The Country Bride

by Dilly Court

  Upstairs in the master bedroom, Jack was flat on his back and at first Judy thought he was asleep, but as she approached the bed he seemed to sense her presence and opened his eyes.

  ‘Judy. I knew you’d come.’

  She perched on the edge of the bed and reached out to grasp his hand as it rested on the coverlet. ‘I can’t leave you for five minutes without you getting into bother,’ she said, forcing a smile although she felt more like crying.

  ‘I don’t remember how it happened,’ Jack said angrily. ‘One minute I was on horseback, and the next thing I remember is waking up in my bed.’

  ‘Are you in much pain now?’

  ‘I can’t feel a thing, and that’s what frightens me most. I can’t move my legs, Judy. I’m a cripple.’

  She squeezed his fingers. ‘Don’t say that. It’s early days yet, and I’ll make sure you get the best medical attention possible. You’ll be up and about before you know it.’

  Jack curled his fingers tightly around her hand. ‘Do you really believe that?’

  She met his anxious gaze with a straight look. ‘We must believe it, Jack.’

  ‘You won’t leave me again, will you?’

  She raised his hand to her cheek. ‘No, of course not.’

  ‘I want you to promise.’

  ‘I do – cross my heart and hope to die.’

  A faint smile creased his pale face. ‘I’ve hardly slept since the accident. Will you hold my hand until I fall asleep?’

  She edged carefully onto the bed and lay down beside him, clutching his hand in hers. ‘Of course I will.’

  Judy waited until she was certain that she would not wake Jack by getting up. She leaned over the bed to drop a kiss on his unruly curls; he looked so young and defenceless while he slept, and her heart went out to him. Biting back tears, she went downstairs to the drawing room where she found Mary deep in conversation with Dr Neville. He looked up and his expression was serious.

  ‘I’m glad you came home, Judy. You’re just what Jack needs.’

  Mary nodded. ‘Yes, indeed. Hilda told me you were here, Judy. I’ve been so worried about Jack, but I know you’ll do him a power of good. I want you to forget what I said to you before. I didn’t want you to leave us like that, and Jack was furious with me.’

  ‘We will all do our best for Jack,’ Dr Neville said earnestly. ‘I’ve sent for a specialist from London.’

  ‘I don’t care what it costs,’ Mary said feebly. ‘I’d sell my soul to make my boy well again.’

  ‘Of course you would, Mrs Tattersall,’ Dr Neville said gently. ‘My knowledge of spinal injuries is limited, but Toby recommended a young doctor who trained at the City Orthopaedic Hospital in Hatton Garden. I’ve met Ben Godfrey and he’s a decent fellow, who won’t charge you a full consultant’s fee.’

  Judy stared at him in surprise. ‘Dr Godfrey? I met him in the London Hospital. He’s very nice.’

  ‘He’s a very presentable fellow,’ Dr Neville said, smiling. ‘But he’s also a very good doctor.’

  ‘When is he due to arrive, Doctor?’ Mary asked urgently.

  ‘He’ll be here in a day or two, but you mustn’t expect miracles, Mrs Tattersall. Jack damaged his spine when he was thrown from his horse. It’s too early to tell if it will be permanent, but there is the possibility that he won’t walk again.’

  Mary reached for her hanky. ‘Oh, no! I can’t bear to think about it.’

  ‘He will recover fully,’ Judy said firmly. ‘I won’t let him give up.’

  Dr Neville gave her an encouraging smile. ‘That’s the right attitude, Judy. If anyone can keep his spirits up, it’s you.’ He turned to Mary, covering her hand with his. ‘I’m sure that Daisy would be happy to give you a hand, should you need help. She was an excellent nurse.’

  ‘You always had a soft spot for Daisy,’ Mary said with a ghost of a smile. ‘I know she’s happy now with Marius, but Jay should be here to manage the estate instead of running away to the other side of the world. He’s let us all down.’

  ‘Have you heard from him since he went to Australia? It’s hard to imagine that he would abandon his family so completely.’

  ‘No, Doctor. Not a word, and it’s been ten years since he left us. He probably thinks he’ll go to prison for bigamy if he comes home, so I doubt if I’ll ever see him again.’

