by Anna Jacobs
When they stopped outside the big house, he helped the ladies down and let Horace take the horse and trap away. He grabbed Luke and Sarah’s arms before they could start running round. ‘Remember your manners, you two. Sit quietly, eat slowly and don’t talk with your mouth full.’
Then he let them go inside with him, and saw with relief that the very size of the place had awed them into silence. It was, he realised, the first time he’d entered the big house by the front door as a guest. It felt different coming in this way, knowing he was going to be waited on.
Lyddie and Cook peered out of the servants’ door at the rear of the hall, smiling at them.
‘Come and greet our newly-weds,’ Miss Newington called.
Jacob accepted the two women’s congratulations, then allowed himself to be shepherded with the others into the small sitting room he’d been in before.
The food was brought in to them on a trolley and he saw they were expected to eat from plates balanced on their knees. He didn’t dare let his children do this, was sure crumbs would go everywhere or they’d spill something on the beautiful carpet. ‘I wonder if the children could eat at a small table,’ he suggested. ‘They’re not used to balancing things.’
Miss Newington looked at him, head on one side, like an alert bird. ‘I should have realised that and had tea served in the morning room.’
‘I can easily set the table there, miss,’ Lyddie said. ‘Won’t take me more than a few minutes.’
‘Good idea.’
Jacob tried not to show how relieved he was, but he saw by Mattie’s fleeting smile that she understood his feelings. ‘This is a lovely room,’ he said, trying to make conversation. It was all done in pale colours with a mirror over the fireplace that had a fancy gold frame round it.
‘It’s my favourite room in the house. There is a bigger drawing room, as you’ve seen, but it isn’t nearly as pleasant. Both rooms look down the drive towards the village, not across the countryside, so I can see some of the comings and goings, but this one hasn’t got that walled garden in the way so I can see more from here. I often sit on the window seat and read.’ She turned to the bride. ‘Do you read much, Mattie? Jacob borrows books from me regularly and you’re welcome to do so, too.’
‘I’ve not had much time for reading, but I enjoy it when I can. My stepfather doesn’t believe in wasting time with books.’
‘He sounds to be a most unpleasant man.’
‘He is.’ Mattie didn’t elaborate.
Jacob saw her shiver as she spoke. That part of her life was past now. Surely her stepfather wouldn’t continue to pursue her now she was married, even if he did find out where she was? He’d have nothing to gain by it.
Lyddie appeared soon afterwards to say everything was ready and they all moved into a very pleasant room at the rear of the house, where a table was loaded with plates of sandwiches. In the middle stood a cake covered with white icing and the words JACOB and MATTIE in pink in the middle with two linked hearts piped underneath.
He could see that Mattie was pleased by this.
‘Just a minute.’ Miss Newington stood up and went out into the hall. She came back carrying the parcel she’d brought to the station. ‘I bought you a wedding present.’
Jacob stared at her in surprise. ‘Well, I didn’t expect … It’s very kind of you. Very kind.’ He turned to his wife. ‘You open it.’
She untied the cord and folded the box flaps back carefully to reveal a pretty clock with its cheerful face set in glossy wood. There was a brass ring round the clock face, which set it off nicely. It must have cost a fair penny, she thought, amazed.
‘It’s beautiful.’ Mattie couldn’t stop tears welling in her eyes. ‘Thank you so much, Miss Newington. No one’s ever given me such a lovely present.’
* * *
Her hostess went a bit pink but seemed pleased, and Jacob noticed that Mattie kept the clock in front of her on the table and stroked it a couple of times with her fingertips. He wished he’d thought of buying her a present, even something small. He’d used his mother’s wedding ring for the ceremony, which fitted Mattie perfectly, thank goodness. But he should have bought her a present, too.
After they’d eaten, Cook and Lyddie came in for the cutting of the cake, which Jacob and Mattie were instructed to do together, both holding the knife.
By the time everyone had eaten a piece, Mattie looked chalk white with exhaustion and he was getting worried about her.
