Mistress Agnes

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  Hopefully, Patrick and Guy had given him enough advice to keep him out of trouble, Captain Avery was a good man and he deserved to be happy. It was a bit painful to exclude him from their little group, he would probably fit right in, Dennis would have loved to talk with him as a veteran of the war with the French, but circumstances would always preclude that.

  After breakfast Dennis fetched Dick from the common-room, where Cook was spoiling him by having him try several new kinds of pie. Dick was munching faithfully, but Dennis could see his heart was not in it, something was not right with his large friend.

  'Did you sleep well, Dick?' Dennis asked.

  'I did, Dennis, and Maria was awake before me so I didn't feel lonely anymore, but I took the last painkiller this morning. And I feel so bad seeing someone else doing my job.'

  'Are you in pain now, Dick? Do we need to get new painkillers straight away?'

  'No, not more than I can bear, I'm fine for an hour or so.'

  'Good, for I've come to take you to the library to talk to the officers. And after that the mistress and I will take you back to the doctor, and he'll give us new painkillers.

  Cook, I'm taking Dick with me to give his testimony to the lieutenant about those robbers.'

  'Good luck, sir, I hope they're kind to poor Dick, he's had his share of bad fortune.'

  Sir? What had gotten into Cook? With quite a bit of effort Dennis ignored Cook's lapse of reason, and took Dick to the library. He was still in pain, Dennis could see it, and when he took Dick's hand to check it out it seemed more swollen than it had been, though it was difficult to see with the splint wrapped around it. It felt hot to the touch, and Dennis wondered whether Dick should be talking to anyone instead of being taken to a specialist doctor.

  Still, Dick seemed rather pleased to be walking with his friend, so Dennis hoped he would be all right. Harley had Jones with him, and Agnes was there, more men would have been intimidating to Dick, and Dennis hoped the others would not accidentally reveal his true identity to Captain Avery.

  'Mr Parsons, so glad to see you!' Harley received them, but then he studied Dick carefully.

  'You are in pain, Mr Parsons, I'm very sorry to see that. Are you able to talk to us? We can postpone this, you know, if you're not feeling well.'

  'Thank you, Lieutenant Harley,' Dick said politely, 'but I'd like to have it over with. Though I do feel rather weak.'

  'It will not take long, Mr Parsons, we're not here to examine you, just to get our version of the events. If you'll just tell us how you experienced it, we'll make a report to use in the trial.'

  Dick sat down where Agnes pointed, and she had a pen and paper ready, apparently she was going to write the report herself. Probably to spare Dick another officer present, for Jones could not keep up with the writing, his arm had not improved at all in the year they hadn't seen each other.

  Dick did not waste time on niceties, it was very clear he was nervous and in pain, and he told his story dryly and pretty heavily edited, after which Harley asked for some detail, which Dick reluctantly but truthfully gave him. Dennis was impressed with Dick's capability to not mention detail that could give Dennis away, while still giving his friend a little credit for the apprehension of the brigands.

  This took maybe half an hour, after which Harley spoke from an official capacity.

  'Colonel Richards, who is in charge of the whole camp that the brigands deserted from, requested me to give you this.

  And he handed Dick a beautiful sabre, mounted on a wooden plaque, engraved with a date and a formal message of appreciation. Dick was stunned.

  'This is too much! I just grabbed a guy to save the mistress' new dog!'

  He did accept it, he was much too polite to let someone stand there offering him a valuable gift. Harley rose to the occasion, of course.

  'You deserve it, Mr Parsons, you don't make much of it but I can see you are in pain, and I've heard you will not be able to work for quite some time. Our colonel feels a need to reward your sacrifice, and he will not hesitate to compensate your mistress for any medical treatment you need. Do not take the chance of losing the use of that hand, sir!'

  Now Jones' part came up. He got up, unceremoniously but laboriously took off his shirt, and showed a horrific elbow joint to poor Dick.