  ‘I’m sorry, it must be very hard for you.’ Dr Neville patted her hand before rising to his feet. ‘I’ll go upstairs and see my patient. There’s no need to accompany me, Mrs Tattersall. You need to rest and take care of yourself.’

  ‘I’ll try, Doctor.’

  He paused by the doorway. ‘Might I have a word with you, Judy?’

  She jumped up and hurried after him as he stepped outside into the corridor. ‘What is it, Doctor?’

  ‘Jack won’t be able to do anything much in the way of running things for quite some time, and Mrs Tattersall isn’t a young woman. Your mother and Mrs Ralston are quite capable of dealing with household affairs and, as far as I can tell, Clem Guppy is a good estate manager, but they need someone to take charge. Someone they can turn to if they need help or advice.’

  ‘I don’t think I’m the right person, if that’s what you’re thinking,’ Judy said hastily. ‘I’m not family.’

  ‘It was Jack who brought the matter up, Judy. He begged me to send for you and he has enormous faith in you.’

  ‘I know Mrs Tattersall wanted me to take over as housekeeper when Mrs Ralston retires, but running the entire estate is not the same thing, Doctor.’

  ‘I understand, and I have spoken to Mrs Tattersall about it. She’s desperate to keep the estate together, and she had to admit that there is no one else who is as close to the family as you are, Judy.’

  ‘Yes, but I have no authority when it comes to making decisions about the estate.’

  ‘Jack trusts you implicitly and, if the truth were told, you probably know a great deal more about day-to-day matters than he does. He’s willing to back up any decisions you make, should you decide to accept the responsibility. It’s just a temporary measure, until he’s recovered sufficiently to take the reins again but, speaking as his doctor, I think that, above all, he needs complete rest and peace of mind.’

  ‘I really wouldn’t know where to start, Doctor.’

  ‘Then may I suggest that you visit Colneyhurst and have a word with Daisy? I’m sure she would be only too happy to help you, considering the fact that she ran this place single-handed after Jay deserted her. She had to make it pay for itself and she did a splendid job.’

  Judy met his earnest gaze. ‘I’m not entirely convinced, but I’ll go and see Daisy first thing in the morning.’

  He patted her on the shoulder. ‘I have faith in you, Judy. I’m going to see Jack now, so I’d like you to come with me. I’ll tell him about Dr Godfrey, and you can calm any doubts he might have.’

  After eating her supper in the servants’ hall Judy went upstairs to sit with Jack while he picked at his food. ‘If you don’t eat up I’ll have to spoon-feed you as if you were a baby.’

  Jack pulled a face. ‘You would, too.’

  ‘Yes, indeed, and I want to see a clean plate. You won’t get better unless you get your strength back.’

  He managed to eat a few more mouthfuls. ‘What’s this London doctor like?’

  ‘I only met him briefly, but he seemed quite nice. Apparently his patients call him Dr God – his name is Dr Godfrey, if you remember what Dr Neville told you earlier.’

  ‘My brain works very well, thank you, Judy. It’s my legs that were affected by the fall.’

  She smiled. ‘I’m glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humour.’ She leaned over to take the tray from him. ‘You’ll walk again, I know it.’

  ‘I don’t think I could go on if I were a cripple.’

  She placed the tray on a side table and went to sit on the edge of the bed, taking both his hands in hers.

  ‘I won’t allow that sort of tal
k, Jack. I’m with you now and for always, if you need me.’

  ‘I’ve no claim on you, Judy.’ His eyes brimmed with tears and he turned his head away. ‘If I can’t walk again I’ll only be half a man.’

  ‘Absolute nonsense. You are the same Jack Fox I’ve always known and loved.’

  He turned to face her. ‘You love me?’

  ‘Of course I do, silly. I’ve always loved you, and nothing will ever alter that, so when you start talking like a lunatic, just remember the people who care deeply for you.’ She put her arms around him and gave him a long, but gentle hug.

  ‘That’s half the trouble.’ Jack sank back against the pillows, smiling ruefully. ‘My family are driving me mad. Dove and Linnet have been here every day, sometimes with their children. I love them all, but I don’t know what to say to them. Ma keeps crying and kissing me, which she never did before. Keep them away from me, Judy. Please.’

  She pulled the covers up to his chin. ‘I will. Now try to sleep.’

