Old Sins Long Shadows (17 page)

Janey moved uneasily in her seat, she didn’t like what she was hearing
. She mulled over what he had said then eventually asked, ‘May I ask, Mr Bray, what did Mr Kellow say to you while I was waiting in the cart?’

Little Billy sp
at out what he had been chewing.

‘
’e said if I was to breathe a word to anyone what I saw… and,’ he cast a glance at her, ‘I saw it all,’ Janey blushed again, ‘…’e would ensure I would not be able to ’ave any more children. ’e said treat you like the lady you are and take you back to Bosvenna as soon as I could. If I did as ’e asked ’e would lend me his prize boar to sire my pigs next year, free of charge.’

Janey raised her eyebrows, she wasn’t sure she liked being part of a deal which involved pig reproduction either.

‘And will you tell anyone, Mr Bray?’

‘
What and ruin a pretty maid’s reputation and risk Daniel coming after me? One thing I know for sure, when Daniel says ’e’ll do something he keeps ’is word. I can assure you, Miss, my lips are sealed.’ Janey smiled in relief which disappeared just as quickly when he added, ‘Anyway, I don’t want my ’ead bashed in one night by a stranger.’

The cart rattled on
.

‘
How many children do you have, Mr Bray?’ she enquired wishing to change the subject.

The
strange little man spat again, ‘Twelve children, with one on the way.’ He started to chuckle, ‘Perhaps I should spread a bit of gossip, Miss. Daniel would be doing me a favour stopping me ’aving any more children, don’t you think?’ 

Janey joined in his laughter
. This weird little man had a sense of humour and a soft heart. She had made a friend.

Chapter 7

‘
The flooding must distress the Queen,’ said Lord Brockenshaw as he lifted a spy glass to examine the newssheet more closely.

His wife opened her eyes
from her cosy seat by the fire.

‘
My dear?’

‘
The flooding at Windsor in January, my dear, must distress the Queen. James’ London friends have sent us their copy of the
Illustrated Greater London News
and there is a picture of the flooding. Let me read it to you regarding the heavy rain they have endured there.

‘The flood waters rose significantly at Windsor and Eton resulting in extraordinary scenes as viewed from the terraces of Windsor Castle. For many miles the natural course of the river was submerged formin a succession of inland lakes. Between Maidenhead and Staines thousands of acres of meadow and pasture land were flooded, the ditches, watercourses and rivulets being filled to overflowing.

The illustration is quite remarkable,’ he added, looking at the picture with his eye glass like a scientist.

‘
Perhaps she has drowned,’ James was in no mood to be sympathetic with the monarch, ‘No one would know if she had, she hasn’t been seen for years. For all we know she may have died eight years ago along with Prince Albert.’

‘
James!’ Lady Brockenshaw was a staunch royalist.

‘
I’m sorry, Mother, but what is the use of a monarch when they do nothing but hide away in Scotland?’

‘
He has a point, my dear,’ conceded his father.

The evening was drawing to a close and James had had another restless day
. The hunting season would soon be at an end and a long summer spread out before him. He had hoped his mother’s maid would provide a diversion from the boredom of the country but she was remaining elusive. With a house full of servants it was near impossible to get her alone and he suspected she was doing her best to avoid such a situation. It was becoming frustrating and what started as a bit of entertainment with a pretty wench was becoming an obsession. It would do him good to get away for a while. He made up his mind, at that very moment, to do just that.

‘
I’m going to visit Edward in London at the end of the week.’ Both his parents turned to him in surprise at his sudden announcement.

‘
But the tenants are due to pay their rent on Ladyday. I expected you to be present.   Learn the ropes so to speak.’ Lord Brockenshaw was visibly taken aback.

‘
They pay at Michaelmas too. I will be around for that.’

‘
Yes they do but even so.’

‘
Surely you will be home long before September?’ asked his mother, ‘I feel you have only just arrived!’

James came and sat beside
her, patting her hand as if he would a child.

‘
Mother, dearest, I have been here since the autumn. If I am to bag myself a rich filly I need to be where the debutants are.’

‘
But the season does not start until April.’

‘
I must have a month to settle into London life again, Father.’

‘
Will you be staying with Edward?’ The question from his father held a hidden meaning and James was well aware what he was alluding to. If he had any doubt his next words clarified his thoughts. ‘After all there is no guarantee the
Debtor’s Act
will be passed later this year. It will be costly taking lodgings for the best part of a year and they will expect their bills to be paid.’

Lady Brockenshaw gasped and James patted her hand again,
‘Father jests, Mother. I will be staying with Edward so your son will not be sent to the hole in the wall, in Bodmin, for unpaid debts.’

‘
I should think that the debtor’s prison in Bodmin is full already. Without being allowed out to work how can they expect to pay what they owe?’

‘
A debate I do not wish to get into Father, the working classes do not interest me.’

Lord Brockenshaw bristled.
‘The working classes will be your tenants.’

‘
And as far as I’m concerned, Father, have far too much power at the moment with the
Reform Act
being passed last year. The country will be run by them soon.’

