A Debt From the Past

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘What can I say but thank you?’ James bowed his head. ‘I am overwhelmed by your generosity, and I hope you will be able to visit us when you are home on leave next time?’

  ‘That is an invitation I shall accept with pleasure. I will have the transfer documents prepared as quickly as possible, but from this moment you may consider the property yours.’

  They shook hands to seal the arrangement.

  ‘This is cause for a celebration.’ Grandfather began refilling their glasses. ‘Dan, all we need now is your assurance that Walton will go to prison for a very long time.’

  ‘Now he has been exposed, the London police want him for many serious crimes. He will be transferred there tomorrow, and I am confident that it will either be the gallows or transportation for him. I will be involved in the trial.’

  ‘Good.’ Grandfather raised his glass. ‘It has taken thirty years, but at last we can look forward to justice being done.’

  Dinner that evening was a lively meal, with everyone in high spirits, and although they heard some details of the day’s events, the girls were still awaiting the full story.

  The Major had accepted Beth’s invitation to stay the night, and the men retired to the library as soon as the meal was over.

  Alice, Beth and Helen retired then, knowing from the laughter coming from the library that the men would be talking and drinking well into the night.

  Twenty-Six

  A commotion coming from the paddock the next morning had them all running outside to see what the noise was about.

  Beth and Helen were the first to arrive, with the men close behind. The sight of Tom running as fast as his legs would carry him and the enormous warhorse in hot pursuit made Beth wrench the gate open. ‘Tom, come out – quickly!’

  The boy turned in their direction and skidded to a halt to slam the gate shut. ‘No, no, don’t let him out!’ Then he tore off again.

  ‘Help him!’ Beth turned to the men gathered along the fence.

  The Major was about to vault the fence when Jenkins stopped him. ‘You don’t need to, sir. Our Tom knows what he’s doing.’

  ‘But what is he doing?’

  ‘Don’t know, sir, but he does. Look at him; he’s laughing.’

  ‘He has a great understanding of horses,’ James told the Major. ‘It’s quite remarkable. He isn’t running scared; he’s playing with the animal.’

  They all watched in astonishment as the animal caught up with Tom and pushed him just hard enough to knock him off his feet. The boy sprung up and stood on tiptoe to reach the horse’s head, pulling it down so he could say something in his ear. That sent the warhorse into a mad gallop around the field. Then he stopped in front of Tom and dipped his head.

  ‘I don’t believe I have just seen that.’ The Major shook his head in disbelief. ‘That animal is trained to kill, not play games with young boys. I did explain this to him when he was so eager to take charge of Zeus. Tom!’ he called.

  ‘Yes, sir.’ He arrived flushed and grinning.

  ‘What was that all about? And why have you put him in the paddock?’

  ‘Ah, well, I had to, sir. He’s a handsome beast and er ...’ He shuffled his feet in embarrassment, casting a quick glance at Helen. ‘Er ... you see, Honey fell in love with him, and when she kept talking to him, I couldn’t stop her. I tried, my lady, but she wouldn’t listen to me. Well, Zeus could see her over the partition, and well ... I had to separate them. Zeus thought I was going to bring Honey out as well, and when I told him she wasn’t coming, he decided to give me the run-around. In the end we was both laughing and having fun. He’s calmed down now, sir.’

  ‘Zeus didn’t get near Honey, did he?’

  ‘Oh, no, Major, sir. I wouldn’t have allowed that without her ladyship’s permission. Honey’s just a bit cross at the moment, but I’ll go and have a little talk to her. She’s a good girl and will understand.’

  Muffled laughter quickly turned into coughs from the men gathered there. The Major was controlling his expression with difficulty. ‘You did well, Tom.’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’ The boy looked shyly at the soldier. ‘Zeus would do anything for you, sir. He told me, and he also said that it’s too cold here, so can you both go back to the warm?’

  ‘Really? Can you tell him we will only be here for a short stay?’

  ‘I’ll do that, sir.’ Tom bounded off towards Zeus again.

