Trevennor’s Will, page 18
As she passed through the hall, she heard a noise in the room next to the sitting room. She stopped, frowned and listened. There it was again. She’d thought Kitty’s insistence on not letting Talland into the room was because she probably had her best furniture and ornaments in there. But Kitty had asked her not to go in there herself. Isabel was greatly curious. Was there some sort of secret behind that door? For a moment she thought her cousins had found out about her and were lurking in the house. But surely they would walk boldly up the path and bang on the front door. Isabel was suddenly worried that Talland had somehow got into the room. If he had broken anything, Kitty would think she had been careless in letting the dog in there and be cross with her.
Isabel opened the door slowly and called Talland’s name.
There was no answering bark or scampering of heavy paws but a small voice said ‘Hello’ and Isabel clutched the door in terror.
‘Who’s there?’ she said shakily.
‘Come in,’ the small voice said.
She went into the room and her eyes opened wide. Lying on a small bed was a child whom she could just make out in the darkened room. Isabel went closer.
‘Hello,’ the child said. ‘You must be Jenna.’
Yes, but who are you?’ she breathed, staring at a boy with a slightly pale face lying on a bed of sheepskin and covered with one light cover.
‘I’m Benjamin, Kitty’s brother. Hasn’t she told you about me yet?’
Isabel realized he shared Kitty’s features, the same tawny-brown eyes and red hair. He was a handsome child even though his face was not perfect and he possessed a beautiful smile that had a haunting quality.
‘I thought I’d heard Kitty talking to someone else,’ Isabel said, smiling down on Benjamin, ‘and supposed it was Talland. Now I come to think of it, it was an odd way to talk to an animal. And now I realize that the plates of food, the same as she’d given me to eat, which I thought she was putting down outside for Talland, must have been for you.’
‘Speaking of Talland,’ Benjamin said, ‘would you go back and shut the door, please. He mustn’t come in here. Then perhaps you’d like to sit awhile and talk to me.’
‘I’d be delighted to,’ Isabel said.
She carefully moved a chair nearer Benjamin’s bed and sat down. The room was furnished as a bedroom. Isabel could think of no reason for Kitty not telling her about her brother and what this room was used for.
‘Have you been ill, Benjamin?’ she asked gently.
‘All of my life, Jenna. My bones are too soft and they break easily, that’s why I look like this.’ He lifted the cover delicately and Isabel could see his middle was extended and his four limbs had obviously been broken often. ‘I have to stay on this bed now for my own safety. I expect you think I’m about eight or nine because I’m so small but actually I’m fourteen.’
‘Well, you’re a very handsome fourteen-year-old,’ Isabel said smiling, finding Benjamin easy to talk to. ‘Have you and Kitty always lived in this house?’
‘No, we came here about five years ago after Kitty came into a windfall. Before that we lived at New Quay, across the river. Kitty’s so good to me, she’s done everything for me since our mother died many years ago. Kitty said you are a friend she met back-along. I hope you can stay, Jenna. It will be nice having someone else to talk to.’
‘I shall gladly come in here and talk to you, Benjamin. I don’t know how long I’ll be staying but it will be at least for a few more days. Is there anything I can do for you? Fetch you a drink or something?’
‘No, thank you. Kitty does everything for me. She has to, you understand, with my condition; she knows how to move me. I usually have a nap in the afternoon, that’s why the curtains are drawn. You get a good view of the River Gannel from the window.’
‘I’m glad you have something interesting to look out at. Am I disturbing you? Would you rather I go and let you have your rest? I can come back later.’
‘I want you to stay,’ Benjamin said firmly. ‘’Tisn’t every day I get a beautiful girl alone in my room.’ Isabel laughed and didn’t hear the door open and close. Benjamin’s eyes told her someone had entered the room. Isabel got up and turned to face Kitty, blushing to the roots of her hair. Kitty was obviously furious with her.
Isabel moved away from the bed. ‘I’d better go, Benjamin, I’ll… um, come and see you again.’
