For The Sake of Her Family

by Diane Allen

  ‘The stupid bloody idiot! What does he think he’s doing?’ Alice pulled out the chair and sat down, running her fingers through her long hair.

  ‘We’ll have none of that language in my kitchen, my girl. But yes, that’s what I thought about Miss Nancy. No disrespect, but she is marrying well below her station. Anyway, I’ve said enough; it’s not for me to comment. You know me, I mind my own business, keep myself to myself.’ And with that she scurried off to the pantry.

  Alice sat at the table, trying to get to grips with the news. Will getting married to Nancy . . . Where would they live? What would become of her? And most of all, how could he afford the wedding that Nancy dreamed of? Oh, why hadn’t he talked to her first? She felt hurt and left out. She’d thought she was best friend to both of them, yet they’d not let her into their secret. Even the housekeeper knew before her! How could they? Just how could they!

  ‘Alice! I’m so glad that you are here. I wanted to tell you the news, but by the time I came in from talking to Will, you had gone to bed. Alice, I’m going to get married to your brother. Isn’t that fantastic news! Can you believe it? He proposed to me last night. My heart’s all aflutter. Tell me that you are happy for us – do say you are happy. To think that you are to be my sister-in-law! I still can’t believe it – pinch me, I think I’m dreaming.’

  ‘Congratulations, Miss Nancy.’ Alice’s voice was cold, without sentiment.

  ‘Oh, Alice, we are going to be so happy. To think that only last year I was convinced that life held nothing for me, and now I’m about to be married. And to make things even better, Gerald is setting up an order for the marble works from the Tsar of Russia! I suspect he will be the next to announce his engagement. You know he’s in love with Tatiana, who’s in the Tsar’s circle of close friends? He’s been waiting for her to come of age, and then I’m sure they will be married. I’m so happy.’ Nancy smiled and composed herself on the edge of her bed.

  ‘Master Gerald’s to be engaged! I didn’t know.’ Alice could hear herself nearly scream the words.

  ‘Well, not quite yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me. They have been close for a while now. Isn’t it exciting, all this romance? We will have to get you and Jack together, and then that would make us all happy.’

  Nancy carried on prattling happily, but Alice didn’t hear a word. She was thinking that, considering it was still only the first day of January, the new year was not treating her kindly. First she’d discovered that her brother had kept her in the dark, and now it turned out that the man she was beginning to admire and have feelings for was virtually betrothed – to a Russian royal, of all people. Why had she even thought she was in his league? He’d been toying with her. She should have realized that behind those smouldering eyes was a menacing, brothel-keeping ogre. A man who was playing games with her. Yet when she looked into his eyes, her legs turned to jelly. Why couldn’t life go smoothly? How was it that Will had it all on a plate: never worked hard, gave enough blarney to get by on and everything fell at his feet?

  ‘Of course, Alice, you will still be my companion, won’t you? This should make us closer. Alice, Alice, are you listening to me?’ The voice was like a distant echo as Alice automatically tidied and put away Nancy’s clothes while her mind was racing with all the news.

  ‘Sorry, Nancy, yes, of course I will. I just don’t think you will need my services for much longer.’ Alice thought that it was best if she tackled her position first.

  ‘Nonsense. I’ll need you even more, especially when Will and I have children . . . although the doctors have warned me it could be dangerous for me to bear children. But what do they know? I want to be a mother like my dear mama, perhaps having three or four darling babies. I’m sure Will is going to make a most perfect father; he has so much patience.’ Nancy sat in her morning chair, face rosy and happy, wishing nothing more than to be married as soon as possible to the man of her dreams.

  ‘I’m sorry, Nancy, please excuse me – I’m feeling a little faint. I must have tired myself out last night with dancing. Your brother is very light on his feet and I got carried away with the grandeur of the occasion.’ Alice had heard all she could take of Nancy’s plans, and in truth she was slightly jealous.

  She went downstairs and out of the grand front door – the same door that only a few months ago she had been brazen enough to knock on, having no idea then of her place in life. Lifting her skirts, she carefully made her way through the snow, shivering in the cold and wishing that she had picked up a shawl before hurrying out in need of some breathing space. The air was curiously still and not a noise could be heard all down the dale. It was as if there were no other souls on the planet, only Alice, alone in her grief.

