‘Thank you, Leo. There are one or two things I would like to do. Is there a budget I must follow?’
‘You may spend whatever you need, within reason of course. I know you’re not extravagant and won’t waste money unnecessarily.’ He leaned over the table and took her cold hands in his. ‘I think I know what’s troubling you, Ellie; you wish me to give you more time before making you my true wife?’ His eyes were kind and his words gentle.
‘Leo, I know I’ve encouraged you to believe I was ready but I find, now the time has come, that I am not. I’m truly sorry.’
He released her hands and stood up. ‘You don’t have to apologise, my love, I was a brute to try and force the issue.’ Unexpectedly he smiled, transforming his face, making him seem younger and more approachable. ‘That’s the real reason I’m going away tomorrow. I can’t trust myself to stay out of your bed if I’m here; I want to make love to you and I’m finding it almost impossible to wait.’
She jumped up and ran round the table to fling herself into his arms, perhaps not the wisest course to follow after his admission. ‘Thank you, I knew you would understand. I promise I’ll not keep you waiting any longer than I have to.’
Finding the woman he wanted so desperately back in his arms tested his iron control to the limit. He stepped out of her embrace so subtly she was unaware she had been rejected.
‘I suggest you retire, Ellie, it’s been a long, exciting day.’ He held her by the shoulders for a moment longer then removed his hands. ‘I’ll be gone before you rise tomorrow so I’ll say farewell now.’ He tipped her face and kissed her gently. ‘Please try and behave yourself whilst I am away; and if you need me, my man will fetch me at once.’
‘Goodbye, Leo, I’ll miss you; take care and please don’t overturn your carriage.’
‘I’ve not done so yet, so don’t see why I should do so on this journey.’ He turned and gave her a gentle push towards the door. ‘Goodnight, little one, sleep well, I’ll see you again in four weeks.’
She smiled at him, raised her hand in a farewell gesture, then retired to her room to spend her first night as a married woman, alone. She tossed sleeplessly in her large empty bed guessing that Leo was probably pacing in frustration back and forth his study until the early hours of the morning. She heard him come up and walk quietly to his room at dawn. His carriage was summoned and he left, neither of them having slept.
After his departure Eleanor finally fell asleep and lay, log-like, until she was awoken with her hot chocolate, at eight o’clock. As her maid bustled about as she sipped her drink, letting the rich, smooth drink soothe her ragged nerves.
‘Can you find me that very old habit, Mary? You know, the one you said was fit only for the bonfire.’
‘Whatever next!’ Mary exclaimed, but found the required garment without further protest. Eleanor washed and dressed in her disreputable habit and then sent Mary on a search for some boy’s boots. ‘I need some stout footwear, Mary; the sort Tom, the stable boy, has. Do you think you could find me some? I don’t wish you to take them off anybody’s feet but purchase them. You know my size well enough.’
‘Yes, my lady,’ Mary answered politely, ‘I’ll go and look for those boots right away.’
She watched her go, sad their closeness appeared to be over. She recognised that, as a married woman and a lady, even if it was only a courtesy title, the informal relationship she had had with her maid must stop. She hoped she would not now be expected to adopt a style of address that her Aunt Prudence had used for her personal maid and call Mary by her second name, Thompson.
She wondered why things couldn’t stay the same. It didn’t seem fair everything must change because she had a ring on her finger. She was still exactly the same person she had been yesterday morning. She wasn’t just thinking of her relationship with Mary.
After a solitary breakfast of toast and honey, washed down with weak tea, she was ready to tackle her Grand Plan. But first she needed to speak to Sam; he was an integral part of her scheme and she was delighted her husband had, so thoughtfully, left him behind. She sent one of the footmen in search of her unsuspecting assistant and waited impatiently for his appearance in the small salon.
Sam arrived at the same time as Mary and the boots. ‘Thank you, Mary, these are excellent. I’ll not require you until three o’clock.’
‘Very well, my lady.’ Mary bobbed a curtsy and turned to leave.
