Olivia shook her head. ‘She will do my bidding.’
‘She will tell your uncle.’ His voice was harsh.
‘I have made her promise not to.’
Jared wondered what a promise meant to a woman like Miss Trent. He heaved a sigh. He no longer thought of foolishness or danger in these meetings. He thought only of Olivia’s need to know that he would do anything for her. She asked so little of him, just to meet and walk and talk. And now to include the governess in their secret.
‘Will she keep her promise?’
Olivia nodded. ‘Miss Trent cares for me as my own mother would.’ There was an uneasy silence until Olivia added, ‘She is content that it is you. I know it. She wishes to speak to you.’
What about? he thought, but simply said, ‘Very well. Next week. Now, tell me, are you in good health? Is Hesley treating you well?’
Olivia’s face darkened. ‘If only he would not drink so much.’
‘He does not beat you, does he?’
‘No. He - he—’ She looked down. ‘Miss Trent says he will be more . . . well, that it will be better when he is older,’ she muttered.
He saw the hurt in her eyes and his mouth curled down. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said.
‘Oh, don’t be. He will leave within the month.’ Her face brightened.
‘Will you miss him?’
Not at all, she thought. I am looking forward to his going. ‘I am used to being on my own. I have Miss Trent and - and you, if you will visit me? Will you?’
‘You know I cannot come to the house.’
‘Then we shall continue to meet here. As we do now. Every Sunday.’
‘Perhaps you will be able to come into town on market day?’ Jared suggested.‘To the draper’s or dressmaker’s. In your carriage.’
‘Uncle Hesley will not let me. Everything is sent out for us so there is no need, he says. Besides, it is safer here. If we are careful, no one will see us, and it is so pleasant when the weather is fine. Carters never come this way now and only a few horsemen cross the ridge.’ She turned her head to peer through the broken stones. ‘If it rains, we have the cottage. Our cottage.You can tell me about the mine where you work and what your sisters are doing at their lessons.’
Jared’s spirits were raised by her cheerfulness and he pushed aside his worries about the governess. Olivia’s happiness was all he cared about.
Harriet curtsied politely to Jared and watched him turn to Olivia, taking her hands in his and kissing them lovingly. She saw her blush in the mild spring air. He is too familiar, Harriet thought, with pursed lips. And Olivia appeared to welcome his embrace. Her eyes were sparkling and Harriet had not seen her so happy for a long time. It was, as she had suspected, more than a friendship.
There was an awkward silence until Harriet said,‘Mrs Mexton takes great benefit from her Sunday walking. I, too. Though I am surprised that you chose to venture so far out of town.’
‘I ride these hills every Sunday to see Olivia.’ He was looking at her in a questioning, challenging way.
Olivia interceded. ‘Miss Trent has not told anyone. I said she wouldn’t.’
Harriet scanned the hedgerow. ‘I believe I saw some elderflower in bloom back there, madam. Why don’t you gather some for cordial?’
‘Will you tell old Hesley?’ he asked, as soon as Olivia had gone.
‘Why do you think I would?’
‘Because you are his spy where Olivia is concerned, are you not?’
‘No!’ she retaliated sharply.
‘You share his bed.’
‘It is not my choice! Just as it was not Olivia’s choice to marry his grandson.’
That seemed to shock him. He recovered quickly and went on, ‘But you do talk of her when you are together?’
‘I have learned to tell him only what I think he needs to know,’ she answered stiffly.
‘So will you tell him?’ he persisted.
‘Olivia has need of a friend.’
‘Even one that her uncle has seen off with a gun?’
‘I know you care more for her than her husband ever can.’ She looked him squarely in the eyes. ‘I want you to promise me that you will always put her interests before your own.’
‘Of course—’
‘Let me finish.You and I are the only ones who care about her well-being. And I
-
I shall not be her companion for ever.’
‘You are thinking of leaving Hill Top House?’
‘No,’ she lied. ‘The master will - that is, when Olivia is older there will be no need for me—’
He gave a half-laugh. ‘I see. Old Helsey is tiring of you. It’s hardly surprising since you are not to his usual taste.’
