by Wendy Bayne
Jem climbed onto the trap looking over his shoulder. “Don’t you worry, miss. I’ll look in on her from time to time and make sure she’s treated right.” Then he drove away.
I turned back to look at my brother while wiping away a stray tear, Samuel was already up on his black stallion Baron and beside him stood a beautiful chestnut mare that was dwarfed by his horse. Yet she stood still, not the least skittish beside her large companion. I looked up at her then around for the mounting block. I could tell that the look of alarm was plain on my face when my brother laughed at my obvious dilemma. Finally, he jumped down lifting me onto the mare’s side saddle. She was beautiful, best of all she didn’t balk as I readjusted my position in the new saddle and fiddled with my skirts.
Samuel looked up at me with laughter in his eyes, “She’s yours, Lissa. Handpicked for her strength, endurance and gentleness. She’s smart too just like her owner. I think you two will do well together.”
I gasped, as I assumed that he had bought the mare for me. “Oh, Samuel, you shouldn’t have!”
He leapt onto Baron grinning at me as he turned to towards the drive. “I didn’t. Colin bought her for you, her name is Jewel.” He spurred Baron off down the drive kicking up dust while overtaking the trap.
It was exciting and curious…I had been gifted this beautiful horse courtesy of my new guardian, so I tried to ignore thinking of why he would be so generous. But I fell in love with her immediately, “Jewel,” I sighed as I patted her neck. She tossed her head in acknowledgment and I think the desire to follow Baron, so we raced after my brother who had stopped at the gate waiting for me. We stood there letting the trap and Lotus pass through, I watched Jem turn to the right towards Farmer Biggles and waited for Lotus to look back, but she never did, the fickle beast. It felt like my childhood had gone with her.
Ignoring her rejection, I patted Jewel’s neck again then looked to Samuel. “So where to, brother?” The look on his face was grim as if now that he had me safely out of the house he wasn’t exactly sure what to do with me.
“Lissa… I have some business at the village pub, but it won’t take me long; however, you’re a young lady so you can’t come into the pub with me. I promise you once I’m done we’ll go for a ride, but would you mind waiting for me at Ford’s?” He reached into his pocket tossing me a coin. “There, you can buy yourself a new riding crop. That stick you have won’t make much of an impression on Jewel.”
We walked our horses through the gate then turned to the left, trotting towards the village. The village was larger than some and could boast a main street where you could find Ford’s…the store had everything you could want and if not, Mr Ford would get it. Then there was the small post office cum bookstore and printers, followed by the apothecary shop run by Mr Clerkwell. Across the street was Dr Blaney’s surgery, he was a London trained physician, much to the chagrin of our barber cum dentist Mr Roods, whose own establishment was next door to the good doctor. There was also the smithy and a pub called The Golden Sickle. The Sickle was where the locals conducted most of their business and it had a small Inn attached where weary visitors could spend a night or ladies could take tea or a light luncheon while waiting for their husbands or brothers. On either end of the main street you could find the cottages belonging to the rest of populace. Most of them provided assorted services and sundries to the surrounding countryside. Or the residents had retired here for the peace and quiet. The church with its old Norman tower and Vicarage were just on the outskirts of the village. Beyond that were the moors whose desolate haunting beauty on any given day could be enticing or menacing.
Samuel saw me to the door of Ford’s but left without another word as he walked Jewel and Baron towards the pub’s stables. Mrs Ford and her daughter Becky were behind the counter today, but Becky was leaning so far over the counter that she was in imminent danger of falling and breaking her neck. I knew she had to be watching Samuel’s progress down the street with that longing expression. Without looking at me she asked, “So your brother won’t be needing anything today, Miss Clarissa?” I wanted to roll my eyes, but Mrs Ford was watching me. Becky had been mooning over Samuel for as long as I could remember. Somehow, she had gotten the impression that she meant something more to him after he had started to address her as Miss Ford and not Becky.
