Ella's War

by Lynne Francis

  Ella wiped her eyes. There was no point in indulging in self-pity. Her choice was made and she was fortunate to have been given a second chance in York. There was no point in thinking about Albert any more; she had clearly read something into their relationship that wasn’t there. She shuddered as she thought about his involvement with Violet Lockwood; it cast him in quite a different light. She would have to learn to put Albert, and the life she had allowed herself to imagine, out of her mind forever.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Back in Northwaite, it wasn’t long before Albert was wondering how he had allowed himself to become involved with Violet. In fact, how had he allowed so many things to happen? He knew he would never be able to make Violet happy. His heart belonged to one person only, the person for whom he had worked so hard in York, hoping to return to claim her, to give her a better life, only to discover that she was long dead. He had thought to try to make things right for Alice’s family, feeling somehow a responsibility for her death, and he hoped that the course he had finally settled on was the right one. They had the security of a house, at a rent that allowed Sarah to feel her dignity was retained, and he had been able to pour some of his feelings into the carved adornments around the cottage doors and gatepost. He had raised a gravestone in honour of Alice, as he had wanted, and as the vicar had advised firmly against the wording he had wished to carve into the stone, he had settled for a plain inscription with his feelings bound up once more in the flowers and foliage. The headstone stood out from all the others in the churchyard, and for that he was proud.

  He was less proud of what had happened with regard to Ella. He had been truly shocked by her revelation of Alice’s death on their first brief meeting in York on that miserable day before Christmas. And shocked again to find Ella and lose her in the space of a few seconds as he saw her being driven away from Grange House just a few days later. He had risen to the challenge of seeking her out and his feelings when he did were not only the joy of success, but something more. Ella had changed from the young girl he had once kept company with on the way to the mill, their only link then being her relationship to Alice. Now she had grown into a young woman with a confusing resemblance to her sister and yet a compelling character all of her own. He was both attracted to her, yet terrified by this attraction. Was he drawn to her because of her resemblance to Alice, or in spite of it? If he pursued the attraction, if he married her, would he end up causing further harm to the family, and to Ella? What if it should turn out that the only motivation was her similarity to her sister, something that might easily vanish with time, leaving each of them frustrated by a hopelessly unfulfilling marriage?

  Moreover, he knew that his family would never approve. They had a deep-seated dislike of the Bancroft family, blaming Alice for the fire at the mill and the subsequent loss of livelihoods in the area. It made no difference that neither of Albert’s parents were employed at the mill – their feelings were based on local prejudice and gossip and had hardened over time into an implacable dislike. They disapproved of Albert having anything to do with the Bancroft family and were furious with him over his involvement in the carvings of Alice’s headstone and at Lane End Cottage. He had managed to keep his purchase of the cottage and subsequent rental of it to Sarah from them, and he was deeply grateful that word of it didn’t seem to have been spread by the village gossip grapevine.

  They would never have accepted Ella into the family, and while this did not worry Albert unduly – for he felt little affection for his parents – he saw it as yet another reason to avoid any entanglement with Ella. So he hardened his heart and turned away from her, although he didn’t like to see the puzzlement in her eyes, eyes that sought his at every opportunity, eyes that had gone from sparkling and joyous to sad. When he heard that she was to return to York, however, it gave him time to pause and think. He realised that he regretted his decision and his actions. He had believed Ella to be tied to Northwaite for good, but suddenly he saw that the pair of them might have made a life for themselves in York, away from parental disapproval on his part, and also away from the landscape and surroundings that seemed to be filled with Alice’s presence. In a new environment, perhaps love could have flourished, untainted. But by then, it was too late.

  By then he had taken up with Violet, already a cause for regret. She had worked for a brief period at the mill, although he had not been aware of her then. She had considered the work beneath her and so her father Walter, the village butcher, had found her employment as a companion to one of his customers, a Mrs Booth who lived in a grand, but run-down house on the Haworth road. When she told him about her place of work, Albert had feigned ignorance although he was perfectly well aware of the decrepit state the house had been in seven years previously, before he left for York. It amused him to hear Violet tell of the grandness of the rooms and the prestigious nature of her employment. A glance at her reddened hands had told him that her work was more manual than cerebral.