  'I broke my arm in France, Mr Parsons, there were no doctors at the scene so a field surgeon set it. I was in as much pain as you seem to be now, for weeks. When we returned to England the break had healed wrong, and even the best surgeon in the camp did not dare break it again. I've been in pain since, and I lost my ability to shoot straight. In damp weather I suffer more pain than is bearable without using painkillers. Please do not underestimate your injury, let your master and mistress take you to a specialist to set the bone rather than be brave once again and bear the pain. It will not bring you anything but misery. Will you take my advice?'

  Dick looked at the misshapen arm in horror, he did not try to make less of his own injury, though it didn't look as bad by far. But Dick was not the dimwit people had held him for, he was in constant pain and realized he ran the risk it would never go away.

  'I'm so sorry, Mr Jones! That must hurt tremendously. I'm going to take your advice and allow my master and mistress to take me to any doctor they think necessary.'

  'I'm glad you see reason, Mr Parsons. Please remember me when you feel you want to do some work before your doctor says it is safe to do so.'

  Dick didn't seem to mind being addressed formally anymore, he looked very dignified. Being a hero apparently did something to a man, even one raised as

  miserably as Dick.

  Soon after this exchange, when the officers were ready to leave for their camp, Captain Avery offered to take them back.

  'I'm planning to take the coastal route back to London. That will take me two hours to reach from here and the point where I'd hit it is just half an hour's drive from Newcastle. I might as well start out at Newcastle and have a little company for the time I drive to the east.'

  Since that saved John and the carriage horses a long drive over and back, they accepted the offer wholeheartedly, and all their visitors took leave at the same time.

  'May I visit more often, dear cousin?' the captain asked Agnes.

  'You are always welcome in this house, Henry,' she replies, 'not just for a few days, you're welcome to stay for a few weeks, you know that. And I'll let you know when we're in London, though my staff there is less discreet. It's the key to having a private life, Henry, finding staff that doesn't talk to others. It can be done, really.'

  Captain Avery hugged her closely, then shook hands with Dennis.

  'Mr Parker, it has been a pleasure to meet you. I'm looking forward to the wedding, and to getting a little niece or nephew.'

  Dennis said something equally nice and polite in return, then shook hands with his friends, they had said their real goodbyes in private a few moments before, as Captain Avery had undoubtedly done with Patrick and Guy. Then the entire party left.

  Chapter 29

  Since sharing the captain's carriage had been an impulse, their own was in fact quite ready for use and Agnes suggested, 'Shall we take Dick to the village straight away? We can ride out after lunch.'

  It was what they had been planning, and Dennis went to the haystack to find Dick, but he wasn't there. Then his bedroom, expecting him to need a little rest after the interview he had dreaded, but he wasn't there either.

  Finally, Dennis found him in the library, where he was carefully leafing through an illustrated book on African wildlife. When he saw Dennis approaching, he quickly said, 'Guy laid it on the table for me, I didn't lift it.'

  Dennis didn't answer, Dick would recognize his expression and know that he had not come to spy on Dick, and that he approved of Dick amusing himself with a book.

  'Look at this lion, Dennis, isn't it fearsome? It stands nearly four feet at the shoulder, that's more than a foot taller than Fury.'

  The creature did look fe
arsome, and Dennis imagined a beast taller and more fierce than Fury.

  'It's beautiful, though I'm glad we don't have any of those out here, Dick. Are you ready to come along with the mistress and me? I'll put the book away for you, and don't hesitate to ask me to get it back out for you, or any other book you want to read.'

  'I am, Dennis. Seeing Mr Jones frightened me more than a little, I'm not going to be a bother about this anymore.'

  'You're not a bother, Dick. If you feel useless or bored please tell someone, do not suffer in silence.'

  Dick got up and closed the book, then Dennis put it away, Agnes wanted it that way and they were her books. Most of them were pretty rare, and her entire collection was undoubtedly worth a fortune, they were safest in the cases.

  Sitting in the carriage together, Dennis remembered their last time, and he could see the others were thinking of making love, too, Agnes' expression

  pleased, Dick's regretful. The look of pain in his eyes was starting to look familiar, which was pretty bad news since he rarely showed his feelings.