  Grandfather was openly laughing now. ‘That boy is a treasure.’

  Before anyone else could comment, a soldier galloped up to them. ‘Sir! We’re needed.’

  ‘What’s happened, Sergeant?’

  ‘The police were getting ready to take Walton to London when he tried to escape. Don’t have more details, sir.’

  Tom had anticipated the need and Zeus was already standing near the Major, almost saddled and ready to ride. Another stable hand was leading Dan’s horse out in case it was needed.

  The major nodded his approval. ‘Excellent staff you have, Miss Langton.’

  It only took a few minutes, and the Major and Dan were galloping away.

  It was several hours before Dan arrived back, alone. Unable to stand the suspense, they all hurried out to the yard.

  ‘What’s happened?’ James asked.

  ‘Did he escape?’ Alex wanted to know.

  ‘Give me a chance to draw breath.’ Dan dismounted and nodded to Tom, who was already there to take the horse. ‘Thank you, Tom. He’ll need a rub down.’

  ‘I’ll see to him, sir.’ Tom led the animal away, talking to him all the time.

  ‘I need a drink!’ Dan strode into the library, and they all followed.

  After pouring himself a large whisky, Dan took a generous mouthful, swallowed and then faced them.

  ‘Well?’ James demanded. ‘If it’s bad news, then, for heaven’s sake, tell us.’

  ‘It’s all over. He must have known he was facing the gallows and was desperate. While he was being taken to the train, he tried to overpower one of those guarding him. Somehow he had a knife concealed on him, and the constable was injured, but not seriously. There was quite a fight, and it looked as if he might get away. They said he fought like a madman, and when they finally managed to subdue him, he had a heart attack and died.’

  ‘He’s dead?’ James looked as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  ‘How do you know it was a heart attack, Dan?’ Grandfather looked equally shocked.

  ‘A doctor confirmed it. That’s why I’ve been such a long time. I’ve been waiting for the results of the examination.’

  ‘I can’t believe it is really over.’ James sat down heavily and ran a hand over his eyes. ‘Walton must have been out of his mind with fear to try such a risky escape attempt.’

  Alex poured all the men a whisky, and they drank in silence, the atmosphere subdued.

  Beth, Helen and Alice were as shocked as everyone else. There wasn’t any jubilation at the news, just a feeling of numbness that, after all the tension and danger, it had ended in this way.

  Grandfather was the first to break the stunned silence. After draining his glass, he turned to his daughter. ‘You can start packing now, Alice. There’s nothing to stop us taking our lovely girls to London. I’ll have to get my dancing shoes polished to a bright shine.’ He winked at Beth and Helen.

  ‘Are you sure you can dance?’ Helen teased, sensing that the elderly man was trying to break the tension.

  Without a word, he walked towards her, bowed elegantly and then began to waltz her around the library, skilfully avoiding the various tables and chairs.

  ‘I think that answers your question.’ He released her and bowed again.

  His antics had the desired effect, and everyone in the room was smiling now.

  ‘Right!’ James stood up. ‘We can put the past behind us at last and think about the future. Elizabeth and Helen, you deserve a few frivolous weeks in London. You have both been splendid during this difficult time. Alice, how quickl
y can you be ready to leave?’

  ‘Two days should be enough – don’t you agree?’ She smiled happily at the girls. ‘I can’t wait to see you dancing in those beautiful gowns.’

  Beth looked doubtful. ‘I’m not sure we are good enough dancers for the London scene; I think Grandfather had better give us a few dancing lessons before then. Oh, and are you going to tell me where you’ve hidden the keys to your room before we leave?’

  ‘I’ll consider it.’ The elderly man grinned. ‘I’m surprised you haven’t found them yet. They’ve been right under your nose, behind something you use all the time.’

  ‘Where?’

  ‘I’ve given you a clue, and that’s all I’m saying at the moment.’

  ‘Father, you’re an old rascal. I hope you are going to behave yourself in London, or we shall disown you.’

