Pushing the gate, they entered the grounds of the pretty, manor house with its creamy walls and cottage garden. They walked up the path bordered by lavender. “You can always come back to us,” Anne said rather wistfully.
"Thank you, darling.” Selena bent to break off a stem of lavender. It was known to be calming, but had no effect whatsoever on the excitement coursing through her. She held it to her nose. She knew that no matter how hard things became, she would never return to live here.
* * * *
The morning wedding was a small affair. Devereux wished it that way, and his bride-to-be agreed. There were only twenty guests to fill out the pews of the tiny, Bath church, with all but one from the bride's side of the family. If Bath was hoping for the ton to come en masse, they were destined to be disappointed, for only an aged bachelor uncle of Devereux's attended. If Gyles died without progeny, the family name would die with him. Selena had come to understand his need for an heir, and possibly his desire to remove himself from the dangers of war until it came about.
It seemed like a good sign when, after a week of rain, the sun came out. Anne had decorated the church with white roses, heliotrope and lavender. Festoons of flowers hung around the church door and white ribbons adorned the end of each pew.
Selena wore off-white, Mechlin lace over a slip of gossamer white satin. Her hair ornamented with a bandeau of pearls. Her mother's pearls, the something old, hung at her throat and dangled from her ears. A small diamond broach, borrowed from Anne, snuggled into the lace at her breast. Blue ribbon was sewn into the lining of her gown. She held a bouquet of full, creamy-white roses.
Devereux stood alone at the altar. He turned to watch her as Hugh escorted her down the aisle. When she reached his side, he winked. He wore a deep-blue tailcoat that highlighted his fair hair and blue eyes, fall-front grey breeches, white waistcoat, snowy frilled shirt and cravat. He looked so handsome, she almost lost her breath.
They were to honeymoon in London. Their wedding night spent at an inn just outside Reading on the way. After a simple, wedding breakfast with Anne and Hugh at their home, the newly married couple climbed into the carriage. Selena threw her bouquet into the waiting hands of one of the young girls.
As the carriage turned the corner, Gyles took her hand, smiling down at her. “That went well, didn't it?"
"Wonderful,” she said smiling back.
"Regrets?"
She shook her head.
He squeezed her hand. “You look very nice."
She had changed into a carriage dress of grey twill with three rows of silk frogs and a matching pelisse. “Thank you."
"I shall enjoy advising you on your clothes."
"Shall you?"
"One day we'll go shopping in Paris. The French fashions are incomparable."
Selena smiled and leaned back, closing her eyes. She pushed away the thought that he would be an expert on lady's fashions from underwear to outerwear. Was she to be compared to a bevy of beauties? She felt his thigh press against hers as he leaned towards her. It was enough that he wanted her. She was determined to make it a good marriage.
"You've had a very busy few days, you must be tired."
"Pleasantly so."
"Perhaps a rest before dinner?"
Did he really mean to rest? Her heart started to beat faster. Did people make love in the daylight? She felt her cheeks burn as the uncertainty returned. She felt so unprepared for this. Anne tried to advise her, but was easily embarrassed herself. Selena did know the mechanics of it. She was a country girl after all. But the idea of making love in broad daylight suddenly seemed overwhelming.
"Perhaps we could take a walk. I've seen little of the countryside around Reading,” she said.
One corner of his mouth twitched and his heavy lidded eyes gleamed. He traced her trembling lip with his finger. “Then so you shall. Tomorrow. We'll have time before we leave."
She sat ramrod straight for the rest of the trip and by the time the carriage pulled into the inn's forecourt, she felt exhausted.
The inn proved to be an excellent one with fragrant aromas wafting from the kitchens. Gyles had arranged for a bedchamber and private parlor. Selena nervously followed the servant girl up the stairs, leaving him to see to the arrangements for the morning.
While she waited for him to come, she took off her hat and gloves and neatened her hair, then sat in a chair by the fire. The best part of an hour passed. Her husband was probably drinking in the bar. At the thought, she felt unwanted, disappointed and relieved at the same time. Pleased to see dusk approaching, she lay her head against the back of the chair for a moment to rest.
