The House (Armstrong House Series Book 1)

by A. O'Connor

  4

  The sunny day transformed into a stormy evening. Anna had anxiously waited for Edward’s return and it was nearly eight now and still no sign of him, even though the guests were due to arrive shortly. She felt strangely isolated and vulnerable without him there after her earlier encounter with the horseman. As she heard a carriage pull up outside, she went to the bedroom window and was relieved to see it was Edward returning. She saw him rush from the carriage through the rain to the front door. She quickly checked her appearance in the mirror over the fireplace and a couple of minutes later the bedroom door opened and Edward came in.

  “Sorry I’m so late.” He looked strained. “There was terrible trouble the other side of the estate. An eviction that was ordered and I needed to get down there.”

  “An eviction? Why?”

  “All a misunderstanding. I’ll tell you later. I’d better rush and get ready before our dinner guests arrive.” He went into the adjoining dressing room.

  She went and stood at the door. “Edward, I wanted to talk to you about something strange that happened today. I think I might have upset one of your neighbours. I strayed on to his land while walking.”

  He came out, looking bemused, drying his hair.

  “Impossible, darling. Do you how big this estate is? You couldn’t have walked that far!”

  “But, I met a man, and he said –”

  The doorbell chimed through the house.

  He quickly came over to her and kissed her forehead. “You can tell me all about it later. That’s our guests arriving. You go down and entertain them while I dress? Apologise for me.”

  She nodded and smiled. “All right.”

  She left him drying his hair with a towel and went downstairs.

  5

  “My lady, Mr and Mrs Foxe are in the drawing room,” announced Barton as Anna walked through the hall downstairs.

  “Oh, thank you, Barton,” she nodded. She felt a knot in her stomach. She knew the Foxes were Edward’s nearest neighbours and she had a fear Mr Foxe would be the mystery horseman who had threatened her. Barton opened the door for her and she walked in. There sitting down was a kindly-looking couple in their fifties, smiling warmly at her. She felt relief. Mr Foxe was not the horseman.

  “Good evening,” she said, smiling back. “Please excuse my husband. He was detained on business and will join us in a few minutes.”

  “You must be Anna,” said Mrs Foxe as she stood and came towards her and kissed her on the cheek. “I feel it’s not my place to be welcoming you in your own house. But you’re very welcome here.”

  “Thank you,” said Anna.

  “I know your father,” said Mr Foxe, smiling. “I’ve met him many times. And heard him talk at a few political meetings.”

  “Have you?” said Anna, absorbing their warmth.

  “And I knew your mother,” said Mrs Foxe, leading Anna to the couch and sitting down with her.

  “Did you?” Anna was surprised.

  “Yes, when I was much younger my family used to visit her family at their estate in Tullydere.” Mrs Foxe held her hand tightly. “We were quite close.”

  Barton knocked on the door and announced: “Lord and Lady Fitzherbert, ma’am.”

  And another friendly-looking couple entered the room to make a fuss of Anna.

  By the time Edward arrived down, the drawing room was full of people and Anna found herself the centre of attention as they acquainted themselves with their new neighbour. She realised she had nothing to worry about. Most of the people were mutual friends of acquaintances and relatives of hers. The others, who did not have any connection with her, were longstanding friends of Edward’s family and welcomed her with open arms.

  “See, I told you they would love you,” Edward whispered to her, squeezing her hand.

  As dinner was announced, Edward and Anna led the party into the dining room.

  Edward sat at the top of the table with Anna to his right. Anna observed the guests as the first course was served and wine was poured. She liked the way they all chatted amicably with each other. Her eye was caught by a woman who she had been briefly introduced to earlier in the evening and who now sat at the far end of the table. She was a woman of around thirty, a beautiful blonde with a confident but quiet manner about her.

  “Who is that woman there?” whispered Anna to Edward, nodding down the table.

  “That’s Diana Hunter,” Edward said back. “She leases Hunter’s Farm from us, as she has named it, where she breeds horses. She’s an excellent horsewoman, probably the best in the county. She’s a widow, I believe. Her husband was in the army and left her well provided for.”

  Almost as if sensing she was being spoken about, Diana turned her head and looked directly at Anna. Anna blushed at being caught staring. Diana nodded coolly at her before continuing the conversation she had been engaged in.

  The roast beef was served and servants made rounds of the table with serving dishes of vegetables. Anna was pleased to see the guests seemed to relish the food. As more wine was poured and drunk, the volume of conversation and laughter rose.

  Then, suddenly, the main door to the dining room swung open, causing everyone to look around. A man strode in, wearing a hat and a cloak, wet from the rain. Anna got a fright as it was the horseman who had attacked her in the afternoon.

  “Bloody weather! It delayed me!” snapped the man, taking off his hat and cloak and flinging them at Barton. “Dry them out for me.”

  “I thought you might not make it tonight,” said Edward.

  “Try keeping me away from meeting this new bride of yours!” the man smirked as he strode confidently to the table.

