by Ann Barker
‘Oh no,’ breathed Eustacia.
Littlejohn nodded. ‘The family were quite innocent, but the young woman had only been using Gabriel as a means to get to Ashbourne. Raphael went upstairs and found her in his bed, quite …’ – he mopped his brow with his handkerchief – ‘unclothed. Unfortunately, Gabriel saw his father escorting the young lady back to her room and came to the very worst of conclusions. There was a dreadful scene, Ilam left, and the young lady’s parents who, I’m thankful to say, had rather better morals than hers, removed her the next day. It wasn’t Ashbourne’s fault, but Gabriel would never believe him. Now, he cannot hear a good word spoken about his father, and I do not believe that he has fallen in love since.’
‘What a dreadful story,’ murmured Eustacia.
‘Yes indeed. If I could bring the two of them together I would, but it is beyond my powers, I fear. Perhaps someone other than myself will have better fortune. Now, my dear young lady, what would you say if I suggested that we should go and have one of Ilam’s ices?’
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
It seemed as if Trixie had been right when she had stated that the world and his wife had decided to come to his lordship’s garden party. Miss Granby had predicted that those inhabitants of the fashionable world who lived in the vicinity would put in an appearance. Eustacia could see that a good many of those present were dressed in the latest styles, and she was glad that she had chosen to put on one of her prettiest gowns in a fashionable design. None of these notables was known to her, but they were all happy to be introduced by Lady Agatha, and were disposed to be gracious.
The Granbys arrived in good time, and Evangeline was eager to share the gossip with Eustacia. ‘Miss Wing,’ she said, indicating a plump young lady with a rather pasty face, ‘has just got engaged to Lord Durose. Imagine! Her mama is as proud as a peacock. Heaven knows why, for the man is nearly sixty! But I suppose she could not attract anyone else, poor thing. Oh look, there is Mr Berry with an acquaintance. Is he not handsome? Have you met him?’
Eustacia had not met the young gentleman or his companion, Mr Lloyd by name, so for half an hour or so, the four young people viewed the gardens together, chatting easily of this and that.
As well as the fashionable folk, it seemed that every inhabitant of the village and the tenants and workers from the surrounding farms had turned out, dressed in their best. Lord Ilam spent a fair amount of time walking round with Lady Agatha who was acting as his hostess, and trying to exchange a few words with each guest.
He contemplated the assembled throng with some irritation. Half of them, he knew, had only come to gape. A large number of the wealthier folk were simply continuing their favourite London activity of seeing and being seen. There were always a few who were hoping to marry him off to their daughters, even though privately they might think of him as something of an oddity. Of all the people present, he had the most patience for the hard-working folk, who well deserved this brief time away from their daily toil. He always made sure that he spent as much time making them feeling welcome as he did talking to the notables.
He had wondered whether Miss Hope might find herself without company, and he had promised himself the pleasure of spending some time with her. Glancing across the lawn, he could see her walking with that effeminate dandy, Roland Berry. Even while he was watching, the young man leaned down to whisper something in Miss Hope’s ear which had her laughing in what he considered to be quite an immoderate way. Where upon earth had Evangeline Granby gone? She had been with them a few minutes ago.
‘Gabriel, take that scowl off your face, for goodness’ sake,’ said Lady Agatha, interrupting his thoughts. ‘Everyone will think that you do not want them to be here.’
He looked down at her, grinning. ‘Heaven forbid,’ he replied.
Anna had not been at all pleased to be dragged away from Illingham Hall, but upon reflection she had decided that it might be for the best. She had not considered how much she would appear to disadvantage in a gown that she had been wearing to work in, even if half of it had been hidden by an apron for some of the time. The return home would give her a chance to change into another becoming gown, for her mother, despite her tiresome tendency to forget that a female of seventeen was a grown woman, liked to see her family well dressed and was generous with regard to new clothing.
