For The Sake of Her Family (18 page)

‘Doesn’t Alice look beautiful?’ Nancy sighed as her brother entered the room. Alice turned to see Gerald Frankland admiring her, as Nancy clapped her hands in glee at the
transformation she’d brought about.

‘Now I’ve two beautiful ladies to accompany me tonight. Alice, you’re simply stunning. Heads will certainly turn when you take to the dance floor. As they will when you do,
Nancy, my dear.’ Gerald kissed his sister tenderly on the cheek. ‘Will certainly does not deserve two such lovely ladies. I hope you tell him so, Nancy.’

He smiled and made his way to the door. He’d known Alice was pretty, but this was a revelation. Never had he seen such a perfect creature. The blue dress reflected her eyes, and her hair
shone with the Fabergé comb, delicately placed at an angle. If only she was better bred! He didn’t mind his sister showing an interest in Will, provided that was all it was; the
thought of the relationship getting any deeper was beyond belief. A working-class man and a lady, it didn’t bear thinking about! However, with it being common knowledge among their tight
circle that Nancy had inherited their mother’s weaknesses, it was unlikely that anybody of their own class would take an interest in his younger sister. And at least Will was making her
happy. Gerald, on the other hand, could not form an attachment with someone just because she made him happy; it would have to be someone with class, someone to carry on the family name, not a
common working-class girl.

‘Ladies, I’ll see you downstairs. Nancy, don’t forget to circulate – we are the hosts, after all, and don’t you spend all night with Will!’

‘I won’t. But some of the guests are so stuffy, Gerald. Do I really have to talk to everyone?’

‘Everyone, Nancy. It’s expected of us.’ Gerald wagged his finger at his complaining sister as he left the room.

‘Boring fuddy-duddy,’ Nancy complained as she sat heavily on the edge of her bed.

Alice gave herself another glance in the mirror, still amazed at her reflection, then went to close the heavy curtains. When she got to the window, she stopped and urged Nancy to join her. The
moon was rising, clear and glimmering white, its smiling face beaming down upon the manor. The sky was purple and pink with hues of the dying day foretelling of the hard frost that was going to
cover the dale through the night. The snow twinkled in the moonlight, like scatterings of millions of diamonds, making the view magical.

‘Isn’t it beautiful? Like something out of a fairy tale. Let’s hope that tonight we meet our princes; then it would truly be a wonderful night.’ Nancy squeezed
Alice’s hand.

The two young women made their way down the stairs and into the hallway, their dresses rustling with the weight of material. Nancy’s jewellery sparkled in the light as they reached the
doorway. The strains of the Beresford Band could be heard throughout the manor, and holly, mistletoe and ivy adorned the hall and adjoining rooms, while log fires burned brightly in the
hearths.

‘Alice, go warm yourself by the fire and listen to the band while I welcome our guests.’ Nancy patted Alice’s hand and ushered her into the large ballroom, which had chairs all
around the sides for guests who wanted a rest from dancing. The band was in the far corner of the hall, playing the latest refrains.

Leaning against the fireplace in his best suit and with his hair smoothed back was Jack. As Alice entered he looked up from warming his hands and for a moment or two stood gaping at her, lost
for words, as she crossed the dance floor, smiling gently at him.

‘By God, you scrub up real well, Alice Bentham.’ Taken aback by her beauty, Jack had momentarily forgotten where he was.

‘Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself. No one told me you’d be here; it’s a surprise to see you.’ Alice bowed her head sheepishly: she hadn’t forgotten that
last time she had spoken to him, she had been sharp with her words, something that she’d been regretting ever since she said them.

‘Aye, well, I came in my father’s place. He’s not so good – the rheumatics are playing up in this cold weather. By heck, I’m glad I did come, just to see you all
dressed up like you are.’ Jack grinned and then blushed.

‘Jack, I’m really sorry. I was being selfish and self-centred when I lost my temper. I acted like a spoilt school girl. Can you ever forgive me?’ She gazed bashfully at Jack.
For once she was willing to admit that she’d been in the wrong; if Jack was saving up for something, it was none of her business.

‘It’s forgotten. Come on, let’s help ourselves to a glass of the punch. I’ve had my eye on it ever since I came in, but didn’t want to help myself.’

He held his arm out for Alice to take, which she did, smiling at easy-going Jack. How she’d missed him, if only as a friend. He was very special to her.