She woke shivering. The room was cold and gloomy, lit by moonlight and the fire had gone out.
"Gyles?” she called, but there was no answer. She fumbled at the table, found a candle and lit it. She held it high and walked around the room. Her trunk was still unpacked where the servant had left it. She went to the window. Down below, the courtyard was shadowy and still. She opened the door, but the inn was dark. Everyone had gone to bed.
Retreating to the bed, she crawled under the covers. She lay tossing and turning until a cock crowed and a watery sun rose in the sky. The inn was stirring. A stagecoach had pulled in and departed again, loaded up with trunks, bandboxes and passengers heading for London. She went down to the coffee room. “Have you seen my husband, Lord Devereux?” she asked a servant girl.
"Ye husband? ‘e left yesterday."
"He left? You must be mistaken."
She shook her head. “'e was outside the inn, and I saw a carriage come for ‘im. Not long after you arrived."
"You saw him get into a carriage?"
"When the carriage was gone, so was ‘e."
Selena sat down with a thump. She'd been deserted before her marriage even began. By law, he was now in possession of her fortune and she could nothing about it.
Shame caused her face to burn like fire as an icy dread spread from her stomach up through her chest. She knew this was not a love match, but she never expected such shabby treatment from him. She'd thought she'd seen something in him, a nobility of spirit. But she'd been wrong.
"Please alert the coachman to bring the Earl's carriage to the door, please,” she said, rising and smoothing her skirts.
The girl studied her curiously. “Certainly y'ladyship."
Selena swallowed as she felt bile rise. It was ironic. She had given up her fortune for a Title. She bit her lip as a slow burning anger took hold of her. She would not go home disgraced to be a burden on her sister.
There was no sign of Gyles’ baggage. When the carriage arrived, she had her luggage brought down. “I wish to go to Halcrow Hall.” she instructed the coachman.
He shook his head. “I'm to take you back to Bath, my lady."
"Not Bath thank you, Barnes. Halcrow Hall,” she repeated. It was now her home and she would live in it, whether Gyles wanted her there or not.
"Certainly, my lady."
Selena felt she couldn't ask him if her husband left any instructions and the coachman didn't offer any. She climbed in and leaned back against the squab, then dug into her reticule for her handkerchief to stem the tears threatening to fall.
In the late afternoon, the carriage turned through the gates of Halcrow Hall and her stomach began to churn afresh. She'd been so angry she hadn't thought things through. What if he was here and wanted her gone?
She wiped her eyes and tucked a stray curl away. She couldn't believe it of him. There was a lot she could believe, but not this. He was wild and unreliable, but not cruel. He had promised never to be deliberately cruel, hadn't he?
The carriage wound its way through the home wood. It was so overgrown and gloomy, she saw only brief glimpses of the sky and neither bird nor animal made an appearance. As her spirits sank to her boots, they emerged into the sunlight again. They were on the crest of a hill. The road wound down to a fast flowing river and a stone bridge. The roof and chimneys of a great, state
ly home appeared above the horizon.
They crossed the stone bridge and climbed the hill. Reaching the top, parklands stretched away for miles. The carriage rattled along a road as straight as an arrow, bordered by gnarled, ancient oak trees. The majestic old house lay at the far end. The going was rough, the road bumpy and rutted. A wheel hit a deep hole and the carriage tilted alarmingly. Selena heard the coachman curse as he cracked his whip. They passed gardens choked with bramble and wild roses. Ivy strangled everything in its path and moss painted the classical statues green. The original shape of the topiary hedges was but a memory.
As they approached the old Elizabethan house with its mullioned windows, towers, oriels and large ornamented chimney stacks, Selena saw with shock that ivy had grown unchecked over the walls, covering some of the ground floor windows. Upstairs, window shutters hung from broken, rusted hinges. She felt sure the massive roof would have slates broken, and the rooms inside moldy with damp.
