Lord Ilchester's Inheritance (3 page)

He sighed and brushed back a strand of his straggly grey hair. ‘When I bought this place thirty-five years ago I was hopeful I would find myself a suitable bride and that she would take the house in hand. However, the young lady I had set my heart on married another and I never found anyone else I could contemplate spending my time with.’

Her eyes brimmed at his sad story. ‘I am sorry to hear that you were disappointed in love, Uncle John. I can do nothing about that, but I promise you I shall do everything in my power to make your declining years happy and comfortable.’ She gestured towards his legs. ‘Forgive me for asking, but in what way are you incapacitated?’

‘I suffered a seizure many years ago and it left me partially paralysed – the feeling in my left side returned eventually, but I believe my legs are too weak to support me anymore.’

‘Do you not wish to be able to go outside, to walk about and play with the boys?’

His eyes flashed and she feared she had angered him. ‘Of course I do, there is nothing I should like more.’

‘In which case, Uncle John, we will work towards that end. I believe that when you are eating properly and have more to interest you, things will improve rapidly. In the meanwhile, however, I shall send for a bath chair so your valet can take you outside to enjoy the late spring sunshine.’

‘I shall leave matters in your capable hands. Tomorrow we shall start to restore this wonderful building and the estate.’

Sapphire jumped up and embraced him, shocked to find how frail he was beneath her touch. ‘I care not about my surroundings, my priority is restoring you to good health.’

On that note they parted. She collected her brothers and they bowed politely and said their goodnights. There was a footman waiting outside to conduct them to their accommodation, which was fortunate as the house was so large that she would never have found her way.

Jenny was waiting eagerly to greet her. ‘We have fallen on our feet here, miss, and that’s for sure. You wouldn’t believe the size of the room I have – three times as big as the one I had before. I have unpacked your trunks with the help of a chambermaid and another maid has done the same for the boys.’

‘Thank you, Jenny, for all your help today and yesterday. You must go and eat your supper now, I shall not require you again this evening. I shall put the boys to bed myself and then I shall retire. Although I am delighted to be here, I do wish we had known about Mr Bishop before now and so could have been part of his life for longer.’

‘From what I’ve heard, Mr Bishop is not long for this world. Such a shame, he is loved by his staff and is a generous employer.’

‘I refuse to believe it, Jenny. He is certainly frighteningly frail, but now I’m here I’ll ensure he’s eating more and gets out into the fresh air. If I had been incarcerated in that gloomy room for years on end I too would sink into a decline.’

When she eventually slid between the sheets and settled down for the night her head was not full of expectation and relief that she had found a wonderful home with a loving relative for herself and the boys. Instead the spectre of Lord Ilchester arriving and demanding to take control of their lives kept her awake.

Chapter Three

April, Ilchester Abbey.

Gideon Frederick William Bishop, better known in the vicinity as Lord Ilchester, was attempting to make sense of the accounts his mother had presented him. He was tempted to hurl the book across the room and just pay the damned bills without comment.

He dropped his head into his hands and wished he was anywhere but here, surrounded by the detritus of his dear mama’s extravagance and the growing pile of unpaid invoices he was discovering in boxes and drawers in his departed father’s study.

Being the oldest son he had always known he would one day take over the family estates, but he had not thought the time would come so soon for him to step into his father’s shoes and assume the title. His parent, a hardened drinker and heavy gambler, had broken his neck in a riding accident two months ago leaving Gideon to pick up the pieces. His mother had seemed more relieved than devastated by her husband’s death and certainly his sisters, Emily and Elizabeth, and his younger brother Henry, did not seem unduly saddened by their father’s sudden departure. The girls had always been close to their father, so one would have expected them to be devastated by his sudden demise.

They had been more angry than upset as their come out had been postponed. He wished his sisters were as beautiful on the inside as they were on the outside, that they were less like his deceased parent and more like their mama. They had been indulged and petted by his father since they were out of leading strings and he blamed this for their lack of character.

It would be good when he could discard his armband and his family could came out of black – he had decided that three months was more than sufficient to wear mourning clothes and if anyone in the neighbourhood thought differently, then he did not give a damn about that.

For all his faults his father had not gambled away the estates, nor had he neglected his duties as a landlord. The villages, farms and smaller properties were in good shape and, as far as he could see, it was just the household bills that had been neglected. It appeared that his mother let money trickle through her fingers like sand and his father had indulged his sisters and given them whatever they desired. His brother, at thirteen years of age, was away at school – Henry had returned briefly, but had been eager to get back to his friends.