After scolding her for leaving the farm without her mother’s expressed permission, her brother David kept quiet as they travelled back in the gig, thus allowing her to think about Gabriel. How handsome and manly he had looked in his shirt sleeves; and what a lovely smile he had given her. It was a smile which seemed to her to speak about the strong bond that there was between them. Of course, he had not had time to take a lot of notice of her that morning. He had been busy, and he had had his aunt to attend to, as well as Miss Hope who was Lady Agatha’s goddaughter, and was therefore almost like a cousin to him.
David had been so rude, trying to drag her off like a child, but Gabriel had smiled at her, as if to say that they would be able to spend some time together that afternoon. What if he were to propose that very day? She let out a gasp, and David, who had been thinking about meeting Rachel, the doctor’s daughter, turned in surprise and had to give some attention to his horse, which had responded to the change of pressure on the rein.
So wrapped up was she in dreams of romance that she paid very little heed to the scold that her mother offered for leaving the farm unbidden. Instead, she offered a serene apology and went upstairs to change, prompting Mrs Crossley to say to her husband that in some ways, little Anna appeared to be growing up at last.
When the family eventually set off, it was in the wagon rather than the gig, for not only was the whole family going, but also Lottie the kitchen maid, and Bert, the lad who helped with the horses. The cowman and his wife stayed behind, neither of them being enamoured of social occasions.
Anna very much regretted the indignity of this mode of travel. She would have preferred to arrive in the gig with David; for however disagreeable her brother might be at times, there was no doubt that today he looked the gentleman in his tan-coloured breeches and grey coat. Bundled in the back of the wagon with David, Elijah, Lottie and Bert, she did not feel as if she cut the kind of elegant figure that would make a splash at Illingham Hall.
She was hoping to be able to scramble down and go off on her own to find Gabriel, but Mrs Crossley knew her duty. ‘I’m not having you dashing all over the gardens like some kind of romp,’ said that lady firmly. ‘David, you must look after your sister and make sure she behaves like a lady. Elijah, you’re to stay with me and your father, until I give you leave. Bert, you’re to look after Lottie. I don’t want to hear anything about the behaviour of any of you that will put me to the blush. Now off you go and enjoy yourselves.’
‘I hope you’re not referring to me, my dear,’ said Farmer Crossley, as he offered his wife his brawny arm.
‘Give over with you, Tobias,’ smiled his wife. ‘Well this is very agreeable to be sure,’ she went on, looking at the marquees, and the bunting, and the happy smiling faces. ‘I feel a little guilty taking a day off, but we work hard the rest of the time, don’t we?’
‘Aye,’ replied her husband smiling back at her. ‘As for a day off, there’s nobody deserves it more than you, my dear.’
The garden party at Illingham Hall was normally an afternoon and evening affair. Plenty of food and drink was provided. No person was told where he might or might not go, but the usual pattern was for the quality to congregate near the house and eat the food that was laid out in the marquee on the lawn outside the drawing-room. The less exalted members of the company tended to take their food from another marquee that was situated further from the house. Ilam, his aunt, and those persons who were easy in any company drifted between the two. In the afternoon, a game of cricket would take place in the field beyond the ha-ha. Those who did not care to watch or take part continued to wander about the gardens, consume the food of his lordship’s pr
oviding, or repose themselves under the trees.
After the game of cricket was over, there would be a treasure hunt for the children, in which they searched for coloured pottery eggs which had been hidden in the parterre. The child who found the most eggs without pushing – for a careful watch was kept, and unmannerly children were disqualified – received a prize, but all the children who took part were given a shiny sixpence.
Once the treasure hunt was complete, a small band usually played on the lawn, and a few energetic souls usually had a dance or two. No one was told to leave, but after this, people tended to drift away, a good time having been had by all; all, that was, apart from the master of the house. He approved of the tradition, for he knew that it provided much needed diversion for people who worked hard all through the year. If he was honest with himself, however, he found the whole business awkward in the extreme, because he did not really know where he belonged.
Thanks to his father’s virtually disowning him in his childhood, he had spent more time with a working family than would normally have been the case for someone of his rank. That experience meant that he had an intimate understanding of the concerns of ordinary folk, and had no difficulty talking with them and even working alongside them.
