Brewer's Tale, The (8 page)

I took a sip. It was sweet, soothing on my throat. I felt his lordship's eyes upon me again.

‘I confess, Mistress Sheldrake, that your letter aroused my curiosity, something that has not been stirred for a very long time.' A finger stroked the rim of his wine cup absent-mindedly. ‘But before we get to the reason for your visit, let me offer you my sincere condolences for your loss. Your father was a hardworking man and it will be very difficult to replace him.'

The lack of compassion in his tone took me aback, but I remembered my manners. ‘Thank you,' I said, feeling tears prick the back of my eyes. They came from a place of injustice, not grief, and I worked hard not to let them fall. How dare this man acknowledge my father's value yet be so swift to leave us destitute?

‘You said in your missive that you wished to discuss a business proposition with me,' said his lordship. ‘I'm trusting your note wasn't simply a ruse to get in the door and throw yourself on my tender mercies. Because that will not work with me, Mistress Sheldrake. Others have tried and they always fail.'

I drew in my breath. This man did not waste time. Neither would I. ‘I've not come here under false pretences, your lordship. Master Makejoy has made clear the nature of your business relationship with my father.' My tone was cold, distant. I'd the distinct feeling that if I showed my emotions, my proposition would be rejected outright. ‘I wish to talk to you about Holcroft House and its lands which, I understand, along with his — I mean
your
— ships, Papa leased as part of your agreement.' I reached over and set down the heavy goblet. I needed my wits about me.

‘He did. It's a longstanding arrangement, Mistress Sheldrake, one that goes back over sixteen years. It protected me and ensured that your family was comfortable and your father's … compliance. Since he is now dead, I no longer need to assure myself of that, do I?'

I drew my breath in sharply.
Compliance?
So much for suppressing my agitation.

‘But I do need to acquit the losses your father's …' he searched for the right word, ‘
recklessness
has caused. I cannot afford to be charitable. Business is business, and one cannot manage estates the extent of mine, nor fulfil obligations to king and country, if we allow the passing of a worker, even a valued one, to impact upon processes. Your father agreed to these terms. I'm simply abiding by them as well. Do you understand?'

‘I wouldn't be my father's daughter if I didn't,' I lied. I wanted to clench my fists, protest, use the heat of my fury to melt his coldness. I forced my breathing into a slow rhythm.

‘Good. We understand each other then.' He drained his cup and indicated the footman should refill it. I wasn't offered any more and understood I'd but a short time left to present my suit. He waved his hand, prompting me to continue.

‘My proposition is very simple, your lordship. What I ask is that you lease Holcroft House to me.'

Lord Rainford slowly took the goblet away from his mouth. ‘I beg your pardon?' Laughter infused his tone.

‘I ask, my lord, that you lease the home you leased to my father, Holcroft House, to me.'

Lord Rainford held out his goblet for the footman to take. ‘I thought that's what you said.' He shook his head. ‘You certainly have my attention now.' He leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, resting his elbow on its wooden arm and holding his chin between thumb and fingers. ‘It's not common practice to lease to a woman, certainly not an unmarried one; someone so untutored in life, in business.' In any other context, his look would be an insult. That his words rang with truth did not salve my feelings. ‘Pray, how do you intend to meet the obligations that come with such a lease? It does not come cheaply.'

‘Of that I am aware. Along with my steward, Adam Barfoot, I've studied the ledgers and I believe that, given time, I can meet the costs — at least, I would like the opportunity to attempt to do so.'

‘Ah,' Lord Rainford nodded. ‘There it is.'

‘Your lordship?'

‘The flaw in your proposal.' He released his chin. ‘You're simply clutching at straws and have found one with “time” etched onto its stalk. You piqued my interest, Mistress Sheldrake — for a moment. As it is, you're the same as any number of the villeins and labourers who come to see me. What you really want is a loan. After all, time costs money but since you have none, it's me who will be bearing the expense of your suggestion. It's me who will be paying for this time you're requesting.'

‘That's true, my lord. But what if I said to you that I'm not asking for it for nothing. I intend to buy this time from you.' Lord Rainford opened his mouth, but I continued. ‘I know I've no funds with which to pay you
now
, but given the chance, I'll not only repay in full, but with interest.'

