Authors: Carl Leckey
“Addio per adesso mi amore.”
I detect tears in her eyes I take Mothers hand to comfort her she repeats his last words once or twice and asks after he departed. “I wonder what those words mean? Oh Adam didn’t it sound so lovely.” She smiles bravely.
When the train has pulled clear of the station and picking up speed Emily says. “Well it’s been quite an eventful few days.” She looks at Pamela with adoration and remarks. “I am so glad I decided to come up North. It’s a pity Angelique you had such a short time with Luigi. I wonder if we will ever see him again?”
I believe she said it without realising how upsetting her remark must be to someone that has only just found the love she has longed for all her adult life.
The elderly clergy man apologises for interrupting and explains.
“Excuse me for overhearing but I take it you don’t understand Italian?”
I confirm this is so, he continues. “You will be seeing him again my dear, permit me to translate.
Farewell for now my love.
“
Mother’s whole demeanour changes, a smile lights up her face as she thanks the clergyman and asks. “Will you please translate something else for me.?”
The clergyman readily agrees Mother reveals an expression Luigi used when he introduced her to his Mother and family.
“
Essa e nio angela
.”
The clergy man looks slightly uncomfortable as he translates the words to English.
“If I have interpreted it correctly my dear your friend was saying.”
“
She is my Angel
.”
Mother gasps, concerned I enquire. “Are you alright Mother?” She explains in a hushed voice. “That is how my real parents referred to me when I was a child. Oh! Isn’t it strange Adam it appears the circle of life is complete.”
I recall her revealing this very snippet of information when we drove to Canterbury Cathedral a couple of years ago
The journey is uneventful we enjoy an excellent lunch in the dining car the train arrives at Euston precisely on time. Two taxis take us across crowded London to the Victoria Station Hotel where we book in for the night. Nothing eventful occurs except Emily has a small contretemps with the reception clerk over the pre booked rooms reserved by Mr Gillon from the hotel Victoria. Emily insists on a twin room for her and Pamela and Mathew. The problem is eventually solved we have a pleasant enough stay taking all our meals as a group in the hotel.
Ten o’clock next morning finds us on yet another train heading towards Dover and my fate. Every turn of the wheels increases my apprehension. It’s a relief when we arrive at Ashford and change trains for the last lap of the journey to the small station of Martin Mill. By the time we finally arrive I am just about fed up with train travel.
Fortunately Mathew is as good as gold and causes us no problems. When we disembark from the train we are greeted by a fluttering of snow and the wind is cutting. Thanks to Pamela’s and Emily’s foresight the child is well wrapped up.
Toot meets us with the Rolls, a taxi has also been ordered to take us to the Elms estate. The luggage is piled into the Rolls I join Toot in the front. The Ladies and baby follow in the taxi. As we head towards the Elms Toot says. “Well Adam my old mate what have you been up to? I am surprised at you, I really am?”
“What do you mean Toot?” I reply in alarm.
“Your baby Son of course Adam, Lady Emily telephoned Mr Humphreys from London and ordered him to have the old nursery prepared for a baby and nursemaid. When he asked her what baby was she referring to? She told him.
“Why, Mister Humphries Lord Carstairs child, of course.” As if he should have known all about it. You know what’s she’s like? She gives an order and expects everyone to obey it without question. She would have made a bloody good Sergeant Major that one. Ha, ha. I’ll tell you something for nothing. All the staff at the house are in a great big flap and Mr Humphreys is in the biggest one. I guessed it was something to do with you and when I got a glimpse of the baby just now. There is no doubt in my mind who is the Father of the child.”
Although I am proud that he recognised some of my features in Mathew I feel slightly bashful for some reason when I answer Toot. I know he is a stickler for family values and good behaviour he was more like a Father to me when I served with him. I feel like a naughty child admitting to a misdemeanour. “Oh shit Toot. Well where to start! To briefly put you in the picture Mathew is my child there is no denying it. It’s a long story and I will tell you the details some other time. But as for me holding a title as far as I am concerned I am just plain Adam Bailey. If Emily chooses to call me Lord Carstairs then she does so off her own bat. I assume with her being a bit of a snob she couldn’t face the fact that her Nephew is just a commoner.”
