The Colonel's Spinster: A Regency Romance (Tragic Characters in Classic Literature)

by Audrey Harrison

  He had some thinking to do before his journey north. Prudence had made it quite clear that she wanted to remain near her father and her life in Manchester. He was based in London. He would have to speak to his senior officer about what his options were. He would happily resign his commission to be with Prudence, but that would take away his only form of income. He had tried to think of alternatives, but at the moment he had no choice other than to remain with his cavalry regiment.

  Yes, Prudence was a wealthy heiress, but his pride would not allow him to offer for her when he had absolutely nothing to offer but himself. It was the only cloud on his otherwise hopeful horizon.

  Arriving in London a few days after leaving his aunt, he strolled into the barracks, greeting fellow officers. Noticing that something was amiss, he sought out his commanding officer.

  “Sir, has there been a resurgence of Boney? There are many men and horses missing,” he asked.

  “Not Boney, but there has been some unrest. We have deployed troops to help keep order in some of the towns and cities across the country. I could hardly believe that a poor harvest could result in rioting.”

  “Rioting? Whatever for?”

  “It’s all tied up with the blasted corn laws. Have you not been keeping abreast with the newspapers?”

  “No. To be honest I haven’t sat down with a newspaper for days. I have been dealing with a family crisis,” Fitzwilliam said.

  “Yes, you mentioned that’s why you needed a leave of absence. Everything sorted now?”

  “Yes. We have reached the point where my assistance is no longer required.”

  “Good. You will have little time to kick your heels if these disturbances carry on. We have just sent a unit to the north. Poor blighters, they won’t be able to understand a word the locals say. It’s like they speak a foreign language, I tell you.”

  “Where in the north?” Fitzwilliam’s relaxed stance had disappeared. He knew almost without asking.

  “Manchester. They went a few days ago. There has been a lot of unrest on the streets there recently. It seems to be getting worse by the day.”

  “Sir. I need you to send me there.”

  “What? No! You’re not needed.”

  “Sir. I have family there. Involved with the mills. I need to check on their safety,” Fitzwilliam said.

  “Have you indeed? This family of yours has caused me a whole lot of problems recently.”

  “I apologise sir, but understand that I would not be asking lightly. I will ensure my presence will be useful and not a waste of your resources.”

  “It’s highly irregular.”

  “I would not ask if I did not think it important, sir.”

  “If you must check on them, I suppose you should go. Family is important, although yours is becoming a damned nuisance.”

  “Thank you, sir. They would not intentionally cause problems, I assure you, but in this instance, I have concerns about their safety,” Fitzwilliam said.

  When dismissed, Fitzwilliam ran to his lodgings. He had never felt panic like it when he realised that Manchester was the focus of the problems. Hoping that Prudence was safe enough in Stretford, he quickly arranged with his batman what needed to be taken with them. Both used to travelling for active duty, they were soon on the road again.

  For Fitzwilliam, it was going to be a long journey.

  *

  Prudence hurried down the street towards her father’s second mill. It was a journey she must have done a thousand times, but today it felt different.

  There was a tension in the air that had never been there previously, and she was consciously aware of everything and everyone around her. Breathing a sigh of relief when she reached the mill yard, she hurried across the flagged space to the main mill building.

  Entering her father’s office, she took off her gloves and closed the door behind her, remaining dressed in the rest of her outerwear.

  “Papa, you need to return home. We need to leave.”

  Mr. Bamber looked up. “I thought you would stay at home today. I told you how it has been lately,” he scolded gently.

  “I should have listened to you more. I did not imagine quite how the atmosphere has changed. Although it does make my journey even more important as I wanted to make sure you were safe and to persuade you for once to leave the mill early,” Prudence explained.

  “It is safe inside the mill. No one would breach the gates.”

  “You don’t know that, Papa. I have never felt anything like what is currently swirling out there, and it’s nothing to do with the fog that is starting to descend.”

  “I am not going to get any peace until I give in and come home, am I?”

  “No,” Prudence said. She pulled on her gloves and tightened the ribbon on her bonnet. “Can we leave immediately?”

  “I suppose I must,” Mr. Bamber said. He reluctantly pushed the chair away from the table and took his greatcoat from the hook on the back of the closed door.

  Prudence helped her father fasten his coat and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. I could not settle at home with you still here.”

  “Fusspot.”

  “I do not apologise for it,” Prudence said, completely unrepentant. “You are more precious to me than anyone else, and I would like to keep you safe.”

  “What? I rank above a certain young cavalry officer? I think you are funning with me. I refuse to believe I rate so high.”

  Laughing, Prudence took her father’s arm. “You are a beast. Fine. I admit you are equal. Is that better?”

  “Most certainly. I never had you down for a girl prone to Banbury tales. Now let us get home and spend some time with Miss Anne.”

  Prudence shook her head at her father. He never gave Anne her title, but it was not done out of rudeness; he was already very fond of her and spent a while visiting her each day. Anne had been embarrassed and shy at first with the uncle she had never met, but it wasn’t very long before Mr. Bamber had charmed her.