  ‘Did the doctor speak to you about taking care of things while I’m laid up?’

  ‘Yes, he did, but don’t worry about that now.’

  He grasped her hand. ‘I want you to manage the estate for me. You’re the only person I really trust.’

  ‘Let’s not talk about that just yet. You must rest.’

  ‘I won’t sleep until you promise you’ll stay and do what you can to keep things together. Promise, Judy.’

  She raised his hand to her lips. ‘All right, I promise I’ll do everything I can.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Jack closed his eyes and then opened them, staring at her in alarm. ‘You’re not going back to the cottage, are you?’

  ‘Yes, of course. It’s where I live.’

  ‘No,’ he cried childishly. ‘I don’t want you to go so far away. You must sleep in the room next to mine. It was Daisy’s bedchamber until she married Marius. Please don’t go.’

  She clasped his hand. ‘All right. I’ll do as you ask, but I have to let Ma know, or she’ll think something awful has happened to me.’

  ‘You’ll come back and say good night.’

  ‘Of course I will. Stop worrying. I’m here and I’m never going to leave you again.’

  He closed his eyes again and a smile curved his lips.

  Judy tiptoed from the room and went to find her mother. She had expected to be bombarded with objections when she told her mother that she was going to move to the manor house, but Hilda merely smiled.

  ‘If that’s what makes Jack happy, then that’s what you must do. The poor boy has been in a terrible state since you left.’

  ‘I thought I was doing the right thing by going away, Ma.’

  Hilda patted her on the shoulder. ‘We do what we can in this world, dear. Now I must go. Mr Faulkner is waiting for me.’

  Judy was suddenly alert. She had detected a subtle change in her mother even before she left for London, but she had been too immersed in her own problems to question her. Now she was suspicious. ‘Why would he do that?’

  ‘He’s been very considerate since Jack’s accident. Being the head groom and all that, I think he felt responsible for the way the horse bolted, but of course it had nothing to do with him. Anyway, he’s taken to walking me home after dark. He says there are poachers in the woods, so I’m glad of a bit of protection.’

  ‘I see.’ Judy stifled a giggle. It seemed that Ma and the head groom were walking out together, although of course Ma would never admit to such a thing.

  ‘I know you’re laughing at me, Judy Begg. You can wipe that smirk off your face.’

  Judy leaned over to kiss her mother’s lined cheek. ‘I’m not laughing at you, Ma. If you enjoy Mr Faulkner’s company, that’s fine by me.’

  ‘He’s very patient with your brothers,’ Hilda said stiffly. ‘He says that Pip and Nate both have a way with horses.’

  ‘I’m sure he’s a good influence on them. It’s hard for boys to grow up without their father. I don’t think either of them remember Pa, but I do. He was kind and funny.’

  ‘I’m not trying to replace your father, Judy.’ Hilda’s face flushed rosily. ‘I’m too old for all that, and no man would want a woman with half a limb missing.’

  ‘Ma, you’re only thirty-nine. You’re not old, and if Mr Faulkner really likes you he wouldn’t care about your injury.’

  Hilda tossed her head. ‘I don’t know why we’re even talking about this, Judy. Wilfred and I are just friends.’

  ‘Wilfred?’ Judy chuckled. ‘Oh, Ma! I’m delighted that you have a gentleman friend. You are much too attractive and nice to spend the rest of your life as a widow.’

  ‘You’re talking nonsense, as usual. I’m going home.’

  ‘You mustn’t keep Wilfred waiting,’ Judy said, smiling.

  ‘It’s a pity you’re too big to put over my knee.’ Hilda stalked off with her head held high and Judy dissolved into a fit of giggles. Suddenly she felt better, and she went to the linen cupboard to fetch sheets and pillowcases for the bed in Daisy’s old room.

  Dr Godfrey arrived next day and was met at the station by Dr Neville. Judy was halfway down the grand staircase when they arrived. She reached the foot of the stairs in time to greet the new arrivals.

  ‘It’s so good of you both to come all this way.’

  Dr Godfrey bowed over her extended hand with old-fashioned gallantry, which she found rather touching. ‘Not at all, Miss Begg. I’ve always been interested in spinal injuries, and Dr Neville has explained the nature of the accident.’

