Chapter Twelve
‘You be careful what you say’
The next day, Julia received a letter marked for her attention from the solicitors, Rundle and Keane. They expressed their regrets at her great uncle’s demise and asked if she could advise them when it would be convenient for Mr Rundle to wait upon her, regarding Mr Farraday’s last will and testimony.
Julia replied immediately. At the same time she composed a letter to Philip at Sharnborough, explaining what had happened and her now altered position. While she was busily engaged, Molly announced a visitor, none other than Gerald. Before Molly had departed he was in the room, filling it with his presence, almost breathless with haste, hair dishevelled, cravat askew as he clutched her hand.
Those brown eyes, so full of emotion, locked with her own. She trembled and sat riveted to her seat as, still holding her hand, he knelt beside her.
‘I have only just heard of what’s happened here. I came straight away. You poor girl. Your great uncle’s death, in such a manner. It must have been a terrible shock to you.’
He was still breathing heavily, his eyes blazing.
‘If only I had known sooner! Is there anything I can do? Why did you not send for me?’ He gripped her hand tighter.
‘But you were away. You had business in London.’
He buried his head in her lap, and without realising what she was doing, Julia began stroking his hair with her free hand. Such thick dark beautiful hair. She was jolted from her reverie by the passion in his sudden upturned face.
‘If you had sent word to me I would have come at once. Surely you realise that?’
‘I am sorry. I didn’t think. I was dreadfully shaken.’
‘Oh, my poor Julia!’
He was on his feet in an instant, sweeping her into his arms in an embrace, his face so close that she was overcome in the intensity of his emotion. His lips bore down on hers. The passion of his kisses overwhelmed her and Julia felt helpless in his arms, not wanting the moment to end.
‘My dearest, dearest one.’ His mouth against her ear, he murmured endearments while she felt the roughness of his skin against her cheek and drank in the masculine smell of him. How long she passively stayed in his arms, allowing him to make love to her, she hardly knew. Never had she felt so secure, so wanted. Somehow, Julia struggled free.
‘Gerald, stop. No. No. Please, please stop. I must think.’
‘My darling, what is there to think of? You are mine and mine alone.’
‘Oh Gerald! Do you mean..’ She broke off in confusion at the tap at the door. Molly brought in the tea things, her inquisitive eyes leaping from one to the other, a bright spot of colour in both cheeks.
‘Thank you Molly, that will be all.’
Julia was never more aware of her own flushed face, hair in disarray, dress crushed, unsteady voice and lack of composure. ‘You will take tea?’
As the door closed, he strode back to her and took her hands.
‘It’s not tea I want, it’s you!’
‘Oh Gerald, you know, you must know, how very fond of you I have become.’ Julia hung her head to avoid his flaming eyes which seemed to sear her with their intensity.
‘And I with you. Look at me, Julia.’ His hand lifted her chin and she was once again engulfed in his gaze.
‘Nobody can come between us. Nobody! And now, what has occurred here, there is no impediment to stop us, feeling as we do for each other.’
‘Are you proposing to me, Gerald?’ Even as she uttered the words, Julia wished she hadn’t.
There was a long silence, while they looked directly at each other, one breathing heavily.
‘Of course.’
It was quietly said and while it should have made her heart sing, something suddenly went out of her, and Julia felt drained and terribly tired. With a heavy heart she poured the tea, spilling some in her agitation. Nothing was said for a while and it was Julia who broke the silence.
‘I have received information from Mr Rundle, my great uncle’s solicitor, that he wishes to call to inform me of the contents of the will.’
As she passed him his teacup, she caught again the heat in his eyes. He slammed the teacup down on the table, causing it to jump violently.
‘Do you think I only came to you because of your great uncle’s will?’
Gerald leapt from his seat, rocking the table as he did so, slopping even more of the tea.
‘Oh, no, no, Gerald. Please sit down and calm yourself. Of course I never thought that! I would never…’
‘You think I only came today because you are now a wealthy heiress, isn’t that so, Julia? Tell me, isn’t that so?’