The whole place seemed eerily silent and deserted. The carriage pulled up in front and the coachman assisted her down then went to remove her luggage.
The front door remained closed.
Selena climbed the steps to the door and seized the brass knocker, wrapping once. She heard the noise echo throughout the house. Minutes passed before footsteps approached. She took a deep breath as the door was unlatched and creaked open.
A silver-haired man in a rusty, black coat and pantaloons stood there. He looked surprised. “Yes?"
"I am Lady Devereux. Can you have my luggage brought in, please?"
"Certainly, my lady.” The man clapped his hands.
A dark-haired youth rushed from the direction of the stables. “Bring Lady Devereux's luggage, Joseph. Take it to the yellow suite."
"Right you are then,” Joseph said. He raised his hat. “You're the new lady of the house."
She nodded.
"This place sure needs a woman's touch,” Joseph said, hefting her trunk onto his shoulder.
"Enough of your lip, Joseph,” the butler said. “This way, my lady."
Selena followed him into the Great Hall and stopped, gasping at the extravagant oak carving, the tapestries and the armor.
"How wonderful,” she murmured, feeling crushed by its size and dilapidated magnificence.
"It was built by Robert Devereux, Sixth Earl of Halcrow, in 1601,” the butler said his voice ringing with pride. “The tapestries represent mythological subjects. They form part of a set of Brussels tapestries of the seventeenth century, the previous Lady Devereux brought from France as part of her dowry."
She followed him up the oak staircase, each pillar topped by an ornately carved figure.
"You'll have to excuse Joseph, my lady. He is not used to having anyone stay in the house. But he's eager to learn."
"I'm sure he is."
She'd been right. Fingers of mold crept through the cracks in the carved plaster ceilings. They walked along a portrait gallery that appeared to run the length of the house. It contained the history of her husband's family and she was keen to return and study each painting, convinced that the secrets to Gyles’ character lay there.
The butler opened a door and stood aside for Selena to enter. She walked into the center of the room removing her gloves and looked around. The stately, yellow suite was in a sad state of repair, and a musty smell hung in the air here also. The yellow silk Chinoiserie bed curtains were grey with dust. The walls covered in faded green wallpaper. But the Aubusson carpet seemed in good order and the graceful, French furniture thankfully had survived possibly years of neglect. Under the window, a dainty desk on curvy legs sat ready for correspondence. Gilt wood side tables and chairs were placed around the room, and by the fire sat a fine, deep rose velvet chair, carved and gilded. It was a woman's room.
"Was this Lady Devereux's room?” she asked the butler.
"Why yes, my lady."
Selena removed her pelisse and bonnet and metaphorically rolled up her sleeves. She went to the windows and threw them open. The view over the south aspect was both magnificent and heart-rending. The garden was a series of forecourts, parterres, arcades, fountains and terraces leading away from the house towards an ornamental lake in the distance, all neglected and overgrown.
She turned back to the butler. “I don't know your name."
"It's Frobisher, my lady."
"We have a lot of work ahead of us, Frobisher."
The man's eyes lit up. “Yes, my lady."
"We may as well start with this room.” Selena ran her finger along the top of a table and dust swirled into the air. “Send two servants to clean. But first, please have a luncheon tray sent up. A light collation shall suffice."
"As you wish, my lady."
"After luncheon, I shall meet the staff. Then I'll view the rest of the house."
"In the house, there's just me, Joseph, cook, that's Mrs. Marshall, Sarah, the up-stairs maid and Alice, who does downstairs and helps cook."
"My goodness. Sarah and I shall have to make do, then.” Selena was shocked to think such a small staff ran Halcrow. No wonder it was in such a state.
She watched as Sarah opened her trunk and removed her trousseau gowns from their silver paper. Gyles had not liked her going-away costume that much was plain. He felt pearls didn't suit her. He just didn't admire her looks. There was little she could about it and she refused to dwell on it.
