"Dimity don't speak to your father like that. I think we have had enough of this Frederick. Dimity, go to your room!" Her mother rose rather like a plump bantam protecting her man.
"Hush, hush, dear. Do not let us remain fussed. Sit down again. Carry on then Dimity, what is it you have to say?" Her father said, calmly, although his colour showed that he was anything but.
"Father, I love Will. He has given me no encouragement, ever. He has always been very polite and very kind. So do not think he has ever done anything of which you would not approve." She warmed to her task. " I fell in love with him that first night I met him and he did me, too, I felt it. My heart nearly broke when he went away but I thought I would be able to wait and meet him again and so I tried to be patient. I agreed to go home when you suggested it because I thought I would be nearer to him, but since then he has come back and now I want to stay with him."
"Go on," prompted her father.
"All the time he was away I have gathered up any information I could about him."
"You should have not made yourself so conspicuous, Dimity. How could you?" asked her mother, bristling at the thought.
"I didn't make myself conspicuous at all, mama. I only had to listen to the young people speak of him. You may not know it but he is well thought of in town. He is very popular. He makes light of his deformity and is always cheerful, polite and considerate. Did you know that it was Mr Landon who sponsored him on his trip to Paris, papa?"
"No, but most penniless painters need a sponsor."
"He isn't penniless and there was no need for Mr Landon to do that but had always taken a great interest in him since a small boy and considered it his duty to guide him. You would be surprised at how well he is thought of. Mr Landon thinks he is a great genius. Please let him come and see me so you can get to know him? Please?" she pleaded. She rose and stood before her father. "I mean what I say, father. I have never wanted anything in my whole life like I want Will English. And papa," she said seriously, "papa, I mean to have him. I will not leave the colony with you unless he decides he doesn't want me." With that, she burst into tears once more and threw herself onto the couch and sobbed.
Her parents looked at one another. Her father said, "All right, Dimity, that's enough. I cannot agree, but I will promise you I will think hard about it and let you know what I have decided. It grieves me to hear you say what you say and I never thought to hear you defy me like this. But I can see that the fellow has you in his toils and I shall have to think deeply about what to do."
"But Frederick," wailed Mrs Roger, "you can't give in. We cannot leave our daughter to live in this place. You never would allow it. You wouldn't. Promise me you wouldn't?"
"For goodness sake, Matilda. No more fuss, I don't think I can bear it. I don't want to lose Dimity any more than you do and I said, I'll think about it, and I will. Now leave me, both of you and give me some quiet, please," he said tetchily, feeling near the end of his tether.
They left him but he found no quiet. He sat with his head in his hands until his butler came in to remind him that he had ordered the sulky to be at the door and it was now waiting. "Thank you, Evans."
He went about his business with a heavy heart all the time wondering what would be the outcome. He tried to put it aside but by mid afternoon gave up and went home with a feeling of foreboding. "You think you know people and you find you don't, especially your children," he mused. "I couldn't believe Dimity could act like that. There must be something good about the fellow. I suppose I will have to find out what it is. But how on earth do I do that without anyone knowing what I am about."
He didn't have long to ponder over that for he found John Landon waiting for him when he got home. He groaned to himself, feeling he knew what was to come. He greeted John with the words, "I daresay I know why you are here, Landon, and I can't say I relish what you have to say. I imagine you are here to champion the fellow's cause and I must say at the outset that I am sick of his name, I've had it running around in my head all day."
"I am glad to hear that Roger, for at least it means you must be considering him."
"Not at all, man. I am not considering him at all but that dratted daughter of mine is. We've had floods of tears and vapours and the Lord knows what and I dislike scenes. And I am not used to them, what's more."
He didn't know what to expect from John but all he got was a chuckle. "Daughters can be a plague, can't they? I know, I have three. But nice to have around all the same. Keeps a man alive," said John.
"I might have agreed until today. I had no idea that my little Dimity could be such a virago."
