War Comes Home to Winthrop Manor: An English Family Saga (Winthrop Manor Series Book 2)

by Mary Christian Payne

  Vera smiled, and looked happy. “Yes. I do remember.” She seemed very proud of herself for her recall. “I told her that people do it because it feels good.”

  Josephine was horrified but knew she should never let Vera know how she felt. The only thing she could think to say was, “I see.”

  “Yes, that was my answer. That is why people do it, isn’t it? Estelle needed to know. Now she does.”

  Josephine chatted a bit more, but she had a strong need to remove herself from Vera’s presence. Could Vera have contributed to Estelle’s sinful behaviour? This troublesome thought skimmed through Josephine’s mind. She rang the bell to send for Winnie. The companion returned promptly. Josephine stopped her at the doorway, as she was about to leave.

  “Winnie, before I leave, I need to ask you something,” Josephine said.

  “Yes, of course, milady. How may I be of help?”

  “I’ve been having a good deal of trouble with Estelle for a long time now. I won’t go into all the details, but she does not behave in a ladylike manner and disobeys nearly everything she is instructed to do. At one time, Estelle was a good student and a sweet child. Then, we all began to see a great change come over her. I’d like your impression, Winnie. I know she spends a lot of time with you and Vera.”

  “Oh milady, no. Estelle is a perfect angel when she’s with Vera and me. She did once hint that she’d found out that your husband’s brother was her true father. I had no idea if that could be true or not. You know how children can get strange ideas into their heads sometimes. She showed some anger about it, I remember that. But she didn’t mention it again.”

  “I cannot imagine where she would have come up with such a thought.” The fact that Estelle knew the truth frightened Josephine immensely. Her memory returned to the physicians who had analyzed Estelle at The Maudsley. Was that why Estelle’s behaviour had changed so abruptly? Should Josephine have told her the truth long ago? If she had found out the truth, had it affected her psychologically? Josephine suddenly felt sick, claustrophobic. She had to take deep breaths and thought she might faint.

  “Well, I must go,” she said. “Thank you for that information. Perhaps I need to have a talk with Estelle.” She quickly opened the door and exited.

  * * *

  Almost immediately upon Josephine’s return from the Winthrop-on-Hart Station, where she’d held her beloved son in her arms, bidding him farewell, as he departed for Oxford, there was more trouble involving Estelle. Whenever Andy left, Josephine experienced terrible anxiety. As she entered the doors of Winthrop Manor, angry voices drifted from the second level. Hope was tearfully shouting at Estelle. Sobs were emanating from the nanny’s voice, and she sounded at her wit’s end.

  “Now, what has happened?” Josephine yelled, as she ran up the stairway. “I needn’t ask who is involved. Estelle, what have you done?”

  Before the girl had an opportunity to launch into another of her tales, Josephine approached her, placing a hand in front of her face. “I want the truth, Estelle. I’m completely fed up with you and your abysmal lies.”

  “As usual, you won’t believe me!” Estelle screamed. “I walked into what I thought was an empty room–the yellow guest room–searching for a book. As I opened the doorway, the Vicar Howe and Miss Reed were on top of the counterpane on the bed. Both were very mussed up. They looked surprised when they saw me, and sat up, brushing off their clothes.”

  Both Vicar Howe and Hope Reed were standing beside Estelle. Hope placed her head in her hands. “Oh Estelle, where do you come up with such lies?”

  The vicar’s face assumed a dark expression. “Estelle! You will apologize to your aunt immediately. This is not going to continue.” He turned to Josephine. “Lady Josephine, I refuse to stand here and listen to slurs made toward this lovely woman. I might as well tell you that I find myself very much in love with Hope. She tells me that she reciprocates my feelings. It is my intention to join up with the military. I’ll be serving as a chaplain. I also fully intend to make Hope my bride before I leave for training. Until such time, I do not intend to hear another word out of this vile creature.” He pointed toward Estelle. “You know as well as I do that Hope is as virtuous as a newborn lamb. Estelle, you, on the other hand, have a filthy mind and frankly, I find you repulsive.”