But Miss Newington missed nothing. ‘I think we’d better send you home in the trap now, Mrs Kemble. Lyddie, could you go and ask Horace to get it ready?’
Mattie smiled. ‘I want to thank you for making today special, Miss Newington. It means a lot to me.’
‘I’ve enjoyed myself.’
Arthur Newington was driven up to the big house in the rear of a big Standard motor car just as Horace was about to drive the Kembles home in the dog cart. In spite of the fine weather, the hood of the motor car was up at the rear, where Arthur was sitting in solitary state.
The horse shied at the noisy machine and Jacob hastily put his arm round Mattie as they clopped past it, to hold her safe, remembering the accident that had taken his first wife’s life. He was glad the children were walking home across the fields. Then he remembered that Miss Newington would be alone and asked Horace to stop.
‘I’d better go back and make sure Miss Newington is all right. Her cousin is a bully and the man driving that car looks a rough sort to me. She’s only got those two women to look after her. Will you be all right, Mattie?’
‘Of course I will.’
Horace sighed. ‘I’m glad you’re a-going back, Mr Kemble. I can still fire a shotgun but I’m not much use in a fight any more. It’s as much as I can do these days to look after the horse and do a bit of work outdoors. You wouldn’t think it to look at me but I used to be a strong young fellow once. Make the most of life while you’re young. It doesn’t last.’
‘I will, Horace.’
‘Take care, Jacob,’ Mattie called as he got out of the trap.
‘I don’t suppose there’ll be any trouble, but she’s been good to us, so just in case …’ He waved Horace on and turned back towards the big house.
Luke and Sarah came running across the field to him. ‘What’s the matter, Dad?’
‘Just keeping an eye on Miss Newington, son.’
‘Can I come too?’
‘No. I want you two to look after Mattie. She’s still not well.’
Luke looked sulky.
Sarah said, ‘I’ll look after her, Dad,’ and ran off towards the farm.
Luke looked pleadingly at his father, saw no sign of him weakening and followed his sister more slowly, feet dragging on the ground.
Jacob walked quietly up to the big house, staying out of sight behind the bushes. The two men had stopped the car, but had made no attempt to go inside the house. Instead Arthur was talking and pointing. The other man was frowning, even as he nodded.
Then the front door opened and Lyddie let Arthur in.
Jacob slipped quickly round the back and entered the kitchen, explaining why he’d returned. Cook heaved a sigh of relief.
Lyddie came in. ‘I’ve to prepare a tea tray.’ She looked at Jacob anxiously. ‘He’ll not dare do anything to her in daylight, surely?’
‘I doubt it,’ he said.
‘He thinks he’s God Almighty, that one does,’ Cook muttered. ‘Best to be on the safe side and keep an eye on her.’
There was a knock on the back door. From where she was standing Lyddie could see who it was. ‘It’s that fellow who drives the car,’ she whispered.
‘I’d better stay out of sight,’ Jacob said in a low voice.
‘You can go into the storeroom,’ Cook said at once. ‘There are boxes to sit on. It’s that door round the corner.’
Jacob shook his head. ‘I think I’d rather be within reach of your mistress.’
‘Go into the room where you had your tea, t
hen,’ Lyddie said. ‘She’s got Mr Arthur in the small sitting room next to it.’
The man outside knocked again, more loudly, and she called, ‘Coming!’
Jacob crept into the main part of the house, pausing to listen as Lyddie opened the door. He heard the driver ask if they had a cup of tea for a thirsty man and thought it rather cheeky. Someone would have gone out to offer him refreshments if he’d brought the car round to the back, only he hadn’t done that. Why not? Why was it still standing at the front?
Moving on to the breakfast parlour, Jacob found he could hear Arthur Newington’s booming voice quite clearly, because the door was open.
Everyone in the village had heard tales of when Mr Arthur was a boy and had played nasty tricks on his cousin Emily, and on any village child unlucky enough to be within reach.
