A Debt From the Past

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘That’s just a muddy bit of ground, Charlie,’ Mrs Becks said dismissively.

  ‘There’s a spring there, Gran. That’s why it’s always muddy.’ Charlie put the book back on the shelf and came to stand in front of James. ‘You get the men to dig there and they’ll find water.’

  ‘Show us.’

  James and Dan followed the boy outside to a small, rough field, surrounded by a wooden fence. They squelched their way over to the wettest part, and James stooped down to scrape away some of the soil. When even more water began to seep to the surface, he stood up again. ‘I think you’re right, Charlie. I’ll get the men to sink another well here.’

  The lad was staring at the once shiny boots, shaking with silent laughter. ‘Oh, your lordship, them boots are covered in mud.’

  ‘That’s nothing,’ Dan told him. ‘I’ve seen him covered from head to toe in dirt when he’s been digging in some ruin or other. He doesn’t care.’

  ‘Is that what you teach?’ Charlie was clearly quite at ease with these gentlemen who didn’t mind getting dirty. He approved of that.

  The men glanced at each other, realizing that the boy had heard them talking in the hall. James answered. ‘I do teach archaeology, but really I’m a botanist.’

  ‘Cor! I’ve read that word somewhere. Is it about plants and things?’ When James nodded, Charlie turned his attention to Dan, giving him a curious look. ‘You really a spy?’

  Leaning against the fence, James waited to see how his friend would deal with that question.

  ‘I’m not supposed to tell anyone,’ Dan whispered, making a great show of checking the area to make sure they weren’t overheard.

  ‘His lordship knows,’ Charlie whispered back.

  ‘Ah, well, he’s my friend, and we help each other out when we can.’

  Charlie could hardly contain his excitement. ‘Can I be your friend? I can help. I notice things and I’ve got a good memory.’

  ‘I can believe that.’ Dan turned his head to wink at James. ‘What do you think, Professor? Shall we recruit this young man?’

  ‘He’ll have to keep this a secret. Can you do that, Charlie?’

  The boy nodded vigorously.

  Dan gripped Charlie’s hand and shook it. ‘That’s a deal, then. Now, you can help us by keeping your eyes open for anyone acting suspiciously around here.’

  ‘Ah, are you looking for someone?’

  Dan nodded. ‘You let us know the moment you see anything.’

  ‘I’ll do that.’ Charlie tipped his head to one side. ‘Oh, Gran’s calling me.’

  As Charlie tore away, Dan pursed his lips. ‘Do you think he’ll keep all that to himself?’

  ‘I doubt it, but if he does blurt it out, I expect people will just think it’s a young boy’s over-excited imagination.’

  ‘You might be right, but it won’t hurt to have us talked about. It might force our quarry out into the open.’

  Seven

  ‘Where have you been?’ James asked in a stern voice as soon as Beth entered the drawing room.

  ‘I have been to order a book I wish to read – that is all.’ The lie came with ease, which was a skill Beth didn’t know she possessed. She sat down and smiled. ‘You left early so I could not ask your permission, but we took the footman with us. Did you have a pleasant morning? Shall we have the pleasure of your company at lunch?’

  He cast her a suspicious glance and nodded, clearly not fooled by her agreeable manner.

  ‘Splendid!’ Not a bit put off, she beamed as if she had just received very welcome news. ‘We have much to discuss.’

  ‘Oh?’

  She ignored his taciturn manner. ‘Indeed. I would deem it an honour to show you the estate and point out the plans for this year.’

  ‘I’m sure the manager can do that.’

  ‘Of course he can – he is very efficient, and you will find his advice invaluable.’

  When his lordship raised his eyebrows, she added quickly, ‘Until you are thoroughly cognizant with the running of such a large and productive estate, of course.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘And as I am at a loss for something to do this afternoon ...’ Her smile was becoming fixed; he was making this very difficult for her, but she did not doubt that it was his intention to do so. She would have to step with care, for he would not be an easy man to fool.

  ‘Very well,’ he agreed suddenly. ‘You may ride with me.’

