Alexander did not think beyond the day. He dwelt on little else but his meetings with Kate; she entranced him with her fresh looks and good humour. She was friendly and open and eager to please him. He liked to think that she might be the daughter of the kind Jarrow woman who had taken him to the circus and visited Ravensworth with her babies on that distant golden summer. He had long forgotten her name, but Kate reminded him of the pretty, generous lady who had shown him friendship.
Alexander thought of Kate as he rode the Durham hills and each evening was impatient for dinner to end so he could walk to the lake. The secrecy of their meetings only heightened his impatience and excitement. Perhaps Lady Ravensworth suspected there was a purpose to his late evening walks for she did not insist on coming with him.
‘Henry’s looking tired - we’ll retire early,’ she would say, and wave him off.
He had filled a whole sketchbook with drawings of Kate. He knew her features so well he could draw her from memory, but still used it as an excuse to meet. He had no idea where the liaison would lead; he just wanted the summer to continue like this for ever and not to have to think of the future.
One evening an impulse struck him.
‘Kate, I’d like to go back to Jarrow - see where I used to live. In all these years I’ve never been back - never wanted to. But now, knowing you, it’s something we share. Would you come with me and show me? I could meet your mother - see if she’s the woman I remember.’
Kate looked at him appalled. ‘No! I mean - what for? There’s nothing much to see - just the new town hall - and the old vicarage is gone. You wouldn’t recognise the place. And Mam doesn’t live in Jarrow any longer. Moved out to the country a couple of years back with our Jack.’
‘That sounds more pleasant.’ Alexander was astonished by her agitation.
‘Aye, but she doesn’t take to visitors. Health’s not good.’
‘How does she manage on her own?’
Kate winced. ‘Our Jack’s still at home.’ Why had she not mentioned John McMullen before? It seemed too late now.
‘Well, we could still pay a visit to the town - look round the old monastery.’
‘Why bother when you’ve got all this bonny countryside round here?’ Her look was pleading. ‘Any road, I wouldn’t get the time off. Best if you went on your own.’
Alexander was dashed by her refusal, but he could see by the stubborn set of her mouth that she would not be persuaded. Perhaps the notion was a foolish one, to want to see the place of fleeting happiness with his Cousin Edward. He thought it might have pleased Kate to be taken to see her mother, show off her acquaintance with a Liddell. But she was more practical than he. It was fanciful to think they could go about in public as equals or friends. People would rush to the wrong conclusion and condemn such a liaison.
‘You’re right,’ he said with a rueful smile. ‘Let us drop the subject.’
He saw how Kate at once regained her cheerfulness. He must remember to keep their relationship simple - and secret.
‘But maybe we could spend your day off in another way?’ he suggested. ‘A walk in the hills, perhaps?’
Kate eyed him. She would like nothing more, but could not see how it could be achieved without discovery. She had promised to meet up with Mary the following Sunday.
‘I can’t,’ she said reluctantly. ‘I’m meeting someone.’
Alexander looked away in disappointment. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve no right to stand in the way. A girl like you must have no end of suitors wishing to court you.’
Kate gawped. ‘It’s not that—’
‘No, don’t apologise.’
‘It’s not a lad I’m meeting!’ Kate burst out, then blushed furiously.
‘It’s not?’ Alexander brightened.
‘No,’ she laughed, ‘it’s a lass - me sister Mary. She’s working at the Ravensworth Arms.’
‘I see. That’s good,’ Alexander grinned.
They gazed at each other. Kate wondered whether he was courting but would never dare ask. He might already be married, for all she knew. She could be endangering her mortal soul by continuing to see him. But at that moment, the flames of Hell seemed a distant punishment.
‘Have you ever ridden, Kate?’ he suddenly asked.
‘A donkey on the beach once,’ she laughed.
‘I’ll take you riding then.’
‘I couldn’t!’ she spluttered.
‘I’ll arrange it.’