As he pulls up at the huge wrought iron gates at the entrance to the estate I enquire.
“Now Toot forget about all that title nonsense for the moment, where are my Wife and Sister in law?”
He gives me a blank look and replies. “As far as I know they are still in France.”
The old woman opens the gates as usual. She appears to be exactly the same as I recall from my visit two years ago. We pull into the drive followed by the taxi. When we reach the big house even though its freezing cold I observe the entire staff lined up outside to greet us.
Pamela is the first one out of the taxi she carries the sleeping child into the house. She is quickly followed by Emily who gives the staff a cursory hello and whispers to Cecil. “I wish to address the staff inside.” She then follows Pamela through the door.
Mother is the last of the Ladies. She thanks the staff for the greeting and orders them into the house out of the biting cold wind. The staff evidently grateful disperse out of the cold leaving only the coachman to assist us. I am unloading the luggage with Toots help when Tom the coachman expresses his surprise to see me back at the estate.
“What are you doing back here Lad? Toots the chauffeur now, I didn’t know we needed another one?” Before I have the opportunity to reply he furtively peeps into the rear of the Rolls and enquires in a whisper.
“Well where is Lord Carstairs then?” Toot appears to take great delight in informing him.
“You are looking at him.” I am about to carry the cases into the house when three members of the male staff appear pursued by Mr Humphreys. “No, no my, Lord.” He says in a horrified voice as if I am committing a cardinal sin.
“You must leave the luggage for the staff. Please forgive me I had no idea.” He continues to apologise as they gather the cases and take them indoors. Toot says with a grin. “The best of luck my Lord I can’t wait to hear how you get on. I’m going to park the Rolls. When you get a chance come over and meet the family Scouse, er Adam, er you Lordship.” He climbs into the Rolls chuckling at his own joke. I enter the house apprehensively to face the staff assembled in the huge entrance hall. Emily and Angelique stand nearby. When I appear Emily calls the attention of everyone in attendance by ringing a small hand bell. “Be attentive all of you I have an important announcement to make. Most of you have already met Adam before in his previous role as chauffeur. From now on he will be addressed as Lord Carstairs. He will be treated with the respect due to a person of his rank. The baby his personal assistant Pamela has taken to the nursery is Lord Carstairs child, my Nephew he will be treated in the same manner.
Pamela will be addressed as Miss Pamela I will require our lunches served in the nursery today. Unless she orders otherwise Miss Pamela will be dining at the big table with the family at all meal times.
You, Edith.” She points at an attractive young maid who appears startled at being addressed personally. “Edith I know you have had previous experience in your last employment with babies. I am assigning you to Miss Pamela as her aid. Go to her now, introduce yourself, tell her I have sent you, she will inform you of your duties.” Edith gratefully scuttles upstairs. Emily continues in an almost drill sergeants manner. “Right! I believe that covers everything you may return to your duties, except for you Mr Humphreys. Lord Carstairs will require a word with you in the study.”
After her brief declaration Emily hurries upstairs. I am astounded by her announcement. Mother smiles when I shrug as if appealing to her.
Mr Humphreys stands by the study door looking very uncomfortable. Mother approaches me and says in a low voice. “Whether you like it or not Emily has decided you have the honour to be the master now. I know you have been thrown in at the deep end but the servants will expect you to take charge. I suggest you start with Mr Humphreys. I am going to see my Grandson settled into his nursery before Emily takes complete charge of him as well.”
I detect a tiny laugh as she heads upstairs.
Reluctantly I head towards the study. Mr Humphreys opens the door and steps aside to permit my entry. I recall the last time I was in here I was being interviewed, now well to be honest I haven’t got a clue what I am supposed to do. I decide to play this by ear and take the seat behind the big desk. Mr Humphrey’s enters closes the door and stands fidgeting in front of the desk. I wave him to a seat. “Mr Humphreys er may I call you Cecil?” Slightly flustered something I didn’t witness on my last visit Cecil agrees. “In that case will you call me Adam?”
