“I have to tell you that Dr. Fairfield will not be returning. Unfortunately, he has had to return to his estates in Hertfordshire earlier than expected. This is a great shock to all of us and he will be sorely missed.”
Serena scrambled to her feet, her face white. “You lied to us, Melza. It’s your fault he’s gone. He would have stayed if you’d been nicer to him.”
The boys joined their sister by the door. Tom clutched Serena’s hand. “We don’t like you any more, Melza. You’ve made Uncle Lucas break his promise and you’ve told us lies.”
Before she could stop them, they vanished through the French doors. She gathered up her skirts and ran after them but they dodged around the house and vanished. She hurried to the stables, their favourite place. “Silas, have you seen the children?”
The groom looked up and scratched his head. “No, miss, don’t reckon I have. Ain’t they in the schoolroom?”
“No, they have run off. Please let me know at once if they come here.”
He touched his cap and she continued her search, but in vain. She looked everywhere and despite her constant calling they did not respond. Where could they be? She even went down to the beach but to no avail. Eventually she returned to the house to be greeted by Martha.
“Let them be, my dear. They will come around. Children are resilient; they will not bear a grudge I promise you.” Martha patted Demelza’s hand. “I shall go after them in a while. It’s hardly surprising they are upset at your news. Indeed, I find myself equally perturbed. I did not take to the young man at first, but thought him here to stay. I believe that…” Martha dabbed her eyes. “Indeed, my dear, I actually encouraged the romance between you.”
“I beg you, Martha, please don’t talk about it. What’s done is done. I must learn to live without him. I believe you were going to the vicarage this afternoon. I must find the children and put matters right and you must attend your meeting as planned.”
“At least you have sufficient funds to complete the improvements. So however sad you are at the moment, my dear girl, you must not regret his coming.”
Martha was correct. She would never be sorry she’d met him. He had brought laughter back into the house and given her Martha; she would not repine on what she had lost but remind herself of what they had all gained.
The staff must know the news but they seemed far less upset than the children, which was puzzling. She had expected her mood of despondency to be reflected by everyone else. She was waylaid by Jethro and Molly as she hurried through the kitchen for the second time.
“Miss Tregorran, we’s wanting to talk to you after supper, Jethro and me. If that be all right.”
Puzzled, Demelza paused. “Of course. But not before matters have been put right with the children.”
Jethro nodded and sucked his empty clay pipe. “Don’t you fret, my lovely, them three will come to no harm.”
“I do hope you’re right.”
She was too distressed to enquire why they wished to speak to her later.
She must put it all behind her and move forward for the sake of the children. However, images of Lucas constantly filled her head.
What was he doing now? Was he striding about his vast estates without a care in the world?
No, he was not so shallow — he still had his family’s untimely deaths to think about. That was enough trouble for any man. She prayed he would find happiness one day and be able to look back on his short time in Cornwall with pleasure.
The children were still avoiding her. They came in briefly to snatch a bite at midday but ran off again immediately. Supper time would come soon; hopefully they would be hungry and come in. She would walk to the beach and give them time to eat before she went in for her meal. Martha was waiting in the house.
She didn’t have the energy to scramble down the path, so sat at the top gazing out to sea. A slight scuffle behind her made her jump. She looked around but saw nothing. Then the gorse bushes parted and a row of little faces peered through.
“We’ve come to fetch you back for supper,” Serena said as she held back the prickly branches to let her brothers through. “We’re all sorry for being horrid to you. We know you miss Lucas even more than we do. Mrs. Smith told us.”
Tears trickled down Demelza’s cheeks as she hugged them to her. “And I’m sorry too.”
“Can we have a puppy for our name day next week?” Tom nudged his brother and they both smiled hopefully.
“I suppose I shall have to tell you: I’ve already selected one. Shall we all go in the trap and collect him tomorrow morning?”
Her suggestion was greeted with shrieks of excitement. Only Serena looked serious. “A puppy is not the same as having Lucas here with us.”
“I know, sweetheart, but it will help us come to terms with losing him.” She kissed her sister and stood up. Hand in hand, they strolled back to the house. Demelza thanked God at least matters were put right within her own family.
She supposed she would never leave Tregorran House. When the boys married and wished to bring home their brides, there would be ample accommodation for all of them. She would be both aunt and substitute grandmother to any children they produced. She brushed away unwanted tears; she would never hold her own children.
The supper table was subdued. The boys were exhausted after having been outside all day and Serena was thoughtful. In future, meals would be taken informally; even Martha was happy to eat in the kitchen with the children. The dining room held too many memories for them all.
Hot water had been heated in the copper and the boys took a bath in front of the kitchen range. Serena settled for a jug of hot water.
“Here, I’ll take that for you, Serena. You go on up, my lovely, your sister be wanting a quiet sit down,” Josie suggested.
Tonight Demelza tucked the boys into bed. “Mrs. Smith will be along directly to tell you a story. I must go down; Molly and Jethro wish to speak to me.”
She hesitated outside the kitchen. Jethro was in the yard checking the journeymen had completed their tasks satisfactorily but she could hear him stomping back across the cobbles. She was drained. Too much had happened in the past few days and she was not eager to talk about the situation again. She straightened her shoulders and marched in.
