The Forgotten Family (26 page)

The rain was coming down in sheets, making even a ride in one of London’s parks out of the question. James gazed out at the grey street, and the grey people hurrying along. He did not relish the winter months here. He was obliged to join in with his mother’s social rounds and make polite conversation with the colourless daughters of wealthy families. How he longed for the countryside, always beautiful even in the worst winter. His mind drifted to the Warrender estate. Now there was a lovely place.

‘James.’ His mother glided into the room, for that was the only way he could describe her elegant movements. ‘We have been invited to a musical evening at the Stanhopes’.’

‘When?’ The event did not fill him with any enthusiasm.

‘This evening. They have particularly asked that you should accompany me. Their two daughters will be present.’

James tipped back his head and groaned. ‘Oh, God.’

His mother ignored the rude remark. ‘The eldest is quite presentable, and wealthy in her own right.’

‘And dull, Mother. I don’t care how wealthy she is. Father provided adequately for me.’

Augusta nodded, her annoyance showing for a moment. ‘At least he had the decency to do that, but neither your father nor stepbrother have been fair to you. It wouldn’t have hurt Giles to give you a part of the estate. It’s large enough.’

‘He’s never liked me, and he didn’t want to split up the estate. As disappointed as I was by his refusal, I can understand that.’

‘You’re too forgiving, James. From the moment you were born, Giles was afraid you would take part of his inheritance from him. He worked on your father continually to make sure that didn’t happen. He took every opportunity to show you in a bad light. You are worth two of him, and you are the more knowledgeable about estate management.’

James chuckled. ‘Don’t you think that you’re somewhat prejudiced, Mother?’

‘Of course I am. Come and sit down so we can talk in comfort. I’ll order tea.’

When they were settled by the fire with a tray of tea and cakes beside them, Augusta studied her son. ‘I’ve noticed that as soon as you realise a girl has no chance of inheriting land you walk away. You do it very politely, without upsetting anyone, but it has worried me. I’ve always known that losing the estate was a great blow to
you, but is owning land that important to you? Would you sacrifice your happiness for a few acres?’

James leant forward resting his hands on his knees and his expression intense. ‘When father died and I had to walk away from the estate I loved with a passion, I determined then that one day I would have a place of my own to rival the one in Yorkshire. Father left me with a steady allowance, but not enough for me to purchase anything of note. As far as I could see there was only one way to achieve my desire, and that would be to marry well. But I’m not so sure I could do that now.’

Relief flooded across Augusta’s face. ‘What has happened to make you change your mind?’

James shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Perhaps I’ve matured enough to let go of my resentment.’

‘Or perhaps it has been meeting Eleanor?’

He sat back and pulled a face, making his mother laugh. ‘She’s enough to shake up any man. Have you ever met anyone like her?’

‘No, never.’ Augusta was pleased to have prompted her son to talk freely. It was rare he shared his inner thoughts with her.

James put his cup back on the table. ‘She’s so unpredictable, always rushing into things without giving a thought to the danger. And the relationship between father and daughter is so close. I like Mr Warrender and find him easy to talk to. He’s a good listener and a man of high principles.’ James hesitated for a moment, and then continued. ‘I have grave doubts that he will ever be able to accept any man as a husband for Eleanor.’

‘He is protective of her, I agree, but I do believe Eleanor’s happiness will be his only concern.’ Augusta drew in a silent breath before asking the next question. ‘Are you considering offering for her hand in marriage?’

James ignored the question and continued talking in the hope that it would clear his thoughts. ‘And look at the strange family she’s gathering around her. It does not appear to concern her that they come from the slums.’

‘Why would it? She has been brought up in luxury, but she is from the Bonner stock. It cannot be easy for her to come to terms with the fact that she belongs to both those lives.’ Augusta’s eyes clouded. ‘Can you imagine what a shock it must have been to discover that?’

James shook his head.

‘No, of course you can’t, and neither can I. It’s beyond our comprehension, but one thing I do recognise – she has more courage than I would have had if faced with the same situation. I believe she loves the family she has found and is not ashamed of her humble beginnings. Also, Albert is showing the same kind of courage, but he’s watching very carefully and will skin alive anyone who dares to hurt her. And that is anyone from both her worlds. Not many of our class could bridge such a wide gap in culture, but father and daughter are doing that. They both have my greatest admiration.’

