Lord Atherton's Ward (5 page)

‘Pray do not jest, Sarah. You do not know what he said to me. I have never been so insulted in my life. We must leave immediately, I have ordered your trunks to be packed and we shall move to Barnet Manor. It is a small property left to me by my mama; he could not possibly know of its existence and we shall be safe from his attentions there.’

Sarah sent a warning glance to her sister. She needed her support if they were not to be bundled unceremoniously into a carriage and trundled, for a second time in less than three weeks weeks, back to East Anglia. ‘What exactly did he say? I need to know. Did he threaten you or harm you in any way?’ Her aunt looked at her as though she was recently emerged from Bedlam.

 ‘Of course he didn’t. He might be a brute, but even he would not harm an old lady like

myself. He said that I was an interfering harridan and that he had no intention of changing his plans for you whatever I might wish to the contrary.’

‘And did he mention what these plans might be?’

‘No, Sarah my dear, he said he would call tomorrow morning and inform you himself. That is why we must leave this afternoon.’

‘I am sorry, Aunt Isabelle, but Jane and I are not leaving. Whatever our personal feelings about the matter we have no choice. Don’t you realise if we disobey him he can take Kesgrave Hall away from us? He could dismiss all the staff, appoint his own choices. I cannot let that happen.’

Her aunt deflated like a balloon. Suddenly she looked every one of her five and sixty years. ‘If that is your wish, both of you, then I shall say no more. However, I cannot remain here if he is to have free access to the house. I shall leave as planned this afternoon.’

Sarah’s heart twisted. That man had a great deal to answer for. He should not have upset her aunt and caused this rift in the family. The spark of attraction that she had felt was extinguished to be replaced by an implacable dislike. She would reach her majority next summer, until then would be obliged to remain under his control, she knew it was going to be extremely difficult.

She went to join Jane already sitting next to her aunt offering what comfort she could. ‘I wish you would stay, we have barely seen you.’ She saw her aunt stiffen with indignation and knew there was nothing she could say to change her mind. ‘As neither of us can appear in public, I shall suggest to Atherton that he allows us to return to Kesgrave until December when our mourning shall be over. Would you consider joining us there? If he is elsewhere, of course.’

Sarah waved their aunt away from the front steps, her heart heavy. It had been a difficult parting. She would never forgive that man for causing her only other living relative so much distress.

‘Lady Isabelle will join us at Kesgrave Hall if you are allowed to go back, Miss Ellison. I know your aunt is upset but will soon recover. I’m sure it will take more than Lord Atherton to destroy her peace of mind.’ Miss Read patted her arm sympathetically.

‘You are correct. We must make sure we are at our most conciliatory tomorrow morning. Jane, you must promise to pinch me if I become too outspoken.’

* * * *

The next morning Sarah took more trouble over her appearance than usual. Both she and Jane had to look their best if they were to achieve their aims. She had selected a gown of golden jaconet.

 ‘The high waist emphasises your curves and the close-fitting sleeves show off your elegant arms,’ Jane said admiringly.

‘I am not sure it is suitable for someone in mourning. He must think us disrespectful daughters to be wearing colours so soon.’

‘Papa was quite clear that we were to carry on as normal. It matters not what
he
thinks, we know we are doing the right thing. I can hardly credit it is four months since he died. So much has happened recently it makes it seem in the distant past.’

Mary hurried in from the parlour. ‘His lordship has arrived, Miss Ellison, and is prowling up and down the small drawing-room with a face like thunder.’

Sarah didn’t ask how her maid could possibly know this, but servants seemed to know more than she did about most things that went on in the house. She glanced at the mantel clock and squeaked in disbelief.

‘Look at the time, Jane. We are tardy. No wonder Atherton is annoyed. Come along, we both look our best, there is nothing else we can do but smile sweetly and agree with every word he says. I pray that is enough to smooth him down.’ She saw the look of disbelief on her sister’s face and chuckled. ‘I know, but I shall do my best to bite my tongue, I promise you.’