  Anna looked quickly at Edward as he stood up.

  “So – where is she?” said the man as he reached the table.

  “Sinclair, this is my wife Anna. Anna, my cousin Sinclair,” said Edward.

  Sinclair looked down at Anna and there was a fleeting look of recognition before he smiled broadly.

  “Lady Anna,” he said and bowed slightly.

  “Come, come. No need for formality. She’s your cousin Anna,” urged Edward.

  Sinclair smirked slightly and nodded. “Cousin Anna – in that case.”

  Anna nodded back.

  Sinclair leaned towards Edward. “I need to talk to you later, it’s fairly urgent.”

  “Yes, later, Sinclair. Now don’t you think you should join us for dinner?”

  Sinclair bowed again to Anna before walking down the room and sitting in a space that had been kept for him beside Diana Hunter.

  As the conversation resumed, Anna tried not to look down at her newly revealed relative. But such was her dismay at discovering the identity of the horseman that her eyes were constantly drawn to Sinclair. She saw he was loud and opinionated, quick with a comment and a witty put-down, whoever he was speaking to. He only lowered his voice when drawn into private conversation with Diana Hunter. And Diana and Sinclair were obviously very well acquainted with each other.

  She wondered what they were speaking about, and caught Diana’s cool eyes inspecting her every so often.

  “Tell me, Edward, now you have settled down and are a happily married man, when will you go forward and stand for election?” asked Mrs Foxe.

  “I have no intention to stand for election. Not now, not ever. It’s too much trouble with no reward.”

  “I think you’d make an excellent member of parliament, and could have a great future in politics,” Mrs Foxe pursued.

  “Not for me. You’ll have to look elsewhere for your candidate.” Edward looked knowingly at her. The Foxes were well-known patrons of different politicians, always on the look-out for a rising star to promote.

  “Besides, if he was in parliament,” said Anna, “he would have to travel to London all the time, and when would I ever see him then?”

  “It wouldn’t be the best start to a new marriage,” conceded Mr Foxe.

  “Maybe when we get the parliament back in Dublin
, you might consider it then,” suggested Mr Foxe.

  Sinclair laughed loudly at the other end of the table. “In that case, you’ll be waiting for ever, because that will never happen again.”

  Anna’s irritation with Sinclair rose and she cleared her throat and spoke up. “Actually my father says it’s only a matter of time before it happens. That Ireland worked best when we had our own parliament in Dublin.”

  “And what would your father know?” Sinclair dismissed her.

  “My father is Lord John Stratton, and has been a member of parliament for twenty years,” Anna said proudly.

  Sinclair’s face became bemused and he smirked at her as he took up his glass of wine and drank from it. “I know who your father is, Anna . . . I merely asked what would he know about politics.”

  Anna glared at him, realising he was being insulting.

  Sinclair ignored her and looked around the table. “I think I can speak for nearly all here, that Home Rule isn’t necessary. We aren’t merely a colony needing some local representation. We’re part of the United Kingdom, and as such we should be governed from London.”

  “My, I didn’t want to start a Home Rule debate before pudding is even served. I merely suggested that Edward would look very nice at a political rally,” laughed Mrs Foxe.

  “Yes, politics bore me at the best of times,” Edward quickly said. “I’d much prefer to hear about next month’s hunt.”

  As the conversation quickly switched to hunting, Anna glanced down at Sinclair who seemed to be giving her a triumphant look before he turned his attention on Diana again.

  After dinner the party retired to the drawing room where Diana Hunter played the harpsichord.

  “She plays excellently,” Anna remarked to Mrs Foxe who was seated beside her.

  “Doesn’t she? She has many talents, Mrs Hunter. You should see her with horses.”

  “So I’ve heard . . . She’s very beautiful. How long has she been a widow?”

  “Well, she came here after her husband died, and that was about four years ago if I remember correctly. She’s originally from Yorkshire and has been leasing Hunter’s Farm ever since.”

  “I wonder why she chose here, when she has no connection to the place.”

  “She’s says it’s ideal for the horses she raises. Mrs Hunter is from good stock. I believe her father was a wealthy squire in Yorkshire.”

  As Diana continued to entrance them at the harpsichord, Anna saw Sinclair walk around the room to where Edward was standing by the fireplace. He put a hand on Edward’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. Edward nodded and then the two men left the room.

  Anna waited a while and then she excused herself and left too. She needed to know if Sinclair would say anything to her husband about their encounter that day.

  As she walked through the hallway, she saw there was nobody in the dining room or the parlour and so headed to the library. She could hear voices inside and carefully went up to the door which was ajar.

  “What do you think you were doing today?” asked Sinclair. “Stopping the eviction I had ordered?”

  “I didn’t realise you had ordered the eviction of the Doyle family. I would never have allowed it,” Edward insisted.

  “They are four months behind with their rent. There was no option but to evict them.”

