An Inconvenient Trilogy Part 41

Alfred was unable to reply, as he was gritting his teeth so hard. That was an image he was fighting almost every moment of every day and he did not appreciate such an open reminder of it, even though it was not an unreasonable a.s.sumption.

Lord Dunham did not seem to notice the lull and carried on, "I am returning to Somerset tomorrow, I shall send a letter after I have spoken to my wife and man of business. I have an idea, but need to think it through before committing to it."

"Thank you my Lord, your help is appreciated," Alfred said, rising to his feet. "I shall leave my card with my address on and await your letter."

"Don't worry Peters, it won't be long," Lord Dunham a.s.sured him.

Chapter 8.

Somerset 1816 Lord Dunham had sent letters ahead of his return home. He realised that time was of the utmost importance and although he would have preferred to have spoken face to face to those involved, he needed to move things along. Once the letters arrived, it would start the conversations that needed to be held and hopefully he could finalise everything on the first night that he arrived back.

He travelled as fast as he could to reach Dunham House, not because of wis.h.i.+ng to help Laura, but because every moment spent away from his darling Elizabeth and baby girl, was a moment too many. The horses were changed as quickly as possible and the stopovers were taken, but the carriage was on the road again before many of the inhabitants in each inn they stopped at, had even realised that morning had arrived.

The carriage reached the open doorway of Dunham House and Phelps was there to greet him, as always. The footman let down the steps in the carriage and the butler took Lord Dunham's hat, cane and gloves.

"Good afternoon my Lord," the butler greeted him.

"Good afternoon Phelps, her Ladys.h.i.+p?" Lord Dunham asked. It was the only question he needed answering, where his wife was.

"In your study my Lord." The staff knew not to disturb Lord and Lady Dunham after a separation had occurred, it was an unwritten rule that the couple could share a greeting without interruptions, before business once more took priority. They were out of the ordinary in aristocratic circles in that they loved one another and were far better together than apart.

Over the evening meal, Lord Dunham talked over the issue with Lady Dunham, Mr Anderton, and Miss Fairfield. "Laura needs to leave London as soon as possible, what do you think of my idea?" Lord Dunham asked the people surrounding him.

"She needs to be safe, it's a good plan and it means that she can remain in Yorks.h.i.+re on the estate, until after the baby is born," Elizabeth, Lady Dunham said. She was a woman who was always practical, and particularly wanting to help the woman she had never met, because of Laura's previous support of her friend Charlotte. "There is only one flaw in your plan."

"Only one?" Lord Dunham asked with a twinkle in his eye. Since the moment he had met his wife she had challenged him in every way and he loved her because of it. Although sometimes she was not as infallible as she thought, nearly losing Lord and Lady Halkyn as friends when she had interfered with their developing romance.

Elizabeth smiled at her husband. "Yes, only one, although it is a large flaw," she said, looking smug.

Lord Dunham groaned, "Go on, tell me the error of my ways."

"She can't travel with Charles, it wouldn't be fair to her in her condition," Elizabeth said, sympathetic to anyone increasing since she still had very recent memories of it herself.

"I'd presumed Mr Peters would accompany her, he seems very steady and they are obviously friends of sorts now. It never crossed my mind that he would just hand her over to us, I had not discussed it with him, but had supposed that he would want to see her settled," Lord Dunham countered.

"She will need female support, neither Charles nor Mr Peters can be there when the baby arrives," Elizabeth said, knowledgably. "Martha, I know this is out of the ordinary to ask this of you, but would you consider accompanying Charles and settling Laura in? I think she would feel better for it, she must be terrified."

"Me?" Martha spluttered. She blushed as she realised that because the request had been so unexpected, her response had squeaked out. She was not a woman that squeaked. She tried to calm herself down by taking a drink, but she looked mortified.

Elizabeth laughed at the expression on her companion's face. "You have been like a mother to me over the years and I can think of no one better to offer someone support, when it is really needed," she said honestly.

Martha blushed at the compliment. "Thank you, but what about the running of the house?" she asked. She took her job very seriously, it had been a lot to learn when she had started, only having helped to manage a smaller house previously, but through hard work, she had gained the respect of the staff and ran an efficient household.

"It's a perfect opportunity to give one of the under-maids the chance to help to run a large house. We were planning a visit to Violet and Edward in London, sometime soon. We could bring that visit forward, so there would be little work to be done while we are gone," Elizabeth explained. She may not enjoy visiting the capital, but sometimes it would be necessary and Lord Dunham's sister and brother-in-law were very dear to her.

"Oh, I see," Martha responded, not liking what she was hearing.

Elizabeth quickly reached over and squeezed the hand of her long-time companion. "Martha, don't think for one moment that this is anything but the highest compliment to you, there is no other woman I would want by my side when I was in trouble, or needed support. She needs you," she said, genuinely sorry that her companion should feel the request was anything other than the highest praise.