  Anne was still far from fully recovered, but each day she was spending more time awake, and although not yet ready to leave her bed, she could sit up and speak for an hour at a time without needing to rest.

  Prudence let Mr. Huxley spend as much time with Anne as he could. Mr. Bamber had not pursued the fact that Mr. Huxley was supposed to be working for him now. They had all been convinced that one way or another he would marry Anne and as a result have no need for a reference.

  Climbing into the carriage, which had been brought out of the stable yard in the mill, Prudence looked around her, not in fear so much as wariness. “I’ve never felt an unease like it,” she admitted.

  “No. The poor harvest has driven prices up to ridiculous levels. I can’t employ any more than I do already, but there are soldiers and sailors aplenty no longer needed and desperate for work, which just is not there,” Mr. Bamber said. He was unusually serious. “We have been pushing for some support from the government, but all they are bothered about is themselves and their aristocratic friends. The poor labourers who are soon going to be starving to death are of little consequence.”

  “Can we do nothing to help?”

  “I am employing more than I should and keeping wages at a reasonable level, although many of my fellow owners have reduced wages. I am trying to work out how to feed the workers during the day, so that at least they will have full bellies whilst they’re working. The last thing I need is for deaths to increase because they faint on the machinery!”

  Prudence shuddered. Accidents did occasionally happen, and it was hard to bear when a worker was killed. It often had resounding consequences for the whole family of the victim.

  “If there is anything I can do, just let me know. Now that Mr. Huxley spends his time with Anne, I am able to help,” Prudence said.

  “I shall be speaking to Huxley. He has a sharp brain, and I think among the three of us we can sort something out quickly. I have already spoken to the foremen and told them of my intentions.”

  “G
ood. Hopefully, we can come up with something that will help.”

  The journey home was uneventful, and on arrival at the house, Prudence immediately went to check on Anne. She was awake and smiled to see her cousin enter her chamber.

  “What? No Mr. Huxley?” Prudence asked in surprise.

  “I asked him to leave the last time I needed to sleep. I made him promise he would go for a walk in the gardens. He has been with me for so much of each day, I am worried about him finding it tedious, spending so much time with me in a sick room,” Anne admitted.

  “I would be very surprised if he thought that. He is the man you are to marry. If he can’t stand a few days of inactivity, it is a sad state of affairs.”

  There had been a long discussion when Fitzwilliam’s letter had arrived saying that Lady Catherine had undergone a change of heart and would now approve a marriage between Anne and Mr. Huxley. Fitzwilliam had outlined his suggestion to his aunt about them not returning immediately to Rosings and Anne had been brought to tears by the fact she was going to marry the man she loved and spend time travelling.

  Anne smiled at Prudence’s words. “I know I shall be a drain on his patience.”

  “As he has known you these last ten years, I doubt that very much. Have confidence in yourself, Anne. You are lovely.”

  “You are very kind. I wish I could take you with us on our trip. Would you not like to see France and perhaps Italy, if I can persuade Mama to travel a little further?”

  “I thank you for your invitation, but no. I doubt Lady Catherine could tolerate my tendency to impertinence for long periods of time. I will promise to come and visit you when you return to England.”

  “I shall keep you to your word.”

  “And who knows, you might have caught the travel bug and return to visit me here, but with less adventure, next time,” Prudence teased.

  “Definitely nicer inns and clean, warm sheets next time,” Anne said, with a grimace.

  “Yes. When one is running away from home, it is advisable to plan ahead first.”

  “Believe me, I have learned my lesson.”

  “Good.”

  *

  The following morning Prudence entered the breakfast room to find Mr. Huxley seated alone.

  “Has my father left for the mills already?” she asked in surprise.

  “Yes. A while ago, apparently. I was wondering if you would mind being with Anne today whilst I travel to the mill? I’ve been thinking about the plans Mr. Bamber would like to implement, and in my chamber this morning, I wrote down some suggestions. I was hoping to go through them over breakfast, but he managed to avoid me,” Mr. Huxley said with a smile.

  “I am sure you must be his long-lost son for you do seem to be like two peas in a pod where business is concerned. He is going to miss you when you are gone,” Prudence said. “Of course, I will remain with Anne. It would be my pleasure.”

  “Thank you. I shall check on her before I leave.”

  “I hope you are able to organise something sooner rather than later. I had not realised the situation was so bad. That is what comes of spending weeks removed from the real world.”

  Mr. Huxley smiled as he cut up a thick slice of ham. “I think Lady Catherine prefers not to have the outside world intrude as much as possible. Ever.”

  “She is going to have her equilibrium upset then whilst travelling abroad. Or, should I say you will have much to bear?”

  “As employers go, she isn’t too bad,” Mr. Huxley admitted.

  “Really? I doubt I could work for her.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. You managed a few weeks without exploding.”

  Prudence laughed. “I did. I must have more forbearance than I give myself credit for. I admire you for being in her employ for ten years.”

  “I had bright spots in my day,” Mr. Huxley said, a flush tinging his cheeks.

  “Yes. You did, I suppose. You are both very lucky to have each other. I wish you all the happiness in the world.”

  “Thank you.”