She ignored the taunt and snapped, ‘That is no concern of yours.’
‘It is, when you have such influence over Olivia.’
‘But that will not be for ever. That is why you must promise . . . You must promise . . .’ Miss Trent quietened. ‘You will promise to stay close to her when I am gone from here.’
‘I promise.’
He meant it, she thought. She had been right about him. He did care.‘You must promise me, also, that you will not jeopardize her marriage. There is no telling what Hesley will do if he finds out about you.’
‘When does he leave?’
‘Next week.’
Jared was encouraged by this. Life would be easier for Olivia with Hesley across the ocean. And the governess, despite her loose morals, seemed dutiful towards her charge. Perhaps there was good in the woman after all.
He gazed at the view. From here he could see down to the navigation where it crossed the meadows on its way to Tinsley. The sun glinted on the water in the distance. Complicity with this whore was a long way from the respectability of his own home or, indeed, those of his fellow workers at Kimber Deep. But he felt relieved for Olivia’s sake that Miss Trent was loyal to her. He wondered why she cared so much.
‘I shall ride this way every Sunday.’
‘Take heed that no one sees you, sir.’
‘Except you.’
‘Yes. I shall chaperone you.Then, if you are seen, I can vouch that it was a chance meeting.’
‘Thank you.’ He bowed his head and walked away to find Olivia.
‘You look very handsome, sir, in your summer riding jacket,’ Olivia commented lightly. ‘Do you like my new parasol?’ She held it high and twirled it.
He smiled. ‘Very pretty. It matches your cape. You are quite a lady now.’
‘I am not so sure I wish to be a lady. This is my Sunday best. Can you see me dressed in silks and satins all week? With a maid to attend to my
toilette
?’
‘It will suit you very well.You have intelligence and beauty.’
‘You are only saying that to make me happy.’
‘False modesty does not become you.’
Olivia laughed. ‘Well, even Miss Trent looks beautiful in a silken dinner gown with her hair dressed.’
‘
Even
Miss Trent? She is a fine-looking woman. As you are, with your silken fair hair and blue eyes.’
‘Hers are grey.’ She pushed him playfully.
‘
I shall tell her what you said.’
‘Then tell her also that being beautiful is more than a pretty countenance.You need to be of good character as well.’
Olivia clicked her tongue impatiently. ‘So righteous! Just like her.’
‘What?’ he exclaimed.
‘Oh, never mind. Anyway, I need not be a society lady until Hesley comes home. I am enjoying being mistress of Hill Top House. I teach the servants new household tasks and I am talking to Matt about enlarging the garden for more produce.’
‘Does your uncle approve?’
‘Oh, yes. We are to have a carpet for the drawing room and new furnishings in the bedchambers.’
‘Then you are more content now?’
‘Content? Perhaps.’
‘But not happy?’
‘I am happy only when I am with you.’
Jared did not know how to reply. He wished for her happiness more than anything but he did not see how that was possible now that she was the wife of Hesley Mexton.
Olivia continued, ‘Well, I shall not say that again if it makes you frown.’
‘Was I frowning? It’s the sun. The corn seed will grow well this year.’
She put her arm through his and hugged it. ‘Let’s go to our cottage. It’s shady there.’
‘That is the bell for evensong,’ he cautioned. ‘The trees are nearer.’
‘Very well.’ She sighed. ‘Miss Trent has disappeared. How kind of her.’
She held his arm so tightly as they strolled that her closeness made him hot, even in the lightweight coat. He wondered if she could hear his heart beating. It seemed deafeningly loud to him. When they stopped, she allowed her parasol to fall from her grasp and clung to him, pressing her face into his jacket.
He looked down at her bonnet and placed a hand on the back of her neck. ‘Let me go, Olivia.’
‘No.’
‘You must. I hear Miss Trent approaching.’
She looked up at him. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes bright with tears. ‘I care only about you.’
Again, he did not know what to say. His heart was racing and he wanted to hold her. Closely. Lovingly. He shook his head slightly. ‘Do not speak such things.’
They stared at each other, only for a few seconds but long enough for Miss Trent to see them.
