Philippa Carr - [Daughters of England 09]

by The Adulteress

  I said I really must go and I thanked them for their hospitality.

  Dickon said he would stay awhile. He wanted to talk about the chest and have a closer look at the bronze statue.

  I left the house and rode slowly back to Eversleigh.

  At supper that evening Dickon was rather more quiet than usual. At dusk I was taken once more to Uncle Carl’s room. It was the same ritual; the brief visit, the hovering Jessie and the doctor, the brief pressure of the hand, the murmuring of my name, and then all too soon the request to leave the room.

  I wondered if I was ever going to speak to my uncle.

  I retired early but not to sleep. I sat in the window for a long time looking out and thinking about the events of the day—the marriage of Evalina to Andrew Mather and Dickon’s discovery of the valuable statue which had belonged to my uncle and which Evalina had said he had given to her mother.

  Had he? I wondered. How easy it would be for Jessie to help herself to valuable objects and hide them away somewhere!

  Of course it was perfectly plausible that he had given them to her, and she might have been denied them if Uncle Carl died. What would happen then? I suppose Rosen, Stead and Rosen had some instructions. Would they come in and assess his possessions? Would they know if anything was missing? How could they? He was perfectly entitled to give his valuables away if he so wished. But it would be difficult for someone like a housekeeper to say some valuable object had been given to her if it were still in the house. He might very well have given her the statue—and other things besides—and she felt she had to get them out of the house while she had a chance.

  It was an unusual situation and very difficult to assess. Something should be done, I was sure, but I did not know what. Perhaps I should go and see Rosen, Stead and Rosen. I wished there was someone whose advice I could ask.

  I could only think of the Forsters. But I hardly knew them well enough and could scarcely put such a private matter before them when I had met them only twice.

  My mother always said: “When in difficulties always wait. Sleep on a big decision. It’s often wisest.” My father would have been different. He would have been more impulsive.

  My sleep was once more fitful. I could never settle to regular sleep in this house. I suppose it was because my mind was so uneasy.

  I was awakened from a light doze because I thought I had heard a noise below. I sat up in bed. It was two o’clock. I was sure someone was out on the lawn.

  I got out of bed and went to the window and was just in time to see a figure go into the house.

  Two o’clock! Who could it be? I immediately thought of Amos Carew coming to visit Jessie. Old Jethro had said that he came some nights. On the other hand it might have been Dickon. I imagined that he could have been paying a late-night call on Evalina. It was the sort of situation which would amuse him. I could imagine his making love with Evalina in a room close by that in which her husband lay. It was a Boccaccio situation and one I was sure which Dickon—and perhaps Evalina—would find highly diverting. But she had not been very pleased with him when he had brought out the bronze figure, I was sure; and he knew it and metaphorically he snapped his fingers at her. The incident could have brought about a coolness between them.

  There was so much that needed explaining. I went to my door and listened. Stealthy footsteps were coming up the stairs.

  I waited pressed against the door. If it were Dickon and he were returning to his room, those steps would go on past my room, for he was at the end of this corridor.

  I waited. There was silence. I heard the sound of a door opening and being quietly shut.

  It seemed as though it was not Dickon.

  I locked my door and returned to bed. It must have been Amos Carew visiting Jessie.

  The next morning Jessie was hovering in the hall when I came down dressed for my morning walk.

  “Hello,” she said. “Off out?”

  “Yes.” I hesitated. “I wonder what good I’m doing here,” I went on. “Lord Eversleigh doesn’t know I’m here, I’m sure.”

  “He knows it, all right. It’s just that he’s lost the power to say so. But I know what you mean. … We’re all so frustrated.”

  “It goes on,” I said. “I suppose it has been like that for weeks.”

  She nodded.

  “I was wondering,” I said, “if there is anything that could be done.”

  “We’re doing all we can.”

  “Yes, I know, but there have been so many new ideas in the medical profession recently. Some of them have worked wonders.”