  Chapter 21

  A commotion downstairs brought Prudence out of Anne’s chamber a few hours after breakfast. She could hear Mr. Huxley’s voice in the hall, and he sounded agitated.

  Quickly descending the stairs, she saw that the usually calm gentleman was flushed and a little wild eyed.

  “Mr. Huxley, whatever is wrong? Are you ill?”

  “Miss Bamber, please excuse my early return. I tried to reach the mills to see your father, but we just couldn’t get the carriage through. I have never seen anything like it before in my life! There are people everywhere! It’s like a swarm moving through the streets. No vehicles are moving. Not into the city anyway,” Mr. Huxley said in a rush.

  Prudence’s heart started to pound but she kept her expression bland. “You poor thing. Why don’t you go to Anne, and I shall have some tea sent to you? I am sure the crowds will disperse soon enough.”

  “But Mr. Bamber ― ”

  “Papa will be safe enough behind the mill gates. No one will breach those,” Prudence assured him.

  “I did not like being forced to turn around, but I was putting the horses and coachman at risk,” Mr. Huxley said. It was clear he was shaken and upset at what he had seen and felt that he had abandoned the man who had given him so much.

  “Please. You took the right course of action. Go to Anne. She will be wondering what is amiss, because I left her chamber in a hurry when I heard your entrance. Do not worry about Papa or the mill.”

  Prudence waited until Mr. Huxley had disappeared up the stairs and was out of sight. She turned to the butler.

  “Miss Prudence,” he warned, knowing full well the direction her thoughts were headed.

  Prudence smiled despite feeling desperate to reach her father. “I know the cut-throughs and the side streets. I shall travel on horseback.”

  “Mr. Bamber would flog me if I allowed you to leave the safety of the house to venture into goodness knows what,” the butler said.

  Shoulders sagging, Prudence sighed. “It isn’t fair. You know I would not be able to leave the house in all conscience, although Papa would not dream of flogging anyone, a matter you are fully aware of. It is cruel to make me feel guilty at the possibility.”

  “He might,” came the deadpan response.

  “Pfft,” Prudence responded. “If you could send refreshments up to Lady Anne’s chamber, that would be appreciated. I will not disturb them. I think Mr. Huxley will only feel guilty if he sees me. I shall read in my chamber.”

  The butler narrowed his eyes at Prudence, but she smiled sweetly at him and retraced her steps upstairs.

  When the loyal servant entered Anne’s chamber with a tray laden with tea and delicacies, Prudence ran quietly back downstairs. Yes, she had gone to her chamber, but only to dress herself in her riding habit.

  Veering away from the front door, she entered the dining room, thankful she had made it downstairs without being seen. She opened one of the full-length windows and stepped out to the side of the house. It reminded her of the time at Rosings when she had escaped from the library with Fitzwilliam. The thought made her smile. Closing the window, she hurried across the paving stones and headed around the back of the house to the stables.

  “Saddle Scarlett for me please, John,” she said to the stable-hand when she walked into the stable block.

  “Scarlett, Miss Prudence?” came the surprised response.

  “Yes.” Prudence could not help a smile twitching her lips. Scarlett was the calmest of the whole stable; nothing seemed to worry her. She was far too docile to go cantering over the fields at a neck-or-nothing speed, but she was perfect to be ridden into an unknown situation with crowds of people. Prudence hoped so anyway.

  “The coachman said it was very dangerous in the city, Miss Prudence,” John said.

  Prudence could have stamped her foot in frustration. The trouble with staff who had known you for years was that they tended to guess your actions. “I know. I need
to find my father and get him to leave the city.”

  “Let me come with you.”

  “No! I will be quicker on my own. I shall go straight to the mill. I understand the carriage could not get through, but I’ll be able to avoid the main streets. I am more than capable of fending for myself. A crowd of workers does not frighten me.”

  “You’d be safer with my escort. Your father would certainly agree.”

  “He would also curse me to the devil for inconveniencing you for no reason. The streets are full. The mill is in no danger. We shall return in Papa’s carriage as soon as the crowds have gone.”

  “I’d be happier if I accompanied you.”

  “I am going on my own, John. Your escort is unnecessary. How many hundreds of times have I travelled it alone? I will be safe.”

  John did not look convinced, but he knew, one way or another, Prudence would find a way into the city. Better on horseback than walking, which he was sure she would try if he refused to saddle the horse.

  Prudence waited impatiently until Scarlett was ready, and then using the mounting block, she settled herself in the saddle, and nodding her goodbye, turned the horse towards the gate.

  “Come on, girl. We are to find Papa.”

  The closer Prudence got to the city centre, the more people she had to try to steer her way around. Most of the time she was ignored, but occasionally she would receive a curse. People were walking in the road as well as on the pavement, slowing anything down. She understood why the carriage had struggled to get through. She was finding it difficult enough.

  Using some of the side streets as cut throughs, she had almost reached her father’s largest mill before movement was severely restricted. She coaxed Scarlett on, feeling sorry for the beast who was now surrounded by people in a way she had never been before.

  The crowd was tense rather than angry. A few people recognised Prudence and shouted comments to her. At one point one of the old foremen from her father’s mill called up to her.