Jilted (9 page)

‘Through a carriage window whilst you were leaving in haste – rather too hastily for politeness, in fact,’ said Lady Agatha,
seemingly
oblivious to the fact that his haste had been due to the fact that she had been at his back with an umbrella in her hand. Eustacia bit back a giggle at the memory.

‘But what ails her?’ asked the clergyman, a question which Eustacia very much wanted to echo.

‘If the doctors could say what it might be, then they could no doubt effect a cure,’ replied her ladyship scornfully. ‘Her mother has sent her to me in the hope that the milder climes here in this sheltered spot may be helpful to her. Imagine the scandal should she be thrown out of this refuge, only to perish on the street! What the newspapers would make of it, I dread to think.’

‘Surely it cannot be so serious?’

‘Are you calling my goddaughter’s mother a liar, sirrah?’ her ladyship demanded.

‘No, no, of course not,’ responded Mr Lusty hastily. ‘I am just … surely … if the illness does not even have a name….’ His voice tailed away.

‘Every illness has to acquire a name at some point,’ said her ladyship haughtily. ‘Then, of course, there is my brother, Ashbourne, to be considered.’ She sighed heavily.

‘What of Lord Ashbourne?’ asked the clergyman.

‘Ashbourne is very attached to my goddaughter,’ replied her ladyship, surprising the young lady in question very much. ‘It was by his expressed wish that she should be placed in my care. I dread to think what he might say should he find that she had been ejected by the church, in her delicate state of health.’

‘I see,’ responded Mr Lusty. ‘Do you think…? Should I go and offer her some spiritual solace, perhaps?’

Eustacia took a deep breath, wondering whether she ought to run up the stairs and fling herself upon her bed. Her godmother’s next words reassured her.

‘Perhaps on another occasion. I have not had time to prepare her mind today. However, I am sure, Mr Lusty, that a man like you with such a deep sense of the needs of the sick will appreciate that my goddaughter cannot possibly be moved now, or indeed for some considerable time.’

‘Well, yes, indeed, my lady. However, you must understand that—’

‘
Must
understand, young man?’ echoed her ladyship at her most magisterial. ‘And what, pray, is it that I
must
understand?’

‘I … I was just going to say that I must take advice from the bishop,’ he murmured.

‘Very wise,’ agreed her ladyship condescendingly. ‘I am sure he will advise against murdering a sick girl and alienating a powerful landowner. For now, I must not delay you. No doubt you have other families to evict before dinner.’

‘My lady, I—’

‘I would be obliged if you would not bruit the news of my goddaughter’s delicate health throughout the neighbourhood. The shock of having herself the subject of gossip could easily prove to
be the end of her. Good day to you, Mr Lusty.’

Evidently the clergyman could not summon up his courage to think of a riposte to this, for there was simply the sound of mumbling, followed by the closing of a door. Eustacia waited until she was quite sure that the visitor had gone before slipping out of her hiding place.

‘Hah!’ exclaimed Lady Agatha, in a satisfied tone. ‘That’s dealt with him very nicely for the present.’

Eustacia could not help laughing, but eventually she asked with a hint of reproach, ‘Godmama, how could you?’

‘What do you mean, how could I?’ responded her ladyship, honestly puzzled.

‘I have already told you that I am not ill. In fact, I enjoy
remarkably
good health, and seldom have even so much as cold. Now, thanks to you I have to play the role of a person with some
nameless
illness whenever anyone from the church comes near.’

‘None of them will,’ replied the other. ‘Now that they know you are sick, they will stay away out of respect.’

‘Perhaps for a time, but not for ever. Mr Lusty is sure to come back,
then
what do I do? I might not be out of sight next time. I might be out riding or going for a walk. As far as Lord Ilam is concerned, I am getting better, but Mr Lusty now thinks that I am getting worse by the day. If I am to play a part, I would at least like it to be a consistent one. And another thing: Lord Ashbourne is supposed to be concerned with my welfare, but I have never even met the man! What if
he
turns up?’

‘He will not do so,’ declared her ladyship confidently. ‘As for Lusty, I have told him that you are here for your health,
remember
? You would need to take part in all these activities in order to build you up. Besides, there are some illnesses in which the sufferer gives the illusion of perfect health, especially just before the end. Ring for wine, would you, my dear? I am so glad that you have come to stay with me. You are going to be such a help to me, I can see. Oh, how entertaining this all is! I am having such fun!’

