When Fate Steps In

by Shirley A. Roe

“Grandmama would not have done such a thing. Speaking of father’s funeral, how can you live with the woman that murdered him?” He spat the words in Elana’s direction; she recoiled in horror.

  “That’s enough. Elana did not kill your father! The man that killed him has confessed.” Now Mary Margaret was angry. “She served five years in prison because of your Grandmama!” It was one thing for James to insult her, but no one would insult her sister in her presence and get away with it. She leaned toward him, her face directly in front of his. “Your Grandmama hired that man to kill your father. That woman was a raving lunatic and you should know the truth.” She placed great emphasis on the word Grandmama. He just stared at her. At least she had his attention.

  “She’s telling the truth, James. You can ask the police if you don’t believe us. When they went to arrest Lady Birmingham for arranging the murder, she died of shock and hopefully guilt.” Elana could not resist throwing a verbal dagger at Evelyn.

  James jumped up, “I won’t listen to this! Grandmama loved me. She didn’t do what you say. She didn’t!” He ran from the cottage. Mary Margaret went after him, but he ran too fast and was soon gone over the moors toward Birmingham Manor.

  “Let him go, Mary Margaret. The boy needs time for all of this to sink in.” Elana took her sister back toward the cottage. Emily appeared from one of the outbuildings.

  “Is James coming to see my lamb?” She looked around for him.

  “No love, he needs to go and be alone for a while. This is a great shock for all of us.” Emily noticed her mother was crying and she went to her. She put her small arms around Mary Margaret and rested her head on her waist. Mary Margaret held her tightly while she cried. This was not the homecoming she had envisioned.

  A stranger watched James run across the moors. Hazel ducked into the bushes when she heard him coming. She watched as Mary Margaret struggled to catch up with him and then turned back toward the road. Pushing the branches aside, she spoke under her breath, “So you’ve come back have you. I hope your grandmother pays for what she did to my Andy.” Hazel, not knowing of Evelyn’s death, moved out of the bushes and walked toward the road mumbling under her breath.

  Mary Margaret and Elana were beginning to worry about James; he had been gone for hours.

  James did not come back until dark. He walked into the cottage without a word. Elana was sitting by the fire alone and she pointed to the other chair, intimating that he should sit down. “Where is Mother?” He stood beside the chair.

  “She is upstairs putting Emily to bed. Sit down. Are you feeling better now?” Elana’s heart was breaking for her nephew and her sister. He sat down, but didn’t look comfortable. He looked at her for a long time before he spoke. She waited silently.

  “Was it true? Did you go to prison for five years?” She nodded, but remained silent.

  “And this man said that my grandmother hired him?” She nodded again, realizing that he needed to talk. He needed answers, but he looked at her and what he said next surprised her.

  “I remember you.” She looked at him and smiled. “You used to play with me. What was that silly game we used to play?”

  “The laughing game; you loved to play that game over and over.”

  “I remember that, but I was a very small boy then.” He had a faraway look in his eyes.

  She took a chance. “Would you like to play the laughing game now, James?” He hesitated, wanting to give the impression that he was too old for silly games, but finally, he nodded.

  “Yes, I would.” She started the game without delay.

  “Ha.”

  “Ha, ha.” He added

  “Ha, ha, ha.” Elana took her turn. This continued until, as always happened with the laughing game, they were both in fits of laughter. Mary Margaret found them like this much to her surprise. She stayed in the shadows and watched them, listening.

  James was wiping tears of laughter from his face. “Thank you, Auntie Elana, that was great fun. I remember how we used to roll on the floor laughing and laughing. Sometimes Father would play with us.” At the mention of his father he seemed to come to a realization. “You liked my father, didn’t you?” In the shadows, Mary Margaret held her breath.

  “Of course I did, James. He was my brother-in-law and a wonderful man. I loved him.”

