Miss Winbolt and the Fortune Hunter (12 page)

‘That's kind of her. I'd love to meet your wards, though I confess I'm quite nervous, too.'

‘There's no need.' William's voice very seldom lost its teasing note, but now he was quite serious as he said, ‘They are just two lost children, Emily. They've left everything that was familiar behind in Jamaica. Just a couple of years ago they had two loving parents and a comfortable, if not particularly wealthy, home. Now all that has gone, and after months of uncertainty they have been brought to England and handed over to an uncle they hardly remember. They need security, and that is what I intend to give them.'

‘They'll need more than that,' Emily said involuntarily.

‘Love? Yes. That's what I want from you.' Emily's eyes flew to his, but he went on, ‘Love for the children.'

‘Of course.' If her words sounded somewhat flat, he made no sign that he had noticed.

 

The next day Emily drove over to Thirle alone. She and Rosa had discussed whether they should go as a family, but between them they had decided that too many strangers at once might be intimidating for the young Ashendens.

William had obviously been watching for her, for when the carriage came to a halt he was there at the door. He helped her out, took her hands in his and pressed them, smiling that special smile of his, which always sent a warm glow through her. He raised an eyebrow in query and she nodded. Then, taking a deep breath, she turned. The children stood at the entrance, close to each other, a boy of about eight, and a girl a couple of years younger. The boy's arm was resting
protectively round the little girl's shoulders. They gazed at Emily, their eyes large with apprehension, as she advanced towards them. William said, ‘Miss Winbolt, I'd like you to meet James and Laura Ashenden.'

Emily smiled at them and held out her hand. There was a pause, then James stepped forward and asked with a touch of truculence, ‘Are you my uncle's friend?'

A little nonplussed, Emily nodded and said, ‘Well, yes. Yes, I suppose I am.'

Laura joined her brother in front of Emily. Huge, blue eyes gazed up at her. ‘Are we
really
going to be sent away to school?' she whispered.

Emily looked helplessly at William, but he remained silent, challenging her to find her own answer. She looked at the children standing in front of her, clasping hands so tightly that the knuckles showed. The boy looked ready to fight the world, his jaw set, his lower lip thrust forward belligerently. His sister's little mouth was trembling, huge eyes, the same dark blue as William's, full of apprehension. Emily's heart melted when she saw that the child was trembling. She knelt down and drew Laura to her. ‘Whatever put that into your head?' she asked. ‘I know for a fact that your uncle has a very pretty room at the Dower House meant just for you. And there's another for James, too. But would you prefer to go to school?'

A smile broke like sunshine through clouds. Black curls bobbed vigorously as Laura shook her head. ‘No, I don't p'fer it. James doesn't, too. But she said—'

‘Who is that, Laura?' asked William. ‘Who is “she”?'

James answered him. ‘It was Dolores. Mrs Warburton's maid. She said we were very naughty children and our uncle wouldn't want to be bothered with us. He'd
send us away to school and we would never see each other again, ever.'

‘Then the lady in this house here said that you were Uncle William's friend, and I thought…' Laura hesitated.

‘What did you think, Laura?'

‘I thought perhaps you would ask him not to, 'cos people do things for friends, don't they?'

‘Yes, they do. But in this case I shan't even have to ask him. I am quite sure he wants you to live with him. You may have been very naughty with Dolores, but I wasn't there, and neither was your uncle, so we don't know. But I'm sure he wants to keep you with him, whatever she said. In any case, you will
not
be naughty in England. There's so much to do at Charlwood you won't have time. So that's settled.'

Even James was smiling by this time, but she saw that they both looked cold, so she got up and held out her hands again. ‘Let's go inside. I expect you find it chilly here after the West Indies.' Laura took hold of the proffered hand without hesitation, but James hung back and looked at William. ‘Are you coming, too?' he asked. Emily wondered with private amusement whether James was naturally aggressive, or just had that sort of voice. But William replied cheerfully, ‘Of course I am, my boy. Come on! Let's all go inside together.' They went through the doors into the hall where Lady Deardon was waiting.

 

The children stayed with Lady Deardon, but spent a lot of their time with William at Charlwood. Emily frequently joined them there, and before long they were completely at ease with her. While William inspected the progress his builders were making or discussed
plans with the architect, the children ran laughing and shouting through the gardens under Emily's watchful eye. On cooler days they played hide and seek inside the house, in the rooms that had been made safe. They loved what they called treasure hunting, and frequently brought her bits and pieces that had been left behind many years before by the previous occupants—anything from an old hairpin to a silver-handled walking stick, which they found under one of the floor boards. James was particularly proud of one find, and asked Emily if he might keep it to hang on the wall in his bedroom.