Lady Brockenshaw became
distressed, ‘My dears please do not argue. You know I hate it when I hear you both become upset with one another.’ A short uncomfortable silence followed. ‘What will you do to occupy yourself in London for a month?’ asked his mother.

 
‘Edward has an American friend staying. I expect Edward will want to show him the sights, give him a taste of England etc.’

‘
And you plan to accompany them. Does Edward know?’ asked his father.

‘
Not yet but he has asked me several times to visit during his friends stay so he will be delighted I am available.’

‘
Why is he so keen for you to meet him?’

‘
His friend is a businessman who dabbles in stocks and shares. Edward seems very enthusiastic and is considering being involved.’

‘
And involve you too.’  Lord Brockenshaw shook his head. ‘Just as well you have no money to invest. An investor has to be prepared to stomach the losses as well as the gains. Gambling is no way to do business.’

‘
You have no adventure, Father.’ James poured himself another drink.

‘
It’s easy to be adventurous with other people’s money.’

James slammed his glass down and his mother jumped.

‘Don’t start another argument, please,’ she wailed touching her temple, ‘I feel a headache coming on.’

‘
I’m sorry, my dear,’ her husband replied. Pushing himself up to standing, desperate to distance himself from his son, he added ‘I need to finish off some paperwork in my study. You will not be long for bed, my dear?’ James moved away as his father kissed his mother’s head.

‘
No, in fact I think I will retire now. James, are you still there?  Would you be a dear and ring for Janey to take me up?’

‘
It will be a pleasure, Mother.’ James rang the cord and sat down on a suitable chair that gave him a good view of the room. He crossed his ankles, bid his father goodnight, sat back and waited for his mother’s lady’s maid to arrive. The tension that had filled the air so suddenly had already started to dissipate and James, feeling more relaxed, raised a glass of whisky in mock salute at his father’s exit.

‘
You will write to me, James?’ asked his mother as she waited quietly by the fire for her maid to arrive.

‘
Of course, Mother.’

‘
I will miss you.’

‘
And I you, Mother.’

‘
He loves you too, James. He is just anxious for you and your future.’

‘
He has no need to be.’

His mother fell silent and believing he had satisfactorily reassured her, he turned his attention back to the closed door and waited for Janey to arrive
. His fixation on the servant made him as blind to his mother’s feelings as she was to the outside world. He did not see his mother bite her lip or the worried look on her brow. If he had he may have realised that she shared her husband’s fears and that her confidence in her son’s future was as low as her husbands. James was oblivious to all of this. He was young and had the arrogance and confidence of youth with none of the limitations. As far as he was concerned, what he wanted he got and the sooner everyone around him realised that the better.

He watched Janey silently enter the room
and touch his mothers arm. He knew she was aware of him but her avoidance at making eye contact, which had initially irked him, now gave him the freedom to observe her intimately without constraint. With enjoyment he allowed his gaze to wander over the curve of her hips and bottom as she removed her mistress’ footstool. He took delight at the shape of her breasts as she moved about, the narrowness of her waist as she straightened her body, and, much to his own surprise, the smoothness of her neck that was brushed by a tendril of her hair. She moved as graceful as a dancer, had the poise of a lady and the pureness of a nun and James wanted her like no other woman before. The more unattainable she appeared, the more he wanted to have her.

His mother was speaking to him.

‘I’m sorry, Mother, what did you say?’

‘
I said goodnight, James,’ his mother was standing at the door, Janey at her side with eyes cast down looking at the floor.

‘
Goodnight,’ James replied absently as he noticed his mother’s book lying on a nearby table. It was the book she liked to have read to her before she went to sleep. ‘I’m off to the library to catch up on my correspondence.’ He stood and made a show of gathering up his newssheets. ‘I will see you in the morning.’

His mother nodded and the two women left but James did not follow them. Instead he took a chair and placed it behind the door where it would be hidden from immediate view when the door was opened. He sat down and as before crossed his legs at the ankles to wait
. James enjoyed hunting but he also knew that sometimes the hunter waits for the prey rather than always chase it. He sat looking at the book knowing it would not be long before Janey returned to collect it. James may not be a patient man, but he knew how to wait.

He had started to nod off when the door slowly opened. At first he could not see her but he knew it was her. She stood, hidden from view, surveying the room and unaware that James sat behind the door waiting. Satisfied the room was emptied; she spied the book on the table and entered. James quietly shut the door behind her, the well oiled lock clicked into place making Janey spin around in surprise.

‘I thought you were in the library.’ She was instantly wary, her eyes darting to the shut door behind him.

‘
I am not.’  He raised an eyebrow, ‘You look worried. Did I frighten you?’

Janey shook her head,
‘No, just surprised.’  She picked up the book and held it against her chest as if for comfort or even protection. ‘Your mother wanted her book, sir.’

James walked to the mantel piece and, for want of something to do, picked up a small ornament of a crying woman and turned it in his hands
. It was a sorrowful, ugly thing that he had always hated but it had been a gift to the family decades before and had been part of the house and his life for years. James had always despised what it stood for, who wanted to witness someone else’s tragedy? He placed it back on the mantel piece but this time facing the wall.

‘
I feel you have been avoiding me, Janey.’