‘When?’
‘After you’ve met your sister. Get away early - I’ll meet you beyond the church at Lamesley. Say yes, Kate.’
Her heart jolted at such daring, but when he looked at her with those intent eyes, she would risk anything.
‘Aye, I will,’ she smiled.
He leant forward as if he would kiss her, then hesitated.
‘Splendid! Sunday it is - about three o’clock?’
The next three days it rained continuously and Kate was kept indoors in the evenings, frustrated at the weather and wondering if it would prevent their ride on Sunday. She glimpsed Alexander twice with Lady Ravensworth, but he made no show of recognising her. They looked preoccupied. A ball was being planned for the middle of the month, but the earl was confined to bed with a cold, and rumours came back from the parlour-maids that Her Ladyship was fretting the event might have to be postponed.
‘Typical!’ muttered the housekeeper. ‘Just thinks of her own pleasure, and there’s the poor old earl a-lying in his bed.’
‘Watch what you say,’ James, the head footman, warned.
‘I’ll say what I like,’ she declared. ‘It’s nothing but the truth. The house should still be in mourning for old Lady Ravensworth.’
‘That’s for Her Ladyship to decide,’ James said loyally.
‘And you’ll be the first to know what she wants,’ the housekeeper said waspishly.
‘She wants His Lordship to be better before filling the house with guests,’ James said levelly.
‘Is he very ill?’ Kate asked Lily in concern. She had taken up soup to Lord Ravensworth’s room earlier.
Lily shrugged. ‘Doctor’s been in every day this week, but he was sat up in bed chatting when I went in. Always got a nice word to say, has His Lordship.’
‘Aye,’ Kate agreed, remembering how he had once made her feel at home by talking about Jarrow and his Cousin Edward. But she fretted that Alexander might not be able to get away on Sunday. Perhaps he would feel he had to keep Lady Ravensworth company or, worse, leave the castle and return home if there was to be no ball.
Sunday came and to Kate’s joy the sun broke through the canvas of grey clouds that had brought such rain for the best part of a week. She worked quickly that morning to finish her chores and then set out on the downhill mile walk to the Ravensworth Arms. She had seen the Liddells’ carriage return from the service at Lamesley church, but knew from Lily that Lord Ravensworth was still confined to bed. No doubt Alexander would have accompanied Her Ladyship, but would he be able to get away later?
Mary wanted to walk up to Kibblesworth and look in the shop windows.
‘I can’t … have to get back soon,’ Kate said.
‘Why? You’ve got a couple of hours still!’
‘There’s that much to do - all these guests arriving over the next week. Lady Ravensworth’s planning dinners and a big dance and a day at the races.’
Mary brightened. ‘You could take me back with you. You promised you’d show me round.’
‘Not today.’
‘Why not? You’re such a spoilsport!’
‘You could call on Aunt Lizzie - see the cousins.’
Mary pulled a face. ‘I’ll end up having to spread muck on the roses or touch Alfred’s pet rat. Ugh!’
‘Next day off we’ll gan u
p to Kibblesworth, I promise — do something with Suky and her lad.’
Mary gave her a sulky look as they rounded the side of the inn. Kate glanced nervously in the direction of the distant church.
‘I’ll be off then.’
‘Maybes I’ll gan to Aunt Lizzie’s after all. I’ll walk up with you,’ Mary announced.
Kate’s heart sank. They would have to pass right by the church. What if Alexander said something? She would have to walk straight on, pretending she did not know him. Mary must never suspect she was meeting a man, especially a man so far above their class. How frustrating! She might not have time to come back and meet him.
Kate tried to hide her annoyance as they set off together, down the lane towards Lamesley village. Her heart began to pound as they neared the church. The tower clock struck three.
While Mary gossiped about people at the inn, Kate glanced nervously about her. There was no sign of Alexander or a horse anywhere near the church. As they passed the open gate, she glimpsed someone picking flowers in the graveyard. A young couple strolled by and nodded to them.