‘What is it, James? Show me.'

James produced a small canvas and when it was dusted they saw that it was a picture of the garden. Emily exclaimed in delight when she saw it and told James he must show it to his uncle. ‘Look! It's a picture of the fountain! And it's exactly as I imagined it. We can use this picture as a guide for when we rebuild it! James, you are a clever boy. May I keep it safe for the moment? Later, if your uncle agrees, of course you may put it on your wall!'

Encouraged by this discovery the children re doubled their efforts, but never again found anything so exciting.

 

The mysterious Mr Kavanagh did not appear again, and when Emily asked William about his ‘school friend,' he said he was sure he didn't know anyone of that name. He was equally sure that no one had been asked to look at the structure of the fountain, either. He examined the soil that had been disturbed round the fountain, and James and Laura were convinced that someone had been looking for buried treasure. The children even dug up more of the ground, but the only result was two very
dirty children and a bigger pile of uninformative soil. Nothing else. It all remained a mystery.

William said he didn't like mysteries, and brought forward the plans for working on the gardens, engaging extra local men to do the work. The work had already been planned as part of the general scheme for Charlwood, but the presence of the men working on it also meant that any daytime intruders would find it difficult to remain unseen for long.

Soon it was assumed that Emily was part of the Ashenden team, and when William once or twice went to London, he brought the children over to Shearings to be with her rather than leave them with Lady Deardon. In no time at all the neighbourhood was sure that an announcement of the engagement between Emily Winbolt and William Ashenden could be expected before the month was out. There were many who were genuinely glad at the prospect of hap pi ness for Emily Winbolt, and looked forward to seeing her at last the mistress of an establishment of her own. They also wished Sir William success in his ambitions for Charlwood. There were one or two of the more hard-headed, of course, who added with a significant nod that he had chosen the right wife for such an enterprise.

 

But Maria Fenton was not one of the well-wishers. She arrived, ostensibly to pay a visit to Rosa, on a day when she knew William was on one of his excursions to London, but when the time came for her to leave she asked Emily to walk with her to the carriage. ‘I've been told you are an expert in gardening,' she said. ‘I would like to consult you about some plants I have just received.'

The excuse seemed very feeble, but, unable to think
of a reason why she should not oblige a guest, Emily reluctantly went with her.

‘I intended to ask William about these plants some time ago when he was showing me the gardens at Charlwood,' Mrs Fenton began. ‘But the visit ended rather awkwardly.'

‘I'm sorry to hear that. But I doubt he would have been of much help. He doesn't yet know a lot about plants,' said Emily with a smile.

‘I suppose it was foolish of me. And to tell the truth, I wasn't really there to see the gardens, but the house. William and I had so often discussed it and he had asked for my advice—he knows I am something of an expert in deco rating. But after what happened I felt I couldn't help him any longer.'

‘Oh? Why not?'

‘Oh, I couldn't possibly tell you.'

Emily looked at her in surprise and didn't believe that for one moment. Though Rosa appeared to enjoy her old friend's company, she herself had never liked Mrs Fenton, and suspected that this feeling was returned in full measure. Why, she had no idea. In this instance the woman was obviously eager to tell, and hoping to be pressed, but Emily had little wish to satisfy her. Instead she said earnestly, ‘In that case, my dear Mrs Fenton, I wouldn't dream of asking you to say another word.'

A brief look of annoyance flashed over Mrs Fenton's face. Then she said, ‘It is only because I was taught at an early age not to boast of my con quests, especially when I have had to disappoint the gentleman in question.'

‘An admirable lesson, and one with which I heartily agree. So…?'

‘But I know I can rely on you, Miss Winbolt, not to spread it further. You see, Sir William was on the point
of asking me to marry him some time ago, and I did not wish to encourage him. I am sure you can under stand my doubts more than others would. Women like us, in possession of a fortune, learn all too soon how often we are loved not for ourselves but for what we can bring with us.'

Emily began to under stand why she had been brought out for a private chat. Plants, indeed! She said coolly, ‘Forgive me, but am I to under stand that you seriously believe Sir William Ashenden would propose to you merely because of your fortune? You under rate your own charms, Mrs Fenton.'