My offer appears to cause him more confusion he replies. “I am sorry my Lord that would not be appropriate.”
“Why Cecil I am only the same person as I was when we last met?”
“That is not so my Lord. Lady Emily has told us how to address you and that is how it will be. If she told us you are the King of England then you would be addressed as your Highness.” I reply with a grin. “But Cecil I am not a Lord. Look I am going to trust you because I know you are the soul of discretion. I believe you have the right to know. This information is to go no further than this room do you understand?” He assures me. “Of course my Lord it goes without saying.”
I explain. “I am the illegitimate Son of Lady Angelique my Father is the late Major Carstairs.”
Poor Cecil looks aghast as I reveal the family secret.
I enquire. “Do you understand what I am saying?” He replies hesitantly. “I do my Lord. I suspected there was something amiss when Lady Angelique disappeared some time ago when she was about sixteen. Poor Lady Angelique was so ill when the General and Lady Emily brought her home. I must admit I never suspected she had given birth to a baby. Now I begin to understand why you came here two years ago.”
I continue. “It’s a long complicated and tragic story Cecil but I won’t burden you further with the details.” Cecil comments in a bitter voice. “The Major forced himself on her didn’t he? Lady Angelique is too much of a Lady to submit willingly to.” He hesitates. “Forgive me for saying this Adam. Major Carstairs was an arrogant cruel swine.
I had a feeling there was something very wrong before she went away.
I tried questioning her maid Millie but she wouldn’t reveal anything.
I feel I let Lady Angelique down. The poor girl had no one to turn to except her maid in her hour of need. God forgive me for not helping her.”
I console him. “Don’t blame yourself Cecil, if my Mother wouldn’t tell you what occurred how could you have known? Now let’s move on from that sorry chapter. We may console ourselves to the fact he paid the ultimate price for his sin.”
I try to speak with authority. “Cecil I believe you handle the estate magnificently. I see no reason to interfere.” He thanks me for my praise I continue.
“If an occasion arises when I am not entirely satisfied, I will bring it to your attention discretely.” I add with a smile. “If the occasion arises when you are not satisfied with something I have done. I will expect you to enlighten me please.” I notice him visibly relax as I continue.
“I will only be here a short while. I will be going across to France shortly. I have family and a business over there. When I do go I shall leave things in your capable hands. Are you aware there have been some difficulties with finance of late?” He looks embarrassed until I advise him. “You don’t have to answer that. I respect your discretion. The reason I mention it. I want to assure you, there will be no problems of that nature in the future. I think that covers everything Cecil, unless you have some questions for me to answer?”
“I have one but…” He hesitates. “Out with it Cecil this is the time to be frank.”
“What is the role of Miss Pamela? Lady Emily introduced her as your personal assistant, but to all intents she is to be treated as one of the family.
This is going to cause confusion with the staff. Er um you have asked me to be frank then I will be. Is she another one of Lady Emily’s er friends?”
“Well Cecil to put it bluntly she is, but on this occasion she is more than a casual friend do you understand?”
“I do my Lord but does Lady Angelique approve of the, er’ liaison?”
“Yes, she not only approves she is pleased with the relationship. You will be pleased to know there has been a remarkable change in Emily since she met Pamela. We! By we, I mean my Mother and myself believe it will be a permanent relationship. Now are you aware my Wife and her Sister will be arriving shortly. To be honest I expected them to be already here when we arrived.”
He replies. “I have been informed my Lord, all the arrangements are in hand.”
A bell rings harshly making me jump. Cecil smiles and explains. “That is the telephonic device my Lord, do you require me to answer it?”
“Please do Cecil, where is it?”
“It’s located in the hall My Lord, just outside the door.”
He leaves the room, within a moment he calls me from the doorway.
“It is a Mr Jonah Wilkes my Lord he wishes to speak to you personally.”
“Ok Cecil. I’ll take the call.” In the hall I find the telephone is located on a corner table.
“Hello Adam, is that you?”
“Yes. It’s Adam here.”
“Do you remember me?”
“Of course I do, how are you doing Jonah?”
“Great Adam, look I am just about to leave my office in Dover. I need to see you urgently, is that possible?”