Sprig of Thyme

by Jenna Dawlish

  She didn't like being lectured and particularly not by this man. She despised him already for his obvious loyalty to his friend. He appeared to her to be somewhat smug and facetious and was making light of what Joel did to her.

  “Your loyalty to your friend is admirable. If not somewhat misplaced.”

  “Miss Maxwell, I hope you do not think me a fool. However my friend has harmed you, he has never hurt me. In fact he has all the best qualities a gentleman needs in a friend.”

  “Then you have been treated better than me.”

  Their tête-a-tête was interrupted by the arrival of Leonard and Flora into the room. Leonard strode over to Helen, pulled her aside and spoke to her. She bowed her head and dropped her shoulders. A few moments later he led her to the door. He cast a swift look at Adella and she said to Mr Garner,

  “My brother has managed to persuade Helen to leave. I will bid you good night.”

  “Good night Miss Maxwell. I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you again soon.”

  Adella said nothing in return. If it was anyone else she would have returned the compliment. Instead she put on her hat and gloves, curtseyed, then left.

  ***

  Frederick went straight to retrieve his friend from whatever hiding place he found. It was a poky room, that matched the poky house. He really couldn't understand how anyone could manage to live in such a small place.

  Joel stood by the window in an adjoining room and looked up as Frederick entered.

  “You can come back in, she has gone,” Frederick said.

  Joel gave the hint of a smile. “I will be back in shortly.”

  “I am sorry if this was a bad idea. To come here I mean.”

  “No, it's alright. You were not to know that she would arrive,” Joel said.

  “Well, come back when you are ready.”

  Joel nodded and Frederick went towards the door.

  “She is clearly still in love with you.”

  “What makes you say that?” he said immediately looking up.

  “I had a conversation with her just now, and she hates you. Hatred like that does not come out of impartial feelings.”

  “If she hates me, then it is as it should be for now. But, I already knew of it. She told me so herself a few days ago,” Joel replied.

  “Then tell her the truth. You could go and get her now and tell her everything.”

  “I can't – not yet. You know I must wait. Please don't taunt me with it. It's bad enough as it is.”

  Frederick opened the door and said, “Very well. By the way, you were right. She does sing like an angel.”

  When Frederick had shut the door, Joel whispered to himself. “Yes, my own angel.”

  ***

  Adella caught up with the others outside. Flora was busy telling off her sister in the middle of the pavement, oblivious to passers by.

  “I cannot tell you how embarrassing that was! You behave like a street walker! I am ashamed of you.” She continued in this manner for some minutes as Leonard and Adella listened on.

  “Whatever did you say to Helen to make her leave?” Adella whispered to Leonard.

  “I said her Uncle told me to report any misdemeanours to him and that if she did not leave now I would tell him to send her home tomorrow.”

  “Did Mr Alther ask you to do that?”

  “No! But it can be our little secret,” he winked.

  Laughing, Adella then spoke at length to her brother about Richard III, though it was her least favourite of Shakespeare's work she needed to get her mind away from Joel.

  By the time they both arrived home, she was glad to have the privacy of her room. It had been a long evening full of painful events. She shrank from the memory of what she said to Mr Garner. He was a strange man. He himself had not harmed her, so it was wrong of her to speak to him in such a way. Still, he was his best friend, and probably helped Joel masquerade as a tutor five years ago. Or perhaps Mr Garner was lied to as well. It was all very confusing. He seemed to know the truth; that Adella was the injured party. Yet he did not attempt to explain anything. How could he justify his friend in such a way to her? Oh he was a vexing man for sure. She did not like him at all, his main fault being his unrelenting friendship with Joel. He was handsome, but she was beyond being influenced by a man simply because he was admirable.

  She was also angry at Joel for suggesting she sing. He spent many hours listening to her when they were at Brayfern House, why would he wish to hear her now if he cared nothing for her? Did his malice have no end? But she knew she affected him; he left the room didn't he? She hoped it was through guilt and shame. She couldn't believe the chances of seeing him again. Fate was certainly handing her a rough deal at the moment. She hated him. Hated everything he was and the sooner he left Bath the better.

  Chapter 8

  The moment Flora and Helen arrived home, Flora summoned her Aunt and Uncle into the sitting room and told them everything that Helen did. Her Uncle looked shocked and serious, whereas she thought her Aunt was a little amused. At least she agreed with Flora that such behaviour was not to be tolerated, especially when it involved Dr Preston and Miss Maxwell. Flora stood nervously and shifted her weight as her uncle and aunt spoke to Helen. She still didn't know them all that well, and was worried that they would both be sent home. That would be awful.

  “I promise I will behave better,” Helen said. “But I really cannot see that I was that bad,” she fluttered her eye lashes at them all. “I got talking to the same lady again outside of the theatre and she invited me into her house. She says she meets people like that all the time!”

  “Helen, you always promise to behave, but still continue on afterwards.” Flora said, then remonstrated herself; maybe she had given too much away about her knowledge of Helen's past behaviour.

  Their mother and father had punished Helen many times. None of their previous discipline worked, and there was no reason to suppose that this time would be any different.