  There was dead silence in the room. Vicar Comer had finally spoken the words that so many others had wished so say aloud for such a long time. Josephine quickly made up her mind that the best way to handle the situation would be to make a request for Estelle to remove herself from their presence. Then, the remaining members of the family could continue with a celebratory atmosphere in honour of the vicar and Hope.

  “Estelle. Go to your room. I shall come and speak with you in a few minutes. In the meantime, I want you to think about your latest behaviour. I also want you to know that there are going to be some major changes in your life. I don’t know if you thought you would be allowed to continue this abominable behaviour forever, but you cannot and will not.”

  Josephine turned her back on her daughter, folding Hope in her arms. “My dear, this is joyful news. I absolutely cannot think of two people better suited to one another than you and Sebastian Comer. From the moment I saw the two of you standing next to one another I thought that. With all of the sadness and upset over the Great War this brings happiness into our lives. Do, please, tell me that you’ll agree to be married at the Winthrop Manor Chapel.”

  Hope’s eyes filled with tears. “Do you mean it, milady?” She turned to Father Comer. “Sebastian, how would you feel about that?”

  “I can’t think of anything I’d like more. We can have the assistant rector perform the ceremony. You know him—Reverend Stoddard.”

  “Yes, of course. I like him. We won’t have a large wedding, will we?” Hope asked.

  “Not extravagant, but I do think all parishioners should receive an invitation. Obviously, all family as well,” Sebastian suggested.

  “I’m all undone. I don’t know what to say or how to thank you,” Hope exclaimed.

  “Then let’s definitely plan on it.”

  “Not unless significant changes take place,” murmured Hope.

  * * *

  A major decision was reached regarding Estelle during the following week. Josephine had a long discussion with Uncle Roderick, followed by another talk with Tom and Elisabeth. All unanimously concluded that the time had arrived to send Estelle away to boarding school. The difficulty lay with locating a school that would be willing to accept her. She seemed awfully young to be sent away to board, although it was not unheard of. The family discussed the dilemma, and decided upon initiating a search for a well-run school specialising in troubled young ladies. It would not be an easy project. There were many institutions targeting young ladies her age, but few specialised in girls of Estelle’s temperament. She had a long history of unsavory behaviour. While the primary reason for the school’s existence would need to be concentration upon an applicant’s past behaviour, Josephine suspected that there would be few girls whose records could rival Estelle’s lengthy list of misdeeds.

  Hope and Josephine left Winthrop Manor on a late summer morning, with David driving them in the Rolls Royce. They were armed with a list of schools which Andy had sent to them. It was a truly, lovely day. They had considered taking Estelle with them but reached the conclusion that it would be wiser to first inspect the various schools on their own. After narrowing them down, they would take her with them on a second search.

  The Winthrop family was known for its wealth and prestige. However, that didn’t necessarily mean that Lady Estelle had a better opportunity for admission to a first-rate school. Tom was able to offer Estelle an advantage, however, because as a physician he was familiar with schools of this sort–schools that were generally classified as both medical facilities and rural boarding schools. They all had first-rate educational staff and equally prominent individuals trained in the very latest psycho-sociology theories. Mos
t were run along country house lines.

  Tom was well-acquainted with most every administrator in this sort of institute. Nearly all implemented curricula commensurate with the finest schools of higher learning in Great Britain combined with therapeutic methods of study, such as art and music, creative writing, group discussion delving into personality disorders, and theories of prominent names in the field of neuro-psychiatry. Very few of these schools failed to concentrate heavily upon horseback riding, which had been found to be one of the better methods for treatment of rebellious students. Each girl would be assigned her own steed for which she was expected to become responsible, and time was set aside daily for equestrian pursuits.

