The Beggar Maid (25 page)

‘That's exactly it. My mother was in quite a state when she told me about the deception. I urged her to tell Father the truth, but she refused. She said that Sir Philip had always thought that Dan was his son and she saw no reason to tell the world that she had deceived him.'

‘Daniel should know. It doesn't seem right to keep it from him.'

‘I'll tell my brother when I think the time is right, but I suspect that Wilmot is manipulating both my mother and Dan for his own ends.'

‘What could he hope to gain?'

‘If Father were declared incompetent, and if I were in exile, Dan would be next in line to inherit this estate, as well the house in Nevill's Court.'

Charity shivered even though they were bathed in the warm glow of the fire. ‘Do you think this has something to do with the stories of the Bligh treasure?'

‘I think Wilmot is a greedy and ambitious man. If he married my mother he would gain control of his late brother's estate, and as Dan's stepfather he would have a say when it came to making decisions about Bligh Park until Dan comes of age.'

Charity's head was spinning with this tale of ambition and avarice. ‘But surely it's illegal for Wilmot to marry his brother's widow?' she said, grasping at the one flaw she could see in the whole sorry business.

‘I think it is illegal, but I know that many people ignore the law. They get married in Scotland or London and live together as man and wife. I just hope that Wilmot has genuine feelings for my mother.'

‘You know he is here, digging up the ten-acre field.'

‘Parkin told me what's been going on, but I don't think the excavation of Roman ruins is going to save Bligh Park from bankruptcy. Wilmot has his eye on something more and I need to warn Dan not to be taken in by him.'

‘Then you ought to stay here. Clear your name and don't run away, leaving your father and brother unprotected.'

‘I can't prove anything, Charity. It's my word against Wilmot's, and who would believe a man who can't honour his debts?'

‘Tell Sir Hedley. Tell him everything and maybe together you can put a stop to Wilmot's game.'

‘You know my father well enough to realise that he wouldn't listen to anything I had to say. If I stay I'll be caught and arrested, but as a free man I might have a chance to put things right.'

‘Where will you go?'

‘Ned Loveless is going to take me across the Channel. It's better if you don't know where I'm going.'

‘How will you live?'

‘I'll do what you said I should do and try to find work. Maybe I'll turn into an honest citizen if I keep away from temptation.'

She seized him by the hand. ‘You are a good man; you've just taken the wrong path. I wish I could help you as you helped me.'

His eyes darkened and he dropped his gaze. ‘You make me feel even more ashamed of myself. I've done exactly as I pleased all my life with no thought for the consequences or the fact that I was frittering away a fortune. You had nothing but you've struggled on, and I admire you for that.'

‘Don't be so hard on yourself, Harry.' She raised his hand to her cheek. ‘Thanks to you I still have my books, but when I return to London I'll sell them. Any money I raise I'll send to you.'

‘That is the most generous offer I've ever had, but I couldn't let you do it.' He rose to his feet. ‘You must put yourself first for once. Never mind me. I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself in my own ramshackle way.'

She shrugged off his jacket and handed it to him. ‘You will write to me when you're settled, won't you?' She was close to tears, but somehow she managed to control her emotions.

‘It's almost dawn and I need to see my brother before I go. I think you're right and I should tell him the truth before I go away.' He leaned over and brushed her forehead with a kiss. ‘I will write to you and that's a promise. Look after yourself.' He snatched his coat and hat from a nearby chair and picked up a carpet bag. ‘Goodbye, Charity.' He let himself out into the darkness.

She leapt to her feet and ran to the window. The storm had abated and there was a pale glimmer of light in the east. Harry was shrugging on his coat as he walked off in the direction of the archaeological excavation, and then he was swallowed up in the darkness. The only sign that he had been in the house was the chair where he had been sitting, only now it was tilted on its back legs, leaning against the pine table. She righted it with a sigh. Harry had come into her life briefly, but his presence had had a profound effect on her and now he was gone. If his suspicions about Wilmot were well founded and Sir Hedley was locked away in Colney Hatch, she might find herself homeless yet again.