He towered over her, his face contorted with rage.
‘No, Gerald, no!’ She shrank back in her seat, frightened by the sudden change in him, desperately trying to stay calm herself. ‘I would never think such a thing about you. I know you are too much of a gentleman, have too much honour to ever…’
‘No, you don’t! You think I’m after your fortune! Well, let me assure you, I’m not. Perhaps your noble earl will appreciate your improved position. I certainly don’t give a fig for it. Good day to you!’
With that he stormed out of the room leaving Julia shaken and in tears.
The next few days were difficult ones for Julia. Apart from the household treating her in a most deferential fashion and dealing with curious acquaintances of her great uncle who called as if to inspect her person, time hung heavily after Gerald’s sudden, violent departure.
Subconsciously she knew she had deliberately been putting off clearing out her great uncle’s bedroom and library as it seemed such an intrusion into his privacy, and Julia still felt his presence in the house.
Normally she would have asked Smithers to assist her in the task, but she felt that some diplomacy was needed here, and instead, requested Mrs Knight’s assistance.
Turning her mother’s ring on her finger she reluctantly entered the room, Mrs Knight hard on her heels.
‘Perhaps ma’am, you would prefer me to sort out the master’s clothes while you go through his desk?’ Mrs Knight gently enquired.
‘Yes, yes. That is a very good plan.’
Julia was relieved at having the decision taken from her. They worked away steadily through the afternoon and Julia was pleasantly surprised at how neat and methodical Great Uncle Thomas had been in the handling of his accounts and correspondence. Everything was of a relatively recent date. It seemed anything over two months old had been disposed of.
Certainly there was nothing of an incriminating nature or of family history, so at the end of the proceedings Julia could only feel somewhat frustrated and vaguely disappointed. At four o’clock, Julia felt it was time to stop and after washing and tidying herself, she joined Mrs Knight in the housekeeper’s room where Molly had thoughtfully provided afternoon tea.
As they drank their tea, Mrs Knight inquired anxiously, ‘Miss Farraday, do you think you will be making any changes to the household?’
Julia looked over the rim of her cup, poised in mid air to her lips and carefully replaced it in its saucer.
Looking straight into the older woman’s eyes, Julia answered firmly, ‘Most certainly not, if I can help it. The household runs very smoothly, thanks to your diligence and efficiency.’
Mrs Knight flushed with gratification at the compliment.
‘It’s just that with the master’s death,’ the lady choked on a sob, but continued. ‘Apart from cook, everyone else would find it difficult to get another position here in Winchelsea.’
‘I do understand that, Mrs Knight,’ soothed Julia. ‘The only person who will not be employed is Wyatt if he ever returns. Despite his service to Mr Farraday, to me he has been quite objectionable.’
The relief on Mrs Knight’s face was apparent.
‘Oh Wyatt! He has always been a difficult boorish man. No one here likes him, only Mr Farraday would …but that is not my place to say.’
‘Never mind,’ answered Julia c
heerfully and she leaned across to pat Mrs Knight’s hand. ‘That means he will be no loss to any one. In fact, I doubt he will ever show his face here again.’
‘After your life in London and at Court, are you quite happy to stay here, buried in the country?’ asked Mrs Knight timidly.
The smiling face of Gerald Hamilton appeared before her as Julia answered happily, ‘My dear Mrs Knight, I am more than happy living here.’
The older lady smiled contentedly at this and sipped her tea.
Casually, Julia asked, ‘Do you know if Mr Hamilton has any other family living in Sussex?’
‘Not as I am aware, though Mr Ridges’ family was in service there. Mr Ridges grew up on the Hamilton estate and knew Mr Gerald as a boy.’
This was news indeed!
‘Mrs Knight, there is something I have never known. How long have you been the housekeeper here?’
‘Just over twenty-two years, ma’am.’ The pride in her reply was unmistakable.
‘My, that is a long time,’ mused Julia.
‘Oh, yes indeed! Before my arrival, Mr Farraday had many changes in the servants’ quarters. I believe there were many problems. He could be quite difficult at times.’