‘Oh, he might well have been attracted to me. Most men are. But in this case it wasn't enough to reassure me. You see, I happen to know that Charlwood is positively devouring money. I even wonder whether William's own re sources are actually running out. Have you noticed that the building work has recently come to a halt? I had no wish to see my own fortune going the same way as his. It was very awkward, especially as I feel so sorry for him, saddled as he is with his pauper niece and nephew. If they really
are
his niece and nephew. The girl is very like him, is she not? But now I can forget my worries. I was so relieved when I heard that he was to be saved by…someone else.' She laughed gaily. ‘At one time he told me your visits to Charlwood were just a matter of business. I thought it was the gardens he was talking about, but now…the business was more serious than that, don't you think? What a clever man he is to be sure.'

Emily found herself suddenly trembling with rage. She coldly regarded the woman before her. ‘Sir William Ashenden is one of the kindest, most honourable, most scrupulous men I have ever known. Whereas you, Mrs
Fenton… Let me be more honest with you than you have been with me. I believe your purpose in coming here today was to destroy my friend ship with a man I trust and admire. But I don't believe you. I don't believe Sir William was remotely tempted to ask you to marry him, and certainly not because he wished to acquire your fortune. I am quite
certain
that he would not ask anyone to marry him merely for her money.'

‘Not even you?'

‘Me least of all. Goodbye.' Emily turned and walked swiftly into the house.

‘Y
ou were longer than I expected,' said Rosa when Emily came in. ‘Were you able to help Maria with her plants…? Emily!'

Emily had been lost in her thoughts. Now she looked up. ‘What was that?'

‘Mrs Fenton—were you able to help her?'

‘I…I think so.'

Rosa looked at her more closely. ‘What's wrong?'

‘I was just asking myself… Rosa, am I being a fool?'

‘I shouldn't think so,' said her sister-in-law cautiously. ‘You're usually very sensible. But I can't say until I know what you're talking about. Come over here, sit down, and tell me why you think you are being a fool.'

‘First I must tell you that William wants me to marry him.'

‘Good! Though I can't pretend I'm surprised. You and he—'

‘Oh, no! Please don't think it is one of your great romances. He doesn't pretend he loves me. It would be
a purely practical arrangement. As he has pointed out, he needs a wife to run Charlwood and look after the children, and I…I would have the establishment of my own that I said I wanted.'

‘Really? And?'

‘I have all but made up my mind to agree, but now… I'm not sure whether I would be doing the right thing! I had been starting to think I would never marry and was quite happy to look for some where to live independently, near you, without any sort of husband. And now…if I agree to this proposal of his, I will be putting myself, my hap pi ness, my life even, into the hands of a man I hardly know. At the moment it seems to me this might be extremely foolish.'

Rosa smiled sympathetically, but shook her head. ‘It's certainly wise to think twice before taking such a big step as marriage. But, believe me, anyone who sees you and William together wouldn't doubt for one moment that you are suited. Possibly even better than you realise. Tell me why you're so worried. Was it something Maria Fenton said?”

‘I'm not sure. I don't think so. I didn't believe her, I really didn't. She tried to hint that he only wants to marry for money, because Charlwood is costing such a lot to restore.'

‘Ah! I'm sorry to have to say this, Emily, but I'm sure the poor woman is jealous. She hoped to capture William for herself. She can't seriously believe such a thing of him. You must forget whatever she said—it was simple jealousy.'

‘There isn't much for her to be jealous about,' said Emily unhappily. ‘William has never pre tended he loves me!'

Rosa smiled. ‘You haven't said you love him, either.
Do
you?'

Emily got up and walked away. ‘I mustn't,' she said in a stifled voice. ‘This marriage was always meant to be a…a sensible arrangement, not a love match. But then Mrs Gosworth…and now the Fenton woman… And I've heard what one or two of the neighbours are saying—that they admire William for his astuteness… I'm beginning to wonder whether it isn't altogether
too
sensible.'

‘Really, Emily, you
are
being foolish. Very foolish! I thought you knew William better than that. No, don't shake your head. Listen to me! No one could deny that you have a considerable fortune, or that re storing Charlwood is an expensive occupation. There will always be some who will link the two together and come up with an uncharitable answer. But I will wager anything you like that William is not marrying you for either of those reasons.' She gave a little laugh and said, ‘You are so blind, both of you! However, I'll keep my ideas on the true situation between you to myself for the moment. You'll have to work it out for yourselves. But I am quite certain that William Ashenden's motives…' she put her hands on Emily's shoulders and gave her a little shake at each word ‘…are…not…mercenary! Put that thought right out of your mind if you don't want to risk spoiling your future hap pi ness.' She got up and shook out her dress. ‘Now, let's do something useful. Philip will be back with the children soon. They will all be looking for something to stave off starvation! Shall we see what we can do?'

