by Kira Stewart
Although she looked rather frail, Elizabeth was a strong woman inside, and she did not fear the new Duke. Dressed in her black crepe mourning dress, she entered the library, just as the clock was striking two.
Percy D’Arcy was already sat waiting for her, a pile of papers on the desk beside him.
As she entered the room, he stood in acknowledgement and strode across to the fireplace, although no fire had been lit there.
“It is cold in here, Sir Percy. You should have asked one of the maids to set the fire for you.”
“I thought there would be no need, madam. Our discourse should not take too long. Now, if you would care to have a seat …”
Smiling, Elizabeth Brancepth sat in the chair which had been favored by her late husband.
“Of course, Charles always kept the fire lit in here in winter. It was where he would discuss business with his estate manager, and he always liked to keep it cozy, especially when the men worked outside most of the day.”
Sir Percy pursed his lips, but did not respond. She could see that she had irked him by making her point.
“I am glad that you are feeling better today, madam. I have asked to speak to you about this house. Obviously, my family and I will be living here from now on, and I wondered what arrangements you would be making for the future.”
The man paced back and forth, obviously feeling a little uncomfortable with the subject.
Elizabeth Brancepth looked him squarely in the face.
“It is but just a week since my husband died, sir. There had been much to do.”
Sir Percy’s mouth twitched.
“I do hope that you do not think me insensitive, madam. I am a man of little emotion myself, and sometimes can come across as a little brusque. I thought it best if the subject were discussed immediately, so there was no misunderstanding between us from the offset, if you see my meaning. I already know that you have a fine house in London, and that I am not causing unnecessary hardship by asking when you will be leaving.”
“When would you like us to leave, sir? Heathfield Hall, by rights, now belongs to you, but you must also remember that is had been our family home, too.”
Sir Percy could not dismiss the mother’s thoughts, as he had done the daughters.
Clenching his jaw, he tried to temper his answer.
“Indeed, I do not forget, madam. I am reminded of the fact, whenever I see your daughters. That is why I believe it best, for both families, if the break is made as quickly as possible. The longer it is left, the harder it will be for all concerned. It is also a big change for my children, and I want them to feel that this is their home now. With all due respect, madam, we cannot do that, whilst you and your daughters remain here.”
“You are aware that the house in London is undergoing major refurbishment, and will not be ready for at least six months?”
“I was not, madam.”
“The only other option open to us, at present, would be to occupy the old Dowager cottage on the estate. It is large and comfortably furnished. We used it as a place for guests when the Hall was full. We could move there temporarily, if that was required.”
Sir Percy did not mince his words.
“That is a splendid idea, madam. How quickly can the arrangements be made?”
9.
It was difficult breaking the news to the girls. They already disliked their father’s replacement, but now they hated him. Sitting together by the Drawing Room fire, Elizabeth revealed their plans.
“But mother, there is quite enough room for all of us, and more, at Heathfield. Why on earth can’t we stay here, until we can all move to London? It is so dreadfully pokey in the cottage.”
Lucy, who was quite a headstrong girl and also rather spoilt, stuck out her bottom lip. She had been quite indulged by their father and was used to getting her own way.
“Now, now, my dear, I have explained why. This house now belongs to Sir Percy and his family. The cottage is not as large as the hall, but it is not pokey, as you call it, although, you will have to share a bedroom with one of your sisters.”
“Well, not with Olivia. She keeps her candle burning all night, reading her books.”
In reply, Olivia stuck out her tongue at her sister.
“Now, now, girls, we all have to make changes and a few sacrifices, now that your father is not here. What would he think of your behavior? Now, you will all have to share a bedroom, even Rebecca and Grace, and they are the oldest. The cottage is a fine place, and we shall manage there for six months. Hannah, Juliet … now, I am sure that you two will not mind sharing?”
Hannah, the quietest of the girls, smiled. She didn’t want to leave her beautiful home, but she was happy to share, and Juliet, although independent, did not like to see her mother unhappy, so she nodded in agreement.
There, you see? Now, let me see you all smiling. At least we shall be together. Isn’t that right, Becky?”
The girl was distracted and looking out of the window. A boy was walking up the drive toward the house. It was Albert, the son of one of the estate workers, whom she had paid a penny to take her letter to Thomas Buckingham. In his hand, he carried an envelope. She had hoped for a reply.
Excusing herself from the others, Rebecca quickly made her way across the hall and opened the door, before the young man had time to ring the bell. Her heart leapt at the thought of hearing from her young man.
The boy looked up in surprise, and held out an envelope toward her. It was the same one she had written that very morning.
“There is no one at home, miss. A gentleman answered the door and said that they had all left for London this morning. He didn’t know how long they would be away, so I thought I had better bring it back to you.”
Taking the letter, she thanked the boy, and gave him an extra penny for his trouble. As she closed the door, her heart sank. He had gone away and not even told her. Her father had just died, and Thomas had left her to be alone.
