Cherry Tree Lane (27 page)

‘It was Miss Newington’s wish and Mr Kemble is a pall-bearer so will be sitting there. Please join us there.’ He looked at the children. ‘Perhaps you two can stay with Cook and Lyddie?’

They nodded in obvious relief.

Since he was still standing there, drawing everyone’s attention, Mattie didn’t like to argue and moved forward. But she stopped in panic when he gestured to her to enter the front pew of all, which was usually reserved for the leading figures in any community. She’d never sat in a front pew in her whole life.

The Newingtons and Mr Ransome were in the other front pew, looking across at her with outrage on their faces.

In the pew behind them, Mrs Henty was also glaring across at her.

She didn’t look that way again but took a seat next to Mrs Longley and bent her head in a quick prayer.

Then the organist played a long minor chord and started a slow tune that Mattie didn’t recognise. Everyone fell silent.

She glanced quickly over her shoulder to see the coffin being slowly carried in by the six
pallbearers
, with her Jacob and Mr Longley at the front. It seemed to take a long time till they set their burden down on the velvet-draped stand and took their places in the pews, leaving Mr Henty at the front with the coffin.

A quick glance sideways at Jacob as he sat down next to her showed him to have a wooden expression on his face and Mattie guessed that he too was finding it uncomfortable to be at the centre of attention. His hand sought hers. He gave it a quick squeeze and kept hold of it underneath the folds of her skirt. That made her feel a lot better.

Mr Henty stumbled his way through the service, seeming unnerved by the presence of the Newingtons and the magistrate, because he kept glancing their way and stammering.

It was hard to pay attention and Mattie heard bits and pieces only:

‘I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live
…

‘
We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away
…’

That set her thinking. She’d brought nothing to Shallerton Bassett with her, and yet fate had given her a husband and a home. She prayed to be worthy of that wonderful gift and gave heartfelt thanks to her Maker for it.

When Mr Henty had finished, Arthur Newington stood up, clearly intending to deliver the eulogy, but Mr Longley moved quickly to the front.

Although he spoke quietly, Mattie was close enough to hear him say to the irate gentleman, ‘Sorry. I’ve got instructions about this part of the service as well.’

‘I don’t believe she’d exclude her relatives.’

Frank produced a piece of paper and Arthur snatched it out of his hands. He scanned it, said, ‘Shameful!’ in a very loud voice, thrusting it back at the young lawyer, not caring that it missed the outstretched hand and fluttered to the floor.

Frank picked it up, then went to stand behind the lectern. He waved the piece of paper. ‘My client left instructions for her funeral with me a while back, which I’ll try to follow. She wanted me to tell everyone how much she’d appreciated the welcome she got from the people of Shallerton Bassett when she inherited the house unexpectedly and came to live here. And she particularly wanted me to thank the three servants at the house for their loyal and willing help, also Jacob Kemble and his wife.’

At the rear of the church, Cook let out an audible sob and buried her face in her handkerchief.

Jacob blinked his eyes and sniffed a couple of times.

‘And she wanted me to tell everyone that she’d made her will in the full knowledge of what she was doing. She hopes you’ll treat the new owner of Newington House as kindly as you’ve treated her.’

Another glance showed Mattie that the villagers were nodding their heads to one another, clearly pleased with these acknowledgements.

‘Didden mention her cousin, did ’er?’ an old man near the back said suddenly, his voice echoing clearly round the church. He was hastily shushed by his relatives.

‘Well, ’er didden,’ he said defiantly.

Mr Longley moved to the coffin again and gestured to the other pall-bearers to join him in carrying it outside to its final resting place.

Mrs Longley smiled at Mattie. ‘We’ll let that lot go first,’ she whispered, gesturing to those in the pew across the aisle.

As if she’d have tried to push ahead of them, Mattie thought.

The sun was shining so brightly as she stepped out of the porch that she was dazzled and stopped moving, then realised she was holding up the rest of the congregation and moved on hastily. She would be glad when Jacob’s duties let him come to stand by her side again.

