can see, Theresa here, has poor health, and my father is only worried about her. He is very protective over Theresa, as am I. You do not understand.”
Edward placed a hand protectively on his sister’s shoulder.
“Father only means well. He does not like me to exert myself too much.”
The young girl spoke for the first time, her voice soft and gentle. Rebecca pitied the poor girl, but she could no longer control her anger.
“I am sure that your father knows what he is doing, but I was only trying to be friendly. He had no right to be so rude. I thought the fresh air would put some color back into your sister’s cheeks; that is all. Obviously, I was wrong. I think I will tell Mrs. Thomas I will take my breakfast in my room after all. Excuse me.”
Before Edward had the chance to speak further, she had left the room and was on her way to find Mrs. Thomas.
Rebecca joined her sister, Grace, in her bedroom, and the two shared breakfast.
“I could not bear to sit with Edward D’Arcy one moment longer, Grace. His father is rude, and Edward is just a younger version of his father, and agrees wi
th everything he says. I do not think that young man can have a mind of his own. And as for the poor girl … I believe she is ill, because her father and brother tell her she is ill. She needs a day in the country, lots of fresh air and good food, yet I doubt her father will allow it. I tried, Grace, I really did, but it is no use. I am afraid that the D’Arcys are a lost cause.”
Grace sipped at her chocolate and let her sister finish.
“Oh, Rebecca, we do not know that Miss D’Arcy is not really ill. I am sure that her father means it only for the best. Just think how our father loved us, and how he did what he thought was best for all of us.”
At the thought of her dear papa, the girl’s eyes filled with tears.
“There, there, Grace. I am sorry for pouring my troubles onto you. It is not as if we have trouble enough. I must not make things difficult for you or Mama. But I cannot help getting so angry. Percy D’Arcy is so rude. He wants to speak with mother at two this afternoon in the Library. I wonder what he wants to see her about.”
Grace dried her eyes.
“I expect it will be about the living arrangements, now that he is to take father’s place and live here. It will be sad to leave Heathfield Hall, Becky, but you are right, we must be strong for mother, and each other.”
The two girls hugged.
“Now, I must go and see the others. I’m surprised that I was the only one at breakfast.”
“Oh Becky, with mother in her bed, the girls were too frightened of sitting down with Sir Percy at breakfast, and wanted to stay in their rooms. Leaving here is going to be so hard on them.”
Rebecca sighed.
“Well, they cannot stay upstairs forever, Grace. Come, and we will make sure they are dressed, and then at least we can all go downstairs together. There is safety in numbers. We need not tell them about the arrangements until mother knows herself. There is no use upsetting everyone. Now, you go and see that the girls are dressed and presentable, and I will see if mother needs anything.”
8.
Elizabeth Brancepth was not surprised that Percy D’Arcy wanted to see her. She had already surmised, from her own brief encounters with the man and those told to her by her daughters, that he was a man who did not stand on ceremony. He was keen to take over from her late husband, and even keener that the Brancepth’s were removed from Heathfield Hall as quickly as possible.