‘That’s as may be, Mother, but it’s a damned strange family. Being friendly is one thing, but would you be happy if our ties with them were closer?’ James watched his mother’s expression carefully.

‘I would be able to hold my head up high.’ There was no
doubt about the conviction in her voice, and she repeated her question of earlier. ‘Are you thinking of taking such a step?’

James ran his hand through his hair, then said dismissively, ‘I am merely speculating.’

‘That’s as well because I have a feeling that there is a move afoot to marry her to Philip. That would be an ideal solution to both families,’ she said. Her son sat in silence digesting that piece of news. ‘I think we should accept Albert’s invitation to stay with him for a while, and you might be able to decide how you really feel about Eleanor, for she does appear to be occupying your thoughts a great deal.’

James grinned. ‘Well, she is quite lovely.’

‘I agree.’ She changed the subject now knowing her son had said all he was going to on the subject. ‘Are you coming with me tonight?’

He sighed deeply. ‘I might as well.’

It was dark when Ellie woke up. She felt disorientated, and it took her a few moments to gather her thoughts. The memory of what had happened rushed back and she sat up with a gasp. Tommy was not at all like the rest of the family. That had been apparent as soon as she’d looked into his eyes – this brother had a vicious streak. He had frightened her and that was not a feeling she was used to experiencing.

The fire had been banked high while she had been asleep and the leaping flames gave enough light for her to see by. The clock on the mantelpiece told her that it was six
o’clock. She had slept all afternoon. That was unheard of, but it showed that she had been more shaken than she’d realised. Without wasting any more time, she washed and changed for dinner.

As she made her way downstairs, she could hear voices coming from the library, so she went straight there. Ellie was delighted to see Uncle Henry and Philip there, as well as Ted and Nanny.

‘Ah, there you are, my dear.’ Her father studied her face as she entered the room. ‘Are you quite rested after your ordeal?’

Ellie said brightly, ‘Yes thank you, Father, I am quite recovered, but I do admit that it was rather unpleasant.’

Ted looked unhappy. ‘I am so sorry you had to go through that, Ellie. Tommy had no right to threaten you like that.’

Ellie reached out and grasped her brother’s hand, hating him to feel responsible for Tommy’s actions. ‘It wasn’t your fault. He must have thought it would be easy to get the money he needed out of me.’

Ted took a deep breath. ‘It must have been terrifying for you.’

‘I was very frightened.’ She gave an embarrassed laugh. Her fear seemed foolish now she was surrounded by her loved ones. Tommy wouldn’t have hurt her surely?

The dinner gong sounded as she went to Nanny’s side. The elderly woman was very frail now and had submitted to using the bath chair with much grumbling and reluctance. Ellie knew how she hated to admit defeat, but it was impossible for her to leave her room unless she had help.

‘What do you think about all this excitement, Nanny?’ Philip asked as he pushed her into the dining room.

‘That boy would have been sorry if I’d been there.’ She grunted as the chair was manoeuvred into position at the table, and then she cast Ellie a proud look. ‘But our girl is no fool. She knew how to handle him. She’s never lacked courage.’

‘Thank you, Nanny.’ After making sure that Nanny was comfortable, Ellie turned to her cousin who was sitting next to her. They had grown up together and had always been close, but now they hardly saw each other. She was busy around the estate, and Philip was studying hard. ‘When are you going to university?’

‘Next September, I hope. Mr Rogers thinks I might be ready by then.’

Ellie looked at her father. ‘What’s going to happen to Mr Rogers then, Father? He does appear to be happy here.’

‘There are plenty of good schools in the area who would welcome a teacher of his ability.’

Henry nodded. ‘And if he doesn’t want to continue teaching, then I’m sure we can find him something else to do. He has a fine mind. Your father and I have bought enough land to join our two estates together. They will still be managed independently for the time being, of course.’

‘It will be the best thing to do whilst we are both at the helm,’ Albert said. ‘Can’t have two bosses getting in each other’s way. But one day, Eleanor, you and Philip will have to sort it out between you.’

Philip laughed. ‘We’ll have to put a fence through the middle of the land or we’ll never stop arguing.’