"They all have a touch of it," John said, "I find they usually keep it hidden but they can bring it out at the most inconvenient times. Had a rotten day, have you?" he asked smugly.
"Yes, I have. She wants to marry that blighter and I just don't want her to. We plan to go home in a few weeks as my wife is not suited to this place. I cannot see myself leaving her here married to someone I cannot like."
"But be fair, man. You haven't seen enough of Will to like him or dislike him, have you?" came the swift query.
"Probably not, but I cannot say I want to."
"I can understand how you feel for I had to accept one of those boys taking my precious Amabel. You may believe I had to do some deep thinking when I saw what was afoot in that direction. It made me search as well as anyone could to find out about the boys but it defeated me and I could find no trace. So I had to fall back on my native instinct and take them as I found them. I did not go wrong."
"But your son-in-law did have a family. So you are all right."
"Yes, he has. But he didn't when I allowed them to be engaged."
"But he has now and that's the all important thing."
"Is it, Mr Roger? Is it the most important thing? I know several well-born people I would not give house room to, and many ill-born, if you like to put it that way, who I would share my life with willingly."
"You must be very happy that your daughter's in-laws are good people, though, Landon. You must feel some gratification that there is a family there. You cannot tell me otherwise."
"I was glad, I admit that," said John, amazed at the satisfied look on Roger's face. "I was glad, but mostly for Tad's sake, for one always wants to know about one's roots. But now. I think it has all proved my point. The young ones went, as asked by Tad's grandfather, and I was pleased to see them go, even though I thought we might lose them to a huge family estate and a loving family. I was never so wrong. They could not get home quickly enough, for they turned out to be a more stiff-necked lot of people, than you would ever find in this lovely place. They are so much so that all they seem to do is sit in their large mansion and pull the world to pieces. They certainly don't seem happy about it. Tad's maternal people are apparently the salt of the earth, but the more high-born ones, I wouldn't give a damn for."
"Oh," was all Roger said.
"Frederick, I have watched those three boys grow up and I am proud that they call me friend. You couldn't imagine what they went through, and I do not intend telling you, that's their story. But you couldn't find a straighter, nicer trio anywhere on earth and I'll back any one of them to keep to the line. If those two young things really love one another and want to marry, and if you give your blessing to it, I can assure you, you will not regret leaving Miss Dimity to Will's care."
"You speak of them as though they were perfection," Roger almost sneered.
"If I gave you that impression, I am sorry. There is no perfection, but they are good honest men. Will has been silly a couple of times, but who of us hasn't. It has all helped make him the man he is and that's a fine one." John looked straight at the man. "Roger, if Will had wanted to marry Betsy or Harriet and she loved him, I would give either of them to him most happily, and I cannot say more than that."
"No, I see you could not. I am really thankful you said that, for I see you feel strongly about this."
"Can you not give the boy
a chance? Let him come here and get to know him. Must you go away so soon? Why not wait a while, if you can. Believe me, if they are matched nothing will separate them, if they are not, you will see that they will part all by themselves. Remember, that a little adversity often makes these young ones dig in their toes more than they should. Man, you do not want to lose your daughter, do you? And if I read Miss Dimity aright, I think there is metal in that little lady," John laughed.
"You speak sense, Landon. Metal? Yes, I had no idea it was there until today. I think I see what you mean."
"Will you give the lad a chance? Can I tell him to expect a word from you?"
"I suppose one has to bend to a woman's will. I daresay I will have to give way a little," Roger said reluctantly.
"It's hard the first time, but believe me, you get used to it," laughed the father of three girls. "Good night, Roger, and thank you for listening to me." John shook his hand.
"I suppose I must thank you for coming, but as yet I cannot decide whether I want to," said John's reluctant host.
"No, so I'll thank you instead. Good night."
CHAPTER 21 The New House
"Are you ready for dinner, Will?" called Tad. "Did I see Papa Landon? He didn't call to see Amabel." Tad stood at Will's bedroom door.
