by Anna Jacobs
Frank agreed with this caution. You couldn’t be too careful when dealing with elderly clients who could be taken advantage of. He sat down next to the bed. ‘How can I help you, my dear lady?’
‘The will.’
‘You want to change it. I can write a temporary one quite quickly and—’
‘No. Want it … to stand … as it is.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes.’
‘Does anyone else know how you’ve left things?’
‘No. Only you.’
He didn’t like this, but had to respect her wishes. ‘What did you want to see me about, then?’
‘Want Jacob Kemble … to have power … to look after me … if …’ Her voice tailed away and she closed her eyes for a moment.
‘If you’re incapacitated,’ Frank finished for her.
‘Yes.’
‘You trust him that much?’
‘Yes. Good man. But make it him … and you together.’
‘Good idea. Though we’ll hope it isn’t necessary and that you make a full recovery. I can easily sort out the paperwork for that. Sam, will you go down and make out a deposition? I’m sure Kemble will show you where to find paper and a pen.’
Emily’s fingers plucked at Frank’s hand. He turned to her and called, ‘Wait!’
Sam stopped by the door.
‘Say … not my cousin,’ she said. ‘Not Arthur.’
Just to be certain, Frank repeated, ‘You want the deposition to say your cousin Arthur is not to look after you if you’re incapacitated, and Kemble and I are?’
‘Yes.’
‘Very well.’
When Sam had left, Frank waited quietly until his client opened her eyes again. She seemed very tired, as if every word was an effort. ‘Are they looking after you properly, Miss Newington?’
She nodded. ‘Very well. Very kind.’
It was a while before Sam returned. She dozed, leaving Frank to his thoughts. It was a strange business, and he could see big trouble ahead if she died, especially when the beneficiary was revealed. But … it was what she wanted and she was definitely in her right mind, which was the only ground on which the will could be contested.
Sam returned, bringing Cook with him. ‘Witness,’ he said at Frank’s questioning look. He held out a piece of paper.
Frank scanned it quickly and nodded approval, then turned to Miss Newington. ‘I shall read this to you before you sign it.’ He did so, then at her nod, took the fountain pen his friend was holding out and placed the paper against a book, so that she could sign it. What a good thing it was her left side that was affected by the seizure! Even so, the handwriting was shaky.
He beckoned to Cook. ‘You must sign here to say your mistress understood what this paper contains and that she signed it of her own free will.’
‘Yes, sir.’ She traced out a round, childish signature and stepped back.
‘Now my colleague must also sign it in your presence.’
‘I understand, sir. I’ve witnessed other people’s wills, and it’s the same sort of thing, isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
When she’d gone, he turned to Miss Newington. ‘It’s all finished and been done properly.’
‘Thank … goodness.’
‘Did Arthur Newington really try to force you to go with him?’
‘Yes. Him and Robins. Kemble stopped them.’
They looked at one another and shook their heads in amazement, then Frank rang the bell.
When Mattie came, they left Miss Newington to rest, with the young woman keeping watch.
‘I’d not have believed this if I hadn’t seen and heard it with my own ears,’ Sam muttered as they walked down the stairs. ‘Good thing there are two of us, eh? There’ll be all hell to pay when it comes out that her cousin’s to be kept away.’ He stopped. ‘I take it she hasn’t left her property to her family?’
‘No.’
Sam let out a long, low whistle.
Downstairs, Lyddie came forward to say, ‘We’ve put some tea and scones in the small sitting room, Mr Longley. Cook thought you might be hungry.’
‘Thank you.’ Frank pulled out his pocket watch. ‘Might as well have a quick bite before we leave. I must admit I’m getting peckish and I’ll not be home till well past dinner time.’ He turned to the maid. ‘Could you ask Mr and Mrs Kemble to join us, please? We need to have a word with them. Perhaps you could sit with Miss Newington in the meantime?’
Half an hour later the two lawyers were on their way.
Jacob spoke to Ben and the other young men from the village, sending them out with old Horace, who was to show them round the outbuildings and rear gardens – not that they hadn’t seen it all before, because most lads from the village had scrumped apples from the big house, or gone up there for a dare. But you couldn’t admit that.
Luke hovered nearby and Jacob left his son with Ben, with strict instructions not to get in the way. The lad was bored already here, not used to being on his best behaviour for so long, and full of energy after a day shut up in school. Ben winked at Jacob and told Luke to stay with him.
Sarah was in her element, helping Cook and then helping Lyddie to set the kitchen table for a high tea.
As he was going back into the house, Jacob heard another motor car coming up the hill. He went to peer out of the front window, sighing when he saw that it was Arthur Newington. How had the man heard the news so quickly? He wished the two lawyers were still there and hoped he could deal with this.
He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Ben in the doorway.
‘Thought you might need some help, Jacob lad.’
‘I might. I’ll try to send him away. Where’s Luke?’
‘Safe in the kitchen. Back door’s locked.’
There was a hammering on the front door. As Jacob went to answer it, Mattie called his name and ran lightly down the stairs.
‘Miss Newington says if it’s her cousin, you can show him up to see her, but anyone else is to stay outside. And you and I are to stay with her while he’s there.’