‘It is time for church, madam,’ she said. ‘Would you walk ahead of me? Hurry now.’
Jared watched Olivia retrieve her parasol and go. ‘What else do you wish to say to me, Miss Trent?’
‘She talks of you constantly when we are alone.’
‘We are friends.’
He heard her sigh. ‘I saw you together,’ she said. ‘You have the advantage of years, sir. It is not wise to become too - too friendly with her.’
‘What is it you want of me, then?’ he demanded. ‘To be her friend or not?’
‘To be cautious. She will be lonely while her husband is away.’
‘She will not miss him! And she has you for companionship.’
‘You will not forget that she is a married woman.’
How could I? he thought, and said, ‘You may be assured of that.’
‘But I am not. I see she attracts you, which is dangerous.’
‘What are you suggesting?’
‘She is easily led by you.’
‘She is not! Olivia knows her own mind.’
‘And so must you! I am not sure I can trust you with her.’
‘You insult me by your insinuations. I care only for her happiness.’
‘Quite so. It will not be a good idea for you to meet if I am not here as chaperone.’
He laughed harshly. ‘You think I will lie with her as soon as your back is turned?’
‘I think she would encourage you and that the consequences would be devastating for her if her uncle discovered it.’
‘I know what he is capable of. Please do not judge me as you would him. I am a Tyler, not a Mexton.’
‘You are a man, sir.’
‘Not all men are like Hesley and his grandfather.’ But he reflected that the governess had a point. He thought of Olivia all the time when they were apart and she was indeed much more than a friend to him.
Olivia had stopped along the track through the trees. ‘What are you talking about?’ she called.
Miss Trent raised her voice. ‘News of your uncle Hesley, madam, for his sister.’
Olivia resumed walking towards the church.
‘How she trusts you, Miss Trent,’ Jared mocked. ‘And you must trust me. I can understand how that must worry you.’
‘Do not make fun of me, sir. Her husband will be gone for several years.’
‘And old Hesley will pay you off before he returns.’
He saw that she looked uncomfortable about this and added, more kindly, ‘I shall always respect her married status. Take whatever your master offers and make a fresh start in another county. I shall look after Olivia.’
She did not appear satisfied with this, but she seemed to accept it and left. Yet she had seen what he was refusing to acknowledge. Olivia would soon be in her fifteenth year. She was mistress of Hill Top House and was rising to that challenge in a way he admired. She was already beautiful. More than that, she was growing into a woman to be reckoned with, to be acknowledged as such and - at last, he admitted it - to be desired.
Harriet knew she could not endure her life at Hill Top House for much longer. It would tear her heart in two to leave, but Olivia had recovered her strength and had shown a blossoming independence and determination that Harriet admired. Harriet felt she could look forward to her own freedom, a little money of her own and a choice. She began to make plans for her departure.
Chapter 17
Harriet hurried down the track until she was out of sight of Hill Top House, and by six o’clock she could see the smoke from the chimneys in the town rising to meet her. She drank from a horse trough where her path joined the Sheffield way and widened. She was hungry and chewed on a heel of bread as she rested. A cart rumbled slowly down from the other track and the driver paused to water his horse.
‘Hot again,’ she observed.
‘Aye.You on yer way to town?’
‘Will you take me? I can pay you.’
By her own standards she had felt a rich woman when she had received a quarter of her increased annual stipend at midsummer.The coins chinked satisfyingly in the leather pouch tied to her waist. There had been a celebration of sorts for all the servants, with eating and drinking in the gardens, though none ventured further afield. Not even Matt or the farmhands.
The carter agreed a price, she placed her bundle on the cart and sat up front as they bumped their way down the valley. Hill Top House had slumbered in the breaking dawn as she had left at half past four and she was glad of the ride. Her heart ached for Olivia, who, she hoped, would understand why she had gone without a word. She had feared to leave a message lest her mistress might be implicated in her disappearance. It was best she knew nothing of her plans as the master would be vindictive in his revenge. Harriet had suffered deep anguish at leaving Olivia, and drew solace from her certain knowledge that Jared Tyler would look after her.