Lord of Misrule

by Sally Wentworth

  Reaching out, Sebastian turned her wrist so that he, too, could see her watch. ‘Almost eight. I’d better make a move; I have some business to attend to before I have that chat with Paula.’ He stood up and raised his hand in a casual gesture of farewell. ‘See you about five this evening.’

  He strode away from her, not back into the house, but through the garden and round towards the garages, a tall, broad-shouldered figure in a well-cut country tweed jacket. Verity watched him go, wondering why he had chosen to look at her watch when he had an expensive gold one on his own wrist, and also realising that he had very cleverly avoided telling her anything at all about himself. He was, she decided, a very enigmatic man, perhaps a very private one, who would give nothing of himself away unless he wanted to.

  Verity sat on in the sun, pondering Sebastian as she finished her juice. It was going to feel odd living in the same house as him—and with Maggie, of course. Strangers thrown together by an act of fate. Maybe it might not be such a good idea to get to know him better, perhaps it would be wiser to keep a distance between them, be polite but cool. After all, she was here as Paula’s friend and morale booster, and that way, if there were any future disagreements about the running of the house or the estate, she wouldn’t have any feelings of divided loyalty.

  Paula was still asleep when Verity went up some twenty minutes later. She woke when Verity opened the curtains, and the two chatted until Paula took her bath. She seemed better this morning, and, apart from being a little nervous about her interview with Sebastian, was happy enough. Sometimes Paula still felt a little queasy in the mornings, so she said very definitely that she didn’t want a cooked breakfast, and the two girls went to the nursery and spent a contented hour working out what work needed doing on the room until it was time for Paula’s talk with Sebastian.

  ‘Wish me luck,’ Paula said feelingly. ‘I think I may need it.’

  ‘Nonsense, you’ll be fine. And Sebastian seems to be in quite a good mood this morning.’

  ‘You’ve seen him?’

  ‘Yes. He’s obviously another person who likes to be up and about early.’

  Paula pulled a face at her; it was an old joke between them that Paula hated getting up in tbe mornings.

  Verity went with her as far as Sebastian’s study and made a fingers-crossed sign as Paula tapped and went in. Left with nothing to do, Verity went in search of Maggie and found her in the kitchen, but there was no sign of Mrs Chivers, which was something of a relief.

  ‘Hello,’ Verity smiled. ‘I wondered if I could help in any way.’

  ‘That’s kind of you. Here, you can peel some apples. I’m making a whole batch of apple pies so that I can freeze them.’

  Verity pulled a kitchen stool up to the table, glad that she wasn’t being treated as a guest and shooed out of the way. ‘You don’t do all the cooking, do you?’ she asked as she set to work.

  ‘I cook lunch for myself and any guests, and Sebastian when he’s home, but Mrs Chivers comes in early to do Sebastian’s breakfast, and then again in the afternoon to prepare dinner, which she leaves ready for me to finish off and serve.’

  ‘Oh, yes, I met Mrs Chivers this morning.’

  There must have been some reserve in Verity’s voice because Maggie looked at her keenly and then gave a small sigh. ‘Oh, dear, I hope she wasn’t rude to you. You’ll have to forgive her, I’m afraid; she’s been unwdl and there have been some personal problems. They’ve made her rather difficult and short-tempered. We’re used to her, of course.’

  ‘She’s been here a long time, has she?’

  ‘Oh, ages. She and her husband came to work here before I married Simon’s father.’

  So that explained Mrs Chivers’ surly attitude, and perhaps, too, the woman felt that Paula was a usurper and feared for her job, especially as her home evidently went with the job. Verity sighed inwardly, thinking how difficult it all was for Paula. Which was a great shame, because the last thing Paula wanted at the moment was more anxiety on top of Simon’s death. And she hadn’t helped at all yesterday when ahe’d wildly accused Sebastian of running her down, Verity realised with some shame. But at least she could put that right by reassuring Paula that she’d been mistaken and never referring to it again, she decided. If she’d been mistaken. For a few seconds doubt filled her mind again, but she was already more than half convinced that she had been completely wrong about Sebastian. He just wasn’t the type to—

  ‘Do you like cooking?’

  Maggie’s question broke into her thoughts and Verity smiled and said, ‘Yes, I do rather, although I live by myself, so there doesn’t seem to be much point in cooking when it’s so much easier to buy ready-made meals.’

