The Reluctant Heiress

by Dilly Court

  The platters were piled high with meat pies, sausage rolls, thick juicy slices of roast beef and pork with crisp crackling. Dora Sloan was heard to complain that she might break another tooth but that did not seem to stop her from taking several slices of pork and a great dollop of apple sauce. There were mounds of crusty bread rolls, freshly baked that morning. Kate had smelled the delicious aroma when she awakened. Martha must have been working since the early hours to produce such a feast with only Ivy and Tilly to help her. Despite her dislike for children and her tendency to grumble about everything, Martha was a hard worker and she put her heart and soul into her cooking. The result was obvious as the wedding guests, having demolished most of the savoury offerings, stuffed themselves with cake and plied the young children with shivery red jellies and silky white blancmange.

  Giles Pomeroy-Smith and Perry joined in, taking their meal with the villagers, but Arabella, Lady Lyndon and Annie remained in the drawing room, and there was no sign of Ivy or her husband. The children had sensed that something was going on and reluctantly Kate had sent them to the winter parlour. They had emerged joyfully, but also very hungry and were now seated on the stairs, eating off one plate, with May making sure that the younger ones had their fair share. Kate took the opportunity to go upstairs to her bedroom where she rifled through the clothes press in the dressing room, going through Harry’s things in search of suitable garments for Ted. She unfolded each item, holding it close to her cheek and inhaling the faint scent that would always remind her of Harry. Their relationship had gone through many changes since they met less than a year ago; her initial distrust of him had given way to grudging liking, and that had deepened into something more. She could not put her finger on her exact feelings for Harry Lyndon, but his parting kiss still burned her lips.

  The smoky, peaty scent of his old tweed jacket brought unexpected tears to her eyes. Harry was heading into danger, not only from the hazardous sea voyage, but also from any pockets of insurgents that he might come across in India. The newspapers had published articles declaring that the rebellion had been crushed, but Kate was wary of believing everything she read in print. She folded the items she had chosen into a bundle, and closed the door on the dressing room – that was Harry’s domain and one day he would come home to reclaim his position as master of the house. Even so, she wished that he was here now to share Christmas with them.

  She made her way downstairs to the winter parlour where she found Ivy and Ted seated side by side on the small sofa, holding hands. ‘I think these might fit you, Ted.’ Kate set the bundle down on the nearest chair.

  ‘Thank you for looking after Ivy and the nippers, miss.’ Ted gave his wife a hug. ‘She’s a diamond is my Ivy.’

  ‘I wouldn’t argue with that,’ Kate said, smiling. ‘And I’d say that Ivy looked after me, not the reverse. She is a wonderful woman and that’s the truth.’

  Ivy’s sallow complexion bloomed pink and she giggled. ‘Stop it, both of you. I just done what I had to do. It was the children what kept me going.’

  ‘Well, from now on I’ll take care of you all.’ Ted rose from the sofa. ‘I don’t know how I’ll manage it, but I’ll find work and we’ll get somewhere to live.’

  ‘Like I said before you come in, Kate, I expect our old house has been let to someone else.’ Ivy sighed, shaking her head. ‘We had to come away in such a hurry, and I couldn’t afford the rent now that the soup kitchen is closed.’

  Kate stared at her in dismay. ‘You should have told me that, Ivy. I’d have paid it for you. But what about your possessions? Will they have gone, too?’

  ‘The furniture, such as it was, come with the house,’ Ivy said, with a wry smile. ‘We brought with us what we needed most and what was left was only fit for the rubbish heap. I don’t mind saying goodbye to Nightingale Lane.’

  ‘I’m sure we can arrange something, but there’s plenty of time.’ Kate moved to the door and opened it. ‘I’m going back to the wedding party, but tomorrow is Christmas Day. It’s time to enjoy ourselves and be thankful for what we have, and the people who are dear to us.’

  She stepped out into the corridor. She had meant what she said. There was plenty of work still to be done in the grounds of Warren House and she was prepared to pay Ted, should he be willing to join forces with Morrison. Maybe he could take over when the old man decided to retire? Perhaps she could find a cottage nearby for the family to rent. There were always answers to problems; you just had to find them. With that in mind Kate went to the dining room where the bride and groom were preparing to cut the cake that Martha and Ivy had baked and decorated with glacé fruit and nuts.