Nanny joined in the laughter. ‘There is a simple solution. Eleanor and Philip could marry—’

Philip was momentarily speechless with horror as he stared at the elderly woman. Then he cleared his throat. ‘She’s my cousin, Nanny.’

‘Not by blood.’

Ellie leant across and whispered in the elderly woman’s ear. ‘You know we are most unsuited. You shouldn’t tease him so. I value him as a friend, but as a husband and lover it would never work.’

Philip heard and choked on a mouthful of wine. ‘Ellie!’

She just smiled as the blush spread across her cousin’s face. To save him further discomfort she changed the subject. ‘That’s wonderful news about the land, Father. Have you told Ted?’

‘Yes, and we’ve given him the task of integrating the land into the estates. He’s very excited about the challenge this will give him.’

‘Oh, that’s marvellous.’ Ellie swallowed hard as emotion welled up. ‘He’s a changed man since we brought him here, sick and with his life in ruins. I don’t believe he has ever taken another drink.’

‘He won’t touch the stuff.’ Henry studied his glass as if such a thing was unthinkable. Then he nodded. ‘He’s right, of course. He’s afraid if he lets another drop past his lips again he won’t be able to stop. Ted has sound common sense and I’ve become rather fond of him.’

‘I did have some concern that he might find it too lonely living out there, but he seems happy enough and—’

‘He’ll be even happier soon,’ Philip said, not giving
Albert a chance to finish his sentence. ‘I do believe he’s planning to marry our maid, Dorothy.’

Ellie grabbed her cousin’s sleeve in excitement. ‘Do you think so?’ He hasn’t said anything to me.’

‘Well, he wouldn’t. He’s been keeping quiet until he was sure Dorothy would marry him.’ Philip’s expression was smug because he obviously knew something Ellie didn’t. ‘And that’s not all. Mr Rogers is going to marry your sister, Maggie.’

‘How do you know all this?’ Ellie punched her cousin gently. ‘If you’re making this up then you’ll be sorry, Philip.’

He collapsed into peels of laughter. ‘You ought to see your face, Ellie. If you don’t believe me then ask them yourself. But I assure you it’s true. They probably kept it from you because they knew you’d make a fuss.’

‘I would not! I never make a fuss.’ There was a look of disbelief on everyone’s face at this emphatic declaration. Ellie turned to her father. ‘Do you know about this?’ When her father nodded, she grinned. ‘Did you also know, Nanny?’

The elderly woman gave her a knowing look. ‘Of course I did. I might be confined to my room most of the time, but I hear all the gossip.’

Her father rested his hand on Ellie’s shoulder to keep her in her seat. ‘They didn’t want to raise your hopes until everything was agreed upon. But now Philip has spoilt the surprise we might as well tell you. I’ve only found out myself today. After Tommy had been taken away, Ted asked if it would be all right if they made The Orchards their home. I told him the house was his and I would be delighted to see
him happily married. Henry assures me that Dorothy is a fine, hard-working girl.’

‘She certainly is, and I’ll be sorry to lose her.’ Henry lifted his glass in salute. ‘But she’ll make Ted a fine wife.’

Ellie leapt to her feet trying to hug everyone at the same time. ‘But where are Mr Rogers and Maggie going to live. Will they move away from here?’

Albert tried to make his daughter sit down again but, laughing, he gave up. ‘I have given them permission to make the gatehouse their home for as long as they want it. I believe the weddings will be in the spring and early summer of next year.’

‘Ooh, that doesn’t give us much time.’

‘Now, Eleanor.’ Her father’s tone was stern. ‘The couples will make their own arrangements. They won’t want you interfering.’

Ellie sat down at last, but still fidgeting. ‘I won’t interfere. They’ll let me help, won’t they?’

‘I’m sure they will, as long as you don’t start trying to take over.’

‘I won’t do anything they don’t want me too. What a wonderful end to a frightening day.’

‘Indeed it is,’ Albert said and chuckled quietly as Ellie leapt to her feet again to give her cousin a big hug.

‘Get off!’ Philip complained. ‘I don’t know what all the excitement’s about.’

‘You’re lucky I’m not hitting you for keeping secrets from me.’

‘I haven’t had a chance.’ Philip pushed her away. ‘Mr Rogers only told me after lessons today. But of course, I
guessed ages ago. I did mention that I thought there was a romance or two going on, didn’t I?’