  ‘Now, Alice, when have you ever known me to behave?’ He looked at his grandsons and Dan. ‘I hope you are going to show your faces at a few functions?’

  ‘We might consider it.’ James winked at Alice. ‘Just tell us which ones he won’t be attending.’

  Laughter filled the room, and Beth and Helen smiled at each other. They were going to make the most of the short time they all had together, and secretly hoping that certain gentlemen would indeed show their faces in London.

  The next two days passed in a flurry of activity as they prepared for London. When the packing was complete, Beth declared, ‘My goodness, I cannot imagine how we are ever going to wear so many clothes.’

  ‘I agree we have far too much, but Alice doesn’t think so. She even said we could buy anything else we need while we are there.’

  ‘Then we will have to convince her that we have more than we shall need. Our stay will only be for a short time, and we cannot allow James to incur more expense for us. He has already been more than generous.’

  ‘You are the only young girls I have met who do not relish spending a gentleman’s money,’ Alice joked as she walked in, nodding when she saw the mountain of luggage. ‘Splendid – we are almost ready. James would like to see you both in the library, please.’

  ‘Oh, do you know why?’

  ‘Some last minute details, I expect, Helen. Off you go.’

  When they entered the library, they were surprised to see not only James, but Dan, Alex and Grandfather as well.

  Beth’s heart plummeted. Had they called them to say goodbye? She knew that day wasn’t far off, but she had hoped it wouldn’t be so soon.

  James appeared tense when he asked them to sit down. He remained standing. ‘I promised to give you an explanation when this troubled time was over, and I keep my promises.’

  The girls sat upright in their chairs, waiting eagerly, but knowing that this was not going to be easy for him.

  James walked over to the window, eased the tension in his shoulders and then turned to face them. ‘We have to go back to before I was born. Edward Sharland and my mother, Gertrude, met and fell in love, but her father was opposed to the marriage. They eloped and married in secret, but an unscrupulous young man found out and contacted her father, who was desperately searching for his daughter. The man offered information about their whereabouts for a price. Her father paid, but Edward and Gertrude had moved on, and when more money was demanded, he refused.’

  ‘I told him to go to hell,’ Grandfather explained. ‘That was the most terrible mistake I have ever made, and it will haunt me to my dying day. I underestimated the villain, and, in the circumstances, that was stupid.’

  Walking over to his grandfather, James rested a hand on the elderly man’s shoulder, giving him a brief understanding smile. Then he continued. ‘Angry with the refusal, the man caught up with the newlyweds while they were travelling to return and face her father. The blackmailer killed the driver in his attempt to kidnap Gertrude, and Edward was so severely injured it was thought impossible for him to survive. Other travellers on the road came to their aid, and, seeing he was outnumbered, the attacker ran. Gertrude was in a state of shock when she reached home, and when her father told her that Edward was dead, she believed it. And when she was told by a physician that she was not strong enough to attend a funeral, she was too sick, physically and mentally, to question that decision too. But Edward did not die. When he finally regained consciousness, his full recovery took more than a year, and by that time I had been born.’

  Grandfather stood up then, grief and shame etched clearly on his face. ‘As soon as he was able to, Edward came to see me, and I was shocked and panicked, for I had been convinced that he could not possibly survive. My daughter believed her husband was dead, and after the birth she was not strong. I was certain she could not survive the shock of discovering that Edward was alive, so I told him she had died that day. He left and I never saw him again for some years. The cruelty of my decisions at that time would not let me rest, and when my daughter died, I contacted Edward. It was a terrible meeting and I wouldn’t have blamed Edward if he had killed me for what I had done.’

  The elderly man sat down again, looking exhausted, and James took up the story once more.

  ‘When I met my father, we liked each other from the start, and I wanted to stay with him. However, after much discussion it was agreed by us all that I would be happier remaining with Alice and Alex. My father came to Scotland often and we spent as much time together as possible. At that time I hated my grandfather, and we fought each other fiercely. It was only when he came here that I began to understand the terrible situation he had faced.’ James nodded to his grandfather to take up the story at this point.