  ‘I shall look forward to it.’ With her smile still in place, she turned to Dan. ‘And will you be coming with us, Mr Edgemont?’

  ‘I’m sorry to say I have some exploring of my own to do this afternoon.’

  ‘Of course. It is a pleasant day for riding.’

  Dan’s mouth twitched at the corners. ‘Indeed it is, and I have an animal that needs a great deal of exercise.’

  Beth nodded and took in a silent breath to steady herself. She had to find out if she could still keep some control over the estate. ‘Would you like me to go through the book-keeping with you?’

  James narrowed his eyes. ‘I am quite proficient at keeping accurate records.’

  ‘I am sure you are, but—’

  He surged to his feet. ‘Do not overdo the obliging female, Beth; the role does not become you.’

  Then he strode out of the room, leaving her volcanic with fury. How dare he address her in that familiar manner!

  ‘It is not necessary to bring your companion with you,’ he said, watching Helen mount her horse.

  ‘She comes everywhere with me, and always when I am in the company of a gentleman.’

  ‘I am your guardian, and therefore a chaperone is not required.’

  She looked him straight in the eyes. ‘But I only have your word for that.’

  He tipped his head back and laughed, which was such a shock that she nearly slid from her mount. She felt quite overcome by his smile. The transformation was breathtaking, but she did not have time to dwell on it as he moved off at a trot and cast a glance back at her.

  ‘Are you coming?’

  She spurred her horse into action, and for the next two hours she showed him the Langton estate with a great deal of pride. It was impressive and she adored every acre of it.

  He never said much – just an occasional nod or grunt – but his eyes swept over every field and building, examined the cattle, and then he rode on. For the first time since meeting him, she realized that there was a sharp, intelligent mind at work behind those cold eyes, and it was soon clear that he already knew a great deal about managing an estate.

  When they stopped by a large, empty field, he dismounted.

  ‘Why is this ground not being put to use?’ he asked, as he helped her from her horse.

  ‘Nothing will grow in it. We have tried many things but without success. We cannot even use it for grazing.’

  ‘Hmm.’ He vaulted the fence, bent down and took a handful of dirt, running it through his fingers.

  Beth leant over the gate. ‘As you see, the soil is too poor to do anything with. It is the only field on the entire estate we have been unable to put to good use.’

  With long easy strides he began to walk across the enclosure, stopping now and again to examine something, and then he turned and came back, through the gate this time.

  ‘I agree that it is a scrubby piece of land, but not useless; there is a small stream running past that copse of trees. We shall put pigs here,’ he declared.

  ‘Pigs!’ She was horrified. ‘But we have only ever had cows, sheep and goats,’ she protested.

  ‘Then it is time you expanded, and this is the perfect spot.’

  ‘I don’t think we need to go to all that expense.’ The last thing she wanted was for this man to start making sweeping changes. ‘The estate is running at a profit, and I do not consider it wise to jeopardize that with a risky scheme.’

  He gave her a cold glance. ‘It is not your decision to make.’

  ‘It is my property and my future!
’ She was incensed by his attitude. ‘And I will not allow you to ruin it.’

  With one smooth movement he lifted her up and tossed her back on to her mount. ‘For the next year you do not have a say in the running of the estate. That is my task and I will not have a piece of land going to waste when it could be put to good use.’

  Then he swung himself back in the saddle and gave a derisive smile. ‘You have had your own way for far too long, Elizabeth, and you will just have to learn to trust me.’

  ‘How can I do that when you appear out of nowhere and proceed to take over my life?’ Her horse sensed her agitation and began to prance.

  Helen, who had been waiting in the background, came to her side as Beth’s voice became raised in fury.

  Beth ignored her beseeching expression, begging her to caution. ‘Who are you, anyway?’ she demanded. ‘Why did my godfather never speak of you?’

  ‘Perhaps I am the black sheep of the family,’ he told her, without a flicker of emotion.