Everyone gathered round the open grave, the villagers at a respectful distance from the funeral party, the Newingtons and Ransome on their own at one side. A quick glance showed Mattie that Luke and Sarah were standing next to Lyddie.

At a nod from Mr Henty, Arthur Newington picked up a handful of dirt and cast it down on the coffin. As his wife and son did the same, Mr Henty began the final part of the service and the other mourners followed suit.

‘Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take out of this world the soul of our sister here departed, we therefore commit her body to the ground
…’

When the coffin was in its grave and enough earth had been ceremonially scattered over it, Arthur Newington made no pretence of bowing his head to say a final prayer, but led his family at a rapid pace back to their vehicle.

‘Did you leave your guards on duty?’ Frank asked Jacob.

‘I did. No one will get into the house till we’re back.’

‘Then we needn’t hurry,’ Frank smiled. ‘See you up there.’ He strolled back to Sam’s car with his wife.

Jacob beckoned to his children and they all got into the dog cart again. This time it was the first vehicle to leave, because the driver was having trouble starting the Newingtons’ car. People from the village were standing around it, smiling broadly, and someone from the back of the crowd asked if it’d been fed today.

The driver’s face was dark red with anger, just like his master’s.

When they got back, Horace reined in the horse at the front door while Sam stopped his car nearby.

‘Not here, Horace. Take us round to the back,’ Jacob said.

‘No. I ent doin’ that. Miss Newington wanted you two in the funeral party, so you should go in the front way, like the others.’

‘He’s right,’ Cook said. ‘But we’ll carry on looking after the children for you. I daresay you two would like something to eat, wouldn’t you? And you’ll be comfier in my kitchen.’

Luke nodded enthusiastically.

‘Mind your manners, then,’ Jacob said and led his wife into the house. They waited in the hall for the young lawyers to follow them inside.

‘Surely I’m not needed now?’ Mattie said to Mr Longley, when he gestured to her to lead the way into the drawing room. ‘There’s a lot to do in the kitchen. I should be helping Cook.’

‘You’re needed at the reading of the will, Mrs Kemble. I’m sure Cook can manage perfectly well.’

‘Why am I needed?’

‘All shall be revealed in due course.’

With a sigh she took Jacob’s arm again, but pulled back when the lawyer tried to seat her and Jacob at the front of the room, at a right angle to the others. ‘Not here!’

‘Please trust me on this. I need you to be here.’

So they sat down, and judging by his stiffness, Jacob felt as uncomfortable as she did. He ran one finger under his shirt collar, wriggling uncomfortably, and she gave him a quick nudge in the ribs and whispered, ‘Sit still!’ She didn’t want to give that horrible man any reason to insult them again. Not that he needed much excuse.

When the Newingtons came in, Arthur stopped to glare at the Kembles, turned to his son and said loudly, ‘Damned upstarts! In my day servants knew their place and didn’t try to keep company with their betters, let alone take places at the front of the room.’

‘
I
asked Mr and Mrs Kemble to sit there,’ Mr Longley said coldly. ‘And for a good reason.’

Angry at Mr Newington’s rudeness, Mattie raised her chin defiantly, but it was difficult to keep a calm expression on her face with all four of them looking at her as if she was a lowly worm.

Mr Longley cleared his throat and rustled his papers. ‘If everyone is ready, I’ll begin.’

Suddenly, they were all attention.

Into the silence, he said, ‘The will is very simple indeed. Miss Newington left everything she owned to her young friend Matilda Willitt, who is now Mrs Kemble, with minor legacies to her three servants.’

There was dead silence, then Arthur roared at the top of his voice, ‘Then my cousin had definitely lost her wits and I shall be contesting the will.’

Mattie heard Mr Longley’s words but it was a minute or two before their meaning sank in fully, then she gasped and put both hands up to her mouth in shock. It couldn’t be true! It just couldn’t.

Jacob took hold of her hands and pulled her round to face him. ‘Are you all right?’

She looked at him in bewilderment. ‘There must be some mistake. She can’t have left all this to me.’ She gestured round them.

He kept hold of her hands. ‘I suppose it must be true, if her lawyer says it.’