  “You would not have killed him. I realize that now.” She watched him, knowing that he was forming new conclusions. “You must be telling the truth about the other man, but, I don’t believe Grandmama hired him and now she is dead.” James looked away sadly. “I will never be able to ask her.” He was grieving for his grandmother. This was a delicate situation and must be carefully handled. Mary Margaret took this as a good time to enter the room.

  “Would anyone like a nice cup of tea?” She asked without any pressure on James.

  “I would, how about you, James?” He turned and looked at Elana first and then he turned to Mary Margaret. He did not smile at his mother, instead growing more aloof.

  “No, thank you. I am going to bed.” He walked toward the small bedroom off the main room. The sisters watched him go.

  “Just give him time, Mary Margaret.” Elana felt her heart break for her sister. “Let’s have that tea, shall we?”

  James avoided his mother for the next few days. He spent time visiting Max and Emily, and even went to the cliffs with Elana. No one pressured him.

  After supper one night, he finally addressed his mother. “You really didn’t know that Grandmama was taking me away to school?” He stood resting his arm on the mantle, looking very mature and much older than his thirteen years. Mary Margaret sat in one of the winged back chairs by the fireplace. Elana was on the settee.

  “I didn’t know, James. I was against your going to school. I hired a tutor for you, so you could stay with your father and I. Please believe me, James. I looked everywhere for you for years and years. I never gave up.” She wanted him to believe her with all her heart.

  He looked at her carefully. “I cried every day for you. I asked God to bring me home, but he didn’t do it. You never came to get me.” His head dropped and his eyes remained on the floor. He looked like a little boy again. She stood and took one step toward him. Elana gave her a nod encouraging her to go to him. Mary Margaret was afraid he would reject her. She didn’t know if she could bear it if he did. She took another step.

  He looked up and whispered, “Mother.” There were tears in his eyes.

  She pulled him into her arms. He was almost as tall as she was and his arms went around her. Together they cried and cried, until they were spent. Elana also cried, wonderful tears of happiness. Finally her family was together. Now, if only Daniel would come home everything would be perfect.

  That evening was a crossing point for Mary Margaret and James. It would take time, but the two started to find their way back to one another over the summer. Everyone helped put the manor house back to its former glory. Elana grew larger with child with each passing day and was unable to do as much as she wanted. Max insisted that she take it easy. He was happy to be back running the farm again. Retirement didn’t suit him and now he was busy ordering seed, getting the machinery repaired and hiring farmhands. Even Maude showed up at the manor house one day, to see how things were going. “I won’t come back to work, but I have found someone to cook for you. You remember Bertha? Well, she is not working at the moment and would love to come back. I will drop in to make sure she knows what she’s doing.” Mary Margaret laughed, realizing that Maude wanted to be part of the resurrection. She was thrilled to have everyone back together again. She hugged Maude, who quipped, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I always say.” They had missed Maude and her quotes.

  Many times Mary Margaret would look at her son in disbelief. Sometimes she would see him at a distance and think it was Charles. She still had trouble accepting that James was really back. All the years that Evelyn stole from her, she would never have back. She had not watched him grow up. He was almost a man
, but he was in her life. She had to focus on that. Every night she thanked God for bringing him home.

  A surprise visitor arrived late one afternoon. Mary Margaret was in the parlor when she heard the butler answering the door. A few minutes later, he arrived announcing that Lady Jane Windsor was here to see her Ladyship.

  “Lady Jane, how nice to see you.” Mary Margaret was polite but reserved with her visitor. She didn’t like her or trust her, and she was much too friendly with Evelyn to be a welcome guest in this house.

  “Lady Birmingham, I am sure you wonder why I am here.” Mary Margaret asked her to sit down and sat opposite her, waiting patiently. “I was most disturbed to hear of Evelyn’s death. I have some things that belonged to her and I felt that James should have them.”

  “Thank you, I will take them for him.” Mary Margaret was wary.

  “I would rather see him myself, if you don’t mind.” She adjusted her skirt, not looking at Mary Margaret. “I know how you felt about Evelyn and I am not comfortable giving her things to you.”

