The Master of Winterbourne

by Louise Allen

  ‘No. I lay awake and ached for you. Is that what you wish to hear me say?’ He snapped off a bay leaf with a vicious twist, rubbing it between his fingers so that the pungent smell filled her nostrils.

  ‘I would not want anyone to suffer on my account, but I did not ask you to come to my room.’ Henrietta sat on a low wall and sniffed the lavender. Nothing would make her admit she had ached for him too.

  ‘No. I was a fool to think you would welcome me.’ His mouth was a thin line of self-disgust. ‘When I return you I trust you will be prepared to be… wifely.’

  ‘You're leaving, then?’ The words were too hasty, they sounded false even to her ears.

  ‘Don't pretend you didn't know. That little maid of yours is all ears and she will have lost no time in passing on the intelligence. Why are you here, madam? To discover how many weeks you have of freedom before I return?’

  That was too near the knuckle for comfort. Henrietta avoided his scrutiny. ‘Yes, I did know you were leaving. Lawyer Stone told me, not gossip from the maids. I came to find how long you'd be away, not to relish the separation. You choose to believe the worst of me, Matthew, but, believe me, I do accept our marriage.’

  There was a long pause before he said, ‘Our marriage perhaps. Do you also accept what will follow it, Henrietta?’ The green eyes were cool on her hot face. ‘I’d not force you if you are unwilling, you know that. But if you are, then this whole arrangement falls.’

  ‘Yes. I would be willing.’ It was difficult to admit, but, in everything she could, she must be honest with him.

  She hoped her frankness would disarm him but he accepted the admission with a slight smile and a shrug. ‘Well, you have a month of freedom for anticipation and whatever women do before a wedding.’

  ‘You'll be away for a whole month? For the entire time before our wedding?’

  ‘I'm glad something I say pleases you. But there are affairs I must attend to. My inheritance of this estate has disordered my life far more than yours, believe me. I have a legal practice in London, work I must reduce now Winterbourne is mine. That in itself will take time, but I have other duties.’ It was obvious to Henrietta that he was choosing his words with care.

  ‘Believe me, if it were my own business I would let it go hang now I know how eager you are to have me at your side.’ His voice was heavy with irony, but the tattered remnants of bay leaf he tossed aside showed her he was not as calm as he would have her believe.

  ‘So it is Parliament's business?’ Henrietta asked carefully. She must not precipitate another dispute.

  ‘Yes. And I have told you before, Henrietta, as my wife you are expected to at least make an outward show of loyalty, if only for your own safety and that of this household.’

  Stung, Henrietta bit back, ‘And I have told you, sir, I cannot make pretence of loyalty to a regime I believe illegal. Out of duty I will hold my tongue in public, but you cannot direct my conscience.’

  ‘Very well, Henrietta, if you will not be persuaded I must command. I will return in four weeks, by which time I expect you to be ready in all respects to be my meek and obedient wife.’

  He turned on his heel and strode from the garden, leaving Henrietta angry and frightened. Not even her father had commanded her to obedience in such a way. She forced the thought of him to the back of her mind with an effort, knowing he would have expected her to make any sacrifice for the sake of Winterbourne and its people.

  *

  When she saw Matthew next he was astride the Roman-nosed grey, his bags strapped on the back of Lawyer Stone's coach. Aunt Susan allowed her suitor to kiss her cheek, then settled him in the coach with much fussing over rugs and draughts. Henrietta stood silent on the steps, envying the older couple's open affection, the emotion that was banishing the years, making her aunt young again.

  There was one person missing. ‘Matthew, where is your clerk?’ Henrietta looked around her, then saw Cobham's sharp features peering out from the shadows of the hall.

  ‘I am leaving him here to assist Weldon and to keep an eye on my interests while I am away.’ It was not the estate he was referring to and Henrietta knew it.

  ‘My thanks, Sir Matthew.’ Henrietta dropped a deep curtsy, knowing she should curb her tongue but unable to do so confronted by fresh proof of his distrust. ‘Knowing how indispensable he is to you, I am overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness.’

  ‘You will be in safe hands with Nathaniel, he will watch over you. And do not fear I will feel our separation too deeply – he writes to me daily.’