‘You think I've not had these kinds of promises made to me before?' He took another drink and deposited his goblet heavily on the table. ‘How do you intend to do that?' His voice was flat, disinterested.

I took a deep breath. ‘By starting a business myself.'

That he did not laugh in my face went some way to mollifying my anger. ‘Really? What sort?' There was something in his tone that made me colour again.

‘I intend to brew ale, my lord.'

Lord Rainford studied me in silence. I endured his scrutiny, refusing to look away. So much depended on him believing me capable.

‘I've been told by a reliable source that your future was assured; that you and your younger brother and sister were to be taken care of,' he said quietly. ‘That leaving the house would not be a hardship.'

An unasked question answered.

I dipped my chin. ‘In one sense, this is true. Mistress Jabben and Master Makejoy have offered me a position in their household after they wed. Me and my siblings.'

Lord Rainford reclined further. ‘And you don't wish to avail yourself of this generous —' his mouth twitched, ‘offer?'

‘Not unless I'm left with no choice.'

He uncrossed his legs. I noticed the elegant buckles that decorated his boots. ‘I see. And that, I assume, now depends on me.'

I inclined my head.

‘You would rather try your hand at being a brewster than live with your cousin and my clerk in respectability?'

I choked back a laugh. ‘You mean as a servant. At least as a brewster I've a chance to make my own way.'

Lord Rainford threw back his head and guffawed. I cast a look at the servants to see what they made of their master's outburst, but they remained as unmoved as the portrait staring at me from the opposite wall. ‘But you won't be attempting this on your own. Let's be frank with each other, Mistress Sheldrake, your plan requires my complicity. You need my cooperation, in order to even make an attempt. To be blunt, you need my money.'

‘I need to
borrow
your money. As I said, I intend to pay it back.'

Lord Rainford examined his fingernails. ‘Why should I give to you what I wouldn't offer to anyone else, Mistress Sheldrake, not even my sons? Why should I make an exception for you?'

It was time to play my final card. I licked my lips and squared my shoulders. ‘Because of Tobias.'

This time, his laughter went for a long time. My cheeks blazed. I desired nothing more than to flee the room. Only Mother's voice in my head and an image of the twins kept me seated.

When he'd finished being amused, he dashed a hand beneath his eyes and, taking a kerchief from within his doublet, blew his nose. ‘I understand now that you sought to use leverage over me. Clever. May I ask, how long have you known about your brother?'

‘Mother told me on her deathbed.'

‘I see,' said Lord Rainford. He held my eyes for a moment then swiftly stood, tapping his fingers on top of the chair before stepping to the window. ‘Pray, what did she tell you?'

Speaking to his back, I answered. ‘She said that Tobias was a Rainford. That … she erred in her judgement and fell pregnant. She told me that if ever I needed anything, I was to seek you out, that you would understand and make amends for what you did —' I cleared my throat. ‘What you did to her, to Father.' My voice hardened towards the end.

‘Did you ever raise this … this matter with your father?' He turned.

‘I … that is … The time was never right and now … well …' I folded my hands in my lap. ‘But I'm raising it with you in the hope you see fit to make redress by helping me.'

Only the rise and fall of Lord Rainford's chest, the slight narrowing of his eyes suggested any humanity. I could hear my breath in my ears. Wanting to move, I dared not. What was he thinking behind that impenetrable face?

When he swung back into his seat, the move was so swift and unexpected, I jumped. ‘I want to make something very clear, Mistress Sheldrake. Despite what your mother may have said, I owe you and your family nothing. I owe your father nothing. On the contrary …' He paused. ‘I more than compensated him for what happened. I gave him the house, the land, the lifestyle to which you've grown accustomed. Beyond that, I've made certain Tobias is taken care of and, as far as I am concerned, always will be. I paid what was due. It was more than he deserved.' His eyes narrowed. ‘Frankly, Mistress Sheldrake, you and the twins are not my concern.'

How I managed to speak, I don't know. Fury overtook me, making me tremble. Fury that he could be so dismissive and rage at my impotence. I brought it under control. ‘And yet, here I am.'

