Different Tides (32 page)

1836

At the end of April Zachariah was offered an earldom.

Although it was hard for him to turn down both the honour and the living that went with it, he declined. He didn’t want to live in the north of the country. It was too far away from his business and he also didn’t want the responsibility of the land, the trappings of rank or the added expense of a draughty old Tudor house that was displaying signs of rapid decay, if the reports he’d received were correct.

As one of his colleagues pointed out, ‘It will cost you your fortune before you can live in it.’

John had laughed as he’d congratulated him on his decision. ‘That was an unexpected choice for you to make. Julia and I thought you would accept it.’

‘I must admit my vanity nearly ruled the day.’

‘Perhaps I’ll make a Quaker out of you yet.’

‘I doubt it. I turned the honour down because I didn’t want the complications that went with it and not because I don’t believe in the class system or consider myself less than an equal to my fellow man. I like what I’m doing now. I’ve reached a position in my life that I’ve earned. I’m contented. It’s a challenge, and I don’t want to live within a set of religious rules.’

‘Beliefs … not rules. Being a Quaker is a way of life.’

‘I know, and I thought long and hard about it because I would have liked to please and honour you in that way – but I cannot, and I know you and Julia wouldn’t want me to commit myself merely to please you.

‘I will tell you now that I always have, and always will, appreciate your wise counsel. I also agree with many of your beliefs. But committing myself to the Quaker life is not for me. I have my house in London and I’m negotiating to buy a country manor that overlooks the sea. I’m going to call it Clementine Manor, but don’t tell Clemmie because it’s my wedding gift to her.’

‘Is it far from Martingale House?’

‘Less than an hour on horseback. I intend that we should live there after we’re married, where there is no memory of the horror that Clemmie and the children went through. Hopefully, the memory will fade in time. Mr Bolton and his wife will live at Martingale and run the estate until Edward is old enough to assume his responsibility there. I want Edward and Iris to grow up with a sense of family and I want children of my own.’

‘A year ago you vowed never to wed.’

‘I think you told me that love for a woman doesn’t listen to reason. You were right, as usual.’

‘And you were right when you decided to take Clementine for your wife. Alexandra did her best to keep you apart, but from my observation of her it was little more than mischief on her part.’

He shrugged. ‘Alexandra’s manner towards me was annoying for the most part and embarrassing at times. She gave people the wrong impression of our relationship, and I don’t think I’ll ever forgive her for soiling Clemmie’s name with gossip and innuendo. But let us talk of something else. You know, it won’t be long before the railways extend to the south-west counties and that will make travel between London and Dorset much easier. And who knows what prosperity it might bring. We should buy some land and property along the route where the railway is expected to run.’

‘How did Clementine take the news that Howard Morris turned out to be separate people with the same name, who died on the same day but on different ships?’

‘She expressed relief. She said she knew we’d sort it out eventually and wondered why we didn’t think of it in the first place.’

‘I believe we did … we just didn’t follow it up.’

‘Is Alexandra travelling to Dorset for your wedding?’

‘Now her background has been revealed she would rather not be the subject of more conjecture. She’s overlooked the fact that her behaviour attracted the criticism in the first place.’

‘At least she put you before herself this time.’

‘Not at all. She said it would shame her to be regarded as the skeleton in the Fleet family closet when she has done nothing to deserve it except to be born. That is something I can understand because it seems that the Fleet family must always have a scapegoat. She feels that her mother is at fault, and since Alice was married to Howard Morris, there was no reason to give her away when she married again. She forgets that Alice was only fifteen. She would rather her background remained as part of the Tate family now she is married to Roland. She can’t be faulted for what happened before she was born.’

‘What does Roland think of it? Surely your name would add a little prestige, something to tempt his business clients with in the city.’

‘Roland agrees with her, but that doesn’t stop him from doing what he needs to do to further his business, and Alexandra didn’t stop him from accepting a marriage settlement from me on her behalf. I think she feels she’s entitled to it. I do like Roland though. He’s got a shrewd business mind as well as being creative, and knows what he wants from life. I can furnish him with a few contacts, but he’s already earning a good reputation for the work he turns out.’