  He had come across Violet when running an errand for his mother, paying off their monthly account at the butcher’s. Violet had been behind the counter, ‘just helping out while Father visits a supplier’ as she was at pains to point out. She clearly knew who Albert was, although he had only the haziest recollection of her in the village. He had noted her good looks, though, in an almost forensic way. Violet had pale skin in contrast to her very dark hair and the full red lips which had first caught his attention. She was quite short, but full figured with a trim waist: she could hardly have been more different in appearance to Alice, or Ella. Perhaps it was this that gave her some mysterious allure, or was it his determination to shut out Ella from his life? He found himself walking out in the late afternoon at a time that he knew would coincide with Violet’s walk home from her work. The exchange of polite greetings moved on to a chivalrous offer to see her to her gate. Albert was initially perturbed to find that what drew him to Violet wasn’t the pleasure of her conversation but instead the admiration of her physical form. He found himself wondering what it would feel like to kiss those full lips and that white neck, to feel her shudder with pleasure under his caress. Albert’s time in York had not been without its diversions, even though in his mind he had remained completely true to Alice. He spotted in Violet something as yet untapped, something that reminded him of his adventures in York. He became focused on finding a way of unleashing it.

  Walter Lockwood must have had a sixth sense for Albert’s motivations, however. He asked him straight out, early on and quite bluntly, what his intentions were with regard to his daughter. Albert, taken unawares, could only blush and mumble words that he hoped would satisfy the older man. It seemed they did, for Albert’s attentions were encouraged by both Violet and her family. Her four sisters and her parents found cause to leave the couple alone more often than polite society would have allowed. Perhaps Violet’s father, recognising that the young man had a skilled profession and the potential for a good future, was shrewder than Albert gave him credit for. At any rate, it took Albert little time to discover what it felt like to kiss Violet’s rosy lips while they were left alone in the front parlour. The risk of someone returning unexpectedly to catch them only added to the excitement for Albert. He left after this first visit flushed by more than his proximity to a heartier fire than the evening demanded, and was quick to return to pay his respects to the family again.

  Albert’s parents, for their part, were keen to encourage the relationship once they heard of it, and encouraged him to walk over to see Violet as soon as their evening meal was done. Albert’s mother allowed herself to imagine how sensible such a marriage would be, binding Albert to the village, without considering that his earning power lay elsewhere. Albert, always keen to escape the stultifying atmosphere of his parents’ home, and wary of being too regular a visitor to the Bancroft household, found himself increasingly looking forward to his visits to Violet. It wasn’t entirely the pleasure of her company that he sought, however, and he failed to see the web into
which he was being drawn. Once he had established that creaking floorboards in the hallway would warn of the imminent arrival of a family member, he felt emboldened to move from merely kissing Violet to more intimate caresses that, after initial protestations, she seemed to welcome, moaning softly so that he found it difficult to restrain his ardour. Each night he left the house more disconsolate than before. One particular evening, following a day in which Albert had allowed his imaginings a particularly free rein, neither Albert nor, it would seem, Violet heard the tell-tale creak of the floorboards in the hallway. The door opened and, before either had time to compose themselves, there stood Walter. Following a very difficult interview with Mr Lockwood, during which Albert could hear storms of weeping from the hapless Violet in another room, he found that he had asked for Violet’s hand in marriage and been accepted. A date for the wedding celebrations was set for early in the New Year, leaving Albert with several weeks for his passion to cool as the excitement and preparations intensified around him.

  PART THREE

  1904–1913

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Things had indeed changed a great deal at Grange House in her absence, as Ella very quickly discovered. Grace and Mrs Ward were travelling in Europe. This fact, relayed to Ella by Doris, was accompanied by raised eyebrows, which suggested that she didn’t believe all was as straightforward as it might seem.

  ‘As for Mr Ward, you’ll see for yourself. The poor man seems at a loss.’ This was conveyed to Ella within the first hour of her return by Mrs Dawson as she poured her a cup of tea in the kitchen.

  ‘The business has suffered. There was quite a scandal, you know, over Grace and Edgar Broughton. Things were hushed up as best they could but word got out somehow. I’m sure it wasn’t from here.’ Mrs Dawson stirred her tea thoughtfully. ‘I think it was that manservant of the Broughtons’. Anyway, some Lord somebody-or-other, a friend of the Broughtons, cancelled his contract for a house that Mr Ward was to build, and a couple of other people did the same. But memories are short, something else came up to occupy the gossips and it looks as though all is forgotten now. Sending Grace abroad was a good idea, if you ask me. Mr Ward has been busy with projects in Leeds, but it makes for a long day. He won’t be back to eat dinner until late.’

  Mrs Dawson got to her feet and prepared to clear the cups away. ‘I’m pleased to see you, but I’m surprised that you’ve been asked back, to be honest. Whatever were you thinking of, with that love potion of yours?’

  Ella opened her mouth to defend herself then thought better of it. What could she say? It was better that she kept her head down, worked hard and made up for her misdemeanours.

  Mrs Sugden said much the same to Ella when she returned from town at the end of the afternoon. After she had welcomed her back with some enthusiasm, she warned her to be on her best behaviour, for she’d not be given another chance. Ella, aware that this was to be an overriding theme, just nodded. She was settling back into her room, unpacking her few things, when word was sent to her at eight in the evening that Mr Ward wished to speak to her.