Eustacia stared at her godmother in amazement. She had always known that the older lady was something of a rogue, yet it was
Lord Ashbourne’s wickedness that everyone spoke about. To Eustacia, it seemed that it was rather his sister who had absolutely no scruples whatsoever.

To Eustacia’s great relief, the question of sustaining the role of a seriously ill person did not demand much of her over the next few days. Lord Ilam came to take her riding again, but the subject was not broached. She concluded that Mr Lusty must have kept the information to himself, as Lady Agatha had requested.

With this in mind, she was able to face a visit to church with equanimity. Mr Lusty took the service, and afterwards, he shook her hand in the church doorway with a look of deep sympathy on his face. ‘And how are you feeling today, Miss Hope?’ he asked solicitously, holding her hand as if it might break.

‘Quite well,’ she murmured. ‘My godmother takes very good care of me.’

‘That’s enough of that, Lusty,’ said Lord Ilam’s rather harsh voice from behind. ‘No need to monopolize Miss Hope.’

‘Oh, indeed, my lord, um….’ Lusty’s voice faded away.

Eustacia turned to look at Lord Ilam, and in doing so caught a fleeting glimpse of her godmother’s face, which bore a most uncharacteristic expression of anxiety. No doubt a conversation between the curate and her nephew was the last thing that she wanted. For her own part, she, too, would be glad of as few words as possible between the two men. She was not at all sure which role she ought to be playing and for whose benefit.

There did not appear to be any need for either of them to be concerned today, for Ilam seemed intent upon drawing Eustacia away from the clergyman. For church attendance, the viscount was dressed in a well-cut blue coat with a discreetly striped waistcoat,
buff breeches and shiny top boots. He did not look the dandy – he was too muscular for that – but he could have made an appearance in Bond Street without having to blush for his attire. She was glad that she had taken the trouble to dress in one of her new gowns, one of amber trimmed with blond lace, which showed off her excellent figure to great advantage.

Eustacia looked up at his lordship again. The day was cloudy, but at that moment the sun appeared and a ray of light, falling upon his hair, brought out a glimmer of chestnut. In his grey eyes there was a hint of concern. ‘That Lusty fellow wasn’t bothering you, was he?’ he asked her.

She stared at him blankly for a moment or two. Then she recalled that she was supposed to have been jilted by a clergyman and blushed. The other possible meaning of what he had said struck them simultaneously a few moments later and they both laughed. Following the laughter – during which each had been thinking how engaging the other looked when amused – Eustacia asked, ‘Why would you suppose that he was bothering me?’

Ilam seemed a little uncomfortable. ‘He just looked to me as if he was being a bit pressing, that’s all. May I introduce you to my family?’

‘Your family?’ she looked around, but amongst the crowd at church that day could only see Lady Agatha whom she knew to be related to Ilam.

‘I should say my foster family,’ he replied, holding out his arm to escort her towards a small group of people. ‘I was taken to live with a local family from an early age, as I’m sure you know already. They farm some of the land on the other side of my estate. Would you like to meet them?’

‘I should be pleased to do so,’ replied Eustacia warmly.

The small group to which Ilam led her comprised a sturdy-
looking
man in his late forties or early fifties, a comely woman of about the same age with curly brown hair, a young man of about Lord Ilam’s age, a girl who appeared to be about seventeen, and a boy who was probably about twelve or so. They looked pleased at the advent of his lordship, and all smiled expectantly at Eustacia, apart
from the young girl, who seemed rather serious.

‘Miss Hope, may I introduce to you Mr and Mrs Crossley, their daughter Anna, and their sons David and Elijah? Aunt Bertha, Uncle Tobias, this is Miss Hope, my aunt’s goddaughter.’

As Eustacia responded to the formal greeting, she noticed that all the family were dressed well in clothing which, if not
expensive
, was undoubtedly of very good quality. Anna’s gown, of white muslin, was certainly not of the kind usually worn by a farmer’s daughter who only had one or two to her name. She guessed that they were one of the more prosperous and successful tenant
families
. No doubt their prosperity had been increased by the service that they had done for Lord Ashbourne by caring for his son in infancy.

‘It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hope,’ said Mrs Crossley, speaking with a pleasant light country burr. ‘Are you staying with Lady Agatha for long?’

