by Dilly Court
‘I know we will have to wait for the police to arrest Monks and his gang.’
‘Better than that, Kate. You could marry me and I would be there to protect you and your mother.’
‘You know my answer to that. I haven’t changed my mind.’
‘Your father asked me to take care of you, Kate. I would try to be a good husband.’
She rose to her feet, eyeing him curiously. ‘I don’t want you to marry me because of a promise you made Papa.’
‘What I don’t understand is whether you are hankering after the ghost of a man you met in Delhi, or if you have genuine feelings for Harry Trader.’
She turned on him angrily. ‘You’ll just have to accept my decision, Perry. You might think you’re doing the honourable thing but there never was anything between us, and there never will be. If you can’t accept that then I think you’d better return to London as soon as your horse is rested.’ She was about to walk away when he caught her by the hand.
‘I’m sorry, Kate. I know you don’t have any feelings for me, but I would have honoured my promise. If you should change your mind I will be there for you.’
‘You simply don’t give up, do you?’
He gave her a rueful smile. ‘I wouldn’t have got so far in my profession if I were someone who gave up at the first hint of trouble.’
‘And an independently wealthy wife might prove a definite advantage.’
‘I suppose you’re right,’ Perry said with a wry smile.
‘Come in and make yourself pleasant to my mother, but if you even hint at any romantic attachment between us I will never speak to you again. Mama would love to have you as her son-in-law, but don’t let that go to your head.’
‘I promise not to say anything that might embarrass you.’
‘Then follow me. I’ll introduce you to Lady Lyndon. You’ve already met her companion, Annie.’ Kate crossed the terrace and opened the door leading into the rear of the house. She led the way to the drawing room where, as she had expected, Lady Lyndon was relaxing on the sofa listening to Annie playing a haunting melody.
Perry came to a standstill in the doorway, gazing in admiration at Annie, or maybe it was her playing that touched him. Kate was amazed to see tears in his eyes. She had never seen this side of Peregrine and it was as if he had lifted a curtain on his feelings and now they were there for all to see. She turned away, embarrassed for his sake, but Annie came to the end of the music and there was a sudden silence, broken by Perry clapping enthusiastically.
‘That was really beautiful, Annie.’
‘Who are you?’ Annie asked nervously. ‘Do I know you? Kate, are you there?’
‘Yes, of course. I’m sorry, Annie. It’s Perry, I’m sure you remember him.’
‘I do,’ Annie said, smiling. ‘You like my playing, Perry.’
‘That was wonderful,’ Perry said with a break in his voice. ‘Really beautiful, Annie.’
‘We were carried away by your music.’ Kate turned to Lady Lyndon, may I introduce you to my good friend and legal adviser, Peregrine Harte? He is also Harry’s lawyer.’
Perry moved forward to take Lady Lyndon’s outstretched hand and he raised it to his lips.
‘How do you do, my lady? It’s a pleasure to meet you.’
‘Have you news of my son, Mr Harte?’
‘I saw him this morning, ma’am. He is quite well and he sends you his best regards. He asked me to come here and make sure that you were comfortable.’
Lady Lyndon smiled sadly. ‘I can’t bear to think of him in that dreadful place. Did he say when we might go home?’
Kate met Perry’s anxious look with a frown. ‘We are all to remain here for a little longer, my lady.’
‘I hope he’s not suffering too much,’ Annie said gently. ‘You are sure that they are treating him as well as can be expected?’
Perry turned to her. He held out his hand, then, as if remembering that she could not see the gesture, he dropped it to his side. ‘Harry is strong physically and he never allows anything to disturb his equilibrium. I wish I had his ability to adapt to any situation.’
‘Are you going to be here for a while, Perry?’ Annie said with a sweet smile.
‘If it’s not inconveniencing anyone, I would love to stay for the night, but I’m afraid I’ll have to leave early in the morning.’
Kate was standing close to the bell pull and she gave it a sharp tug. She knew that she had no reason to be annoyed, having just turned down Perry’s offer of marriage, but he was gazing at Annie like a love-struck youth. ‘I’ll have a room made ready for you, Perry.’