"I don't mean to make a fuss," Martha said quickly, her cheeks burning at such focus of attention on herself. "Of course I will do as you wish."

"Good. Excellent," Lord Dunham responded. "I will send off a letter this evening and if you both could be ready by tomorrow afternoon, it would be best to leave then. You have a long journey before you, with the need to go to London first."

Charles and Martha both nodded their agreement. The small group broke up soon after, Lord Dunham to write his letter to Alfred, while Charles and Martha needed to give instructions to other staff members who would be responsible for tasks in their absence, and they also needed to pack. There was no indication at the moment when they would be returning.

Charles had watched the interchange between Martha and Lady Dunham with a mixture of feelings. He had initially been amused at Martha's reaction, anything that ruffled her made him smile. After that first moment though, the reality of the situation sank in, he would not have his escape from Martha Fairfield after all. That was really a mixed blessing. He liked her a lot, but the way he had been managing to anger her recently did not bode well for a long journey, or a lengthy stay when there would not be the same level of work involved as there was at Dunham House. Suddenly, the next few weeks seemed a little daunting. He was no coward, but he did not want to antagonise the woman further than he had done already.

Martha met Charles coming out of the kitchen. She had spent the last hour with Cook, pa.s.sing over some of her duties. It was fortunate that Lady Dunham had suggested that the family would be travelling to London, as it reduced the level of work required from the staff.

Charles was approaching the kitchen, when Martha emerged from behind the green baize door. He bowed slightly and stepped to the side to let her pa.s.s.

Martha looked at the man before her. He looked confident and perfectly at ease with the situation, while she, although believing the words that Elizabeth had said, (her mistress was no liar), but she still stung from the thought of being sent away from her rightful place. This was an uncharacteristically poor thought from Martha, which was added to by her blaming Charles for the situation.

"I won't forget this in a hurry, Mr Anderton," Martha whispered as she pa.s.sed Charles. She may be angry with him, but it would not be wise to let the other staff know. Gossip between the staff about other members of staff was avoided if at all possible, especially the senior staff. It only made their positions more difficult.

"What do you mean?" Charles replied in genuine puzzlement and surprise. He had not expected to be exchanging pleasantries, but he had not expect to be spoken to with such venom.

"If you didn't keep undermining me at every opportunity, I would not be being sent away now!" she whispered angrily.

"What? I had nothing to do with it!" Charles exclaimed, astounded that he was being accused of such a crime.

"You have been quick to point out my shortcomings at every possible opportunity, the result being that they no longer have faith in me," Martha continued. "If you hadn't criticised me in the most public of ways, I'm sure her Ladys.h.i.+p would never have suggested such a scheme."

"Lady Dunham said that you were the best person for the job," Charles tried to defend himself. "Her reasons were sensible, I saw no great scheme to undermine you, tonight or any other night. It is all in your imagination."

"I wouldn't expect you to think anything else, other than it was my imagination, or twisted viewpoint. I know your low opinion of me, but you are wrong! I won't now be employing the nanny will I?" Martha snapped. "So, I'm obviously good enough for before the baby is born, but not once it arrives!" She walked away with a stiff back and her head held high, while Charles was left standing open mouthed at her retreating figure.

He had never thought for one moment that she had taken such a dislike to him, but after that outburst, she appeared to detest him. All his previous thoughts about Martha having some feeling for him had disappeared during her tirade, and he was left with the remorse of realising the consequence of his foolish actions. The one woman who he thought about for much of the day, disliked him with all of her being. It was going to be a long trip. A very long trip indeed.

Chapter 9.

London Alfred and Laura had not fallen back into their easy companions.h.i.+p after Laura had tried to persuade Alfred to give in to his feelings. Laura had been hurt by the rejection and Alfred refused to let himself to get into such a position where his weakness would show again. He did not blame Laura, they both had feelings for each other, which had been obvious almost from the moment they had met, but as he had told her, things had changed.

So, an uneasy pact had developed in which they avoided each other as much as possible in the small s.p.a.ce of Alfred's lodgings. It helped that Alfred tried to stay out of his rooms as much as possible. On one of his excursions out he decided that he needed to speak to his senior officer and explain what was happening. It was a difficult interview, as he had been absent from his position, without a just cause.

"I could dismiss you," Mr Frost said quietly, after listening to Alfred's explanation.

"I understand if you choose to, sir," Alfred responded, sitting squarely in his seat. He was trying not to let show just what it would mean if he lost his position.

"I took a leap of faith when I appointed you, Peters," Mr Frost said, his voice not betraying whether he was disappointed or angry.

"I know sir, and I appreciate what you did for me before I started my employment," Alfred responded, acknowledging something from his past that he would rather forget.