‘It is not yet decided,’ Eustacia replied. ‘Miss Warburton has gone to visit my mama, so I would guess I shall stay until the two ladies grow tired of the exchange.’

‘Are you liking the countryside around here?’ the farmer’s wife asked her. ‘Many people come here for holidays, I do know.’

‘It is very agreeable. Lord Ilam has taken me riding and there have been some lovely bursts of scenery.’

‘Do you hunt, ma’am?’ asked Mr Crossley.

‘I have never cared for the sport,’ replied Eustacia. ‘I am too soft-hearted, I fear.’ Glancing at Anna, she saw a scornful
expression
on her face.

‘Have you brought the new horses today?’ Ilam asked.

‘I have indeed, my lord,’ replied Crossley. ‘Would you like to inspect them?’ He turned to Eustacia. ‘By your leave, ma’am.’ Ilam bowed and turned to accompany his foster father, and David and Elijah did the same.

‘Anna!’ said Mrs Crossley firmly when her daughter made as if to follow them. ‘You’ll stay with me if you please.’

‘But I haven’t seen Gabriel for ages,’ Anna protested pleadingly.

‘“His lordship” to you, miss,’ said her mother tartly. ‘Miss
Hope, you must come and visit us at the farm. You will be very welcome.’

‘Thank you,’ replied Eustacia, smiling. ‘I will ask Lord Ilam to bring me next time we go riding together.’ She turned to look at Anna Crossley and found that the younger girl was regarding her with a decidedly stony face. Could the girl be a little possessive with regard to her adopted brother?

After a few more exchanged comments, Mrs Crossley took her leave and, escorting Anna, walked over to the family trap where the men were still inspecting the horses. Ilam stayed to help the farmer’s wife and daughter into the trap. Eustacia, watching, saw the look on Anna’s face as Ilam walked away after making his farewells, and made a startling observation. The girl fancies herself in love with him, she thought to herself. I wonder if he knows.

By the time Ilam had returned to the church, Lady Agatha had joined Eustacia on the path.

‘I have been wondering whether you would both care to dine with me?’ Ilam asked. ‘It is time I returned your hospitality. There are others whom I ought to invite, but they will not be arriving until just before the garden party. With any luck, that will put off the need to invite any of them to dinner, at least for a while.’

‘Very gallant,’ remarked his aunt as she took his arm and they began to walk, Eustacia following behind as they negotiated the path towards the ancient lych gate. ‘I cannot imagine Ashbourne issuing an invitation in such a way.’

‘Believe me, ma’am, nothing you could have said could possibly have pleased me more,’ he answered, a little tight-lipped.

‘I dare say,’ her ladyship answered serenely. ‘Are any other persons the lucky recipients of your gracious invitation?’

He grinned at that. ‘I was thinking of inviting Dr Littlejohn. It’s time I paid him that courtesy.’ He turned to Eustacia. ‘Doctor Littlejohn was my tutor before I went to Harrow. He lives in a cottage on the Ashbourne estate.’

Lady Agatha nodded approvingly. ‘He is a sensible man. It will be a pleasure to meet him again. Tell me how your plans for the garden are progressing.’

As they left the church grounds, Eustacia fell into step beside them, and Lord Ilam started to tell them about the changes that he was proposing to make to the ancient parterre behind Illingham Hall. ‘It’s not a fashionable design,’ he admitted, ‘but I like it. It suits the house. Besides, it mirrors the pattern of the ceiling in the great hall. Any changes I make will be ones which will not affect the geometric pattern.’

‘I have a fancy that your grandmother made some alterations in the choice of plants, and the ones she chose have not prospered as well as they might.’

Ilam nodded. ‘The originals were the best,’ he agreed. ‘There are records of the first planting which I intend to examine.’

‘That must be fascinating,’ said Eustacia. ‘My father’s house is of a much later date than yours, my lord, but there was another house on the site, and the plans of the parterre are kept in the steward’s room, even though the parterre has long since gone. Was it very common for landowners to use the same design for their garden as for aspects of their houses?’

‘I have no idea,’ replied Ilam. ‘I shouldn’t be surprised. You must examine the plans when you come to the Hall, Miss Hope.’

‘I should be delighted,’ replied Eustacia truthfully.

The following day was wet and miserable, with no chance of a ride, so Eustacia and her godmother stayed indoors sewing,
writing
letters and reading.