* * * *

Perry heard the clock strike the hour. He had been waiting twenty minutes and was beginning to think he had been misled, that the girls had actually left the house in order to avoid him. He addressed the mousy middle-aged woman who cowered in the far corner of the room. ‘Are the Ellison girls in residence?’ He glared pointedly at the handsome tall case clock that stood against one wall.

‘They will be down directly, my lord. Lady Isabelle left yesterday but Miss Ellison and Miss Jane are here.’

He smiled, after all it was not this poor woman’s fault he had been given a bear garden jaw yesterday and kept waiting this morning. ‘I take it Miss Ellison suggested you are present during the interview?’ His tone was bland but she wasn’t convinced, she knew he was angry. A woman of less courage would have vacated the chamber long ago. ‘Miss Ellison is correct to be careful of the proprieties, but I can assure you I am their guardian and they are perfectly safe with me.’

The look of relief on her face as she collected her bag and scuttled out diffused some of his annoyance. There was the patter of running feet and he turned to face the door. He must guard his tongue in order to achieve his objective. Miss Ellison was as mercurial as her aunt and would fly into the boughs if he started issuing commands. He was employed for his diplomacy, indeed he was to go away the following week on government business in Austria. He would have no difficulty remaining composed this time.

* * * *

Sarah entered the room with her arm through Jane’s. She knew her sister would remind her if she started to become agitated. Miss Read was no longer seated at the far end of the room. She frowned. Good grief! The wretched man must have upset her normally unflappable governess for her to run away.

‘Good morning, Lord Atherton. Allow me to present my sister Jane to you.’

She curtsied alongside her sister and he bowed politely.

 ‘I am delighted to meet you at last, Miss Jane. Shall we be seated, there is much to discuss?’

Two chairs had been placed by the fire, a third a respectable distance away. She could feel Jane’s arm stiffen and knew her sister to be in awe of the formidable gentleman. His manners this morning were impeccable, but his eyes were watchful and she could see his hands were clenched at his sides. This was not a good sign. She knew to her cost that he had a fearsome temper.

Pinning her smile on to trembling lips she looked directly at him for the first time. ‘My lord, I must apologise for being absent when you called yesterday.’ She faltered. What had possessed her to mention yesterday’s disastrous visit? She saw that well remembered flash in his grey eyes and knew it would take a miracle for her to persuade him to send them back to Kesgrave Hall and not send them to Chelmsford to join his mother.

Chapter Five

‘It is unfortunate that Lady Isabelle decided to return to Norfolk. I would much prefer to have had you living under my roof, but as matters stand that is impossible.’ Lord Atherton was making it perfectly plain his opinion of Aunt Isabelle’s departure.

Sarah’s eyes widened. ‘Was it your intention to suggest, my lord, that we all remove to your town house?’

He nodded. ‘Indeed it was, Miss Ellison. As things stand, that is now impossible. I do not wish you to remain here unsupervised, word is already abroad that I have your guardianship.’ He paused to see that this piece of unwelcome information had registered with both of them. ‘As a member of his Majesty’s government I cannot have my probity questioned.’

Sarah couldn’t help herself, she burst out. ‘We must go to Chelmsford? Surely, sir, it would be better for us to return to Kesgrave. After all you were quite content to let us live there unsupervised after our father died in December. It was three months before you contacted us.’

His eyes narrowed and she knew she’d annoyed him. ‘If you had allowed me to finish, Miss Ellison, I had been about to say that it
was
my intention to send you to Chelmsford but that is now impossible as my younger sister has the measles.’

He glared at her, waiting for her comment, wisely she remained silent. ‘Therefore as you have so kindly suggested, I think it would be best if you return to your home for the summer. Sir John has only been buried four months, you should not be here at all. You should be at home until the year is up’

Sarah flushed. He was quite right, she had known the mad dash to London was ill-advised but, as was often the case, she had allowed her temper to over rule her commonsense.

‘In which case, my lord, we shall both get what we want. I have been running the estates these past nine months and although my agent is excellent, it is a bad time of year to be away.’

‘Ah, yes, the estates. I was intending to come to that, Miss Ellison. I have sent my man of business down to examine the books and tour the farms. Whilst you are under my control I shall, of course, be running them. It is not something a young woman is equipped to do efficiently.’

