A Debt From the Past

by Beryl Matthews

  Dinner that evening was a strained affair, although Beth did her best to lighten the atmosphere. From now on she was going to be pleasant to his lordship and Lady Trenchard. She could not help liking her, for she was a truly pleasant lady.

  ‘Alice, I want you to take Elizabeth and Helen to London and get them both a decent wardrobe. You may leave in the morning.’

  Beth’s good intentions vanished. ‘I don’t need new clothes yet!’

  He scrutinized her dress carefully, gave a delicate shudder and then raised an eyebrow. ‘Really? I would consider it a matter of urgency. And you will need something suitable for your neighbour’s masked ball, surely?’

  ‘Did you not teach him manners, Lady Trenchard?’ she asked sharply, not prepared to admit that she had forgotten all about the function.

  ‘I fear he was not a boy one could mould easily.’ Her mouth twitched at the corners. ‘I did try, but he has always had his own views of what is right and wrong.’

  Beth shook her head in mock despair. ‘It would appear that he has got the two confused.’

  ‘No, James has a very clear understanding of what is right.’

  ‘When you ladies have finished discussing me, perhaps we can see to the arrangements for your journey?’

  Beth had expected him to be angry, but he appeared to be amused, and the cold eyes had a gleam of warmth about them, which she found disconcerting. And when Daniel Edgemont gave her a sly wink, she nearly spilled her wine. He was a man of few words, and she liked that about him, but she had no doubt that there was a sharp mind at work, never missing a detail.

  ‘How long is this tiresome business going to take?’ she asked, resigned to a trip to London. A few days away would not be too bad, and Helen was looking quite excited at the prospect.

  ‘No more than two weeks.’

  ‘I am not staying away from the estate for that long!’ Beth cast a quick look around the room to make sure that no servants were present. ‘I think we can forget this charade about me having a season, don’t you?’

  ‘It isn’t a charade,’ he told her, his eyes icing over again. ‘I intend to see that you are not denied what every other young lady of breeding expects. My father should have seen to it before now.’

  He sounded as if he cared – but, no, one look at his expression and she knew she had been mistaken.

  ‘You will go with Alice and may return as soon as you have purchased a suitable wardrobe of fashionable clothes.’

  Beth felt this was a concession, so she nodded. She would have the task finished in a few days!

  ‘No more!’ Beth exclaimed in alarm, as Lady Trenchard and Helen were trying to make her get ready for another shopping trip. ‘I am never going to wear all these gowns.’

  ‘It is no use you fussing, Beth. James has given me strict instructions on what you are to have, and I dare not return with only a few paltry dresses.’

  ‘I don’t consider fifteen outfits to be a paltry wardrobe!’ Beth exploded. ‘And what about all the accessories? We cannot move in here for boxes, and they keep arriving.’

  ‘They are necessary, my dear, for both of you had very little,’ Alice reminded her gently.

  ‘I know. Father was always urging me to buy more, but it never seemed necessary, for we lived very quietly.’ She gazed anxiously at the piles of boxes and parcels. ‘This is costing a deal of money.’

  ‘We have not spent half the allowance James gave me.’

  Beth’s mouth dropped open in astonishment. ‘But we have purchased a new wardrobe for Helen, enough clothes for me to fill two dressing rooms, and you have also had gowns made!’

  ‘Mere trifles, Beth.’

  ‘They may be mere trifles to you, Lady Trenchard,’ Helen said, shaking her head in dismay, ‘but I refuse to let you buy me any more. I cannot hope to repay Lord Sharland for this expense. And I do not like being in his debt like this.’

  ‘You must not feel like that, Helen. James left me strict instructions that you were both to be dressed in the highest fashion, and he has made enough money available to do just that. He expects nothing in return.’

  ‘I don’t understand why he is doing this.’ Beth sat down and stared at Lady Trenchard. ‘One moment he is threatening to ruin me, and the next he is spending a great deal of his own money to see us dressed in the height of fashion. I declare that I am becoming quite confused.’