Mrs Ford waved a hand of dismissal at her daughter who watched Samuel until he disappeared into the pub. Then she smiled and asked, “What can I do for you today, Miss Clarissa? Is there something you’ll be a needing before you all go to London?” My jaw dropped as I looked at her. How did she know?
Becky whipped around saying with tears in her eyes and a voice husky with emotion, “London? Are you all leaving?” When I didn’t respond, the tears came streaming down her cheeks and she sobbed, “But he just got here!” Then she turned on her heel storming into the back room and slammed the door behind her.
I looked back at Mrs Ford who watched her daughter’s exit. She sighed then with a strained smile, “Dinna fret about her, miss, she’ll be over it just as soon as Russell Biggles comes to town. That girl has men on the brains.” She shook her head then in a whisper said, “Becky had better settle on someone she can actually have before her father does it for her.”
She took a deep breath and turned towards me with a cheerful grin, “We heard from the Abbey that your sister was finally going to marry that fine Mr Turner. It should have been done ages ago! Though how they stayed in touch after the General ran him off is a wonder.” I was once again caught off guard that others were aware of these things that I’d never had a clue about. “They were that much in love and I imagine that they’ve never given anyone else even a look in all these years.” My eyes widened with disbelief and she noticed so she looked down at the counter saying softly, “Or so I hear from the Abbey.”
It had always amazed me how the villagers knew everything about us. It was as if the house had a voice of its own and was a terrible gossip. When the villagers talked about us, they always said ‘The Abbey said this’ or ‘The Abbey said that’. We apparently lived in a very chatty house. It wasn’t surprising since almost everyone had some relation or other working there. I responded to Mrs Ford as cheerfully as I could, trying to not let on that I had no idea that there had been any romantic attachment between my sister and Mr Turner. “Yes, they’re to be married in London.”
“It’s too bad that they won’t be married from the village church. Her mother Lady Alice would have wanted it that way, God rest her soul. But I suppose London is just as good, though we shall miss having the festivities here.” She sighed then went about straightening some boxes of gloves on a shelf and asked again, “Now, what can I do for you?”
Once again, I noted that other people seemed to be in possession of information that I’d not been aware of. It troubled me, and I had to wonder what other things the house knew that I didn’t. I was nervously fingering a lovely bolt of pale blue muslin with a stamped pattern of cornflowers, so I stopped myself before I ruined it. “Actually, Mrs Ford, I’m looking to buy a new riding crop. Samuel thinks this one is woefully inadequate for my new mare.”
She smiled and briskly made her way across the room to stand behind Becky’s counter. The riding paraphernalia display was on the wall behind her, so she reached up to pull down a selection of crops for me to look at while saying, “I heard that Farmer Biggles bought Lotus; his wee ones will love her, miss, don’t you worry none. And now you have a fine mare from his Lordship’s stables…” she paused and gave me a puzzled glance over her shoulder, she blushed when I looked askance as she finished with “or so I hear from the Abbey.” I finally smiled hoping to encourage her to continue which she did, “That Lord Gromley has some of the best bloodstock this side of London.” I nodded in assent as she placed a selection of riding crops before me.
I was loathed to ever use a crop on Lotus and had carried one more for affect. Yet I could see that with a larger animal such as Jewel it might be necessary until w
e got to know each other better. I selected a light cane crop with a twisted leather handle. I liked that I could fasten it about my wrist so that I wouldn’t drop it when galloping across the moors. Then I remembered that I wouldn’t be galloping across the moors anymore. I’d be trotting up and down Rotten Row or riding through the Somerset countryside.
I was still unsettled by all these new revelations, so I didn’t hear Mrs Ford tell me the reckoning until she said, “Miss Clarissa?” She repeated it looking at me with concern. I stopped gathering wool and hastily paid her what was due then turned to leave.
But I stopped before reaching the door and looked over my shoulder. “You know, Mrs Ford, Becky would look lovely in that blue muslin with the cornflower print. Maybe it will be good enough to catch the eye of Russell Biggles. Then you’ll have them married before Michaelmas.”
She chuckled as she came around the counter to touch the bolt. “Aye, you might be right, Miss Clarissa, you might be right.”