  ‘You live in London, don’t you?’

  ‘Yes.’ Verity let herself be drawn into talking about her home, her work as a computer programmer, and her friendship with Paula. After all, Maggie must be as curious about them as they were about the people at Layton House.

  ‘And you gave up your job to come here with Paula!’ Maggie exclaimed in surprise. ‘Was that really necessary?’

  ‘Paula said she needed me,’ Verity answered simply. ‘But I’m sure she’ll soon settle down and be OK on her own,’ she added quickly, in case Maggie took the remark personally.

  The older woman smiled. ‘Pregnant women need the support of someone close. There,’ she stood up and went to get a saucepan. ‘I think we can start cooking these now.’

  They worked together until Paula came into the kitchen to find them with the message that Sebastian wouldn’t be in to lunch. Verity gave her a quick, interrogative look and saw that Paula had a rather dazed expression on her face, but she had to wait until they’d eaten a simple salad lunch with Maggie before she could ask what had happened in the interview with Sebastian.

  On the pretext of getting some fresh air, they went out into the garden and Verity said, ‘Well? Come on, tell me all about it. You looked quite stunned earlier.’

  ‘I was stunned. I still am. Verity, I had absolutely no idea how much Simon was worth. I thought there was just the business and an insurance policy he took out. But Sebastian said‘ She stopped and turned to Verity. ‘I’m rich! Really rich. Or at least the baby is, but as its legal guardian I have the power to do what I like with the money. Or I will have when it’s born, not now.’ She shook her head in some bewilderment. ‘I just can’t believe it.’

  Verity laughed. ‘So it seems. Look, there’s a seat over there, come and tell me all about it.’

  They sat down and Paula began to talk excitedly, telling Verity that the estate had appreciated in value over the last years and drew in a large annual income from rented-out houses and business premises in the surrounding villages and nearby town. There was also a large portfolio of shares that Simon’s father had left in trust to Simon and his heirs.

  ‘And what about Sebastian?’ Verity asked curiously.

  ‘Oh, everything goes to him if anything happens to the baby,’ Paula answered. ‘He was careful to explain that it was all entailed until the child comes of age and wouldn’t automatically be mine.’ But she didn’t sound too unhappy about it.

  That wasn’t what I meant; I just wondered what Sebastian was like during the interview. But, Paula, are you saying that if anything should happen to the baby before he’s eighteen then you’ll be left with nothing?’

  ‘Oh, no, I’ll still have the money from the business and the insurance policy; that’s mine no matter what.’

  Verity sat back with a frown. T think you ought to consult a solicitor about all this.’

  ‘Yes, that’s what Sebastian suggested. In fact, I’m going to see the family solicitor in a couple of days; he made the appointment for me this morning.’ Paula turned to look at her. ‘Sebastian went into everything very carefully, and showed me all the account books. Not that I really understood them. But he was very patient.’

  ‘Did he ask you what your plans were, or say what he and Maggie wanted to do?’
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br />   ‘He said that I was to take as much time as I wanted and to let him know whenever I decide to make any changes. He said that he and Maggie would quite understand, so I suppose that means that if I want them to go, then they’ll go,’ Paula said, the dazed note still in her voice.

  ‘He said that? And he was OK about it, not cold or nasty or anything.’

  ‘No, he was marvellous. Anyone would think that they would be quite glad to move out. Oh, but he did say that until the baby is born I can’t legally take over the estate as his guardian.’

  ‘So you can’t really make any changes—or have them leave—until then?’

  ‘No. But I don’t really want to, anyway.’ Paula reached out to take Verity’s hand. ‘Maybe it will be rather nice to have a family again, even if it is a second-hand one. We haven’t been very lucky as far as families go, have wc?’

  ‘No.’ Verity looked down at their joined hands for a moment, but then straightened up and said bracingly, ‘But you’ll have the baby, anyway.’

  ‘Yes. And this.’ Paula made a large gesture that took in the house and grounds. ‘Oh, Verity, I still can’t believe it. If only Simon could be here to share it all.’

  ‘I wonder why he didn’t like it here? Did he ever say?’ Verity asked, to divert her thoughts.