Gideon smiled as he remembered his time at the same prestigious school. He had also enjoyed his time there, finding the company of his peers more enjoyable than his own home. At least he did not have to rush into matrimony as his younger brother was his heir, and a perfectly good one at that. He was eight and twenty, plenty of time to think about setting up his nursery when he had passed his third decade.

Eventually satisfied there was nothing urgent he had to do apart from get his man of business to settle the outstanding accounts, he pushed back his chair and strode to the window to survey the rolling parkland. Although the estates were prosperous, his parent had been seriously overspending and a retrenchment was necessary if they were not to fall into serious debt. Fortunately the grounds were well-maintained, the drive weed free, the Abbey, for all its great age, was in good fettle and required no urgent repairs or renewals.

A polite tap at the door dragged him from his reverie. He returned to his desk and called a brusque instruction to enter. Foster, the estate manager stepped in, his cap in his hand. Gideon could not like the man, he had a shifty appearance, but had so far found no reason to doubt his probity.

‘What can I do for you, Foster? I was about to go out.’

The man shuffled forward. ‘I was wondering, my lord, if I you wish me to make my annual visit to Canfield Hall?’

‘Canfield Hall? Why should you wish to go there? What interest is this place to me?’

‘Mr Bishop, the owner of the place, was cousin to your father, my lord. He is an elderly and infirm gentleman and you are now his closest relative. The previous Lord Ilchester sent me every year to make sure he was … well.’

The noticeable pause between the words registered with Gideon. What the man meant was that he was sent to see if Mr Bishop was still breathing. There was more to this than the wretched man was revealing.

‘Thank you, Foster, there is no need to concern yourself. I shall visit Canfield Hall myself in a month or two. I had no idea there was another branch to this family, and it is high time I discovered something about it.’

He flicked his hand and the man retreated. As soon as the door was closed Gideon went in search of his mother. She might be an extravagant parent, but he was fond of her and his brother. He wished he felt the same about his sisters.

He found Emily and Elizabeth sitting with his mama in the garden room surrounded by yet more fashion plates and swatches of expensive materials. Neither girl got up to greet him. They were seventeen, Emily the oldest by a few minutes, and already both were beautiful. He would have to watch them carefully when they were presented to ensure they made no unsuitable connections.

‘Have you finished your tedious paperwork, dear brother? We were hoping you would come with us to visit Lady Redmond when we make our morning calls.’

‘I would rather have my teeth pulled, Emily, but I send you out with my good wishes. Mama, it is you I have come to see. What can you tell me about a Mr Bishop of Canfield Hall?’

His mother, still a pretty woman although already in her middle age, smiled and patted the seat next to her. ‘Darling boy, I cannot believe you did not know of him. He and your papa were at daggers drawn all their lives, but your father liked to keep an eye on him. He is as rich as Croesus, came back from India with more money than he could ever spend – and as he is unmarried, and has no other living relatives, you will understand why your father took such an avid interest in his well-being.’

Elizabeth overheard their conversation. ‘Papa said we would have the biggest dowry in the land when Mr Bishop dies. He is very old and sick so hopefully that day will come soon.’

‘Do not speak so disrespectfully, Elizabeth, I will not have it.’

His sister coloured. ‘I beg your pardon, Mama, but it was what Papa always said. And although
you
have the title, brother,
he
has the wealth in the family.’

Gideon shuddered. His sisters were more like their father than he was – and this was not to their advantage. They also had his colouring – blonde hair and grey eyes, whereas he and Henry resembled their mother, with dark hair and unusual, sky blue eyes. He decided to ignore her comments, Mama would take her to task when he had gone.

‘I wonder if he knows that there is a new Lord Ilchester. I should have enquired from Foster where Canfield Hall is situated. I don’t suppose that you know, do you, Mama?’

‘I do indeed, my love. It is no more than an hour or so across country – so your father told me. It would be perfectly possible for you to get there and back in the day.’

‘Thank you, Mama. I am too busy here at present, but will ride over there in the summer and introduce myself. I wonder why he and my father were at loggerheads – it will be worth the ride just to discover that.’

He left the ladies of his family discussing the current fashions and deciding which ensembles they would order for the summer. He had already told them they must curtail their lavish spending. His inheritance was sound, and hopefully without the drain of his defunct parent’s gambling and hellraising, there should be more than enough to keep his sisters and mother fashionably attired.

He did not stint on his own apparel, his clothes were made for him at Weston’s, as were his waistcoats and breeches. Although he was fond of his mother he had made a point of remaining on his own estate, a substantial one no more than fifty miles away, whenever his father was in residence. He visited London in the Season, but never stayed at the family town house in Grosvenor square, but took lodgings in Albemarle Street.