At the age of thirteen, after some coaching from Dr Littlejohn, he was sent to Harrow. Those first weeks and months until he had established himself had been sheer torture. Some of the boys who already attended the school conducted themselves like little princelings, and seemed to feel that it behoved them to persecute anyone who did not conform to what was expected of them. He never told anyone about the torments that he endured, not even Aunt Bertha, who wrote to him every week, no matter how busy she might be on the farm. He certainly did not inform his father, who occasionally swept into the school grounds tooling his curricle, and bore him off to a local hostelry for an awkward lunch, during which neither of them could find anything much to say.
It had never occurred to Gabriel that his father’s appearance at school could have had anything to do with the lessening of his torments, but such was the case. The truth of the matter was that the then Lord Ilam, at a little over thirty years old, was considerably younger and more dashing than any other parent, and was, moreover, an acknowledged leader of the ton. His arrival in style did much to raise his son’s credit with his school fellows.
Gabriel’s early life on the farm had meant that he was accustomed to physical exertion, and he had gained height and weight earlier than some of his peer group. Swift retaliation over some insult or other earned him a beating or two, but with time he learned to keep his feelings and his temper under control. Meanwhile his formidable inches meant that bullies became wary of him
Gradually, he made friends, choosing as his companions those who proved loyal to him, rather than those who wanted an introduction to the ton through the son of Lord Ilam. It was those friends who helped him through the social pitfalls at Oxford and in London when he visited there, which was as seldom as he could manage.
Thanks to his early upbringing on the one hand, and his school and university life on the other, he had learned to move in two worlds. For the most part, he managed this without any difficulty. The problems rose when his two worlds came together, as they did at the garden party. Then he found himself wondering who he really was and where he belonged. This feeling, which was for the most part a vague sensation of unease, was always at its most acute when the Crossleys arrived. It was then that his two worlds really did collide.
As if this were not awkward enough, Eustacia Hope had pointed out to him that he was not the only one who was confused. If she thought that Anna might have romantic designs upon him, then no doubt others might be thinking the same thing, and that would never do. For one thing it would be damaging to Anna’s reputation, and might perhaps keep away some of the sons of farmers, any one of whom would be a suitable match for her. For another, whilst Anna was hero-worshipping her adopted big brother, he might be prevented from fixing his interest with the lady to whom he really was attracted.
Again, his eye was drawn to Eustacia Hope, as she stood talking to Miss Granby. He admired her style of beauty. Her dark hair and eyes seemed full of life and her complexion was charmingly healthy. She was not tall, but her figure was excellent, and her dress sense was superb – unlike that of Evangeline Granby, who was, as usual, tricked out as if she were attending a function graced by royalty. As for her height, she might deplore her lack of inches, but to him she seemed to be exactly the right size.
Miss Hope’s manners were good, too. His invitation to her to visit the Crossleys with him had been an impulse of the moment. Her behaviour at the farmhouse had been faultless, neither proud, nor condescending, but friendly and unpretentious. She seemed to have the ability to move between his two worlds.
He recalled the moment when he had gone to Bruno’s head and had seen that she was there holding the horse already. Her gown had been stretched tight by the movement and he had been able to appreciate the outline of her excellent bosom. Then she had glanced down at the graze on his chest. Until that moment he had not realized the extent of his dishevelment. She had made as if to reach for her handkerchief and he had thought to himself, Oh no, if she touches me now I’ll be all to pieces. Then their hands had brushed against one another and he had felt a surge of excitement flood his whole being.
At that moment she turned her head, saw him and smiled. His heart, normally a very sensible organ, began to beat in thick, heavy strokes. He turned away from a lady and gentleman with a brief ‘excuse me’ and began to walk towards her. He was still a dozen paces away when he heard his name called, and with a sinking feeling, saw that Anna was hurrying in his direction, closely followed by her brother David.