  ‘Not really. I don’t think he got on very well with his father. Something happened when Simon was at university and there was a terrible row, and they were both so stubborn that neither would forgive the other. Something stupid like that. Isn’t quarrelling among families the most idiotic thing to do?’

  ‘Definitely,’ Verity agreed. ‘Look, there are some horses in that field over there; let’s go and say hello to them.’

  They walked slowly over, Paula again saying how patient and understanding Sebastian had been, so that Verity felt even more inclined to believe him when he came to collect her at five o’clock that afternoon. The

  day was very much like yesterday, the sun strong still, but low in the autumn sky.

  ‘Have you ever driven a vehicle like this?’ Sebastian asked her as they left the house, gesturing to the Land Rover he had been driving last evening.

  Verity shook her head. ‘No, they don’t have much call for farm vehicles in central London.’

  He grinned and opened the driver’s door. ‘Have a try.’

  ‘OK.’ Verity stepped up into ihe vehicle and settled herself in the seat, looking around with interest and ring out the gear lever.

  ‘No qualms?’ Sebastian asked as he climbed in beside her.

  ‘I imagine it’s much like any other car once you get used to it: brake, gears and accelerator. That’s basically what all cars are. And I like trying out new things, having new experiences.’

  ‘Good, let’s go for a ride up to the entrance and back first, then, shall we?’

  Verity started the engine and drove confidently enough once she’d mastered the much lighter clutch and steering. ‘Wow, this is much more powerful than my car. yet it’s lighter to handle.’

  ‘Probably because it has power-assisted steering. You’re doing very well,’ Sebastian said approvingly.

  They turned at the entrance gate and drove back down the long driveway, Verily pulling her foot down as she enjoyed the power under her hands.

  Sebastian laughed, but said warningly, ‘Watch the cattle-grid.’

  She slowed down and drove at a more sedate pace up to the house, then turned lo him with a happy grin. ‘I enjoyed that.’

  ‘I thought you did. Let’s drive over to the bridge now.’

  Her smile faded as she remembered why they were here. ‘You want me to drive?’

  ‘Yes, I think that’s only fair, don’t you?’

  He spoke lightly, but his eyes were regarding her with steady seriousness. Slowly Verity nodded and let in the clutch. ‘How fast do you think you were driving yesterday?’

  ‘Not very fast, only about twenty-five miles an hour. And I slowed down as I came to the bridge because it’s so narrow.’

  They swung on to the track leading to the bridge and immediately the sun hit her in the eyes. Verity blinked and instinctively reached to pull down the sun-visor. It helped, but she still had to squint hard to see. ‘Tell me when you slowed down.’

  ‘All right. In another fifty yards or so.’ He paused, sitting half turned towards her, but looking through the windscreen. ‘About now.’

  Verity slowed, but as she steered the Land Rover a little to the left to drive on to the bridge the sun was fully in her eyes, completely dazzling her, and she half lifted her hand to shade them. Suddenly they were out of the sun and into the deep shade of the tree, but her eyes couldn’t adjust to the change immediately. She blinked hard and at the same moment became aware of a figure on the bridge. With a gasping cry, Verity swung the wheel over and stood on the brakes, but knew that she had hit whoever had been standing there.

  ‘Oh, no!’ She pulled on the handbrake and jumped out of the car to run back.

  ‘Verity, wait!’

  She heard Sebastian’s voice behind her, but, full of ii ii and foreboding, ran to where what looked like a bundle of rags lay on the very edge of the bridge, lied up against the rail.

  It was a bundle of rags! When she knelt down beside she saw that the figure was just an old coat pulled round two sacks that had been tied together and propped up with a piece of wood. Verity’s first feeling was one of overwhelming relief that she hadn’t hurt anyone, a relief so great that it made her feel faint. lim almost immediately she realised what Sebastian hud done and jumped to her feet to swing round on him in fury. ‘How could you scare me like that? I really thought I’d hit someone!’

  ‘Because I had to prove my point,’ he said forcefully. ‘Would you really have accepted my word for it that yesterday was an accident if you hadn’t seen for yourself how easily it could have happened?’

  He had come to stand close in front of her. Verity stared into his face as the fear gradually subsided, then turned her head away. ‘You scared the hell out of me,’ she told htm, her voice still shaken and angry.

