‘Please don’t weep, Olivia. I cannot bear to see you so unhappy.’ He was kneeling by the bed, his face contorted with grief.
‘I - I l-lost my b-baby,’ she wailed.
His arms hovered over her.Then he leaned forward and lifted her head on to his chest. The buttons on his waistcoat pressed into her cheek. It felt solid underneath and smelled of warm wool, horses and leather. She grasped at his jacket, bunching the thick tweed in her fists, and wept.
How long she held onto him she did not know. Or when Miss Trent arrived. But after a while the sobbing subsided and she released him. She heard him plead, ‘What can I do?’ and Miss Trent reply, ‘I do not know,’ then fell back onto the pillows. Her gulps and shudders continued. It seemed that everything she could ever hope to love was destined to be taken from her.
Miss Trent walked over to the fireplace and touched the metal tankard resting on the mantelshelf. ‘Why don’t you drink this while it’s warm?’ she suggested. ‘I’ll light a fire up here. Jared, would you bring up some coal?’
She packed the pillows behind Olivia’s back and handed her the tankard. ‘I have a piece of brisket from the market for dinner. And apples for a pudding.’
She glanced up. Miss Trent sounded brisk, but she was frowning. She’s wondering what to do with me, she thought. She heaved a sigh. So was she.
Mr Harvey had been right about porter: it cheered Olivia and gave her strength. Miss Trent sent Jared on his horse to track down other delicacies for her. She ate some porridge and, later, beef brisket stewed in the pot over the fire with barley and vegetables. The smell of baking bread drifting up from the kitchen was appetizing and Miss Trent came to make up the fire.
‘What will happen to me?’ Olivia asked.
‘I do not know,’ Miss Trent replied, as she drew the curtains against the gathering dusk.‘I fear you will be in Hesley’s hands.’
‘He is quite mad, you know.’
‘What do you mean?’
She did not answer at first. It hurt too much to remember. ‘I wish he was dead,’ she said. ‘I hate him.’
‘Strong words.’
‘You don’t know what it was like with him!’ she retaliated.
‘Then tell me.’
So she did. She told Miss Trent of Hesley’s more erratic behaviour and his irresponsible gambling. But not about Jessup. Or Toby. She could not face Miss Trent’s total condemnation yet and, if she were honest, she was too ashamed of herself.
She talked until the light faded and Jared returned with chocolate, honey and rare oranges. Olivia dozed and Harriet went downstairs.
‘What can we do?’ she asked.
Jared shook his head. ‘I don’t know. Hesley owns the pit and this village. She has humiliated him in the worst possible way.’
‘If he finds out she is here, he will have her put away.’
He looked up sharply. ‘We must not let that happen.’
‘But how can we stop him?’
‘She could go to Ireland or France.’
‘Is that the only way?’
‘It is all I can think of.’
Harriet sighed. A life abroad was preferable to the asylum. But there had to be another way. She busied herself with chores and finally said, ‘Jared, will you come and sit with Olivia tomorrow afternoon? I wish to call on the apothecary.’ She told Jared about her idea.
Harriet had planned what she would say to Adam Harvey. ‘You know I am acquainted with the doctor at the asylum. It is only natural that you would wish to seek a second opinion about Hesley’s illness. Will you do this?’
‘I should certainly like to discuss the case with him. I shall write immediately and ask him to visit.’
‘Er, you will not mention this to anyone? At least, not before the doctor is here?’
‘Jessup will be angry if we do not tell him.’
‘He will stop us if we do.’
‘Perhaps Hesley’s aunt Caroline should be told.’
‘Say nothing to her! Not yet. Please! The fewer who know the better. If Jessup finds out and is difficult, Jared will support you, I am sure.’
‘Miss Trent, you are indeed a true friend to Mrs Mexton.’
Harriet looked at her hands. More than that, she thought. Jared went to see Mr Withers about the state of Mexton Pit. He had handled old Hesley’s affairs and Jared wanted to know exactly how much power Jessup had.
‘All is not well, sir,’ Jared told him. ‘The mine is losing production while Hesley’s so-called friend gambles away his money.’