The room was full of Dales people enjoying celebrating New Year’s Eve, wishing better fortunes to everyone for the coming year. The band played while everyone danced,
drank or chatted, the ballroom alive with noise and laughter. At the stroke of midnight, everyone joined in a large circle, standing next to the one they loved, and sang ‘Auld Lang
Syne’, their cheerful faces welcoming the new year in. Alice held Jack’s hand as she rushed backwards and forwards with the crowds to the chorus, Jack admiring every move she made.
Then, when the song ended, Jack held her tight around the waist and kissed her passionately, whispering, ‘Happy New Year,’ and telling her how much he loved her.

Burying her face in his shoulder, Alice tried to hide the tears that were running down her cheeks, as she murmured her best wishes for the new year. But, try as she might, she could not bring herself to tell Jack that she
loved him. She wasn’t sure: her heart told her one thing and her head another. Jack was many a girl’s dream, but he wasn’t enough for her. She needed something more than to be a
farmer’s wife, she needed to see the world and have fun.

Jack lifted her chin and gave her a tender kiss, trying to get the response he needed to hear. She smiled fondly at him, trying not to hurt his feelings, knowing what he was expecting, but
unable to say the words. Relief swept over her as Gerald Frankland saved her from the awkward situation by tapping Jack on the shoulder and requesting the next dance with Alice. Jack hesitantly
released Alice into the hands of her employer, who immediately took command of the dance floor, sweeping her off her feet as they waltzed round the ballroom.

‘Sorry, I thought you needed saving from Jack.’ Gerald Frankland spoke quietly as they danced. ‘He looked a bit intense and you appeared to be uncomfortable.’ He smiled
at Alice, who was feeling safe and secure in his arms, unaware of the interest people were showing in the couple as they glided round the room.

‘I think he got carried away with the night, that’s all.’ Alice smiled, spotting Jack in the crowd watching the woman he loved dancing with the lord of the manor. He was taking
a long sip from a glass of punch. Next time Alice turned to see him, he’d gone, making her anxious to know where he was but at the same time less nervous of dancing with her new partner.

The night flew by as the couple danced on, making all the locals gossip at the unlikely alliance of commoner and lord. By the time the clock struck two, the ballroom was beginning to empty and
Alice was exhausted, nearly collapsing in his arms at the end of their last dance together.

‘My poor girl, I’ve worn you out. You dance so perfectly and I’ve enjoyed your company so much, I forgot that you’ve been ill. Forgive me. Here, let me help you up the
stairs.’ Gerald Frankland unthinkingly offered to carry his dance partner to her room.

‘Please, I think we have caused enough scandal tonight, without the lord of the manor carrying me to my room in front of his guests. I’ll make my own way, thank you.’

Alice’s cheeks were flushed with embarrassment and the excitement of the evening. She had loved every minute, but she didn’t want to be the cause of further talk. Shakily she made
her way up the stairs and into her bedroom. Heart racing, she lay down on the bed, thoughts of Jack and Lord Frankland racing through her mind. She whispered, ‘Gerald,’ under her
breath, and then her conscience kicked in with thoughts of poor Jack and his confession of love for her. No, she must not think or even fantasize about her employer; she should be true to Jack . .
. Giggling quietly to herself, she kicked her shoes off and admired herself yet again in the mirror before stepping out of the borrowed dress and into her nightclothes. Best foot forward, she told
herself. This was only the start of the year: 1914, a new year brimming with hope and the love of Jack and the longing glances of Gerald Frankland. Now, which one did she want?

‘He did what? Over my dead body.’ Gerald Frankland was fuming, raising his voice at the breakfast table.

‘But, Gerald, I’ve said yes. I love him, truly I do, and he loves me.’ Nancy Frankland pleaded with her brother.

‘Will Bentham had no right to ask you to marry him, not without my permission. For God’s sake, has the man no manners? You must tell him no, say that I have forbidden it. On second
thoughts, never mind – I’ll tell him myself. I’ll go up to Stone House later this morning. He needs to know he can’t simply propose like that – and to do it in our
stable after trying to take advantage of my little sister!’ Gerald Frankland sliced into his ham and eggs with the fervour of an outraged man.

