Brothers at Arms

by Brothers at Arms (epub)

  Michael Gransden’s eyes widened as the implication dawned.

  “Oh, I didn’t know – nor did James. That’s excellent news, Joshua,” he babbled. “I mean, it will be splendid having you here for longer. I must tell my father. He is sure to be coming in July, and will want to meet him.”

  It seemed strange that a few days ago, Joshua was virtually a pariah, and now, because of his father’s political connections, he was socially acceptable.

  “Yes,” he said with a wry smile. “I’ll be sure to introduce them.”

  In June, they heard news that obscured everything else. There was joy and celebration in the air. Church bells rang out, announcing the war in Europe was over, and everyone knew of the signing of the Peace Treaty at Amiens.

  The discovery of Joshua’s connections so changed Michael Gransden’s demeanour, he could not wait to issue the next invitation.

  “Let me know when you next come to the shearings, Joshua. You must stay with us at Lynn, and I’ll travel to Holkham with you.”

  It was one thing for Joshua to be the son of an obscure country squire, but for Mr Coke to acknowledge his father was another. Life was indeed strange.

  “You made quite an impression on the ladies,” Michael said. “Mother would be very happy to see you again, and Melissa hasn’t stopped talking about you either. She’s apparently told her friends, and they all want to meet you.”

  Joshua returned a non-committal answer. He could imagine Melissa’s reason for the invitation, particularly after their previous conversation. The trouble with visiting Kings Lynn was that he ran the risk of seeing Charlie Cobarne again.

  Lady Gransden’s enthusiasm was something else. His life was complicated enough without being included in plans for her daughter’s future. Melissa was a nice girl, but she was too young to think of marriage. Joshua was glad that he confined his response to her tale of woe, to advice not action; otherwise he might have found himself leg-shackled to the entire family. He couldn’t imagine having a worse father-in-law than Sir John Gransden. His interference would be intolerable.

  Holkham – July 1802

  “Sir John’s here, Norbery, where’s your father?” Michael Gransden shouted as he climbed the stables staircase.

  It was the final day of preparation before the opening that marked the Holkham sheep shearings. Sir John Gransden had travelled, as Michael took care to tell Joshua, all the way from Kings Lynn. What was a mere thirty miles compared to the distance from London that his father had to travel?

  Joshua took an exasperated breath, choosing his words. “I showed you the note from Mr Coke last week, which said that my father would be here by tonight, Michael, and I’ve heard nothing to the contrary,” he said, hoping that there would be no more delays. If there were, he didn’t know how he would return to Linmore with his belongings, but that was his problem to solve.

  “Just make sure that he’s here by the morning. Sir John is staying at the Ostrich, and is not best pleased at being kept waiting.”

  And no doubt he was driving the landlord crazy with his incessant demands.

  All the pent-up dislike that Joshua had felt about Michael Gransden’s father came welling to the surface and almost overflowed into anger. He stopped himself in time, knowing that in three days he need not see either Michael or his bombastic baronet of a father ever again. He felt sorry for Melissa with such relations, but they were not his concern. Nor would they ever be.

  He took a deeper breath knowing it was anxiety he felt. The message he received, saying that the delay related to family business, was vague, so he assumed it must concern Aunt Winifred, his father’s sister.

  It was lucky that Mr Blakeney kept him well occupied and out of Michael Gransden’s way, for the other boy’s usefulness, such as it was, ended when Sir John’s coach came trundling up the front drive to Holkham. And there was little to show for his presence before.

  After a lone supper, Joshua saddled his horse and rode down to the beach for what he assumed would be the last time. It seemed like months since he had last been there, but the sight of the breakers rolling across the sand helped soothe his frayed nerves.

  Ebb and flow…ebb and flow…ebb and flow… in a never-ending rhythm.

  He was sorely tempted to kick off his boots and paddle in the water, but time was against him. Even in the hour since he left the stables his father might have arrived. At the thought he turned the horse, and sent it galloping up the drive.

