Songs of Love and War

by Santa Montefiore

  ‘Who was he meeting in that farmhouse?’ Adeline pondered.

  ‘The day is for the living, the night is for the dead,’ said Laurel.

  ‘What was he up to, do you think?’ Adeline narrowed her eyes. ‘I’d put money on a woman being involved.’

  ‘A woman he wants to hide,’ added Hazel excitedly. ‘A Catholic woman.’

  ‘On the Dunashee road? I very much doubt it,’ said Hubert. ‘Driscoll says he wants to come and talk to me this morning.’

  ‘Did he say why?’ Adeline asked.

  ‘No.’

  ‘I can’t think how you can be of help.’

  ‘Neither can I,’ said Hubert.

  ‘Oh dear,’ said Hazel. ‘He was such a charming man.’

  ‘And handsome,’ Laurel added.

  ‘He was a gentleman. What a shame. We shall miss his company,’ said Hazel. She grinned behind her teacup. ‘I might be mistaken, but I could have sworn he took a shine to us.’

  Kitty was lying on Elspeth’s bed, discussing her sister’s impending wedding, when Bridie knocked on the door. ‘I have a note for you, Miss Kitty,’ she said, reminding herself that she had to treat Kitty with due respect when they weren’t alone. ‘Colonel Manley has been killed,’ she announced, watching the two girls sit up in astonishment.

  ‘Killed? When?’ Kitty asked.

  ‘Last night. An ambush, they’re saying.’

  ‘Goodness, how dreadful!’ Elspeth gasped. ‘Does Papa know?’

  ‘I think the whole of Ballinakelly knows by now, Miss Elspeth,’ said Bridie.

  ‘To think it could have happened on the road to dinner with Grandpa,’ said Elspeth.

  ‘I don’t think the Ballinakelly road would be suitable for an ambush,’ said Kitty. She looked at the writing on the envelope and recognized it at once. It was from Jack.

  ‘Who’s the note from?’ Elspeth asked.

  ‘I don’t know. I’ll read it later,’ Kitty said dismissively, slipping it into her pocket. ‘I think lace, Elspeth. After all, it’ll be spring and lace is so pretty.’

  Bridie left the room. She wondered who the note was from. The delivery boy who had brought it had asked especially for her and given her instructions to get it to Kitty without delay. Bridie had a horrible feeling that Michael and Sean were involved in the murder. She’d heard them discussing it often enough. If they were caught they’d be shot, for certain. If they were even suspected they’d be arrested and tortured. The only hope was that everyone in Co. Cork wanted Manley dead and they couldn’t arrest everyone.

  Later, when Kitty was alone, she opened Jack’s note. You were with Lady Rowan-Hampton last night at her house. A dinner just for the two of you. Beef and potatoes. You arrived at eight and left at eleven. J. Kitty was so shocked that Jack had something to do with Colonel Manley’s murder that she read the note again. Why did she have to pretend that she had dined at Grace’s house? Was she under suspicion? Surely, she could just as easily tell the truth, that she had had dinner alone with Elspeth and Harry while her parents dined at the castle with the Reverend and Mrs Daunt. Anyway, why would they suspect her? As for Jack, her heart began to pound as she thought of the danger he was in. Killing Colonel Manley was akin to treason. The people involved would undoubtedly be shot, if they could find them. Kitty knew enough to know how hard it was to find the rebels when the entire Irish population rallied around them. But how would the Black and Tans avenge their colonel’s killing?

  Later that morning Lieutenant Driscoll’s car drew up with two Army vehicles full of Auxiliaries and Tans. They were taking no chances now. While his men stood guard at the front door and patrolled the gardens, Driscoll was shown into the library where Hubert was waiting for him. ‘Good morning, Lord Deverill,’ said Driscoll.

  ‘Good morning, Lieutenant Driscoll. What a business. Please, take a seat.’

  O’Flynn closed the door and the two men were left alone. Driscoll sat down opposite Hubert, who popped a cigar between his teeth and proceeded to light it. ‘Yes indeed, it is a sickening example of what these people are capable of. Colonel Manley was an honest man, dedicated to his job. We’ve lost a fine man, Lord Deverill.’

  ‘You certainly have. As you know he was a regular guest at my dining table. So, how can I help you?’

  ‘I trust that we are quite alone,’ said Driscoll, looking around warily.

  ‘We are.’

