A Loving Family (39 page)

‘He can't have.' Jacinta shook her head. ‘It must be a mistake.'

‘No, I think it was what he intended.' Rosa reached up to hold Tommy's hand. ‘Uncle Gervase would do anything to keep Kit from his rightful inheritance. He was a mean, spiteful old man and his promise meant nothing.'

Tommy raised her hand to his cheek. ‘Don't distress yourself, my darling. This is Kit's battle, not yours. I'll look after you.'

‘I know you will, Tommy. But my heart breaks for Kit. He loves this old house and the estate. He's away fighting for his country and even in death Uncle Gervase manages to control his destiny.'

Jacinta sprang to her feet. ‘No, Rosa. Gervase hasn't won. If it's true that I own Heron Park then I'm free to do with it as I please.'

‘Of course you are,' Rosa said sadly. ‘You are my uncle's widow and I'm sure Kit wouldn't dream of challenging the will in court.'

‘Therefore I can give the estate back to its rightful owner.' Jacinta clasped her hands, closing her eyes with a heartfelt sigh. ‘I can be free at last from Gervase Rivenhall and the wretched life he made me endure. When the legalities are complete I'll instruct a solicitor to do whatever it takes to transfer ownership to Kit.'

‘Bravo,' Tommy said, clapping his hands. ‘Well said, ma'am. You are a true lady.'

Stella enveloped her mother in a warm embrace. ‘I'm so proud of you, Ma. I always was, but never more so than today.'

Rosa leapt to her feet and grasped Jacinta's hand. ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart.'

‘I think this calls for a celebration,' Tommy said, tugging at the bell pull. ‘I'm sure your uncle kept a well-stocked cellar, Rosa. Let's hope there's some champagne left.'

Dinner was taken that evening in a chilly dining room. Stella had been with her mother when Jacinta summoned Mrs Kendall and announced that she was the new owner of Heron Park. The housekeeper's tight-lipped response had said more than words, and Stella could only imagine the conversations that had taken place below stairs as the shocked kitchen staff prepared the meal.

For the first time Stella found herself firmly placed on the family side of the green baize door and it was a novel situation, but she realised that it was only temporary. How Annie would have laughed had she seen her now, seated in the drawing room with the gentry. Rosa and Tommy might treat her as an equal, but the servants knew the truth. Stella applauded her mother's decision to sign the property over to Kit, its rightful owner, but she was only too well aware that polite society would have written Ma off as an adventuress who would not be welcomed in their midst. She must face the fact that it would be the same if she were to marry Kit. She would be branded as a fortune-hunter and he would be pitied for making a terrible misalliance.

‘Why are you looking so sad?' Rosa demanded suddenly. ‘I thought you would be delighted to think that Kit would come home to all this.'

‘I am,' Stella said hastily. ‘Of course I am.'

‘Then why the long face?'

‘I expect Stella is tired,' Jacinta said with a sympathetic smile. ‘It's been a long day and we must rise early tomorrow so that we can get back to the shop and start baking.'

Tommy stared at her in amazement. ‘But you're the owner of Heron Park now, ma'am. Even though the will has to go to probate the outcome is certain, and someone has to be seen to be in charge of the estate.'

‘Tommy's right,' Rosa said seriously. ‘If we leave now the place will go to rack and ruin. I never had anything to do with the business side of things, but the accounts will have to be gone through.'

‘I can't do that,' Jacinta said faintly. ‘I wouldn't know where to start.'

‘No one would expect you to.' Tommy rose to his feet and tossed another log on the fire. ‘But rents have to be collected and the servants have to be paid.'

‘Kit did all that when Father became too ill to cope, but someone has to take over.' Rosa shook her head sadly. ‘If only Kit were here now.'

‘Would the Army release him?' Jacinta asked anxiously. ‘I know nothing about such things.'

‘The estate will face ruin if things are allowed to slide,' Rosa said with a worried frown. ‘Isn't that so, Tommy?'

‘I daresay you're right, my sweet. I suppose I should start paying attention to things at home. Heaven knows I let Pater down by neglecting my studies. I suppose the least I can do is learn the business side of things.' He slipped his arm around her shoulders. ‘We'll want to leave something to our offspring.'

She blushed and giggled. ‘Don't say things like that. You'll embarrass Jacinta and Stella.'