This was added nervously, as if it might be overheard by the late gentleman himself.
‘Quite so,’ agreed Julia tolerantly.
‘Mr Farraday bought this property on his first return home from India over forty years ago. The house was twice the size in those days but a big fire destroyed two large wings not long before he purchased it, and as a bachelor it was quite large enough for Mr Farraday as it is.’
Mrs Knight took another sip of tea and continued.
‘The previous owners were great hunting people and bred a lot of horses as well, which is why the stables are so large. Mr Farraday used to ride of course in his younger days and kept some carriage horses, but he was never a member of the hunting set.’
Finishing her tea, Julia rose to leave. ‘We will continue clearing out the room tomorrow. I must deal with the correspondence. There are many letters to reply to; to those who have expressed their sorrow at Great Uncle Thomas’s passing and there are the household accounts to be attended to,’ and with that Julia left the room, leaving behind a much-reassured housekeeper.
The next day Julia called Ridges into the morning room on an inconsequential matter, using it as an excuse to turn the conversation to Gerald Hamilton.
‘I believe that your family worked on the Hamilton estate, Ridges, and you knew Mr Gerald as a boy?’
‘Indeed yes, Miss Julia,’ Ridges smiled fondly. ‘What a tearaway he was, Miss,’ and he sighed heavily.
‘I understand he has no family living now?’
‘Oh no, ma’am. His mother, oh she was a beauty. Mr Frederick Hamilton met her in Dublin. She was the eldest daughter of a poor Irish Lord, wild and wilful and...’ His eyes had a faraway look that Julia had never seen before.
‘Please, Ridges, don’t stop. I really want to know all about Mr Hamilton’s family.’
He smiled ruefully. ‘All I can tell you is that she had all the charm and devilment that Mr Gerald has and drove men beside themselves to please her.’
He seemed to be looking past her to a distant place.
Impatiently, Julia plunged on. ‘Surely though, she was happy with Mr Frederick Hamilton?’
‘Happy!’ Ridges snorted. ‘Ma’am, she could never be happy and made those around her a misery, trying to please her and keep her entertained. Mr Frederick was a fine looking, quiet, refined gentleman. When he went to Ireland on business, nobody would ever have believed that he would bring back a bride so very different in every way from himself. Oh, they were happy at first, and then Master Gerald was born, but afterwards she was restless, discontented, and shocked the whole county by her behaviour.’
He paused and then said sadly, ‘I cannot repeat all that happened, but when Master Gerald was a lad of six, his mother died in childbirth and the child she was expecting died with her. Mr Frederick was beside himself with grief, locked himself in his room, would see no one.’
After what seemed an interminable time, with Julia perched on the end of her chair, her mind agog with anticipation he continued.
‘He began to drink heavily, which was so unlike him. He couldn’t bear to see his son because of the resemblance to his mother. It was a sad time.’
There was another heavy sigh and Julia was about to question him further when he looked at her and said, ‘Twelve years later, when Master Gerald was almost eighteen, he was found one morning dead. Broken his neck, falling from his horse on the way back from Rye. A bad tragic business, especially for the boy.’
Almost afraid to interrupt his reverie, Julia asked shyly, ‘And Mr Gerald?’
‘Oh, there he was, wilder than wild. Nobody to control him, no one to answer to, though Mr Farraday tried because of his friendship with the family,’ Ridges added hastily.
‘I see,’ murmured Julia.
Now he’d started, it was as if Ridges was unable to stop. ‘Master Gerald was the favourite around here, of that there was no doubt. He had his parents’ looks with all the charm and sweetness of youth when he wanted to use it. There wasn’t a girl or woman, young or old, he couldn’t wheedle into anything he wanted and all the men admired him for his courage and devil-may-care attitude.’
Warming to his subject the old retainer continued on with enthusiasm.
‘Why, he had all the young sprigs dancing to his tune, off for a caper at his whim. The larks they got up to! Generous to a fault, he usually paid, especially if the constable came to call.’