A cold fear crept into her heart once more. There had to be an explanation. It would have to be something serious, for him to go away without telling her. She would send the letter to their London address. If she posted it now, he would receive it in a few days’ time. Perhaps he would send her a reply the same day. Yes, of course he would.
Opening the door, she shouted for the boy to come back, so he could take the letter to the post without delay.
•••
That afternoon, Lady Brancepth and the girls set off to view the cottage, and to see what preparations would be needed, before they were able to move in.
The Oakstead, as the old Dowager cottage was called, was a pretty enough place. It had been built in 1650, for the Dowager Lady Brancepth, and it seemed rather apt, seeing that the current Lady Brancepth would be the next incumbent. The place had not been used for a while, and the air smelled damp and musty as they entered.
Lucy wrinkled her nose, but kept quiet. Rebecca and Grace had spoken to all of the girls before the visit, and they had promised not to complain, to make things easier for their mother.
All of the furniture had been draped with covers, and white specks of dust danced in the shafts of light, as they stepped from room to room, disturbing the sleepy air.
The girls dashed into the bedrooms, vying for the best room.
“Mama, tell Hannah that Poppy cannot live in the bedroom.”
Juliet stomped out of the bedroom.
“He squawks all night, mama, and I will not be able to sleep.”
Poppy was Hannah’s pet popinjay and he had always lived in the girl’s room in a gilded cage.
“But he will be lonely at night if he is not with me, mama.”
Poor Hannah looked as if she were about to cry.
“Now, now, girls, there is room enough for all of us, even for Poppy. Look Hannah, we can put his cage here by the window, where he will get plenty of light. I don’t think that he will be too lonely. Besides, he will be sleeping at night and we can cover the cage.”
“What about Samson and Delilah, mother? Where will they go?”
The two mastiffs had been their father’s dogs, but had been Lucy’s favorites. Lady Brancepth had quite forgotten about the dogs.
“I’m not sure if there will be room here for those two, Lucy, and we definitely won’t be able to take them to London with us. They are not city dogs, and it would not be fair to keep them inside. We will have to find a home for them on the estate.”
Lucy wasn’t having any of it.
“But mama, it is not fair. If Hannah can have her stupid bird, then I should be able to keep the dogs. They can sleep in my room.”
“They are too big, darling. It’s not a matter of being fair, just practical. Once we are settled in London, perhaps we can get you a new dog, a puppy, perhaps something smaller.”
Lucy stamped her foot.
“I don’t want another dog. I want Sampson and Delilah.”
With tears in her eyes, the young girl ran from the cottage and stood outside, crying.
Rebecca followed her sister out into the small cottage garden.
“Lucy, you must try and be brave, for mother’s sake. We mustn’t be selfish at a time like this. Think about what father would say, if he could see you now.”
“But father is dead, Becky, and he is never coming back. I don’t want to leave the Hall, and I don’t want to leave the dogs behind. It’s just not fair. If Hannah can have her bird, then I can have my dogs.”
Crossing over to her sister, Rebecca hugged the girl.
“I wish I could make everything all right again, Lucy, I really wish I could. But life isn’t always fair, my love, and we can’t always have what we want. None of us can.”
10.
Over the next few days, Rebecca managed to avoid the D’Arcys. It was acknowledged that they need not eat together, and formal mealtimes were replaced by meals in rooms. Often, Lady Brancepth and the girls ate together in the Drawing Room. A little table was set up especially for the purpose. However, there was a lot to do in very little time, to get the Dowager cottage ready for them to move into.
Every night, Rebecca would lie in bed and think about Thomas Buckingham. It seemed a lifetime since she had last seen him, when only two weeks ago, he had been sat with her in the Drawing Room, taking tea with them, and laughing at something her mother had said, having a jolly time. Now, she even struggled to see his face when she closed her eyes. Every morning, she awoke wondering if the day would bring news from the young man.
It was four days later, when Rebecca finally received her letter. She was eating breakfast in her room, when there was a knock at the bedroom door. Grace had brought up the letter and handed it carefully to her sister.
“I knew he would write, Grace. I knew he would eventually explain what has kept him away from us.”
Quickly opening the letter, she sat on the bed to read. In less than a minute, she had read the words and cast the letter away to one side.
“What is it, dear sister?”
Rebecca’s face had turned pale and her lip trembled. She could hardly speak, and instead handed the letter to her sister, to read for herself. The letter was short.
Rebecca,
I have decided that it is for the best if I do not call on you again. There is no formal understanding between us, and it is not fair on either of us that I take up your time. I would hate anyone to get the wrong impression of our friendship. I wish you all the best for the future.
Thomas Buckingham.
“Oh, Becky, I don’t understand! What on earth could have happened? Only a few weeks ago, he was here and seemed to be in high spirits. I thought you two had an understanding?”
The poor girl could not seem to move, her whole body was numb, as if she had received a physical blow that had knocked out all of the breath from within her.