  ‘Humph! That I can believe, and if that is the case, then it does not bode well for me.’ She was so angry now that it was impossible to stop the suspicions pouring out. ‘Where have you been hiding for years? Have you been living abroad in disgrace? Have you committed some heinous crime?’

  His mouth compressed into a straight line, and his eyes glowed with anger. ‘I am legally your guardian, and that is all you need to know.’

  She watched in impotent fury as he galloped away.

  The next day – and still seething – Beth sought out her estate manager. ‘Pigs!’ She waved her arms about in horror, just missing Greenway by a fraction.

  He took a step back to avoid the unintentional blow to his middle region.

  ‘You know I have an aversion to the beasts.’ She gave a delicate shudder and curled her lip in disgust.

  ‘That is true, but ...’ Greenway hesitated for a moment as if gathering his courage to speak to the furious girl in front of him. ‘It is all the land is fit for, and I have often considered it myself, but your father would not hear of it because of your dislike of the animals.’

  She instantly became still and opened her eyes wide in astonishment. ‘You believe this to be a good idea?’

  ‘I don’t know his lordship’s plans yet, but it could make sound business sense.’ He took another step back, just to be on the safe side.

  ‘I see.’ She had the grace to calm down and try to look at the scheme dispassionately. Greenway was a loyal man, and she respected his judgement in matters pertaining to the estate. Indeed, she could never have managed since her father’s death without his guidance, and she looked upon him as almost one of the family.

  ‘In that case, will you talk to him about it?’ She gave him an imploring look. ‘I don’t want him making changes unless it is for the benefit of the estate and everyone who lives and works here.’

  ‘Leave it with me, Miss Langton. I’ll seek out his lordship at once and see what plans he has for the field.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She gave a wry smile. ‘You must forgive me for my outburst, but this situation has been thrust upon me, and when I consider what damage he could do in a year, it throws me into a panic.’

  ‘I understand. We are all living on tenterhooks, wondering what he is going to do. If only we knew more about him.’

  ‘He is certainly a mystery. I would ascertain his age to be around thirty, and yet it is as if he never existed until my godfather died.’

  ‘That is true, but –’ the estate manager gave a conspiratorial smile – ‘there are plenty of us trying to unearth the truth, and he cannot keep his past hidden for ever.’

  ‘I agree. However, I cannot help but fret.’

  ‘Don’t you worry yourself too much, Miss Langton. If he starts to act with disregard for the welfare of the estate, then we shall find a way to trim his sails.’

  She laughed. ‘That will not be easy, I fear, for he does appear to be in complete command of his ship.’

  ‘For the moment, yes, but he must have a weak spot below the water line, and we shall find it eventually.’ Greenway walked out of the room with a determined expression on his face.

  The needle stabbed into Beth, and she muttered under her breath, placing the punctured finger in her mouth. The man sitting opposite her did not appear to have noticed her exclamation of pain; he was still engrossed in his reading.

  She studied him through lowered lashes and sighed. The hostility between them was unnerving, and it was all her fault: she should never have spoken to him so accusingly yesterday. She was being unwise to allow her anger to show too much. Mr Edgemont had not returned for dinner, so they were alone – apart from Helen, of course, who was always with her, much to her relief.

  ‘Lord Sharland.’ She spoke quietly, but he looked up immediately. ‘I wish to apologize for my outburst. I have spoken to Greenway about your suggestion of making that field over to pigs, and he thinks the idea has merit.’

  He put the book aside. ‘I have discussed it with him; we are in complete agreement.’

  ‘When will you go ahead with the scheme?’ It was no good her fighting against it if her estate manager was also in favour of the plan.

  ‘There is a little work to be done before purchasing the animals. They must have huts to protect them from the elements, but that should take no more than three days.’

  ‘You have not wasted any time,’ she told him, not able to hide the distaste she felt.

  ‘Greenway tells me you have a fierce dislike of the beasts.’

  ‘Indeed I have! When I was a small child, I came face to face with a sow. She chased me, and when I dropped my doll in terror, the disgusting animal ate it.’ She struggled to keep a serious expression but was not very successful. ‘I have never forgiven the breed.’