Molly was standing by the open back door but turned as Demelza entered.
“What is it you wished to say to me, Molly?”
Jethro limped in and doffed his cap. “It’s like this, Miss Tregorran. Jethro and me want to say a word or two, if you’ll let us.”
“Please, Molly, you must speak freely.” Demelza hid her smile. The housekeeper and her husband seldom did anything else.
Chairs scraped as they sat. Jethro cleared his throat, but said nothing. Molly spoke for both of them. “It’s like this, miss, we’re happy here and don’t want to leave. But what we want to know is what will happen to us when your young man comes back? He’ll want to marry you. He’ll not want to stop here, not a gent like him.”
Demelza stared from one to the other unable to form a coherent sentence. “I don’t think you fully understand, Dr. Fairfield won’t be returning. He has duties elsewhere.”
She expected them to look shocked, to sympathise, but they didn’t. Jethro broke the silence.
“He’ll be back, never you fret, my lovely. He’ll soon realise where his true duties are. So, will you be a going with him when he comes?”
“Please understand: Dr. Fairfield and I have agreed we do not suit. He must marry a young lady from a different background. I must get on with my life here and forget about him; you must do the same.”
This conversation was most inappropriate but there was no stopping Molly. “I reckon you do yourself down, miss. When you was dressed up in your fancy clothes you weren’t no different than them ladies in grand houses. That young man of yours is head over ears in love with you. He’ll not be able to stay away; you mark my words, he’ll be back.”
“How kind of you to say so, Molly. Bu
t this is where I belong, where generations of Tregorrans have lived. The estate is my brothers’ heritage and I must stay here and manage matters for them.”
Jethro shoved back his chair. “I don’t reckon places is as important as people, miss. I’m a going outside to smoke my pipe.”
Demelza left the kitchen more confused than ever. They were correct, Lucas did love her and she loved him. Circumstances had conspired against them; their separation was nobody’s fault.
Martha joined her in the drawing room and the remainder of the evening passed in talking of the future. Together, they would make a life for themselves. With Martha’s financial input, the annuity and the money that Lucas had left, they would be able to live comfortably. With luck the estate would be self-supporting once more.
She went to bed happier than she’d been earlier in the day. The children were sleeping soundly and the house quiet. She examined her hands in the candlelight; they were less red and work-roughened than they had been two weeks ago. She must complete her sewing and continue to update all their wardrobes.
If one day Lucas returned, he would find them changed. Her desire to become more ladylike was for him. Perhaps when he saw the children well-dressed, not raking about in faded clothes up to their knees in mud, he might reconsider his decision and include them in his offer.
Jethro was right. She could trace her ancestry back hundreds of years. Tregorrans had always lived in this neighbourhood. Although she might not be as grand as families who lived in the Home Counties she could hold her head up proudly in any drawing room if she had to. The children loved Lucas and she had believed he reciprocated their feelings.
Why didn’t he want them in his life?
The next day, she was completing a list of tasks for Josie and Betty when her attention was attracted by two small faces pressed against the window. She smiled. “I’m sorry, Molly. I will have to finish this later. Get the girls to start on the first items. There’s plenty to keep them busy for today.”
Collecting her bonnet and reticule, she hurried around to the stable yard. Bessie was already between the shafts and the children were bouncing up and down on the seat, waiting for her. There was no sign of Martha.
“Is Mrs. Smith not coming with us?”
“No, she’s going down to the village to collect a mysterious parcel,” Tom said nudging his brother.
“Is she fetching us a gift, Melza?”
“It’s rude to ask such things, Jack. You must wait until Saturday.” Serena caught Demelza’s eye and her lips curved in a secret smile.
Obviously, her sister was involved in whatever Martha was fetching. “I’m sorry I’m tardy. Do you have something in which to put the dog? I vividly recall Patch having no control over his bodily functions for the first month or two.”
Her comment sent the children into fits of giggles and she scrambled up, laughing with them. Untying the reins, she clicked her tongue and the trap rolled forward, bumping noisily over the cobbles until it reached the drive.
The return journey was enlivened by the little bundle of black and white fur doing his best to jump out of the vehicle. “Children, you must hold that scrap more securely. Poor Bessie is becoming quite agitated by the rocking and bouncing.”
“Scrap — that’s what we’ll call him,” Serena said clutching the wriggling puppy to her chest. “Scrap, settle down, Melza’s getting cross with you.”
The puppy licked Serena’s hand, wagged his tail and fell fast asleep. He must like his new name. “At last. I’ve never known so much energy in something so small. Whatever you do, boys, don’t wake Scrap up again.” Demelza reminded them.
“He’s made a puddle on the floor, Melza,” Jack said gleefully.
“Never mind; it will soon dry in the sunshine. But remember, you three have promised faithfully to clear up his little mistakes if they occur indoors.”
Tregorran House glowed in the afternoon sunshine; the grey slates shone and the leaded windows sparkled. She tried to be happy, to enjoy the moment, but found it hard.