  There was nothing veiled in the threat this time: Cobham had been left behind to spy on her. It was a complication she had not expected, and a deeply distasteful thought that Matthew was right not to give her his trust.

  ‘A safe journey, Sir Matthew,’ she said, schooling her expression, conscious of Cobham's chilly gaze on her back.

  ‘And a safe return to you both,’ Aunt Susan called as the coach wheeled ponderously around on creaking axles and lumbered down the drive, followed by Matthew reining the grey back into a controlled trot. The older woman took Henrietta by the arm as they entered the house. ‘My dear, I have had such an illuminating conversation with Lawrence about your betrothed. It seems Sir Matthew was a most devoted husband to Sarah, his first wife… ’

  *

  ‘The master would want me to look at the rent books.’ Cobham materialised from the shadows at the head of the stairs, startling Henrietta as she climbed so that she grasped the carved newel post for support.

  She had contained her impatience to talk to Robert until after the midday meal, then, with the clerk safe in his chamber, had walked openly up the main staircase as if going to her room. From there she could slip down the back stairs and out through the yard to the Home Farm.

  ‘The rent books?’ Henrietta struggled to hide her dislike of the dusty little man with the sharp black eyes. Her immediate instinct was to allow him anything he asked which would occupy him in the house while she and Robert planned what to do with the casket.

  ‘Yes, and the list of tenants if you please, Mistress Wynter.’ His very civility was patronising. Here was a man who believed all women were foolish, weak vessels and that, she realised, was a card she could play to her advantage.

  ‘Oh! I don't know… I'm not sure. Are you certain you need them now? Could it not wait?’ She widened her eyes and let one hand flutter at her bosom, the very picture of an alarmed and empty-headed woman. ‘Wouldn't you rather see the Home Farm this afternoon?’ She paused as though seeking a convincing excuse, seeing the dawning suspicion in his face. ‘It's such a lovely afternoon, and the walk is very pleasant. You'll understand the books much better for seeing the farm.’

  ‘Thank you, Mistress Wynter, but I think not. I would not wish to waste the Master's time in… diversions. The books are in the steward's room, I assume?’

  ‘I expect so, but Robert will know for sure.’ Henrietta toyed with the idea of fluttering her eyelashes helplessly at him, then thought better of it. No-one, surely, had ever fluttered their eyelashes at Cobham. ‘He's at the Home Farm now. Why don't you go over and ask him?’

  There was a thin smile on the clerk's lips. ‘I will remain here. I will speak to Master Weldon after I have seen the books.’

  ‘As you wish.’ Henrietta hoped she was successfully concealing her own triumph behind downcast lids. ‘Perhaps if you see my aunt you will give her a message? Tell her I have gone to the Home Farm to see how the injured carpenter goes on.’

  That should set him to work on the books with a will. He would assume she had gone to fetch Robert to conceal whatever secrets he imagined the books held. With a sketchy bow Cobham passed her and hurried downstairs leaving her free to leave openly. Henrietta changed her silk gown for a plain wool one and her house shoes for a sturdy pair of buckled leather, threw a light cloak around her shoulders and took the back stairs.

  As she passed the sewing room she gestured to Alice, one finger on her lips, and led the ma
id further along the passage, nearer to where the steward's room door stood ajar.

  ‘I'm just going to the Home Farm with a poultice for Jack's leg. Look after Master Cobham, take him refreshment, see if he would like to see the cellars…’ It was a good thing Cobham could not see the look of almost comic astonishment on the maid's face or he would have had real grounds for suspicion. Henrietta permitted herself an unladylike wink, took a few jars at random from the stillroom shelves and walked into the warmth and bustle of the yard.

  Sim the kitchen boy was listlessly working the pump handle to fill a row of buckets for Cook, who was supervising the scrubbing of the kitchen floor. Letty emerged from the laundry room with an armful of clean linen and aimed an automatic cuff at the boy as she passed. He speeded up his pumping until her back was turned then resumed his previous rhythm.

