‘I’m glad you let me know,’ she whispered. ‘It is just that…Oh, Giles, there has been so much violence in these past few weeks. First the murder of Isham’s half-brother at the Grange, and the riots. Then the assassination of the Prime Minister, and now this…Are we on the verge of revolution? It happened in France not twenty years ago.’
‘It couldn’t happen here,’ Thomas said with conviction.
‘Don’t be too sure,’ she murmured. ‘Are we too squeamish a nation to rely on the headsman’s axe? We executed our own king, if I recall.’
Giles slipped a comforting arm about her shoulders. ‘Do you trust Isham, Gina?’
She nodded wordlessly.
‘Then come back to the Grange with us. Talk to him. The Government keeps him up to date with all the latest news. He is convinced that there will be no revolution here. This murder is a local tragedy. He is sure of it.’
Gina allowed herself to be persuaded into visiting the Grange, ostensibly to be reassured by Isham. In reality, she was conscious of a very feminine need to cling to Giles for support. It was ridiculous, she told herself sharply. What had happened to the strong-willed Gina Westcott, with her ability to handle any situation? The character of that iron lady seemed to have changed beyond recognition.
She had expected to find India in a similar state of shock, but to her surprise her friend looked perfectly serene.
India glanced at Gina’s troubled face and hurried to embrace her. ‘Come and sit down,’ she said gently. ‘This murder is a dreadful thing, my dear, but Anthony is convinced that it is the result of some private feud.’
Isham himself confirmed her words. ‘There is no talk of general insurrection, Gina, but if you are still worried why not bring the girls and stay with us?’
His wife gave him a smile of thanks. ‘That might be best. We have room and to spare now that my mother and Letty are gone to London. Lucia, Anthony’s step-mama, went with them.’
Gina recovered some of her composure. ‘You are very kind,’ she said quietly. ‘But I couldn’t think of it. I don’t know why I’ve allowed the news of the murder to upset me so. I didn’t even know the Marquis, but I seem to be on edge these days.’
Isham could have made a shrewd guess as to the reason but he let it pass. At the sound of carriage wheels he strolled over to the window.
‘It seems we have a visitor,’ he announced. ‘Giles, is this anyone you know?’ He was unprepared for his brother-in-law’s reaction.
‘Great heavens!’ Giles had stiffened. ‘As I live and breathe! It’s Mrs Clewes!’
Chapter Eleven
As their visitor was announced, five pairs of eyes focused upon her in astonishment.
Mrs Clewes was an amazing sight. She was very short and almost as wide as she was tall. In an effort to add inches to her stature she sported an aigrette-topped turban in a particularly violent shade of blue. This clashed in the most painful way with the gown which could be glimpsed beneath her travelling cloak.
It was clear that the lady made no concession to the present fashion for simple Grecian styles. Panniers held out her voluminous skirts, beneath which could be seen an ancient pair of carpet slippers.
At first it seemed unlikely that she would manage to negotiate the doorway, but with the ease born of long practice she turned sideways, swept into the room, and waddled towards the waiting company.
Isham was the first to recover his sang-froid. With his customary courtesy he moved towards his guest.
‘Welcome, ma’am!’ he bowed. ‘It is Mrs Clewes, is it not?’
‘It is!’ Mrs Clewes was perfectly at ease. ‘You’ll be Isham, I expect, and Letty’s brother-in-law?’
Isham bowed again. ‘May I present my wife, and Lady Whitelaw, who is a friend of ours. This is Mr Thomas Newby, and Giles you already know.’
‘Aye! He’s the lad I’ve come to find. How do you go on, my dear?’
Giles came towards her then and took her outstretched hands, smiling as he did so.
‘Ma’am, I am well,’ he said. ‘No need to ask how you go on. You are the picture of health…’
‘Flatterer! I expect you must be wondering why I’m here?’
‘Before you tell us, Mrs Clewes, will you not take a comfortable chair?’ Isham led her forward. ‘You must have found your journey tiring. Allow me to offer you some refreshment…’ He rang the bell.
