The coachman had a coughing attack but Chandler laughed outright. Gerard glanced at his grandfather and saw that slight smile that made him look so much like his father. Even Nash had a rueful look.
“Shall we take the ladies home?” General Cochran asked.
“It won’t hold,” Claude shouted as the coachman led the horse out to the carriage. “Lay you a monkey it doesn’t hold.”
Gerard looked around in time to see Nash clap Claude on the back and whisper something furious into his ear.
* * * * *
Juliet noticed that Claude looked mutinous on the drive home. Gerard perched on the back of the phaeton where a tiger would ride behind Melanthe and Charles to watch the leader he had shod and call a warning if anything should go amiss. She had taken the seat between her great-uncle and Nash, leaving Claude to be flanked by Helen and Emma opposite them. Claude had a bad habit of sitting with his knees akimbo and crushing the shirts of any lady sitting next to him so she had scrambled to get the seat opposite him.
He mumbled about the upstart until his grandmother elbowed him in the ribs. Helen had looked elated when she’d learned of Gerard’s faux pas with the puce coat but was now chagrined that Gerard had helped the expedition or rather that the general had accepted his help. Yet worse he had called him Grandson, a severe blow to their campaign to unseat Gerard. General Cochran had committed to buying him an expensive wardrobe. Helen probably thought her husband would pay those bills but Juliet was just as sure Gerard would pay out of his own pocket.
They arrived too late to change so dinner was a hurried affair and the evening in the drawing room promised to be an uncomfortable one at best. What must Gerard do but produce a flute which he unfortunately could play? He suggested Juliet accompany him on the pianoforte. To her relief he could read music. Jack volunteered to turn the pages of sheet music for them. Many of the pieces she knew were not at all suitable for a flute but if the notes went below his range he booted them up a register. It amazed her that he could transpose in his head. They had some laughable starts and stops but really it was an enjoyably informal evening and it was not just the two of them laughing. General Cochran guffawed and Nash even cracked a smile once or twice when she looked up. Only Claude worried her. He sat drinking. The more his grandmother glared at him the more persistently he drank.
After a time Gerard asked Jack if he was able to get a sound out of the instrument and when the boy did he gave him some pointers right there in the drawing room. He was teaching Jack music in front of his grandfather and not being reprimanded.
Finally Gerard declared himself exhausted and put a period to the entertainment but when he reached for a cigar and made for the door she slipped into the hall after him.
“Do not get caught alone out there with Claude.”
“I shall evade him. My army upbringing will finally be of some use.” He walked to the back door, picked up the lantern, then stopped and asked, “Has he ever threatened or hurt you?”
She smiled as she walked up the stairs. “You are not the only one skilled at evasion.”
The light had faded by the time Gerard reached Tully with the tale of the loose shoe and the offer of more smokes. He added the reactions of the family and made the old man chuckle even more.
“I knew I should have insisted on coming,” Tully said. “That must have been something. The grooms are in awe of you. I doubt any of them would be able to shoe a horse.”
“Necessity makes for some strange skills. What do you think? Shall I stay here if I manage to prove up my claim?”
Tully delayed as he lit up, then clenched the cigar between his teeth. “How could there be any difficulty? I could vouch for you if you think that would serve.”
“And reveal yourself? If the general knew you were Father’s batman he might send you packing. At least three of the family want me to be declared an imposter and I’m not so sure I want to be part of this clan.”
“Wot about the fair Juliet?”
“She might marry me even if I am an impoverished medical student.”
“She won’t be allowed.”
“That’s the rub. I fear without me about she may lose courage and give in to their wishes.”
“If you stay you’ll be master here someday and can do as you please.”
“You mean be tied to the place for the rest of my days. I’m not sure I want that. What do you recall of General Soutine?”
To Gerard’s surprise Tully looked nonplussed as though he had never expected the question.
“Wot did your father tell you of him?”
“Nothing.”
“Then there was nothing he wanted you to know. I reckon him to be a kinder man than I had ever thought to have saved your life. Why did you come to the battlefield anyway? I thought you safe in Brussels.”
“I asked for news as I dealt with the wounded. That last day it seemed so grim. Then soldiers from our unit started coming in all badly wounded. I had to know.”
“I was separated from him,” Tully said. “A shell exploded nearby. I was wounded but tried to get to him. I could not even find him. Then I passed out. When I woke it was the next day and I was in Brussels. But I hitched a ride back out and spent the next few days looking for him.”
For the first time Gerard realized that he had decreased Tully’s chance of survival by picking up that drum. If he had stayed in Brussels he could have taken care of Tully and searched for his father himself. “Why was Soutine looking for my father?”
Tully scratched the scar on his cheek, looking uncomfortable and blew out a breath of cigar smoke. “Do you believe in keeping promises?”
“Of course.”
“Even to the dead?”
“Are we talking about Father?”
“Yes.”
Gerard clapped his old friend on the shoulder. “Keep your promises. I can find out on my own. I never like it when things are too easy.”