  ‘He is a complex man and therefore difficult to understand.’ The lady sat opposite Beth and gave a gentle smile. ‘He has been shocked to see such a beautiful and spirited girl locked into the task of running the estate and catering to the whims of two selfish men—’

  ‘But it wasn’t like that,’ she protested. ‘I am happy living as I do.’

  ‘My dear, you must let me have my say. James abhors injustice of any kind and feels that neither you nor Helen has been given the opportunities other young girls expect. As your guardian, he considers it his duty to put the matter right.’

  ‘But his conduct towards me is inexplicable. He insists that I have a season, and in the next breath he is threatening to cast me into penury.’ Beth gave a helpless shrug.

  ‘I know.’ Lady Trenchard’s expression clouded. ‘But my James has a mission to carry out which means more to him than life itself, and if anyone stands in his way, he will show no mercy. Even to you, Elizabeth.’

  ‘You know what the mystery is?’ Beth asked hopefully.

  ‘I am not able to give you that information, my dear, but I do know it is very important.’ Then Alice smiled and stood up. ‘We have one more purchase to make.’

  The thought of just one last visit to the dressmaker heartened Beth. ‘Very well, but I cannot think what else we need.’

  ‘Why, have you forgotten Sir Peter Gresham’s masked ball?’

  ‘Ah, yes,’ she chuckled, unable to contain her amusement. ‘His lordship said I should go all in black.’

  Lady Trenchard threw her hands up in horror. ‘No, my dear, we shall see you have something quite splendid. And then we shall take a turn around the park, for it is a lovely day.’

  It appeared as if most of London was intent on enjoying the fine weather. The carriage drew to a halt and Alice turned to Beth. ‘There is a gentleman coming towards us. Do you know who he is?’

  ‘That is Sir Peter Gresham.’ She did not have time to explain further as he cantered up, dismounted and bowed.

  ‘What a pleasant surprise, Miss Langton.’ His eyes narrowed when he saw Alice and Helen, but he nodded politely and turned his attention back to Beth. ‘We do not often see you in town.’

  ‘We are on a shopping trip.’ She smiled sweetly – or at least she hoped she did, for she could not abide this man. ‘May I introduce Lady Trenchard?’

  He bowed again. ‘I don’t believe I have had the pleasure of meeting you before?’

  ‘No, my estates are in Scotland, and I don’t often venture into this part of the country, but my niece is to have her season at last, and I have come to make the arrangements.’

  This declaration jolted Beth. Why was she telling him a lie?

  ‘Ah, I see the reason for the shopping. When will you be returning to Hampshire?’

  ‘Tomorrow,’ Lady Trenchard said, before Beth could utter a word.

  ‘This is most fortuitous,’ Sir Peter declared. ‘I too am travelling on the morrow. Would you do me the honour of joining me in my carriage?’

  ‘We have already arranged to go by train,’ Beth declared, not wanting to spend such a long journey with him.

  ‘But as you have been on a shopping expedition, you must have a great deal of luggage. I have ample room for any purchases.’ He smiled encouragingly.

  ‘Then that would save us having our purchases delivered to Hampshire. We would be happy to accept your kind invitation.’ Lady Trenchard looked pleased. ‘We are residing at the Sharland house.’

  ‘Then I shall send a carriage for you at nine o’clock tomorrow morning.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘I trust tha
t is not too early for you?’

  ‘Indeed not; we shall be ready.’ Alice watched him ride away, and her expression changed from polite gratitude to one of distaste. ‘So, that is Sir Peter Gresham.’

  ‘Why did you tell him I was your niece?’ Beth asked.

  ‘Oh, it just came out, and it was the easiest way to explain my presence here.’ She sat back with a satisfied sigh. ‘We shall have a more comfortable journey home, anyway.’

  ‘How much longer do we have to wait for him to finish luncheon?’ Beth paced up and down outside the inn.

  ‘But it has been a pleasant journey,’ Helen hastened to assure her.

  ‘And a long one!’

  Alice came out of the hostelry and joined them.

