‘Not many. Like you, I’m an only child. My parents died when I was a youth. My cousins, Aunt Mildred’s children, are married and scattered around the country. Pity really, I’d like to have more family around me, specially at Christmas and times like that, nieces and nephews to spoil.’
Looking again at the portrait, she said, ‘So you feel you’ve missed out on something?’
‘Yes, I do.’ Neville didn’t have to think about it. ‘And I take it you do too.’
‘Yes,’ Rebecca replied. ‘But at least Dad’s trying harder these days. He was thrilled to have rowed in a winning gig at the regatta.’
‘That’s good.’ Neville moved back to more immediate things. ‘I like your dress, Rebecca,’ he said, touching the straps on her shoulders. ‘What colour do you call this?’
‘It’s cobalt blue.’
‘It suits your beautiful hair.’ Neville put his arms round her and placed his hands over hers which were clasped in front of her. ‘You’re very beautiful, Rebecca,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘Do you really want me to tell you about the paintings? I can do that another time.’
‘No,’ she replied, turning round to him.
Rebecca had told her Uncle Bert she was meeting an old school friend and he had given her permission to stay out until eleven o’clock. The evening rushed by all too quickly and soon she was putting her coat on against the chilly night air and saying goodbye to Mildred Cummings at the door. Neville walked her home and they kissed goodnight in the shelter of a doorway several yards from Uncle Bert’s front door. Neville watched from a distance until she was safely inside the garden gate then waved to her. It had been a wonderful evening and she would be going out with him again sometime next week.
Rebecca was daydreaming and took no notice of the sudden shouting from downstairs. Then she shook herself back to the present and put the dress in the wardrobe, listening to the voices. It was Alex and he was ordering an argumentative Stephen, who was the only other person in the gatehouse, to go outside to play. Rebecca was about to go downstairs to find out what the trouble was when Alex came bounding up, marched across the landing and pushed her from the doorway back into the room. His face was as black as thunder.
‘What’s the mat—’
‘Is it true that you’ve been seeing Neville Faull?’ Alex shouted at her.
Rebecca was stunned at his fury and said blankly, ‘What?’ Alex leant towards her, clenching his fists. ‘Are you? Answer me! I demand an answer from you this minute.’
‘I don’t have to give you an answer at all!’ Rebecca shouted back defiantly. ‘It’s none of your business.’
‘It damned well is. The man’s a cad. He’s a bastard.’
‘He is not,’ Rebecca replied coolly. She was not going to allow herself to get into a rage like Alex and became perfectly calm. She moved to her dressing table, putting her back to him. ‘It is none of your business, Alex, now please leave my room.’
Alex charged up to her. He was about to speak when he noticed what was on the dressing table. ‘What’s this? Chocolates! Expensive perfume! Did he give you these? What is he to you? Just because he’s got a Military Cross—’
‘So Neville won a medal in the war, did he?’ Rebecca said evenly. She was determined not to get ruffled. Alex clutched her shoulders tightly and swung her round to him ‘Neville! Why is he Neville to you? I demand to know why!’
Trying not to blink under the barrage, Rebecca said, ‘Why are you Alex to me? You’re not to anyone else.’ She struggled to free herself. ‘Now let me go, you’re hurting me.’
But Alex shook her violently. ‘Are you going out with Faull?’
‘Yes!’
‘Are you mad, going out with him? The man who keeps encouraging me to sell Trevallion out from under the Kennickers’ feet for a blasted hotel just because he’d make a hefty commission on the sale! What’s the attraction, Rebecca? Is he a good lover? Is that it?’
Despite the pain he was inflicting on her, Rebecca clamped her mouth tight and refused to answer.
A look of intense pain passed over Alex’s face then he pulled Rebecca towards him. ‘Well, if it’s lovemaking that you want…’
He forced his mouth down on hers and Rebecca fought against him with all her might. He had not shaved that morning and his one day’s growth of beard scratched her face. She tore her lips away and tried to scream at him to stop. Alex raised a hand to the back of her neck and used brute force to kiss her again. She could hardly breathe. She reached out with a hand to try to secure something on the dressing table to beat him off with but only succeeded in scattering things on the floor. The perfume bottle Neville had given to her broke and its strong scent filled the air.