‘Oh Mary, could you continue to supervise the sewing for me? I’ll be too busy elsewhere from now on.’
‘Yes, of course; will that be all, my lady?’
Sam had been standing, watching this exchange with interest. Eleanor knew Leo had had left him behind for the sole purpose of keeping an eye on her.
‘Sam, thank you for coming so promptly,’ she began. ‘I need your help with a plan I have.’ She smiled sunnily at him.. ‘His lordship, I am sure, told you he had given me carte blanche where alterations and improvements were concerned; is that correct?’
Sam nodded. ‘Yes, my lady, I know that.’
‘Good. I intend to renovate and renew the farm cottages in the dip just before the lane reaches the village.’ She raised her head from lacing up her sturdy, brown boots. ‘Is it not a brilliant scheme, Sam?’
Sam was at a loss, a rare occurrence for him. ‘I’m not sure Lord Upminster intended you to—’ he hesitated – ‘to become involved with alterations outside the Hall itself, my lady.’
‘Oh fiddlesticks to that! He said I could alter and improve whatever I wished and I wish to improve those cottages and I need your help to do so.’ She gave him a charming, if conspiratorial, smile. ‘Anyway we should have finished long before Lord Upminster returns and what is done cannot be undone, can it?’
He could not resist her smile. ‘His lordship will be hopping mad, my lady, but I was instructed to help in any way I could, so I don’t reckon I’ll be breaking any promises.’
‘Excellent, I just knew I could count on your support. I’ve asked for the pony cart to be brought round; I’d like you to come with me to inspect what needs doing. I can see they’re in a sad state of repair but what actually has to be done, I shall leave you to decide.’ Her strangely shod feet clumped through the house and almost startled Brown as he waited to open the front door for them.
The short drive to the cottages was accomplished in less than twenty minutes.
‘Do the cottagers know their houses are to be improved, my lady?’ Sam enquired as Eleanor halted the cart, expertly, outside the dilapidated homes.
‘No, but I’m sure they will be delighted; anyone would be if their homes were to be made sound and waterproof.’
‘I hopes that you’re right, my lady; some folks don’t appreciate change,’ Sam told her.
She knew he was hoping that the occupants would refuse to cooperate and then nothing could be done and his worries would be over.
She jumped nimbly from the cart and headed for the cottage in the middle of the row. The key family resided there, for she had sometimes taken baskets of goodies to them at Aunt Prudence’s request. Sam knocked loudly at the door. She was surprised his fist had not pushed it from its hinges.
The door was opened with difficulty by a sharp eyed woman, with several small children hanging from her, clean, but well-worn skirts.
‘Good morning, Mrs Smith. Is Mr Smith at home? I would like to speak to him, if that is possible,’ Eleanor asked courteously.
Mrs Smith dropped a nominal curtsy and stepped aside. ‘You’d better come in then, my lady,’ she said, but didn’t seem especially pleased by the prospect.
She followed her into the dark interior and had to duck her head to avoid hitting it on the door frame. Sam followed her in. Smith, a man of medium height and build, greeted them politely, but with little more enthusiasm than his wife.
‘Mornin’, my lady. What can I do for you?’ His tone was correct, but not servile.
Mrs Smith remembered her manners. ‘Won’t you be seated, my l
ady? Can I get you anything?’
‘No, thank you, Mrs Smith,’ Eleanor replied. Smith had remained standing as had Sam. ‘Please do sit down, Mr Smith, I wish to talk you about something I hope you will be happy about.’
The taciturn man sat on a stool by the fire and waited patiently for her to enlighten him. ‘I would like, with your permission of course, to repair and improve this row of cottages.’
Smith gaped at her. ‘Repair? Our permission? I should say you have it, my lady. I’ve been on at the agent, Jed Timpson, but he has said that there ain’t no funds for repairs.’
Eleanor looked triumphantly at Sam. ‘So you will be happy for the cottages to be repaired, Mr Smith?’
‘I’ll say I would and so would all the rest.’