"Come in," called Will. "Yes, he was here, briefly, but was in a tearing hurry and couldn't wait."
"You look a bit more cheerful. What's been happening? Can you let me in on the secret?"
"Yes, I will tell you after dinner, if you can wait that long."
"All right, I'll wait but come along, I'm starving."
"You always are," said Will clapping Tad on the back.
The ease of past years had once again fallen on these two men and so it was easy for them to spend time alone. But they had to wait until after dinner before Will could share his problems. Tad was rather surprised at the suddenness of it all and was rather lost for words to begin with.
"Mr Landon seems to think that Mr Roger will give me a better hearing from now on. But I am rather anxious to see what happens. He told me that I was to try to wait patiently and see if Mr Roger will make a move to invite me to dinner or something. It will be hard, though," Will added.
"Have you told Ricky what's in the wind, Will?"
"No, I haven't, for I was going along slowly thinking I had lots of time to do my courting, but when Miss Roger told me they were going back to England I nearly died of fright."
"Then Ricky will get the surprise that I did?" asked Tad.
"In more than one way, won't he? For he doesn't know about young Henry yet, does he?"
"I sent a message telling him," replied Tad. "As a matter of fact I wonder whether he will come home a little sooner."
"He probably will, if I know Rick," said Will. "Goodness we will miss him when he gets married."
"Yes, he's going to move into the new house next week I think. It will seem peculiar. Will, if I can ever get a home of my own would you and Miss Roger want to stay here?" asked Tad.
"Yes, I daresay I would, Tad. My studio's here and I wouldn't want to leave that. Not for some time anyway. Are you thinking about leaving? Does Amabel like being here?"
"Oh, yes, she does. There's no worry about that, but some day when I can I would like to build my own house. Somewhere nice for children to grow up. This place is not all that good for little ones, is it?"
"Goodness me, we've been together for so long that it seems hard to think we'll all go our own ways, but I daresay that is what happens in life."
Ricky did come home two days early, bringing with him Jenny and Mr and Mrs Forrest. There now was not enough room in the house for all those visitors so Ricky had suggested that they stay in the new house, as the new servants were there and the place was ready for habitation. At first the Forrests objected thinking that they should allow the young couple to be the first residents, but when Ricky pointed out that as the servants were already in residence, surely they were the first. In any case Ricky had intended to move within a few days. So the Forrests and Jenny were able to move some of her belongings into the house as well as attend to business in the town. Jenny and Mrs Forrest were most anxious to see Amabel and Henry and so it was a good move for all. They would return home early the following week for that was the week before Ricky and Jenny's wedding at St Matthew's, Windsor.
Tad was in two minds as to whether he should leave Amabel to go to Ricky's wedding and worried about it quite a lot until Amabel put him right. She assured him that he should not miss the wedding as Ricky was depending on him and Will to support him at the church. She would be quite all right as Mrs Keen would watch over her, not to mention the nurse, Emma the maid and Binksie next door. She was upset at missing the ceremony but as her baby had been due about that time she hadn't thought she could attend in any case. She insisted that Tad go on the Friday before when Will was to leave but he assured her he would be back at home on Saturday night. She knew this was possible as they were to be married at eleven in the morning.
Ricky was, as Tad and Will surmised, quite surprised at Will's news and that the Rogers were anticipating a return "home". Will told him of his visit to the Roger's house and the reception he had received, and this annoyed Ricky quite a great deal, but tried not to let Will know how much. He had heard that Mr Roger was a quarrelsome man and that it didn't take much to make the man lose his temper. This worried Ricky, thinking that Will may becoming involved in a family that would prove hard to live with. However he encouraged Will to be as patient as possible and be guided by their ever loyal friend John Landon.
