Fenella J Miller (8 page)

She followed her guides into the chamber at the precise moment a trio of maids arrived with laden trays. Cook had surpassed herself; there was enough food to feed ten children and several adults as well.

“Sit down quietly, children, and we shall say grace together. Then we shall help ourselves to what we want. Alexander, I shall serve you for I doubt you can reach the centre of the table.”

Eventually, they were all replete. Eleanor surveyed the mountain of food that remained untouched. “There’s enough here to pack up a picnic tea and take it down to the lake. Who would like to come with me?”

One would have thought the children had never been on a picnic before as they danced around her. Laughing, she waved her hand and called for hush. “Before we can go out, there are several things I have to do. The first is to speak to Nanny and see if there is anything more suitable for Alexander to change into. Girls, do you have less elaborate garments you could wear?”

“Nanny said we should change into our best to meet you, ma’am. Perhaps she will allow us to put on something we can run around in.”

“Elizabeth, my dear, if I wish you to change then Nanny must find you something to put on. Shall we go upstairs and speak to her?”

She pushed her chair back and walked across to ring the bell. Sydney appeared so promptly he must have been waiting for her call. She explained to him that she wanted the food and the lemonade put into a picnic basket for later. Following him to the door, she spoke quietly so the children could not overhear.

“Sydney, is Dr Stansted still here?”

“Yes, my lady, he is with Mr Foster. Lord Bentley’s man was desirous of speaking with you but I said you were not to be interrupted when the children were with you.”

A sick feeling flooded through her. “I see. I should like a footman to take me to Lord Bentley’s apartment. I shall go and speak to Foster immediately.”

The children would have to go up to the nursery ahead of her. If the news was as bad as she feared, they should not hear it until had time to prepare them. It would not do to alarm them prematurely.

Edward watched the carriage until it was out of sight. He couldn’t begin his enquiries until his rage was under control. Why had Bentley taken the woman he had attempted to assault? It made no sense.

The red mist slowly cleared and his mind began to function normally. Whatever the reason, Eleanor had left Bridgeton Abbey was to his advantage. Her reputation had been damaged yesterday but today what was left would have gone entirely. His sister would be a social outcast; even the most determined fortune hunter would shy away from a match with Bentley’s leavings.

He smiled. He would leave the matter for a few hours and then demand to see Eleanor. When she failed to appear, he could initiate a search and her disgraceful behaviour would become common knowledge. Tomorrow was soon enough to discover Bentley’s whereabouts and reclaim her. His eyes glittered. This time he could thrash her without remorse. Even his soft-hearted wife would have to accept that it was his right and duty to punish someone who had bought the family name into disrepute.

“You say that Lady Eleanor is nowhere to be found?” The footman nodded and Edward dismissed him with a curt gesture. He turned to his wife, as ever, hovering in the background. “Madam, go at once to the nursery and question the children and the nursemaids as to Eleanor’s whereabouts.”

The twenty minutes he was obliged to kick his heels did nothing to improve his temper. When, eventually, his wife reappeared, he schooled his features to appear ignorant of the news she was about to give him.

“My lord, Eleanor has left with Lord Bentley. He offered her the position of governess to his children and she accepted with alacrity.”

Jane did not appear cowed or agitated by this news. Indeed, she seemed almost pleased.

“Governess? My sister to work as a servant? This will not do. I will not have it.”

“You’re too late. They left this morning. I shall have to appoint a governess myself to replace her. The boys leave for school in September so there will be no need to appoint a tutor for them.”

This defiance was too much for his fragile control. He raised his fist but she was too quick for him. In a swirl of skirts, she spun and vanished into her own boudoir and the sound of the bolt being shot echoed around the room. For the first time in the eleven years they had been married, his wife had defied him.

Lady Haverstock, who was strolling on the terrace below with another guest, looked up in shock as he hurled the ornaments from the tables through the open window. He did not care. He would not be gainsaid. His wife and sister would pay for their disobedience.

Eleanor smiled at the three children. “I had meant to tell you: your papa did, of course, return with me. Unfortunately he’s feeling a trifle under the weather. The doctor is with him now, and I must go and see what can be done to make him more comfortable.”

Lucy nodded sagely. “He is often unwell when he visits us. He is obliged to stay in his rooms most of the time.”

“Things shall be different now I am here, my love. Even when your papa is indisposed, or in Town, I shall be here to take care of you.”

This was enough to reassure them. Unbothered by the absence of their father they led her back to the great hall and up the imposing stairs. They continued to the nursery floor and left the footman to guide her to the master suite.

She hesitated; should she knock? The matter was decided for her as the footman thought she was waiting for him to open the door. He did this with a flourish; announcing her to Foster and the doctor as if she was appearing at a ball.

“I apologize for not arriving sooner, but I have only just received your message.”

The young man bowed. “The news is far better than you might have anticipated, my lady. Lord Bentley has a concussion, but he has regained consciousness and is perfectly lucid. I’m certain there is no permanent damage and a week or so resting in bed will fully restore him.”

Her legs suddenly refused to hold her upright and she swayed. Instantly Dr Stansted moved forward to guide her to the nearest seat. “Lady Bentley, this news has been a shock to you. Remain still for a few moments until the faintness passes.”

“I am feeling better, thank you. I had come here prepared for the worst. Relief quite overwhelmed me.” She glanced at Foster. “Do you require my services in the sickroom? I have experience, I have nursed my niece and nephews on many occasions these past few years.”

“No, thank you, my lady. I can manage myself. His lordship would be most displeased if I allowed you to do such menial work.”

