Winthrop Trilogy Box Set

by Burnett, May

  “Oh dear, oh dear,” Mattock muttered, shaking his head. Susan and North exchanged perplexed glances.

  “Well?”

  “I’m that sorry, my lord – we didn’t know you were coming, today of all days – nobody else is here, only me. Miss went out on the boat, and has given three days’ leave to everyone. I only stayed because my gout was too painful.”

  North stared at the man. “The boat? What boat? And what of the cattle – dogs – animals?”

  “There be no more horses left, and we have no dogs any more, not even chickens; only the pigeons in the pigeon loft.”

  “Isn’t there a home farm?” Susan asked.

  “It’s in sorry state as well, my lady.”

  “Are you telling us,” North said incredulously, “that there is nobody at all to cook or make up beds or look after our horses?”

  “Even if Miss were here, there are only three servants left,” was the lugubrious answer. “The kitchen maid and two others, who had nowhere else to go. When wages are not paid for years and years, my Lord, what is a man to do?”

  North had no good reply to this question. He stared at Mattock as the appalling reality sank in. He had brought his new bride, the pampered, rich daughter of an earl, to a disaster area. She was remarkably calm about their circumstances, but she had to be tired from the long trip – as he was, despite his military background –a lady was entitled to her comfort. North had signally failed in his responsibility as her husband.

  “Susan,” he said awkwardly, “I had no idea it was this bad. I should have come ahead to prepare your welcome. I truly regret that you have come to find such disarray.”

  “It’s hardly your fault.” Her cheerful smile warmed him and almost drove away his embarrassment. “Calm down. At least we got in without a siege, and I’m sure we can fend for ourselves until we can hire more help.”

  “You haven’t seen the inside yet,” Mattock warned her. “It’s nowhere fit for a lady, much less a new bride. Miss Milla is not interested in housekeeping, and the money ran out.”

  “That will do, Mattock.” Every word was increasing North’s humiliation. “We’d better see for ourselves.” Before venturing inside, he had the coachmen unhitch the tired horses, and showed them the abandoned stables. There was some hay, but he’d have to purchase more right away. And oats, and straw…

  Mattock handed the large key to the main entrance to his master, and followed them inside, shaking his head.

  “How many years since you were last here?” Susan asked softly, looking around the dusty rooms.

  “Before I joined the army, and my parents died – almost a decade. I was not welcome while Edward was master here. When I inherited I thought I had better deal with his debts first, but now I see I should have made time to come anyway.”

  “The appalling state of the castle is Edward’s fault, North. Now you have me, and enough funds to put things right, so pray do not take this temporary inconvenience so much to heart. As soldier you must have camped in worse conditions than this.”

  “Of course I have, but that is beside the point. A gentleman does not bring his delicately nurtured bride to a ruin.” North’s gaze wandered from spots of damp in the lower walls to the spider webs decorating the upper corners. At least most of the furniture was still there – no doubt because it was too old-fashioned and heavy to make it worth selling, but all the pictures, knick-knacks, carpets, and other objects that had once made this place a tolerable home were missing. He looked around for candles, to get a clearer picture of the worst.

  “North, we came because I insisted, despite your very proper warning – don’t you remember what you said in my father’s study? I wanted the quick wedding, so you could not possibly have found the time to prepare properly. Under the circumstances, the isolation of your home, and the lack of people, may not be such a bad thing.”

  He hugged her. “I did not expect you to be so stalwart, Susan. You are only half right, but thank you. Now come on – the kitchen is thorough here. Duck your head. It seems that in medieval times, people were shorter than today.”

  ***

  The kitchens were old-fashioned but relatively clean, and the pantry yielded some basic foodstuffs, including a ham on which they feasted, together with the coachmen and old Mattock. The coachmen were then dispatched to the village to purchase supplies for horses and humans, and recruit staff, with the promise of steady, paid employment for anyone who survived a three-week probation period. All former servants would be paid their back wages in full. North only hoped that there was an account book somewhere, to establish the actual sums outstanding, or he would be swindled right and left.

  The historic bed in the master’s room proved to be damp. Susan shook her head at the mildew spots on the ancient velvet. “This is a crime, North, to let things get into such a condition,” she said severely. They settled on one of the other rooms as their temporary quarters. It might be dusty from disuse, but the mattress and ancient feather coverlets were dry, and the window was tightly closed to the winds.

  “This chamber can be made comfortable with a bit of effort,” Susan said. “Once we have dealt with the bigger rooms, Abigail can stay in it.”

  “Are you sure she’s coming here?”

  “I gave her detailed instructions on the way, ample funds, and a map,” Susan said. “She is the granddaughter of general, and badly needs to get away from London. Of course she will find us.”

  North did not share her certainty, but chose not to argue the matter. They would see soon enough.

  They left to continue their exploration. Susan scanned the doors in the family wing’s corridor. “Which is your sister’s room?”

  “When I left she was still in the nursery, on the second floor, above the kitchens. I don’t know where she is staying now.”