  The staff at such institutions consisted of individuals well-trained in the treatment of emotional difficulties, as well as traditional teachers in curricula designed for properly-assigned age groups. The institution that Josephine and Hope became completely enamoured with was located in Wiltshire and was housed in a magnificent, old manor, originally known as The Ashford-Griffin House. It presently was known as The Sanford Institute of Learning for Young Ladies with Troubled Natures. The house, situated in an area of outstanding beauty, had been built in the nineteenth century and was an excellent example of Georgian architecture. The headmaster was Dr. Sanford, a child psychiatrist and educator. It was set in a pretty village called Rowan, surrounded by acres of rolling farmland.

  Josephine and Hope were utterly intrigued when they laid eyes upon it. Whether Estelle could be helped by such a charming place with a regimen that seemed tailor-made for someone with her troubled past remained to be seen. Nevertheless, it appeared to be a good place to begin. The two women returned to Winthrop Manor armed with literature and brochures for use in their attempt to coax Estelle into making the school her home for at least a year.

  Naturally, Estelle balked. The screaming that ensued was enough to drive the entire household insane. Fortunately, Andy was home from Oxford. He studied pamphlets from the school and raved about it resoundingly to Estelle. Because she’d always shown a bit more affection toward Andy, she calmed down and listened to him. It was not an easy sell, but after lengthy discussion she finally agreed to visit the Sanford Institute with him. Still, she made it exceedingly clear she was not about to commit to attendance unless she found it well-suited in every conceivable way.

  Andy held out slim hope, so he decided he would see the school himself. Estelle said she wanted to go with him, so she and Andy piled into the automobile. When they arrived in Wiltshire, Estelle had to admit that the surrounding landscape was pretty. Andy parked the car, and they made their way into the age-old building. After walking through various hallways, they finally discovered the headmaster’s office. Andy introduced himself and Estelle and requested that they be shown around the school’s premises. He looked extremely handsome dressed in his Oxford blazer, and Estelle secretly felt pride to have him by her side although she would have died rather than admit that she wanted to look around the school.

  After an hour of climbing stairways and visiting every nook and cranny, from the girls’ sleeping quarters to the dining room and classroom buildings, the two were brought back to the administrator’s office. Amazingly, Estelle had not been rude. They were asked to make themselves comfortable in front of the large desk that dominated the office.

  “Well, Lady Estelle, have you any question I might be able to answer?” Dr. Sanford asked.

  “No, sir. I can’t think of anything. I think I like the school, especially the stables.”

  “Ah, yes. The stables seem to be a hit with all our students,” he replied. “Do you ride, Estelle?”

  “Yes, sir, I do. It’s one of my favourite past times.”

  “Well,” Dr. Sanford responded, “we can either provide you with your own horse, or if you have one at home we do have provisions for you to bring it with you. That would be entirely up to your family.”

  “How often are girls allowed to ride?” she asked.

  “Generally, about two hours a day unless the weather doesn’t cooperate. If that happens, we allow you to use the time for other purposes.”

  “How many girls come here to the school?” Estelle asked.

  “We expect enrollment this year to be about seventy young women. Of course, that covers the full twelve years. The first year’s class is somewhat larger than the second. That would be girls your age. As I indicated, we cover the entire spectrum of classes from primary school through secondary school. Some girls decide further along in time that they are ready to attend another institution or to return home and study under a tutor or governess. Of course, I, as the head administrator, would give my opinion in such a matter, but naturally parents have the final say. Much depends upon the progress that the child has made. As you saw, the room arrangement is quite nice. Two girls share each room, and then there is a lavatory in between those rooms, so four girls have their own private facilities. Meals are taken on campus. We have quite strict rules regarding the dinner hour. Stockings must be worn, and each girl’s legs will be checked for compliance. The meal is served at tables of eight girls. Grace is always said before seats are taken. Correct table manners are expected.”

  “Are students allowed to see boys?” Estelle enquired.

  “At your age, absolutely not. If you should remain with us, you would be allowed to walk out with boys at age sixteen.”

  Andy watched Estelle carefully from the corner of his eye. He expected scowling and expressions of disapproval but was pleasantly surprised to see her head nod, as though she not only understood, but agreed with the rules.

  “So, Lady Estelle. How do you feel about the idea of joining our group of young ladies?” Dr. Sanford asked.

