A Refuge at Highland Hall (11 page)

A warning flashed through her. She shoved her hands in her sweater pockets and started down the lane with Miss Penny and the girls.

The guard chuckled. “You don't have to be afraid of me. I'm here to protect you.”

Lydia strode on, glad to get away from the guard and that first man who'd called out to them. But the tall blond man, the one called Marius…he had been kind and respectful.

She glanced over her shoulder. Marius looked up. His gaze connected with hers, as though asking for understanding—but also reflecting his pride and determination. She pulled in a quick breath. How could he communicate so much in one look?

Who was this man? Why had he been sent to the camp?

William stood by the library fireplace and stared at the letter in his hands. The condemning words reporting his son's behavior burned into his eyes. He looked at Andrew. “How could you cheat on an exam? What were you thinking?”

Andrew shifted his sullen gaze away.

Julia stood on Andrew's left, in front of the settee, her face pale and her gaze filled with a plea for compassion. But how could William excuse his son's dishonesty?

“Andrew, look at me when I'm speaking to you.”

His son slowly turned back, but his stance remained unyielding.

“I want an explanation. Why did you do it?”

“I wanted to pass.”

“Then why not study hard and learn the material, rather than—”

The boy's eyes flashed. “I
do
study!”

William pulled in a breath, trying to rein in his temper. “If you did, there would be no need to copy the answers from another student's paper.”

Andrew huffed and shook his head. “You don't understand. Teddy hates me. He just wanted to get me in trouble and have me sent home.”

William clenched his jaw. “Did you copy his answers?”

Andrew shifted his weight to the other foot, his face growing a deeper shade of red under his freckles. “A few, but I knew most of the answers.”

“If that's true, then it would've been better to do your own work, even it if meant receiving a lower mark.”

“Really?” Andrew narrowed his eyes at William. “Wouldn't that just set you off and put me in line for another lecture about not working up to my potential?”

Heat flashed up William's neck and into his face. How did his son always know exactly what to say to send his blood pressure soaring? “I want you to apply yourself and do your best. But what's more important is that you choose to do what's right and become a man of honor who is worthy of the title of Baronet of Highland Hall.”

Andrew's chin quivered and his eyes flooded. “I do try! I study hard, but it's no use. I'll never be good enough to please you!”

“What pleases me is honest effort rather than wasting your time, frittering away your opportunities—”

“No! You don't understand. The other boys read the material once and have it all memorized. I pore over my books every day, but it doesn't stick.”

“I don't believe that's true. You're simply giving up too soon because your schoolwork is challenging.” He stepped toward Andrew. “But you're my son. And I know you can do better than this.” He thrust out the letter.

Pain flashed in Andrew's eyes. He blinked, as though trying to hold back his tears, but they spilled over and ran down his cheeks. He spun away and dashed out of the room.

William shuddered out a breath and lowered himself into the desk chair.

Julia walked over and laid her hand on William's shoulder. “I'm sorry. I know this is a painful disappointment for you.”

“Yes, very painful. But I don't know whom I am more disappointed in—Andrew or myself.” He looked up at Julia and shook his head, ashamed at the way he'd struggled with his temper. “I have no idea what to do now.”

She looked toward the window for a few moments. Finally, she shifted her gaze back to William. “He shouldn't have copied those answers, but I can understand his struggle. Andrew has always had a difficult time settling down to focus on his studies. Remember how he used to pace across the day nursery between solving his mathematics problems?”

William nodded. It was true. It had been almost impossible for his son to sit in a chair and finish his lessons. William had hoped the strict routine at school would help the boy overcome his weaknesses.

Julia's soft voice soothed William's aching heart. “When he was studying at home, I tried several techniques to help him stay focused. The best solution seemed to be allowing him to get up and move around while he was thinking through a problem, but I don't believe they allow that at St. Alban's.”

“No, I'm sure they don't.”

She sighed. “He must learn how to manage himself and complete his studies.”

“Do you think he has the potential to succeed at St. Alban's?” Then another disturbing thought followed. “If they'll even allow him to return.”

“I believe he does, but he must develop the character needed to compensate for the challenges he faces. He will have to learn to work harder than the other boys. But most of all, he must develop the courage to stand strong in the face of temptation.”

Yes, that was what he needed—moral courage. “But how do we teach him that?”

Julia studied William for a moment, compassion reflected in her eyes. “Andrew needs to develop honesty and diligence, and those qualities must be cultivated in the heart before they will be seen in his actions.”

“Exactly.” He drummed his fingers on the desk. He wanted to punish his son, force him to change, but his wife's words reminded him there was another path. A better one.

“Somehow, we must give him hope and a vision for improving his character,” she continued. “He must see the value in it and believe it's a real possibility for him to change and be successful.”

“The principle sounds correct, but we need the practical.”

She pressed her lips together, then glanced toward the bookshelves. “What if we found biographies of men who were guided by those qualities and we all read them and discussed them together?”

William rubbed his chin. “That might help, though Andrew has never been a strong reader.”

“We could read them aloud to all the children. I'm sure they'd benefit. And there are several men in the Bible with admirable character. We could have Andrew look for those qualities and discuss them with him.”

The weight William had felt pressing down on him since they'd received the telegram from St. Alban's began to lift just a bit. Perhaps Julia was right. It might not be too late to help Andrew change his ways. “I like that idea. School assignments ought not to stop just because he has been sent home.”

“I also think he needs some real work to do, hard work, something that will challenge him.”

“Yes, maybe we could think of a project that would occupy his time and give him a sense of accomplishment.”

Julia thought for a moment. “Could he build something…maybe a bench in the garden?”