Rebecca struggled against Alex’s desperate strength. She thought she was going to black out when she felt his hand close over her breast and with a rage that gave her renewed strength she kicked and flailed at him with her fists and wrenched herself away. She was shaking and out of breath but delivered a slap across Alex’s face so hard it made his head rock and sent him reeling across the room.
It brought him to his senses. ‘Oh, Becca, forgive me?’ he wailed. ‘I don’t know what came over me. I was so afraid…’
Tears of disgust and anger were falling down her face. Gulping in air, she said hoarsely, ‘I have been out with Neville Faull twice and seen him at other times too, but not once did he force a kiss on me and he knew how to keep his hands to himself.’
‘Becca…’ There was pleading in Alex’s eyes and his body was shaking. ‘Please, Becca. I couldn’t bear it if you didn’t forgive me. I need you…’
His face was ashen and pathetic and the morbid, frightened mask that she had seen there when she’d first met him had returned. She couldn’t bear to look at him and sat down on the bed with her face in her hands.
‘You Fiennes have been nothing but trouble to me since you came to Trevallion. And I mean all of you. You’re selfish and detestable. Do what you like with Trevallion, Major Fiennes. I don’t care what happens to it any more. I’m going home tonight and somehow I’ll have to hide from my father the true reason why. He’d probably want to kill you for what you did and I don’t want him getting into any trouble on my account, but tomorrow I’m leaving—’
‘No, Becca!’ Tears of anguish rolled down Alex’s face. ‘Oh, please, don’t say that. I need you. You make me feel safe. Without you I’ll die. I beg you—’
‘Rebecca? Are you all right?’ It was Stephen calling timidly outside the bedroom door.
Alex ran out of the room and turned on his nephew. ‘You rotten little bastard! No one but you would be capable of interrupting when two people are quarrelling over a sensitive matter. You’re an evil little swine. You’re no Fiennes, boy! You’re not my brother’s son! You were spawned by one of your mother’s many lovers. Now get out of my way or I’ll damn well knock you out of it.’
Stephen made a strangled sound and ducked aside as his uncle pushed past him. He thumped down the stairs and slammed the front door as he left the building. The boy came into Rebecca’s room and stared at her in a state of shock.
Rebecca was standing numbly, her hand held in horror to her face.
‘Did you hear?’ Stephen murmured painfully. ‘Do you think it’s true?’
She shivered. ‘What he said about you not being Ralph Fiennes’ son? I think your uncle was just lashing out at you.’
Stephen looked as though a mighty truth had just dawned on him. ‘It must be why he hates me. He’s always hated me.’
Rebecca wanted to be left alone so she could pack the few belongings she kept here and take them home to Allen Cottage, but she could not turn away the shocked boy, who had been brave enough to come to her aid, without giving him some word of comfort.
‘People say terrible things when they’re in a foul temper, Stephen. I shouldn’t take any notice of him.’
‘That’s easier said than done.’ He looked close to tears and abruptly turned his concern to he
r. ‘Are you all right? Did he hurt you?’
‘I’ll be all right, Stephen, and I’d be grateful if you didn’t talk about what you heard.’
‘Are you joking? Admit my barmy uncle is no more than a disgusting rapist? If that got around I wouldn’t be able to hold my head up anywhere.’
‘Let me make one thing very clear, Stephen,’ Rebecca said firmly, rising from the bed and facing the boy squarely. ‘Your uncle is not a rapist. If I thought for a moment that he was then I wouldn’t hesitate to tell my father. He just panicked, that’s all.’
‘Then you’re not going to leave here?’
‘Oh yes, I am. Tomorrow I’m going to go to live with my uncle and aunt in Truro. If you don’t mind leaving now, Stephen, I would like to be alone to pack my things. I’ll leave a note for your mother to say where I’m going. I won’t come back here. If Mrs Fiennes wants a full explanation, she must either ask the Major or come down to Allen Cottage.’
Stephen nodded. ‘I’ll go downstairs and make you a cup of tea. You can drink it before you go. I must be growing up because for the first time in my life I feel that I could do with one. I don’t know how long we’re to stay here. Some people seem to think it’s for good but my uncle hasn’t made any arrangements for me to attend a local school. But no matter how long I have left here, I shall miss you, Rebecca. And I’ll tell you one thing. Whether it’s true or not, I’ll never forgive Uncle Alex for what he said.’
