Parthena's Promise (9 page)

“Very well,” Thena answered. If she was trying to look less than enthusiastic, Jerome thought she was doing an excellent job of it.

“Thank you, Miss Munro.” Jerome stood up. “I shall like to enjoy the gardens and, as for the fishing, I hear it is excellent.” He smiled and addressed Bertram. “Then I shall return to the village and arrange for the coach and so on.”

“The coach?” Thena repeated as they walked to the main door.

“Yes, I intend to return to London for the Season. My sister is so looking forward to it.” He was walking alongside Thena and she was paying him a deal of attention, which he hoped would impress Bertram who was following on behind, at least to the threshold. “Tell me, Miss Munro, have you seen Pall Mall or the gardens at Vauxhall?”

“Why no, Mr Fender, I have not. Would you care to tell me about them?” she asked as she stepped out and walked carefully down the steps to the path that ran around the old building to the main gardens that ran behind to the river.

“Yes, of course,” Jerome said, and waited a moment before turning to Bertram and whispering to him: “By the end of this week, you shall say goodbye to your cousin for good and she you.”

Bertram slapped him on his back and chuckled. “Good man,” he replied before shutting the door on them.

Chapter 11

Thena was surprised by Bertram’s request that she walk with Jerome alone around the grounds. If he had not whispered to her in the hallway previously as though he had not expected the opportunity to arise, she would have doubted where Jerome’s loyalty lay. He played his role, whatever it was, with complete and convincing confidence.

“So tell me, Mr Fender, what guise do you appear in today, using your own name, but having Bertram’s agreement to our meeting – and in relative privacy?” She stopped at a rose and pointed to it as though discussing its colour or scent.

“Simply, I have come to him as myself offering him my card and help in solving a problem that I have recently become aware of.” He smiled politely at her as they walked and talked.

“What is that?”

“Why, you, of course. I overheard him talking in town and have used my position to infer that I know his business partner and am a party to the knowledge that you stand in the way of him and their intentions. Since then I have seen the plans in his study and they are indeed dark for the future of this beautiful place.”

“I have too. He will destroy everything here for the people. He will bring in many poor souls to work in his mill, and the village and the land will be changed forever. It galls me as there seems nothing I can do about it, Jerome,” she said, and looked up at him. “I owe you so much already that I can never repay, but is there any way you can help me to prevent him having his way here?”

“That is why I am here. I met an old colleague of mine, a man who was at the Inns when I was there,” Jerome said.

Thena looked at him and repeated, “The inns, what inns? Did he see us?” Her mind reeled at the thought that someone in the village knew that she had spent a night with Jerome.

“Not that kind of inn. The Inns of Court in London – The Middle Temple…”

“Oh,” she said, “I see.” But she really did not.

“Come, walk and talk with me further. We must not arouse his suspicion.” They walked along with a foot or so between them so that they did not touch even by accident.

“Mr Stanton trained where I did, at the same law school. He is your family’s legal representative and speaks well of your father and the village. He has a gift for you from your father – a key and I believe a letter for your twenty-first birthday, to be given you with the grandfather clock he also left you. Stanton did not tell Bertram of this, as it was for you only, not even when you disappeared. Bertram would have had him believe you had run away, Thena.”

“I knew he must have left his affairs in order!” she said and was filled with a rush of emotion. Then she said, “I did no such thing. I would never run away!” Thena was appalled at how low her cousin would stoop to rid himself of her. What must Jerome be thinking of her and her small but seemingly corrupt cousin? She hoped beyond hope that he did not believe that it ran in her bloodline, and that was why she stole from him.

She could not help but smile slightly, though.

“What amuses you?” he asked.