  “That’s why I’m so glad we’ve got Dr. Cabel living here.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that. He’s retired and he was an old friend and I am sure Uncle Carl likes to have him here … but since his day there may have been advances in medicine. I was wondering whether we could call in a new opinion.”

  She was silent. She had turned slightly away from me. It seemed a long time before she spoke and when she did her voice was trembling a little.

  “I’m sure I’ve thought of everything,” she said. “You can imagine what he means to me. Oh no, you can’t … nobody could. I know you think he is a meal ticket to me. He is, of course, but that’s not all. I’ve loved the old fellow … I still do. I can’t bear to think of him gone. … Oh, I know you’ll say … yes, where will you be, Jess Stirling, without him. Out on your ear, that’s where. Well, it’s not quite like that. I’ve looked after the future.”

  Yes, I thought. Italian Renaissance statues tucked away for a rainy day!

  “I’m fond of him. I’ve said to him: ‘Ought we to get another doctor?’ He doesn’t like it. He said, ‘Old Cabel is the best I’ve ever known.” Wouldn’t trust himself with any of these modern quacks. That was what he said … quacks.”

  “When did he say this?” I asked quickly.

  “Oh, it was before the seizure. When he was working up for it, you might say. I said then that we should get another doctor and he wouldn’t hear of it. Got quite worked up at the thought.”

  “I see,” I said. “But he would hardly be aware, would he now? He doesn’t really know me. If we called in Dr. Forster …”

  “Dr. Forster! You mean … the doctor here!”

  “I was thinking of him. I met him at Enderby. They’re very nice people. I don’t see why we shouldn’t call him in. Two opinions are better than one.”

  “I believe Dr. Cabel would go if we did. Doctors don’t like that. They like you to trust them.”

  “I suppose it might be unethical.”

  “Well … I don’t know. Don’t do anything yet, though. Perhaps I could sound them … both Lordy and Dr. Cabel.”

  “You mean you would ask Lord Eversleigh? He would never understand.”

  “Oh, I think he might. You’re worried, aren’t you? You think he shouldn’t go on like this. Dr. Cabel thinks it a bit of a miracle that he does.”

  I said: “I wish I could see him more often. Those brief visits by candlelight …”

  “I know.”

  “At night,” I said, “when he is probably tired.”

  “It was his wish that he sees people after dusk. He’s changed such a lot. It’s done something to his face. … It’s draws his mouth down one side. It’s made his hair come out. He’ll never take off that nightcap and he wears it so as to hide half his face. He was a very vain man … very fond of his own appearance. … He can’t bear the change in himself. I keep the mirror well out of his way.”

  “All the same I should like to see him in the light of day.”

  “You’d hardly recognize him. He’s a pitiful sight.”

  “Dr. Forster seems to have a good reputation,” I said.

  “You’re worried … just like me … I know. I pray God he’ll recover.” She crossed herself as she spoke and looked rather anxiously upward. It had never occurred to me that Jessie was a religious woman and I had thought the gold cross which she always wore about her neck was an ornament ra
ther than a symbol.

  I said: “I shall go for a walk now.”

  “You’re a good walker,” she said.

  “Yes, I like the fresh air. It makes me think.”

  She nodded and I went out. At the door I turned to look back at her. She was watching me and as she did so was fingering the cross about her neck.

  I walked briskly towards the town. It was a long walk. I remembered how Gerard had driven me in that post chaise he had borrowed when we were concerned with Uncle Carl’s will. There was no time to go to the solicitor this morning Moreover. I was not sure whether it was the right thing to do. I imagined that Mr. Rosen might not be the most tactful of men, and if he were to upset Jessie or Dr. Cabel we might succeed in worrying Uncle Carl to such an extent that his condition grew worse.

  I wished there was someone whose advice I could ask.

  I wished I knew the Forsters better, I wished I could trust Dickon.

  There seemed nothing to do but wait. I had always been able to see several sides to a question. It sometimes had the effect of making me hesitant because one was never sure which way to act for the best. People who had definite ideas need not hesitate. They were sure they were right even when they were wrong. But f could never be entirely sure.