A wave of relief came over Kate that Alexander was nowhere to be seen. How foolhardy to have made such an arrangement with all these villagers about - and so close to Mary and the inn. It had been the madness of a magical summer’s evening.
Still her heart hammered as they left the village and climbed the road to the castle, hidden among dense woods. What if he should come riding out of the trees? What would she say? But they walked on and no rider came.
‘You’re not listening, are you?’ Mary demanded.
‘Sorry?’
‘Just ‘cos I’m not working with the nobs up at the castle. Still think you’re better than me, don’t you?’
‘No, don’t be daft.’ Kate paused on the brow of the hill and looked back at the village. There was no sign of Alexander. The distant St Andrew’s clock struck half-past three. Despite the situation, she felt a stab of disappointment. He was not going to come after all, perhaps had never intended to. In the cold light of day he had changed his mind and thought nothing more of it.
‘What’s that for?’ Mary asked, interrupting her thoughts.
‘What?’ Kate asked.
‘The bells. Why they ringing the bells?’
Kate hadn’t noticed, but the Lamesley bells had begun to toll. Their ring was slow and ponderous. Her insides jolted.
‘Oh, no!’
‘What?’
‘Something’s happened.’ Kate seized Mary by the arm. Her sister looked mystified. ‘They rang like that when old Lady Ravensworth died. Come on, quick! I must get back to the castle.’
She picked up her skirts and ran, Mary shouting after her to slow down. They raced through the side gate in the South Lodge. The gatekeeper’s wife was standing in her doorway, listening.
‘What’s happened?’ Kate called to her.
‘Don’t rightly know,’ said the stooped old woman. ‘But I fear it’s bad news.’
They raced on, Mary complaining of a stitch in her side and the mud sticking to her shoes. But Kate did not stop till they reached the gardeners’ cottages.
Peter was standing outside, talking quietly with a neighbour. He turned at the sound of the girls racing round the corner. His face was sombre.
‘The bells,’ Kate gasped, ‘down Lamesley - w-what do they mean?’
Peter stood twisting his cap. ‘They called all the staff in the hall half an hour ago.’
‘It’s Lord Ravensworth?’ Kate braced herself for the answer.
Peter nodded. ‘Passed away in his sleep.’
Kate felt winded.
‘And Her Ladyship?’
‘Came and told us herself. Full o’ dignity, she was.’
Kate felt tears sting her eyes. She was suddenly more upset than she could have imagined. She turned to Mary and flung her arms around her for comfort.
‘Poor Lady Ravensworth!’
Peter looked on in pity. ‘Aye, it’s the end of an era, old Lord Ravensworth going. Who knows what changes it’ll bring?’
Kate burst into tears.
Chapter 15
Lord Ravensworth’s funeral was a grand affair, the cortege of gleaming black carriages and plumed horses drawing large crowds along the route from Ravensworth Castle to Lamesley. The old earl had been popular and lived among his people for years.
‘What’s the new earl like?’ Kate asked Hannah as they sheltered from rain under the trees. They had not been allowed to attend the service; there was too much work to be done preparing for the funeral tea. The castle was packed with visiting family and political friends come to pay their respects.
‘Captain Charles? He’s a brother of Lord Henry, that’s all I know. No spring chicken himself.’
Lily nudged them both as an open carriage of mourners went by.
‘That’s him there - with the new Lady Ravensworth. Live down south.’
Lily could be relied upon to relay gossip from the drawing rooms.
‘So they might not want to come and live here?’ Kate asked in hope. She wanted the Dowager Lady Ravensworth to stay on.
‘Course they will! They’d be soft in the head not to come and live at the castle. Anyways, I’ve heard things.’
‘What things?’
‘Talk of lawyers and dividing up the furniture -Lady Ravensworth taking what’s hers and the new Lady Ravensworth - Caroline - moving hers in.’