‘All right. You go back up.’ He waited until she’d reached the landing before opening the door.
Arthur Newington stood there, with his driver behind him. ‘I’ve come to see my cousin. I hear she’s had a seizure.’
Jacob didn’t move. ‘Yes, sir.’
‘Well, let us in, damn you!’
‘You can come in, sir, but no one else. Miss Newington’s orders.’
‘How can she give orders if she’s had a seizure?’
‘It’s only a mild one. She’s in full possession of her senses and can still speak.’
As his master entered the house, Robins tried to follow him, so Jacob beckoned Ben forward. For a moment it seemed as if the fellow would still push forward, but his master made a gesture to stay back.
‘Wait there for me, Robins.’
Ben went to stand to one side of the hall, arms folded, expression grim.
Jacob locked the front door behind them and turned to see that the visitor had already started up the stairs.
Catching up with him on the landing, Jacob moved swiftly past him, leading the way up the stairs to the next floor.
‘Why did you put her up here?’
‘It’s the bedroom she’s always used. She didn’t like the master bedroom, apparently.’
He knocked on the door, barring the way until Mattie opened it.
She looked past her husband. ‘Miss Newington will see you now, Mr Newington, but only for a few minutes. She’s very tired.’
Arthur pushed past her without a word, which made Jacob breathe deeply. Mattie went to stand beside Miss Newington.
Jacob listened in disgust as Arthur put on a plummy, sympathetic voice, which sounded as false as it probably was.
‘Good evening, Emily dear. I’m sorry to see you in this condition.’
She gave a slight nod.
Arthur turned to the Kembles. ‘You two can leav
e now. I wish to speak to my cousin in private.’
It was Mattie who answered. ‘I’m sorry, sir. Miss Newington has asked us to stay with her while you’re here.’
‘There’s no need whatsoever for that. What do you think I’m going to do, hurt her?’ He turned back to his cousin. ‘Tell them to leave.’
‘No. They stay.’
His face went red and the look he threw sideways at them was thunderous.
Jacob smiled slightly, folded his arms and leant against the door. Mattie stayed where she was, beside the bed.
Left on his own, Robins went round to the rear of the house, but to his annoyance, two more strapping young men were standing just outside the kitchen, chatting to the young maid through an open window.
‘Did you want something?’ one of them asked.
‘Just stretching my legs.’ He carried on round the side of the house but the taller one followed him. He turned. ‘If you’re wise, you’ll not anger my master. When he inherits this place, you could be thrown out of your home.’
The young man grinned. ‘Our cottage don’t belong to the big house no more, so that’s a bit hard for him to do, ent it?’
‘You’ve been warned.’
‘Shaking in my shoes, I be!’ He laughed.
Robins continued without a word till he got back to the car, where he leant against the bonnet. He’d make personally sure that young fellow regretted his impudence.
Upstairs, Arthur drew in a deep breath and forced a smile to his face. ‘Emily, my dear, my wife and I would like you to come to us, so that you can be properly cared for.’
‘Staying here.’
‘But you’ve no one to make sure you’re all right.’
‘Mattie and Jacob.’
‘Who?’
‘She means us, sir,’ Mattie said.
‘They’re strangers, Emily. You need family at times like this.’
He glared at the maid, but she didn’t seem to care that he was angry, any more than her husband had. Young people today had no respect. In his father’s time, folk like these wouldn’t have dared defy their betters. He turned back to his cousin. ‘Do be sensible.’
‘Seen … my lawyer. He’s keeping an eye … on things.’ She paused, closed her eyes for a minute as if gathering her strength to continue. ‘Don’t want you … here again.’
The words came out slowly and it was clear that it took a huge effort for her to speak. Arthur wished with all his heart that the damned fool of a woman would drop dead and be done with it. He didn’t believe she’d really left the house to anyone outside the family, and if she had, he’d contest the will and claim undue influence. No, she’d have left it to his children or grandchildren, and they knew better than to cross him, so they’d let him take charge. ‘I think you’re wrong, Emily.’
‘My choice.’
For a moment or two she stared at him in that knowing way that had always made him feel as if she could tell what he was thinking. There was nothing else he could do tonight, but if she thought he was giving up, she was wrong. ‘I shall leave you, then, but I’ll be back tomorrow to make sure you’re all right. I’ll bring my wife.’
‘No. Stay away.’
‘You don’t know what you’re saying. Of course we’ll be back. We’re your only family.’
‘No.’
‘My dear Emily—’
She seemed so frail and tired, Mattie looked at Jacob and he stepped forward.
‘I’m afraid I must ask you to leave now, sir. Miss Newington has said what she wants to and must rest.’
As they were going down the stairs, Arthur asked, ‘What did Dr Blair say about her condition?’
‘It was Dr Crawford who came, sir.’
‘What? That fellow deals with the poorer folk. Why on earth did you send for him?’
‘Cook says he’s been Miss Newington’s doctor for a while now, so naturally we sent for him. And he said she should make a full recovery if she rested and was careful.’
‘He said that?’
‘Yes, sir. It’s quite a mild seizure, apparently.’
‘Then let’s hope he’s right.’