  ‘Then let me speak frankly.’ He leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees, knitting his fingers. ‘We have reason to suspect Colonel Manley went to meet a woman yesterday evening.’

  Hubert raised his eyebrows; Adeline had been right. ‘Go on.’

  ‘This woman has been under suspicion for a while. We’ve been watching her closely. Suffice to say she has been seen to have Fenian friends in Dublin. Colonel Manley wanted to keep her close. We believe he was on his way to meet her, just the two of them, for an . . .’ He hesitated, searching for the right word. ‘Amorous rendezvous. That’s why he went without a full escort. We have reason to believe she was the bait, but she claims she was at home yesterday evening.’

  ‘So how can I help you?’

  ‘You are a friend of hers, Lord Deverill, and while her husband was in London, she claims she was in the company of your granddaughter last night, Miss Kitty.’

  ‘Well, who is she, this scarlet woman?’ Hubert chuckled on his cigar.

  ‘Lady Rowan-Hampton.’

  The smoke caught in Hubert’s throat and he coughed. ‘Good God, man, she’s no Fenian. What an idea! Blarney, that’s what it is. But if you want to speak to my granddaughter, I’ll gladly send for her.’

  ‘If you will. I’d like to clear this up as a matter of urgency.’

  When Kitty received the summons she walked through the gardens to the castle with a thumping heart. She had burned Jack’s note, but she had read it so many times the words were impressed on her memory. Why did she need an alibi when she had one already? She was guilty of nothing. And why did she have to say she was with Grace? The mere mention of Grace’s name made her stomach curdle.

  She was shocked by the number of Auxiliaries surrounding the castle. Alert and jumpy, with their fingers on their triggers, they looked as if they had laid siege. They let her pass and she strode through the hall to the library where her grandfather and Lieutenant Driscoll were waiting.

  She shook Driscoll’s plump hand and sat down on the sofa. ‘Lieutenant Driscoll wants to ask you a few questions,’ said Hubert. ‘You are aware that Colonel Manley was killed last night, are you not?’

  ‘Yes, Grandpa,’ she replied, keeping her voice steady.

  ‘I apologize for the intrusion, Miss Deverill. I’m just following orders. All I need to know is where you were yesterday evening.’

  ‘You don’t think I had anything to do with Colonel Manley’s death, do you?’ she asked, shocked.

  She looked at Driscoll. His round face was smooth and pink, like a schoolboy’s, his fair hair greased back off his forehead. As she stared at him she sensed, to her horror, that it wasn’t she who was under suspicion but Grace. She didn’t need the alibi, Grace did. In that brief moment time stood still. She saw her father through the crack in the bedroom door, his hips thrusting back and forth like an animal as he took the woman she had always admired. She felt the hatred rise from her stomach to burn her throat, followed by a surge of power. She knew then that she had the chance to get rid of Grace Rowan-Hampton once and for all. If she was involved in Colonel Manley’s murder Grace would go to prison at the very least. But Kitty looked into Lieutenant Driscoll’s eyes and replied, ‘I was with Lady Rowan-Hampton.’ It felt like a dream, as if she were disconnected from her body and floating above it, detached, impassive.

  ‘At her house?’

  ‘Yes, at her house. Why, am I in trouble?’ She looked at her grandfather, eyes wide and innocent.

  ‘Not at all, my dear.’ Hubert turned to Lieutenant Driscoll. ‘Will that be all?’

  Lieut
enant Driscoll nodded. He sighed as if disappointed that that particular line of enquiry had led him nowhere. ‘Yes, that will be all. Thank you for your time, Miss Deverill.’ He replaced his cap.

  ‘I’m dreadfully sorry about Colonel Manley. He was a charming man,’ said Kitty.

  ‘Yes he was,’ said Lieutenant Driscoll, standing up. He walked to the door, but as he turned the handle he seemed to remember something. ‘Miss Deverill, one more thing. What did you have for supper?’

  Kitty returned his stare with her own steady gaze. ‘Beef. I hate beef. It was overcooked and chewy.’ This satisfied and disheartened Lieutenant Driscoll in equal measure.

  When he had gone Kitty rounded on her grandfather. ‘What was that all about?’

  ‘I know, preposterous. I told him Grace had nothing to do with it.’

  ‘What’s she accused of?’