  Outside the light was already fading and the snow was falling again, only this time it was heavier and settling fast. Kate realised that the guests needed to leave right away, but she hesitated, not wanting to spoil the happy couple’s moment.

  The cake was sliced and handed out, but when everyone shouted, ‘Speech!’ Goodfellow declined.

  ‘I’ve just looked out of the window, my friends. I think maybe we should call it a day or some of you won’t be able to get home. It looks like we might have a blizzard later and I’m sure that Lady Lyndon don’t want to have us all sleeping here on the floor.’

  ‘Anyway, it’s Christmas Eve and I expect you all want to get home,’ Kate added quickly before anyone had the nerve to argue. There was a sudden hush and even the tipsiest of the guests nodded blearily, agreeing that they had better leave before the snowstorm made the lanes impassable.

  Kate went to the drawing room where she discovered that Lady Lyndon had fallen asleep over a glass of port. Arabella was all smiles as she chatted to Giles Pomeroy-Smith and it seemed a pity to disturb them. This left Kate little choice other than to act as hostess and she stationed herself at the front door, shaking hands with everyone as they left and wishing them a very merry Christmas. The last to leave were the vicar and his wife, although Hedley was lingering at the far end of the entrance hall, deep in conversation with Jenny.

  ‘Hedley, we’re leaving now,’ Elaine called impatiently. ‘Come along do, or we’ll be snowed in.’

  With obvious reluctance, Hedley joined his parents at the front entrance.

  ‘What were you doing, Hedley? We don’t consort with servants.’ Elaine wrapped her cloak around her, pulling the hood up so that only her nose was visible.

  ‘I’m sorry, Mama, but I like her,’ Hedley said sulkily.

  ‘Don’t answer back to your mama,’ Humphrey countered. ‘You know very well how to behave fitting your position, Hedley. An officer and a gentleman would not encourage a servant to think more highly of themselves than they should.’

  ‘I’m surprised to hear you say so, Vicar.’ Kate could keep silent no longer. ‘Jenny is a very nice, kind and intelligent young woman. Any man would be very fortunate to earn her good opinion.’

  ‘That is very impertinent, Miss Martin,’ Elaine said, bristling. ‘I’ll ask you to mind your own business.’

  ‘No, Mama.’ Hedley faced his mother with a stubborn lift of his chin. ‘I have been ill and Jenny has made me feel better. She listens to me and she understands how I feel.’

  ‘Has this liaison been going on for long?’ Humphrey’s voice echoed around the high ceiling of the entrance hall, causing the remaining guests to stop and stare.

  ‘It is not a liaison, Papa,’ Hedley said firmly. ‘I have been fortunate enough to earn the good opinion of a lovely young woman, and I rejoice in the fact.’

  Kate cleared her throat. ‘Perhaps this conversation would be better continued at home, Hedley?’

  He nodded. ‘Yes, you’re right, and I’m sorry if it’s embarrassed anyone present.’ He turned to his father. ‘I will be returning to my regiment as soon as possible, Papa, but before that I hope to persuade Miss Marsh to marry me and accompany me on my next tour of duty.’

  ‘The de Courtneys came to England with William the Conqueror, Hedley. You can’t sully the family name by marrying a serv
ant.’ Elaine held up her hand for silence when Hedley looked as though he were about to argue. ‘We’ll talk about this at home. Open the door, Humphrey. We’re leaving.’

  Kate patted Hedley on the shoulder. ‘Well said, and congratulations. At least I hope that you and Jenny will be very happy, should she be prepared to take on the role of army wife. She’s a wonderful girl and I value her as a friend.’

  Hedley smiled, looking almost handsome. ‘I know that. She speaks very highly of you.’ He squeezed Kate’s hand. ‘I have to go now, but I’ll return as soon as I can. Please tell Jenny that for me.’ He glanced over Kate’s shoulder to where Jenny was standing at the far end of the hall. He blew her a kiss before following his parents out into the swirling snow.

  Kate had to see several other couples out before she managed to speak to Jenny, who was clearing the table in the dining room.

  ‘Is it true about you and Hedley?’

