Power of a Woman (27 page)

Aysgarth End dated back to the turn of the century; the rambling old farmhouse was built of 298 / Barbara Taylor Bradford

local gray stone, and it stood on top of the moors in Coverdale, above the picturesque village of West Scrafton, near Coverham.

When she arrived at the gate leading onto the farm property, Chloe paused, turned, and stood looking out at the panoramic vistas stretching in front of her. They were breathtaking in their austere beauty. Thrusting high into the soaring blue sky were the great Whernside fells, massive formations that had an aloof majesty to them, and looked as if they had been sculpted by some almighty hand.

The farm itself was surrounded by green fields divided and defined by old dry stone walls built by the crofters long ago. These fields sloped down into the valley below, where the River Nidd was a shining silver thread against the green in the far, far distance.

Chloe squinted in the sunlight and shaded her eyes with her hand, staring down toward the river.

After a moment, she swung around, opened the gate, and went along the dirt road. As she approached the farm, she realized how hungry she was. She took a quick look at her watch and saw that it was almost eight. Time for breakfast. She increased her pace.

And a few seconds later she was pushing open the oak door that led into the small front porch.

Mingled aromas of coffee, warm bread, and bacon cooking assailed her as she took off her Barbour and red wool scarf and hung them up.

Power of a Woman / 299

Opening the front door, her nose twitched and her mouth watered as she stepped into the kitchen.

Tamara was standing at the big Aga stove, turning bacon in the frying pan.

Looking up, smiling warmly, Tamara said, “Did you have a good walk, Chloe?”

“It was great, thanks.” Chloe laughed. “It blew the cobwebs away, that’s for sure. And it’s given me an appetite.”

“
Good
. Is it cold today?” Tamara asked, turning more bacon with a spatula, glancing over her shoulder as she spoke.

“Brisk. But I think it’ll warm up if the wind drops.

It’s lovely and sunny though, a nice day to be outside as long as you’re well wrapped up.”

Chloe walked across the large kitchen, which her mother had decorated so effectively years before.

Nothing had been changed, and it always pleased her to see it looking the same. Standing at the counter near the refrigerator, she poured herself a mug of coffee, added milk and sugar, and carried the mug back to the big wooden table in the center of the room. This was covered with a green-and-white-checked cloth that matched the curtains at the windows; she remembered the day her mother had brought them up to Yorkshire and hung them at the windows herself.

Sitting down, Chloe asked, “Who’s the bacon for, Tam? It smells so delicious, I can hardly bear it.”

“Anyone who wants it. There’re also some 300 / Barbara Taylor Bradford

other grilled things…tomatoes, mushrooms, sausages, and scrambled eggs. And I’ve got a bread cake warming in the Aga. Would you like me to prepare you a plate, darling? Give you a bit of everything?”

“That sounds good, really yummy. Thanks, Tam.

And where is everyone?”

“Nigel went upstairs to look for his wallet. He and the children have already had their breakfast. He’s going to take them to Ripon with Agnes. To do some shopping for me. I need a few things. And Gideon’s in the back parlor, phoning Lenore. He’s driving over to Lindenhill later, to bring her back here for lunch.”

“Oh, good, I’ve always liked Lenore. I’m so glad she’s going to marry Gid, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely. It’s the best thing that’s happened to him…I mean, that she came back to him. But that awful Malcolm Armstrong is throwing spanners in the works all the time as far as the divorce is concerned.”

“Oh, I know. Mom says it’s ridiculous.”

“Somebody’s going to have to pay him off,
I
think.”

“I agree. Mom says everyone has a price, and it’s not always money.”

Tamara laughed at this pithy comment as she turned her attention to fixing Chloe’s plate, enjoying mothering the eighteen-year-old.

Chloe sipped her coffee, glancing around the spacious kitchen. She had always loved this room; it

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was her favorite in the old farmhouse and very special to her, from its beamed ceiling to the terra-cot-tatiled floor. There was a warmth and a homeliness about it that was most appealing and reassuring.

Her mother had filled it to overflowing with comfort over the years, placing a big sofa and two armchairs covered in rose-colored linen at one end, near the big picture window facing the moors. She had included two pine chests within the seating arrangement, and these held charming old lamps; the large table in the center of the room was surrounded by eight wooden chairs with rose linen cushions, and it was there that they ate most of their meals, unless they had guests.