Ricky moved his gear to the new house as soon as the Forrests left and his two brothers helped him settle in, thinking it was hard to believe that Ricky was leaving them. But they were all very proud of the lovely house for it "had everything" according to Tad. Ricky was pleased with it and was in a fury of excitement getting it ready for his lovely Jenny and finishing off all the loose ends he had to tie up before taking Jenny away for two weeks on their honeymoon. They planned to be back in their own home for Christmas, alone, except for, perhaps, Will who would be the only single male left.
Other exciting things happened during that week, for Will had his long desired invitation to dine at the Roger's during the week following the wedding and Tad had a letter from his grandfather.
Tad came to dinner much excited on the evening on which Amabel made her first appearance since Henry's birth. He brought her into the dining room as the gong sounded, as though he was accompanying a queen, and indeed he thought he was. They chatted merrily all through the meal for it was to be Ricky's last, too, before moving, and then in the sitting room after dinner Tad announced, "I had a letter from Grandfather Falconer-Mead today. Guess, what? He has forgiven me and wants to make up for our unhappiness at Mead Park. Apparently Grandfather Stanthorpe called to see him and put him in the picture and got rather cross with his old friend. Grandfather Falconer-Mead was not happy, apparently, at what he heard and caused quite a stir. I am afraid my name would not be a popular one, but I must admit I am pleased that my grandfather will not be so put upon in the future. He is now not at all annoyed with me and has sent me five thousand pounds to prove it. He said he had intended to give me money that would have come to my father and was glad to send it now. I was not at all happy to have it at first, but then I thought it would be rather ungracious not to accept it, and besides, I do like the thought of having it. Amabel and I will be able to build our dream house earlier than we hoped."
"What a good thing you wrote to him before you got that, Tad," said Ricky.
"Yes, by Jove. I am, too, for he knows that I hold no grudge against him, Rick. Yes, what a good thing I did. I have also written to him telling him, too, about Henry, and I think he would be pleased about that, don't you think?"
Will pounded him on the back and told him how pleased he was. Tad looked happy at that and asked, "You don't mind, Will? "
"No, not at all Tad. I am very pleased you have
a fairy grandfather. Perhaps the time is right now to ask Ricky if it is all right if I can stay here if and when I marry?"
"Of course, it is all right. But you know, don't you remember? that all three of the houses are in all our names so we all have rights to them. If it is right with Tad it's all right with me."
"I am glad I told you the other day, Will, that I want to build our own house. I think that would be a grand arrangement. That is providing Miss Roger will like living here."
"I am sure she will. That is if she wants to marry me at all." But smiled as he said it. "Will I still be able to keep Mrs Keen , though?"
"I am quite sure if any one suggested to her that she should leave you she would just take a chair into the kitchen and sit there until we relented and told her she could stay," Ricky said, and chuckled as he added, "for some reason she thinks the world of you, Will." Will just smiled.
So they were three elated men who set off on Friday to go to Rocklea for the night before the wedding. The day was very hot and humid and Rick was a little worried about the weather holding. They did have a cool change that evening with no rain and Tad and Will assured him that the day would be all he hoped it would, and they were right.
On the wedding morning they were dressed in their best and waiting at St Matthew's a quarter of an hour before Jenny was due to arrive. They waited in the vestry and, with the Rector, kept Ricky chatting about everything they could think of for they could see he was very nervous. Then when they thought there was nothing else to say, the Rector got a message to say that Jenny had arrived so the three brothers went into the church and stood before the sanctuary steps. Ricky felt he couldn't look for he was quite overwhelmed at the thought of marriage to his lovely Jenny. Tad gave him a gentle nudge and there she was.
Jenny wore a long gown of white with very simple lines considering the fashion of the day. There was one full frill above the hem of the skirt and she wore a large hat which was trimmed with a filmy gossamer material. She carried a beautiful bouquet of white flowers. Ricky was almost breathless when he saw his bride coming towards him on her Uncle Edward's arm, and was not even conscious of the two little Forrest girls who preceded Jenny into the church, looking very proud of the attention they thought they were getting. But really very few people noticed the children for most eyes were on the bride.
Ricky Page 32