* * * * *
Juliet had gone upstairs but only for a dark cloak and was making her way to the stable when an arm reached out and grabbed her. She squeaked and barely avoided a kiss from Claude who reeked of brandy fumes. She kicked and struggled but he now had each wrist in a viselike grip and was forcing her arms apart so he could get at her face.
A thwack dropped him on top of her but Gerard soon rolled him off her and pulled her free.
“What did you hit him with?”
“A piece of firewood. I would have made it a fair fight but I wanted to stop him now. Are you all right?”
“Yes. Do you suppose you’ve killed him?” she asked breathlessly.
Gerard bent to check the beat of Claude’s heart.
“Worse luck. He yet lives. What shall we do with him?”
“This is no laughing matter, Gerard. If you had killed Claude we would be in the suds. Besides, sometimes I feel sorry for him.”
He stood up. “Why?”
“He hasn’t had the benefit of Great-uncle’s mentoring the way Charles has. He was raised by a wet-nurse and Helen and is still under her thumb.”
“I had thought Nash would be more of an influence.”
“Not when Claude was little. I don’t know if anyone can repair that damage.”
“Shall we leave him here to sleep it off?” He reached for her arm and she let him take it.
“And hope that he cannot remember what happened?” she asked.
“Seems a bit heartless even after his attack on you. Sober, I hope he would not have treated you so.”
“I have always been able to fend him off with my threats to tell Charles. I hate to resort to that.”
“You should not have to threaten him to assure your safety. I’ll walk you back, then report Claude drunk on the lawn. No, I will get someone else to do it so no blame attaches to me.”
“Sometimes I think you are too clever by far. That will get you in trouble someday.”
“Someday? It gets me in trouble all the time now.”
They arrived a
t the back door and Gerard took her hand to examine her wrist. “He has bruised you.”
“I will wear gloves.”
“Why hide his abuse if this has happened before?”
“Because it’s embarrassing. I should be able to manage on my own.”
“Not to be able to handle that brute. No, the victim should not be embarrassed. She should be outraged.”
“But if I accuse him I would have to explain what I was doing out here. He would say I led him on, or worse, was coming to meet you.”
Gerard pursed his lips. “But you were coming to meet me.”
“I was not.” She felt her heart hammering against her chest as he stared at her in concern.
“What were you doing out here?”
“Looking for you to warn you that Claude had come after you. But they would think the worst.”
“So we can hide our attraction or have them think the worst of us.”
“I suppose it comes to that.”
“If they are going to think ill of us we should at least enjoy this moment.” He bent his head and kissed her, gently at first, then more boldly as she did not resist but kissed him back. He pulled back to stare at her and run the tips of the fingers of one hand over her lips which trembled at his touch.
“We should go back in,” she whispered.
“I remember you kissing me awake in the carriage when we got to Calais. It felt like an upside down fairy tale, a lost frog being awaked by a princess.”
“Let us not end up like two characters in some Shakespearean tragedy. Let us do whatever we must to be together.”
“What if Grandfather disowns me?”
“I will elope with you.”
He chuckled. “And here I was thinking you might lose courage. You are braver by far than me.”
“Still, we should go in before we are discovered.” She moved past him but he reached for her and slid his hand along her arm until their fingers came together in a strong clasp.
“We should. One more kiss since we’ve had so few. If it pleases you, will you marry me?” He kissed her and held her tenderly against him as though he were afraid she would flee.
“What a very strange proposal.”
“I love you dearly but I want you to be happy so much I would give you up if there is likely to be a better future for you.”
“I want no other future than to be your wife.”
“Even if I am cast out like my father?”
“I will go with you anywhere. It may be difficult. My fortune is not my own for many years.”
“Then I will become a blacksmith in London and you will play pianoforte at the opera.”
“Now why didn’t I think of that solution? We have to remember we are not helpless but can work for our keep.”
They finally ended their embrace and went in, Juliet running up the stairs while Gerard hunted up two footmen to help Claude back into the house. He hushed it up as best he could though Nash saw them bring him in through the back door.
“What the devil?” Nash asked on his way through the hall.
“The grounds are treacherous at night,” Gerard informed him. “It’s as black as the belly of a whale out there.”
“No doubt.” Nash turned to the footmen. “Take him to his room. His valet Grimpel will see to him.”
Chapter Nine
The next morning it poured so Gerard did not expect any interruption to his drumming lesson for Jack but they had to cut it short when Juliet ran down the stairs to warn them that the general and Chandler had left the estate office to work in the library and were asking for him. When Gerard wandered in they had a large map rolled out on the table. Nash was there looking over the map as though seeing it for the first time.
“Gerard, did you hear gunfire?” the general asked.
He shrugged. “Uh, thunder perhaps?”
“Never mind. This is the layout of Old Stand along with the lands we have acquired. Two hundred and forty acres all together.”
“The wool mill isn’t here?”
“No that’s in Northhampton where there is enough labor to support it,” Chandler said.
“This is the grist mill.” Nash pointed to a building between the road and the river. “The only one within ten miles so it does quite a business at harvest time.”