‘Sit down, Jared. My powers are limited. However, I was an executor of old Samuel’s will and I still manage the family trust he set up. But I cannot influence how the assets are disposed of once they are released. Hesley is quite at liberty to invite whomsoever he wishes to assist him in spending his income. Jessup has influence over that, but no legal power of attorney on his behalf,’ the lawyer told him.
‘Can you be sure of that?
‘The pit was entailed in old Samuel’s will and I am a trustee. I would have to be involved.’
‘What about Mrs Mexton?’
‘Ladies did not exist as far as old Samuel’s will was concerned, so she has no right to any of Hesley’s wealth except what he chooses to give her as his wife.’
‘Not even the money from her own plantation?’
‘You know about that?’
‘At home we all did. Are you saying it won’t make any difference if she comes back?’
Mr Withers seemed unsettled. ‘If she were sitting here in front of me I should advise her not to return.’
‘Never?’
‘The Mextons are proud gentlemen, and Hesley cannot be seen to condone her behaviour. He - he would have her in the asylum.’
‘Others say so too.’
‘It’s been done before by the Mextons and Jessup would arrange it for him. He would not want her interfering with his authority.’
‘You must help us, Mr Withers. Is Jessup within his rights?’
‘More than that, he is within the law. He is simply acting as Hesley’s agent.’
‘Can he sell the mine?’
Withers shook his head. ‘He can only spend the profits, and only according to Hesley’s wishes, such as they are.’
Jared nodded. ‘Could Jessup apply for power of attorney?’
‘Under what circumstances?’
‘Well, if Hesley was . . . incapacitated in some way.’
‘Mad, you mean? He could. So could I, and I should.’
‘What about my father?’
‘You are a better choice. You have Mexton blood through your mother and you know more about mining.’
Jared stood up and held out his hand.‘Thank you, Mr Withers.’
‘Keep me informed,’ the lawyer said.‘It’s time something was done about Mexton Pit.’
Two days later, a solemn group of gentlemen gathered in the gloomy drawing room at Hill Top House.
‘Mr Tyler is aware of his responsibilities,’ Mr Withers began.
‘My son is more than capable, sir,’ Benjamin Tyler said. ‘He worked at Kimber Deep for five years and attended lectures in Manchester. He is the son of a gentlewoman.’
Jared maintained his silence. His mother’s connections did not make him a gentleman, and he knew it. Four pairs of eyes turned on him. None of these men was a true gentleman, he thought, not even the asylum doctor. The one born to that status was a wreck, languishing in his bedchamber, stupefied by medicine. But quiet. For now.
Mrs Cookson brought in a tray of glasses and some brandy. When the door opened they could hear the tick of a casement clock standing in the hall. Only the smaller, more portable of Hesley’s treasures had been removed and sold. Presumably by Jessup, Jared thought.
Adam Harvey spoke next:‘He continues to deteriorate. Since the housekeeper called me in I have consistently applied all my knowledge and skill.’
The asylum doctor held up a hand to silence him. ‘There is no question of your devotion to the patient, sir. I have examined him in detail and spoken at length to his housekeeper and his servants. He is insane. He should be in my asylum for the safety of himself and of others. He has a wife?’
‘She left him a while ago,’ Mr Withers said quickly. ‘Are we in agreement?’
They nodded and drank their brandy. Mr Withers stood up and walked to a table where the papers were laid out. ‘That is settled then, gentlemen. Jared, you will assume responsibility for Hesley’s affairs immediately. All of them, not just the pit. You will find that they are in dire need of your attention. If both doctors will sign the medical declaration, Jared can sign the power-of-attorney document. Benjamin, will you witness the signatures with me? Thank you. I had not expected this to happen so soon, but the situation here and at the pit can continue no longer.’
As soon as the signing was complete, Jared bowed to the others. ‘If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I have urgent business in Mexton.’ He went outside to his waiting horse. He was in charge of the pit and he was eager to take up his responsibility. But he had more important things on his mind. He was impatient to see Olivia, to tell her the news, to hold her in his arms, kiss her and love her. He had waited too long already, and spurred his horse into a gallop.
Chapter 31
‘You are not strong enough to come downstairs yet.’
