Melinda Hammond (7 page)

 'Which shows, Margaret,' remarked Miss Shore, showing the note to her companion at breakfast, 'that he has not the slightest interest in my well-being. If he had any proper feeling he would have arranged to bring Mr Reedley here to see me.'

 'No, no, I am sure you misjudge him,' declared Mrs Worsthorne. 'I have known Master Rafe since he was a boy and he is as kind as can be,' she hesitated, then added, 'although he
can
be a little blunt at times. From what I know of him I have no doubt that he is already sincerely attached to you, as Sir Ambrose's heir.'

 'He is certainly attached to Highclough,' put in Luke, coming into the room at that moment. He observed Verity's frown and added bitterly: 'Rafe has always been allowed to run loose here and considers himself part of the family. He rides over this estate as freely as his own.'

 Mrs Worsthorne waved her hand. 'Well, and is that not to be expected, when he was such a friend of Sir Ambrose and his sons?'

 Luke came to the table and sat down opposite Verity.

 'With all three of them dead he can no longer have a claim on the family.'

 'He is however an executor,' murmured Verity.

 Luke looked across at her. 'Only until your birthday. After that you can tell him to go to the devil!'

 Verity smiled at his sulky frown.

 'Surely you would not have me forbid him onto the land? It is unlikely that I shall cease to need his help and advice for some time.'

 'Is my advice not sufficient, then?' he threw at her.

 'Luke, I did not mean that! But you have your own land now. Mr Bannerman told me you had only agreed to remain here until I come of age.'

 'And do you think I would leave you here then to manage alone?'

 'Well no, I would hope that before that time you will show me something of how the estate is run, and assist me in appointing a new manager.'

 'Have you discussed this with Rafe?'

 'Well no –'

 'I wonder that he has not brought the subject up. Especially when he is so adamant that you should not marry.'

 'No, no, Luke, you misunderstand! Mr Bannerman and I always rub each other up the wrong way, but there is nothing in that. I have no doubt that he will wish to discuss the management of the estate soon.'

 'And your search for a husband.'

 She flushed. 'It is hardly a
search
.
But I am sure that if I should meet an eligible gentleman that I
truly
wished to marry, Mr Bannerman would not stand in my way.'

 Mr Worsthorne looked a little sceptical but before he could answer, his mama rose.

 'I am off to the kitchens to see Cook. Luke, will you be dining with us, love?'

 'No Mama. I am riding into Derringden to meet Sam Greenwood.'

 'Gambling again, Luke?' There was an anxious note in the widow's tone.

 'Devil a bit, Mama. Just a game of cards with a few choice spirits. Where is the harm in it?' He rose and as he passed his mother he stooped to kiss her cheek. 'Don't fret, love. I shall be home before midnight.'

 He lounged out of the room and Verity glanced up at Megs.

 'You do not like his friends?'

 'Like!' Megs spread her hands. 'Sam Greenwood is a lazy good-for-nothing. He is the son of a rich wool merchant and he takes Luke to clubs in Halifax where it is nothing to lose hundreds at a sitting. And as to his other friends, well, most are not fit company for a gentleman.' she shook her head, sighed, then gave Verity her brightest smile. 'Don't mind me, child, it is all nothing. A young man must have a little wildness, after all! Now, I promised Cook I would check on the grain chests for her, to make sure we have sufficient oats and barley for the rest of the winter!'

 The good lady hurried away, leaving Verity to her own thoughts, which immediately returned to Luke's animosity towards Rafe Bannerman. Her cousin's insinuations haunted her: she had begun to depend upon Mr Bannerman and it disturbed her to think that he might not be working for her best interests. Her mind was somewhat put at rest after her visit to Mr Reedley She had written to the lawyer requesting an appointment, and while Mrs Worsthorne continued with her shopping, Verity spent an hour with the lawyer in his chambers, discussing the terms of her grandfather's will.

 Mr Reedley had been the family lawyer for many years, and he declared that he had every confidence in Mr Bannerman, but it was clear to Miss Shore that the lawyer was nearing the end of his career and she doubted that he would question any decisions made by his co-executor unless they were truly outrageous. However, she came away from the meeting sufficiently reassured to put her doubts aside, and to enjoy the novelty of purchasing a gown for the Newlands Ball.