  ‘Would you like to see Mrs Tattersall before you examine Jack?’ Judy asked cautiously. ‘I expect she had many questions to put to you.’

  ‘Of course.’ Dr Godfrey gave her a smile that seemed to light up the great hall even though it was raining outside.

  ‘That’s a good idea,’ Dr Neville added. ‘Dr Godfrey will be able to give her much more up-to-date information than I could.’

  Judy led the way to the morning parlour where Mary spent much of her time these days. It was a relatively small room, furnished with comfortable, well-worn chairs and a tea table set in front of a tall window, which overlooked the parterre garden in all its spring glory. Mary was seated by the fire, which she insisted on being lit even though it was reasonably warm. She put her embroidery hoop down.

  ‘Yes, Judy? What is it?’

  ‘Dr Neville is here with the specialist from London, Dr Godfrey.’

  ‘Oh dear. I’m not sure I’m ready for this. What will I do if he says there’s no hope of Jack ever walking again?’

  ‘He might say the very opposite, Mrs Tattersall. Dr Godfrey is the expert.’

  ‘Show them in, and then you’d better go upstairs and warn Jack to expect them.’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Judy opened the door and beckoned. ‘Mrs Tattersall will see you now.’ She ushered them into the room and closed the door. Taking a deep breath she headed back through the great hall and, picking up her skirts, she raced upstairs, arriving in Jack’s room slightly breathless.

  He was propped up on a mound of pillows. ‘Why the hurry?’ he demanded peevishly. ‘Your hair is all over the place.’

  She went to the dressing table and smoothed a stray lock of fair hair back from her forehead. ‘Your mother sent me to tell you that the specialist is here. Dr Godfrey is particularly interested in spinal injuries.’

  Jack turned his face to the wall. ‘I feel like an exhibit in a freak show.’

  ‘Nonsense, Jack. Stop being so melodramatic. The doctor is here to help you.’ A sharp rap had Judy hurrying across the room to open the door. She let the two doctors in and rather reluctantly left them to carry out whatever examinations they thought necessary. She made her way slowly downstairs, where she found Mary pacing the floor in the great hall.

  ‘Are you all right, ma’am?’ Judy asked anxiously.

  Mary shook her head. ‘I can’t carry on like this, Judy. I know I should be stronger and more capable, but I really can’t conti
nue to manage the estate as I did when Jack was away at university. Jack spoke to me about you and I agree with him. There is no one that either of us would trust to take over while he’s in this state, other than yourself. Will you forget everything I said in the past, Judy? Will you take over from me and keep the estate from going bankrupt?’

  Chapter Five

  It was almost an hour later when Dr Neville and Dr Godfrey returned to the morning parlour. Judy had managed to calm some of Mary’s fears by promising to do everything in her power to keep things running until Jack made a full recovery. She had kept her amused with descriptions of Mrs Wood’s lodging house and the people who lived there, but she was rapidly running out of stories.

  ‘Well?’ Mary demanded, rising to her feet. ‘What is the likely outcome, Dr Godfrey? There’s no need to mince words. I’m prepared for the worst.’

  ‘I’ve examined your son to the best of my ability and, apart from the obvious bruising, it’s difficult to ascertain whether or not there is more serious damage to his spine.’

  ‘So you can’t give me a definite diagnosis,’ Mary said slowly. ‘I thought you were an expert.’

  ‘I understand your concern, Mrs Tattersall, but in a case such as this we have to wait and see. It’s going to be a slow process, but I would very much like to come again in a couple of weeks’ time, and perhaps by then I’ll be able to make a more accurate prognosis.’ Dr Godfrey looked from Mary’s downcast face to Judy’s equally sad expression. ‘However, I am very hopeful. Jack is young and strong, and I know he will have the best of care.’

  Mary sank back onto her seat. ‘Send your bill and I’ll make sure it is settled quickly.’

  ‘There will be no charge for this initial visit, Mrs Tattersall. I’m happy to be of service but I will return in a fortnight’s time, if that’s acceptable to you.’

  ‘I’ll call again tomorrow,’ Dr Neville said hurriedly.

  ‘I’ll see you out.’ Judy hesitated in the doorway, glancing anxiously at Mary, who was deathly pale.

  ‘All this is too much.’ Mary leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. ‘My poor boy.’