“My dear father has left me time.” She looked up at the sun. “I loved him dearly, but that clock represents words of wisdom he shared with me and reminds me of how precious our time with loved ones is.” Then she saddened. “If only I had loved ones left to care…”

“Oh, Thena, he has left you precious little time. The will clearly leaves the estate to your cousin. The legacy of the land applies to it being kept as it is, if inherited by the direct line. The wording is not specific enough, and although it stipulates what happens if it is passed from father to son, or son-in-law, then it states separately what happens next if it should then have to go to the nearest male relative. However, because it was poorly prepared, the codicil of the land being kept as is, does not transfer once the original line is side-stepped to another, removed to – well, uncles, cousins, second cousins and so on.”

Jerome was trying to make this simple for her to understand, she knew that, but the unfairness of it all galled her. “I meant what he has left me is the grandfather clock. It stopped some time ago, but Father always said that time was the most precious gift anyone can have. Yet, his sadly ran out too soon. If what you say is true, though, Bertram has won. I cannot stop this sale.”

They had stopped walking by the banks of the river. Jerome glared down at the water as if trying to see the fish.

“There is a way, Thena, but it requires a great sacrifice on your part, along with a willingness to trust me again.”

Thena looked at him as his face betrayed how serious he was about what he was about to propose. She could tell by the way his features moved that he was trying to find the words he wanted, to explain to her as simply and effectively as possible. How difficult could it be for a man of law to express his thoughts, she wondered, but then his words came back to her… “Or son-in-law,” then she swallowed. Was he really thinking of stepping in to rescue her again? Surely a man like Jerome already had a wife? But then he had been at war, and war is a destroyer of the normal order of life.

They walked along the river path a way, but stayed within view of the house as they were both aware that they were being watched by Bertram.

“Thena, we have been thrown together in the most unlikely way, and yet I believe fate has had its hand in this. To stop Bertram and save your village you need to be married by the end of this month. That is it, in a nutshell.”

“It is impossible...”

“Hear me out, Thena, I do not wish to shock you… I know this is all very sudden and must seem incredulous to you, but he did not give you a chance, as he held the will’s contents from your sight and knowledge.”

“No, Jerome, I mean, I think I know what you mean, but it is impossible because I mean the banns need weeks to be read and…”

“That is if you wed in church in England, Thena, but there is another more daring way. Have you heard of elopement to a place called Gretna Green?” Jerome looked at her and smiled. “Scottish laws are different.”

“How would I get away, and who would you suggest I marry – Mr Stanton?” She was trying hard not to change the way she walked as they strolled apparently purposefully along.”

“No. Anyway, he already has a wife. No, I am proposing to you, Thena. I would be delighted if you would agree to be my wife. Therefore, I am suggesting that you and I go to Gretna Green and get a quick marriage licence and return quickly to stop him, save your village and…” he looked away momentarily, pointed to some imagined point of interest, and then looked back at her.

She stopped and stared at him, Bertram momentarily forgotten. He would do this for her?

“I find you beautiful, beguiling and I would be happy for us to really get to know each other well, but that is up to you. How we would do this is simple. I am only acting like a total cad for the benefit of your cousin. I have offered to remove you to London. You need to look excited, Thena, as if I am selling you a dream of attending balls and being dressed in such finery that no head will be left unturned as you enter the assembly or gatherings. I am supposed to be dazzling you with the prospect of a chance to see Society in all its glory and hypocrisy as part of this dream, and promise you that you will attend the finest events as companion to my fictitious younger sister, Eleanor, who is lonely.”

Thena stared back at the river. This was a lot to take in. Could she trust Jerome? If she was his wife he would be the heir of this estate and not Bertram. She knew so little about him and yet he knew all her darkest secrets. Could he be so genuine, so lovely, handsome and kind that he would truly forfeit his freedom for her?

“We have little time left, Thena. I am to dine here tonight and you must be full of enthusiasm to meet ‘Eleanor’ and leave with me without a thought of looking back at this place. If you play this right and receive Stanton tomorrow morning, I will keep Bertram busy, and then within two days you leave this place with me. But instead of heading south to my London residence, we head north at speed to Gretna Green and in that way we can stop the blackguard. Take heart, I have money and property, I do not need to take advantage of your situation, but I can see why you love this place and I would promise to protect it for generations to come from the likes of Tripp.” He looked down at her with a great deal of what she saw as concern in his eyes. “Thena, I know it is a very difficult decision for you, but if you do not do this I have no great vision of a happy future for you. The man, I believe, would wish you harm – he wants you gone from his path. If I could arrest him for what he would like to do, then I would and he would be hanged, but he has not committed the act, yet, and I would be broken if I came so near to saving you, having you and lost the chance.”