Part way through the morning, they both grew tired of their occupations and Lady Agatha sent for coffee while they laid their work aside. It was then that Eustacia ventured to ask a question that had been occupying her mind for some little time.

‘Why does Ilam so resent his father?’ she asked. ‘I know that he feels himself to have been rejected as a child, but could that still make him angry now?’

Lady Agatha sighed. ‘You are right of course,’ she agreed. ‘He does believe that Ashbourne rejected him when he was a baby. I think that Gabriel would understand better if he had ever really known my father. He was an implacable man, and the pressure
that he could put upon one was quite unbelievable. In addition to that, Ilam has always believed himself to be second best.’

‘Second best? To whom?’ asked Eustacia.

After a short pause, Lady Agatha said, ‘Raff fathered another child before Ilam was born. It was that child’s mother that Raff wanted to marry. It wasn’t permitted, as she was just a farmer’s daughter. She died in childbirth as did Ilam’s mother.’

‘Did the child live?’ asked Eustacia.

‘Oh yes. Michael is older than Gabriel by six months. He was packed off to another part of the country to save the family from embarrassment, but has always been supported by Ashbourne.’

‘And did Lord Ashbourne show more interest in Michael than in Gabriel?’ Eustacia asked, then almost bit her tongue off because she was being rather intrusive.

‘Lord, how should I know?’ asked her ladyship. ‘Ashbourne has never taken me into his confidence, nor shown the slightest
interest
in me, either. He’s a care-for-naught, and you’d do well to remember it.’ When she next spoke, it was about a completely different matter, and Eustacia was left with the uncomfortable
feeling
that she had overstepped.

That wet day was succeeded by two more, but fortunately, the weather cleared on the evening that they were due to go to Illingham Hall for dinner. Lord Ilam sent a message asking whether they would like him to send the carriage, but Lady Agatha declined, telling his messenger, ‘I have pattens for each of us, which will keep the worst of the mud off our hems.’

Eustacia was a country girl, so she readily agreed to this
decision
. Although she disliked wearing the overshoes which were clumsy and lifted her up to four inches off the ground, she saw the value of keeping the mud off her evening slippers, which were new and of white kid.

They were on the point of setting off when there was a knock at the door. ‘Ilam has sent a servant to walk with us,’ remarked Lady Agatha. ‘That’s good of him.’

Grimes opened the door to reveal not a servant, but Ilam
himself, clad in evening attire, but with a pair of top boots on his feet. ‘I thought you might like an arm if you’re tottering along on those,’ he explained.

Eustacia was torn between relief at not having to negotiate the drive on her clumsy pattens unsupported and vain annoyance at having Ilam seeing her in such unbecoming footwear.

‘Miss Hope, good evening,’ he said, bowing. ‘You appear to have gone up in the world – at least three inches, I would say.’

‘I hope you do not expect me to curtsy in these,’ she retorted, then blushed because she had sounded very rude.

‘Not at all,’ he answered, rather taking the wind out of her sails. ‘No doubt I should then be obliged to pick you up off the floor afterwards. Shall we go, ladies?’

Thanks to Ilam’s strong support, the journey was accomplished without difficulty, and soon the ladies were in the entrance hall of Ilam’s house being assisted to remove their pattens, whilst Ilam when upstairs to exchange his boots for shoes. The lace on one of Eustacia’s slippers had worked itself into a knot, so while Lady Agatha exchanged a few words with Ilam’s butler, Keithly, who was well known to her, Eustacia undid the knot, then proceeded to tie her lace once more. It so happened that she was rising to her feet as Ilam reached her side, having just come downstairs.

‘Ah, that’s better,’ he remarked, smiling down at her.

‘What do you mean?’ she asked him, puzzled.

‘I’ve got used to looking at you from this angle,’ he replied.

‘It isn’t funny being so short, you know,’ she answered him defensively. All through her childhood, she had waited to grow to her mother’s height. At the age of fourteen she had stopped
growing
. Her nurse and even her parents had confidently assured her that she would grow taller soon, but it had never happened.

‘I never said it was funny,’ he insisted. He might have said more, but at that point, Lady Agatha finished her conversation with Keithly, and the butler led the way to open the door for them into a comfortable wood-panelled room with mullioned windows and a large stone fireplace with a screen in front of it, decorated with needlepoint embroidery of a hunting scene. A grey-haired man
who was sitting in a chair by the window laid down the book that he was studying and rose to greet them.