She had spoken more sharply than she had intended but Perry seemed not to have noticed and he went to sit beside Annie on the sofa.
‘Would you play another tune, please?’
Annie blushed and picked up her concertina. ‘I think Aunt Margaret has had enough of my playing for now. Shall we go for a walk in the garden, Perry?’
‘That’s a good idea, Annie,’ Lady Lyndon said with a nod of approval. ‘You go out and get some fresh air. Kate will keep me company.’
‘Of course.’ Kate took a seat in a chair close to where Lady Lyndon was sitting.
Perry took Annie’s hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm in a spontaneous gesture that brought a smile to Annie’s pretty face.
‘I can find my way about, you know.’
He opened the door for her. ‘I’m sure you can. I am the one who needs guidance, Annie. I don’t know this big house.’
‘Has that young man upset you, dear?’ Lady Lyndon asked gently as the door closed on them.
Kate shook her head. ‘No. Well, yes, I suppose he has. Perry has twice asked me to marry him, the last time being a matter of minutes ago in the garden, although to be fair he only did it because he promised my father that he would take care of me.’
‘I assume you didn’t accept?’
‘I did not, but that doesn’t mean that he ought to fall in love with the first girl he sees.’
‘My dear, I do sympathise, but don’t take it to heart. Annie is a sweet child and she has that effect on some men. She brings out their protective nature.’
‘I suppose so, and I’m being mean,’ Kate said with a reluctant chuckle. ‘But it doesn’t say much for his feelings for me.’
‘Maybe you ought to have words with that young man, but don’t spoil Annie’s moment of happiness. The poor girl has had few enough of those since her parents died and her brother’s regiment was sent to India. I know she worries about him constantly.’
‘You’re right, of course,’ Kate said earnestly. ‘I think it was just my pride that was hurt. You’re very wise, Lady Lyndon.’
‘Not really, Kate. One good thing about growing older is that one has seen and experienced many things, although passing on that information is not always welcomed. You are a very sensible young woman. No wonder Harry chose you to support him.’
Kate eyed her warily. ‘He chose me? I don’t understand.’
‘I know very little about Harry’s business ventures, but I do know that he would have thought very hard before he allowed you to run the soup kitchen in that rough part of London. He’s quite shrewd when it comes to picking the people who work closely with him.’
‘But I did nothing, Lady Lyndon.’
‘Harry obviously trusts you and that encourages me to do the same. I know that you will do anything you can to see that justice is done, and I support you in every way.’ Lady Lyndon sat back in her chair, closing her eyes. ‘I think I’ll have a short nap before dinner.’
There was nothing left to say and Kate hurried from the room. At a guess, Annie would have led Perry through the house to the terrace overlooking the meadow that had once been a lawn. As she had suspected they were seated together on the balustrade, but the rapt look on Annie’s face made it impossible to interrupt their conversation and Kate retreated into the house before either of them noticed her.
It was not until much la
ter that she managed to speak to Perry on his own. Dinner was over and Arabella had pleaded a headache and retired to her room with Jenny in attendance. Lady Lyndon and Annie had gone to the drawing room and Perry was about to follow them when Kate laid a hand on his sleeve.
‘Don’t go yet, Perry. I want to ask you something.’
He came to a halt. ‘Have you changed your mind?’
‘No, but it appears that you have.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Yes, you do. You’ve had eyes for no one but Annie ever since you met her again.’
‘She is a beautiful woman, and so sweet.’
‘Just a few hours ago you proposed to me.’
‘Kate, I have the highest regard for you and I would have made you a good husband, but you’ve turned me down twice.’
‘It doesn’t seem to have upset you.’
‘I was trying to do the right thing.’
‘So you were never in love with me?’
He smiled and raised her hand to his lips. ‘Of course I was – just a little, anyway. You are a beautiful, spirited woman with a mind of your own. I doubt if I could live up to your high ideals but I would have tried. I had no thought of looking for anyone else, and then I saw Annie. I’m sorry if it offends you, but I have to admit that everything changed at that moment.’