  “I think I’d like to join your school,” she replied.

  Andy was astounded. Dr. Sanford turned in his direction. “So, Lord Winthrop. What is your opinion?”

  “I’d very much like to see Estelle give this a try.” Turning to Estelle, Andy continued. “Estelle, you do understand that you will be expected to follow each and every rule to the letter? There can be no rudeness–no unacceptable comments–absolutely no lies.”

  “I would try very hard to obey the rules. I’m not happy at home. If I could go horseback riding every day, then I think I can do everything else expected of me.”

  Andy smiled, stood, and shook the administrator’s hand. “Thank you, sir. Our family will wait for a letter of confirmation. In the meantime, Estelle will look forward to the start of a new way of life.”

  Andy wasn’t at all certain that Estelle would comply with the regulations accompanying her new life. He wouldn’t have been surprised to have heard from his mother that Estelle had been asked to leave the school. The plan was for her to begin attending The Sanford Institute in September of 1934 and to continue until she was seventeen.

  Amazingly, she liked the Sanford Institute from the beginning. The early years were spent learning all of the essentials, such as reading, writing, math, in addition to art therapy, horseback riding, and two hours each day talking with Dr. Sanford.

  Estelle made significant progress. She slipped a few times and told a gigantic lie or used an improper word, but those occasions were few and far between. When those incidents occurred she was not punished, but certain privileges were taken away, particular horseback riding. She was assigned a roommate, who was evaluated to ascertain that she and Estelle would be compatible. Her name was Pamela Estes. She was taller than Estelle and not as attractive, but their likes and dislikes were similar. Pamela also came from an aristocratic family and her difficulties were synonymous with Estelle’s. They grew to like one another a great deal and continued to room together throughout their duration at the institute. They studied very hard, for the curricula was not easy, but they also had a lot of fun, going for hayrides in the autumn, making ornaments for the school Christmas tree in winter, and building a May Pole, which they decorated in the spring. These were all-school projects where everyone joined in
the merrymaking.

  In 1939, when she was thirteen and in her sixth year, she was strolling around the lovely grounds of the school, which she often did during her free time. She found herself on a farm whose property adjoined the campus. She relished the lovely landscaping. While savouring the truly breathtaking setting surrounding her, she’d spotted a young man in the distance. At the same time, he lifted his head just before entering a large, red barn. Estelle continued to walk slowly, stopping occasionally to run her hands over the bark of elm, oak, and birch trees. They were plentiful around her.

  She’d never been considered beautiful, but she was certainly very pretty. She wore her sandy-coloured hair in a bob. Her most bewitching feature was definitely the lovely eyes she’d inherited from her mother. Fortunately, Oliver had not transmitted his horse-like mouth to his daughter, nor the protruding teeth that had contributed to his over-all unattractive appearance. Estelle’s lips were neither Oliver's nor Josephine’s. Rather, they were nearly an exact copy of Win’s. Oliver’s lips were oversized for a man’s face–fleshy and feminine in nature. Estelle’s were nicely shaped and quite thin. The spinal injury that had caused her to walk with a slight stoop had improved significantly and was barely noticeable, yet her self-esteem was extraordinarily low. It never crossed her mind that the young man she had seen would have any interest in her.

  * * *

  Neil Johnston saw very few members of the opposite gender on the farm occupied by him and his parents. Of course, the Sanford Institute was in close proximity to his home, and from time to time he had seen young ladies coming and going from the brick building. Still, it never crossed his mind to actually speak to one of them. His parents had warned him on many occasions that he was never to make an attempt to introduce himself. He was a shy boy, and his self-esteem equaled Estelle’s.

  However, he had absolutely no reason for such low self-regard. He was a tall young man with thick, blond hair and light blue eyes. His skin was tanned due to days spent working out of doors. He had been an above-average student, and his father had hopes that if crops were good and wool output from the sheep substantial, he might find the wherewithal to send Neil on to higher education. Neil considered such talk but a dream. While he had liked school, he loved the farm more. He had no desire to follow any other career.