‘I won’t deny I’ll be glad to take the weight off my feet, my lord.’ Mrs Clewes settled herself with a gusty sigh. ‘I ain’t as young as I used to be.’
‘And what is your pleasure, ma’am? Some wine, perhaps?’
It was at this point that Giles intervened. ‘Mrs Clewes believes a glass of “flesh and blood” to be the best restorative,’ he said solemnly.
‘Then “flesh and blood” it is. Tibbs, will you see to it?’
‘Certainly, my lord.’ Tibbs did not betray his astonishment by the flicker of an eyelid, nor did he need to ask the nature of this tipple. It was a favourite of his own, though to his knowledge it had not been served before in the salon at the Grange.
‘Well now, I won’t take up your time,’ Mrs Clewes announced. ‘I came to have a word with Mr Rushford here.’
‘A private word, ma’am? If so, may I offer you my study?’
‘Not unless Giles insists, my lord. I have a bone to pick with him, you know.’
Giles had suspected something of the kind. Mrs Clewes had greeted him kindly enough, but it was possible that she had been mortally offended by his refusal to take her name.
‘You may say anything to me in front of my family,’ he told her. ‘Believe me, ma’am, when I wrote to you I had no intention of insulting you.’
A crackle of amusement greeted his words. ‘It would take a better man than you to do that, my lad.’ Mrs Clewes sipped at her drink with great appreciation. ‘I didn’t expect you to accept. At least, I hoped you wouldn’t.’
Giles stared at her.
‘Surprised? I can see you are. You passed the test, my dear. Stiff-necked you may be, but you ain’t a hypocrite…’
‘I’m afraid I don’t follow you, ma’am.’
‘Dear me! What an innocent it is! Did it not strike you as strange that I should offer to make you my heir when Leah’s children have first call upon my purse?’
‘You refer to Lady Wells?’
‘She is my niece, Giles, though she don’t care to acknowledge it. Still, I suppose that we’ve all got skeletons in the cupboard.’
The thought of regarding Mrs Clewes as a skeleton tried the composure of her listeners sorely, but no one smiled.
‘Then why did you make me such an offer, ma’am?’
‘Well, I’ll tell you. First of all, I ain’t accustomed to being treated like a lady, and you was always kind to me. I’m something of a judge of men, but for all I knew you could have had an eye to the main chance.’
Giles stiffened.
‘Now, my lad, don’t get upon your high ropes! You wouldn’t be the first as has tried to take me in.’
‘I’m sure that you are not easily deceived, Mrs Clewes…’ Giles could not hide his anger.
‘No, I’m not, but I had to be sure…’
‘For what reason, ma’am?’ India was intrigued.
‘Why, my dear, this brother of yours has a fortune in his hands, if he would but make use of it.’
‘You are mistaken, madam. I have nothing.’
‘And whose fault is that, you stubborn creature? It’s high time that you set about making use of these inventions of yours. I’ve spoken to my man of business and he agrees with me.’
‘You are interested in farming methods, Mrs Clewes?’ Isham was beginning to enjoy himself.
‘Not a bit of it, my lord, but I’m interested in making money. Clewes was my third, and he left me comfortable, but I don’t turn up my nose when I see the chance of a profit.’
‘Your third?’ India was bewildered.
‘My third husband, My La
dy. I’ve buried three by now. The first two were no fools but Clewes was a ship’s chandler at Bristol. He taught me to use my head.’
‘I have no doubt of that,’ Isham smiled at her. ‘How can Giles help you, ma’am?’
‘I want him to be my partner. I can afford to back him for a start and then we’ll share the profits. The books won’t be no trouble to me. I’ll see he don’t get into queer street.’
Isham forebore to mention that he had already offered to help Giles. He awaited the outcome of this latest suggestion with interest. If he were any judge the redoubtable Mrs Clewes would have her way no matter what the opposition from her unwilling partner.
Incensed, Giles was about to refuse the offer outright. Then, as he looked at the dumpy little figure looking so out of place in the splendid salon he saw that her bright blue eyes were pleading with him.
‘Are we not friends?’ she said. ‘We deal so well together, you and I. We’ll be good partners…’
He swallowed his pride. ‘You don’t understand, I fear, my dear ma’am. There may be no profits. I should not care to be the cause of you suffering heavy losses.’