  As I saw it, Jessie was immoral: when she had been Uncle Carl’s mistress she was also that of his agent. But at the same time she had provided comfort such as he longed for. The three of them had been happy. Whereas had she done the honorable thing and left Uncle Carl he would have been miserable. It was the same with Evalina. There was no doubt that she had made Andrew Mather very happy. If she was indulging in sexual adventure outside her marriage, as long as Andrew didn’t know …

  It seemed mixed morality in a way. After all, I had the example of my own lapse before me.

  So I remained undecided. I went back to the house. At dinner Dr. Cabel was as affable as ever toward me so I presumed Jessie had not said anything about my suggesting calling in other advice. Dickon was vivacious and said he was going over to Grasslands in the afternoon.

  “Andrew likes me to enjoy his treasures,” he said looking at me mischievously.

  I walked toward Enderby hoping that I should accidentally meet one of the Forsters. I was unlucky. I just stood by the palings looking at that incredibly gloomy piece of wasteland and hoping for a sign to tell me what to do.

  After supper I went to visit Uncle Carl again.

  “He is a little better today,” said Dr. Cabel as we went up to Uncle Carl’s room. “I think your coming has done something for him. I think you could stay a little longer with him. Let’s see how we go … shall we?”

  He was lying there, blotched hands on the counterpane, his fingers twitching a little as I sat down. An indication, I thought, that he wanted me to take his hand.

  I did so.

  “Uncle Carl,” I said, “it’s Zipporah.”

  His eyes were half closed … I could see that his mouth was drawn up at one side. It made him look unlike the man I had known. His nose looked sharper … I thought his face looked a little fuller. But it was his eyes I had always noticed about Uncle Carl—those lively dark eyes—and now the lids were drawn down over them and he wasn’t like Uncle Carl anymore. “Zipporah …” he whispered.

  “Dear Uncle Carl. I came when I heard you weren’t well. You’re better now. … Able to see me … able to tell me you know I’m here.”

  He pressed my hand and nodded.

  “Good …” he said, “good people …”

  “Yes.” I said. “You are well looked after.”

  “Good doctor … friend …”

  His hands fluttered. He groaned. “Don’t go. … Good Ralph … Mustn’t …”

  I presumed Ralph to be Dr. Cabel. It seemed that he had had some inkling that I had suggested another doctor be called.

  I said: “No, no … everyone you want will be here …. It’s all right.”

  I felt a great desire to soothe him for he had lifted his head slightly and it was swaying from side to side.

  “Rest,” I said.

  Dr. Cabel was beside me.

  “Now, old fellow,” he said. “I’m here. Your old friend Ralph is with you all the time. I’m not going to leave you. All’s well. There! You trust me, don’t you?”

  He nodded to me. And I got up.

  “Take his hand,” he whispered.

  I took it and kissed it.

  “Good night, dear uncle,” I said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He was lying back with his eyes closed.

  I went to my room but before I had mounted the stairs to the next floor I heard the doctor and Jessie come out of the room.

  Dr. Cabel was saying angrily: “What did you say to him? Did you tell him I was going? You should have had more sense.”

  Jessie spoke almost tearfully. “I just said that we might call in another doctor … as well … two heads are better than one. … I didn’t think he understood.”

  “You know very well he takes in a lot. I would pack my bag tomorrow … if I thought I could safely leave him.”

  “Oh, Dr. Cabel … please … please … don’t. I was just talking it over with Mistress Ransome. It just seemed like an idea.”

  “The great idea is to keep his mind at rest. I understand him. I’ve known him for years. I thought he was going to be so good tonight. I did want Mistress Ransome to be able to talk to him a little. For heaven’s sake, Mistress Stirling, be careful what you say in his presence.”

  “I will … oh, I will.”

  I went into my room and shut the door.

  I felt guilty but my uneasiness outweighed my guilt.