She was so consumed with what needed to be done, she hadn't stopped to consider that this was Gyles’ childhood home. She looked out the window and envisaged the small, blond boy playing with a ball in the grounds. She would have to seek out his bedchamber, and the nursery. There may be clues to his past and his present whereabouts. She wanted to ask the staff if they'd had word from him, but was embarrassed and afraid the answer may cause her momentum to falter. When he did finally come home, she planned to be ready for him.
She was told that Gyles used the blue suite when at home. She found it cleaner and better cared for than the rest of the house. His clothes were folded neatly in the drawers of the mahogany armoire. The room still needed a thorough clean, however. She would make sure the carpets were taken up, the windows and walls washed down and the furniture polished. Freshly aired, clean bed linen would be changed regularly until he returned. A fire lay ready to be lit at a moment's notice. Strange, there was nothing even as personal as a snuff box in the room.
Her first job would be to employ servants, workmen and gardeners. The sooner the better. Heavens, then there were the stables and the home farm to see to. If the lunch that was sent up to her was anything to go by, there was a good supply of fresh produce. The mushroom soup was creamy and the chicken pie delicious, with a flaky pastry light as air. Only the hands of an accomplished cook could produce it. Selena ate heartily at a small table placed close to the fire. She hadn't eaten since her wedding breakfast the day before and even then she had been too excited to do more than nibble.
She was pleased that cook was so competent. It would make things much easier, not to have to put anyone off. She already liked most of the staff who wandered the vast mansion like ghosts. Lord Devereux came very seldom of late, Frobisher told her. Said the place made him miserable.
As well it might, she thought.
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Chapter Three
A month had passed since Selena first arrived at Halcrow Hall. She still hadn't heard a word from Gyles. During the daytime, she was so busy she barely gave him a thought. The nights, however, were interminably long. She sat down at the desk in her room many times, rising without putting pen to paper. Apart from a brief note to tell her relatives that she was here at Halcrow Hall and feeling well, she'd said nothing more. She'd received a letter from Anne asking why they hadn't gone to London. She was relieved to learn that Anne was keeping well and wrote back immediately. She didn't tell her what had happened, because she knew it would bring Hugh running. And that was the last thing she wanted.
She made a th
orough search of the house for anything that might give her clues to Gyles’ whereabouts. The nursery, still with the cricket bats, balls and wooden toys of two small boys, had almost disappeared under a thick layer of dust. It obviously hadn't been visited in years. She picked up a much-loved, one-armed teddy bear and tears came into her eyes. This confused her. She loathed Gyles for what he'd done to her, didn't she? It was just that she knew Gyles’ younger brother had been killed ten years ago in a riding accident. Both parents had never recovered from the grief of losing their favorite child, or so Gyles had told her.
As soon as word was put out that Halcrow Hall was to be restored, a long line of people formed at the door seeking work. Frobisher showed them in to Selena, one at a time, to be interviewed. She hired a housekeeper, a Mrs. Lillicrop, to replace the last one who'd apparently thrown up hands in despair and departed months ago to live with her brother's family, two new stable hands to work with Joseph, three men to assist the head gardener and a new under-gardener. Sarah was made lady's maid and three more young girls were employed about the house, plus another kitchen hand to work with Mrs. Marshall.
It was a start. Selena engaged the services of a dozen workmen. Carpenters to mend broken fences and shutters and replace rotted timbers, laborers to work with the gardeners, stripping off the ivy and doing the heavy work in the grounds, painters needed for every room, roofers to patch up leaks and replace broken slate, and stonemasons to repair walls and paths and fill the holes in the carriageway.
Concentrating on the reception rooms and a mere handful of bedrooms, Selena donned an apron and supervised the work. The carpets and rugs were beaten over a line in the open air. The furniture polished until she could see her face in it. Most responded to her enthusiasm, because it was good for the village too.
Selena spent hours putting the accounts and pensions in order. She purchased a horse for her to ride about the estate. She restocked the home farm with two more cows for milking, pigs, chickens, ducks and geese. She discussed the planting of vegetables with the head gardener and menus with Mrs. Marshall.
Love and War Page 2