  The first groom that Joshua saw on reaching the stables was Ben Waters. “Is there any news?” he said as he threw himself out of the saddle.

  “Not yet, Joshua, but we’ll let you know as soon as Mr Norbery arrives.”

  “Thank you, Ben,” he said. “I’ll be leaving Holkham in a few days, but I’ll see you before I go.”

  It was twilight when Joshua dragged his feet upstairs, and lay on his bed fully clad. All was quiet in the students’ end of the stable block but the grooms were busy dealing with all the extra horses and coaches belonging to the visitors staying at the Hall, one of which should have been his father.

  He heard Michael and James come stamping up the wooden stairs just after the stable clock chimed eleven. Half an hour later, the sound of a coach and horses heralded the arrival of probably the last visitor of the day.

  He stood up, ready to shed his clothes and get into bed, when there was a tap at the door and Kegworth’s quiet voice called, “Sorry to disturb you, Mr Joshua, but Mr Coke sent a message to say that your father has arrived at the Hall and will see you after breakfast.”

  Joshua had hardly opened the door when Michael Gransden bellowed,

  “What’s going on, Kegworth, that needs you to disturb us in the middle of the night?”

  “Mr Norbery’s arrived, sir.”

  “About time too; Sir John is waiting to meet him.”

  Then he’ll have to wait like the rest of us until morning.

  The valet looked at Joshua and shook his head.

  “Thank you, Kegworth,” he said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “You can go to sleep now, sir,” said the valet.

  Sleep was but a dream. The knowledge of his father’s arrival brought back a poignant memory from when Joshua was a lonely little boy, at the time he was bullied by his brother and his mother looked on laughing.

  In those far-off days, Joshua had always known that he was safe when his father came home, but he hadn’t realised until the loss of his only friend, how much he needed the comfort of his father’s presence. He felt it now.

  Determined not to waste a single moment of the day, Joshua rose with the dawn chorus just after four, and took advantage of the hot water for shaving that Kegworth brought upstairs. He strode out of the stables and across to Holkham Hall for breakfast before Michael Gransden opened his eyes. There was a glorious sunrise over the sea. The air was fresh and all was well in his world.

  Having eaten his fill, Joshua hurried above stairs to the big dining room where the visitors and guests were taking breakfast. A room with much coming and going, of talking and laughter with servants refilling the heated trays on the sideboards, and too much noise for private conversation.

  He hesitated just through the door, and a servant came forward to enquire his purpose. “I’m looking for Mr Norbery of Linmore,” he said.

  The name was repeated to Mr Coke, sitting at the head of the table. He looked up and nodded. “Come in, Joshua, and join us,” he said, indicating to the servant that a space be found at the table.

  “Thank you, sir, but I have taken breakfast,” he said, “I’d be obliged if I could speak with my father.”

  Tom Norbery left the table to greet him, but there were too many eyes on them for more than a firm handshake, and a hasty greeting.

  “I’ll wait for you in the anteroom, sir.” Joshua said, struggling to suppress a surge of emotion that the sight of his father brought to the surface. He concentrated instead on the need to warn of the impending meeting
with Sir John Gransden, in case the gentleman mentioned the fracas with Charlie Cobarne in Kings Lynn. That would spoil everything.

  He left the room and stood, affecting to study a marble statue in an alcove, and wishing that he had taken more time to eat his breakfast instead of gulping it down. Now he felt it sitting in his belly like a weight, reminding him of what must be said.

  A few minutes later, he heard the sound of a door opening, and realised that Tom Norbery was watching him. Before he could speak he found himself engulfed in a hug, reminiscent of the ones he received as a child. It was all too brief before he was released, and they both sniffed, his father similarly reaching for a handkerchief and giving his nose a determined blow.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you, sir,” Joshua said, rushing to explain. “I was concerned last night in case… there was a reason for the delay.”

  “It was the sheer volume of coaches on the road,” said his father, “many of which were coming to Holkham.”

  “Did you travel all the way from London yesterday?” It was over a hundred miles.