Chapter 29
Joe and Trease were sitting at the kitchen table in Allen Cottage playing cards. A sudden battering on the door brought them swiftly to their feet.
‘What now?’ Trease growled. ‘If that’s any of the Fiennes come down here to demand that Becca goes back for the night I’ll have something to say.’
Over the cards the men had been discussing Rebecca’s explanation as to why she had suddenly come home. She’d said the Major had spoken to her harshly and she’d had enough of being treated like a skivvy and wanted to live in Truro. Trease had spent hours trying to get her to change her mind. He’d begged her to stay and keep house for him as she had until a few weeks ago but she had packed a suitcase.
‘Well, it would hardly be Mrs Fiennes tripping down here this time of the night.’ Joe frowned. ‘Something must be wrong with one of the Kennickers. ’Tis a wet windy night. P’raps one of the boats has broken free from its moorings.’
‘They wouldn’t bang on the door. They’d walk straight in. ’Tis rarely locked,’ Trease said testily as he went to open the door.
The moment it was ajar, Abigail and Stephen, soaked through in summer coats, tumbled through the door together.
Joe went to Abigail at once.
‘Where’s Rebecca?’ Abigail said urgently, pushing past him to plead with Trease. ‘It’s imperative that she comes to the gatehouse straightaway.’
‘You can’t order my maid about like that,’ Trease retorted sternly. ‘She was treated badly by the Major today and is threatening to go to Truro to live. You’re driving her away from her home between you. She’s in bed and I won’t disturb her.’
‘But you don’t understand,’ Abigail said, wringing her wet hands. ‘The Major’s gone mad and Rebecca is the only one who can calm him down. We thought at first he was just having another of his nightmares but he’s shouting and screaming out all the time and it sounds like he’s throwing things around his room. We tried to open the door but it’s locked and we’re afraid. Rebecca must come or he’ll hurt himself. He might do anything in this mood.’
‘Well, I don’t know,’ Trease began.
‘Don’t forget what some men suffered in the trenches, Trease,’ Joe said. ‘Could have been me or you.’
‘I’ll go, Dad,’ Rebecca said. She was in the doorway that led to the stairs, standing in her dressing gown.
‘After the way he upset you?’ Trease asked.
‘Oh please come at once, Rebecca,’ Abigail pleaded with her. ‘If he does something silly,’ she added to Trease, ‘who knows who will look after the estate.’
Rebecca threw a coat over her dressing gown, and with Joe and Trease to break down the Major’s door if necessary, she ran all the way to the gatehouse with Abigail and Stephen. Inside they could hear moans of anguish and banging coming from Alex’s room.
‘Stay down here with Master Stephen,’ Joe ordered Abigail. ‘You’ll find it warm in the kitchen from the range. Dry yourselves off.’ He turned to Rebecca. ‘Me and Trease will go upstairs first. You keep back until we’ve got the door open.’
Trease knocked on the Major’s bedroom door, hoping the sound would penetrate through the wailings and bangings coming from within. ‘Major! Major Fiennes! Can you hear me? Open the door, sir. We just want to make sure you’re all right.’
The terrible sounds went on. Joe said grimly, ‘It’s no good. We’ll have to break away the lock.’
Rebecca leant back against a wall. Her heart was pounding, her mouth dry. What was Alex doing in there? What did all those noises mean? What was he doing to himself? There was an unearthly howl and Rebecca clutched her wet coat about herself. ‘Hurry! For goodness sake, hurry!’
On the count of three, Trease and Joe rammed their shoulders against the bedroom door. It took three more blows before the wood round the lock gave way and the door burst open.
‘Bloody hell!’ Joe gasped.
‘It’s like the trenches all over again,’ Trease breathed in horror.
Rebecca ran up behind them but Joe held her back. ‘Don’t go in, Becca. This is no place for you.’
She could hear Alex muttering and a scream ripped from his throat. ‘I must go to him!’ She struggled and Joe let her go. She rushed through the door and came to a standstill. ‘Oh, my God. Alex, what have you done?’