Everyone in the village would band together if he tried to play any nasty tricks on her now, Jacob thought grimly. Gone were the days when the gentry could do what they wanted in their own districts. This was the twentieth century, not the dark ages.
And anyway, she was a nice lady, didn’t deserve bullying.
Emily went back into the house after saying farewell to the Kembles, then heard a motor car chugging up to her front door. It couldn’t be her lawyer because she’d seen him today. The only other person she knew with a car was her cousin Arthur. She went to peep out of the window and, sure enough, it was him. Her heart sank, but she didn’t think he’d try to do anything to harm her in the daytime.
When Lyddie went to answer the doorbell, his voice boomed out, not asking if his cousin was free but stating that he was here to see her.
She glanced out of the window again and saw that he had his manservant Robins with him. Nasty fellow, that one, she always felt, though she had no proof of anything, apart from a brutal expression on the man’s face, and hands that always looked more like a coal heaver’s than those of a gentleman’s personal servant. He’d stayed outside, however, so that was all right.
When Lyddie came in to ask if she was at home, Arthur followed her in without waiting to be invited.
‘Of course she’s at home! Where else would she be at this time of day?’ he said.
‘Do come in, Arthur,’ Emily said, but her sarcasm was wasted on her cousin.
He went to stand by the fireplace, looking down on Emily, who had taken a seat again. ‘Aren’t you going to offer me a cup of tea?’
‘If you wish. Lyddie, could you bring in a tea tray?’
‘Yes, miss.’
When the maid had gone, Arthur pulled out a piece of paper and waggled it at her. ‘What’s the meaning of this?’
‘As I can’t see what “this” is, I can’t tell you.’
‘This letter you wrote to me, saying you’re leaving the estate to someone who isn’t family.’
‘Oh, that. I should have thought its meaning was quite obvious. Given the latest attempts to break into my house, I wanted to make sure that I’d named someone to inherit in case anything happened to me.’
‘Have you run mad? It’s your duty as a Newington to keep the old place in the family. Even if you and I don’t always agree, I have children to whom you might leave it.’
‘I’ve made my choice and I’m sticking to it.’
‘Who’ve you left it to?’
‘None of your business.’
‘I shall contest the will.’
‘You’re assuming you’ll outlive me. I wonder why?’ Her eyes flickered to his protruding stomach and his high-coloured complexion. ‘You don’t look like a healthy man to me.’
‘I’m in my prime.’
She didn’t bother to disagree. What did he think he’d gain by coming here today and hectoring her?
There was a knock on the door and Lyddie carried in the heavy tea tray. Any other gentleman would have gone to help her; Arthur made no such move.
Wondering how soon she could get rid of him, Emily poured him a cup of tea and offered him a biscuit.
He drank the cup dry in two gulps and held it out for a refill. ‘I’ve decided to increase my offer for this place.’ He made a broad sweeping gesture to encompass the house. ‘It needs a lot of work, so it’s not worth it, but I’ll give you another two thousand pounds on top of my previous offer.’
‘That’s not nearly enough. I’ve had the place valued and it’s worth another thirty per cent on top of that, even in its present condition.’
‘It’s only worth what a buyer will offer you. And I’m definitely not going up to your price.’
She set her cup down. ‘You mean, you can’t afford to. Well, I’d be a fool to sell for less, so you’ve wasted your journey today.’
‘Easy enough to come here in a motor car. I see you’re still driving around behind a horse.’
‘If you have any more offers to make on the house, I’d be obliged if you’d go through my lawyer. And if that’s all you came for, I’m rather tired and—’
‘It ain’t all. Mabel sent me over to invite you to dinner tonight. I can drive you over and then Robins can bring you back later.’
‘No, thank you. As I said, I’m rather tired. If you’ve finished your cup of tea, Lyddie can show you out.’
‘I’m not taking no for an answer.’ He set down his cup and pulled her to her feet, keeping hold of her wrist.
Shock held her motionless for a moment or two, then she began to struggle. ‘Let go of me at once!’
‘Not till you agree to come back to dinner with us tonight.’