  Once in the stables, she called for Jack. She didn’t think he’d be there; if what Mrs Dowbiggin said was correct, he’d probably have taken Lord Frankland to Stone House. Not a sound: good, she was on her own, exactly what she wanted. She needed time to think things out. She walked past the stalls with the horses munching content on their hay bags or oats, the smell of the animals comforting, reminding her of home. She stopped and stroked the nose of her favourite horse; blowing up its nose to make friends with the creature was a trick her father had taught her. The horse snorted, enjoying the attention as she gave it a handful of oats.

  ‘I don’t know, lad, what am I going to do? Nothing seems to be going right for me.’ She hugged the horse’s neck, expecting no response but feeling better for something to talk to that wouldn’t answer back. ‘Why does everything go wrong, lad? I’ve no parents, no real home, and I’ve just got rid of my baby – poor mite, it had not hurt anyone – and now my brother’s lost his senses and is getting married to someone he doesn’t really love. And then there’s Jack. I know he loves me, but he could do a lot better than me because he’s a good man. I don’t really love him. I know who I do love, but I can’t have him and never will.’ The horse munched and gazed at her with its big doe eyes, shaking its head as if in agreement. ‘I know, lad, you can’t answer me, but I needed to talk to someone.’ She patted its neck. Shivering, she folded her arms tight around her, then set off back to the manor.

  Up in the hayloft Jack stared at the oak beams, lying on the makeshift bed he used when keeping vigil over a foaling mare. He’d heard every word Alice had said and now he realized it was no good. Whose baby had she been carrying? Whoever the baby belonged to, it was no longer . . . How could she? He would have looked after her, cared for her and the baby, if only she’d said . . . She had broken his heart, if she only knew it. Still, he was going to show her. In another month or two he’d be a man of property. The Alderson family owning two farms in the dale – perhaps that would turn her head.

  ‘Now, Will, I understand you proposed to my sister last night. Did you not realize there is such a thing as protocol? I should have been informed of your decision before you asked for Nancy’s hand. Do you really think that she is the right woman for you? And how are you going to keep her in the manner she is accustomed to?’

  As he waited for an answer, Gerald studied his soon-to-be brother-in-law. He quite admired the fellow, but Nancy could have done so much better if her reputation and appearance had been up to standard.

  ‘We’ll manage, Master Gerald. I do truly love and care for her, and I’m sorry I didn’t realize that I had to ask for your blessing first.’

  Will had expected this visit all morning and had dreaded it. Of course he had realized he should have asked Gerald Frankland’s permission first, but he wasn’t about to tell him that. He had known that once Nancy said yes, her brother wouldn’t dare say no. He’d been counting on the fact that Gerald would do anything to make her happy.

  ‘Well, I don’t know, Will Bentham. I always wanted her to marry someone titled, but true to form, my sister has to go and fall in love with a hired man. No house, not a great deal of money and no title does not place you very high in my society. However, if you truly love her, I can’t stand in the way. She deserves some
happiness in her life. There’s not been a great deal of that since our parents died.’ He sat, crossing his long legs, and studied the perplexed face of his employee. ‘Now, financial matters, of which my sister knows nothing: she receives a yearly allowance of five thousand pounds from our parents’ estate. This is paid into my bank account at the moment; of course, it will be transferred to yours once you have become man and wife. I’m also prepared to transfer the deeds to the marble works to you as my wedding present, which would give you this cottage to live in as your secure home. What’s more, I’m in the process of finalizing an order that will give you a great deal of prestige in society – I’ll tell you more of that shortly. Now, how does that sound? In return, I want you to promise to look after her. My sister’s needs must come first.’ Gerald Frankland searched Will’s face, trying to read his reaction.

  ‘I don’t know what to say, Lord Frankland,’ said Will, dumbstruck. ‘I didn’t expect all that. I just wanted the hand of Nancy. Truly, there is no need for your generosity. And, yes, I will put her before my own life always.’