‘What’ll happen to us?’ Kate asked anxiously.
But even Lily did not seem to have the answer to that. The last of the carriages squelched past, flicking mud at their skirts. Kate had craned for a view of Alexander sitting next to Lady Ravensworth, but they were gone so quickly she did not see his expression. He had not looked out at the crowds or searched for her. Neither had he looked for her all week. She had been to the lake twice but he had not appeared. During the day she had been kept busy cleaning rooms in the west wing for visitors, or helping in the kitchens, and had seen no sign of him. She was cheered only by the thought that there would be much to sort out of the old earl’s business affairs that might keep him at Ravensworth. Surely she would be able to speak to him soon.
Kate was kept busy washing up during the vast funeral tea and saw nothing of the ranks of county gentry and wealthy Tyneside merchants milling around the dining hall and galleries. All she knew was that every piece of china that the Liddells possessed seemed to have been used that day. Lily came with tales of the guests’ outfits and the magnificent black silk dress worn by Lady Ravensworth.
‘Still the prettiest woman in the county, for all she’s pale and tired-looking.’
‘Is Mr Pringle-Davies in attendance?’ Kate asked cautiously.
Lily nodded vigorously. ‘Never leaves her side. Told you he was after her and the Liddell money. Now there’s nothing to stop him.’
‘Shush!’ Hannah said. ‘Don’t let Mr Wadsworth hear you.’
‘Well, there’s higher up than him have said as much,’ Lily pouted. They all knew she meant the housekeeper, who made no secret of her disapproval of the fun-loving Lady Ravensworth and the upstart Pringle-Davies.
Kate felt wretched at the thought that Alexander might be biding his time for Lady Ravensworth’s hand. Had he not told her how much he admired Her Ladyship? Her own thoughts of romance with him were the wild dreams of her over-imaginative mind. She was of fleeting interest, the subject of his artistic whim.
Over the next uncertain weeks, Kate buried her disappointment and waited to see what would happen. There was much coming and going of lawyers, and rumours flew around the castle. The Dowager Lady Ravensworth was refusing to move out. There was dispute with her brother-in-law, the third Earl of Ravensworth, about what belonged to whom. Lady Caroline did not want to move north.
It was left to the housekeeper and butler to make the arrangements. The head footman, James Wadsworth, went with the Dowager Lady Ravensworth, along with her lady’s maid and two favourite parlourmaids. Lily preened.
‘I’m to stay at the castle and work for the new Lady Ravensworth.’
Hannah too was being kept on. Kate was called into the housekeeper’s room to face her sour-faced employer.
‘You’re not needed here any longer,’ she said with satisfaction. ‘You can go back to Farnacre and work for the dowager in the laundry - work you’re more suited to.’
Kate flushed at the slight. She knew the woman had never forgiven her for daring to sing in front of the old earl and speak to her social superiors as if she wasn’t some common girl from Jarrow.
‘I’d be pleased to serve Her Ladyship,’ she said proudly.
She hid her sadness at leaving the castle and her friends Hannah and Lily, but at least she could remain on the estate, working for Her Ladyship. And there was always the chance that Alexander might stay at Farnacre rather than the castle now that Lady Ravensworth was there. Kate could at least gaze on him from afar.
***
Alexander was plagued by conflicting thoughts. He lamented the passing of his kind Cousin Henry and the turmoil into which his life had been thrown. On the point of venturing out to meet Kate, he had been called to his cousin’s bedside and watched by him as his breathing became ragged and shallow. He had wished for some dying words, some parting permission to take care of Emma or some final wisdom about what to do with his life. But none came. Henry’s life had ebbed away in the gloomy bedchamber while outside Alexander imagined Kate waiting for him in the sunshine, thinking him a man of broken promise.
THE JARROW TRILOGY: all 3 enthralling sagas in 1 volume; The Jarrow Lass, A Child of Jarrow & Return to Jarrow Page 55