  ‘We have languished here for more than two hours.’ Beth was at the end of her patience. ‘And that is far too long.’

  ‘I agree, my dear. I have given instructions for the carriage to be made ready, and I have told Sir Peter that we are ready to resume our journey,’ she informed them. ‘We shall allow him another thirty minutes and that is all.’

  No more than ten minutes passed before the gentleman appeared, rather unsteady on his feet. The ladies were helped into the coach, and they were on their way at last.

  There was still an hour’s journey ahead of them when there was a commotion and the carriage shuddered to a halt. The door was wrenched open and they were looking at a pistol.

  ‘Out!’ the highwayman ordered in a gruff voice.

  They were all herded together, and another man rode from out of the trees, also brandishing a pistol.

  Beth was mesmerized by the pistols, but not because of fear. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to the robber who had half of his face covered with a scarf and a black hat pulled down on his forehead. She turned her head to look at the other man and saw the same thing, but these eyes were sparkling with devilment, and he even had the nerve to wink at her. Beth stifled an angry sound. How dare they do this, and with her father’s pistols!

  Helen was clutching her arm but appeared unafraid; she had obviously recognized them as well. And so had Alice, who was clearly angry.

  The shock had sobered Sir Peter up, but he looked terrified. ‘We are not carrying anything of value. The ladies have been shopping in town and that is all we carry.’

  The taller of the highwaymen gave him a contemptuous glance and then proceeded to make a thorough search of the carriage, tossing all the parcels on to the road. When nothing was found, he turned his attention to the ladies and ordered them to hand over their jewels.

  Beth watched carefully to see exactly what they did. The highwayman she knew to be James Sharland took nothing from the driver or Sir Peter, although his gold pocket watch was clearly visible, but he demanded every piece of jewellery they were wearing. Helen removed a small pendant from around her neck. It was the only possession she had managed to save after her father’s suicide, and it meant the world to her. James clasped her hands as he took it from her and then stepped back.

  He pocketed the jewels and, with a nod to his companion, they rode away.

  While they waited for the carriage to be reloaded, Helen opened her hand slightly to show Beth she still had the pendant. That was the first kind gesture she had seen from James Sharland since his arrival in her life, and it made her realize even more what a complex character he was. But she was pleased for her friend who had a hint of tears in her eyes, because it would have hurt her terribly to be parted from that treasured possession, even for a short time.

  ‘Highwaymen!’ Peter Gresham was ranting. ‘You never have those rascals around now! Was this some prank?’

  Alice had finished overseeing the loading of the carriage and came over to Beth, whispering in her ear, ‘When I get my hands on those men, I swear I shall do violence!’

  Twelve

  There had been no sign of the men for the rest of that day, and as Beth was about to enter the breakfast room the next morning, she heard Alice’s raised voice.

  ‘You promised me that Alex would be here just to set up the pig farm – and you involve him in that madcap scheme! What do you think you were doing, playing at highwaymen like you did as children?’

  A deep voice said something Beth couldn’t hear.

  ‘I’m sure you wouldn’t have done it if you had known we were on the coach, but I am not interested in your excuses, James. I am disappointed in you. And what in heaven’s name were you doing? What can you possibly gain by harassing the man in this way? You don’t even know if he is the culprit. Edward couldn’t prove it in nearly thirty years, so what hope have you? And I’m disappointed with you, Daniel. You are supposed to be keeping them out of trouble! Where on earth were you?’

  There was another murmured answer.

  Beth knew she shouldn’t be listening to someone else’s conversation, but she was consumed with curiosity after yesterday’s hold-up. It was clear to her now that his lordship was after Sir Peter Gresham for some wrongdoing in the past, but what could it be? Was it something that could send James Sharland to prison, or even worse? But no, that couldn’t be right because he was carrying out instructions left by his father, so it must concern the Sharland family. She chewed her lip, trying to sort out the confusing jumble in her mind. But if that was the case, then why had he moved in here and involved them in the dark secrets of his family?

  Beth moved closer to the door, quite forgetting that she had been brought up a lady.