“Pennies compared to the wool trade,” Chandler added.
“At least it is constant income. Whereas if the sheep get wool maggot or the fleeces rot your losses are bigger too.”
“This isn’t a competition,” General Cochran warned them.
“Is this the stud farm?” Gerard pointed to an area of the map.
“Yes, small.” Chandler pointed to buildings east of the long drive. “It doesn’t make any money. Not like the cattle or flocks.” He indicated the cattle barns and fields to the west of the drive and the sheep sheds to the north on top of the hill.
“Or the mill,” Nash added. “All the newly acquired land to the east is used to grow grain. How does it feel to have it all laid out before you?”
Sadly it reminded Gerard of his father’s battle maps and he wondered what had happened to them. “This is neither a war nor a game but serious business. One small mistake could ruin all. I shall make very sure I am never at fault in breaking it all to pieces.”
That brought a strange light to his grandfather’s eyes. “No one will have any say in it while I yet live. Certainly it will not be broken up.”
Gerard felt himself smiling. “Then all is safe for a time, a very long time I hope.”
“Do you indeed, Cuz?” Nash asked.
Gerard smirked at Nash’s use of the familiarity, then thought of something. “Where is Claude?”
Nash sent him a measuring look. “He has a headache this morning.”
* * * * *
After luncheon the rain slacked off to a drizzle but Juliet was surprised when the general called for the carriage to visit the sheep close. On the way their great-uncle listened as Charles delivered a lecture on breeds and wool, nodding his approval. Juliet was the only lady interested enough to accompany them and pride in her brother’s knowledge must have shone in her face. Claude came with them but appeared to have a hangover and if he noticed a lump on his head he said nothing.
“This is mostly short staple wool,” Gerard said. “Have you thought of expanding into merino and some of the other long staple wools?”
Chandler nodded. “We would love to but the breeding stock is hard to come by.”
“I’ve seen merinos in France. I just can’t recall where.” He did remember the scent of the sheep, rich in lanolin and sweat. They did not remind him of the battlefields of Europe but of someplace more peaceful and of his mother. As he watched the white lambs bouncing and chasing around the fields at Old Stand he thought of a field bordered by yew trees and suspected it was part of that elusive estate he remembered. The memory was so fleeting he might have imagined it. Certainly he must have imagined the peacefulness.
“Let me know,” Chandler said. “It may be possible to import breeding stock now.”
“If I can place it. Where to now?”
“The cow barns in this weather would be a worse quagmire than the sheepfold,” General Cochran said. “Let’s go to the mill.”
“Did you build the mill or buy it?” Gerard asked as they piled into the carriage.
“Bought it and rebuilt it,” Nash said.
Gerard was impressed that his grandfather did not mind interruptions from his heirs but seemed to assess their knowledge and perhaps even show a bit of pride in them however outspoken they were. He realized he had a lot to learn and he would only learn when he was listening and asking questions.
They took the lane that led downhill through the sheep pastures, then onto the drive and across the road to the mill. When they arrived an old man limped out to talk to the coachman and help with the horses. He spoke with an accent, possibly Prussian. Gerard hopped out after the others to discover a lady miller with a touch of a
ccent to match the old man’s. Her hair was done up under a kerchief and her smile was entrancing. She was a sturdy woman of about forty. With a flat yet beautiful face she smiled at the sight of them, especially Claude and invited them into the first floor which served as delivery room and office. Juliet stared at Anna Herrick openmouthed and Gerard kept her from saying anything by pinching her elbow as the general introduced him to her.
“Sorry for the noise but we got a load of grain to grind today,” Anna said.
“Is this the first of the harvest?” Nash asked.
“Yes, we all hope for a better harvest than the last two years when we had barely enough to feed the livestock and make bread.”
“Summers have been cold and wet,” Claude said. “We may lose much of what grew to rust or mildew.”
“The winters and springs have been harsh as well,” Nash conceded. “If the weather would cooperate we could run the mill round the clock.”
“And you could afford to hire more than Da and me to run the place,” Anna replied.
The general smiled. “No one has even complained of your management, Miss Herrick.”
“Da can still work but his hearing is not so good. Hazard of the job, I suppose.”
“I hear a gear that needs grease,” Claude said, tilting his head to one side.
“Da meant to get to it but he doesn’t get about as good as he used to.”
“Where’s the grease bucket?” Claude asked. “I’ll be able to figure out where it is.”
Chandler looked impatient so Gerard said. “I’ll go with Claude.”
As they climbed the ladder up a story to where the grain went into the grinding hopper Gerard wondered how greasing a gear could be an acceptable task for a gentleman whereas shoeing a horse wasn’t. It could only be that no one would see Claude flaunting his humble expertise. Unerringly Claude identified the noisiest gear of the mechanism and gobbed grease on it from the bucket he had brought. Gerard risked a look out the window at the moving millwheel and the water race below. The spray of water from the paddle wheel bathed his face in a cool mist but the noise storm made him feel dizzy.
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