“Jerome, next you will be declaring that you love me…” She looked away and laughed.

“Would that be so unpalatable?” he asked, but walked on.

Thena was genuinely taken aback. He was either a very sensitive and genuine person, despite his rank and profession, or an extremely good actor.

She caught up with him and smiled brightly as they returned to the Hall. “Very well, if you are willing and sincere, then let our adventure continue, Mr Fender, and use whatever power you can to protect my villagers, my home and my heart, and destroy the vermin that have taken up residence within it.”

She did not look for his response or wait for his reply. Thena boldly stepped enthusiastically back into the Hall.

“You enjoyed your walk, Parthena?” Bertram greeted her.

“Very much so, cousin. I have much to tell you,” she said.

“Oh, good, good, but later. Mr Fender will join us for dinner and we shall talk then.”

“Very well, Bertram,” she responded and passed by the grandfather clock. She smiled. Bertram’s reign was about to come to an abrupt end. She returned to her room to repack for a very different journey. This time she would not be facing a lonely life as a governess at some family’s beck and call. No, she was going to marry a man whose purse she had stolen, returned it to him – albeit he reclaimed it, but in its place she was really beginning to believe she had unwittingly stolen his heart instead. The thought filled her with more hope and happiness than she had had for a year since because, at her loneliest and most desperate point in her life, he had appeared to her in the midst of the night as she had crossed a lonely street to find shelter behind an inn, hoping there was a stable she could hide in. Fate, he had called it; destiny was a better word, she thought.

Chapter 12

The dinner had been most frustrating for Thena. She had wanted to ask Jerome so much about his life, his world, his family, and instead had had to endure an evening that felt more like a game of charades. Bertram asked many questions and, if Jerome answered honestly, he had property in London and an estate in Kent. Bertram almost drooled when he mentioned Boodles and Almack’s Assembly Rooms, the ton, and joked about it being The Marriage Mart where he had met his own dear wife. He was planning on Eleanor stepping out there as it was to be her first Season. However, the smokescreen that they had created for Bertram had worked as he thought her senseless and witless, as she questioned Jerome about this fictitious sister and the life of a London lady as opposed to the life of a lady of the manor on a country estate. Bertram so believed that she was being duped by Jerome that it was comical and sad to behold such a fickle mind as his. Ironic really, she thought, as it was he who had been.

She watched him leave. He walked with great speed down the short drive to the gates that opened into the village square. Bertram obviously was keen to meet up with Jerome, his new acquaintance, again and Thena had to admit, so was she.

*

Mr Stanton arrived promptly. Thena was waiting near the door for him, so that he did not need to alert the servants of his presence. These were strange times, so protocol was no longer something she worried about.

Once in the day room she closed the doors behind them. “So, Mr Stanton, I understand you have a gift for me from my father.”

“Yes, I have.” He promptly produced an envelope from his leather bag. “This was for you for your twenty-first birthday, Miss Munro.”

“I thank you for keeping it safe for my eyes only.” She took it, then apologetically replied, “I have not offered you any refreshments…”

“There is no need, miss. I do not wish to be found here either.” He smiled. “Is there anything you would like me to assist you with before I leave, Miss Munro?” he asked.

“Yes, there is,” she replied, as she read the short note. It simply said: “Take care of your time, my dear Parthena, and use it wisely!”

“Then ask.”

“Is Mr Jerome Fender a genuine and honest man?” She stared at him as she anxiously waited for his reply.

“I knew him some years ago, before the wars, but he was an honourable man whom I looked upon as a friend, with great admiration. I do not think you would find a better man, if I am honest, and I believe he has your best interest at heart.”