* * * *

 The fashionable modiste favoured by Mrs Worsthorne turned out to be an experienced seamstress with excellent taste. She assured them the dresses could be made up in a trice, and the ladies spent a few happy hours poring over fabrics and fashion plates, eventually selecting designs that they were confident would make the most of their attractions at the coming ball. More visits to Halifax were arranged, but by mid December the ladies could at last look forward to the ball, confident in the knowledge that their dress would do them no disservice.

 When the gowns were finally delivered a few days before Christmas, Mr Worsthorne was required to admire the ladies' finery. The robes were unpacked in the morning room and Verity dragged Luke from the estate office to view their purchases. She took his arm and led him into the morning room where the floor was littered with silver tissue.

 'Come Cousin, your estate duties can wait while you see the magnificent gown Madam Juliet has made up for your mama.'

 Mrs Worsthorne held up the gown for his inspection.

 'There,' cried Verity, ' Is that not wonderful? Your mama will look as fine as fivepence in her gown, will she not?'

 Luke smiled.

 'And you, Cousin – what will you be wearing?'

 Verity swooped upon another large box lying on the sofa and pulled out a shimmering creation in green and gold, sending another cloud of tissue paper drifting to the floor.

 'There Luke,' said Margaret, carefully folding away her own gown. 'Will you not be proud to escort two such well-dressed ladies to Newlands?'

 'I – am not sure I shall be going.'

 Two pairs of eyes turned towards him and the ladies cried out in unison.

 'Luke!'

 'But why would you not wish to go?' Verity demanded.

 'The estate business has fallen behind, and I can ill afford the time …'

 'Fiddle! What is there that cannot wait?' she challenged him. 'You have not given me a chance to prove myself yet, but I will help you, if you will let me. After all I need to learn about the estate if I am to manage it half as well as you. Besides,' she added, 'with so few acquaintances, I need you to engage me for the first two dances, at the very least.'

 Luke returned her smile and relaxed a little.

 'Well, if it means so much to you –'

 'Of course it does, to both of us,' declared his mama. 'And if you really mean to stay away, how comes it you have bought yourself a new coat?'

 Luke flushed, then gave a self-conscious laugh.

 'Gad, Mama! Can a man have no secrets here?'

 'It would seem not,' returned Verity, twinkling. 'Now let us hear no more about you staying away!'

* * * *

 Christmas morning dawned damp and cold, but although the roads were muddy, Mrs Worsthorne ordered the carriage to take them to church. She showed some surprise when she learned her son was to accompany them, but she regarded his caped figure riding beside the carriage with no little satisfaction.

 'I think it must be your influence, Verity my love, for Luke seldom comes to worship with me.'

 As he handed them out of the coach, Verity glanced up at Luke Worsthorne: his upright bearing commanded respect, and his angular features were not unattractive. She was well aware of the envious glances cast their way by several ladies entering the church, but was she pleased to think that he had escorted them solely to please her? Verity could not decide, and she was no nearer an answer when they arrived back at Highclough, where the butler informed them in tones of deep disapproval that they had a visitor.

 'Mr Reedley has called to see Miss Shore, ma'am.' He addressed Mrs Worsthorne….. 'I have put him in the drawing room, since that has the best fire …'

* * * *

 Waiting only to put off her coat, Miss Shore hurried to meet her guest, followed closely by Mrs Worsthorne and her son. Mr Reedley bowed as they entered.

 'Miss Shore – madam – sir – pray forgive the intrusion on this special day.'

 'No intrusion, sir. Please, will you not sit down? Has Ditton brought you some refreshment?'

 Mr Reedley glanced at the tray laden with decanters and glasses that rested on a side table.

 'Thank you, but I require nothing. I am merely carrying out a commission given to me by Mr Bannerman.'

 Miss Shore's look of surprise caused the old man's lips to curve into the beginnings of a smile.

 Mrs Worsthorne stepped forward. 'Perhaps we should all sit down. Luke, please bring another chair closer to the fire for Mr Reedley.'

 'If you don't mind, ma'am, I would prefer to stand,' said the lawyer with quiet dignity. 'I shall be spending another hour or more in the saddle on my return journey.' He fixed his faded gaze upon Miss Shore. 'When Mr Bannerman was last in Halifax, he charged me with the duty of collecting a certain item and delivering it here to you. I understand it is not in the nature of a seasonal gift, but circumstances made it impossible for me to bring it to you earlier.'