  Something had to be done.

  The doctor was out on a visit but he was expected to be back in half an hour or so. Agnes asked his son whether he had a place for them to wait and he replied respectfully, 'We have, Mrs Beauchamp, you can wait in the doctor's study if you want to. But, ma'am..'

  And he seemed to want to say something, but was a bit impressed by Agnes'

  importance. She smiled at him, and waited for him to speak up.

  'Well, ma'am, my father had visitors this morning, from a village across the river. They wanted to know about Dick Parsons' heroic deed, they want to invite him and his wife to buy a cottage in their village. My father sent them to the Woods' home to talk to Maria, that was half an hour ago. They may still be there.'

  Well, that was the limit. First they wanted him far away, and now they wanted him in. Dick would not understand. But Dennis was wrong, Dick was one step ahead.

  'Can we please go there? We cannot buy a cottage, we have to stay at the manor until I am able to work again. What if it never heals, like that man this morning? Then we cannot even stay at the manor, where will we go?'

  Agnes interrupted him kindly but firmly.

  'Dick, please stop thinking like that. I will not throw you out, not even if you never work another day in your life. You were hurt in my service, and I am responsible. But your hand will not get that bad, believe me. We will do whatever is needed to get you well. Now, let's go and see Maria until the doctor returns. Thank you, George, we'll be back in half an hour.'

  It was a small village, and the presence of Mrs Beauchamp kept the admirers at bay. Without being bothered they arrived at the Woods' abode, and Maria's mother opened the door. She saw Dick first, and looked truly worried.

  'Dick! Oh my poor boy, you look awful! Come here, give your mother a kiss and a hug, that doesn't hurt, does it?'

  Dick was so glad to get such a reception, his face cleared and he hugged his mother-in-law, and Dennis could see some of his former spirit return.

  'You are so nice, Mrs Woods, I'll always have a hug for you, and a kiss. Does Maria still have visitors?'

  Mrs Woods took a moment to look at her son-in-law really well, he sounded so determined and even a little put out. She'd never heard him speak that way.

  'No Dick, they're gone. Do come in and you can ask her all about it.'

  And only then did she see Agnes.

  'Mrs Beauchamp, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you behind Dick's broad back, or I would have been more respectful and greeted you first!'

  Agnes smiled her sweetest smile and replied, 'I did not feel slighted, Mrs Woods, I was very pleased to see the two of you so fond of each other.'

  'Ah, dear Dick. Who could not be fond of such a sweet boy? Please come in, Mrs Beauchamp, it's a real honour to have you over. Mr Parker, too, you're very welcome.'

  Maria came over as she heard their voices, and merely looked her question to her husband.

  'We're waiting for the doctor, Maria,' he said, 'both the mistress and Dennis thought I'd better see him again since I'm still in so much pain. Then the doctor's son said they'd had people over asking after me, and his father had sent them to you. So we thought we'd step by since we were here anyway.'

  Maria hugged Dick carefully but very thoroughly, and Dick relished the intimacy.

  'George was right, Dick, I had some visitors. Come, let's sit down for a moment and I'll tell you all about them.'

  She led them to a cosy kitchen, where they all sat down around a large table with plenty of chairs. Mrs Woods probably entertained her daughters and their families here, for why else would she keep such a large table when all her daughters had left home?

  They all sat down, Maria on Dick's lap, she was touching him gently all the time, she knew he was having a hard time and did her best to support him.

  'Do you have time for a cup of coffee?' Maria asked them.

  'I'm afraid not, Maria,' Agnes replied, 'we have about twenty minutes until the doctor is expected to return. Dick was a bit put out by George's message, so he wanted to know right away what you told the visitors.'

  'That's true, Maria, we cannot move from the manor if neither of us has a steady income. And what if my hand never heals right?'

  Dennis felt obliged to explain this.

  'One of our visitors showed him a break that had healed really badly, to warn him away from working against doctor's orders I guess. But it frightened Dick. If you listen to the doctor you will be fine, Dick, try not to worry. He said you would be all right, didn't he?'