Olivia steadied herself on the handle as she closed the kitchen door that led to the bottom of the staircase. ‘I am here now, Miss Trent, so do not send me back to bed. I am not a child.’
‘No. But you have lost a great deal of blood, which weakens the body.’
‘Do not scold me, Miss Trent!’
In the ensuing silence, Olivia realized that Miss Trent was right. She was feeling very shaky.
The older woman noticed. ‘Meat and drink will put you to rights. Sit at the table. There is good broth in the pot.’
Olivia did not obey. She was shivering in spite of the thick shawl over her nightgown. Her feet were bare so she crossed to stand on the rag rug by the fire.
Miss Trent pulled a low chair nearer to the coals and rummaged in the alcove cupboard. ‘Here, put these on.’ She handed her a pair of old felt slippers, then ladled some broth into a bowl.
Olivia waved it aside. ‘I cannot eat. Not just now.’
‘Try some brandy. It will revive you.’
‘Have we any?’
‘Jared brought some. I’ll fetch it now.You should not be out of bed.You are trembling.’
‘Where is Jared? He said he would call today.’
‘He - he had urgent business this morning.’
‘And it is tea-time already.’
‘He has a forge to run.’
‘You are always making excuses, Miss Trent.You forgive everybody their sins, don’t you?’
‘It is not a sin to go to work. He said he would call and he will.’
Olivia did not reply. She stared into the flames licking the base of the blackened broth pot. She stretched out her hand with the empty brandy glass. ‘A little more this time, please.’
‘Have some broth, Livvy. Please.’ But she poured the brandy.
‘Thank you.’ Her eyes lit up.‘That’s a horse outside. Is it Jared?’
Miss Trent moved to the kitchen window.‘He’s brought his mare to the back.’
A minute later he was in the kitchen. His face was even greyer and more haggard than when she had first seen him. But he was here, which was all that mattered to Olivia.
Her arms snaked around him and her wrap fell away as she pressed herself to his solid frame. She had always thought of him as her rock, her staff, her anchor, and that was why she had been so distraught and angry when he had left her. But he was back now. Here. With her.
Jared took her slight frame in his arms and held her so close that she could hardly breathe. He held her as though she was the last living thing on earth, and she welcomed his embrace. ‘Hesley cannot touch you now,’ he whispered into her neck. ‘You’re safe from him for ever.You’re safe.You’re safe.’
She wondered what he had done that he could say that, but she didn’t care. Her questions could wait. She was so happy to be in his arms that she could not speak. In a moment he would kiss her, she was sure. She raised her head to meet his lips.
Jared savoured the moment when he held her in his arms. He loved her so much, had yearned for her so desperately during their years apart, that he hardly dared kiss her for fear of releasing the caged animal of his passion. Hesley could not separate them now. She was safe from the asylum, from his neglect and cruelty. One day Jared would make her his. One day Hesley would die and she would be free. He was vaguely aware of a rap on the door, of Miss Trent leaving the room, of other voices in the house. The next thing he knew, a strong, masculine voice was demanding, ‘What are you doing with my wife, sir?’
The voice was familiar.
‘Jared Tyler? I do not believe my eyes! This lady is my wife!’
Olivia felt cold air swirl over her as Jared relaxed his grip. She heard him say, ‘Holmes?’ and then, incredulously, ‘Your wife?’ before she slithered down through his arms to the floor. The next thing she was aware of was the heaviness of blankets settling over her in her bed. And then welcome oblivion.
It was dark when she awoke but a candle was burning near her head and a familiar figure dozing in the chair next to it.Wide awake, she struggled to sit up. ‘Anna? What are you doing here?’
‘I came with Toby. He was worried about you.’
She sank against the pillows as recent events flooded back. ‘What happened? Did I faint?’
‘You should not have been out of bed.’
‘Now you are telling me what to do.’
‘Someone must,’ Anna responded gently.
‘What have they said to you?’
‘Who? Jared Tyler and Harriet Trent?’
Harriet? she thought.Was that her name? How odd to think she had never known. Olivia thought it suited her.
‘Well, they have told me quite a story,’ Anna continued.
‘So Toby knows who I am.’
‘Livvy . . . Livvy, why didn’t you trust us?’