‘Indeed.'

‘If I may be so bold, my lord, why would Mother have said you have amends to make if you do not?'

‘Because women always want more.'

Tossing back the last of his wine, he studied the sky. The sun had commenced its descent and the bells for sext had sounded some time ago. Springing to his feet, he wandered over to a nearby cabinet and poured himself another wine before the footman could.

‘You've spirit, young lady, I'll grant you that.' Turning around, he raised the goblet to me and drank. ‘Beauty does strange things to men, Mistress Sheldrake, very strange things …' His voice lowered and his eyes remained fixed on me. ‘Things for which, if we're not careful, we'll pay for the rest of our lives.'

I turned away, finding the waning day preferable.

‘Delightful as this has been, Mistress Sheldrake, I really cannot spare you any more time. Tempting as your offer is, I have to decline. As I've made clear, I owe you — and your family — nothing. My debt is paid.' He offered me his hand. I stared at it, and tears threatened. I blinked them back furiously. ‘Take Mistress Jabben and Master Makejoy's offer. It's the best you'll receive … for now. I'm sure a woman like you will be courting all kinds in the near future.' About to say something more, he changed his mind. ‘Master Underwood will show you to the door. James,' he alerted one of the footmen, ‘Mistress Sheldrake is leaving.'

‘Wait,' I said, rising to my feet, ignoring his hand, which was rapidly withdrawn. My heart was thundering, my palms began to sweat. ‘I'm not finished.'

Aggravated, Lord Rainford clicked his tongue. ‘What now?'

‘Despite what you say, you do have an obligation to me, Lord Rainford. You say you're a man of business, well, I'm here to collect
my
debt.'

‘I'm beholden to
you
? How? In what possible way?' Impatience clipped his voice. Anger flickered in his eyes.

‘You've not compensated me for what I was forced to endure as a consequence of your liaison with my mother.'

‘
My
liaison? That's what you think?' His words rang. He shook his head. ‘I see.' His voice was quieter, calmer. ‘Tell me then, how could what happened with your mother have affected you?'

‘In every conceivable way, your lordship. My father worked hard to ensure you profited while, in the meantime, as his daughter and eldest child, I can record only losses.' I used my fingers to count them off. ‘The love and attention of my father, the presence of my brother, the death of my mother —'

‘You cannot blame me for your mother's death!'

I stepped closer to him. ‘Perhaps not. But I can blame you for my father, for what he became, a hollow version of his former self. I can blame you, my lord, for how everything between my mother and father was irrevocably altered from the moment Tobias was conceived. From that day forward, I lost one if not both parents. I certainly lost a father and the woman my mother once was. Tell me, if not you, then to whom do I attribute these losses?'

He failed to hold my gaze.

I continued. ‘Then there are the twins. They lost a father long before he ever died and that was due to you, your lordship.' My breasts were heaving, a trickle of perspiration travelled between my shoulder-blades. My head was buzzing. I didn't know where this rush of courage came from, but I used it. ‘For those losses, your lordship, I call you to account. For all of this, I demand compensation. As you said earlier, this is business.' I lowered my voice. ‘I ask that your debt to
me
be repaid in time and thus money — in the form of a loan. If, by the end of a period upon which we'll agree today, I cannot meet my liability, then I'll leave Holcroft House and you'll never hear from me again.'

I stood before the window, the sunlight warming my spine. My nerves were strung tight.

One arm folded behind his back, Lord Rainford walked to the next window and stared out.

Over his shoulder, I could see the large courtyard below. Maids carried pails from the washhouse to the kitchen. Chickens scratched in the gravel, dogs chased each other towards the stables, where a beautiful black destrier pranced. My eyes grazed his lordship's velvet spine and I willed him not only to consider my offer, but to agree to it. His shoulders were broad; his fingers, stroking each other against the small of his back, were long. In his youth, he would have been a handsome, if somewhat inflexible man. The resemblance Tobias bore to him was astonishing. How hard must it have been for Father to see them together, to be reminded every time he looked into Tobias's face of Mother's … No wonder he sent Tobias away so soon. I marvelled that my mother had … with this man.