  Satisfied everyone was fully occupied, including Master Cobham, Henrietta left the yard, crossed the bridge over the dry moat and walked down the sunken green lane leading to the Home Farm, a quarter of a mile away across the park.

  Now the carpenters had repaired the damaged roof trusses on the long barn the thatchers had started work and Henrietta stood in the farmyard, shading her eyes against the glare of the sun, watching for a few minutes while the bundles of straw were secured with bent pins of split willow and hammered home hard.

  Robert emerged from the central double doors brushing straw from his jerkin. ‘Mistress. I had not expected you today.’

  ‘I have come to see how Jack's leg is mending.’ Henrietta gestured towards the basket at her feet and Robert picked it up, leading the way towards the low, sprawling farmhouse.

  Inside, away from curious eyes, he put the basket on the table and looked at her keenly. ‘It is good of you to come. The lad's in the back room, but Widow Perrott's been looking after him. He's young, he'll mend well.’

  Henrietta glanced towards the far door and the steward pulled it to, guiding her to stand beside the fireplace. ‘We won't be overheard here. What is it, Mistress? The matter of the papers?’ He sounded uneasy.

  ‘Yes. Sir Matthew has gone but left his clerk here as spy and the man is all eyes and ears. I managed to shake him off just now by pretending I didn't want him to look at the rent books. No doubt you'll be in for an inquisition about those, but we may not get another chance to speak privately.’

  ‘I sent Dick to Oxford yesterday after we spoke.’

  ‘On what pretext?’ Despite the closed doors she kept her voice low.

  ‘To purchase a new book of husbandry Sir Matthew recommended to me. It was the only excuse I could think of readily. I tell you plainly, Mistress, I'd hoped we were quit of this plotting.’

  ‘How fortunate you had a ready-made excuse. Try not to worry, Robert; once we are clear of this we can get on with our lives safely again.’ Despite her firm words Henrietta felt apprehensive. ‘How will he find the right man? Does Dick know of the casket?’

  ‘Like myself, Dick is loyal to the King. He knows where to find our old comrades in Oxford. But for his own safety I have sent a message in cypher and told him it is about funds to help those old soldiers who are suffering now.’

  ‘Good.’ Henrietta heaved a sigh of relief. Dick was a sober lad who would come straight home, not be seduced by the taverns of Oxford. ‘Who has he gone to see?’

  ‘Better you don't know, Mistress. I'll tell Alice the moment he returns.’

  Henrietta removed the stoneware medicine jars from the basket. ‘I'd best leave these as they were my excuse for coming. Widow Perrott will no doubt use them as she sees fit. I'll just look in on Jack before I go.’

  Robert was already outside when she emerged from the sickroom. 'There's another matter I wanted to ask you about, Mistress.’

  ‘Alice?’ Henrietta arched a quizzical brow at him as she picked her way among the chickens to the garden gate.

  Robert's weather-beaten face reddened. ‘You know, then?’

  ‘I'd have to be blind not to. I told Alice the other day, you have my blessing to wed – and the sooner the better. I know Alice has stayed out of loyalty to me, but there's no need now. And, in any case, living with you here, she'll still be close by.’

  ‘Sir Matthew has given his permission.’ Robert pulled his broad-brimmed hat over his eyes and turned to look in the direction of the church. ‘He expressed a wish to be here for the ceremony, but he's away for a month…’

  ‘You'd better get the banns called this Sunday,’ Henrietta finished for him. ‘Then you'll be married the week before us. I'll talk to Alice at once about what she needs.’

  ‘Goodbye, Mistress, and thank you.’ Robert doffed his hat. ‘And don't worry about that other matter.’

  ‘I’ll try not to, and thank you, Robert.’ She hesitated then added, low-voiced, ‘And watch that clerk. He's a clever man, and already suspicious of us.’

  Henrietta's mind was buzzing with all she had to do over the next few weeks: two weddings to arrange, a new lady's maid to train, and Cobham's suspicions to appease. She paused on the bridge to watch a gaggle of maids spreading out sheets on the camomile of the drying lawn, wondering which would be the best substitute for Alice who had been her maid – and companion – for so long.