“In which case, I shall leave him in your capable hands. If he should enquire as to my whereabouts, I am taking the children down to the lake for a picnic this afternoon.”

“Very well, my lady. Have you met Nanny Brooks?” The warning twinkle told her what to expect when she braved this lady’s territory.

“I met Nanny Brooks when she delivered the children to me earlier.” She smiled at the physician. “I must thank you for your assistance, sir. Shall you be returning again today?”

“No, not unless his condition deteriorates. Foster has instructions to send for me should that be the case. However, my lady, I don’t anticipate this happening. You mustn’t worry unduly. Lord Bentley has a strong constitution; he will be up and about again in no time.”

“In which case I must bid you good day. Foster, I shall call in when I return.”

She almost skipped from the room. All that remained was for her to vanquish the woman who had controlled the lives of the children these past few years. The fact that Brooks had half-starved them gave her the courage to march into the nursery. Her steps were light. She was not to be named a murderer after all.

Faced with a row of identical doors along a narrow, uncarpeted passageway on the top floor of the house, she had no idea into which one she should make her entrance. She could manage to remain obdurate in the face of whatever opposition she encountered from Nanny Brooks. However, if it took her several attempts to locate the children she rather thought her courage would evaporate.

The only way to be sure was to listen outside. What if someone emerged from one of the other doors and caught her eavesdropping? Her credibility as the children’s mother would be destroyed in an instant. Strange, when the children had left her, they were full of vitality and noise—so why could she not hear them?

She walked briskly across to the door in the centre and pushed it open. Three heads turned, but none of the children got up from their chairs or said a word in greeting.

This would not do. They were petrified. What else could be keeping them so still and quiet?

“Brooks, I wish to speak to you. Now.” Her anger added authority to her voice. She remained where she was; what she intended to say to the woman must be spoken in front of the children. Lucy’s eyes widened and Eleanor braced herself.

The woman was behind her; forewarned, she did not stumble forward in shock. “Lady Bentley, it’s customary for the children to be brought to you. I didn’t expect to see you in my nursery.”

Slowly she turned to face the nanny who had been mistreating her husband’s dear children for the past few years. “I am most displeased by the way the nursery has been run. You have overstepped your authority. You are a servant here. These rooms do not belong to you, but to my husband.”

The woman looked less confident. “Lord Bentley gave the children into my care on the sad demise of their sainted mother. He has never had cause to criticise in any way.”

“That’s as may be. Things are different now.
I
am the children’s mama and their upbringing is entirely under my control.” She raked the nanny from head to toe and found her wanting. “You are dismissed from my employ. I wish you to leave immediately. I shall
not
be writing a reference.”

“You can’t do that. Lord Bentley appointed me. Only he has the right to send me away.”

Eleanor could feel the malevolence pouring over her and for a moment her determination wavered. Then three small bodies pressed against her. She could not falter.

“How dare you speak to me like that? If you’re not gone from here by the time I return, I shall have you removed. Do I make myself clear?”

Forcing herself to remain rigid, she stared icily until Nanny Brooks capitulated. Without a further word, the woman ran from the room and could be heard slamming about next door.

“Well, that’s one task completed. The second is to find more suitable garments for you all.”

“Our bedroom is next door, my lady. We can show you what we have and you must choose for us.”

“I shall do no such thing, Lucy. You and Elizabeth are quite old enough to dress yourselves; I shall concern myself with finding something for your brother.”

She was rummaging around in his closet when she became aware she was no longer alone. She turned expecting to face another antagonistic nursemaid. Instead two girls stood beaming at her. The taller, a buxom, blonde-haired young woman, of about seventeen or eighteen summers, curtsied.

“My lady, we heard everything. Is that witch really leaving here?”

“Indeed, Brooks will be gone before the day is out. Tell me your names and duties here.”

“I’m Daisy, my lady, and I’m under nursemaid. This here’s Rose, she’s none too strong in the attic, if you get my meaning. But she’s willing and loves the children as much as I do. It’s a crying shame what’s been happening up here these past four years.”

“That will be enough on
that
subject, Daisy. Can you manage to run the nursery for the moment? The children will spend the greater part of the day with me. I intend to be their teacher.”

Lucy appeared in a plain green dress, her smock more or less on, her face alight with happiness. “Elizabeth has nothing to wear. Shall I give her something of mine?”

“Yes, my love, do that.” The girl disappeared and Eleanor turned to Daisy once more. “Go through and undo Miss Lucy’s and Miss Elizabeth’s plaits. Leave their hair loose; a ribbon will be sufficient to keep it out of their eyes.”

Alexander danced in, waving a garment over his head. “Mama, look, knickeebocks. And a shirt and things. I found them myself. Can I put them on please?”

“Well done, young man. Quickly, let us dispose of these silly, frilly items and dress you as Alexander. Tomorrow I shall cut off those ridiculous curls.”

The afternoon was a resounding success. Eleanor returned with the children far later than she intended. Alexander was so fatigued she had to carry him, but was wilting under her burden. She couldn’t stagger up three flights of stairs to the nursery without dropping him. He was remarkably light for a child of five years, but she was not herself having had no sleep for two nights.

“Allow me, my lady. I can carry Master Alexander up to the nursery for you.”

“Daisy, wherever did you spring from? Yes, please take him.”

Rose had taken charge of the girls. They were holding her hands and eagerly telling her all about their afternoon.

“I shall leave you to put them to bed. They must have a bath tomorrow; it is too late to worry about a little grime tonight.”