Ridges shook his head sadly at the memory of it all.
‘Many of those same young men either enlisted in the army or navy to fight the Corsican and were killed, although some are now sober married men with families of their own. Of course, Master Gerald did get betrothed when he came back from the East. We all hoped that would settle him down but…’
‘To be married?’ The words came from Julia involuntarily.
Ridges smiled at the recollection. ‘God bless me, yes. She was lovely, from a good family, no shortage of guineas there, if you’ll pardon me for saying so, ma’am, but no...’ He sighed again heavily. ‘Master Gerald ended it and off he went again without a care in the world, while the scandal it caused in London was terrible.’
He stopped and looked at her sadly.
‘I’m sorry, Miss Julia, I have rambled on. Please take no notice.’
‘Nonsense, Ridges, you have been most informative and I thank you for your frankness.’
Somewhat abashed, he smiled warily at her and left the room while Julia remained pondering on his words. He had given her much to think about.
Four days later, Mr Rundle promptly arrived, apologising profusely for having been indisposed and unable to attend Mr Farraday’s funeral and wait on her earlier. Apart from some small bequests to some of the servants such as Mrs Knight and Ridges, and a surprisingly generous sum of eight hundred pounds to Wyatt, the rest of his estate was left to her.
The sum was nowhere near the exaggerated amount that Gerald had mentioned to her but it was considerable, and Julia now had the peace of mind in knowing she could live in comfort and some style if she wished for the rest of her days.
It was with mixed feelings that she received a note from Gerald apologising for his behaviour on his visit to her and asking if they could resume their riding together the following day. Never had Julia felt so torn. Pacing the length of the morning room, clasping Gerald’s missive in her hand, she found herself talking aloud.
‘I really shouldn’t even consider seeing him after his rudeness, for no reason, the other day. Why, there is no way that Philip or any other gentleman of my acquaintance would ever behave in such a way. The effrontery of the man, the arrogance.’
Yet try as she would, all she could think of was that dark head buried in her lap, the wild passion like a coiled spring and the fervour of his kisses. Sit
ting down suddenly in the nearest chair, Julia knew she would agree to go riding with him and would allow herself to be charmed all over again, and she would accept any reasonable explanation he had to make.
Why, oh why, was she so weak and helpless where he was concerned? Rising again to pace the room, she damned herself for being a fool, but went to the desk, wrote a brief note agreeing to his proposal, rang for Molly and instructed her to get Jimmy to deliver it to Mr Hamilton.
Having made the decision, for some reason she felt much better and surprisingly hungry, so that she was able to enjoy a hearty meal before ringing for Ridges to ask the whereabouts of Wyatt.
‘Hmmm,’ Ridges frowned, and absentmindedly pulled his fingers. ‘I believe he is back at his cottage, Miss, but,’ he added hastily, ‘that’s only gossip. I really don’t know for sure.’
‘Well, Ridges, I would like to see him. Could you ask him if he will call on me?’ Julia could read the surprise on Ridges’ face but he nodded his agreement and left her. She didn’t want to tell him that she still had unanswered questions regarding her great uncle’s death and particularly why Wyatt was in the house that night.
With a sigh, Julia closed the drawer of her bureau and forced herself to shut out the thoughts of an impending interview with Wyatt. A walk in the fresh air to Wentworth Hall to inquire about Caroline’s parrot was just what she needed to get out of the house.
‘Oh, Miss Julia, does it have to be now?’ moaned Smithers, as she laid down the ivory fan she was busy cleaning.
‘Yes it does. You can do that later. A brisk walk will do us good. We have both been closeted in the house for the last few days and the exercise will be beneficial to our health,’ Julia added rather righteously.
Smithers muttered under her breath that her corns could do with a rest rather than a walk in the wilderness, but knowing Julia wouldn’t be deterred she went to get her cap and cape. It was a pleasant walk and they met no one on their way.