  “Their father was my father’s head groom. They’ve lived and served on this estate for generations. I can’t just throw them out.”

  “So what do you suggest we do then? Let them live here rent free?”

  “Of course not. Just give them some more time. They will come up with the money.”

  “In the meantime, their debt gets bigger and the more the chances increase it won’t be paid. And we are setting an example to all the other tenant farmers that they don’t have to meet their rent deadlines as well. The estate will be in chaos very quickly.”

  “It won’t come to that. They need time to get back on their feet, that’s all.”

  “Edward, if we don’t get the rents, then we don’t have income. The tenants’ rents are the only thing that keeps us going. Keeps you in the style you live in. Allowed you to build this palace for your new bride. Pays the mortgages you have! This isn’t a charity, it’s a business, and you had better remember that!”

  “I understand all that . . . Look, just give them one month. That’s all I ask for. One more month for the Doyle family. If they don’t come up with the rent by then, then out they go.” Edward sighed loudly.

  “One month then, and no more.” Sinclair turned and walked away.

  As Anna heard Sinclair’s footsteps walk quickly towards the door she hurried down the hallway and hid beneath the stairs. She watched Sinclair stride across the hallway to rejoin the party. A little while later, she saw Edward come out looking dejected and disturbed and he too went back to the drawing room.

  6

  It was after midnight and most of the guests were departing. Edward and Anna waved goodbye to the Foxes as they hurried to their carriage through the rain and it took off.

  Edward turned to see Diana standing there with her cloak on.

  “Diana, did you come here alone tonight, or is one of your servants waiting for you here?”

  “I came alone in my phaeton,” said Diana.

  “Your phaeton? But those carriages are so light and dangerous! Well, you have to stay the night in that case – you can’t possibly head back to Hunter’s Farm in this weather on your own.”

  “Nonsense, I will be absolutely fine,” Diana dismissed his worries.

  “I am responsible for you as my guest, and I refuse to allow you to travel alone.”

  Just then one of the grooms drove Diana’s one-horse carriage up to the front door. Anna was awed and concerned at the thought of this woman travelling alone at night in this weather in such a frail-looking vehicle. But she really didn’t want her staying the night with them either, and wanted her gone as quickly as possible.

  “In that case I’ll send one of my grooms to accompany you,” said Edward.

  “Won’t be necessary,” Sinclair said as he strode up behind them. “I will escort Mrs Hunter back to her house, if she permits.”

  Diana smiled at Sinclair. “Well, then everyone will be happy.”

  “And it’s only a little out of my way anyway.” Sinclair offered his arm and Diana took it.

  “But how will you get home in that case, Sinclair?” Edward’s concern continued.

  “I shall borrow Mrs Hunter’s phaeton and have it returned to her tomorrow, if she allows?” smiled Sinclair.

  “Of course!” Diana nodded.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Sinclair said to Edward before turning Anna. “What can I say? It’s been enchanting meeting you.”

  Anna nodded. Sinclair and Diana held cloaks over their heads as they dashed out and down the steps to the phaeton.

  Edward closed over the door. “That’s the last of them.”

  He put his arm around her waist and they walked back into the drawing room.

  “How did you find them?” he smiled at her.

  “They were all lovely.” She sat down on the couch. “That Diana Hunter is the most amazing creature. Imagine just setting off into the night on her own on a night like this!”

  “Well, she doesn’t have that far to go.”

  “But still, I don’t know any other woman who would do such a thing.”

  “Well, she’s very independent. You should see the horses she breeds – magnificent.”

  “And she deals with the money and everything?” Anna was astonished.

  “I believe she’s quite wealthy.”

  “Edward – why wasn’t Sinclair at our wedding? Him being your cousin?”

  “He was too tied up with work here on the estate. He couldn’t make it. He’s a tremendous worker. The profits have soared since he started managing the estate.”

  “Remind me again, how are you related exactly?”

  “His father was my
father’s younger brother. Jamie Armstrong,” explained Edward.

  “Ohh, of course!” Anna nodded as all the pieces fitted together.

  “You’ve heard of him?”

  “Yes, I certainly heard my father talk about him. He had quite a reputation.”

  “Bad Black Jamie, as he was called. He was certainly the black sheep of our family. My grandfather cut him off without a penny because of his antics. He went on and married a large landowner in Meath, and they had a son, Sinclair.”

  “And what happened then?”

  “You can’t change a leopard’s spots. He carried on with same antics in Meath as he did here. I think he broke Sinclair’s poor mother’s heart. He certainly broke her estate. He gambled and drank the estate into oblivion and squandered his money on loose women.”

  “I remember hearing the stories. He died owing the Dublin gambling houses a fortune.”

  “By the time Sinclair reached adulthood everything was gone. He and I were in Trinity together. He was a fantastic student, excellent mind. He was always my best friend. He agreed to come and manage here when I inherited the estate. I don’t know what I’d do without him.” Edward glowed with a look of gratitude and respect.