  ‘In that case, Will, welcome to the family. You must call me Gerald from now on. The one proviso I have is that you must make it a discreet wedding. St John’s, I think, not Dent parish church; she wouldn’t want everyone gawping at her. She still thinks people look at her as if she were a monster. And then a small reception back at the manor. What do you say. That all right?’

  ‘I don’t know what to say, except thank you. I hadn’t even planned that far ahead. It’s all happening so fast.’

  Inside, Will was ecstatic. All that money! He couldn’t believe it. And the marble works! He wanted to yell for joy, but knew he had to keep it reined in, at least until Gerald Frankland had gone.

  ‘Well, get on with it, man. One more thing. You might need these – they were Nancy’s mother’s.’ Gerald Frankland reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a ring box containing a diamond-encrusted engagement ring and a wedding ring. ‘They will mean a great deal to her.’ Shaking Will’s hand, he passed the box to him. ‘Good luck, old man. Make her happy.’ He patted Will on the back and then left him in a state of shock and ecstasy.

  All that money! Not in a million years had he dreamed of owning all this and having money as well. Small price to pay for marrying a scarred, spoilt bitch. Hopefully their night of passion in the stable would have sealed the deal. He hoped that she was pregnant; then there would be no way of getting out of the forthcoming wedding. Yes, things were definitely on the turn for Will Bentham. Why, he was almost related to nobility now.

  ‘Master Gerald needs to see you in the study, Alice. He’s back from Stone House – don’t know if it’s good news or bad news, but he’s going through his papers. His desk is in a right mess.’ Mrs Dowbiggin placed the tea tray on the table and sighed.

  ‘He wants to see me? Did he say what for, and do you think it’s urgent?’ Alice quickly checked her hair in the small kitchen mirror.

  ‘How would I know? I’m more bothered about my lumbago – it is giving me jip. Besides, I’m not told anything any more. I’ve worked for this family more than twenty-five years and I’m not told nothing.’ She rattled the dirty teapots in the sink and turned away from Alice, muttering to herself.

  Alice smiled. In the study on her own with Gerald . . . perhaps there was hope. She pinched her cheeks and checked her dress; she wanted to look her best.

  ‘Ah! Alice, do come in.’ Gerald Frankland fixed Alice with a penetrating gaze, gently rocking in his office chair. ‘So, what are we to do? My sister is to marry your brother. Neither can be talked out of it . . . Which leaves me with a predicament: what am I to do with you?’

  Alice’s face dropped a mile. Was she going to be told to go, to make her own way in the world? She couldn’t bear that her life was so hard.

  ‘If we are soon to be related through marriage, we can’t have you working for us any more. That would not be correct; family and servants should remain separate. However, it’s obvious that my sister adores you, so provided you are in agreement I propose that you leave your brother’s cottage and move into the manor. You will occupy one of the good spare bedrooms and eat your meals with us – after all, we can’t have you telling Mrs Dowbiggin all our news around that kitchen table, can we? In return, you must offer Nancy your devoted friendship, help her plan her wedding, go shopping with her, do whatever it is that you women get up to in your spare time. I’ve told your brother this morning that Stone House is to be his marital home and I am now in the process of signing the whole works and cottage over to him. Your brother will be a rich man, if he plays his cards right. I’m also willing to give you a small allowance, just to help while you are living with us. I want to make everything above board; you know how people talk. So, what do you think, Alice? Does that sound agreeable to you?’

  Speechless, Alice could only nod.

  He reached across the desk to shake her hand. ‘In that case, welcome to the family. I promise that as long as Nancy is happy we will see that you are looked after.’

  Tears of happiness in her eyes, Alice shook his hand. Being part of the Frankland family was something she had dreamed about since those early days when she had toyed with the idea of marrying sultry Lord Frankland and becoming mistress of Whernside Manor.

  ‘What are you waiting for? Go and choose which bedroom you want. I’d choose the blue room myself: it catches all the sunlight in the morning. Faulks will help you move your possessions. And, Alice, I enjoyed our few dances last night. Perhaps we can dance together more often, now we are to be related.’