  They identified Milla’s room by the presence of a washing bowl, still damp, and a quantity of clothes carelessly thrown on the unmade bed. Susan regarded the garments with a frown. “These were made by someone who does not know the first thing about sewing.”

  “Milla,” he speculated. “The surprising thing is not that she’d be ignorant of sewing– she rebuffed mother’s attempts to show her – but that she’s doing it anyway.”

  “I don’t suppose she had any choice,” Susan said, with a last look at the girl’s room, before firmly closing the door behind her.

  Chapter 15

  Milla did not return home for two days. By then Susan and North were firmly ensconced, and had hired a small regiment of retainers. New servants were cleaning and repairing in every corner, glad enough of remunerated work in this depressed region. Susan had rehired the former cook with an increase in wages and two helpers. A large payment for past services had greatly endeared her new mistress to the cook, and the rest took their cue from her.

  The news of their return and solvency ran through the neighbourhood like wildfire. Two or three gentlemen whom North remembered from his youth, as well as the vicar and his lady immediately called on them, but North put out word that he and his wife would prefer to delay receiving and visiting until the castle’s reclamation were somewhat more advanced. He even recklessly announced a dinner party to be held for their neighbours when all was ready.

  They had hired two stable hands and three grooms. North would buy more horses at the local fair the coming week, if he could find anything suitable.

  He was impressed how quickly and easily Susan established her authority as the lady of the castle. She never raised her voice, and yet was instantly obeyed.

  “You can tell that the lady is real quality,” he overheard one of the new servants tell old Mattock.

  “Of course, she’s an earl’s daughter, didn’t you hear?”

  “No, I mean the way she knows exactly how a gentry household should run, whose duty everything is, who should report to whom,” the younger servant said, “how much everyone should be paid, and at what time. All those details she holds in that pretty head of hers.
”

  Mattock grunted his assent. North had to agree with their assessment. Susan did not only bring money, her experience in running a large modern household and dealing with servants was just as useful. He was uneasily aware that the local staff was not trained and experienced as she would be used to. Several times he heard her patiently explain their duties to the new hires, details that her former servants in London or Branscombe would have known without instruction.

  “Do you suppose we can find an experienced housekeeper willing to stay here?” North asked her when they were having their second real dinner, not counting the first night’s ham.

  “I don’t see why not. Why?”

  “You are doing too much yourself, Susan. All that basic instruction of servants, how to clean, how often, – in any normal household it is the upper servants who train the new staff, not the mistress herself.”

  “True,” she admitted, “and it is a good thing that I always paid attention to who was doing what, and how, so that I know how these things should be done. Once I have everything running as I want, I would not mind leaving the day-to-day oversight to a housekeeper or butler.” She ate some roast beef. “You have been just as busy, North. Did I see you up on the roof earlier? It looked dangerous.”

  “There was a leaking spot that we had to cover,” he said. “I am careful, don’t worry. I do not plan to leave you a widow at Fenton’s mercy.”

  “It gives me some satisfaction to think that he lost his bet.” Susan stabbed her fork into the meat as though skewering her enemy in the heart. “Unfortunately he’s so rich that he won’t feel it much.”

  “The money may not matter to him, as such, but he will hate losing. Moreover, that scene at our wedding is hardly going to repair his tarnished reputation. If I had not been in Church, and the groom, I was sorely tempted to knock him down.”

  “So were my brothers, I’m sure.” Susan turned her head. “Do you hear raised voices outside?”

  “That must be Milla. Brace yourself.”

  His sister entered like a whirlwind, all black locks and big blue eyes – her features even prettier than their mother’s had been, but Milla’s complexion was burned brown from the sun, and the hair matted with salt water. She was dressed in a nondescript garment, too short and loose, and sturdy shoes. Despite her eccentric garb she moved gracefully, and with assurance.

  “So you have come home,” Milla greeted North, challenge in her voice. “Who is she?” North would have bet that she already knew perfectly well.

  “Susan, this is my sister Camilla. Milla, my wife Susan, the new Lady Northcote. Where have you been, Milla?”

  “I am happy to meet you at last,” Susan said gravely. Milla stared at her defiantly.

  “Nobody needs you here. We were doing fine before you came.”

  “Milla!” North exclaimed. “You forget yourself. Susan is the mistress here now, and you will obey her.”

  “When pigs fly,” his sister said inelegantly. “You didn’t bother to come in ten years, and now suddenly you arrive with an English wife and take over everything?”

  “It is my right and duty, Milla. From the state I found the place – though it is Edward I blame – you should be grateful that Susan and her money are available to set everything to rights.”

  “Let’s not argue,” Susan said mildly. “Milla, you may be hungry – will you join us in our meal?”

  Milla stared at Susan for a minute in silence. “No,” she said at last, shortly, and left in the direction of her room.

  North and Susan exchanged perplexed glances. “She’s very good-looking,” Susan said, “but as you warned me, her manners leave something to be desired.”

  “Let’s hope she adapts to the new situation quickly. It does have advantages, after all – a clean home, regular warm food, and new clothes. I know I am thankful for all you have done for us here.”