  “Yes, I came on the Mailcoach to Cambridge and hired a vehicle from there. Daniel Salter is bringing the Linmore coach in easy stages and will be here for the return journey.” Tom Norbery frowned as he stood back to survey his son. “You look anxious. What else is bothering you?”

  “Oh, nothing untoward,” Joshua said, striving for a casual tone. “I must warn you that Sir John Gransden is awaiting an introduction. His son, Michael, is a fellow student. They invited me to stay with the family in Kings Lynn at Eastertime.”

  He led the way outside to the courtyard where the estate office was situated.

  “Yes, Mr Coke mentioned me that my presence was in great demand,” his father said in a dry tone. “A persistent young man by all accounts.”

  “Extremely,” said Joshua, wishing that he could find a quiet place to tell his father about the meeting with Charlie Cobarne. Although Lady Gransden had dealt firmly with the incident, he couldn’t be sure that Sir John would not blurt it out for all to hear.

  Before he could say more, Michael Gransden’s petulant voice interrupted. “Ah, there you are, Norbery, hiding as usual.”

  “Hell and the devil confound it.” Joshua almost said the words aloud. And then, resigned to the inevitable, he turned to face the newcomers.

  “Well met, Michael,” he said in an even tone and continued with a slight bow, “Good morning, Sir John, I trust that you had a good journey from Lynn.” When that had been established, he said, “Permit me to introduce you to my father.”

  Joshua knew that as long as one mouthed the right platitudes, society was satisfied. He mentally compared the two men as they exchanged greetings. Much as he expected, the baronet was all bluff affability when his father said, “I must thank you for your hospitality to my son, Sir John.”

  Then he held his breath and waited for the inevitable response.

  “Think nothing of it, Norbery. The ladies were delighted to have him visit. They had a splendid time, apart from a minor contretemps at the local assembly. Not his fault, of course, more a case of young army officer celebrating some family event too liberally. One doesn’t expect a gentleman to cause embarrassment in public, particularly in the presence of ladies; but the army seems to allow anyone to take a commission these days.” He beamed at Joshua and said aside, “My lady wife sent you this missive with her compliments, young man.” He extracted a folded sheet of paper from his pocket.

  “Contretemps…with the army?” said his father, frowning at Joshua.

  “Please give my thanks to Lady Gransden,” Joshua said, feigning deafness. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him as he broke the seal and perused the contents, and could almost hear Lady Gransden’s imperious voice speaking the words. Mr Norbery, you will be pleased to know that the unfortunate episode was satisfactorily resolved. Colonel Eccleshall discovered the culprits and delivered a sharp scold about their social responsibilities to the regiment, before they were dispatched forthwith to the Low Countries for active service. I have no further knowledge of their fate.

  Joshua carefully refolded the letter and placed it in his pocket. So Charlie Cobarne was in the Netherlands. He took cold comfort from the thought, knowing that active service meant going into a battle in which Charlie might have fallen. And yet, he sensed that his old adversary was still alive, waiting to be faced on another occasion.

  With difficulty, he forced a smile and repeated his thanks. “I am indebted to Lady Gransden for the information, sir.”

  All the time he could feel his father’s gaze on him but nothing was said until the Gransdens’ had moved away. “Would you care to enlighten me about the event, Joshua?”

  He took a deep breath. “I saw Charlie Cobarne in Kings Lynn. I heard him say that he was celebrating his sister’s safe delivery from childbirth.”

  “From your expression, I deduce that he did not keep his distance.”

  “No,” said Joshua, unable to spare his father the pain that the knowledge would bring. “He took a savage delight in denouncing me as his sister’s assailant and denigrating Linmore.”

  Tom Norbery frowned. “Did many people hear him say this?”

  “There were a few newcomers signing the admission book in the assembly rooms vestibule, but Lady Gransden’s entrance stopped the gossip, and the soldiers disappeared before their commanding officer entered the building. Colonel Eccleshall is married to Lady Gransden’s sister. You may read her letter if you wish,” he said, rummaging in his pocket.