The huge stone hearth, where a fire burned brightly, was another addition her mother had made, and it was the focal point of the room. The many copper pots and pans that hung on the hearth gleamed and winked in the firelight, which gave the room a lovely glow on this cold March morning.

Logs were piled on one end of the hearth; on the other there was a big copper bucket filled with dried flowers. Facing the fire were two old grandfather chairs with high wooden backs and rose linen cushions, the chairs linked by a colorful rag rug. At the other side of the room, the big Aga stove gave off additional warmth, making the kitchen the coziest of places, one where everyone loved to gather at all hours of the day. In a sense, it was the core of the house.

“Good morning, Chloe,” Gideon said, strid-302 / Barbara Taylor Bradford

ing into the kitchen, bending down and kissing his sister. Straightening, he added, “And don’t you look bonny. Your walk on the moors has brought some color to your cheeks. Do you want to come with me later? I’m going to Lindenhill to fetch Lenore.”

“Yes, I’d love to, thanks, Gid.” Chloe rose, walked over to the oven, and took the plate from Tamara.

“This is awesome, Tam. And so yummy-looking.

Thanks.”

Gideon went and got a mug of coffee and joined Chloe at the kitchen table.

Tamara asked, “Do you want something to eat, Gid?”

“A bacon butty, if you don’t mind making it.”

“A pleasure,” Tamara answered, and flashed him a bright smile.

Chloe asked, “Is Lenore bringing her children to lunch?”

“God forbid, I’ll never cope. Not with hers as well as mine!” Tamara cried, and made a face of mock dismay.

Gideon laughed. “Of course you would; you always cope with everything, Tam. But actually she’s not bringing her brood. They’ve already gone riding with their Brindsley cousins, over near Middleham.

Lenore said they wanted to go up on the gallops with the stable boys who exercise the race horses from the racing stables in Middleham. Apparently they really enjoy it, and have a lot of fun competing with the boys.”

Power of a Woman / 303

“It’s the best place to ride,” Tamara remarked, putting the thick bacon sandwich on a plate and bringing it to him.

“Thank you, Tam. Aren’t you having anything to eat?”

“The same as you, Gid.”

After serving herself a bacon butty, Tamara finally sat down and went on. “I’m sorry to bring up lunch when we haven’t even finished breakfast yet, but I thought I ought to cook fish, since it’s Good Friday.

However, Nigel’s not very fond of fish, so I’m going to make a shepherd’s pie as well. I also have a baked ham which I brought up from London. I’ll do vegetables and a big salad. What do you think?”

“Sounds fine to me,” Gideon murmured. “But
I’d
prefer the shepherd’s pie, too, like Nigel.”

“Fish for me, with a salad,” Chloe said, glancing at Tamara. Then she asked, “Is Mrs. Entwhistle coming up from the village to help today?”

“No, I told her she didn’t have to come. You see, her grandson’s arriving from Portsmouth for twenty-four hours’ leave. He’s in the Royal Navy, you know. Well, anyway, I didn’t want to spoil it for her, encroach on that special time. I can manage.”

Chloe turned to Gideon. “I think I’d better stay and help Tamara make lunch.”

“All right. And I’ll come back from Lindenhill quickly, and Lenore and I will both pitch in.”

Nigel said from the doorway, “We’re all set to 304 / Barbara Taylor Bradford

go, Tamsy darling.” He walked over to his wife, kissed the top of her shining silver-gilt hair, and said to Chloe, “Good morning to you, miss. What’s the weather like?”

“Morning, Nigel, and it’s windy, chilly, but very sunny. A pretty day.”

Agnes, the young nanny, followed him into the kitchen, holding Natalie and Arnaud by the hands.

She greeted Chloe and Gideon; the children broke free and bounded toward Chloe, threw themselves against her legs.

“Hello, little ones,” she said, and bending over, Chloe hugged them to her.

“Come with us, Auntie Chloe,” Arnaud said.

“
Please
.”

“I’d love to, darling, but I can’t. I’m going to stay here and help your mummy make lunch for us all.

But I’ll play hide-and-seek with you this afternoon.

How does that sound?”

He nodded, beaming at her.

Natalie said, “Me too hide seek.”

Chloe rumpled her hair, thinking how adorable they looked in their dark green loden jackets and matching pants worn with red sweaters and red Wellington boots.