"I suppose it shows that my faith in you was justified since you have not turned the woman away, and protected her, in a fas.h.i.+on," the calm voice said. "But you will only be a true officer when you learn to rely on your fellow colleagues. By working together we can help each other, if you had the support of the rest of the team, you would not have had to spend so much time locked away."

Alfred smiled a slight smile. "That would have been a help certainly. I suppose I just reacted to the situation when she followed me. My first aim was to get her to safety," he explained.

"Your actions probably saved her life," Mr Frost said. "The team working will come with time. I sometimes forget how short a time you have been with us, because you are so efficient."

"Thank you sir," Alfred said, flus.h.i.+ng at the praise.

"So, I suppose while you are so far involved, it just is down to me to give you permission to accompany this young woman to Yorks.h.i.+re and make sure she is safe," Mr Frost said.

"I don't know how long I will be, I understand if you want to replace me sir," Alfred offered, holding himself stiff in an effort to absorb the blow if it came.

"Take as much time as you need, and we will welcome you when you return," Mr Frost said, rea.s.suringly.

"Thank you Sir, I really appreciate it," Alfred said with one of his rare smiles.

"You're welcome, now get out of my office and sort yourself out. I will tell everyone that you have a sick relative in the North and won't be back for some time," Mr Frost said, and watched as his officer left his office. He wondered if he would see the young man again, although he hoped not to.

Although Alfred did not realise it, the chance to get out of London, was an opportunity to once and for all leave his old life behind. Mr Frost hoped sincerely that Alfred would find a life outside of the city and become the man that he had seen glimpses of during his acquaintance. For Alfred's sake he hoped so, although he would miss the serious young man.

The evening arrived that Alfred and Laura were to be collected. Both waited nervously in the lodgings, until Mr Anderton knocked on the door. Alfred opened the door and let the gentleman in. He remembered Mr Anderton from the time when he had been asked to help Lord Dunham by Lord Halkyn in protecting Lady Dunham. When he had arrived at Dunham House, Lady Dunham was safe, but there was chaos because Miss Webster had been missing. Alfred had taken control and set out to search for her and he had been successful, although she had been injured.

"Good evening Mr Peters," Mr Anderton said. "We have the carriage waiting outside. This is Miss Fairfield, who I'm sure you remember from your visit to Dunham House."

Miss Fairfield followed Mr Anderton into the room and dropped a curtsey. "Mr Peters, it is good to see you again, but I just wish it was under better circ.u.mstances."

Alfred, bowed to the two visitors and then turned to Laura, "This is Miss Atkinson. Miss Atkinson, please allow me to introduce, Mr Anderton and Miss Fairfield."

Laura blushed, being introduced as a Miss when obviously expecting a child. It was a slur on the character of a woman to be in such a position and she felt mortified in front of two people who although also employees, were definitely of a higher cla.s.s than herself. "Good evening, please call me Laura," she said. She had never been known as Miss Atkinson, it hinted at a life she could only dream of.

"In that case, I'm Martha and this is Charles," Martha said, much to the surprise of Mr Anderton. Martha caught his surprised glance. "We've already been travelling for days and are going to be travelling for many more, so there is little point in keeping up the formalities," she responded defensively.

"I'm happy with you using Charles whenever you wish," Charles said with a smile, but the glower he received in return prevented him from getting carried away with thinking that he was gaining any ground with Martha.

Their journey had been a tense few days, Martha only spoke when she was spoken to, and encouraged no further interactions. At the inns where they stayed, she ate with Charles and then immediately retired to her bed. Never had Charles been so glad to see the outskirts of London in his life. He had felt as if the journey had taken weeks, instead of days.

"In that case, please use my given name, Alfred," Alfred offered, feeling a little strange at such familiarity on so short an acquaintance.

"Shall we make our way?" Charles enquired.

"If I could just have a word with you outside first?" Alfred asked. Charles nodded and Alfred led the way downstairs and left the building, needing to speak to the man of business without being overheard.

When the gentlemen had left, Martha turned to her new acquaintance. "Are you well my dear? It must have been difficult remaining indoors for so many days," she said, returning to the kind person that she was, once her nemesis was absent.

"When we arrive in Yorks.h.i.+re, I don't think I will step inside for a sen'night," Laura said with feeling. "I imagine Alfred is just making sure there is no one loitering outside. I'm sure there isn't. He has been so thorough in protecting me that I have never felt so safe."

"That is good, he seemed like a capable man the last time I met him," Martha said. "Soon we will be on our way and then you can really relax. The estate is lovely and a little out of the way, so people pa.s.sing through the area don't seem to find it. That's one of the reasons Lady Dunham was attracted to it in the first instance," Martha chatted.

"Everyone has been so very kind," Laura said, a little overwhelmed. "I can never repay what is being done for me."