The furniture had been turned over as if Alex was making a defensive position. There was blood along the walls where he had repeatedly slammed his fists and head against them. He was lying flat on his stomach behind the overturned wardrobe. He was wearing only his underpants and there was blood on them too. He was muttering to himself and Rebecca could just make out what he was saying.
‘We’ll get them this time, boys. Be over the top and back again without a scratch on us. I’ll go first. If they get anyone it will be me first.’
He scrabbled about on his hands and knees to a pillow which was stained with blood. ‘Who’s that?’ His voice was forlorn and trembling. ‘You can make it? Don’t give up. I’ll call for a stretcher. Oh no, it’s Jimmy Clark!’ His voice rose with each succeeding word. He picked up the pillow and hugged it to his chest. ‘He’s only a boy. He can’t die now. What shall I say to his mother? Aargh! Jimmy! Jimmy!’ He rocked the pillow and howled again.
Rebecca climbed over the broken furniture, ignoring Trease and Joe’s warnings, and ran to Alex. In one hefty pull she tore the pillow from his desperate grip and knelt in front of him. As he screamed in terror, she threw her arms round him and pulled him to her.
‘It’s me, Alex. It’s Becca. I’m here now and I’m going to take care of you and you don’t have to be afraid any more. It’s Becca.’
Trease was over the furniture a split second after Rebecca, ready to pull her away from the Major if he threatened to turn his violence on her. But something in her voice penetrated through the horror in Alex’s brain and he went quiet and limp like a rag doll. Trease watched in fascinated disbelief as his daughter held his employer’s bruised and bleeding head against her breast and stroked his hair, talking soothingly to him.
‘We’ll have to get the doctor to him, Trease,’ Joe said at his side. ‘What a mess he’s in. Wonder he didn’t bash his head in.’
‘I’ll go for the doctor in one of the cars,’ Trease said, wanting to weep at the pathetic scene before him. ‘Will you stay here and make sure he doesn’t hurt Becca?’
‘Aye.’ Joe put a hand on Trease’s shoulder. ‘Be as quick as you can.’
Joe moved broken furniture aside to make a clear passage from the
door to Rebecca and the injured Major. Rebecca went on with her comforting words, rocking Alex as he had the pillow he’d thought was one of his dead men.
A hand on Joe’s arm made him jump. It was Abigail. He put his arm round her as she gazed in horror at the room. She said quietly, ‘Mrs Wright is downstairs. She heard us shouting outside Rebecca’s cottage and came up here to help. Will you come down to Stephen, Joe? He could do with a man to comfort him right now. He was terrified by all the noise Alex was making. It was like nothing on earth.’
‘I know. It made my blood run cold. I can’t leave Becca though.’
Abigail looked at her brother-in-law, quiet and unresponsive in Rebecca’s arms. She thought back to the night Rebecca had comforted him in another nightmare. ‘She won’t come to any harm, Joe, I promise you. No matter how much out of his mind Alex is, he would never harm Rebecca. Anyway, I think it would be better to leave them alone and we won’t be far away.’
Joe wasn’t sure but reluctantly conceded and went downstairs with her. Stephen was sitting at the kitchen table, sobbing wretchedly over his arms. Loveday was stroking his head. For the first time in years, Abigail gathered her son into her arms. She was shocked at his distress and he clung to her.
‘It’s going to be all right, darling. Joe’s here now. And Rebecca’s with Uncle Alex. She’ll make sure Uncle Alex doesn’t hurt himself any more.’
‘I don’t care about him!’ Stephen cried brutally. ‘I hate him. I hope he dies! I hope he kills himself!’
Abigail looked at Joe. Thinking that she had no right to hear what was coming next, Loveday excused herself and left the room.
Abigail lifted Stephen’s chin, which had sunk down on her chest. ‘Why, darling? Why do you say a thing like that?’
It was Joe’s eyes the boy sought. ‘He told me I’m not a Fiennes. He called me a bastard. He said I was evil.’
‘God in heaven,’ Joe murmured, stooping to hold Stephen’s hands in his. They both looked at Abigail.
Abigail couldn’t meet their eyes. She said, ‘What your Uncle Alex said is true, but you are a Fiennes, Stephen, because your father took you as his and that’s all that matters. If he hadn’t gambled away his money, it would have come to you when he died.’
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