  “It is all too clear Milla does not see it like that,” Susan said. “This will take time and patience. Please don’t tell her again that she should obey me and be grateful, that is only likely to set her back up further. Let me deal with her in my own way.”

  “As you like – tell me if you need any help.” North took a drink from his jug of ale, in dire need of refreshment after this scene.

  “What I find truly strange,” Susan said slowly, “does nobody see anything shocking in Milla’s absence for several nights, presumably alone on a boat? She has been living here without any respectable chaperon. Any other young lady would be considered ruined by the things she does quite casually.”

  “She’s always been a law unto herself, since early childhood,” North explained. “From what I have been able to discover from our callers, everyone in the area has learned to accept her on her own terms. Several people in the village have told me she’s a highly skilled sailor and often takes her boat out for days on end. She bought the boat in exchange for the last horses when the feed ran out, and Edward neglected to send any money home. She used it to fish when food is – was – scarce. She even sold some of the surplus catch.” And it shamed him and his dead half-brother that she had been driven to such extremes. A Northcote, selling fish! But Susan had to know what they were dealing with.

  “That shows she is fit and resourceful, but now that your sister is close to marriageable age, that kind of independence will not do. She cannot live here in this remote place all her life – Milla should have a season in London, be presented, go to balls and be courted.”

  “I simply cannot see her in that situation,” North said. “It defies imagination. You saw how wind-blown and brown she is. The ton would take one look at her and reject her.”

  “That is all superficial, and can be changed.”

  “She does not currently have a dowry,” North reminded Susan. “My parents had set aside eight thousand pounds for her, but Edward gambled that away with all the rest. I shall replace it when we can afford to, but it may take some time. Finding a secure source of income has to take priority.”

  “Even so, when we go back to town eventually, we have to take her along. A young lady simply cannot reside here all alone.”

  “I will leave it up to you to convince Milla of that,” North said. “Especially that she is a lady. She does not seem to embrace the role, from what I could observe.”

  “What chance did she have? It is a existence she has never experienced, from what you told me.”

  “She had our mother’s example.”

  “A stubborn child’s antics have nothing at all to say to her current prospects.”

  “Are we having our first argument?” North asked. “Because if so, I am looking forward to the making up. It is rather late and you have worked very hard – what say you to adjourning our discussion to our own room?”

  “Oh, very well – and it’s not an argument, merely a discussion. An argument is when each of us wants to clout the other over the head. I do not want to right now, at least not yet.”

  “And I have very different plans for your delectable body,” he said in a low voice as they went through the deserted corridor towards their room. “As long as we are happy in the bedroom, I somehow doubt that our ‘discussions’ will escalate too much.”

  “Is it normal, doing this every night, what we have been doing?”

  “In newlyweds, completely normal,” he reassured her. “Over the years, when people get older, I have heard the frequency diminishes somewhat. Though right now I find that hard to believe. And each childbirth means a pause of several weeks, I imagine.”

  “Childbirth,” Susan said, recalled to the reason for their marriage. “Abby found that she was with child, when her courses did not come on time.”

  “Ah yes, that is another reason many couples interrupt their lovemaking, though not all.”

  “Mine should have arrived in the last few days,” Susan confided. “Is it possible - ? I suppose it is.”

  “Travel and hard work may be the reason, but if your courses do not come in the next f
ew weeks, chances are you are carrying my child.” North forced himself to speak calmly. A child, so soon ... but with a young healthy woman like Susan and a virile husband intent on making love every night, it was entirely natural. “Let me know if you have other symptoms, like an excessive sensitivity to odours, queasiness, strange food cravings, especially tender breasts –“

  “You know a lot about it,” Susan said suspiciously.

  “Not through having fathered any bastards, I assure you. I just pay attention to what people discuss around me.”

  “We can test the tenderness of my breasts right now,” Susan said, slipping off her shoes and beginning to unroll a stocking, starting from the garter.

  “I look forward to it.” He ripped off his neck cloth.

  “I am getting so used to undressing and sleeping with you,” Susan said thoughtfully, as she began to unlace her stays’ front ties. ”Only last month I could not have imagined doing such private things in front of another person, especially one of the other sex.”

  North smiled. “That’s what marriage is all about, Susan. An intimacy that unmarried people cannot begin to fathom.”

  “I had no idea.” She removed the stays and petticoat, and was left only in her thin cotton shift, embroidered with tiny blue forget-me-nots.

  “Don’t catch cold,” he said, coming to envelop her in a hug and lifting her into the high bed. “We cannot afford for you to fall ill. Your brothers would think that I murdered you.”

  To his delight, she actually giggled. “They would, wouldn’t they? A good thing that I never catch even a sniffle.”

  She watched in appreciative silence as he finished undressing rapidly. “Now what were we about to do? I cannot remember,” she affected ignorance as he came purposefully towards her.

  “Checking on the tenderness of your breasts, milady.”

  “Ah.” She covered them with her hands. “That sounds terribly clinical.”

  “In that case, I’ll have to distract you first.” He caught her in a deep kiss, satisfied to see her eyes turn unfocused and her hands slowly rise to clasp his shoulders.