CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

They entered the drawing-room as Rebecca was about to leave it, seemingly unaware that, behind her, her mother’s face was a mask of anxiety.

‘Don’t go just yet,’ said Anna, laying a light hand on the girl’s arm. ‘The four of us need to talk.’

‘Daniel – no! ’ exclaimed the dowager. ‘There’s no need to bring Rebecca into this!’

‘Unfortunately, there is,’ he replied gently. ‘Sit down, Becky. This may take a little while. Now, Mama … let’s start with you. What did he say to you?’

His mother shut her eyes and leaned her head back against the chair. There was a long, airless silence. But finally she said faintly, ‘He introduced himself.’

‘And then?’ Daniel waited and when she showed no sign of continuing, ‘I should explain that I know who he is. What did he tell you?’

The dowager opened her eyes and sighed. ‘Nothing I didn’t already know.’

This time it was Daniel and Anna’s turn to be struck dumb. But finally Anna said cautiously, ‘I’m sorry … but I think we need to be very clear what that was. Unless you’d rather Daniel or I said what we think it was?’

‘You think you can guess? ’ she demanded. ‘You can’t.’

‘Try us,’ said Daniel. And less gently this time, ‘Mama. What did he say?’

Another pause and then, ‘He told me about William.’

Her gaze travelling from face to face in complete bafflement, Rebecca said, ‘Who is William?’

This time the dowager pressed her lips together and shook her head.

Again, Daniel waited, his eyes locked with Anna’s. Then, in response to her barely visible nod of encouragement, he said, ‘He is our half-brother, Becky.’

Their mother shot to her feet. ‘You know? How do you know that?’

His attention still on his sister, Daniel said, ‘Does that matter right now?’

Rebecca’s expression was one of utter confusion.

‘I don’t understand. Our half-brother? He can’t be. How – ? Oh.’ Her hands crept to her mouth and, from behind them, she whispered, ‘Father? Father had … had …?’

‘Yes,’ said her mother tonelessly, dropping back into her chair. And to Daniel, ‘How long have you known?’

‘About William? Not long. But I’ve known since June when Grimshaw wrote to me asking for money that there was something ; and one look at William was sufficient to tell me what that something was.’ He sent his sister a faint smile. ‘He looks just like you, Becky.’ Then, once more to his mother, ‘But the real question isn’t how long I have known. It’s how come you do – and whether Father knew that you did.’

Seeing Rebecca’s initial shock beginning to turn to pain, Anna moved to put an arm about her, saying softly, ‘I know it hurts. But it was a long time ago.’

‘That doesn’t m-make it any better,’ said Rebecca tearfully. ‘How could he?’

‘I don’t know. But it doesn’t mean your father loved you any less.’

Daniel was still waiting for his mother to answer him. ‘Well, Mama?’

She swallowed. ‘Your father told me.’

Anna could see Daniel fighting to swallow a curse or probably several of them. To give him a moment, she said, ‘When did he tell you? And why?’

Wearily, the dowager said, ‘He kept it from me for as long as he could but it – it weighed upon him. Finally, he couldn’t bear it any longer and he told me he’d had a – a brief liaison with a widow and that it had resulted in a child.’

‘When?’ demanded Daniel. ‘When was this?’

‘I think William was almost a year old.’

Seconds ticked by in silence. Throughout them, Anna sat very still, her eyes fixed on Daniel and trying to communicate strength and support.

Finally, in a tone of dangerous calm, he said, ‘You have known for roughly twenty-four years?’ And when she nodded, ‘In that case, why the hell did Father go on letting Grimshaw blackmail him to keep it from you?’

‘Blackmail?’ she echoed. ‘No. It was never that. Gervase paid for William’s care and education and so forth, as was only right but – ’

‘No. He paid Grimshaw thousands!’ snapped Daniel, his temper rising. ‘Enough to support a hundred illegitimate children. Year after year, he carried on paying Grimshaw until he was all but ruined and having to borrow money to do it. And all that time, you knew because he’d told you!’ He paused to draw an unsteady breath. ‘Was he completely insane?’

The dowager didn’t answer this. But eventually she said simply, ‘It was never me he wanted it kept from. At the time of his affair with Alice Grimshaw, I had been unwell and things had been … difficult … between us. He knew I would understand how it had happened and he knew I’d forgive him.’ She stopped and then added, ‘It was you he wanted it kept from, Daniel. You and Becky. He couldn’t bear you to know he’d slipped from the pedestal all fathers want to occupy in their children’s eyes. He didn’t want you to know ever .’

Daniel gave a harsh laugh and shoved a hand through his hair.

‘Let me get this straight. You are saying Father thought leaving me to inherit a financial nightmare and a blackmailer who wanted me to go on paying after he died was preferable to me knowing he’d broken his marriage vows and left Becky and me with a bastard brother? Seriously?’ He laughed again. ‘He was insane.’

‘No.’ His mother stood up. ‘I understand that you are upset, Daniel – ’

‘ Upset? Now there’s a thundering euphemism!’

‘— but I can’t listen to any more of this now – and neither should Rebecca. We can talk again when you’re calmer. Come, Becky.’