  “That is most unfortunate because I am not comfortable with you being in my home. My son is busy and not here at the moment, so leave what you have brought and kindly get out!” Lady Jane’s mouth fell open at Mary Margaret’s rudeness.

  “I beg your pardon! Evelyn was right, you are an uncouth hussy.” Now Mary Margaret was really angry. She stood up, about to have the butler physically remove Lady Jane, when James arrived.

  “Lady Jane! What a pleasant surprise.” He came and took her hand, bowing lowly. Mary Margaret was fuming, but remained silent.

  “James, look how you have grown. You look just like your handsome father. He and I were very close.” She looked sideways at Mary Margaret and smirked. “I am here to give you my condolences on the death of your grandmother. I miss you both very much. France just isn’t the same without you.”

  “I miss Grandmama, but I like living in England and the estate is prospering once again.” James sat down beside his mother. He noticed that Mary Margaret was silent and rigid. He knew he must have interrupted something. He reached over and took her hand in his.

  Lady Jane did not miss the gesture. “I have some of your grandmother’s things that I was sure you would want. Have your butler bring the trunk in from my carriage.”

  “It was most kind of you to bring them. I shall go and have the trunk brought in. Would you like some tea?” He looked over at Mary Margaret and gestured that she should go and get the tea. She didn’t move.

  “No thank you, James, I must be going. I have other business in Chatsworth. It was lovely to see you.” She offered her hand and he stood and took it in his, bowing graciously.

  In a rustle of taffeta, she glided from the room. Mary Margaret glared at her until she was out the door. James followed, organizing the moving of the trunk. He was back in minutes.

  “Now, Mother, exactly what was that all about?” James stood with his hands on his hips waiting for an explanation. She looked away, embarrassed by her own behavior. “Mother?”

  “I apologize James, but that woman has always been a thorn in my side, not to mention that she just insulted me.” She looked at him, hoping he would understand. The butler arrived with the trunk. James was immediately curious and Mary Margaret was thankful for the distraction.

  The two of them opened the old trunk, curious to see what was inside. James lifted some clothing aside and pulled a few ledger books from the trunk. He looked at Mary Margaret oddly.

  He handed her the ledgers as he pulled various bits and pieces from the trunk. She sat down and flipped open the pages. Putting her hand to her throat, she gasped. The ledgers were a record of the money that Evelyn had stolen from the estate over the years. James rose and came to his mother’s side. “What is it?”

  “It appears that your grandmother recorded all of the money that she pilfered from this estate over the years. It is thousands of pounds and I have only looked at this one book!”

  Nonplussed, he went back to the trunk and removed several letters. While Mary Margaret flipped through the ledgers, growing more horrified at Evelyn’s apparent theft of estate funds, James found an interesting letter. He removed it from the envelope and read the contents. He turned pale.

  “Mother, I think you should see this.” Mary Margaret was engrossed in the ledgers and didn’t look up right away. “Mother!” She looked over to see James sitting on the floor holding the letter. The look on his face was one of utter disbelief.

  “Give me the letter, James.” She walked over and took it from his hand. Her hands shook as she began to read:

  Lady Birmingham, all of the preparations have been made as per your instructions. If you make sure the window to the Lord’s room is opened on the night in question, I shall complete our arrangement, as agreed. Please deposit the sum of five hundred pounds in my bank account today. Burn this letter.

  Andy Wilson.

  It fell from her hand and she pulled her son into her arms. Poor James, now you know the truth. God, make him strong enough to handle it. You foiled yourself with your fastidious ways, Evelyn. You should have burned it. She remained silent. Her own hatred for Evelyn was overshadowed for her love for her son. James pulled away and put the letter back in the trunk and slammed the lid. He returned and held his mother tightly.

  James was up early and out on the farm ready to work. Max and James had a good relationship. The next afternoon, while they walked the perimeter checking fences, he asked Max to take him to the police station. “Are you sure you want to do that, Lad?”