  Next morning I walked into the town and called on Rosen, Stead and Rosen. I was immediately shown into the office of Mr. Rosen senior. He greeted me with as much warmth as I was sure he was capable of showing and begged me be seated.

  “It is very pleasant to see you here again, Mistress Ransome,” he said. “Tell me, how is Lord Eversleigh?”

  “I see very little of him. He is very ill, you know.”

  “I do know that, but there is a doctor in residence, which is very comforting.”

  “Yes, he was an old friend of Lord Eversleigh … now retired and so it is possible for him to give up all his time to look after my uncle.”

  “Splendid! Of course, I doubt very much whether this state of affairs will last. A man in Lord Eversleigh’s condition … Ah well, he is not a young man.”

  “I wondered about one or two things. Have you visited Eversleigh?”

  “My nephew went some time ago … soon after Lord Eversleigh had his seizure. He saw the doctor. Lord Eversleigh was scarcely in a state to see anyone, and it was agreed that we go on as we had been doing for some time. Lord Eversleigh had given us power of attorney, so the bills came to us and we pay the salaries of the staff … as we had been doing for some time.”

  “I see. I did wonder about certain things.”

  “For the time being everything seems to be in order.”

  “You are satisfied with the way in which the house is being run? I mean … expenses are not excessive.”

  “Indeed no. The … er … housekeeper seems to be a woman of good sense who manages the household quite skillfully. The doctor takes no remuneration at all. I gather he is a man of means. He told my nephew that he had known Lord Eversleigh for many years.”

  “Yes, that is so. I just wanted to make sure that you were satisfied that there was nothing … unusual about what was happening.”

  “It is not an ideal situation, but I think in the circumstances the arrangements couldn’t be improved on. The accounts are more or less what they have always been. I have no reason to believe that the housekeeper is not running the-house in just the same manner as when Lord Eversleigh was … er … compos mentis, in a manner of speaking.”

  “I see.”

  “I am relieved that you have come to see Lord Eversleigh. There is no secret of the fact that you are his hei
ress and I am delighted to have your assurance that you are satisfied with the manner in which the affairs of Eversleigh are being conducted.”

  “It is a little bewildering. I have not been able to exchange a word with Lord Eversleigh.”

  “The seizure, I gather, has taken the form of paralysis and partially robbed him of speech. That’s not uncommon.”

  “I wanted to assure myself that you were satisfied with the manner in which Lord Eversleigh’s affairs were conducted at the Court.”

  “I should be more satisfied if some member of the family were in control. But this doctor inspired great confidence in my nephew and we feel that as long as he is there he will see that everything is in order. The … er … housekeeper does seem to be a woman of good sense and she appears to honor her obligations. If you could reside at the Court until everything resolves itself that would be ideal, but I understand you have your other family commitments which make that impossible.”

  I agreed that this was so and we talked awhile and then I rose to go.

  He took my hand and held it firmly.

  “Rest assured, my dear lady, that should anything happen you will be notified without delay.”

  I thanked him and left feeling considerably relieved.

  I was rather late for the midday meal. Jessie sat with us as she sometimes did and there was the doctor, Dickon and myself.

  I explained that I had walked a little farther than I had meant to and didn’t realize it until I began to make my return journey.

  “It’s such a lovely day.” I finished lamely.

  “Roast pork should be eaten hot,” said Jessie, a little severely, I thought. She was so devoted to food that she considered a lack of enthusiasm to get to it a kind of lese majesty.

  Dickon was in a talkative mood. He was very affable to everyone and seemed almost in a state of excitement. I wondered whether this had anything to do with his reunion with Evalina, or perhaps he had found a new light o’ love. In any case he seemed to be suppressing excitement.

  His eyes sparkled. He was incredibly good-looking—handsome with that hyacinthine type of fair hair which curled about his head and those startling blue eyes which were alert and filled with lurking laughter. A mixture of the handsome dignity of Apollo and the mischief of Pan.