She refused to say any more and Emily was forced to follow Rosa's lead and suppress her doubts for the rest of the day.

 

But that night she lay sleep less as her fears returned to torment her. They were not without foundation. Ever since she had been of an age to marry, she had been the target of men tempted by her fortune. At a very early stage she had been the victim of such a man, saved at the last moment from a disastrous marriage by hearing his true opinion of Emily Winbolt. ‘A cool fish', he had called her to the woman he was actually in love with. ‘I'd sooner go to bed with a block of ice.' Hurt and humiliated, she had since then always been ready to suspect the worst of any man who showed an interest in her.

Was she now, at this late stage, to be taken in again, deceived by the very unusual circumstances of her acquaintance with William? It had never occurred to her to question his motive until others had put the idea into her head. But now the old doubts crowded in on her like a cloud of stinging gnats. Was his plea for her to marry him just a clever ruse to gain access to a considerable fortune? Had he taken cynical advantage of her loneliness and uncertainties to finance his ambitions for Charlwood? Certainly he must be spending vast sums on its restoration—Philip had said as much. And what did she know about William's re sources? Nothing. Nothing at all. In one respect Maria Fenton was right. There
had
recently been delays in the building work at Charlwood, and William had said he was going up to London ‘to sort out a few financial matters'. Now, for the first time, she began to wonder exactly what he had meant.

 

But as the night wore on, she began to think about the man himself, and slowly the clouds of doubt dis
persed. William was an honourable man. She had spent a great deal of time in his company, and she felt she knew him better than she knew anyone else—his intelligence, his patience, his humour, his annoying tendency to tease, his honesty—and his determination to keep his promise to his brother to look after his children. These were all William, and she liked him. He was so very dear to her. She should back her own judgement, and trust him. Emily went to sleep at last, looking forward again to seeing William, hearing his voice, being in his company…

 

When she was next at Charlwood, Emily saw that work had been resumed on the house. She asked what the problem had been, and William told her that the builders had made a mistake in ordering some stonework, but that had now been put right. So much for Maria Fenton's insinuations! What a fool she had been to pay any attention to the woman!

Later that day they walked up to the folly; while the children chased each other up and down the hill, they stood looking at the view. The lush green of summer was beginning to give way to the tints of autumn—gold, scarlet, amber and bronze. Autumn was slowly advancing. In no time it would be winter.

Emily gazed at the clear blue sky arching over the multicoloured landscape and gave a sigh of contentment. ‘It is all so beautiful. I hope the children will be happy here.' William took her hands and turned her to face him. For once completely serious, he said, ‘They have had a rough time of it since their parents died. Juana's family rejected them, and it proved impossible to bring them back to England as soon as I wanted, but they weren't happy while they waited. Now I intend
them to have a normal, loving home here at Charlwood. Will you give me your help to make it one? It's time you gave me your answer.'

Emily had made up her mind the night after her talk with Rosa and she answered him now without hesitation. ‘It's yes. I
will
marry you, and I'll make the children as happy as I can.' The children were now at the foot of the hill, and they waved and started running up towards her, laughing and giggling, covered in twigs and bits of dry grass. She watched them approach. ‘I'm very fond of them already, William.'

‘I know. Emily, I swear you won't regret this marriage.' Cup ping her face in his hands, he kissed her then, slowly and sweetly. For one moment she was back in the hollow on the hill at Shearings, drowning in the delight of a man's kiss. Then the children were upon them, Laura clasping her knees and demanding to be kissed, too. With typical blunt ness James asked, ‘Why were you kissing Miss Winbolt, Uncle William?'

‘Because, my lad, I'm going to marry her, and we shall all live together at Charlwood.'

There was no doubt about the children's reaction. James's usually serious face broke into a huge grin, and Laura skipped around them all for joy. ‘I told you she would, James, I told you she liked us,' she shouted glee fully. ‘And now she's going to look after us all the time.' They were both so excited that they took off down the hill again, whooping and laughing.