She went to her room and found to her relief that her clothes were dry, even though the bed was soaked. She dressed quickly, and acting on impulse she decided to seek out Daniel and tell him the truth about Wilmot. Harry might not be able to convince his brother that Wilmot was not an honourable man, but if she told Daniel how he had propositioned her he might think differently.

‘You're wrong,' Daniel said in a low voice. He glanced over his shoulder at Wilmot who was standing several yards away deep in conversation with one of the archaeologists. ‘You shouldn't have listened to Harry. What he said about Wilmot is nonsense. He's resigned his position at the university in order to help my mother run the estate, and he's a good man who has my best interests at heart, even though he knows the truth about my birth.'

She stared at him in amazement. ‘So you knew that Sir Philip wasn't your father?'

‘Mama told me soon after the funeral.' Daniel ran his hand through his already tousled hair. ‘As to Wilmot, you shouldn't believe everything Harry says. My brother lives by his wits and he's desperate to get someone on his side. Not that you could do anything to help him, unless, of course, you have some influence with our father.'

‘I don't think he was making it up, Dan. He genuinely believes that Wilmot is plotting to gain control of the estate.'

‘Mama is fond of Wilmot, but she loved Sir Philip, and so did I. He might not have sired me, but he raised me as his son. He was my real father, and I trust Wilmot.'

‘Sir Philip sounds like a marvellous man.' She lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘But there are things about Wilmot you don't know.'

‘How can you say that, Charity? How can you turn against him when he offered to further your education and enrol you in his classes at the university? You could have worked hard and bettered yourself, but you chose to throw his generosity back in his face.'

‘That's not how it happened. If that's what he told you then he's lying. He wanted me to be his mistress.'

Daniel stared at her in patent disbelief. ‘I don't believe that for a moment. You've been taken in by Harry's lies and now you're adding to them. Wilmot is my friend and mentor. He loves my mother and he only wants the best for me. I don't want anything to do with Sir Hedley, or Harry if it comes to that. I never want to see either of them again.' He stalked off to join Wilmot.

Charity resisted the temptation to run after him. She knew she had handled the situation badly but she was at a loss to know what to do for the best. She was about to return to the house when she saw Sir Hedley striding across the field towards them. She glanced over her shoulder, wondering if she ought to warn Dan, but it was too late. Sir Hedley's shabby overcoat flapped about him as he quickened his pace, and he looked like an ungainly scarecrow that had suddenly acquired the ability to walk. ‘Wilmot Barton, is that you?'

Wilmot turned his head slowly. ‘What can I do for you, Hedley?'

‘What are you doing on my land?' Sir Hedley advanced on them, puffing and panting.

Charity hurried towards him, alarmed by his high colour and laboured breathing. ‘We should get you back to the house, sir.'

He pushed her aside. ‘Mind your own business, girl.' He pointed a shaking finger at Daniel. ‘Who gave you permission to work with the archaeologists? I sanctioned a dig run by the university and that didn't include you or your uncle.'

White-faced and visibly upset, Daniel stepped forward shaking off Wilmot's restraining hand. ‘He's not my uncle, Father.' He stressed the last word, bringing Sir Hedley to a sudden halt.

‘Are you being funny, boy?'

‘No, sir. I think it's time someone told you the truth.'

‘This isn't the time or place, Dan,' Wilmot hissed.

Ignoring Wilmot, Dan faced up to his father. ‘Mother told me the truth after Sir Philip died. I am your son. It pains me to admit such a thing but I have as much right to be on this land as anyone.'

‘You're a liar.' Sir Hedley clutched his hand to his chest. ‘Your mother left me for Philip Barton. You're not my son.'

‘I wish it were a lie. No one in their right mind would want a man like you to be their father.'

Charity leapt forward to clutch Daniel's arm. ‘Please don't say any more. Can't you see this is upsetting him?'

‘Keep out of this.' He pushed her away and she fell against Sir Hedley, who staggered, lost his footing and crumpled to the ground.

She went down on her knees beside him. ‘I'm so sorry. Are you all right?' She attempted to raise his head, but his eyes bulged in their sockets and he gasped for breath. She sent a pleading look to Daniel. ‘Get help.'