‘I realise November is not an ideal time to start repairs, but I wanted you all to be snug for Christmas.’ She stood up and indicated Sam. ‘Mr Roberts, Lord Upminster’s man, will talk to you and make note of everything that needs doing. I wish to install water, as well, in every kitchen, if that is possible.’
Smith turned to his wife in amazement. ‘You hear that, Dolly, water in here! Who’d have thought it!’
Eleanor smiled delighted her news had been well received. ‘I thought if we started the end cottage first, maybe the Bishops could move in with someone else until the work is finished. What do you think, Mr Smith?’
He beamed at her. ‘Nora, Jim and the nippers can move in with Fred and his missis the other side; they have no babes, so have more room.’
‘Excellent,’ Eleanor said, drawing on her gloves. ‘I will leave you to sort out the details with Mr Roberts, good morning.’
This time the entire family either bowed, or dropped a curtsy, every face wreathed in delighted smiles. On the journey back to Monk’s Hall Eleanor was determined to see the agent and persuade him to co-operate in her scheme as well.
The fact that Leo would be livid at her interference in his domain was something she refused to think about. Whatever his reaction, and she expected it to be bad, he could not undo any work that had been done. Knowing the five families would spend a warm and comfortable Christmas because of her actions would more than compensate for anything her formidable husband might say or do.
And anyway he wasn’t due to return for another four weeks and maybe he would have missed her so much he would overlook her behaviour completely. Even if she didn’t really believe this, it did give her a small degree of comfort.
She went in search of Jed Timpson, and her grand scheme to use her new position to better the lot of those less fortunate, swung into action.
Chapter Twelve
The finishing touches were being applied to the last cottage on the Tuesday of the fourth week of Leo’s absence. Eleanor had worked her magic and managed to involve Jed the agent as well as most of the staff from Monk’s Hall. Basingstoke had been persuaded to part with sheets, blankets and table covers that were too worn to be repaired. Then Eleanor’s seamstresses busily turned these remnants into curtains, bed covering and other things for the cottages.
Brown had been prevailed upon to send his footmen up into the attics to unearth pieces of broken and unwanted furniture. Craftsmen from the village were employed to repair and restore these items and then these were also given to the cottagers.
Eleanor had helped in whatever way she could by fetching and carrying in the pony cart as required. At no time did the tenants or villagers with whom she worked take advantage of her kindness. It did not need Sam’s presence to ensure she was treated with the utmost respect.
Up to her boot tops in mud, she stepped back to admire the completed homes. ‘I’m so pleased we’ve finished before the rain sets in, Sam. Everybody has worked so hard; I think we should hold a celebration to mark the occasion.’ Sam looked dubious. ‘Don’t frown, Sam. I wasn’t thinking of a large event. We could clear the barn the craftsmen have been working in and then put some hay bales in for seats. Then all we need is some music, food and drink.’
‘We’d best keep it short, my lady, a couple of hours would do.’
Having secured a partial victory, she was satisfied and rushed off to discuss her plans with Mrs Smith, who would organise everything for her.
The celebration was arranged for the following afternoon and ale and lemonade were to be provided by the Hall. Mrs Smith had arranged for the food to be supplied by the tenants themselves. Two fiddlers and a man with a penny whistle had volunteered to supply the music. Brown and the housekeeper agreed that any member of staff who had previously given up their own time to help in the project could have the two hours off to attend.
Eleanor was pleased with what she had achieved. For the first time she had done something worthwhile; she was proud of the work and her part in it.
Leo didn’t share her view. He returned at two o’clock on the Wednesday and found his home deserted. However, the sound of merriment could quite clearly be heard coming from one of the old barns a half mile from the Hall. As he was striding purposefully in the direction of the noise he met Jed Timpson, who greeted him happily.
‘Good afternoon, my lord, you’ve arrived in time to see the home warming party. The cottages look splendid, I’m sure you will agree.’
‘Which cottages would these be, exactly?’ Leo said silkily, only his narrowed eyes giving warning of his mood.
‘The cottages by the…’ Jed’s voice trailed away as he realised his employer knew nothing about the renovations.