"You paid in advance when you helped Lady Halkyn," Martha rea.s.sured her. "Her friends are very grateful and I'm sure Lord Halkyn will also try and help when he returns from their tour."

The conversation was interrupted by the return of Alfred and Charles, and the bags were taken to the carriage. Alfred had seen Mrs Edwards on the way down the stairs and had explained that he would be visiting family. She did not seem pleased at losing her best tenant, but Alfred paid for the following few weeks rent, to try and console her, which did the trick and she had returned to her rooms happy. Alfred had not wanted her to see who was leaving his rooms, the less people who saw Laura the better.

The carriage set off, but it was only when the last street of London were pa.s.sed that Alfred began to relax, feeling that the further behind London was, the safer Laura would be. The occupants of the carriage were quiet, each wrapped in their own thoughts about the coming weeks.

Each night they stopped at an inn, Martha and Laura shared a room, as did Alfred and Charles. Laura had felt bereft at being so far away from Alfred, but had scolded herself, he did not want to be near her. She found Martha's quiet confidence soothing and allowed the woman to take charge of everything. She had been embarra.s.sed about money, but on the first evening Martha had put her worries at ease.

"Lord Dunham was sending Charles to Yorks.h.i.+re anyway," Martha explained when Laura had offered to pay for her room. "There is some business to attend to involving the replacement of the steward of the property."

"But mine and Alfred's board is extra, you must let me pay for it," Laura insisted.

"Lord Dunham wouldn't hear of you paying, even if there was no cause for us to travel to Yorks.h.i.+re. You helped Lady Halkyn. If there is an account to settle, I am sure Lord Halkyn would settle it. Do not worry, everything has been taken care of," Martha a.s.sured her.

As the days progressed, the travellers became weary of being stuck in a carriage for most of the hours of daylight, but Martha and Charles told Alfred and Laura about the estate to help familiarise them with the area they were going to be living in.

Eventually, the carriage turned into the parkland and Laura felt the first stirrings of excitement. This was to be her home for the next few months. Martha had explained that she was to live in the house as a guest until after the baby had arrived. Only then was she to think about what she needed to do, or where she wanted to live. Laura had never had a home and she was determined that she was going to enjoy every moment, however long it lasted.

The carriage stopped at the front door and the carriage steps were let down. Mr Smithson, the butler and Mr Lawson, the steward stood together, waiting to greet the occupants. Letters had been received from Lord Dunham giving instructions about the guests.

"Mr Smithson, how nice to see you again," Martha said, smiling at the butler. She had worked closely with him when her mistress had lived on the estate, when his quick thinking had helped to save his mistress.

"Miss Fairfield, welcome. I hope the journey wasn't too tedious?" the ever calm butler responded.

"Not too bad, although it is good to be on firm ground," Martha responded with a smile. "Mr Lawson, you are looking well, Lady Dunham sends her very best regards."

Mr Lawson, smiled and bowed slightly. He had worked for Lady Dunham's family for most of his life and was very fond of her Ladys.h.i.+p. The remainder of the party were introduced to each other and led inside.

Smithson led the guests to the drawing room, in which refreshments already awaited the arrivals. "Oh, lovely, a decent cup of tea," Martha said with feeling, moving across to start pouring. "Thank you Mr Smithson and these cakes look delicious, I see Cook is as efficient as ever."

Mr Smithson smiled slightly. "She is looking forward to the house being busy, the food for the staff doesn't stretch her talents enough," the butler explained the cook's frustration at producing far less fancy food when the family were not in residence.

Laura bit into one of the cakes and closed her eyes as the sponge almost melted in her mouth. She sighed when she finished the delicacy. "That has to be the nicest thing I have ever tasted," she said, her tone showing real appreciation.

Martha smiled, "Cook will be feeding you all sorts of delicious meals while you are here, she is wasted in a house that the family rarely visits now."

Alfred and Laura were shown to their separate rooms after they had had their fill of cake and tea. Martha and Charles had excused themselves, each having duties to undertake before the evening meal.

Laura waited until the door had been closed behind her and then turned slowly to take in every part of the room. This was not like one of Baron Kersal's barely furnished rooms, it had everything a luxurious bed chamber needed. A large four poster took centre place along the main wall. Facing was a glowing fire, with a chaise lounge and small table. A desk faced one of the two large windows that let the beautiful view into the room. The second window had a comfortable looking window seat, which was partially hidden behind a dressing table, set near the window for best use of the light. A door led into a small dressing room, containing was.h.i.+ng stand, a fire place, and a screen which one could use when extra privacy was needed.

Laura sat on the window seat and through the window at the long drive. She must be in one of the princ.i.p.al rooms, as if she was a real guest. She had never met Lord and Lady Dunham, but she was inclined to think they had to be the kindest people who had ever lived.

She was disturbed by a gentle knock on the door. "Come in," she said and the door opened, and Martha entered the room.