  With some trepidation, and reminded strongly of the unpleasant interview that had taken place there less than a year before, Ella went down into the main house then mounted the stairs to the library. A small table had been set in front of the fire and Mr Ward was eating a lonely supper there. He looked exhausted, white and drawn with dark circles beneath his eyes.

  ‘Ella!’ he said as she entered the room. ‘I’m pleased to see you back at Grange House. I daresay you have been made aware of events since your departure.’ He raised his eyebrows quizzically and Ella, only too aware of her role in these events, blushed furiously.

  ‘Well, first of all, I would like to apologise for my refusal to hear what you had to say. It turns out that it was a very good decision not to involve the constable at the time. Grace did at least have the courage to confess that it was all her doing once she realised that you had been sent away. By the time I tried to make contact with you, you were not to be found at your old address but, thanks to Albert’s kind offices, here we are.’ Ella felt her colour, which had subsided somewhat, begin to rise again at the unexpected mention of Albert’s name.

  ‘So, the situation is as follows. Grace is travelling with her mother in attendance. John has been sent away to school.’ Ella, unprepared for his last sentence, couldn’t suppress a start and a gasp. Why had no one told her about John? And why hadn’t she thought to ask?

  ‘Ah, I see you weren’t made aware of this.’ Mr Ward pushed his plate away and leant back in his chair, placing his fingertips together. Ella noticed that his food was barely touched.

  ‘I have to confess that this has not been a great success. The school has been in regular contact with me and, while initially they were confident that John would settle, it seems that they have been unable to alleviate his distress at being away from home. They are of the firm opinion he would do better at home for another year or two. Your return, therefore, is timely. With Mrs Ward away, and the demands of my work keeping me from home for the best part of the day, it would otherwise be just as unsettling for John to be here.’

  Mr Ward took a sip of wine and seemed to consider. ‘I have engaged a governess for John for the time being and then, in a year or two when he is more settled, he can be a day pupil in York. I have a school already in mind. In the meantime, I would like you to return to an arrangement similar to the one you had before, combining household duties with being available to mind John. I have considered your salary in this connection, and feel that, with this additional responsibility, a small increase could be awarded you. Mrs Sugden will explain this to you further.’

  Mr Ward, registering the surprise on Ella’s face, added ‘I think it would be wise to keep the news of this increase from the other servants. I’m not sure they will understand, in view of your previous dismissal from the household. Of course, I am relying on you and trust there will be nothing in your future behaviour to make me regret offering you this chance.’

  ‘I will do my very best at all times, Mr Ward. I am honoured that you would entrust me with some of the care of John –’ Here Ella paused as the realisation of what John must have gone through over the past few months dawned on her.

  Mr Ward waved her away in dismissal but spoke again as she reached the door. ‘Ella, I have every faith in you. I was very taken by your common sense the first time we met, back in Nortonstall. I feel sure I am doing the right thing.’

  So it was that Ella had gone to bed that night overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations that seemed to have been heaped upon her. She had failed before, acting with naivety. Could she trust herself in the future? Had coming back been the right decision?

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Within a couple of days of Ella’s return to the house, John was back too. It struck Ella to the core to see how pale and wan he looked and, although his face lit up when he first saw her, just as quickly the shutters came down. At first, he was subdued and wary. After several months during which his world had been turned upside down, he clearly didn’t dare to trust his good fortune now that he was home.

  Ella decided that the best course was to act as far as possible as though nothing had changed, in the hope that he would settle down and quickly forget his recent trauma. It worked at first, but within a week his newly appointed governess reported to Mr Ward that John was waking in the night with terrible nightmares. She could hear him from her room further along the corridor. As governess, she didn’t consider night duty to be part of her role and he was considered too old to have a nursery nurse, so an impasse had been reached.

  When word reached Ella, she didn’t hesitate. ‘Why, he can’t be left to himself every night in this state,’ she declared. ‘If I can be allowed to make up a bed in his room then I am happy to sleep there until this passes. I don’t suppose it will be long. Just until he feels secure again.’

  It turned out to be many months before John felt secure again and
it wasn’t until Grace and Mrs Ward returned, both much changed by their sojourn abroad, that Ella was able to return to her own room. John woke several times a night for the first month, then gradually his nightmares receded until they were once or twice a week. Whenever Ella suggested it was time that she moved back to her room, the bad dreams increased in frequency and intensity. She sensed an element of manipulation, but with no female relative at home to take her place at night, it seemed best to let things lie. Edith, his eldest sister, had married, in spite of the initial slur on the family’s reputation, and she had now moved down south. Ailsa had taken up residence with her Scottish cousins, no doubt glad to have an escape route from a house where all seemed gloomy and subdued.