 'Then I am all the more obliged to you for giving up so much of Christmas Day, sir,' replied Verity warmly.

 Mr Reedley inclined his head. 'Perhaps, Miss Shore, you would like to read this note, which Mr Bannerman left with me to be given to you with this package.'

 Ignoring the small leather box that Mr Reedley pulled from his pocket, Verity took the letter and opened it.

 ' "The gems Reedley will be delivering belonged to your grandmother," ' she read. ' "They are part of a larger set and as the links were broken I have had some of the stones re-set into something more suitable for you. The remainder of the stones are in safe-keeping. RB" Well! What do you make of that?'

Mrs Worsthorne regarded Verity's heightened colour with some unease. 'How kind of Mr Bannerman. Mr Reedley, perhaps you would open the case?'

 'Kind! To take it upon himself – oh!' Verity broke off as she caught sight of the necklace. It was lying on a bed of black velvet, a fine gold chain with five small, richly coloured emeralds suspended like tear-drops. A pair of matching ear-rings nestled beside the chain.

 The lawyer's tired eyes crinkled into a smile.

 'As Mr Bannerman has written in his letter, these are part of a much bigger set which includes among other things an aigrette and a very heavy bracelet – better suited to a matron, if I may say so, Miss Shore?'

 'Y-yes, yes of course.' Verity lifted the necklace carefully from its case and gazed at it.

 'It is just the thing to wear with your new gown,' remarked Mrs Worsthorne. 'How clever of Master Rafe.'

 The mention of Mr Bannerman reminded Verity of her objections.

 'It is still most unfeeling of him to make Mr Reedley ride all this way on Christmas Day!'

 'As I explained, Miss Shore, Mr Bannerman knew he would not be able to collect the jewels himself and deliver them to you before the ball.'

 'Then he should have sent a servant!'

 Mr Reedley looked grave. 'Miss Shore, only in the most exceptional circumstances would I condone entrusting such a delicate task to a hireling. Pray believe me when I say that I was only too willing to undertake this mission.'

 Miss Shore realized that her anger was misdirected, and did her best to control her indignation.

 'Indeed I am most grateful to you sir, but I am also mortified to have taken you away from your hearth on this day! Can we not persuade you to sit with us for a while, perhaps take a little refreshment before your journey back to Halifax?'

 The lawyer hesitated, then smiled and lowered his thin frame into a chair.

 'Well, if you insist. A glass of your fine Malmsey wine and perhaps a biscuit would be very welcome. I must not over-indulge, however, for my good wife is even now preparing a special dinner for us.' He allowed himself another small smile. 'Goose,' he said simply, his eyes twinkling in anticipation.

 Luke filled a glass and handed it to the lawyer. 'Mr Bannerman mentioned that the remaining jewels are in safekeeping. Where would that be, do you know?'

 Mr Reedley took a moment to choose a biscuit from the plate held out to him by Mrs Worsthorne before replying.

 'When old Mr Shore took to his bed he summoned Mr Bannerman and myself to the house to make a new will – you may recall the day: Mr Shore arranged for the Reverend Haskins and one or two of his oldest acquaintances to be present. At that time he handed over his wife's jewels, with orders that Mr Bannerman and I were to see them safely stored with his bankers in Halifax. You need have no fear that they are in danger of being lost,' Mr Reedley assured them. 'Upon Miss Shore's twenty-first birthday, if Mr Bannerman and I consider that she has complied with the terms of the will and is, in Sir Ambrose's words, a fit and proper person to inherit his property, the jewels will be handed over to her. However,' he continued, observing the question forming on Verity's lips, 'when Mr Bannerman came to me and explained his plan for the emeralds, I thought it a most sensible idea, and had no hesitation in supporting him. I do hope that you, too, approve of it, Miss Shore. However, if you do not like the design, the stones can always be replaced in their original setting, or even in some other design of your own choosing.'

 Verity stared at the box lying open in her lap. The emeralds gleamed back at her.

 'No,' she said quietly, 'I think they are most exquisitely set.'

 'Good, good. Then if you will excuse me, I will be on my way. I wish to be home again before dark.'