Thornhall Manor (7 page)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

THE PRISON VISIT

“Now, you will see that he gets these,” she said, handing Steve a large bag.

He knew full well that the guards, not William, would enjoy the contents.

“Yes, Annie.”

There was Annie and the two children waving to him as the coach moved away.

“John, have you ever visited Newgate Prison?”

“No, thank God!”

“It's damp, dirty and completely under the control of the prison guards. I tell you this to warn you. I know from experience. Only one visitor is allowed at a time, John. You are his brother - don't worry about me.”

How right Steve was! It was cold and damp, with only a small shaft of light entering the cell. Words were not needed as the two brothers embraced each other.

“Oh, William, why did you come back home?”

“Don't worry, John, about me. What will be, will be.”

Suddenly, standing there was Steve. William was overcome with emotion.

“How did you manage to get past the guard?”

“It's amazing what a golden sovereign can do.”

“It's wonderful to see you, Steve. Hardly a minute has gone by when you've not been in my thoughts.”

“I've missed you too, me lad.”

There were tears in both men's eyes, and John could see the great bond that existed between these two men.

“My lad, that's quite a shiner you've got there.”

“Believe it or not, one of my prison guards is Sergeant Killjoy.”

“Have you any idea what's been planned for you, William?”

“Having been found guilty, it's Australia or life in Newgate Prison.”

“Now, William, time is short. Firstly, did you kill Peter Nesbit? I have to ask this, William.”

“No, he was alive - injured but alive, when I left him.”

“Now, your brother has arranged for me and Annie to stay at Rose Cottage. I'm hoping with Annie's help that even after all these years I might find out what actually happened to Peter Nesbit. Did he die? Maybe he is still alive - who knows!”

Chapter Thirty

A SCORE TO SETTLE

The swaying and bumping of the coach brought back happy memories of other visits to Rose Cottage with the children, John and Rebecca. Annie wondered if Steve, seated opposite, was asleep or just resting his eyes. How old he looked now compared with the young man who married her sister Betty. ‘It is strange how one man can ruin so many lives,' she thought. ‘Now, after all these years, will we be able to discover the truth, I wonder?'

It was late afternoon, and the rain was lashing down when they arrived at the Coaching Inn. Annie stood by the large open fire, and after a few words with the innkeeper Steve returned with two glasses.

“There you are, Annie - that will warm you up.”

They made their way outside and sat at a large oak table.

“I don't know if it's the fire or that drink, Steve, but I feel much warmer now.”

Leaning across, he gently squeezed her hand. “Annie, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think this day would come. Maybe, God willing, justice can be served.”

It was only then that she really understood Steve's hatred of Peter Nesbit, and she realised he was not only out to help William but to settle an old score.

They left the inn and made their way down the muddy lane to Rose Cottage.

Steve would never forget that first meeting with Mary and Ned. Before he was even introduced he found himself cradled in Mary's arms, being kissed on the cheek; then Ned's powerful handshake made his fingers go numb.

“Steve, I can never thank you enough for what you've done for my son.”

Regaining his composure, Steve allowed Annie to take his coat.

“Sir, you have a son to be proud of.”

After this early excitement and an excellent meal, he listened to Mary then Ned. He realised the helplessness they must have felt, not knowing whether their son was alive or dead, and then how they must have felt when Dr Haywood received a letter saying William was alive and well, giving them hope that maybe one day they would all be together again.

As the evening drew on Steve no longer felt alone, but part of a family. He turned the conversation back to his days in Australia and brought a smile back to their faces.

“You know, William owes his life to the Aborigines. They nursed him through a fever and took him into their little family group. Although unable to speak the language, he made friends with the children and used to play games with them. Then one morning he woke to find they'd gone - disappeared into the bush.”

Steve would have continued, but he could see the tiredness on Ned and Mary's faces. Maybe, with so much to tell, another time would be more appropriate.

Annie and Mary were laughing as they made their way up the stairs to retire for the night, leaving the two men alone.

“It's so good, Steve, to hear Mary laughing once again.”

“Ned, I want to visit Thornhall Manor and to see what I can discover about the day of the fire, and William's arrest. If I'm to help William, I need to know everything. After all these years I still hope to find some small piece of evidence that might save him.”

“There's not much I can tell you that Annie and Mary have not already told you, Steve. But there is one very strange thing. They found the squire, Mr Wheeler, in his wheelchair on the lawn in front of a blazing Thornhall Manor, unable to talk or move. How he got there is a mystery.”

“Is he still alive, Ned?”

“No, unfortunately he died a few days after the fire from pneumonia. I'll never forget that day, Steve - the thunder and lightning, and how they found the coach on its side but no sign of Peter Nesbit. Now, Steve, if it's your intention to visit Thornhall Manor, I warn you there's not much left after the fire. Tomorrow Mr Pegington will be passing. He always calls in for a chat. He will be passing the manor and he'll be only too pleased to drop you off and pick you up on his return.”

Chapter Thirty-One

AMONG THE RUINS

“Anyone at home on this fine sunny morning?”

“Come in, Peg. I'd like to introduce you to Steve, now back home after many years in Australia.”

Firmly shaking Steve's hand, he said, “Australia? Australia? Well, I'll be damned! My name's Pegington. Call me Peg. It's a pleasure to meet you, Steve.”

It was then that Mary entered the room.

“You're looking lovelier than ever, Mary.”

“Oh, go on with you!”

Although Steve had only just met him, he felt a warming towards Mr Pegington.

“Peg, will you be passing the manor?”

“Yes, I'm going on to the Sheppards' place. This could be my last call on the Sheppards. I hear they're selling and retiring to the coast.”

“Would you mind taking Steve, dropping him at the manor and collecting him on your return?”

“It will be my pleasure.”