Sarah’s eyes blazed. How dare he impugn her ability? Papa had been happy to leave her in charge, he had no right to criticise her father’s decisions when he was not here to defend them. She was about to jump to her feet, but felt a restraining hand on her elbow. She subsided, biting her lips to stop an intemperate reply.

Jane spoke for them. ‘That is excellent news, my lord. Sir John said to me just before he died that Sarah was doing too much. He would be pleased to think she could enjoy the summer untrammelled by responsibilities.’

Sarah saw him relax and a more kindly expression softened his features. ‘Then Sir John was right. I shall be away on business until late summer; I shall come down to see you as soon as I return. It is my intention to launch my sisters on unsuspecting Society next season. I shall expect you to be there too.’

He stood up and strolled towards the window, blocking the light with his broad shoulders. Before Jane could restrain her, Sarah slipped from her chair and crept across to stand a yard behind him. She was certain he had not heard her approaching.

‘Lord Atherton, ‘ she said loudly and was gratified to see him rise a full two inches into the air. She hastily took several steps backward and waited with the explosion. He turned a look of incredulity on his face.

 ‘Devil take it! I have been saddled with a mad woman! What is it, Miss Ellison?’

Sarah curtsied, not wishing him to see the amusement on her face. ‘Do we have your permission to leave for Kesgrave as soon as we are ready, my lord?’

‘You do. But be very sure, miss, that I shall be aware of everything you do. I advise you to be on your best behaviour whilst I’m away.’

He was going to spy on them? Sarah prepared herself to launch an attack but Jane’s arm around her waist gave her a warning squeeze. Instead she said frostily. ‘As you are so busy, Lord Atherton, I shall not detain you further. No doubt you have pressing affairs of state to attend to.’

He stared at her; she could see him fighting a battle to gain control of his temper. He nodded curtly. ‘You’re quite right, Miss Ellison, to remind me of my duty to his Majesty. I shall bid you good day, Miss Jane, Miss Ellison. Expect me at the end of August’

Without a further word being spoken he strode out. Sarah felt her knees wobble and was grateful that Jane still supported her. ‘My word, I don’t know what it is about him, but I can’t help myself. He is such an objectionable man, so arrogant, or full of his own importance, so determined to get his own way.’

‘I think without you goading him, Sarah, he might be quite pleasant. The problem is, as I see it, that you are of similar character. Both stubborn and headstrong and with tempers to match. I thank the Lord that he will be away for the next few months.’

Sarah looked her sister thinking at first she was suggesting. ‘I am like him? Have you taken leave of your senses? If I was an objectionable as he, I should shoot myself.’

Jane dissolved into giggles. ‘Now who is being dramatic? It is a good thing that we are leaving. You have been behaving decidedly strangely since we arrived in London.’

* * * *

The summer passed uneventfully and apart from the fact that she only had the house to run, and not the estates, Sarah’s life was much the same as before she had met Lord Atherton. The only difference being that she had to submit the household expenses to her man of affairs who then sent it to London where the lawyers paid it.

They were still in mourning so could not attend picnics or parties, but she was content to ride, read and play the piano. She did this with such attack that Jane said she was an excellent deterrent for the mice.

August was over. She had now almost convinced herself that the two encounters with her guardian had meant nothing. ‘Jane, didn’t Atherton say he would be here by now?’

Her sister who was playing cards with Miss Read glanced up. ‘I believe he did. I seem to recall his parting words were that he would see us at the end of August. It is now the beginning of September, so he must be due to visit any day.’

‘The apartment has been ready these past two weeks,’ Miss Read said. ‘so there is nothing else to do, but wait. One must hope that
he
is in a better temper when he comes here.’

Sarah smiled. ‘I promise I shall do nothing to antagonise him. I’m not exactly looking forward to spending several months gallivanting around London, however, I am resigned to my fate.’

‘Sarah! How can you say so? You have been perusing the pages of
La Belle Assemblee
and
Ackerman’s Repository
as eagerly as I. In fact, I can safely say, that you have ordered as many gowns as I have for the coming season.’