  ‘Edward was determined to track down the villain who had caused us so much pain. The only evidence I had was a letter from him demanding money. The signature on the letter was Walton, but we assumed it was a false name. Edward never intended to stop looking for him, and that was when Dan came into our lives. He’ll tell you about that.’

  ‘Edward and I were involved in carrying out investigations for the police and sometimes the government, so we combined our efforts to try to find Walton, but it seemed a hopeless task – until Gresham turned up here. When Edward discovered that the man with the largest claim in Helen’s family tragedy was calling himself Walton, we felt we had something to go on at last. It didn’t take me long to discover that it was Gresham, but we needed proof before we could take any action against him. The rest you know.’

  Bowing her head, Beth didn’t try to hide her distress. How this family had suffered – she couldn’t bear to imagine the anguish her dear godfather had gone through. She had known him all her life, and not once had he said a word about his past. Wiping the moisture from her eyes, she looked up. ‘I wish I had known. Thank you for telling us.’

  Helen was also overcome, but managed to say, ‘That was a harrowing story, but I also thank you. At least now I feel as if my father’s death was not entirely in vain, for it helped to uncover that evil man.’

  ‘It did indeed,’ James told her gently. ‘We are desperately sorry that it happened in such a tragic way.’

  ‘I think we all need a strong drink.’ Grandfather began pouring brandy in enough glasses for all of them and then handed them round. ‘Drink that, my girls; it will help.’

  James raised his glass. ‘It is now time to put the past behind us. My mother and father would have wanted that. Let us drink to a happier future.’

  Twenty-Seven

  ‘I’ve spoken to Henry and he’s satisfied with the new man. He knows his pigs, so I’m going home, James, but I’ll come back for the opening of the school.’ Alex looked at Dan. ‘What are you going to do now?’

  ‘I have promised James six months of my time to teach at the school, but there is something important I must do before that.’

  ‘Any point me asking what it is?’

  ‘None at all.’

  Alex grinned and shrugged. ‘Nothing changes there, then. What are you going to do when you’re running the school full-time, James? There won’t be much time left f
or you to spend here as Elizabeth’s guardian, surely?’

  ‘I will legally be her guardian until March, but I’ve talked this over with Henry. He’s a reliable estate manager, and Elizabeth is trained to run the estate – and does so very efficiently. They will only need to come to me if a problem arises and they require help, but that is unlikely now.’

  ‘No, thank heavens. We can all relax at last and get on with our lives. It’s sad that Edward never lived long enough to see this day.’

  James sighed. ‘Yes, it is. However, we managed to do what he wanted, and if he’s looking down on us now, I’m sure he will be smiling. When are you leaving, Alex?’

  ‘Tomorrow morning, if that’s all right with you.’

  ‘Perfectly – and thank you for coming. You have been a great help. Tell your lovely girl that I apologize for keeping you so long.’

  ‘I’ll do that – and thanks, though I’m not so sure I’ve been a help. You two are the brains – I’m just a farmer. But it’s been an experience. I’ll expect you both at our wedding in the summer.’

  ‘Wouldn’t miss it.’ James slapped Alex on the back. ‘And you tell your future wife she had better look after you or she’ll have me to deal with.’

  Alex tipped his head back and roared with laughter. ‘I wouldn’t dare tell her that. She’s already frightened of you – the stern professor, she calls you.’

  ‘Me?’ James said in mock disbelief.

  ‘Yes, you. The only two girls who weren’t cowed by your powerful personality were Elizabeth and Helen.’ Alex studied the two men in front of him. ‘Just what are you going to do about them? And don’t either of you tell me you’re not interested in them. I’ve got eyes in my head.’

  ‘What’s he talking about?’ Dan asked James.

  ‘I haven’t the faintest idea.’

  ‘You two will never change,’ Alex said, shaking his head in amusement. ‘I think I’ll go and say goodbye to my pigs.’

  They watched Alex leave, laughing softly to himself.

  ‘He’s really happy about going back to his farm and his girl. And I think I’ll go and pack.’