  ‘Being the bait. They’ve seen her mixing with the enemy in Dublin, so they say. Apparently they’ve been watching her for some time. They believe she arranged to meet Manley for a romantic liaison at the old farmhouse along the Dunashee road last night, then, when he turned up, she or her accomplices knifed him. I’ve never heard anything more ridiculous in my life. Grace is a lady, an English lady, not a Shinner. Wait till Ronald hears of this.’

  An image floated into Kitty’s mind of Colonel Manley thrusting into Grace instead of her father and she promptly sat down again, feeling suddenly light-headed. Then another image replaced it, that of Grace in the farmhouse on the Dunashee road with a knife hidden in her skirt.

  Kitty returned to the Hunting Lodge and hastily changed into her riding habit. ‘Where are you going?’ Elspeth asked, entering her bedroom.

  ‘I need to get some air.’

  Elspeth looked disappointed. She wanted to continue discussing her wedding. ‘What did Grandpa want you for?’

  ‘He’s worried about the Shrubs,’ Kitty improvised.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘They never go out any more because they’re frightened of the Shinners. They think they’re going to get murdered like Colonel Manley.’

  ‘I don’t think anyone’s going to murder two defenceless old ladies.’

  ‘Just what I said,’ Kitty lied, pinning her hat onto her head.

  ‘I suppose we could take them into Ballinakelly one afternoon. They won’t be so frightened if they’re with us.’

  ‘Quite.’ Kitty was brisk. She had already grown bored of her lie. ‘I’ll see you later.’

  ‘You’re not going into Ballinakelly on your own, are you?’ Elspeth looked worried.

  ‘No. I’m going over the hills.’

  ‘Are you sure you’re safe on your own? Shouldn’t you take Harry with you?’

  ‘Perfectly safe. God help the Shinner who takes me on.’ She laughed and left the room.

  Kitty galloped over the hills to Grace’s house. Sheep and cows grazed peacefully on thick, lush grass, unmoved by the cold. As she rode she felt her anger release on the wind, as if it had fingers to snatch her resentment and take it away. As she galloped she felt her love for Ireland swell in her heart like an expanding balloon. The more she looked around her, at the wild and rocky countryside, the bigger the balloon grew until she laughed out loud with unrestrained joy. Spurring her horse on she jumped a stone wall, delighting in the risk, believing herself too accomplished ever to fall.

  When she reached Grace’s large, grey-stone manor, she dismounted at the stable and handed her horse to the groom. Taking off her gloves as she went, she marched into the house through the front door. ‘I’ve come to see Lady Rowan-Hampton,’ she announced to the butler, who looked surprised and a little uncomfortable as Kitty strode past him without waiting in the hall as was customary.

  ‘I will just go and inform her ladyship,’ said the butler, hurrying after her.

  ‘Grace!’ Kitty shouted. Before the butler could reach the sitting room, Grace appeared in the doorway. She looked pale and tired around the eyes, but her crimson dress and green cardigan revealed her usual penchant for colour. Kitty couldn’t imagine she’d have the nerve to thrust a knife into a man.

  ‘It’s all right, Brennan. Would you bring us some tea?’

  ‘Yes, my lady,’ he replied, pursing his lips and shooting Kitty a disapproving look.

  ‘Come in, Kitty.’ She smiled as Kitty followed her into the room. ‘So, I’m Grace at last,’ she said with satisfaction.

  ‘It wouldn’t be right to call you Lady Rowan-Hampton, seeing as we’re such close friends. I gather I had dinner with you last night.’

  Grace turned and held Kitty with solemn eyes. ‘For that I thank you, Kitty,’ she said in a quiet voice.

  Kitty walked past her and perched on the club fender in front of the fire. ‘So, are you going to tell me what this is all about?’

  Grace went and sat beside her. She lowered her voice but her eyes were blazing with zeal. ‘I was there last night,’ she said. ‘With Michael and the boys . . .’

  Kitty’s jaw fell open. ‘You killed him?’

  ‘No.’ Grace looked at Kitty steadily. ‘Jack did.’

  ‘Jack . . . ?’

  ‘Your Jack.’

  Kitty was caught off guard. She didn’t think anyone knew about her and Jack, least of all Grace. ‘I don’t understand. How do you know?’

  ‘I know lots of things, Kitty. I know you’re one of us, though, which is why I chose to make you my alibi.’

  ‘You had no choice. Mama wouldn’t have lied for you. I doubt any of your other English friends would have lied for you, either.’