“Becky, are you all right?”
Sitting down on the bed, Grace wrapped her arms around her sister.
“I knew there was something wrong, Grace. I knew on the day of father’s funeral, there was something not right, but I pushed it to one side. His manner was cold then, and I should have expected this. I thought perhaps it was just with the upset of father’s sudden death. You know how much he liked father, but there must be more to it than that. Oh, Grace, everything seemed so perfect when father was alive, and now life is unraveling before my very eyes.”
Breaking down, the girl sobbed on her sister’s shoulder, the grief and heartache of the last week suddenly finding a release, too powerful for the young girl to hold back any further.
“There, there, my dear, I do not know what has happened, but Thomas Buckingham cannot be the man we thought him to be, to go and change his mind like this. You will forget him over time, and there will be more young men … better young men, than Master Buckingham. Now, dry your eyes. He is not worth your tears. We promised mother that we would help with some of the packing today. We must try and keep strong for her.”
Rebecca wiped at her eyes. It was true. She was a practical girl and needed to be strong, for all of their sakes.
“Thank you, dearest sister. Now, do not worry. I shall not brood. Here, give me the letter and I will destroy it.”
The fire had been lit in the Morning Room, and now that breakfast was over, the room was empty. Kneeling by the fire, Rebecca turned the letter over in her hands. How could Thomas betray her so? There, she would think no more of it. Without a further thought, she threw the paper into the fire, and watched as the flame caught at his words, until they were no more.
Watching the flames, she did not notice the door open and someone enter the room.
“Are you all right down there?”
His voice shocked her back to the present, and she stood up with a start.
It was Edward D’Arcy.
“Is anything the matter?”
He could tell by her face that she had been crying, and looking quickly away, she made a move for the door.
“I am fine, thank you. I was just burning a few papers of mother’s. They are no longer important.”
The young man looked unconvinced.
“You look upset.”
Rebecca did not want to speak to anyone, especially not Edward D’Arcy, and tried to move around him as he stood in the doorway.
“You have been crying.”
The young man persisted, and Rebecca could feel herself start to get annoyed. She just wanted to be alone.
“Is it any wonder I have been crying, sir? My father is dead and we are being forced out of our family home. Would you not cry in the same circumstances?”
She was angry at him, but he felt protective over the girl. She was upset and he wanted so badly to help, but ended up saying the wrong thing only to make matters worse.
As she pushed past him in her rush to be away, he reached out and held her firmly by the arm.
It was if a spark of electricity had moved from his hand to hers, and she tingled at his touch. Once again, the familiar feeling crept into her heart—anger and yet something else. She longed to be out of his sight, but for a moment she could not move, as if caught in a spell, his eyes burning down into hers.
“Please unhand me, sir!”
Shrugging off his arm, she moved quickly out of his reach, and continued down the hall.
“I truly am sorry, Miss Brancepth. I wish there was something I could do to make it better for you.”
But Rebecca had already left the room, and did not hear his words.
11.
Over the next few days, the girls were kept busy helping their mother. There was so much to arrange and to organize. Not all of their possessions would be going to the Dowager cottage, so they needed to be packed away and stored. Rebecca tried not to brood about Thomas Buckingham, so hardened her heart toward him, burying her feelings where they could not be found.
Occasionally, she would see Edward D’Arcy. It was impossible not to see him, whilst they shared the same house, but each time she saw him
approach, she would turn around and walk in the opposite direction. How dare he touch her! How dare he make her feel confused! She did not know how she felt about him. He did not care about her feelings, or those of her family. She hated him.
•••
Within two weeks, the cottage was ready for them to move into. It was an emotional day, to be leaving Heathfield Hall, and there were tears, but Rebecca did not cry. She comforted her younger sisters and mother as they left, but she was glad—glad to be finally out of the way of the D’Arcys.
It took a while for life to settle down. So many of the things they had stored away, they found they needed, and some of the things they had brought, seemed entirely useless in their current circumstances. Lady Brancepth could not understand why she had brought the best china, but not the chocolate pot or cups. The capable Mrs. Thomas left the Hall to be with the family, and made do by making the chocolate in a pan, and served it in thick glasses, formerly used for mulled wine.
The girls busied themselves, and although now sharing a room, managed to make each space their own.
Olivia had her books and Hannah her sketches. Juliet had her needlework, and Grace and Rebecca had the latest fashion magazines from France. It was only Lucy who did not seem to settle, and she sat for long spells, staring out of the window and brooding.
Poppy the popinjay happily settled into her new home, but Lucy still fretted about her dogs. The girl had always been headstrong, and she was the one who Rebecca worried about the most.
“It’s just not fair. If Hannah is allowed her stupid bird, then I should be able to have my beloved dogs here.”
The girl would not be consoled. As soon as Samson and Delilah had been found new homes on the estate, Rebecca promised that she would take her sister to visit them, hoping to cheer up the girl.