‘But she hardly knew me. Why would she leave everything to me?’

‘I don’t rightly know what to think. We’ll ask Mr Longley later. He must know. It’s … puzzling, I must admit.’

As they turned back towards the lawyer, the magistrate stood up and walked forward as if he was God come down to earth on the day of retribution.

He looked so threatening, Mattie reached out for Jacob’s hand and clutched it tightly, not caring how that looked.

‘I’d like to see that will, Longley,’ Mr Ransome said.

Frank gave him a piece of paper from the table. ‘I took the liberty of having a copy made for Mr Newington. I’m sure he won’t mind you looking at it. The original is locked away safely in the bank, but I’m happy to let you see it if you have any doubts that this is a true copy. You can make an appointment to do that through my clerk.’

He passed the paper to the magistrate, who scanned it quickly, scowled even more deeply, then handed it to Arthur, who had joined him at the front.

He read it, then repeated, ‘I’m definitely going to contest this ridiculous will.’

‘On what grounds?’ Frank asked.

‘Emily not being in her rightful mind.’

‘You haven’t a chance with that one. Dr Crawford has given me a signed statement that Miss Newington was in full possession of her senses until the very end, as I could see for myself.’

‘It seemed otherwise to me when I saw her,’ Ransome snapped.

‘To me also,’ Arthur chimed in. ‘And she’s my cousin so—’

‘A cousin whom you rarely saw because you didn’t get on with one another, which is, she put in writing, the reason she didn’t leave anything to you. That antipathy should be fairly easy to prove as well. It’s commonly known.’

Sam stepped forward to join his friend. ‘So it’ll be your word against two lawyers, a doctor, her servants and the people caring for her, Newington.’

‘Then we’ll cite undue influence as the reason.’

‘Mrs Kemble didn’t even know she was the legatee, so how could she have been exerting any influence?’

‘Don’t let her fool you. She’s a good actress, that sort always is.’

Frank reined in his anger. ‘Should you continue to insult Mrs Kemble, I shall advise her to bring a charge of slander against you. We have, as you can see, a room full of witnesses.’ He wouldn’t do any such thing, but that made the arrogant sod snap his mouth shut.

Ransome took over. ‘I shall be happy to support Mr Newington in his claims.’

Frank looked sideways at his friend, who nodded and moved forward.

‘A word with you, if you please.’ Sam took Ransome aside to the bay window, lowering his voice so that no one else could hear them. ‘If you continue making these false claims and trying to help your friend bully his way into someone else’s inheritance, you can be sure that I shall complain to the Law Society about your unprofessional behaviour.’

‘What the hell do you mean by that?’

‘It’s strange the way you threatened my father to make him try to coerce me into falling in with your wishes about this matter.’

‘Did he say that?’

‘No. He didn’t need to. I overheard you speaking to him myself. You have a rather loud voice, which carries easily through open windows.’

‘It’ll be your word against mine, then. Your father will bear me out that I did no such thing.’

‘You may frighten him into doing as you wish, but there was another witness present with me, one who has an immaculate reputation and who won’t lie under oath.’

‘Who?’

‘I shan’t tell you, but I shall produce the person in court, if necessary, and it won’t look good for a man in your position to have such a case proved against you.’

The magistrate drew back, his mouth open in shock for a moment, then he bent his head forward and said in an equally low voice, ‘You might find yourself out of a job, if you don’t take care.’

‘I’ve resigned from the family practice and have already joined another. I’m no longer on good terms with my father and am not likely to want my old job back, so I’m afraid that threat carries no weight with me. It wouldn’t have done, even if I were still working with my father. I believe in the law, Mr Ransome – and in justice, which isn’t always the same thing.’

For all their lowered voices, the air around them was fairly crackling with anger.

Arthur called across the room, ‘Is everything all right?’

Sam looked at the magistrate and raised one eyebrow questioningly.

‘Damn you!’ Ransome pushed past him. ‘I think we should leave now, Arthur.’

His friend nodded, but turned to toss a final word at Frank. ‘You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.’

The whole family left the house.

The two young men stayed in the bay window for a few moments longer, talking earnestly.