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Sebastian put his hands on her shoulders. ‘But surely now you’re convinced that I was telling the truth?’

  ‘Oh, I’m convinced all right.’ Breaking free from his hold, Verity turned her back on him and put her hands on the rail to steady herself. ‘It was a terrible feeling, thinking that I’d hurt someone.’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ he replied steadily. ‘That’s how I felt yesturday. I’m sorry,’ he repeated, ‘but I felt that this was the only way to prove to you that you were mistaken. As it was, you reacted more quickly than I did; ii ill happened so fast that I wasn’t even sure that it hadn’t been a trick of the light when I hit you yesterday. It was only when I stopped and looked back that I realised that you’d gone over the bridge.’ Putting his hand on her arm, he turned her to face him. ‘I am most dreadfully sorry, you know,’ he said, his voice low and earnest. ‘Do you believe me now?’

  ‘Yes. Yes, I believe you, but I don’t think I like your method of proving your point.’ She was still shaken, and thought that it had been a very drastic thing to do—almost cruel, in fact. ‘I had a bad enough shock yesterday, without having you fabricate a false one today,’ she said feelingly.

  ‘It wasn’t intended to be like that,’ Sebastian answered with a rueful look. ‘I just wanted you to realise how easily it could have happened, and I was going to tell you immediately that it was only a dummy, but you were out of the car so fast I didn’t have a chance.’ His hand tightened on her arm. ‘I just don’t seem to be able to do the right thing where you’re concerned, do I?’ His mouth twisted a little. ‘I don’t usually have this trouble.’ Then he gave her such a warm smile that her heart seemed to skip a beat. ‘But now that we’ve sorted things out, well-can you forgive me?’

  It was impossible to resist that smile. Verity felt the strength of his hand on her arm, was aware of the lean hardness of his body close to hers, and of the sun
dappling his features into shades of light and dark as he looked at her so intently. Her chest felt tight and suddenly it was difficult to breathe. Lowering her head, she said huskily, ‘I—yes, I—I suppose so.’

  An amused look came into his grey eyes. ‘Such a grudging response! Are you always this wary?’

  It had been grudging, she realised, and maybe he didn’t deserve that. After all, he had only been trying to prove to her that the accident had just been an unfortunate chance, a set of circumstances that had combined to make a near-tragedy. A fact he had known all along, but which she had dogmatically refused to believe until he had shown her that it could easily have happened to her, too. Fully convinced now, she said generously, ‘No, it’s I who should apologise. I accused you of some very nasty things, when all the time you saved me from a terrible injury. If I’d fallen into the sluice; if you hadn’t stopped and hauled me up..;

  Her voice wavered a little and Sebastian said quickly, ‘But you didn’t fall.’

  ‘No, but I ought to have been thanking you instead of accusing you of—of, well, of trying to kill me.’

  ‘Nonsense,’ Sebastian said roundly. ‘Now, let’s make a pact, shall we? We’ll both forget that the incident ever happened and we won’t mention it again. OK?’

  He quirked an eyebrow at her and Verity nodded and smiled. ‘OK.’

  His eyes resting on her face, Sebastian said, ‘You have a very lovely smile; I haven’t seen it before.’ Then he grinned. ‘But we’ve agreed to forget why. I just hope that you keep smiling at me.’

  Til try.’ Feeling a little unsure of herself, Verity turned away and looked down at the river. ‘Oh, look! My shawl is still down there. It fell off—yesterday,’ ‘he explained, and then laughed. ‘Oh, dear, it isn’t going to be so easy.’

  Sebastian looked to where she pointed, but then turned away. ‘Have you walked through the wood yet? It’s very pleasant at this time of the year. There’s a path over here.’

  Pushing his hands into his pockets, he led the way across the bridge and down the track a little way before turning on to a fairly wide path that meandered through the trees. The leaves were thick underfoot here, especially under the wide-spreading chestnut trees, their tall bare branches clutching at the sky. Verity liked the feel of them under her feet and the noise they made as she almost waded through them. Everything was so golden, so full of beauty, a beauty of which she was even more acutely aware after she had come so close to death such a short time ago. She paused to bend down and pick up a horse-chestnut, the green spiky covering partly split open. Carefully she prised off the shell and took out the new, gleaming chestnut, its skin a beautiful, burnished copper.