Serena handed the sleeping dog to her brothers to take care of. “You said that I could drive once we were home, can I do it now?”
“Yes, I shall get down here and walk. You can take Bessie round to the stables. Silas and Bill will be waiting to take care of her. I shan’t be long. I just need a little time to myself.”
She watched the old mare walk amiably toward the yard. In fact, the animal would have gone without any guidance but Serena was enjoying the feel of the ribbons in her hands. What they needed to raise their spirits was a party. There hadn’t been a celebration of any sort since her mother had been taken ill and that was just after the boys were born. She would invite her friends and neighbours and have a garden party. There would be jugglers for the children and dancing for the adults.
Her steps quickened and by the time she reached the house she was running. “Martha, are you back? We have a party to organise and only two days to do it.”
“I hesitated to suggest it, but I thought exactly the same thing myself. We cannot afford anything lavish, but we can invite some of the local children so the boys can play games.”
“No, I want to invite everyone. We used to do this at harvest time. Folk from the village all bring a contribution so the expense will be negligible.”
When she put the idea to her staff, they were enthusiastic. By teatime everything was planned and Jethro sent down to the village to spread the word. There was no need to send out invitations. Anyone who wished to could attend the event.
Scrap seemed content to curl up in his wooden box in the corner of the scullery and the children skipped off to bed as if nothing untoward had happened. Demelza wished she could shrug Lucas’s departure off so easily. Whilst she had been busy writing lists and issuing instructions she scarcely had time to dwell on her sadness.
But now, alone in the darkness, her tears fell freely. Her pillow was sodden before she eventually fell asleep.
Lucas realised Bruno was reluctant to leave Tregorran. The gelding hung his head and refused to do more than a lumbering canter and he hadn’t the heart to use his whip to urge him faster. In this fashion they meandered onward, overnighting at a disreputable roadside inn where he was convinced he’d picked up crawlers. On reaching Plymouth, he booked into the same hostelry he’d stayed at previously. The landlord greeted him with unexpected enthusiasm.
“Mr. Fairfield, a letter has arrived this morning by express and as you didn’t leave your direction I didn’t know what to do with it. I’m right glad I can hand it over.” The portly innkeeper passed over an impressive package liberally dotted with sealing wax. Lucas frowned.
What now? Had some other disaster overtaken the estate?
Not wishing to peruse the contents under the curious eyes of the landlord he strode outside and found himself a quiet corner before breaking the seals. He scanned the contents with growing disbelief.
How could this be?
He’d always thought his brother a prudent man, that he held the family estates as a sacred trust for future generations of Fairfield.
How could he have invested so poorly? Lucas read the letter a second time. He shook his head. Everything was gone — the estates, the farms — all gambled away.
God’s teeth!
This changed everything. He didn’t have to return to Hertfordshire; he could go back to Tregorran.
His personal fortune was more than adequate to support the family. Surely Demelza wouldn’t refuse him now she didn’t have to leave her beloved home?
Lucas returned to the inn and told the landlord he would be leaving first thing. Bruno needed to rest or he wouldn’t be fit to ride in the morning. He must write to his lawyers immediately. He would get the missive on a mail coach when he went to look for a jeweller — where he could purchase a betrothal ring.
Saturday dawned bright and clear and Demelza got up eagerly for the first time since Lucas had abandoned her. The boys had received new outfits from her, t
wo storybooks from Martha and a paint box and paper from Serena. Scrap was still their favourite present. The puppy, despite his frequent unpleasant mishaps, was already loved by everyone.
The party was planned for midday. High tide came in early evening and the men would need to take out their fishing boats. A makeshift band of musicians would play lively jigs, and there would be a fire eater and stilt walker. Also there would be bobbing for apples, pin the tail on the donkey and various other treats for the children.
Every guest had brought a contribution to the feast and soon the wooden tables were laden with good food. Demelza had supplied several barrels of cider and small beer, and there was lemonade for the children. By the time the food and drink was consumed, the final game played and the guests departed, the sun was slowly sinking below the cliffs.
“Well, boys, did you enjoy your anniversary?”
“We did, but Uncle Lucas promised he would be here. I thought grownups always kept their word.”
“I’m sure he would have liked to be here. Now, you must come inside and wash your hands and faces. I think you can forego your story tonight. There’s been more than enough excitement for one day.”
Even Serena did not protest at being sent to bed early. The children were exhausted and Josie took them up. The day had been successful and she had almost managed to forget her sadness.
“Why don’t you go down to the beach, my dear? The fresh air and solitude will do you good. I shall sit on the terrace and read my book. Josie is upstairs and will take care of the boys if they need anything,” Martha suggested.
“I will, thank you. I’ve not been down since he left, but this evening I think I would enjoy a walk.” She stared down at her dainty slippers. “I shall change my footwear first. I should really change my gown as well, sitting on the sand will not improve this new muslin.”
Martha smiled. “I fear it’s already mired with sticky fingers; a little sand will not make matters worse. I’m sure Betty will remove the damage when she launders your dress tomorrow. Run along and change your shoes. The light will soon be gone and that cliff path is too steep to be climbing then.”
A Cornish Maid Page 9