  Flora continued on, “She could have been anyone, and it is dangerous to go into the house of someone you do not know. They could have done anything to you!”

  “Well they didn't. There were several ladies who were very fine. Besides, the gentlemen were excessively handsome! Were they not Flora?”

  Flora didn't answer, she folded her arms and stared at her sister.

  “Surely you must have thought Mr Polwarth handsome. They say he is rich and is about to be a widower.”

  “Helen! How can you speak of a man in such a way, with his wife still alive. It is deplorable.” Flora cried.

  “Yes, yes,” their Uncle said, sounding as though he was getting bored of the conversation. “Off to bed the pair of you and remember Helen, if you do not behave, you will be sent home and Flora will stay. How would you like that?”

  Helen sloped off to her room and Flora followed a few minutes later. They shared a room. They both hated it. But there was no other spare bedchamber. Helen made sharp comments as they both prepared for bed, though Flora was wise enough not to reply. She knew her sister well enough by now, and answering her back only led to an argument.

  After the previous night's trouble, Flora awoke determined to apologise to her new friends at the earliest opportunity. She wanted to set out early and call on Leonard and Adella, long before Helen would wake. But that wouldn't be difficult, her sister was lazy, and especially here in Bath. In fact, their Uncle and Aunt did not make Helen do any chores and had not asked Flora to do any either. But unlike Helen, Flora was uncomfortable with that and she constantly asked for tasks to do. It was only right in her eyes.

  She was about to leave, and went into the shop where her Uncle and Aunt were already busy with their daily tasks.

  They were stood together talking and measuring a myriad of coloured liquids and powder. Containers were scattered across the counter and strange smells emanated from the liquids. Flora loved watching them at work. It was all still a strange world to her, yet she felt strangely akin t
o it.

  “Morning Flora,” her Uncle said without even looking up.

  “Good Morning.”

  She stood watching them for a while longer as they poured and measured. What on earth was in the jars and bottles? What on earth were they were making? It was such a mystery, but one Flora wanted to find out. She wondered why she had not visited her Uncle and Aunt before. If she knew how pleasant they were, and how interesting it would be, she would have come a long time ago.

  “I would very much like it if you would let me be useful here,” she said when they looked as though they were not concentrating so hard.

  Her Aunt gave a brief look and then said, “What do you mean? You are useful!”

  “But I wish to help you more. The odd bit of housework is nothing. I could help you in the shop. Will you not teach me a little of what you do here?”

  Her Aunt and Uncle looked at each other for a moment, until her Uncle said, “Of course Flora. But you do not think some of this may be too difficult for you?”

  “I am sure with you to instruct me I will manage well enough. You could give me something simple at first and then see how I do. Though I had a good education and I am not unintelligent. To be frank, I am very interested in the shop.”

  “Then we would be delighted,” her Uncle said. “Some days we have so much to do it is difficult to manage everything, and I have meant to start making house calls again. I've never had the time before. Besides, we can always do with an extra pair of hands. We can start right now if you like.”

  “Thank you,” Flora said and went over and kissed her Uncle on the cheek. “I will make sure you will not regret it. But could we start later today? I must visit Adella and Dr Preston and apologise for Helen last night.”

  “Yes. I am sure they will be more than happy to see you,” her Aunt said before Mr Alther could speak. “Although I think it will take a lot more to truly offend them. I've known them both a good few years now and they are everything that is amiable and friendly. But go and see them and give them our best regards, although I shall probably see them later today I'm sure!”

  As she stepped out, Flora had great purpose. Helen pushed things too far last night, and she was mortified when she remembered the brazen unladylike things she did. But at least the events brought her closer to Adella, and she felt that she was becoming a true friend.

  “I hope it is not too early to call,” Flora said to Leonard when he opened the door.

  “Of course not! Is Helen not with you?” he peered over past her shoulder and around the street.

  “No.”

  He smiled then indicated she should enter, “Adella was about to make some tea and you are more than welcome to come in and share it with us.”

  Adella greeted Flora with a kiss on the cheek, and they all sat quietly and chatted. They seemed to be avoiding any reference to the previous night until Flora finally got up the courage to broach the subject.

  “I called today for a reason.”

  “Oh?” Leonard said.

  “Yes, I came to apologise for Helen's behaviour last night. It was unforgivable, I am so ashamed of her and I hope you will be so kind as to overlook it.” She looked down into her lap as she spoke, and dared not lift her head until one of her hosts spoke.

  “Think nothing of it!” Leonard said, “I had a very pleasant evening. Very pleasant. Didn't you Adella?”

  “Er, yes, very pleasant,” she said a little tentatively.

  “Well, there we are, we all had a pleasant evening, despite Helen's little misdemeanours.” Leonard said with a significant lift of his brows.

  “I must say, that is a relief to hear,” Flora said, “I thought you would never want to see or speak to us again. I was worried because I would very much like to become friends.”

  Adella placed her hand on Flora's and pressed it, “I would like that too.”

  Flora stayed and chatted for a while until Adella looked at the clock. “Len, look at the time! Do you not have an appointment soon?”