‘What are you going to do about it? Annie is living here; you are in London.’
‘I haven’t thought that far, Kate. All I know is that I want to see her as often as possible, but I’m truly sorry if I’ve hurt your feelings.’
She reached up and kissed his cheek. ‘I was a little piqued, I must admit, but I understand how you feel. It was the same for me when I first set eyes on Ashok, although that can never be.’ Kate took a deep breath. ‘However, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Annie is a lovely person, and if you win her heart you will be a very lucky man.’
‘You are a very special person, Kate. I would have counted myself a very lucky man had you accepted my offer of marriage.’
‘Fibber!’ Kate said, smiling. ‘I don’t feel so bad about refusing you now. Anyway, I’m sure you have better things to do this evening than stand here talking to me.’
He kissed her on the cheek. ‘I’m going to the kitchen to have a chat with Ivy. I have some news for her, as if happens.’
‘About her husband?’
‘Yes, I visited the prison and because I was Ted’s lawyer I was allowed to see him briefly. He’s surviving well and he’s determined to go straight. He might even be released a bit earlier for good behaviour.’
‘That would be wonderful,’ Kate said earnestly. ‘Poor Ivy has been so brave and she’s worked so hard to keep herself and her children. I really admire her.’
‘I’m ashamed that I’ve done so little to help her, but I will do what I can now.’
‘Go and tell her the good news. I’m going to see if I can persuade Mama to join us in the drawing room.’
Kate watched him walk away with mixed feelings. She had never felt anything other than friendship for Perry, but his open admiration had helped during the first bleak days back in England and her enforced separation from the man she loved. So much had happened in such a short time, however, and she was beginning to wonder if she was the same person who had stepped off the ship on that cold and miserable day. She caught sight of her reflection as she walked past a mirror in the passage leading to the morning room, where she expected to find her mother. The image gazed back at her with a rueful smile. Despite heartbreak, life went on and there was nothing she could do other than wait and hope maybe one day she would receive news from Delhi. She had given Ashok the address of her home in Finsbury Square and he had promised to send word, if only that he had survived the bitter conflict. She sighed and walked on. Ash belonged to another world, a completely different way of life. Their stars had crossed but she could not foresee a happy ending.
She opened the morning-room door. ‘Mama, why are you sitting in here on your own?’
‘I prefer my own company, Kate. You, of course, are welcome to join me, if you can tear yourself away from Peregrine.’
‘There is nothing between him and me, Mama.’ Kate hesitated in the doorway. ‘Please come to the drawing room. What will Lady Lyndon think if you continue to avoid her like this?’
Arabella shrugged and held her book closer to the flickering candle. ‘I’m engrossed in this tale by Mr Dickens. I found the book in my room. It’s about a man called Mr Pickwick and his friends – it’s quite entertaining. Go and join your friends, Kate. I’m quite content to sit here and read.’
‘All right, but remember that we’ve been invited to the vicarage tomorrow afternoon. I hope you’ll agree to come. Mrs Courtney is very keen to meet you.’
‘I would welcome the chance to get away from this dreadful old house. Now go and entertain Perry. I’m sure he would propose again if you gave him some encouragement.’
Kate knew better than to enter into an argument with her mother and she merely nodded. ‘Good night, Mama. I hope I’ll see you at breakfast.’
‘I’ve told Ivy to bring me a tray in bed. Your papa knew that I have a delicate constitution, but no one else seems to care.’
Kate sighed and closed the door. Perhaps a visit to the vicarage might give her mother something else to think about.
Elaine Courtney gave them an effusive welcome and Kate could see that her mother was delighted, even though she managed to maintain a casual outward appearance, accepting compliments with a modest smile. They were shown into what was obviously the best parlour with its carefully arranged furniture and heavy red velvet curtains that matched the upholstery on the sofa and chairs. The scent from vases filled with garden flowers was overpowered by the smell of the camphor, commonly used to keep moths at bay. Knowing that her mother prided herself on her sensitivity to strong odours of any kind, Kate could only hope that this one had gone unnoticed. She glanced anxiously at her mother, but Arabella was smiling graciously.