  Gerald smiled as he saw the tears again welling up in Alice’s eyes before she turned and hurried from the room. He’d always had her down as a fighter; something must have laid her spirits low. Perhaps it was the Christmas period. Everyone missed departed loved ones at Christmas and New Year; it had been years since his own parents died, but he still felt their absence. She would soon cheer up now that she had been relieved of worries about money and work and where to live.

  Nancy had made it clear that she wanted Alice to be part of the wedding package. Who’d have thought it, after their first encounter? He smiled to himself at the memory of Alice holding her own against the sneering staff and his raging sister. She’d spoken her mind, too full of pride to be cowed by them. Funny old world: he’d travelled the globe, yet he never felt more relaxed than when he gazed into the cornflower-blue eyes of his soon-to-be sister-in-law.

  Alice leaned against the closed study door. Had she heard right? Was she now part of the family? Was Gerald really signing the cottage and marble works over to Will? If so, all their worries were over. In the space of an hour, she had gone from abject despair to elation. A proper home, with money and good food. And she’d be looking across the dining table every day at the man of her dreams. This really was going to be the year all her wishes came true.

  When she got to the kitchen, however, she was soon brought down to earth by the sight of Mrs Dowbiggin and Faulks in secretive discussion.

  ‘I don’t think you should be with us. Faulks has told me the scenario. You’ll be thinking yourself better than us now. Never in all my days have I heard anything so scandalous! Take heed, my girl: no good will come of this. If I were you, I’d lock my door on a night and warn that brother of yours what he’s really taken on. He’ll earn every penny he’s got out of Master Gerald; you can tell him that from me.’

  ‘I don’t believe it’s any of your business, Mrs Dowbiggin. It’s between my brother and Lord Frankland – or Gerald, as I’m to call him from now on.’ Alice smiled. Now that it had finally sunk in that she had no more worries, she couldn’t resist a bit of mischief while at the same time putting the stuffy housekeeper in her place.

  ‘Well, you’ve changed your colours! The pair of you have worked your way into this family and now you’re going to drag it into the gutter. Well, it’ll be over my dead body that you harm this family. Nancy was best off left alone in her bedroom with her m
emories and us to take care of her – no harm would have come to her then.’ Mrs Dowbiggin took the copper pan that she’d been waving at Alice as if she wanted to clout her with it and put it on the pan rack.

  ‘Mrs Dowbiggin, please. I’ve always confided in you, and the only thing my brother has done wrong is fall in love with someone out of his class. Is that such a sin? Please, we all have to live and work together, and I don’t want any bad feeling between us. I’m truly grateful for everything that everyone’s done for me these last few months. I’ll never forget your help, especially.’ Alice squeezed the chubby red arm of her accuser with affection. ‘I’m lucky, Mrs Dowbiggin, but I’ll never forget where I came from and who helped me get this far. All I ask is that you wish Will and Nancy luck. Because, as you say, they are going to need it. Moreover, I’m going to need your help. I’ve so much to learn – I don’t want to let the family down.’ Alice smiled at the blustering housekeeper and hope that she’d smoothed her ruffled feathers.

  ‘Aye, well, we’ll see. But it’s still a rum carry-on.’ Mrs Dowbiggin threw her tea towel roughly over her shoulder. ‘And I don’t know what this useless lump’s gawping at – he’s supposed to be moving you into your new room.’ She deftly flicked the end of the tea towel at Faulks, who up till then had stood on the sidelines, saying nothing.

  ‘Don’t bring me into your petty argument. Unlike some, I know my place and keep my thoughts to myself. And kindly refrain from using that tea towel upon my personage.’ Faulks rose from his chair. ‘Which room is to be yours, Miss Alice? Are we to move your belongings now or later?’

  ‘“Miss Alice” – listen to you! She’s Alice, you big galoot,’ Mrs Dowbiggin mumbled to herself.

  ‘She is now Miss Alice to me, as I will have to remember when we are in public. Now, which room did Master Gerald want you to have, Miss Alice?’ Faulks’s face was sombre. Mrs Dowbiggin may not have realized it yet, but changes were afoot at the manor and he had every intention of keeping abreast of the times.