He shook his head. ‘He's play-acting. There's nothing wrong with him.'

‘Not this time, Dan.' Wilmot dragged Charity to her feet. ‘He's finished. You can't do anything for him. Go back to the house.'

‘No. I won't leave him,' Charity said on a sob. ‘I've seen men die on the streets and he doesn't deserve to end his life in a muddy field.'

Wilmot beckoned to two of the diggers who had been looking on with interest. ‘Don't just stand there – carry him to the house.'

‘He needs a doctor,' Charity said urgently. ‘Please, Dan. Go to the village and find a physician.'

‘Why should I? He's nothing to me.'

‘He's your father,' Charity whispered. ‘You were cruel to him and that's not like you. I know you better than that.'

Wilmot stood aside while the men lifted Sir Hedley's now inert form. ‘I think it's too late for a doctor,' he said with a malicious grin. ‘Perhaps an undertaker would be more appropriate.'

Charity faced him angrily. ‘You are a despicable person. You brought this about with your plotting and scheming.'

‘You've been listening to Harry's idiotic ranting. You shouldn't believe everything that he tells you, my dear,' Wilmot said, curling his lip. ‘A man who refuses to use his father's name is not my idea of a devoted son. Harry has left the country and I'll make certain he never returns. All this belongs to Dan now.' He encompassed the estate with a sweep of his hands. ‘And you are dismissed. Your services are no longer needed.'

‘That's a bit harsh, Wilmot.' Daniel bent down to retrieve his father's spectacles, which had fallen from his pocket. He wiped the mud off the lenses, and handed them to Charity. ‘You can stay on at Nevill's Court until you find yourself another position.'

‘I wouldn't be so generous,' Wilmot said angrily. ‘She's a troublemaker, Dan. Get rid of her and close the house in London until everything is settled. You can't afford to pay the servants.'

Charity felt a surge of pity for Daniel. He looked young and defenceless in the face of Wilmot's determined attempt to gain control of the situation. ‘Leave him alone. Haven't you done enough harm? You might not have struck the lethal blow, but you are responsible for Sir Hedley's death.'

He raised his hand and caught her a stinging blow across the cheek. She would have fallen to the ground if Daniel had not caught her. ‘That was uncalled for, Wilmot,' he said angrily. ‘If anyone is to blame it's me. I goaded the old man and he suffered a seizure. I killed my own father.'

‘Don't talk rubbish, boy. Take her back to the house and send her on her way.' Wilmot's voice was harsh with suppressed anger, but he seemed to realise that he had gone too far and he forced his lips into a smile. ‘You'll see things in a better light when you've had time to think, Daniel. This is a heaven-sent opportunity to go through the old pile of bricks and mortar with a fine-tooth comb. By the end of the week we could be travelling back to Devon with the Bligh treasure and you'll be a wealthy man.'

‘Don't listen to him, Dan.' Clutching her hand to her sore cheek, Charity backed away from them. ‘You may not have liked Sir Hedley but you should have some respect for the dead.'

‘You're going too fast, Wilmot,' Daniel said slowly. ‘Charity's right. Whether I like it or not he was my father. I'm going back to the house to make sure that he receives the treatment he deserves.' He walked off with his shoulders bent as if he were carrying a heavy load.

Charity made to follow him but Wilmot caught her by the sleeve. ‘Leave the boy alone, you little trollop. You'll go back to London today and be out of the house in Nevill's Court by the end of the week. I can't say fairer than that, but if you try to cross me or make any attempt to stir things up with Dan, I'll make you very sorry, and that's a promise.'

She pulled free from his grasp. ‘I'm not afraid of you.' She walked off without giving him the opportunity to retaliate.

A blood-red sun was struggling over the horizon as she followed Daniel across the rutted field, but she did not make any attempt to catch up with him. She sensed the turmoil in his breast and she knew that he needed time to get over the shock of what had just happened. She hesitated when she reached the lane that separated the parkland from the farm, and the salt-laden breeze coming off the sea seemed to beckon her like a siren. There was just a chance that she might catch Harry before he set sail for the Continent. She lifted up her skirts and ran.