Outside Wentworth Hall on the carriage sweep was a stable boy leading a horse around that Julia recognised only too well. Without doubt it was Gerald Hamilton’s black gelding. Whatever could Gerald be doing here? For a moment Julia contemplated turning around and returning down the drive, but instead she resolutely pulled on the door knocker.
A rather preoccupied footman opened the door and at Julia’s request, led both women through the vestibule and down the hall to the housekeeper’s room. A male voice she recognised only too well came from Sir Henry’s library, and letting Smithers precede her while following the footman, Julia paused and then crossed the hallway to where the door was ajar.
‘There will have to be a lot of work done…’
‘Of course, Mr Hamilton, there is no argument about that.’
Sir Henry’s voice! But he was supposed to be with the family in London. What could he be doing back here? Through the crack in the door she could see Sir Henry facing across the room and the broad back of Gerald in his buff coat in front of her. A third voice spoke, but quietly, and the words were too indistinct for her to catch. It sounded like a man but he was out of the narrow range of vision she had.
Looking up, she saw the footman and Smithers had stopped and were looking at her, surprise etched on their faces, waiting for her to join them. With a start she hurried forward, aware of her heightened colour, and questions racing through her mind.
‘Oh Miss Farraday, so good of you to call.’ Mrs Carew was all politeness, but obviously agitated as she wiped her hands on her apron.
‘Why, I do hope we have not inconvenienced you,’ smiled Julia, as she sat down carefully.
‘My goodness me, no.’ The housekeeper leaned forward anxiously.
‘It is just that Sir Henry arrived unexpectedly last night as he has some business to attend to. Naturally it was a surprise to us but all was in order as it should be,’ she added proudly, ‘and he praised cook for a capital meal that she set before him.’
‘Did only Sir Henry return home, Mrs Carew?’
‘Yes, just the master, in a great state he was as it was very late. But so pleased to be here.’
She sat back in her chair and beamed appreciatively at her guests. Behind her in his cage, Lockie rocked on his perch and squawked noisily.
‘Oh my, he is a great character,’ said Mrs Carew fondly. ‘So very noisy and does make such a mess scattering his seed and grit everywhere.’
‘Indeed he is,’ answered Julia, casting the bird a quelling look.
‘Caroline will be pleased to hear he is doing well without her. Perhaps Sir Henry will pass on your good report to her?’ Julia asked archly.
‘Oh no, no,’ said a shocked Mrs Carew. ‘I would never dream of bothering Sir Henry with such a trifle. If you could let Miss Caroline know, I would be ever so grateful, Miss Farraday.’
Julia inclined her head. ‘Of course I shall. Please do not worry about that. I happened to hear Sir Henry in his library as I came down the hall to see you and it gave me a shock as I was not expecting him to be back here. He appeared to have Mr Hamilton visiting him, and,’ she added casually, ‘another gentleman?’
Mrs Carew looked even more flustered. ‘I really couldn’t say, Miss Farraday. I know Mr Hamilton was expected but who else, I do not know.’
Julia could feel Smithers’ inquiring eyes fixed upon her, and decided not to pursue the subject further. She accepted Mrs Carew’s offer of tea and made inconsequential chit chat while all her being strained itself to the three men gathered in the library.
Who was the third man? Why had Sir Henry returned so suddenly from London? What was Gerald Hamilton, whom she was not on speaking terms with, doing here? At last it was time to go and as she walked along the hall there was silence from the library as if it was deserted. Outside, there was no sign of Gerald’s horse so it was obvious he had gone.
Walking home in the late afternoon sun, Julia’s mind kept mulling over the events of the day and no matter how hard she tried to convince herself, she could come up with no satisfactory answer as to why Sir Henry and Gerald Hamilton should be involved together in a meeting of an urgent nature. And who was the third man hidden from her view behind the door to whom they appeared to defer?
Julia shook her head in frustration. Of course she was being silly. It really was none of her business what these men were meeting for. The thought of her proposed ride tomorrow with Gerald made her pause to reflect. She hadn’t completely forgiven him for his past rudeness, and perhaps with some careful questioning she would find the answer to this particular puzzle.