I took my time wandering down the high street hoping that Samuel would be done with his business soon. I stopped at the apothecary’s shop to chat with Mr Clerkwell while I looked around. Finally, I settled on buying some lemon drops for Irene. When I left there, I met Mrs Blaney, the doctor’s wife, in the street, she was on her way to Ford’s. I stopped so she could quiz me about the wedding, it was obvious that she was hoping for information to regale Mrs Ford with. Thankfully I saw Samuel exiting the Pub but there was a gentleman with him that I didn’t recognize. He made a rude gesture towards Samuel then stormed off towards the stables. Samuel saw me and waved, it was rather rude of him not to come over and acknowledge Mrs Blaney, that wasn’t like him at all. But she seemed more surprised than affronted as I glanced back at her. “I’m so sorry Mrs Blaney, he must be in a hurry. There so much to do at the Abbey and I’m afraid I must have been dawdling. As you can see Samuel seems impatient to be off. I hope you’ll excuse his lapse in manners.”
She patted my arm. “Of course, be off with you, Miss Clarissa. Give Miss Hughes my best wishes and felicitations on her forth coming marriage.” I nodded my thanks, but as I was walking away I heard her mutter, “It’s about time is all I can say.” Then she raised her voice to call after me, “I shall pray for your sister and God bless you, Miss.” Then she bustled off towards Ford’s as I hurried towards Samuel who as I got closer looked angry.
But his countenance brightened as he watched me approach, “Well, sister dear, I see that you got a crop.” He gave it an appraising look, “It’s ah…very practical, Lissa.”
I assumed from his remark that it was too countrified for his taste, but it would serve me. He looked over my shoulder towards Mrs Blaney’s retreating figure. “I suspect Mrs Blaney chewed your ear off and Mrs Ford as well, no doubt.” Samuel took the crop from me, inspecting it, then slapped it against his leg in a distracted manner. “Yes, I suppose it will do until we get to London. Then, sweet sis, I shall get you an ebony one with a silver handle.” I laughed as I took the crop back from him. He was looking towards the stables yet seemingly not focused on them.
“Samuel, I’ve heard some very strange things recently about…well, our family.”
He looked back at me doubtfully then forced out a chuckle. “What have the ladies been saying now? I would have thought the Abbey had told them all of our secrets by now, it’s such a gossipy old pile of rocks.” This time his grin was genuine but as he looked down at me it fell, “What did they say to upset you, Lissa?”
I huffed. “I’m not upset, just perplexed.”
Samuel crossed his arms, “You look like Irene just told you to eat your rice pudding.”
I rose to the bait, “I love rice pudding.”
He was full out laughing now. “Yes, but I never did! She always bullied me into eating mine; even though I was the oldest.” He pretended to shiver, then patted my shoulder. “There’s no need for you to be concerned with anything that the village gossips have to say. Come, let’s go for a gallop, then you can tell me all about it.”
The Inn’s groom brought our horses out and Samuel threw me up onto Jewel. Then he jumped onto Baron’s back and he rode off, leaving me to choke on his dust while I arranged my skirts. When I was settled, I barely had to touch Jewel with the crop and she was off after them. We finally caught up to them when Baron slowed to a trot. Neither of us said anything as we continued riding across the moor, winding our way around the bogs and full out galloping across the dry reaches. Finally, we slowed to a walk as Samuel surveyed the area. “There should be plenty of grouse this year. That should please Father and keep him out of London, God willing.” I only nodded. We spent the rest of our ride lost in our own thoughts. In my case I was saying a silent farewell to familiar sights and sounds.
Samuel stopped under a copse of ash trees then assisted me to dismount. He took the horses and watered them at a nearby brook before hobbling them in the shade. He returned to pull a packet of sandwiches out of his saddle bag along with two apples and two bottles of ale. He drank off one bottle quickly then went to refill it from the brook. I stood there with my mouth agape until he came back and handed it to me as he sat down, “Close your mouth, Lissa, young ladies do not drink ale.”