‘Anna, my dear,’ he said, putting out his hands to prevent her from throwing herself into his arms. At the same time, he glanced across at Eustacia. He still did not think that she was right, but there was something here that needed nipping in the bud.
‘Anna, I told you not to go running off,’ scolded David. He made his bow to Ilam. ‘I’m sorry, my lord,’ he said, ‘but you know what she’s like.’
‘None better,’ answered Ilam cheerfully. ‘Anna, you’re looking very pretty today. Shall we take a little stroll about the garden?’ He offered her his arm. She took it, throwing a triumphant smile in David’s direction. What would they all say when she was Lady Ilam, she wondered.
David, mindful of his manners, turned to Miss Hope who was standing near by, and asked her if she would like a glass of lemonade. ‘Thank you, Mr Crossley,’ she replied. ‘That would be very welcome.’
Walking with Gabriel between the flower beds and under the trees, Anna was in seventh heaven. When he suggested that they should find somewhere quiet for a little talk, her cup of happiness almost overflowed. It must be that he intended to propose, she told herself. That a man of Ilam’s character would never, ever press his suit upon a seventeen year old girl even supposing that he had her parents’ consent did not occur to her. She was too lost in her dreams of a rosy future.
Once they were sitting down in a little arbour, well within sight of other people but out of earshot, Gabriel looked at the girl next to him, unsure of how to begin. How could he make his meaning plain without hurting her and damaging their relationship?
It was Anna who spoke first. ‘Do you really think my gown is pretty, Gabriel?’ she asked him softly.
He cleared his throat. ‘Yes, certainly; it makes you look very grown up,’ he replied, feeling as if he sounded like a man twice his age.
‘I’m seventeen, now.’
‘I know – almost a woman.’
This remark did not seem to her to be so promising. ‘Some people get married when they are seventeen,’ she pointed out.
‘You have no plans to get married yet, have you?’ he asked, a little startled.
‘Not as yet,’ she replied demurely, looking at him through her lashes. ‘I am waiting for the right man to ask
me.’
‘Very sensible,’ he said, lightly patting her hands as they lay in her lap. ‘The right man is worth waiting for. In the meantime, my dear—’
‘Yes? In the meantime?’ she prompted him eagerly.
‘In the meantime, it might perhaps be better if you did not run across the lawn and throw yourself into my arms. To those who are watching, your gesture might be misinterpreted.’
‘You mean it might make me look childish?’
‘Something like that,’ Gabriel agreed, not wanting to explain any further. ‘You would not want that right man to catch you acting like a child, would you?’
‘No, of course not,’ Anna replied looking at him, her eyes glowing.
Gabriel got to his feet. ‘I have other guests that I must attend to,’ he told her. Then he added in a hearty tone, ‘I must not be seen monopolizing one of the prettiest young ladies here, must I?’
‘All right, Gabriel,’ Anna answered. ‘I’ll just stay here for a while.’
She sat and watched him as he walked with long easy strides to greet an old-fashioned-looking clergyman. Of course, he would always do what was right and proper! She sat and thought about what he had said. He thought she looked pretty and grown up. He had not actually said that she was too young to marry and he had commended her plans to wait for the right man. He had even told her to be more circumspect in her behaviour towards him. He could hardly have been more plain!
She left the arbour in a happy dream, and Eustacia had to speak to her twice before she realized that she had been addressed. ‘Are you having an agreeable day, Miss Crossley?’ Eustacia asked her.
‘A wonderful day,’ replied Anna, her face aglow. ‘The most wonderful day of my life. Oh Miss Hope, I’m so happy!’ She scampered away, in hot pursuit of two young ladies of her own age who were standing next to the food tent.
Eustacia looked after her, astonished. She had seen Ilam take Anna on one side, and had assumed that he had been going to speak to her about being more circumspect in her manner towards him. Anna’s behaviour seemed rather to suggest that she had received a proposal of marriage, or at any rate something very like it. Again, she felt a sharp stab of jealousy before she recalled that he had described Anna as being like a little sister to him. No doubt he had warned her off so gently that she had completely failed to grasp his meaning!