Suddenly she was frightened, because she didn’t want to go to his house, where she’d be in his power. She yelled at the top of her voice, ‘Lyddie! Lyddie! Help!’
Arthur smiled. ‘She won’t be coming. My man’s in the kitchen and he’ll reassure them that you’re in no need of help.’ He tugged her forward.
‘Do you think you’ll get away with kidnapping me?’
‘I’m only inviting you to dinner, then I’ll send you back safely.’ He smiled. ‘I have a few papers at my place you might like to look at and sign before you return, though.’
‘I shall sign nothing.’
‘Oh, I think you will.’ He began to drag her towards the door.
Jacob had heard enough. He went into the sitting room. ‘Did I hear you call for help, Miss Newington?’
Arthur turned round sharply. ‘Get out of here, fellow! How dare you intrude on your betters?’
‘Do you want me to leave, Miss Newington?’
‘Definitely not, Jacob.’ Since Arthur had let go of her in his surprise, she moved quickly across to pick up the poker.
‘Robins!’ Arthur called.
There were pounding footsteps and the driver appeared in the doorway, his eyes scanning the room quickly.
‘Get rid of this fellow for me. I’ll deal with my cousin.’
‘Lyddie!’ Miss Newington called. ‘Help!’
The young maid appeared in the room, clutching a rolling pin. Heavy footsteps followed her and Cook stood behind her, holding an iron frying pan.
For a moment, everything hung in the balance, then Arthur made a sideways cutting gesture with one hand and Robins stepped back. Arthur turned to his cousin. ‘We’ve not finished this discussion, believe me.’
‘We have as far as I’m concerned. And I’m going to report this assault to the police as well as the other incidents.’
He laughed. ‘I’m good friends with those who command the police force in this county. Do you really think anything will come of a complaint against me? Or that they’ll believe it, even? It’ll be your word against mine.’
‘I could hear everything you said today,’ Jacob said quietly.
‘Who’d believe the word of a labourer against mine?’ Arthur let out a scornful sniff as he walked towards the door.
Robins backed out after him.
When the front door banged shut behind them, Miss Newington sat down suddenly, one hand pressed against her chest.
‘See to your mistress,’ Jacob
said to Lyddie. He went to the window to watch the other two men leave, not stupid enough to follow them outside, where they’d be two to one. When Robins had swung the starting handle and got the motor going, he strolled round to the driver’s seat, making a vulgar sign towards the house.
Only after the vehicle had set off down the lane did Jacob turn to see Lyddie fanning Miss Newington, who was as white as a sheet. He hurried across to her. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Just a bit upset by it.’ She sat up and he watched her pull herself together by sheer willpower, but her cheeks remained ghost-pale.
‘Is your cousin right about what would happen if you made a complaint against him?’
‘Probably. But that won’t stop me from making it, as well as sending a signed statement to my lawyer about the incidents in case anything happens to me.’
He was startled. ‘Do you think they’ll continue to hound you?’
‘Probably. Arthur hates to be bested. But they’ll not be able to do much once I’ve moved away.’
Cook came back with a cup of tea. ‘I put brandy in it, miss. For the shock. Now don’t argue, just drink it.’
Miss Newington grimaced but Jacob noticed that she did drink the tea, after which some colour gradually came back to her cheeks.
‘You mentioned hiring a couple of young men from the village to keep guard here,’ he said. ‘Shall I do that for you? And please send someone into Swindon tomorrow to ask Mr Longley to come and see you here, so that you can ask his advice.’
‘Are there men who’d come and keep an eye on things?’ she asked, her voice a little stronger now.
‘Yes. There are one or two who’d do it like a shot, young fellows who do all sorts of jobs to make a living rather than go into Swindon and get swallowed up by the Railway Works.’
‘Then hire them for me, and I’m sorry to intrude further on your wedding day, but I think I should have them here straight away.’
‘No trouble for me to nip into the village.’
‘You’ll … watch out for an ambush on the way?’
‘I will.’
She nodded. ‘Thank you.’