She was relieved to hear this and judged the man to also be honest, as he had kept her personal gift away from Cousin Bertram.

“Then please bear witness to my using this key, as it opens the door in the clock’s case.” They went out into the hall where it stood.

“It’s a Dumville longcase,” she said, and used the key to open the panel in its base. “My father had this compartment especially made. He would keep what he called his emergency fund there.” She crouched down and pulled out a velvet pouch and a leather wallet. “Oh, look!” she exclaimed, as she found an emerald ring, necklace and earrings. A piece of paper simply wished her well and to be proud of whom she is. The wallet held notes to the value of two hundred pounds. “This is a fortune!” she exclaimed. One last document was the deed to the school house in the village. A further message was left with this stating: “You will always have a home in Leaham, should you need it.”

“He left me the school house. The first floor of it has living quarters and the attic is a study room that overlooks the salmon course and the river. He wanted me to have some independence if I was not married or welcome at the Hall. But for all his generosity it is nowhere near enough to save the land from my cousin’s plans. Please come with me and I will show you the drawings in his study.”

Thena did and saw the look of horror on Mr Stanton’s face. “If this goes ahead, the village, my home, will be ruined.” He stared at her.

“Unless I marry before the end of the month, to a man I can trust and who will help me to foil his plan,” she said, but really it was a question to make sure that neither she nor Mr Fender had missed anything.

“Yes, that is so,” he confirmed.

“Then I will bid you good day, and when next we meet I will be a married lady.” She held her head proud as she replied.

“I wish you well, Miss Munro, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” His words drifted off as he made his way to the doorway of the Hall.

Thena watched him go, gathered her things and summoned Hubbart. She had a journey to prepare for and a future to secure.

*

It was after a very rushed journey, at speed, that the coach finally arrived outside the blacksmith’s in Gretna Green. The thought of a church wedding with all the trimmings and a village celebration had lost its appeal to her when her father died. The noise of the vehicle caused a rush of excitement she felt as it carried the two elopers on their way. The carriage had jostled and juddered in a relentless momentum as the miles were covered. Stops were made but not for long as they had to reach their destination before being found out. That said, the journey had been a fairly quiet one.

They took a breath of fresh air as they alighted from the coach. Holding onto each other they steadied themselves, as their arrival was made known.

“Thena, if you wish to change your mind, I will not hold it against you. But once we step through that door and are wed before an anvil, not an altar, it will be too late to regret your decision.”

“Are you sure it is me who you think is having doubts? It hardly compares with the kind of wedding your family would expect of you, does it?” She saw his face change. Shock, she thought, and her heart ached, for she was sure he had doubted his gallant, but rash decision.

“Thena, I do not care what they expect. I do not want a marriage that is shallow. I want you! I want someone who feels passion for the land they represent, for the life they have and, hopefully, in time, for me. I do not wish to live in London, Thena. If you are willing, I would live at the Hall and learn how to make the estate stronger, so that it would never be threatened again. If you are willing… I want this to be a real marriage.”

“Oh, Jerome, I am more than willing, for that is what I desire also, but I do not deserve you.” She flung her arms around his neck. They kissed like true lovers, but he pulled away.

“Miss Munro, we should seal our fate quickly, I think.” He was almost laughing as he spoke, but then a serious note returned to his voice. “I forgot to tell you that, when we do this, we will not only stop Bertram Munro in his tracks, but we will bring the man low. He has debtors he cannot pay.”

Thena did not hesitate to reply. “Then let him be brought low. He cared not for how many others’ lives he would destroy to pay for his own lifestyle. He needs stopping!”

“Very well, shall we, Miss Munro?” he said, and took her hand ready to lead her into the blacksmith’s shop where the brief ceremony would be performed legally, by Scottish law.

“No regrets?” he asked one last time before they crossed the threshold.

“None, Mr Fender, I promise,” she said, and stepped into her future.

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Parthena’s Promise
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