But once they’d driven away, Arthur stopped hiding his anger. ‘Those damned Kembles have wormed their way in with my cousin. Did you try to get in the back way?’
‘They’ve got two other men stationed there, sir.’
‘Then force won’t do it. We’ll have to try something else, won’t we? Good thing I have friends in useful positions.’
Chapter Fourteen
Towards the end of the morning Sam went for a stroll along the street, giving himself a rest from dusty documents and boredom, wishing his father didn’t believe young lawyers couldn’t be trusted with anything except the simplest of everyday transactions. When he saw Arthur Newington striding along the street and then entering the rooms of Thaddeus Ransome, the local magistrate, he stayed where he was, half-hidden by a horse and cart.
What was Newington doing there? Was it just a coincidence or did it have something to do with Miss Newington?
Sam hesitated, then strolled along and turned into the back alley that led to the rear of these buildings for tradesmen’s deliveries. On such a beautiful day, most windows were open to let in the pleasant spring air. He knew which was the room Ransome used and with a wry smile at himself for doing this, he crept along until he could stand between an outhouse and the house itself.
Praying that no one would come out and discover him, he wondered if he was close enough to hear anything. But since both men were a little hard of hearing, he had no difficulty listening to the conversation.
What he heard had him hurrying off to the post office to send a telegram.
When he got back to his father’s rooms, he found that Ransome was now closeted with his father and the clerk was waiting for him.
‘Mr Painton is annoyed that you left your office, Mr Samuel, and asked me to remind you that those papers are wanted today.’
‘Yes, all right. I’ll get them finished. Just needed to clear my head.’
The clerk’s expression said he didn’t approve of young men having the freedom to do this. Like master, like man, Sam thought as he sat down at his desk with a sigh.
He wondered what Ransome wanted with his father and got up on that thought, slipping into the stockroom and opening the window there, from whence he could hear most of what they were saying.
Second time I’ve eavesdropped today, he thought with a grin. The smile soon faded as he heard what they were discussing.
Frank Longley had spent a restless night worrying about the situation. He wasn’t certain what to do next, but couldn’t neglect his other work in order to keep going out to Shallerton Bassett, so went into his rooms as usual.
Just before one o’clock the telegraph boy turned up. Frank ripped open the envelope with a sense of foreboding. The little strips of white paper glued to the beige-coloured form rarely brought good news and this one was no different.
AN HAS VISITED MAGISTRATE. PLOTTING TROUBLE. BETTER COME QUICKLY. SAM.
Frank cursed under his breath, then slung things he might need into his briefcase and rushed out to catch the next train. In Wootton Bassett he ran all the way to Sam’s father’s rooms.
As soon as the clerk heard his name, his attitude changed and he refused point-blank to disturb Mr Samuel.
After arguing for a few minutes in vain, Frank went outside, wondering what to do next. As he paced up and down, he saw the alley which led to the rear of the building. He and Sam had played there as lads. With a smile, he slipped into it, climbing over the locked gate to knock on the window of his friend’s office, which looked out onto the backyard.
When he explained that he’d been denied entry, Sam looked grim.
‘What’s going on?’
‘I’ll tell you what I know and what I suspect once we’re on our way. I’ll just get my hat and join you in a minute. Can you get back over the gate?’
Frank grinned. ‘I
haven’t lost my old skills.’
As he waited at the front of the building, he heard his friend arguing with his father from the big bow-windowed office at the front. They were both shouting but the words weren’t clear.
When Sam came out to join him, he was flushed with anger. ‘We’re going to have a hard time getting justice done. They’re ganging up on her – and you.’
‘I feel guilty about involving you.’
‘I’d rather know now what my father’s like when push comes to shove. I didn’t become a lawyer to support rich folk who break the law. And if that makes me an idealistic young fool, I don’t care. And it’ll not upset me too much to work elsewhere. He hasn’t trusted me with anything beyond what a clerk could deal with since I started.’
‘That’s why I set up my own rooms.’ Frank clapped his friend on the shoulder. ‘Thanks, Sam.’
‘You’re welcome. Now, let’s get my car started. It’s just down the street.’
As they drove out of town, they didn’t speak for the first mile or so, then Sam said, ‘I wonder if you’d like to take on a partner in your practice? I have a small legacy. I can put some of that in as my contribution. I’m not sure whether I’ve just resigned or whether he’s sacked me, but either way, I’m not going back to work there.’
‘Oh, hell, I didn’t mean you to lose your job.’
‘I didn’t believe Pa would go this far to support his friends. I thought he had more integrity.’ He sighed. ‘Well, do you want a partner?’
‘Of course I do. But you won’t be earning much for a while.’
‘Doesn’t matter. My godmother left me enough to manage on. I’ll have to move out of home, though.’
‘We could fix up the top floor of the building, turn it into a flat. There are several rooms up there.’
‘Done.’
But Frank still felt guilty about his friend. And worried about whether they’d be too late.
Two cars drove up to the house in the early afternoon and the watchers upstairs and down saw Arthur Newington get out of one, smiling and surveying the house with a distinct air of triumph. An elderly gentleman got out of the other vehicle.