‘What a charming room,’ Arabella said smoothly. ‘How kind of you to invite us to your home, Mrs Courtney.’
‘My dear lady, it is so good of you to come. We are a small community, but I have a group of very good ladies who get together weekly to do good works. Your daughter tells me that is what you do so well in London.’
‘We have had some success,’ Arabella said modestly. ‘Maybe I can give you some fresh ideas, if you think they will be well received.’
‘Oh, yes. I can guarantee that my ladies will hang on your every word, Mrs Martin.’
‘It’s Lady Martin,’ Arabella said firmly. ‘My daughter obviously forgot to mention the fact.’
‘I do beg your pardon, your ladyship.’ Elaine shot a reproachful look in Kate’s direction. ‘I would be honoured if you would meet my committee. Would you be free tomorrow afternoon?’
‘I’m sure I could manage that.’ Arabella turned to Kate, eyebrows raised. ‘Have I any other appointments for tomorrow?’
‘No, Mama.’ Kate maintained a straight face although she was tempted to giggle. She could tell that her mother was enjoying every moment of basking in Elaine Courtney’s undisguised admiration.
‘Then I would be pleased to attend. I was planning on returning to London, but another day in the country will be quite pleasant.’
‘I’ll ring for tea. You do take tea, don’t you, Lady Martin? I could offer you coffee or chocolate, if you prefer.’
‘Tea will be delightful,’ Arabella said automatically. She stared past her hostess, frowning. ‘Who is that person peering in through your window, Mrs Courtney?’
Elaine and Kate turned their heads to look, and Elaine threw up her hands. ‘That is my son, Hedley. He’s a captain in the East India Company Bombay Army, but he was on leave at the start of the uprising and has not yet been recalled for service.’
‘Why is he staring at us?’ Arabella demanded crossly. ‘It seems very impolite.’
�
�You’ll have to forgive him,’ Elaine said hurriedly. ‘Hedley was injured some time ago in a skirmish – a head wound, which has left him with some problems.’
‘He seems to be a little nervous.’ Kate stared back at the young man, who immediately withdrew and walked away.
Elaine turned away from the window. ‘Please don’t trouble yourself about my son, Miss Martin. I think Hedley will be returning to his regiment in the not-too-distant future. I’m sure the sea voyage will be beneficial. But where are my manners? Please be seated, ladies.’
Arabella sank gracefully onto the cushions of an ornately carved armchair. ‘We were in Delhi at the start of the rebellion, Mrs Courtney. I wouldn’t wish to go through that experience again.’
Elaine’s hands flew to cover her mouth and her eyes widened. ‘Oh, my goodness. How terrible for you. Do tell me about it, if the memories are not too painful, of course.’ She glanced at Kate, who was still standing. ‘Perhaps you’d like to take a turn around the garden, Miss Martin? It’s not very large, but the herbaceous borders are still full of colour.’
Kate glanced at her mother, who seemed quite relaxed and even eager to talk about their time in India. ‘Would you mind, Mama?’
‘No, my dear. Go outside and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. It will soon be winter and we will be confined indoors for months on end.’
Kate left the room and let herself out through the front door, but it was not the herbaceous borders that interested her – she was eager to speak to Hedley, who had served in India. It would be a relief to talk to someone who must know the country well. She made her way round the side of the house and came across Hedley standing in the middle of the lawn, staring up into the sky.
‘Good afternoon, Captain Courtney.’
He spun round, staring at her with dawning recognition. ‘You were in the front parlour just now.’
‘That’s right, I was.’ Kate held out her hand. ‘My name is Kate Martin. I’m staying at Warren House.’
He eyed her warily. ‘I don’t go out in society.’
‘I don’t know anyone in Walthamstow,’ Kate said casually.