As he strolled off to take his morning ride he decided that Mr Bishop deserved more respect and consideration than the annual visit from the estate manager who went solely to check that the old gentleman was still breathing.

*

The weeks passed and the longer she lived in Canfield Hall and the better she got to know her uncle, the happier Sapphire was with her life. The doctor had pronounced himself amazed at the difference in his patient. Uncle John could now walk with only the aid of his silver-topped cane, although he did seem to enjoy being pushed about the place in his smart bath chair.

A dozen extra indoor staff had been appointed, all of them young and fit, and the house had been cleaned and polished until it sparkled. A team of labourers were working their way around the chambers in the central part of the house; she was sure that before the end of the summer every room would have been redecorated and refurbished.

She smiled at her small family with satisfaction as they sat around the table eating supper together. She had soon abandoned the idea of the boys having nursery tea and she and her uncle dining informally later on. Uncle John had insisted he wished to spend every available minute with his nephews and niece and so matters had been arranged to accommodate these wishes.

‘Are you excited about your anniversary, boys? I cannot believe you will be five years old tomorrow – it seems only yesterday you were still in leading strings.’

‘I wish you would tell us what we are being given, Saffy, I shall just burst if I have to wait much longer.’ David looked from one to the other with shining eyes.

‘Birthday gifts must be given on a birthday, young man. You will just have to contain your impatience. It will be your big sister’s name day next month – you would not wish her to discover what we are giving her before that date, now would you?’

‘No, Uncle John, we wouldn’t. It is to be a very big surprise, Saffy, and you must not ask us anything about it.’

‘I shall be twenty years of age, almost an old maid,’ she said with a smile.

‘What’s an old maid, Saffy?’ David asked.

‘It is a young lady who has not found herself a husband, and it is fustian to refer to yourself as such, my dear girl. I have every intention of introducing you to my neighbours very soon, and you will have the pick of the county. You are a rich, beautiful and intelligent young lady and I will be fighting off your suitors with a stick.’

The boys were delighted with this idea. ‘Will you use that stick, Uncle, or a different one?’ Tom said.

‘If a lady who is not married is called an old maid, is Uncle John called an old lad?’ David joined in.

‘Now you are being very silly, both of you, and it’s time for bed. Meg is waiting for you by the door. Run along now, and I shall be up to tuck you in in an hour.’

She waited until her brothers were safely out of earshot before turning back to her uncle who was sitting, rather smugly, sipping his claret.

‘Uncle John, I have absolutely no intention of being paraded around the neighbourhood by you or anyone else. If the good Lord sees fit to send me someone I can fall in love with, so be it, but otherwise I am content as I am. And I can assure you, that even if I did meet a suitable gentleman and he reciprocated my feelings, unless he was prepared to live here, nothing would ever come of it. I am not going to leave you.’

‘But you do consent to inviting our neighbours to a garden party for your birthday, my dear? I have not entertained here for twenty years or more and I would so enjoy a small gathering and be able to introduce my niece and nephews to local society.’

‘In which case, I shall enjoy planning it with you. It would be wonderful to invite the locals as well, make it an annual event, perhaps? We could have stilt walkers, fire-eaters and a Punch and Judy show for the children and maybe dancing and fireworks.’

‘Heavens above! You have the bit between your teeth and no mistake, my dear. Let us indeed have a garden party for everyone.’ He laughed, and she was struck by the difference in the sound. His once pale, emaciated face now radiated good health and happiness. ‘I had not thought of something quite so grand. However, you’re right to wish to include my tenants and their families in our celebrations. My man of business can assist you, and the housekeeper and butler will want to be involved as well.’

‘I wish now that we had arranged a party for the boys, I hope they will not be disappointed with what we’ve planned.’

‘Disappointed? I should think not, my girl. They have a pony each and a puppy to share – what more could two little boys desire? Then you are going to teach them to swim and we shall have a picnic by the lake together.’

‘We have accomplished so much since I got here, and apart from the lingering smell of paint and the constant sound of hammering, we have scarcely been inconvenienced at all by the workmen doing the redecorations and refurbishments.’

‘I care not for such things, but am pleased to have Canfield Hall smart for your sake, my dear girl. However, I am thrilled to have young Jarvis to push me around in my magnificent bath chair. That was a stroke of genius, if I had thought of that myself I should never have gone into such a decline.’

‘I think you are almost ready to abandon it, Uncle John, but I shall be sad to see it go. I have never laughed so much as when I’ve watched you and the boys being trundled about the place.’