“Let’s go, Pumpkins.” Nigel made for the door.

Tamara caught up with him, linked her arm through his, and accompanied him out to the Jeep parked in front of the farmhouse. “Try and find the hot cross buns if you can, Nigel; it’s such a bother to have to make them.”

Power of a Woman / 305

“I will, darling, don’t worry,” Nigel answered, drawing her closer to him. “If they don’t have any in Ripon, I’ll pop over to Harrogate and stop in at Betty’s Cafe. They’re bound to have loads of them there.” He looked into her eyes, his own full of love, and then he kissed her on the mouth.

“See you later, angel,” he said as he strode over to the Jeep, opened the doors, bundled the children and Agnes onto the backseat.

“Good-bye, Pumpkins,” Tamara called, blowing kisses.

They blew kisses to her in return, their small faces glowing with health and full of laughter.

“Drive carefully, Nigel,” Tamara cautioned.

“Don’t worry, I will. See you later, Tamsy.”

L
EFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES, TAMARA AND CHLOE

had another cup of coffee and chatted to each other in front of the fire for a short while. Mostly they spoke about Gideon again, and his involvement with Lenore. Both women welcomed her entry into the family, and they couldn’t help speculating about the wedding.

Once they had exhausted this subject, they wondered out loud about Miles and
his
romantic entanglements. “Has he taken anyone to Paris with him for Easter?” Tamara asked at one point, eyeing Chloe, knowing how close she was to Miles.

Chloe shook her head. “I don’t know; he didn’t tell me on the way over from New York. But there was just the two of us on the plane. What I mean is, Allison wasn’t with us, and he didn’t make any reference to her. Actually, I have a feeling that’s over now.” Chloe shrugged and grinned.

308 / Barbara Taylor Bradford

“Maybe he has a rendezvous in Paris. What do you think?”

“Could be,” Tamara agreed, also chuckling.

It was Chloe who finished her coffee and jumped up first, exclaiming, “This isn’t going to get anything done. I’m going to put the breakfast things away, then I’ll set the table for lunch. Where are we going to have it?”

“Oh, in the kitchen as usual, don’t you think? It’s so cozy in here. Besides, without Mrs. Entwhistle to help, it’s such a chore to carry things in and out of the dining room.”

“I agree.” Chloe set to work, moving swiftly around the kitchen.

For her part, Tamara put the leftover food in plastic containers, stacked them in the refrigerator, then filled the dishwasher. When she had finished, she took off her apron, replaced it with a clean one, shaking her head as she did. She turned to Chloe and muttered, “I get more mess on myself when I’m cooking than the children do when they’re painting.”

Chloe grinned. “I know what you mean; so do I.

And I think I’d better have one of your aprons myself. This is a new tracksuit, and I don’t want to get it dirty.”

The two women, who were used to working together at the farm, soon had the kitchen shipshape and ready for lunch. Once they had cleaned up and set the table, Tamara took all of the salad ingredients out of the pantry and asked Chloe to Power of a Woman / 309

wash the lettuce and the watercress, then slice the tomatoes. She herself set about cooking the ground lamb for the shepherd’s pie.

“So, do you think you’re pregnant yet?” Chloe asked at one moment, giving her sister-in-law a questioning look.

“I don’t know, Chloe.” She laughed and her eyes sparkled as she added, “Maybe it’s happened this weekend. Certainly Nigel’s romantic enough.”

“He was certainly very sweet and loving with you last night, and in a good mood in general,” Chloe commented. “I wish he hadn’t done that awful thing to Mom; it’s caused such a rift in the family.”

“Yes, I know. But time heals everything; at least that’s what my mother always says. I think she’s right—” Tamara cut herself off, shook her head sadly. “I agree with the rest of you that it was foolish. I don’t understand him sometimes, Chloe. I’ve no idea what gets into him. It’s as if there’s a demon inside him telling him what to do. And he can be so cantankerous, almost like an old man.”

“On the plane coming over Miles told me that Nigel came under Grandmother Jardine’s influence too much when he was about twelve or thirteen.

Perhaps it’s all to do with that. That’s what Gideon thinks as well.”

“Yes, perhaps they’re correct about that.” Tamara took a wooden spoon, pressed the meat into the pan, added a little water, and lowered the 310 / Barbara Taylor Bradford