  ‘But I knew you would.’

  ‘Even though you know I dislike you?’

  ‘I knew you’d do it, not for me, but for Jack.’ Grace lowered her eyes unhappily. ‘I know why you dislike me but I make no apology.’

  ‘You have some nerve, Grace.’

  ‘I trust my instincts.’

  ‘So it was a test?’

  ‘In a way.’

  ‘Weren’t you perhaps a little reckless? One word from me and I could have had you hanged.’

  Grace’s lips curled into a small smile. ‘But you didn’t, did you? My gamble paid off.’

  ‘I gave you an alibi and saved your life, which means you owe me.’

  ‘No, it means you’re one of us now.’

  Kitty raised an eyebrow. That did please her. ‘I’m involved, whether Jack likes it or not?’

  ‘You are indeed, which is what you’ve always wanted. Am I right?’

  ‘So what do I do now?’ Kitty asked.

  Grace turned her eyes to the door where Brennan was coming in with the tea, followed by a young maid with a porter cake on a plate. ‘Ah the tea. I think this is going to be the beginning of a very interesting friendship.’

  When Kitty returned to the Hunting Lodge she summoned Harry and Elspeth to her bedroom. When they arrived she closed the door behind them and leant against it as if fearful they might be overheard or spied on. Too many occasions when she’d peered through keyholes had taught her to be suspicious of others. ‘I need your help,’ she said gravely.

  Elspeth glanced at Harry. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked.

  ‘Are you in trouble?’ Harry enquired.

  ‘No, but I might be if you both decide not to help me.’

  ‘We’ll help you, won’t we, Harry?’

  ‘Of course,’ Harry agreed. ‘What’s the problem?’

  Kitty took a deep breath. ‘I can’t explain why, but I need you to pretend that I wasn’t with you last night. That we didn’t have dinner together. I went to have dinner with Lady Rowan-Hampton.’

  Harry frowned. ‘Why?’

  ‘I told you. I can’t explain. You just have to do this for me. It’s complicated.’

  ‘Does it have anything to do with Grandpa summoning you this morning?’ Elspeth asked.

  ‘Yes,’ Kitty conceded. ‘It does.’

  Elspeth smiled. ‘You did seem a little upset.’

  ‘Well, will you do this
for me? If anyone asks, anyone at all, I was not with you.’

  Harry nodded. Considering the secret she was keeping for him, this was the least he could do. Elspeth nodded too although she longed to know why. ‘You have my word,’ she said.

  ‘Thank you.’ Kitty smiled. ‘There was a time when I thought we’d never be friends,’ she said.

  Harry grinned. ‘There’s nothing that bonds people more surely than a secret.’

  Elspeth agreed, although she could never imagine the secret Kitty kept for their brother. ‘And there’s nothing that bonds siblings more than a selfish mother.’

  Chapter 18

  Bridie was wrong about the Black and Tans not being able to arrest everybody. They came in their Army vehicles, with their guns and their thirst for revenge, and rounded up all the young men of Ballinakelly while their women wailed and clung on, fearing they’d never see them again. Michael and Sean were among them, as was Jack. All taken away. God knew where. Bridie sobbed on Kitty’s bed as Kitty held her tightly, trying not to give her heart away with her own burning tears. Mrs Doyle ruined the lunch and curdled the cream, which was a very bad sign. She requested the day off, which Adeline readily agreed to, and spent the afternoon in church with her mother and the other Ballinakelly women, lighting candles, saying rosaries and novenas and making deals with God.

  Bertie had heard from his father that Grace was under suspicion and drove over to see her at once. He parked the Daimler outside the house and knocked on the door. The butler led him through the hall to the sitting room where his mistress was at her desk, writing letters. ‘Bertie,’ she exclaimed happily, noticing that he was sober and concerned. She put down her pen and stood up. ‘What’s the matter?’ The butler discreetly closed the door, as was his custom, leaving them alone.

  ‘I heard that they are trying to implicate you in Manley’s murder. Of all the—’

  ‘Oh that,’ said Grace dismissively, cutting him off mid-sentence. ‘Well, they’re only doing their jobs. I’m not sure why my name came up. But it did.’

  Bertie tried to embrace her, but she sidled away and settled into the armchair by the fire. ‘Why? Why you?’ he asked, pacing the room in agitation.