Jacinta smiled. ‘It would take more than that to make me feel uncomfortable, my dear. But I'm no use here and my presence will unsettle the servants because they know how it used to be.'

‘And we have to earn our own living,' Stella added. ‘The shop is all we've got and it's rented. We're living in your house, Rosa. We would have to find somewhere else to live should you and Kit decide to sell it. And there's Aunt Maud to consider too.'

‘I've never thought of you as anything but family, Stella,' Rosa said earnestly. ‘You too, Jacinta. We've stuck together through such hard times. I don't know what I would have done without you.'

Tommy resumed his seat at her side. ‘I know I can speak for Rosa when I say that neither of you will ever be homeless again. You are the legal owner of this house and all its land, Mrs Rivenhall. You aren't a penniless widow, and your generous offer won't go unrewarded.'

‘Of course not,' Rosa said, smiling. ‘Consider the house in Fleur-de-Lis Street yours for as long as you need it. I always hated the place, and could feel Uncle Silas in every room as if the old man was still there. I'm sure Kit would agree, and when he returns from Afghanistan we can put it all on a more formal basis.'

‘Thank you,' Jacinta said with a tired smile. ‘It's a relief to know that Freddie and the girls will have a home of their own.'

‘And you will be able to marry Mr Hendy and live happily ever after,' Stella said with a mischievous smile.

‘We'll see.' Jacinta rose to her feet. ‘And now I'm going to bed. We really must leave early in the morning, Rosa.'

‘I'll get my coachman to drive you back to London,' Tommy said firmly. ‘Rosa and I will stay on for as long as it takes to sort matters out here.'

Jacinta hesitated in the doorway. ‘That wouldn't be proper, Rosa. You must have a chaperone, but please don't ask me to stay.'

Stella thought for a moment. ‘Aunt Maud might come, if you allowed her to bring Timmy.'

‘Don't tell me you've discovered another long-lost relation?' Tommy stared at her in surprise.

‘He's a very important member of the family. Aunt Maud won't go anywhere without him.' Stella yawned and stood up. ‘And now I'm off to bed too. It's been a long day.' She followed her mother from the room and caught up with her as she was about to mount the grand staircase.

‘This house is filled with echoes of the past, Stella. Would you mind if I shared your bed tonight? I won't get a wink of sleep alone.'

ALL TOO SOON
Freddie's leave was up and he returned to his ship, but Stella was comforted by the knowledge that he would return, and that he now had a home he could call his own. The house in Fleur-de-Lis Street might not be grand like Heron Park and Portgone Place, but it was theirs for as long as they wanted to remain there, and the business was flourishing.

Maud and Timmy had taken up residence in Heron Park and stayed on after Tommy had returned home to keep Rosa company. The wedding date was arranged for June, and the young couple had decided to remain at Heron Park until Kit's return. Stella wrote to him at least once a week but had so far only received one reply, which was brief and told her little other than the fact that he loved her. She kept the letter tucked into the bodice of her dress, holding it close to her heart in the hope that the war would end soon and he would come home.

Mr Hendy was a regular visitor that winter while there was not much to do on the farm. He and Jacinta were now officially engaged but she refused to name the day until she was certain that Stella and Belinda could manage the shop on their own. Gervase's will had gone through probate and Jacinta was now the official owner of Heron Park, but money was a problem and there were bills to pay. Gervase had neglected his duties for years and had squandered the income from the tenant farmers on his extravagant lifestyle. In desperation Rosa hired a young land agent to collect the rents and help with the running of the estate until Kit was able to take over, but Harry Sparrow was not optimistic.

On a fine Sunday afternoon in late spring, Stella and Belinda took the omnibus to Highgate and walked the rest of the way to Heron Park. The hedgerows were bursting with life despite the unseasonal chill after a particularly bleak winter, but the sun shone from an azure sky and a faint haze of green was proof of nature's resilience. Belinda sniffed the air. ‘This reminds me of Chalkhill Farm,' she said, closing her eyes and holding her face up to be caressed by the sun's gentle rays. ‘I sometimes wish I was back there. I hated working for the farmer's wife in Mountnessing, and yet I miss living in the country. I'm not sure where I belong. Perhaps I should have gone into the nunnery after all.'