  A deep, rumbling laugh came from his lordship. ‘Do not be concerned, Elizabeth; they will be well away from the house and you need never see them.’

  His tone was friendly, and he appeared more relaxed than she had seen him thus far. Emboldened by this, she decided to complete her apology. ‘I was very rude to you yesterday; I do beg your forgiveness. I have an unruly tongue at times,’ she admitted.

  ‘I have already forgotten the incident.’ He gave another brief smile and picked up his book again.

  She took a deep breath and made pretence of returning to her sewing, but in truth she loathed the task and resented this forced inactivity. Running the estate had kept her busy from dawn to dusk, and she had loved every minute.

  Tears of self-pity clouded her eyes, and she blinked them away. It was not the slightest good her riling against the situation; she needed to keep her composure and not enrage his lordship. If she did not keep her wits about her, then disaster could creep in without her noticing it, and she must not allow that to happen. But it was so very difficult, and, to be truthful, she was frightened. She had believed that her father and godfather had all matters concerning the estate and her future in prime order. It was distressing to discover that that was not the case.

  The door opened, and Jenkins came into the room. ‘Sir Peter Gresham has called to see you, my lord.’

  The book was tossed aside, and for a fleeting moment his expression was thunderous, but he was soon in control of his emotions again. ‘Tell him I am not at home.’

  Without another word, he stepped through the open door into the garden and strode away from the house.

  ‘Well!’ Beth was astonished at such conduct. ‘What do you think that was about, Jenkins?’

  ‘I would say his lordship has no liking for the gentleman,’ he remarked dryly.

  ‘So it would appear, and that I can understand, for I also find Sir Peter a rather unpleasant person, but one has to be polite.’ She frowned. ‘I was not aware that his lordship had any acquaintances here?’

  ‘Nor I,’ the butler said with a thoughtful expression. ‘Apart from his friend, Mr Edgemont, he appears to be a solitary man.’

  ‘That is the impression
I had gained – you would have expected the whole district to come visiting as soon as word got round, but Sir Peter is the first one to call since he arrived.’ She settled herself elegantly in the chair and gave a mischievous smile. ‘You had better show him in; I shall entertain him myself.’

  Jenkins quickly checked that Helen was in her usual place on the window seat and then bowed. ‘I shall see that refreshments are served in five minutes.’

  Beth smiled to herself as she waited for her visitor to be shown in. This was the first time she had ever felt any pleasure at the prospect of meeting the gentleman. It was a novel experience.

  She rose to greet him. ‘How good of you to call, but I’m afraid Lord Sharland is unavailable.’

  ‘That is disappointing, Miss Langton, as I so wished to see him today.’

  ‘Perhaps you would allow me to take his place; it is an age since we met.’ She smiled and simpered, hating herself for acting like this, but she wanted to keep him here and find out why he had called.

  ‘Thank you; that is most gracious of you.’ He waited until she was seated again and then sat down.

  ‘I would not like to think that your visit was completely wasted.’ She gave that smile again and hoped it did not look like a grimace. ‘Ah, here is tea.’ She poured and handed him a cup. ‘Have you known Lord Sharland long?’

  ‘We have never met, but when I heard he had arrived, I thought I should pay a visit.’

  ‘He will be sorry to have missed you,’ she lied with aplomb.

  Sir Peter sipped his tea and then put the cup on the table. ‘He is your guardian, I understand.’

  ‘Yes, indeed.’ She smiled brightly again, but her instinct was urging her to be careful what she said. ‘He is a charming man and full of wonderful ideas for expanding the estate. After the unexpected death of my beloved godfather, I am fortunate to have such a wise guardian.’

  He nodded, but she did not miss the glint of curiosity in his eyes.

  ‘That was tragic, and I hope you will forgive me for calling so soon after your great bereavements?’

  ‘You are welcome, sir.’

  He smiled, sat back and crossed his legs. ‘I was not aware that the late Lord Sharland had any direct heirs?’