‘That seems to have gone down rather well,' said William, looking slightly dazed. ‘It makes me wonder if my reaction when you said you would was too re strained. Should I have been more exuberant, too? Leapt in the air, perhaps? Turned a somersault?'

Emily was suddenly filled with a bubbling hap pi ness.
‘I'm glad you didn't,' she said, demurely. ‘Your kiss was…more than adequate. I'm not sure I could have taken much more excitement.'

‘My dear girl, you don't know the half of it,' he said softly, taking her hand and pressing a kiss into the palm. ‘And teaching you the rest is one of the things I most look forward to. But I'll take care. You'll enjoy being married to me, dearest Emily, I promise you.'

He laughed and hugged her when she blushed scarlet, and his arm was round her as together they went down the hill.

 

Things were less happy in the Fenton house hold. The news that the owner of Charlwood was to marry Emily Winbolt, and that the whole family would take up residence in the Dower House very soon after, was greeted with furious disbelief.

‘You told Kidman you'd break it up!' snarled Walter Fenton. ‘You swore that the Winbolt woman would never marry Ashenden if she thought he was a fortune hunter! You told him you could convince her. And now what?'

Equally angry, his sister-in-law snapped back, ‘I did my best, but she didn't believe me. Can I help it if the girl is a fool?

‘You'll have to have a better excuse than that when Kidman comes this time, Sis! And don't tell me I'm vulgar. You're in no position to criticise anyone. Perhaps you'd better start thinking of where you'll go when he sends us packing.'

‘He won't do that,' said Maria confidently. ‘Not when there's a chance I might remember more of what Edric said on his death bed. You leave it to me.'

 

From the moment her engagement to William had been made public, Emily lived in a whirl of activity. Now officially the future mistress of the Dower House, she was consulted about the furnishings, about the staff to be engaged and a hundred and one other things. Lady Deardon seemed anxious to help, perhaps because she and Sir Reginald unfortunately had to travel up to Yorkshire three days before the wedding.

‘I am so sorry, my dear,' she said to Emily, ‘but my own daughter is expecting to be delivered of her first infant within the next fort night. She's our only child and I must be with her. It's William's fault. I was always telling him to make up his mind, and now that he has it's too late for us to be at his wedding. We are leaving early the day after tomorrow for Yorkshire. William and the children will spend a last night with us, then they will have to move into the Dower House. Thirle will be completely boarded up. Most of the servants who are not going with us have left already.' She sounded annoyed as she went on, ‘All such a scram bled business! It's a real blessing you are to marry, for I don't know what would happen to those children if they were left in William's hands alone. But I have to say, it's a joy to see you with them. They are so fond of you.'

‘And I of them, Lady Deardon,' said Emily with a smile.

‘We've arranged to take a last look at the Dower House tomorrow. Will you be there?'

‘I don't think so. Philip is taking the children to Temperley for the day, and Rosa and I are planning to inspect the arrangements at the church.'

‘Then I'll say goodbye now. We shall stay up in Yorkshire for some months, and after that we are to
spend time in London. You must ask William to bring you to stay with us there. Be very happy, my dear.'

On that note Lady Deardon embraced Emily warmly and left.

 

The following day Rosa decided she wanted to go with Philip and the children to see her father, so they agreed that inspecting the church could wait till the evening and Emily drove over to Charlwood after all. When she got there the Deardons' carriage was blocking part of the drive, and the grooms were laughing and talking to Mrs Lilley, so she left the gig and her own groom with the rest and went on foot up to the Dower House. Lady Deardon had a good carrying contralto, and Emily realised that William was getting a scolding. Amused, and not at all eager to interrupt, Emily walked quietly nearer.

‘This wedding of yours should have taken place weeks ago, William! All this scurrying and hurrying, and no one of any importance invited. You should be ashamed. The neighbourhood is bound to talk.'

‘Let them! As long as Emily and I are satisfied, it surely does not concern anyone else. And, apart from yourselves, everyone who is important to me will be there, ma'am.'

Unappeased, Lady Deardon swept on. ‘I kept telling you to make up your mind, but you wouldn't listen to me. I did what I could. You said you wanted a rich wife and I found you not one, but
two
—Emily Winbolt and Maria Fenton were both young, and both respectable.
And
, what is more, they both had the fortune you said you needed for Charlwood. Perhaps that was a mistake. One would have been enough. You would have made
your mind up sooner and there would have been time for a decent celebration.'