‘Good bye, Jenna,’ Benjamin said in his small husky voice. ‘Don’t forget to come back, I’ll be expecting you.’
Isabel went out and closed the door after her. She could hear Kitty settling her younger brother down to sleep in the gentlest of tones. She returned to the kitchen and waited to face Kitty.
When Kitty entered the kitchen, her face was dark with anger. She folded her arms and glared at Isabel.
Isabel gulped. She felt she had breached Kitty’s hospitality but she still couldn’t understand why she couldn’t have been told about Benjamin.
‘Why didn’t you tell me you had a brother?’
‘What gives you the right to go into a room I specifically asked you to stay out of?’
Isabel frowned. ‘I heard a noise. I was worried that somehow Talland had got into the room.’
‘Do you realise what Talland could have done to Benjamin if he’d gone into the room with you!’ Kitty shouted angrily, clenching her teeth. ‘He’s a friendly dog and if he’d jumped up on Benjamin he would have broken every bone in his body! He would have killed him! Benjamin can break a bone simply by sneezing or moving too suddenly.’
Isabel stared stupidly at Kitty for a moment in sheer amazement then said coldly, ‘If you are so concerned about Talland getting into Benjamin’s room, why do you have a boisterous dog about the place?’
‘You may have noticed that I don’t allow him into the house. I’m a woman living alone except for a disabled brother. Talland protects us at night and gives peace of mind.’
‘I understand that now, but if you had told me about Benjamin in the first place instead of being so secretive this wouldn’t have happened. Why didn’t you tell me? Did you think I would hurt him?’
Kitty unfolded her arms and sighed. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said tightly. ‘I just get so worried about Benjamin. I was going to tell you about him when I found the right moment. The first two days you were here you were resting and grieving for your uncle. I thought you’d stay in the kitchen until I got back today and then I was going to tell you. I wanted to prepare you. I didn’t want you going into the room and showing Benjamin any shock or pity. I simply won’t have him upset.’
‘What did you think I was going to do, Kitty? Run screaming in horror from the room. You must think I’m as shallow as Nick did at first. Perhaps I ought to leave here. Nick shouldn’t have brought me here to intrude on your life. I’ll go to my fiancé’s aunts. They’ll be angry at my deception but they’ll let me stay with them until Captain Grenville returns. If I tell my magistrate acquaintances about my uncle’s fears, my cousins will not dare to make a move against me, if indeed they mean me any harm.’ Isabel’s eyes were filled with tears. She couldn’t take any more of being made to feel that she was a high-minded lady given only to cruelty and injustice. She got up and made to leave the kitchen.
‘Don’t go, Jenna,’ Kitty said. You’ve made me feel very ashamed. Please sit down and let’s talk. I’m very sorry for upsetting you.’
Isabel was doubtful. ‘I’m sorry too, sorry that I disobeyed your house rule and that my uncle’s suspicions have meant imposing on Nick and his friends. It doesn’t seem fair that you’ve all been put out.’
‘We’re both upset, Jenna. Let’s have some fresh tea and start again on a new footing.’ Kitty gave a wry smile. ‘Benjamin wants you to stay, don’t forget. He’s expecting to see you again.’
Isabel thought of the gentle-faced boy; she wanted to hear his unique voice and see his smiling face again. She sat down once more.
Kitty made the tea and joined Isabel at the table. ‘Benjamin is all I have. He’s the reason I work as I do. Our father deserted us when Benjamin was born and when our mother died I couldn’t go out to work for long periods because he needs so much attention. There was a gentleman, he took a fancy to me and offered a way out of our predicament. I didn’t think twice, I was only fifteen years old and all that mattered was Benjamin living in comfort and safety and having money to pay his medical fees. I saved for years to have this place built and the gentleman was very generous in helping me to furnish it. He died three years ago and two of his acquaintances approached me to take his place. They’re both married and the arrangement suits me well. They live fairly close by and they each send someone to collect me and bring me back. It means I don’t have to leave Benjamin for long. He still has to have the doctor regularly and I’ll do anything I can to care for him properly. When Nick asked me if you could stay here, my only reservation was how you would react to Benjamin. I’m sorry if I upset you, Jenna. But I didn’t know you. I had to do it my way. When I saw you in Benjamin’s room, I was so afraid you’d upset him or had tried to move him. Even though I could see you were chatting comfortably, I overreacted. Do forgive me.’