‘Nay, lad, I’m not a fool. I’ve gone into the matter, and I’ve brought some papers with me. You’ll look at them, at least? Who knows, with the cost of living rising as it does, this may be my chance to enjoy a comfortable old age…’
Mrs Clewes assumed a mournful expression and seemed to shrink into her chair…the picture of an elderly lady on the verge of poverty.
Isham hid a smile. It was a masterful performance. He was beginning to understand why other offers of help had failed. Giles would not accept them on his own behalf, but when asked to be of service to another human being he might yet be persuaded to agree.
‘Allow me to send refreshment into the study for you,’ he begged. ‘You will both wish to study these papers at your leisure.’
Mrs Clewes struggled out of her chair. ‘Give me your arm,’ she said to Giles. ‘If nothing else you can tell me all your news.’
To refuse her would have been out of the question and with a rueful smile Giles led her from the room.
‘Good heavens, what a character!’ India was stunned. ‘Gina, what do you think of her?’
‘I think her a very clever woman. If I’m not mistaken she will twist Giles round her little finger.’
‘Nothing is more certain,’ Isham agreed. ‘And high time too. Newby, has Giles said nothing to you about his friendship with Mrs Clewes?’
‘He told me that they played cards together.’ Thomas was still in a state of shock. ‘But they played for pennies. He had no idea at the time that she had a handsome fortune.’
‘Perhaps she is not so very wealthy,’ India offered. ‘She seemed concerned about her future.’
‘A subterfuge, my love. You did not see her carriage or her horses. They are the finest that money can buy.’
‘And didn’t you notice her necklace, India? I’ve seen rubies such as those in India. They are worth a king’s ransom.’ Gina was in a torment, hoping against hope that Giles would seize this opportunity so readily offered to him. She would have given much to have heard the discussion taking place at that very moment in the study.
It lasted for more than an hour, but when Mrs Clewes and Giles rejoined them she knew at once that they had reached agreement.
‘Then we must celebrate your partnership.’ Isham rang for wine, and Mrs Clewes was happy to accept yet another glass of her favourite ‘flesh and blood’, which appeared to have not the slightest effect upon her.
‘Where are you staying, ma’am?’ India asked politely.
‘I’ve put up at the Angel, my lady. It seemed the best that the village has to offer.’
‘But shall you be comfortable there? You are welcome to stay with us, if you should care to do so.’
‘Bless your kind heart, my dear! I shouldn’t like to trouble you…’
‘Madam, it would be a pleasure.’ Isham was at his most gallant. ‘We are sadly short of company at present, and Lady Whitelaw has refused us. My wife would welcome a change of conversation. She does not go out at present.’
‘Are you increasing, my lady? No signs yet, I see, and the first months are always the worst.’
‘You have children of your own, Mrs Clewes?’ India had warmed to the old lady.
‘I lost my boys in the wars, my dear. One was with Nelson’s navy and the other was with Wellington. Your brother ain’t unlike my eldest lad.’
This admission told the company much about the unexpected offer to Giles. He came to her then and sat beside her.
‘Will you stay with us?’ he begged. ‘I’ll be happy to fetch your things from the Angel.’
‘You are too good!’ She patted his hand. ‘I won’t get in the way if you have visitors.’
‘You will be our honoured guest,’ Isham said at once. He looked up as Tibbs announced nuncheon, and offered Mrs Clewes his arm to lead her into the dining-room.
India smiled at Gina. ‘Anthony is much taken with our guest…’
‘I’m not surprised,’ came the quick reply. ‘She’s such a good-hearted, straight-talking woman. I should not care to try to hide a secret from her though.’ Gina had noticed how the lady’s birdlike glance had rested on each of her companions in turn without appearing to do so. She had studied Gina for somewhat longer than the others, but it was some days before she attempted to engage her in private conversation.
The weather had improved, and now all the talk was of Lady Eleanor’s annual feˆte at Perceval Hall. It was the highlight of the year for the local villagers and all were welcomed with unlimited food and drink.