  Then his lordship raised his voice. ‘Dan is sure he is the one we’re looking for, and I will find the proof we need, for all our sakes.’

  ‘James –’ the tone was softer now, almost pleading – ‘you and Alex have me, and everything I own is yours. As soon as your father found out what had happened, he made sure everything was put to rights legally. Is that not enough?’

  ‘Alice, we owe you a great debt of gratitude and I don’t like to hurt you, but I must do this. I made a promise.’

  Alice was obviously crying by now. ‘I could not love you and Alex more if you were my own blood, but if you persist in this, you will be unmasked, and I shall lose you to the gallows. You will also ruin Alex ... Edward had no right to place this burden upon you!’

  When Helen joined her at the door, Beth put a finger to her lips and then led her out of the house.

  ‘We shall have to forgo breakfast this morning,’ she told her companion.

  Helen nodded. ‘Lady Trenchard sounded angry.’

  ‘Yes, but I believe fear was the cause of her fury. They are harbouring some dark secret, and Alice is quite desperate for their safety.’

  ‘What do you think it is all about, Beth?’

  Beth sighed. ‘I wish I knew, but the more I learn, the more I am fearful for the Langton estate and our future. My mind is in a whirl with speculation, but whatever his lordship is involved in, we cannot hope to remain untarnished by his activities.’

  ‘He is treating you ill,’ Helen declared.

  ‘I agree, but if he is not paying heed to Alice, then I fear we shall be of little consequence to him.’

  Beth cantered up to the estate manager, stopped and dismounted.

  ‘Welcome home, Miss Langton.’

  ‘Thank you, Greenway. How are things with the estate?’

  ‘Everything is running smoothly. His lordship has made small changes – and all for the better, as far as I can see.’

  ‘Really?’ She was taken aback by the tone of respect in his voice.

  ‘Yes, Miss Langton.’ He hesitated for a moment, looking a little uneasy. ‘I think we might have misjudged him.’

  ‘In what way?’

  ‘Well, he clearly knows how to run a large estate and appears genuinely concerned that it should show a profit. And Mr Beaufort, although young, is quite an expert on pigs, and farming in general.’

  Beth silently cursed the two weeks she had been away. His lordship had clearly used this time to gain the respect of Greenway. ‘That may well be so, but I want you to remain
vigilant. I am still uncertain of his motives; it may well suit his purpose to appear the dedicated guardian for a while.’

  ‘Of course, Miss Langton. You can rely on me.’

  She nodded, knowing that she had planted a seed of doubt again. She would have to be satisfied with that for the moment. ‘Have the pigs arrived?’

  ‘They are due any time now. All is in readiness and the cottage is finished.’

  ‘In that case, I had better have a look at it before the beasts arrive.’

  It was an invigorating ride, and she grinned at Helen as they galloped along. It did not seem as if any great harm had been done in her absence. She was relieved.

  ‘How wonderful to be back,’ she called. ‘I did so hate London.’

  Helen smiled in agreement.

  When they arrived at the field, the transformation was astounding; Beth hardly recognized it. ‘My goodness, what a change!’

  ‘And look at the fine cottage, Beth.’

  They both dismounted and walked over to it.

  ‘Indeed, a splendid building.’ Beth tried the door, but it was locked, so she turned her attention to the field.

  ‘What are those huts for?’ Helen asked.

  ‘I am not sure, but they might be for the animals to breed in, I suppose. I am afraid I am not familiar with the methods of pig farming, but I am pleased to see that they have constructed a secure fence all round to stop the beasts from roaming the estate.’

  She left Helen peering through one of the cottage windows, trying to glimpse the inside, and walked into the field. As she approached the copse of trees by the stream, there was a rustling sound followed by a grunt. Beth watched in horror as an enormous pig appeared and glared at her with a belligerent gleam in its eyes.

  With a screech of panic, she lifted her skirts and ran, but she had not gone far when she collided with something solid and had the breath knocked out of her.

  ‘Easy, Elizabeth.’ Strong arms wrapped around her. ‘You are not in any danger.’