‘Go on man,’ Leo said sharply, ‘I am waiting, what cottages?’
‘You didn’t know. Oh dear!’ Jed muttered. ‘I never would have, if I had known, my lord.’
‘Stop rambling, Timpson. Tell me what’s been happening in my absence, now, if you please.’ The authority in his voice sobered Jed who hastily explained what Eleanor had been up to.
‘And now they are having a little party to celebrate, my lord,’ he finished.
Leo had listened in disbelief to his normally sensible agent tell him how the whole household had been inveigled by Ellie in an escapade they must have known was not sanctioned by him. Seething with suppressed anger he strode off to the barn to confront his devious, and disappointing, wife.
Eleanor, knowing it would be very improper, had wisely refrained from joining in the celebration. She watched the twirling figures happily from the side, enjoying their uninhibited pleasure. She saw Leo striding towards her. He was not at all pleased to see her - in fact he was furious.
However angry he was, surely he would not let his disapproval spoil the party for his people? They had little enough to celebrate in the hard life they led. He walked over, with a smile of apparent approval that didn’t reach his eyes, to join her.
‘Lady Upminster, I hate to ask you to leave such a jolly occasion but I have several rather important things to tell you and require you to accompany me back to the Hall.’ His tone was calm, even friendly, but she wasn’t deceived.
She smiled brightly and stepped away from him. ‘Good afternoon, my lord, we did not expect you back so soon. Did you have a successful trip?’
‘We can discuss that, in my study, my dear,’ he said through gritted teeth. He gripped her arm firmly ensuring she could not escape. ‘We will go in now, if you please.’
She replied quietly so only he could hear. ‘I’m not going in, Leo, and unless you intend to drag me behind you I suggest you let go my arm and go away. Your scowl will spoil the party.’
Slowly he released her then, his face rigid, he said softly. ‘I will be waiting for you when you do return, Eleanor, be very sure of that.’ He walked away, smiling a greeting here and there as though he was as happy as they were about the celebration.
Mary had witnessed this exchange and forgot to address her formally. ‘Miss Ellie, you shouldn’t have said that. You should have gone with him.’
‘But he was so angry, Mary; I thought if I went later he would have had time to calm down.’ When she saw the look on her maid’s face she understood sh
e had made a grave error of judgement. ‘He’ll be even angrier now. How could I have been so stupid?’
For a minute or two she hesitated trying to decide what to do. If Mary was right, and she feared she was, the longer she left it the worse the reckoning would be. ‘I’m going in now.’ Her maid started to follow her. ‘No, stay here, enjoy the music; I’ll go back on my own.’
‘That you won’t, my lady,’ Mary told her firmly. ‘Sam Roberts can go back with you, if you don’t need me.’
Sam was found and walked across the field beside her. ‘His lordship often sounds harsher than he intends, my lady, and I’m sure he would never really hurt you, however angry he is.’
‘Thank you Sam, I am sure you’re right. It’s my own fault because I knew he would be angry; I have just made it worse by refusing to accompany him when he asked me.’
They completed the journey in silence. Some of the words Sam had spoken to allay her fears kept rattling around her skull. He had told her that Leo would not really hurt her – what had he meant? She had a nasty, sinking feeling whatever Leo had promised previously, she was in for a very unpleasant time indeed.
Sam left her at the door to face her fate alone. She decided she couldn’t go straight to the study in her faded dress and boy’s boots; she would feel a little less vulnerable wearing something more sophisticated. Not having the assistance of her maid meant it took her much longer to wash, change and tidy her hair. Leo already knew she was back because Brown, ever vigilant, had seen her going upstairs
Finally satisfied that Leo could find no fault with her appearance she prepared to go down. She was dreading the forthcoming encounter, but the pride she felt in her accomplishment was giving her courage. She would not let her fearsome husband have it all his own way.
The crash of the door slamming open made her cry out. He erupted into the room and banged it shut behind him. She stared dumbly at the stranger standing, legs apart, glaring at her, his eyes like flint.
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