  'Well, my love,' Maria now said, 'let's wait what the doctor says, and in the

  meantime I'll put your mind to rest about moving out. Our visitors were from the cute little town across the river. You know, with that low cottage with the copper weathervane that you liked so much? Two elders came by, to inquire after your health and to offer an apology for how we were treated when we went to view the cottage. I accepted the apology for it sounded as if they meant it. Then they begged me to consider buying the house after all, said we would be most welcome. But I remember their stares, Dick, and I don't think I'll ever forget how we both felt when they almost drove us out with their enmity. I don't want to live in that village, nor any other where we weren't welcome.

  I didn't tell them that, though, I want people to think well of us. So I thanked them for the offer, said we'd consider it but not to count on our buying the cottage, since we had decided to start our own business. I think they recognized it as a 'no', but we parted with utmost politeness. So you see there is no need to worry, Dick, we're not going to take any risks.'

  And to Agnes and Dennis she said, 'My father told me he has a replacement for me, a young lad who wants to learn the business, so in a few days I will be able to stay with Dick. I'm so glad you're doing all this for Dick, Mrs Beauchamp and Dennis, I'm so worried for him, look at my big hero.'

  He did indeed look a little worse for wear, flushed with fever, those new lines in his usually so placid face indicating he was in quite a lot of pain even now.

  'So your father has accepted your decision?' Agnes observed, 'that is very heartening, Maria. Dick will be so glad to have you around, even if you're going to be working hard. I hope you will decide to stay at the manor for quite some time, yet. I was looking forward to sharing my pregnancy with you, you know, have someone to nag at who actually understands.'

  Agnes' familiarity surprised Maria, but not Dennis. Her pregnancy had softened his beloved a lot, and she seemed to see the advantages now of having another woman around. Maria was very pleased to be actively wanted by the lady of the house, she knew it was no accident that there had been no other women at the manor until she came to live there.

  'Thank you, Mrs Beauchamp, you make me feel very welcome. We're going to need that, with Dick feeling so vulnerable.'

  She held her tall man very firmly and he buried his face in her bosom for a few minutes. Then he straightened h
imself and observed dryly, 'I'm glad you agree with me, Maria. I don't trust these villagers, one moment I'm a monster, and the next a hero. When will they change their minds again? I'll feel much

  better when I'm back to work.'

  'Are you ready for the doctor, Dick?' Agnes asked.

  'I am, mistress, the pain is getting worse, I'd like some more of those painkillers.'

  Agnes crossed the street at the front of their little party and it worked, several villagers seemed on their way to Dick when they spied their landlady and merely bowed respectfully and walked on. The doctor was back and received them politely but with a twinge of worry; he had not expected to see Dick again within the week. Once back in his study he observed, 'I'm sorry to see you back so soon, Dick, and in obvious pain. Your reputation as a hero has spread, but I hope the price won't be too high. Will you let me take a look at your hand?'

  Dick presented him with the large left limb, and the doctor very carefully removed the splint. Dennis could see that Dick's palm was still black and blue and swollen.

  'It's hot to the touch, and the swelling should be down by now. I want to examine the hand again, but that will hurt quite a bit. Please forgive me, it needs to be done.'

  The doctor now felt Dick's hand all over again, and it was obvious it hurt quite a bit, but Dick did not cry out or rage. He just sat there, waiting for the torture to be done.

  'The break hasn't moved, but I can feel something that shouldn't be there, a little lump.'

  Now Dick did cry out, whatever it was, this was what caused him pain.

  'I think it's an abscess, Dick, the hand feels hot and you look feverish, too.

  Not a raging fever, just enough to give you a flush. Did you get hit with a smooth club?'

  'No, doctor, it was just a length of wood as one might find in a forest.'

  'So there might have been splinters coming off that club?'

  'Yes, sir, though I didn't find one. Don't you think I would have seen it?'

  'Well, yes, but it seems as if there is an infection in your hand, and to get it out we need to know where it got in. Please show me again where exactly you were hit.'