‘I’ll follow you in a little while, Mama,’ said Rebecca, sounding steadier. ‘First, there’s something I want to ask Daniel.’

‘Oh – if you must,’ muttered the dowager. And walked out.

Deciding that Daniel’s need was greater than Rebecca’s, Anna crossed to sit at his side and took his hand in a firm clasp. She said prosaically, ‘Well, that was unexpected. All those precautions of ours and not one of them needed. I wonder if Grimshaw is aware that your mother has known about William for almost his whole life?’

‘I doubt it.’ He drew another calming breath and then said, ‘All right, Becky. What is it you wanted to know?’

‘Have you met him? William?’

‘Yes. And now you know about him, so can you if you wish. But that’s up to you.’

‘What is he like?’

‘We only met once so I don’t know him well … but he’s pleasant. And honest.’ He hesitated, ‘It’s important to remember that he’s not to blame for any of this. Neither, in truth, is his mother. They haven’t had an easy time either, living with Grimshaw.’

Ignoring that, Rebecca said, ‘Does he really look like me?’

‘Right down to the widow’s peak,’ replied Daniel with something that was almost a genuine smile. ‘You could almost be twins.’

She nodded, pleating and re-pleating a fold of her skirt. ‘I was going to ask if people will find out and there will be talk. But if he and I are as alike as you say, there’s bound to be, isn’t there? If people who know me see him, they’ll put two and two together just like you did.’

‘That’s possible,’ he agreed, ‘but unlikely. William lives in Cirencester and works in a lawyer’s office so you don’t exactly move in the same circles. Also, in the spring, you’ll be going to London – and who knows where after that if you meet a gentleman you want to marry? I don’t think you need worry too much.’

‘But what about this man, Grimshaw? Are you really going to prosecute him for trespass?’

‘Yes. Furthermore, I’m making him believe I’ll prosecute him for blackmailing – ’

‘But if you do that, he could say anything! ’ burst out Rebecca. ‘In court. In front of everyone! ’

‘He won’t. There’s nothing he can say that won’t see him convicted of extortion and sent to prison for quite a long time. Trust me, Becky. Anna and I know what we’re doing.’

‘Don’t forget,’ added Anna, ‘that Daniel wasn’t joking when he said that, after your father died, Grimshaw tried to get money out of him instead. He demanded four thousand pounds he claimed your father had borrowed from him to pay a gambling debt. Daniel didn’t believe him but couldn’t be certain he was lying. It was that as much as anything that made marriage to me seem the only answer.’

‘Marrying you is the only good thing to come out this whole mess,’ growled Daniel, squeezing her fingers and unwittingly making her so happy she wanted to cry. Then, to his sister, ‘Blackmailers don’t give up unless they’re forced to. Grimshaw proved that today when he came here to frighten and threaten Mama. If I don’t stop him, there’s no saying what else he’ll try. Think about that, will you?’

‘And while you do, go and see how your mother is,’ Anna suggested in the nearest thing to her normal tone that she could manage. ‘You’re not the only one who has had a shock today. Daniel and I have, too – and so has she.’ She smiled suddenly. ‘But when you want to talk about this again, know that we are here and that we love you.’

Rebecca looked at her out of overbright eyes for a moment, before crossing swiftly to the door, saying, ‘And I love both of you. I was being selfish. Sorry.’ Then she was gone.

Sighing, Daniel let his head sink back against the sofa and, grateful that they were finally alone, slid an arm about Anna.

She said, ‘You look exhausted.’

‘A bit,’ he admitted. ‘I used the short time I had with Grimshaw in private to convince him that my original prosecution is not a pretence. I’m hoping that a few days locked up on a lesser charge may make him reconsider his position with regard to the greater one.’

‘It should certainly make him hesitate,’ she replied. And glancing at the clock, ‘The constable ought to be here soon, oughtn’t he?’

‘I hope so. I’m not leaving the premises while Grimshaw is still here but I need to see Sir Philip Weaver.’

‘Who is he?’

‘The chief magistrate. I want him informed of the situation so there can be no slips.’

Anna nodded. ‘It can wait until tomorrow, can’t it? It’s turned five o’clock now and will be starting to get dark in an hour or so.’

‘True,’ he agreed. ‘Then, ‘Was I too hard on Mother?’

‘I don’t believe so. She took the ground from beneath you. Anyone would have reacted as you did.’ And, leaning her head against his shoulder, added, ‘There really is no accounting for your father’s behaviour, is there? What on earth can he have been thinking? ’

‘God knows. I certainly don’t. He’d confessed to Mother. I was five years old and Rebecca hadn’t even been born. Father could have told Grimshaw to go to hell. By the time I went to Eton, it would have been old news. So why he went on –’

He stopped in response to a tap at the door and called, ‘Yes?’

Flynn entered, bowed and said, ‘The constable has arrived, my lord. What are your instructions?’

Daniel stood up. ‘I’ll see him. Is he alone?’

‘Yes, my lord.’