Gina paid her promised daily visits to the Grange, but she saw little of Giles. She was aware that he and Mrs Clewes had journeyed into Northampton to sign the partnership agreement. Since then the lady had wasted no time. She produced a short list of possible customers and sent Giles off without delay to demonstrate his inventions.
‘Missing him?’ she enquired one day. She and Gina were alone in the salon.
‘I beg your pardon, ma’am?’ Gina was startled out of her usual composure.
‘I ain’t referring to Mr Newby and well you know it, young woman.’ Mrs Clewes gave a comfortable chuckle. ‘Did you think I hadn’t guessed that you’re the one for Giles?’
To her own annoyance Gina felt her colour rising. ‘You are quite mistaken, Mrs Clewes. Giles Rushford has no thought of me.’
‘Bless my soul, Lady Whitelaw, are you blind? He thinks of nothing else, apart from his inventions. When he enters a room he looks for you, and you won’t tell me that you don’t feel the same. When you are together there is something in the air which cannot be mistaken.’
Gina shook her head. ‘I beg your pardon, ma’am but that must be only in your imagination…’
‘I ain’t got one, Lady Whitelaw. I look only for hard facts…’
‘Well, then, the fact is that I haven’t exchanged a word with Giles for days.’
‘How can you when he ain’t here?’
This reasonable statement brought a smile from Gina.
‘That’s better!’ her inquisitor announced. ‘You may think I’m a bossy old woman, too fond of interfering, but I have grown to love that young man. I want only what will make him happy, and I think you feel the same. Isn’t that so?’
Gina nodded. She could not trust herself to speak. Her lips were quivering and she was very close to tears.
‘There now, don’t upset yourself.’ The older woman patted her hand. ‘Give the man time. You’ve waited for ten years…another week or two won’t make much difference.’
‘Oh, he should not have told you…’ Gina cried in anguish.
‘He didn’t. There was no need. I saw that there was something wrong when I first met him. It wasn’t on the surface, of course. Giles was always the perfect gentleman, but it ain’t natural for a man of thirty to be so grave beyond the likes of other men.’
‘His life ha
s not been easy,’ Gina ventured.
‘No more than many another. There was something else. To me it seemed to be a loss of a more serious kind. Giles had had a crushing blow in his youth. I made it my business to discover what had happened.’
‘You couldn’t have found it easy.’
‘I didn’t, but I’m a sharp one, Lady Whitelaw. I pieced it all together. Then, when I met you, I had the final piece of the puzzle.’
‘Ma’am, you are very shrewd,’ Gina blinked away her tears. ‘But now you, you know, with this splendid offer…this partnership of yours…he could have said something. Until now, he felt that the difference in our fortunes was too great.’
‘Stiff-necked crittur! Don’t despair, my dear. All will be well. He’ll come back with more orders than he can fulfil…’
‘You seem very sure of that.’
‘Aren’t you? When Giles believes in something he can be persuasive…Besides, he’s working now to prevent me from sinking into a poverty-stricken old age.’
She gave a hearty laugh, and after a moment Gina joined her.
‘Mrs Clewes, I believe you are what is known as a card,’ she accused.
‘Well, my dear, I’ve had three husbands. Rushing on like a bull at a gate ain’t always the wisest course. Sometimes it takes a bit more cunning to set a man to rights.’
‘I’ll bear that in mind,’ Gina promised. On impulse she kissed her companion gently on the cheek. ‘I admire you so much,’ she said.
The small gesture of affection succeeded in putting her companion quite out of countenance.
‘Bless me, ma’am, there’s no call for you to make a fuss of me.’ For once Mrs Clewes was flustered, and Gina saw that her eyes were wet. ‘You’ll turn me into a watering-pot. I ain’t used to it.’
‘Then you shall grow used to it,’ Gina promised. ‘Tell me, ma’am, shall you attend the feˆte at Perceval Hall?’
Mrs Clewes shook her head. ‘T’wouldn’t be right, my dear. I’d gather a bigger crowd than the coconut shies…’ Something in her voice made Gina look a question. To her horror she saw a look of pain in the older woman’s eyes.
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