‘He’s just the kind of man Alexandra needs in her life. The last time I visited she was working in the shop front and keeping the books. She has a head for figures, it seems, and was pleased the money went to her. Not that she ever doubted that it would.’

John smiled. ‘The woman was certainly full of bounce, and she will get over her embarrassment in time. Now, enough of Alexandra; let us discuss arrangements for our journey. Will we need one carriage or two? Did you allow Julia access to your accounts again, Zachariah?’

‘Of course … someone had to see to Clementine’s wardrobe.’

‘Quite so. We will need to take two carriages as well then …’

Clementine saw the vehicles turn into the carriageway.

‘They’re here,’ she shouted, and gathering up her skirts she headed out of the nursery and down the stairs.

The children came running after them. Edward made it to the bottom first, via the banister.

‘They’re here!’ Clemmie shouted again as they reached the hall.

Servants came running from everywhere and the dogs came to stand at the door, tails thrashing. Wolf’s bark was now deep and threatening. Happy still huffed and puffed.

When Clementine opened the door everyone spilled out and milled around. Servants straightened their aprons and drew on their smiles as the carriage wheels crunched over the gravel. The horses tossed their heads and neighed, thankful for the smell of familiar stables and the possibility of a good rub down to relieve their overheated bodies and tired muscles.

It wasn’t the most dignified homecoming, but at least it was genuine.

The children reached Zachariah before she did, attaching themselves to a leg each, and with words bursting out of them.

Edward told him, ‘I fell off my pony and scraped my knee. And I’ve started to write another bogafree.’

‘Is the knee better?’

‘It went all scabby and Miss Clemmie put some salve on it. I’ve got a scar now.’

Iris waved a piece of paper in the air. ‘I’ve drawn you a picture of my favourite hen and I’m sad because a fox killed her. Mr Bolton brought some baby chicks home from the market, and he said I may have one of those to look after. I helped the cook make some scones too and we ate them with jam and cream on.’

‘I hope you kept one for me,’ he said.

‘Oh no. It would be stale. I can ask the cook to help me make some more.’

When Clementine laughed at the scene, Zachariah gazed at her over the children’s heads. The world stood still for several intimate moments.

She went to him and he drew her into his arms and kissed her briefly on the mouth, then hugged her in front of everyone in an entirely improper manner.

Their wedding day had been arranged for the first Saturday in August. The day was perfect, the sky as blue as Zachariah’s eyes.

Her gown was blue too, the palest of tints. The fabric of the overskirt was so fine that it whispered over the silk skirt in the slightest breeze, causing the colours to change and drift. She wore frilled over sleeves to match her tiered collar and her ringlets were secured with posies of silk violets and ribbons.

John Beck was walking her down the aisle. ‘You look exquisitely beautiful,’ he said as he helped her down from the carriage and they walked through the scattering of villagers who’d not been able to find seats inside the church.

‘I’m scared.’

He laughed. ‘So am I … shall we run away together and cause a scandal?’

‘Certainly not! My reputation is already in ruins. What would they say if I ran off with a married man? Besides, we would have done all that catering for nothing, and Julia would never speak to me again. And I love her dearly.’

‘Ah yes … come to think of it, so do I. Come on then; allow me to take you to your groom.’

All heads turned as they entered the church and Clementine could feel every pair of eyes on her, like pin pricks. Her stomach received special scrutiny from some of the women.

She smiled at them, knowing they’d be disappointed.

The servants wore beaming smiles and Clementine stooped to kiss Iris and Edward, who were seated with Julia Beck.

The sun struck the windows and she looked to where Zachariah waited for her with Evan by his side – then to the rector who stood waiting. His smile said he enjoyed conducting weddings.

She drew closer and Zachariah took her hand in his. Calm filled her as the choir began to sing.

The beauty of the service affected Clementine and tears filled her eyes as he promised to love her always.

Zachariah sighed. Reaching into his pocket he brought out the first in his new supply of handkerchiefs and handed it to her.

‘I see you finally found yourself, Zachariah Fleet,’ she whispered, gazing at the new design of his entwined initials.

‘I had to find you first.’ He lifted her hand to his mouth and the grin she offered him was irresistible when he said, ‘I love you.’