I sputtered trying to think of a protest, but he was right. So instead of whining I dropped down beside him, tucking my legs under me. I spread my skirts out around me then pulled out the sweet rolls that I had taken at breakfast to add to our repast. We ate in peace while basking in the sun, a very unladylike activity. Samuel took notice of my mood and that I had barely eaten anything. “Well, sweet sister, you have barely said five words since we stopped, and your appetite is poor.” He reached over taking the rest of my sandwich.
I huffed, slouching forward to rest my elbows on my knees while keeping my eyes on my sandwich that he was devouring. “You’ve hardly been chatty yourself, Samuel. It seems your mind has been just as occupied as mine, and as I understand it a conversation requires two people.”
He looked up to the sky before returning my gaze “Touché, you’re right. I suppose we both have much to think about, especially since it’s unlikely that we’ll be back this way for some time. If ever.” He popped the last bite of my sandwich into his mouth then eyed my sweet roll which I was busy destroying. He shrugged and sat quietly, pulling at the grass until selecting one slender stalk to chew on. “This must be hard for you, Lissa, the Abbey has been your home since the day you were born.”
My head snapped. “Has it, Samuel?” but I decided that I couldn’t quiz him about where I’d been born so I asked him in return. “Is it not equally hard for you…since you actually belong here? After all, the Abbey and all of this will be yours someday.” I gazed out over the moors unwilling to make eye contact with him in case he sensed my inner turmoil.
When he didn’t answer right off, I glanced up, he was looking at me with perplexed expression. Then his eyes blazed with anger as he leaned towards me. “What did those old cows say to you?”
I reared back from his fierceness, “What makes you think they said anything?”
He suddenly relaxed to lean back against a tree as if he hadn’t been angry a mere second ago. He twirled the blade of grass between his fingers as he surveyed me. “No games, Lissa, I know you well enough to tell that you’ve heard something and have probably mistook what it meant.”
I felt my heart speed up and my temper flare, so I stood up with my fists clenched looming over him…at least as much as a sixteen-year-old girl could loom. Samuel was surprised and amused by my stance. So, I raised my voice to shriek at him, “Mistook?! I mistook that Meg missed her mother while she was gone from the Abbey to aid in my birth! And that it was several days before I was brought home to the Abbey?! You and Irene always told me that I was born here! And everyone seems to have known about Irene and Mr Turner for years and have been expecting them to marry!” I huffed and drew in a quick breath before finishing, “Everyone except me!” I crossed my arms and tried to tap my foot on the une
ven ground as I waited for an answer.
Samuel looked up at me, shading his eyes. “Sit down, brat, the sun is in my eyes.” I sat down beside him. He reached over with a finger to catch a tear falling from my cheek and examined it. I wasn’t aware that I’d even started to cry which made me even angrier. Then suddenly I started to sob. Samuel took out his handkerchief, handing it to me. Then he gathered me into his arms just as he had when I was four when I’d been afraid of a bat flying around in the nursery. He had caught it right out of the air with his bare hands, releasing it back into the night; he was my knight errant from then on. I wished that he could do that now, catch the thoughts that scared me and banish them.
He looked thoughtful and a touch sad, “Lissa, it’s not my story to tell you, my sweet.” He pushed a stray curl off my face and held my chin up. “It’s a secret…but it isn’t bad.” I stopped crying while searching his eyes, pleading with all my heart for him to continue. “Irene and Colin will tell you after we reach London, I promise. Can you wait that long? Please believe me when I say that it won’t make you unhappy.”
I laid my head on his shoulder as he hugged me close. “Why is there so much secrecy, Samuel? I already know the General isn’t my real father so why does it matter where I was born?”
“It doesn’t, Lissa, but I can’t explain anything more, not now. Later, after they’ve talked to you then I promise you can ask me anything you like, and I’ll answer you truthfully.”
I raised my head looking him in the eye. “You promise?” He nodded, and I knew that would have to be good enough for now. I had trusted Samuel implicitly for as long as I could remember and as far as I knew, he had never lied to me.