  Jenny’s cheeks reddened. ‘I know I’m not in his class, but we get along so well it doesn’t seem wrong.’

  ‘Of course it’s not wrong, Jenny. You are as good as he is, if not better.’

  ‘I don’t think that Mrs Courtney, or the vicar, would agree with you.’

  ‘Well, they should be grateful that someone cares about their son. He’s been through a bad time.’

  ‘He might be a little awkward, miss, but he’s got a kind heart and he makes me laugh.’

  Kate eyed her thoughtfully. ‘He told his parents that he wants to marry you.’

  ‘I didn’t know that he felt so deeply. We’ve only seen each other a few times on our own, and we do get along splendidly. I blame his parents for his condition. His mother bullies him and so does his father.’

  ‘Would you consider being an army wife?’

  ‘Yes, I think I would. Of course I wouldn’t want to leave you and Ma, but I think I do love Hedley.’

  ‘You must be absolutely certain, Jenny. As you admitted, you hardly know him.’

  ‘If Mrs Courtney has anything to do with it, that’s the last I’ll see of Hedley. There are some things you can’t fight, and a housekeeper’s daughter is not a good match for the son of a vicar who can trace their family back to the Norman Conquest.’ Jenny moved aside as a group of happy wedding guests pushed past them, laughing and joking about driving home in snow.

  ‘Merry Christmas, Miss Martin.’ Farmer Ball tipped his cap and guided his wife towards the door with their children trailing after them.

  ‘Lovely wedding, dearie,’ Mrs Ball said with a drunken grin. ‘I haven’t enjoyed meself so much since I don’t know when.’

  Farmer Ball rolled his eyes. ‘Come on, love. Let’s get you home before we’re snowed in.’

  Kate stood aside as the rest of the party wandered past her, some of them singing and others more intent on wrapping themselves up warm to face the blizzard.

  Giles Pomeroy-Smith shook her by the hand. ‘It was a wonderful wedding party, Kate. Your mama must be very proud of you.’

  Kate smiled and nodded, but she knew that her mother would find something to criticise. ‘It was good of you to come, Mr Pomeroy-Smith.’

  ‘Giles, please. I hope to visit again in the very near future.’

  ‘You would be welcome to join us for Christmas dinner tomorrow, sir. That is unless you have family waiting for you at home.’

  ‘I was too busy adding to the fortune I had inherited to consider marriage. Alas, I am a single man with little to show for my efforts other than a country estate and the trappings of wealth.’

  ‘Then I hope you’ll accept my invitation. I know my mother would be delighted to have your company.’

  ‘I accept with gratitude.’ He raised her hand to his lips. ‘Please tell your mother that I look forward to furthering our acquaintance.’ He bowed and followed a group of merrymakers out into the cold night. There were a few stragglers, who all thanked Kate for a wonderful party, and last of all came Mr and Mrs Goodfellow.

  Seth grasped both Kate’s hands in his. ‘You’ll excuse the familiarity, Miss Martin, but we both wanted to thank you for a splendid wedding party. You’ve done us proud and we’re both very grateful.’

  Kate shook his outstretched hand. ‘You deserved it, Goodfellow. I hope you’re both very happy.’

  ‘They’ll be talking about this in the village for months to come,’ Marie Goodfellow said happily. ‘The only thing is that I’ve got to leave my cottage, but I’ll have to pay the rent until the land agent finds another tenant.’

  ‘That doesn’t seem fair,’ Kate said, frowning. ‘Who owns the property, Mrs Goodfellow?’

  ‘Mrs Goodfellow!’ Marie doubled up with laughter. ‘I’ve been Widow Parker for nearly ten years, so Mrs Goodfellow sounds very odd, but good,’ she added hastily.

  ‘Who is your landlord?’ Kate repeated patiently as a germ of an idea came into her head.

  ‘I believe it belongs to the Church,’ Goodfellow said solemnly. ‘We was going to ask the vicar if he’d let Marie off paying the rent.’

  ‘How many bedrooms does it have, Mrs Goodfellow?’

  Marie puffed out her chest. ‘Three all told, and a small attic room. It were a good size when the late Mr Parker rented it for us. We was going to fill the bedrooms with nippers, but it never happened.’