“Too tame. He needs something more demanding.”

Julia's eyes lit up. “Didn't Mr. McTavish say he wanted to buy a horse?”

“Yes, his brother in Devon has some ponies for sale. He thought he could use a strong little horse to do some of the jobs around the estate, especially with the fuel shortage. But what does that have to do with Andrew?”

“Most of Mr. McTavish's men have gone off to fight. Won't he need someone to help him train and care for the pony?”

Memories of the riding accident that had taken his wife's life sent a chill through him. He paced toward the window. “I'm not sure I want Andrew involved with horses.”

Julia crossed to stand beside him. “What is it, William?”

He steeled himself. “Did I ever tell you how Amelia died?”

He heard her soft intake of breath. “I believe you said it was a riding accident.”

“Yes. She was up in Yorkshire. When she tried to jump her horse over a stream, she was thrown off and hit her head on a rock.” He clenched his jaw, trying to push away the memories. He hadn't been with her, but her friend had written a detailed account of the accident. “I haven't ridden since, and I didn't want to encourage Millie or Andrew to ride either.”

“Training a pony to work around the estate doesn't sound too dangerous, and you might want to consider letting Andrew ride again.”

William stared out the window, the view of the parkland blurring before his eyes. Horses were an important part of English country life. Maybe it was time he put those fears to rest. He turned back to Julia. “I suppose if someone was there to supervise, it would be all right.”

Julia's face brightened. “If he had a schedule and was accountable to you, then you would have an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with him.”

William cocked his head, surprised by the direction she was taking the conversation. “You want me spending part of each day in the stable?”

“It might be good for you both.” Affection shone in her eyes. “And if it would help steer Andrew back toward the right path, then it would be worth the time and effort.”

William pondered that for a moment, then leaned toward Julia and kissed her forehead. “I believe you're right, my dear.”

What had he ever done to deserve the blessing of this woman in his life? Whatever it was, he thanked God with all his heart.

At half past three, Penny followed Lydia and the girls through the front door. They had decided to return from their walk to the sheep pens by a different route to avoid passing the Germans, and that had taken a bit longer than she expected.

Thinking of their earlier encounter with the prisoners left Penny feeling unsettled. Why William allowed those prisoners to work at Highland at all was beyond her, whether there was a shortage of farm laborers or not.

Enough. She'd thought about it entirely too much. She turned to the girls. “Please go upstairs, wash your hands and faces, and tidy up for tea.”

Before the girls could answer, the library door flew open. Andrew ran into the great hall. Tears traced wet lines down his flushed, freckled face.

Millie froze, and her eyes widened. “Andrew, when did you come home?”

“Never mind!” He rushed past Millie and the other girls and ran up the stairs.

The girls all fell silent and stared after him.

Lucy looked at Millie. “Is that your brother?”

“Yes, it is.”

Penny moved to the bottom of the steps. “I'm sure he'll be all right. Please go upstairs with Lydia and get ready for tea as I asked.”

The girls exchanged questioning looks, then mounted the steps with only a few whispered comments between then.

Lawrence entered the great hall through the doorway at the end, carrying a small silver tray.

Penny crossed to meet him. “Has Lady Julia called for tea?”

“Not yet, Miss. I believe she and Sir William are in the library”—he lifted his dark eyebrows—“with Master Andrew.”

Penny hesitated. “Master Andrew just went upstairs.”

Lawrence gave a nod and held out the silver tray. “A letter arrived for you in the afternoon post, miss.”

“Thank you.” She took the envelope and noted the strong, masculine script, and her heartbeat sped up.

“Will there be anything else, miss?”

She thought for a moment, pondering the troubling encounter with Andrew. “I think it would be best for the children to take their tea upstairs today.”

“Very good, miss.” Lawrence turned and exited through the doorway leading down to the kitchen and servants' hall.

Penny turned over the letter and read Alex's name on the back, and her heart lifted. It hadn't been long since she'd mailed the package. He must have replied right away.

The sound of voices in the library broke through her happy thoughts. She walked past the open door, not wanting to disturb William and Julia. Bits of conversation drifted past—they were still discussing Andrew. She sighed. Her young cousin was forever getting into one kind of scrape or another.

She continued down the great hall and slipped into the drawing room. Maybe she'd have time to read her letter in private.

Bright afternoon light flooded the room, highlighting the soft, peach silk wall covering and giving the room a pleasing warmth. On her left, the white marble fireplace was decorated with china figurines and photographs of her family. It was a pretty, feminine room and one of Penny's favorites.

She sat in a comfortable chair by the fireplace and tore open the letter.

June 30, 1915

Dear Penny,

Thank you for your package and letter. They were a wonderful surprise. Please tell the children I enjoyed their drawings, and I put them up on the wall by my bed. The children are quite talented artists. Also, please thank Lucy for the hand-knit socks. They will be warm and comfortable when I'm flying, as it gets very cool at higher altitudes. The tea, candies, and chocolate were a fine treat. I shared some with my friend George Meddis. He is the mechanic who keeps my airplane in top shape, so I thought he should share the bounty.

We are doing well here at St. Pol. I'm not allowed to tell you the details of our missions, but know that your prayers have helped carry me through some challenging times and we are making good progress.

Penny smiled. How wonderful to hear he was safe and well and that he appreciated her prayers!

I plan to secure the eagle you sent to the control panel of my plane, so he will be flying with me on each mission as a reminder of your prayers and God's care. The verses you sent were perfect. I hope to commit them to memory. He has renewed my strength many times when it seemed impossible to go on. Please keep praying. I believe He has used your prayers to pull me through some very difficult situations, and I am deeply grateful.