  Letty seemed the obvious choice, not that Alice would approve. But then she would be jealous of anyone attempting to take her place after all these years. Sighing at the thought of losing Alice, Henrietta turned and found herself facing Nathaniel Cobham who had just emerged from the lane to the Home Farm.

  ‘Cobham. Were you looking for me?’

  ‘No, Mistress Wynter. I decided to heed your advice and take the air, look at the Home Farm.’ The little man looked even dustier in the bright sunshine.

  ‘I didn't see you,’ Henrietta said coldly, picking up her skirts and leading the way into the yard.

  ‘You were inside the farmhouse, in conversation with Master Weldon.’

  ‘I was visiting our injured carpenter.’ As soon as she had said it Henrietta realised she had fallen into the trap of justifying herself. The knowledge he had been spying on her frightened her. ‘And of course making plans for Master Weldon's wedding,’ she added with more assurance. But she was uneasy. Could he have overheard anything that had passed between Robert and herself?

  No, Robert had closed the farmhouse door, and they had kept their voices low. They were safe this time, but the clerk's almost supernatural capacity for silent appearances spelt danger. She would have to keep her wits well about her.

  *

  Alice dumped an armful of shifts and petticoats on the bed and pushed her hair back under her cap. ‘I still think Martha would be steadier. She's younger than Letty, but she's got a good head on her shoulders.’

  ‘But my aunt speaks highly of Letty.’ Henrietta looked up from her dressing table where she was making a list of the wedding guests who would be staying overnight and which room should be made ready for each. ‘And I really must make up my mind today. You are to be married next Wednesday.’

  ‘I'm not going away. I can still look after you.’ Alice looked mulish.

  ‘Your first loyalty now is to Robert and your child,’ Henrietta chided, realising her maid was jealous of Letty's supplanting her, instinctively preferring the meeker Martha. Alice sat back on her heels, rubbing the small of her back. For the first time Henrietta noticed smudges of tiredness under her eyes. ‘You must rest. You're doing too much in your condition.’

  ‘There's much to do,’ Alice retorted, although she accepted Henrietta's hand to help her to her feet.

  ‘Letty will be my new maid.’ Henrietta took her by the shoulders and shook her gently. ‘But no-one could replace you in my heart. We've been friends all our lives, Alice. we can be closer friends still.’

  The tip of Alice's nose went pink with suppressed emotion, but all she said was, ‘Well then, I suppose I'd better begin teaching the silly wench her duties.’

  ‘Before you go, I've got something for you.’ Henrietta led
Alice to the oak clothes-press. ‘I want you to have these gowns.’ She spread the grey silk and the blue wool on the bed and added two sets of lace collars and cuffs.

  Alice's eyes widened. ‘But, Mistress, you've already given me a gown.’

  ‘I want you to look your best for the wedding. And afterwards you will have a position to support as Robert's wife. Now take them and ask Martha to help you with the adjustments, she's the nimblest with a needle. I won't need you for the rest of the day. Send Letty to me, she can start learning at once.’

  Alice gathered up the fine fabrics, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and hurried out without a word of protest. Henrietta laughed and closed the door behind her.

  As she sat down she felt the smile fade from her face. Everything was going well, preparations were in hand for both weddings and the household buzzed with happy excitement like a summer beehive. Alice and Robert radiated a quiet happiness, Letty was full of excited pride with the expectation of her new position and Aunt Susan, delighted that her niece was so well settled, spent every spare moment mooning over letters from Lawyer Stone.

  The only fly in the ointment was the lack of news from Oxford. Dick had returned after five anxious days to report he'd been unable to speak to the man he’d sought. Finally he'd entrusted the message to another confederate, but since then nothing had happened.

  Robert maintained stoutly that all would be well and the man Dick had seen was reliable. But Henrietta could not be reassured. Matthew was due to return in less than two weeks – time was running out fast.

  Chapter Eleven

  ‘If my Aunt asks for me, Letty, tell her I will be in the orchard.’ Henrietta hesitated on the front step, unsure she could trust Letty to remember to say where she was if anything important occurred. Training an unlettered village girl to take the place of Alice was proving more difficult than she had expected.

  ‘Shall I go and tell her now, Mistress?’ the girl asked.