Stella smiled at the notion of her sister spending her life in prayer and contemplation. ‘I think you made the right choice, Belle. Besides which, Ma and Mr Hendy will be married at harvest time and there's nothing to stop you living on the farm with them.'

Belinda shot her a wary glance. ‘I don't think it would work. I know I used to flirt with Bertie, but we're brother and sister now. It could be awkward.'

‘It was harmless fun, Belle. He might have a reputation with the ladies, but I'm sure Bertie wouldn't bother you.'

‘Probably not, but I would feel uncomfortable in his presence. Anyway, I couldn't leave you to do all the hard work in the shop; it wouldn't be fair after all you've done to keep us together.'

Stella came to a halt outside the tall wrought-iron gates and tugged at the bell pull. ‘You have to live your own life, Belle. You need not feel obligated to me, because I'm doing well and could afford to pay a woman to work in the shop. I've already taken on a workhouse girl to help in the kitchen, and Spike takes a turn at baking when Perry doesn't need him.'

Rosa chuckled. ‘I'd never imagined Spike as a baker, but I have to admit he makes delicious currant buns.'

The new gatekeeper emerged from the gatehouse. ‘Good afternoon, Miss Barry, Miss Belinda.'

‘Good afternoon, Turpin. How are you and Mrs Turpin settling in?' Stella waited for him to unlock the gate. Masters and Hinckley had been sacked when it was discovered their allegiance was still firmly lodged in the memory of their late master.

‘We're very happy, thank you, ma'am.' Turpin closed the gates behind them.

‘I'm glad to hear it.' Stella walked on with Belinda at her side. Her spirits always lifted the moment she entered the grounds of Heron Park, despite its turbulent history. She could understand why Kit and Rosa loved their old home, and now that it was free from Gervase Rivenhall's destructive presence the atmosphere had changed completely. Unfortunately the estate was on the verge of bankruptcy, a fact that Rosa acknowledged as they drank tea in the morning parlour.

‘Uncle Gervase bled the estate dry. Tommy went through the accounts with Harry Sparrow, and they both came to the same conclusion. We might lose everything if we can't make it pay its way.'

Stella's hand shook as she put the delicate bone china cup down on its saucer. ‘That's terrible.'

Rosa dabbed her eyes with a scrap of lace that passed as a handkerchief. ‘I've had to let some of the servants go. Mrs Kendall was about to retire anyway and I haven't replaced her. She's gone to live with her married daughter in the Lake District, but I can't say I was sorry to see the back of her. She was devoted to Uncle Gervase.'

‘What are you going to do?' Belinda asked curiously. ‘You've got plenty of rooms. You could take in lodgers.'

Rosa's eyes widened in horror. ‘Don't say such things, even in jest.'

‘I wasn't joking,' Belinda protested. ‘You said you needed money, and if you aren't getting it from the home farm or the tenants, what else will you do?'

Stella eyed the sunken top of the fruit cake with a professional frown. ‘Did you sack the cook as well, Rosa? I can't imagine Mrs Hawthorne allowing a cake like that to reach the tea table.'

Rosa pulled a face. ‘I had to let Cook go. She was thick as thieves with Mrs Kendall and she was stirring up trouble amongst the remaining servants. Poor Noakes was at his wits' end. He's getting too old to be butler, but he's been with us forever, and I can't sack him.'

‘What does your new land agent say to all this?' Stella rose to her feet and went to look out of the window. The grass in the deer park gleamed like satin in the sunlight and the herd grazed peacefully beneath the budding oak trees. ‘It would be a tragedy to see this lovely old house and grounds go to the highest bidder. Has he any ideas, Rosa?'

‘You can ask him yourself. I invited him to join us, even though it's Sunday and supposed to be his day off. I thought you and he might be able to come up with something between you.'

‘I still think letting rooms is a good idea,' Belinda muttered.

‘Let's see what Harry has to say.' Rosa reached for the bell pull. ‘He's waiting in the kitchen.'

Stella crossed the floor and resumed her seat. ‘Has anyone been in the caves since they were closed up after Mr Rivenhall was shot?'

Rosa shook her head. ‘No, I don't think so. The police arrested the girl's father for Uncle's murder, but they released him for lack of evidence. I think everyone in the village would have given him an alibi had they been asked.'