  Tom Norbery glanced at the paper. “This explains why Charlie was sent post-haste to Europe,” he said, “and the reason his sister asked me to stand proxy as godfather for the child in his absence.”

  “Is she married?” Joshua said, reluctantly bringing Sophie to mind.

  “Yes, to an older man in business,” Tom Norbery said, and promptly changed the subject. “You’ll be pleased to know that Ed Salter has made a good recovery.”

  That will keep her in order, Joshua thought sourly. Aloud he said, “I’d like to have Ed as my personal groom.”

  His father nodded. “That’s an excellent idea. I think he is well suited to the post.”

  Joshua felt a huge wave of relief sweep over him, knowing that his father was aware of the truth. No doubt Aunt Winifred was instrumental in finding Sophie Cobarne a husband. It tied up some of the loose ends, but gave him no satisfaction, for he sensed that much was left unsaid.

  There was, however, little time for further discussion on the subject.

  For the next three days, Joshua threw himself into his work at the sheep-shearings. Talking, listening to visitors’ queries and making other folk welcome. Having escaped from Michael Gransden, he met up with James Inglethorpe, whose father, a retired army colonel, was as dissimilar to Sir John Gransden as anyone could be. He came straight to the point.

  “Mr Coke told me that you have acted as my son’s mentor, Mr Joshua. I am obliged to you for not leading him astray, as can happen when young men are away from home for the first time.”

  Joshua smiled, and caught James’s eye. “I did what I could to help him settle into the work, sir.”

  “He speaks well of you, young man; more so than the other frippery character.”

  Joshua acknowledged the compliment and moved on with his father, intending to make his way around the estate workers to whom he wished to say farewell.

  On the second day, he renewed his acquaintance with Jack Syderstone and Harry Bircham, the young men who helped him to settle on his arrival at Holkham.

  “Have you seen any ghostly apparitions recently?” Harry asked in a teasing tone aside, while their respective fathers were deep in conversation on agricultural matters.

  “No, only that one occasion,” Joshua said, with a rueful smile, “I never could find that particular tavern again.” The excuse rolled off his tongue, but it was easier to imply that he’d tried and failed, than explain the reason why he hadn’t venture
d off the beaten track. Drinking alone made him maudlin, and to take Michael Gransden would have been more penance than pleasure.

  “And have you…?” he said.

  The anxious glance, which Harry cast in his father’s direction, warned Joshua that wenching was not a good topic of conversation at the present time. Jack, standing beside them, lowered an eyelid and grinned. Joshua nodded his understanding and they parted company with a cheery wave.

  On the final evening, he sat with his fellow students and heard Mr Coke describe them as fine young men and commend their unstinting dedication to their work.

  “Tom Norbery’s son, especially, has surpassed our expectations, and set the standard for future students. I have no doubt that, whatever Joshua does in the future, he will give of his best. Moreover, I hope he will come back to Holkham in future years to tell us what use he has made of his apprenticeship.”

  Joshua could have wept, seeing the look of pride on his father’s face, and for knowing he had redeemed himself in Mr Coke’s good opinion.

  Then, in front of the assembled guests, Mr Coke said, “I thought it would be appropriate, considering we have given prizes for excellence in farming and stockbreeding, for an award to be given to Joshua Norbery, who will be leaving us tomorrow. I am sure you will all join me in wishing him luck for the future.”

  To the sound of applause, Mr Blakeney beckoned Joshua to go forward to receive a gift from Mr Coke. It was a brass capstan clock with barometer, and a framed copy of the set of rules from the agent’s office, written in meticulously neat copperplate writing, dedicated to the memory of Mr Coke’s late wife, Jane.

  “I think Joshua deserves this, because he has learned the value of these better than anyone,” Mr Coke said with a smile.

  Indeed, he had.

  CHAPTER 41

  Morning came all too quickly, and there were still three things to do before Joshua was ready to leave. He went to see Kegworth first, to express his thanks, and bestow a generous remuneration for the many services the Gransden valet rendered him.