‘So it’s all right for you to show yourself up, dancing all night with Alice, but it’s not all right for me to accept a proposal from the man I love. No matter how lowly his
roots, Gerald, I do love him.’ Nancy stood her ground.

‘Damn it, woman, it was a bit of fun with a servant, nothing more. I’m not like you, about to lose all status for a bit of rough.’ Gerald spat out the words. His head was
throbbing from hitting the wine after his guests had departed.

All night his mind had been on the young woman who was sleeping under his roof, and he’d had to fight the impulse to go and knock on her bedroom door in the hope that she’d let him
in. Then to top it all, Nancy had come to the breakfast table with news of her engagement to Will. He slammed his knife and fork down.

‘Bloody hell, old girl, he’s as common as muck. Still, if you love him, we’ll have to do something about it. But believe me, Alice was just a bit of fun, someone to dance with
in place of darling Tatiana – you know how much I miss her.’

Nancy rose from her seat, put her arm around Gerald and gently kissed his cheek. ‘He makes me happy. Please accept that. I don’t care if he’s no money. And, Gerald, don’t
shout: Alice is only in the kitchen. You wouldn’t want to upset your new sister-in-law now, would you? Love you, sweetie. You’ll see, he will make me so happy.’

‘Yes, we’ll see. This last twelve-month does seem to have revolved round one or other of the Benthams. If you love him, we’ll have to do something about it, I suppose. I
can’t go on ignoring this stupid fancy, but even though he did save my life, I don’t agree with the match and never will. At least I know he’s honourable, though. So I’ll go
and see him. And yes, to help him win respect, I’ll conjure up an important order for him and that dratted marble works. Anything to make you happy. Now, leave me in peace with my breakfast.
I’ve a thumping headache and I can’t do with you sounding so happy around me.’

Gerald grunted and stirred his coffee as he watched his sister gaily running from the room. He wasn’t happy, but he’d have to live with it.

‘Well, I don’t know what the world’s coming to! A farm labourer marrying our Miss Nancy, it’s just not right. He might be in charge of the marble works
now, but that means nothing. Mr Gerald was only being right with him after that incident with the fire – and he even caused that.’ Mrs Dowbiggin stirred the pan of soup, her back to
Faulks, complaining about the proposal.

‘Too true, Mrs Dowbiggin. I agree with your every word. Things are definitely not like what they used to be. And I’ll tell you something else: his lordship is sweet on Alice. You
know there was a time you expected your employer to take advantage of a good-looking servant discreetly, on the quiet. Not to dance with her in front of all and sundry. That’s not on!’
Faulks spat on the shoes he was polishing and brushed with vigour until he saw them shine.

‘Quite so, Mr Faulks. Standards are slipping. I blame it on these suffragettes. A woman should know her place: in the kitchen, in the bedroom and married to someone of her own class.
There’s too much rubbish about equal rights. It hurts me to say this, but men will always be superior. Still, never mind. As long as Miss Nancy’s happy, there’s nothing we can do
but plan for a wedding. I heard Master Gerald saying he was going up to Stone House today, so he might be talking Will Bentham out of it.’ She stirred the soup and added salt before trying
it.

‘What’s Master Gerald talking our Will out of?’ Alice entered the kitchen. ‘What’s my brother been up to now?’

‘Oh, my dear – I didn’t realize you were there. I don’t think it’s my place to say. You should hear it from your brother first,’ Mrs Dowbiggin spluttered as
the hot soup burned her lip.

Faulks quickly excused himself, pretending that the shoes he had been polishing were urgently needed. He wanted no part of the cross-examination Mrs Dowbiggin was about to be subjected to.

‘What do you mean? You obviously know something I don’t, so go on, tell me: what’s he been up to?’ Alice stood her ground, holding the back of the chair and rising to her
full height to slightly intimidate the gossiping housekeeper.

‘Well, my dear, I overheard Miss Nancy talking to Master Gerald this morning. It seems your brother proposed to her last night and they’re getting married. Miss Nancy is to be your
sister-in-law! Now, isn’t that grand?’ Mrs Dowbiggin watched Alice’s face as she absorbed the news. ‘I thought that would take the wind out of your sails. I’d have
thought one of them would have told you first, but then you were a little busy yourself last night . . .’

‘The stupid bloody idiot! What does he think he’s doing?’ Alice pulled out the chair and sat down, running her fingers through her long hair.