  ‘I think I might have the ideal tenants for your cottage, Mrs Goodfellow. I’ll have a word with the vicar after church tomorrow morning, so don’t worry.’

  ‘Thank you, miss. I’d be ever so grateful. I had to take in washing to keep up with the rent, and mending, too. I’ll be quite a lady of leisure now I’m married to Seth.’

  Goodfellow slipped his arm around her ample waist and kissed her on the cheek. ‘Come on, love. Let’s go home.’

  Kate closed the door with some difficulty as a strong wind hurled snow around like a hooligan intent on making mischief. As she made her way back to the drawing room Kate could hear Annie playing carols on her concertina with the children singing the words at the tops of their voices. It was going to be a happy Christmas, but maybe some people would be happier than others.

  After church on Christmas morning, Kate complimented the vicar on his sermon before broaching the subject of Marie Goodfellow’s cottage.

  Humphrey’s bland smile faded. ‘You want me to rent Church property to a former felon?’

  ‘Yes, I do,’ Kate said firmly. ‘Your brilliant sermon on love and forgiveness really touched my heart, Vicar. Ted Harris is not a bad man. He was desperate for money to feed his family when he committed the crime. He has served his time and surely he deserves a chance to rebuild his life?’

  ‘Yes, of course, but the cottage is my responsibility, and with a family that large there is the possibility of damage to the fabric of the building.’

  ‘The children have been living with us at Warren House for several months now. We’ve had minor breakages but nothing very serious, and I will undertake to pay for any repairs that are necessary. I can say that with complete confidence, Vicar. Surely, on this holy day, it would be a wonderful thing to give the family a home?’

  ‘Well,’ he said doubtfully. ‘If you put it like that, I suppose …’

  ‘Humphrey.’ Elaine abandoned a group of her friends and came hurrying towards them. ‘What are you talking about? If it’s to do with my son …’

  ‘No,’ Kate said hastily. ‘This has nothing to do with Hedley. I was speaking to Mr Courtney about a Church matter.’

  ‘Yes, my dear, a Church matter,’ Humphrey agreed nervously.

  ‘We always discuss such things before making a decision,’ Elaine said firmly. ‘Anyway, it’s Christmas Day and not the time for talking business. Come along, Humphrey, there are people waiting to speak to you. You’ll excuse us, Miss Martin.’

  Kate managed a smile. ‘Of course. Perhaps I could speak to you tomorrow, Vicar?’

  ‘We are very busy for the next few days.’ Elaine tucked her hand into the crook of her husband’s arm. ‘Come, my dear. Ano
ther time, Miss Martin.’ She led her husband away and they were immediately surrounded by an eager crowd of worshippers.

  Kate could see that she would get nowhere with the vicar if his wife had anything to do with it, and she decided it was time to call upon the senior members of the household. Kate was only too well aware that Elaine Courtney fancied herself as the leader of everything in the village, but there was one thing she could not argue with – a title. Lady Martin and Lady Lyndon were a force to be reckoned with.

  That evening, after a splendid festive meal followed by the opening of gifts that Kate had placed under the Christmas tree, Ted, Ivy and the children retired to the winter parlour where a fire had been lit earlier that day. Kate had suggested they might like to spend some time as a family and both parents had agreed, although Ivy was worried that it might seem rude and ungrateful, but Kate had reassured her. Perry and Annie were seated together by the fire, with Annie doing most of the talking and Perry listening with a rapt expression on his face. Kate smiled, but there was an ache in her heart. She could not help wondering what Christmas would have been like if Harry had not answered the call of duty, but she put all such thoughts behind her as she approached her mother and Lady Lyndon. For once, upholding the spirit of the day, they were seated side by side on the sofa, talking as if they were old friends.

  ‘Ladies,’ Kate said, smiling, ‘I need your help.’

  ‘Really? That’s the first time in your life you’ve ever admitted that you were at a loss,’ Arabella said, frowning. ‘It must be something momentous.’

  ‘Of course I’d be willing to do anything you ask, Kate.’ Lady Lyndon beamed at her and took another sip of port. ‘What is it you want, my dear?’

  Kate pulled up a chair and sat down. ‘I have two problems and one of them concerns Mrs Courtney.’