At that point Annie entered the room.

“Hello, Annie. It's lovely to see you again. Steve, this is the young lady that turned me down. I've been heartbroken ever since.”

“Annie, Mr Pegington is taking me to the manor. Will you come with us?”

Before she could answer, Mr Pegington said, “Of course she will.”

“That's the manor down there. They say it's haunted. I've heard cries when I've passed.”

“Thanks again, Mr Pegington.”

“Now, what have I told you? Peg's the name. I'll be back in about one hour.”

“So this is Thornhall Manor, Annie.”

“Well, what's left of it, Steve.”

Although gutted by fire parts of the remaining structure retained some of the former splendour of the manor. As they passed under the stone archway leading on to the gravel drive, Steve realised that maybe he had been wrong to ask Annie to come with him. He could see the sadness in her face.

“They would meet there,” she said, pointing to their right. “Horses, dogs, master of the hunt. I used to serve the punch. It was quite a large area with stables all around.”

Farther along they came to the blackened steps leading into the manor.

As Steve made his way up the steps, Annie said, “I won't come with you, Steve. I will wait here.”

Steve disappeared into the ruined manor. Annie stood there, looking across the remains of the lawn to the river. In her memory she could see the children playing on the grass. Steve was amazed how large and splendid the building must have been. He stood looking up the great oak half-burned stairway with a clear sky above. He realised it was a mistake to think that by coming to the manor he would be able to help William. Too many years had passed.

He made his way back to the front steps, but to his surprise there was no sign of Annie. The vast open landscape reminded him of Australia and the unhappy and happy years he spent there. Back home in England he had found friends and two grandchildren. He was rich. How he would love to share his fortune with his great friend William.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by “Steve - come with me.”

Annie had noticed footmarks on the narrow pathway she knew so well - the path which she used to take with the children to the woods. Across the pathway lay a heavy beam, burned black. Steve helped Annie over the beam and they continued along the path.

“They used to call that the prison,” Annie said, pointing to a large oak door.

Steve tried, but was unable to open the door.

“It's locked, Annie.”

What happened next Steve would never forget. Annie began screaming. Approaching them from the woods was a tall bedraggled man.

With the colour slowly returning to her face, Annie exclaimed, “It's Samuel!”

She thought she must be mistaken. It couldn't be.

“Thank God, Samuel, you're alive!”

Then there she was, not thinking of her attire, embracing a friend she thought had died long ago. After a one-sided conversation (questions being answered with a nod of the head), Steve realised this poor chap was unable to talk.

Chapter Thirty-Two

MASTER OF THE MANOR

“After you, William.”

As he entered the room he was surrounded by family and friends - Dr Haywood, Annie, Mary, Ned, Mr Pegington, Terry Morgan, the children and, last but not least, his mother and father. Overwhelmed with emotion, he broke down with tears streaming down his face.

“Oh, please forgive me. I never thought this day would ever come. I'd like to thank you all for everything you've done for me - especially Steve, my dear Australian mate.”

This was greeted by loud laughter.

“William, we have one other surprise for you. Now shut your eyes. You can open them now.”

William just stood there.

“It's not possible! I don't believe it!”

For there standing in front of him was Samuel, his boyhood friend, who he thought had perished in the fire. Members of the family looked on in silence as the two men hugged each other.

At this point Dr Haywood said, “William, all charges have been dropped. You are once again a free man, thanks to your friend Steve and Annie.”

William listened intently as Steve told him how Samuel had appeared from the woods. “If that wasn't a shock, what happened next was. That door I could not open - Samuel unlocked it and there, chained to the wall by his ankles, was none other than Peter Nesbit. Samuel apparently raced into the burning manor to save his master. Then he saw Peter Nesbit riding by with Rebecca. He followed and found the coach on its side and Nesbit unconscious. He carried him back and chained him to the wall. It's a miracle after all these years that they both survived, although Peter Nesbit was completely mad, still ranting on about how he was ‘Master of the Manor'.”

“A great wrong has been done to you, William. The court realised this and overturned your conviction. Regarding Samuel, realising he was deaf and dumb, they released him into my care. Oh, I forgot to tell you: I've bought the Sheppard cottage and Annie and I are to be married.”

Thornhall Manor

WILLIAM WHELLER: Adventurer who built Thornhall Manor in 1712.

JOHN WHELLER: A descendant of William Wheller. He lived with his wife, Kathleen, and their butler, Roger, at Thornhall Manor.

VINCENT WHELLER: The brother of John Wheller. He married Lady Nesbit and they lived at Stansby Hall with their butler, James.

WILLIAM FOSTER: A blacksmith. He is convicted of murder and transported to Australia.

JOHN FOSTER: The brother of William Foster, a banker. He is married to Rebecca and they have two children, Paul and Clare. The butler at their town house in London is called Jeffrey.

NED FOSTER: The father of John and William Foster. He and his wife are the tenants of the Thornhall Estate.

MARY FOSTER: The wife of Ned Foster. Their home is called Rose Cottage.

STEVE BRADLEY: A friend of William Foster. He married Betty, a maidservant at Stansby Hall.

ANNIE POTTER: Betty's sister. She is in service at Thornhall Manor.

DR HAYWOOD: An old friend of the Foster family.

DR GOODMAN: The family doctor at Stansby Hall.

SAMUEL: A black boy adopted by John Wheller.

PETER NESBIT: The son of Lady Nesbit.

TERRY MORGAN: A naval lieutenant.

SERGEANT KILLJOY: A prison officer.

CAPTAIN HOWARD: Captain of the transportation ship.

NOBBY: A sailor on the ship to Australia.

MR PEGINGTON: A tinker.

MR and MRS SHEPPARD Sheep farmers.

MARY-ANN: A serving girl at an inn near Thornhall Manor.