  “Yes, Max. I have questions that only the police can answer.” He looked very grown up. The letter from the trunk was folded in his pants pocket.

  Max looked at him, saluted and replied, “Yes, my Lord. I will be happy to take you into town.” They both laughed. Their relationship was more like grandson and grandfather than Lord and farm manager and they both had respect and admiration for each other.

  When James came back from town, he sought out his mother and his aunt. They were in the parlor listening to Emily play the piano. James listened to his sister play, thinking that she was very good.

  “That was wonderful, Emily.” Emily beamed at praise from her older brother. She idolized James. “Would you excuse us for a few minutes?” She took the hint and left them alone.

  “I have been to the police station.” Elana and Mary Margaret exchanged a concerned look. “Apparently, there is no doubt that Grandmamma paid that horrible man. The police have evidence and the bank has confirmed a large transfer of funds to his account almost on the same day that father was killed.”

  “I’m sorry, James. I know you loved your grandmother.” Mary Margaret had difficulty saying the words, but James had a completely different perspective of Evelyn Birmingham than the rest of them did.

  “I shall remember the happy times that I had with her and I shall try to accept that she was mentally ill. There is no other explanation that I can live with. Mother, I want you to know that I am happy to be back with you and Emily.” He smiled at his mother and she smiled back lovingly, “Now, I believe we must all put the past behind us and move forward.” Elana watched him, thinking that James was very mature for his age.

  Mary Margaret beamed with pride. This was her son and Charles would have been so proud of him. She told him, “James, your father would be very proud of the man you have become.” She walked toward him and pulled him into her arms. He might be almost a man, but he would never be too old for his mother to put her arms around him. James felt loved and wanted, at last. He held her at arm’s length and made her very happy with his next statement.

  “Mother, I have decided to attend school here in England. I have written to the headmaster and requested that my records be sent here.” Mary Margaret was overjoyed to hear this. The trunk and all of its contents were burned. None of them wanted to reopen the past.

  James and Max formed a special bond. The young man learned a great deal from Max and Max was overjoye
d to have such a willing student. Max was reminded of Charles and he knew that James would be a good man to work for. In September, James left for school, but he would be home every few months to visit them.

  Elana was swollen with child. Mary Margaret wanted Elana to stay in the manor house, but all of her years alone in her tiny cell had made her comfortable with being alone. She actually preferred it. The cottage was her home and that is where she would stay. She spent time in her herb garden, supplying the manor house and selling herbs at the market. Finally a letter from Daniel arrived, telling her that he would rush home as soon as his final commission was over in December. She read it over and over as she lay in her bed thinking of him, their child and the life they would have together.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The Destiny was tossed to and fro, as the waves grew higher and higher. Thunder crashed and lightning bolts lit up the dark sea. Daniel and Captain Bartlett were in the captain’s quarters.

  “It is a bad one, Daniel. We will have to go below if the storm gets much worse.” Daniel was nervous. In all the years he had been at sea, this was the worst storm he had experienced.

  The first mate banged on the captain’s door. The door opened and water poured onto the floor from the deck. Rain pelted against the open door and the mate had trouble closing it against the steady wind. “It’s bad, Captain. We’re too close to the rocky shore. If we get washed against the rocks the ship could overturn or be battered. We’re trying to turn her, but the wind is too strong.” The captain put his slicker and hat on, preparing to go with the first mate.

  Just as he reached the door, the ship lurched violently to starboard. The captain, Daniel and the first mate were thrown across the room. The door fell open and rain pelted them. The ship seemed to be leaning to one side. They tried to get up, but the ship shook and rocked brutally. Things fell from the shelves and smashed on the floor of the cabin. The table tipped over and slid along the floor, pinning Daniel to the wall. He tried to move it, but the force of the heavy table and the angle of the ship were too much. He saw the captain struggling to stand. The first mate was unconscious, and blood gushed from his forehead. The water rose around them.