  “Er, yes, I suppose I should go.” But he did not attempt to move and continued to talk to Flora.

  Adella got up and collected his bag and coat and handed them to him. He took them only when they were thrust on him. “I hope we can all meet together soon, perhaps if there is another play, or concert you wish to attend I can accompany you – er, both of you there.”

  “Thank you. That is a most gracious offer and I am sure Helen will have something planned very soon.” Flora said.

  ***

  Later that evening, Leonard put his jacket on, and checked his reflection in the mirror; not bad. He combed his hair, pulled at his cuffs, and made his way downstairs.

  “You off then,” Adella said, when he reached downstairs.

  “Indeed, and I shall be glad to have an evening off.”

  Adella smiled, “Enjoy yourself. Who is it you are seeing this evening?”

  Leonard faltered for a moment, “Only a patient - a patient invited me over.” He thought he answered a bit too quickly, and felt his face flush.

  Adella didn't seem to notice and he left the house quickly.

  He arrived at South Parade at seven o'clock as previously arranged with Joel. He was shown into the study where Joel was waiting for him and after preliminary conversation and politeness, he was given coffee and a cigar. They sat in the arm chairs in front of the fire.

  “Cynthia is asleep already. She walked out into the garden earlier and it wore her out.” Joel said.

  “Yes, I should think it would. Although I dare say the fresh air would have done her good. Often patients keep themselves locked up inside for too long, when sitting outside for ten of fifteen minutes a day would help them immensely.”

  Joel contemplated the end of his now lit cigar. “She is very different now to when I first knew her. Oh, she was always sickly, but I always believed she put it on. She has always had weekly visits from our Physician in Bedfordshire throughout our marriage.”

  “Some Ladies do have delicate constitutions, and of course, physically, they are more complicated than men. They can be prone to ailments which we cannot begin to contemplate.”

  At that, Joel smiled with one corner of his mouth and took a puff from his cigar.

  “Yes, I suppose you are right. My mother has many complaints too, although she is better at hiding her discomforts than my wife. But you are not here to speak about Cynthia or my mother. . .” His voice drifted off.

  Leonard nodded.

  “I do not know where to begin,” Joel sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He sat forward and gazed at Leonard for a moment.

  “From the beginning?” Leonard said, remembering he used the same words to Adella earlier in the week.

  “Very well,” he replied and sat back.

  “The beginning. . .the beginning must start at my home and my childhood.”

  “Naturally.”

  “As you know, I come from Bedfordshire and I am the eldest of four brothers. For the most part, my childhood was happy. I belong to a family that has a great heritage and reputation. In our area, the name of Polwarth is revered and honoured. We own a large estate and to be plain with you; we are exceedingly rich. Being the eldest, from an early age there was an onus on me to continue the traditions of the family and ensure that the Polwarth name was protected and continued. My father started to train me to run the estate when I was seven years old.”

  “Seven. Surely not that young?” Leonard said.

  “It was nothing too bad; shooting, fishing, stable management and such, in fact most of it was very enjoyable. I took to Horse Husbandry and riding well.”

  Leonard felt himself relax.

  “At the age of ten, I was sent away to school, to Eton. I believed I would be there until I went to University.”

  “Did you get bullied much? I was, although I did not go to such a prestigious school.”

  “Yes, there was a lot of bullying, most of which I managed to steer clear of by keeping the mai
n perpetrator off my back with bribes. There was the odd incident,” a wide smile spread across his face. “I was well trained by father. One time a boy dared to make fun of my name and he paid with a black eye and mud soaked hat. But otherwise, I was happy enough. I had friends, and achieved well in all the curricula. But suddenly one day when I was fourteen I was called out of class to the Head Master's office. He received a letter from my father that stated I was to return home immediately.

  “Of course, I was a little surprised and naturally wondered what was wrong at home that demanded my return. However, when I actually arrived back, nothing was amiss. My mother and father were well, and told me to my astonishment that I was not to return to school. I was to remain at home and be tutored there. In a way, I was pleased to be home because Frederick, my best friend lived, still does live nearby. His family own the estate near to ours and we are a similar age.

  “A few weeks later, my brothers were also pulled out of their school. My father watched our progress closely, but it was me he watched the most and would lecture me many times on my duty to the family.” He paused for a moment. Deep in thought. His face frosted over and the glimmer that had been in his eye a moment ago was snuffed out.

  “He told me I was to marry a respectable woman and continue the family line, I was to follow in his footsteps and to keep my brothers in tow so that the family name was not tarnished. There were other burdens I must take, but you understand what I mean when I say that he wanted me to be exactly like him and I was a complying pupil at first. I was such a fool, I adored my father, and looked up to him so much I truly thought he could do no wrong.

  “Life continued on in a normal manner, until I was nineteen. Then, one day, my brothers and I were out hunting rabbits in the forest. We did not return until late and my father, who was normally firm but kept his temper, got very angry. More angry than I had ever seen him before. As my punishment he locked me in my room for a day. I accepted the discipline although he had never punished any of us in that way before.