Isabel had been staring at her cup and saucer while listening attentively. She looked up. ‘I feel a little ashamed myself, Kitty. I think I overreacted too.’
‘I think I know why in your case.’ Kitty touched her hand and smiled understandingly. ‘You went through a bad time with Nick up on the cliffs, didn’t you? I know how stubborn he can be. He wouldn’t have been slow in telling you how he felt.’
‘He wasn’t horrid to me all the time,’ Isabel said loyally.
Kitty nodded. ‘I’ve realized that too. Are we friends now? Will you stay?’
‘I want to, Kitty. I feel safe here, but it doesn’t seem fair. Now I know you have Benjamin in the house – what would happen to him if my cousins find out I’m here? They might hurt him.’
‘Why should they think you’re not dead? Everyone else seems to without question. Why shouldn’t I have a house guest? Why shouldn’t folk believe you’re an old friend of mine? Even if you’re seen and someone realizes you’re a lady, well, I mix with the gentry, they’ll only think you’re something to do with one of my gentlemen. Furthermore, I just can’t believe your uncle’s suspicions. It’s too fanciful. My first gentleman rambled on like that when he was dying, thinking folk were in the room when they weren’t, imagining he was being poisoned. I like having you here, Jenna, honestly. I trust you with Benjamin now that you are aware of his condition and it will be good to know there’s someone in the house to keep him company when I’m out. What do you say?’
Isabel gave a mighty sigh of relief. ‘Put like that, I’ll be happy to stay, Kitty.’
‘I think there’s one more thing we ought to clear up while we’re bringing everything out in the open. What do you feel about my line of work, my gentlemen?’
‘I’m not shocked or horrified if that’s what you mean. I think it’s a pity you have to do it but I admire your courage and your love for Benjamin. Others might have left him to fend for himself. If it wasn’t for your dedication, I don’t expect he’d still be alive now.’
‘No, he wouldn’t. Now that’s settled, let’s get some vegetables out of the spence so we can make a start on your first cooking lesson.’
Chapter 14
Gyver Pengelly shambled his sweaty hulk into Gwithian. He’d just spent some time with Nellie in the hovel she lived in and been told Deborah Kempthorne wanted to see him. Pengelly was in an expansive mood; Nellie had been good to him, the wreck of The Bountiful had been good to him and a meeting with Miss Kempthorne probably meant yet more money was in the offing.
He passed Trevennor House at noon, whistling a local jig and stopping to give attention to one of his huge dirty boots, the signal he was to give to show that he had received the message. Deborah was watching discreetly for him from an upstairs window. She moved away and sent for her cloak and hat.
‘I’m going out, Edmund,’ she told her brother, who had just risen from bed. ‘I need a little fresh air to clear a headache before Nick arrives.’
‘Mind how you go,’ Edmund returned breezily. ‘And if you see any of the villagers, Debs, try being civil to them. We won’t make much of an impression if you keep your nose stuck up in the air all the time.’ Deborah left the house on heavy feet and a loud, ‘Huh!’
She met Pengelly at the appointed place, a lonely piece of dirt track, turning off to the left several yards further up the village street. The ground was wetter and more slippery than she thought it would be. She’d muddied her cloak and was in a foul mood.
‘Why have you taken so long to see me!’ she went straight in on the attack. ‘I told that stupid girl to give you a message days ago.’ Deborah was a little afraid of Gyver Pengelly and always used this aggressive tactic with him to disguise it and keep the upper hand.
‘Sorry, miss,’ Pengelly said, sounding anything but sorry. He knew the Kempthorne woman was likely to need him more than he did her and he held no respect for class, particularly pretenders to the title. ‘So, what is it yer wantin’?’
‘Do you want to earn some money?’
‘Course I bleddy do! I ain’t daft.’
‘A lot of money.’
Pengelly ruffled his bush of a beard. ‘Wantin’ somebody else dead, are ’ee?’
Deborah glanced around to make sure they were quite alone. If anyone happened along she would scream and accuse Pengelly of dragging her here and molesting her for money. She had the evidence of muddy clothing to prove it. ‘I’m worried about that girl, Nellie. She’s a moron. She could spell trouble for us, talk about the real reason Isabel Hampton’s coach went off the road.’
‘No, not Nellie. She’s a mite soft in the head but she went say nothin’. She only talks to folk I says she can.’
‘She spoke to my brother last week and I’ve seen her talking to the village cats. Someone might overhear her saying something incriminating. And she spends a lot of time with that curate’s sugar-sweet wife. I want you to get rid of her, Pengelly.’
‘Get rid of Nellie!’ he roared. ‘I couldn’t do that. I can use that maid, she went say nothin’. There’s no evidence the coach went off delib’rate, I moved the rocks away.’
‘We cannot afford to take the risk. If Nellie talks, there could be a noose round your neck and possibly mine. This way everything will be tidied up and we can get on with our lives and need never see one another again.’
Pengelly shook his head wildly. ‘No, anybody, but not Nellie.’
Deborah pursed her thin cruel lips, raised her sagging chin and challenged him. ‘Not even for one hundred guineas?’
‘What?’
‘One hundred guineas, Pengelly. Think of it. You’d have to plunder a lot of wrecks to make that much money. You could go away and start a new life somewhere. Get yourself a new wife and buy a lot of pretty girls… and I can always get someone else to do it for me.’
Pengelly licked his swollen blue lips. ‘All right,’ he snarled. ‘But I’ll do it my way. I won’t have her sufferin’.’
‘You surprise me, Pengelly, I didn’t think you cared about anyone but yourself.’
* * *
For the last ten days Nick had been fitting the pair of coach horses he was training to pull the Bassets’ four-wheeled chaise with all the different pieces of harness needed to get the animals used to the feel of them. Both the healthy black horses were about five years old and had been broken in for riding. Nick had ridden them before starting their training to get used to them and give them a chance to trust him. One horse, a quiet gelding with big open feet and what Nick termed ‘a good shoulder’, was ready to be introduced to the breaking-in cart, an ordinary cart fitted with extension shafts. For this the horse would wear a breast collar. Nick put it on slowly, talking to the horse all the time to retain its trust. When all was ready, the groom held the horse’s head while Nick mounted the cart.
He tapped the gelding’s rump with the whip and the next stage of training began. The horse began trotting without hesitation, it did not buck and seemed not at all nervous. After a short, well-paced walk round the paddock, followed by another longer one, Nick proclaimed the horse a ‘natural’ who would perform efficiently. He unharnessed it and led it back to the stables, making sure it was settled with a stable boy before making his way to the feed barn. The groom had got there before him and was sitting on a bale of hay. Nick sat on the next one.
As though on cue a chirpy kitchen maid appeared with their crib. She lingered about, trying to engage Nick in chit-chat but he didn’t seem to notice. He pushed stray sandy hair away from his eyes and looked appreciatively at the food set on a pewter tray.
‘A nice piece of horseflesh that gelding is, Sid,’ he said, when the maid had gone back to her work. ‘I reckon he’ll be one of the best I’ve ever trained. ’Tis a good place to work, here. The Bassets, even though they’re still in mourning, look after their craftsmen.’
‘Aye, ’tis five months since Mr Francis died. Shame he never saw the alterations he wanted done to the mansion and the grounds finished first. We’ve lost a lot of gentry lately, all good men, what with yer Mister Trevennor. Never knew him meself.’
Sid was a freckled-faced man with a long bent nose and weak chin which refused to grow a beard. A year younger than Nick, he looked up to him because of his expertise with the horses. Horses were his usual topic of conversation followed closely by women and his latest conquest.