‘Then send orders to Gregson to ready the gig and bring it to the front. He’s to have someone tie the prisoner’s hands if they haven’t already done so, then drive both him and the constable back to the village and see the fellow safely bestowed.’

In the hall and looking supremely uncomfortable, the young constable twisted his hat in his hands.

Daniel said, ‘Thank you for coming, Constable …?’

‘Benson, my lord. The message said you’ve a trespasser. Is that right?’

‘It is. His name is Harold Grimshaw and he has not only wandered my grounds on several occasions but also invaded my house. I want him charged and brought before Sir Philip.’

‘Yes, my lord.’

‘Good. We’ve held him here, pending your arrival. Since you’re alone and so that the fellow has no opportunity to overpower you and run, my head groom will drive both of you back to the village. I’ll speak to Sir Philip about this tomorrow and put him in possession of the full particulars. Any questions?’

‘No, my lord. Thank you.’

‘Excellent. Flynn … see the Constable on his way. And you can tell the staff to relax. Our unwelcome visitor won’t be troubling us again.’

‘That is very good news, my lord.’

‘Yes.Isn’t it?’

Back in the drawing-room, Anna said, ‘Why are you taking precautions to stop Grimshaw escaping? Didn’t you say it might be the best solution all round if he ran?’

‘I did – and I still think that. But I don’t want him to run yet .’ His smile had a distinct edge to it. ‘Not until I’ve finished frightening him. And ideally, not until running makes him a fugitive.’

Anna stared at him. ‘You want him to escape? ’

He nodded. ‘I want him gone for good. So, yes, escape is the best solution since it would mean he won’t dare show his face near here again.’

‘I … see. And are you by any chance looking for a way to arrange that?’

‘I won’t say the notion hasn’t occasionally crossed my mind,’ came his seemingly negligent reply. ‘But mostly, I want Grimshaw’s only thought to be getting as far away from me as he can. Because if he crosses my path again, the results may be … unfortunate.’

***

On the following morning, Daniel avoided his mother and sister by breakfasting early. Afterwards, he wrote to Mr Longhope, apprising him of recent events and, deciding it was now safe to contact William directly, sent the same information to him. Then he visited Sir Philip Weaver and rode home well satisfied with the outcome of their meeting.

‘He’s appalled at the notion that any shady character can wander in and out of our hallowed halls at will and feels certain that the gentlemen who share the bench with him, namely Sir Horace Holden and Major Charlton, will feel the same,’ he told Anna somewhat sardonically. ‘All three are firm believers in we landholders sticking together – an attitude I’m less fond of, particularly when it’s applied to poaching. But –’

‘Why? What is their attitude to poaching?’

‘It’s illegal and gentlemen take a dim view of losing game they’ve reared for their own sport. Penalties for poaching range from three months in prison to hanging.’

‘ Hanging? ’

‘Yes. But few men go poaching for fun. They do it to feed their families and, in my opinion, penalties shouldn’t be so harsh. However, on this occasion the gentlemanly attitude to property is to my advantage. Grimshaw can’t claim to be innocent when he was actually caught here, so he’s likely to spend a few weeks in Gloucester gaol. This may give his lawyer pause about fighting the blackmail charge.’ He pulled her into a close embrace and said into her hair, ‘God willing, it’s almost over.’

She hugged him back. ‘Let us hope so.’

He released her slowly and said, ‘How are Mother and Rebecca this morning?’

‘Less fraught than yesterday – as you would already know if you hadn’t fled the house at some ungodly hour to escape them,’ she replied with mock severity. ‘But I took the precaution of giving them something more cheerful to think about.’

‘What? Or would I be happier not knowing?’

‘Perhaps – though I don’t think so. I suggested holding a modest house-party in late November. Around the twenty-seventh, I thought.’

He groaned slightly. ‘You want me to have a birthday party?’

‘A thirtieth birthday party. Yes. But if it helps, think of it as a pre-Yuletide gathering before the weather is at its worst and people are elsewhere with relatives. Your particular friends could be invited to stay for a few days. I think they’d come. And you’d like to see them, wouldn’t you?’

‘You know the answer to that.’

‘So may I start arranging it?’

‘I can hardly say no, can I?’ He drew her close and leaned his cheek against her hair. ‘But it’s time you stopped doing things for the family and me. You’ve done enough.’

She flushed. ‘It’s only money. That’s all I have to – ’

Without warning, Daniel swung her around to face her and, gripping her shoulders, said, ‘ Stop! Money is not all you have to offer. Far from it. And I don’t want to hear you say that ever again. Not ever! Do you hear me?’

Once more struggling for composure whilst hiding what his words did to her, she said, ‘I think they probably heard you in the village tav—’

He shook her. ‘I’m not joking, Anna.’

‘No. I can see that. But really – ’

‘No buts.’ He pulled her back into his arms. ‘I’ll have a birthday party and say ‘thank you’ if that will make you happy. Will it?’

‘Yes. But only if it’s what you want.’

‘God grant me patience,’ he growled. ‘And what do you want?’

I want you to be happy. I want to see you relaxed and laughing, the way you used to be when you fetched Rebecca from school. And I’d like … I’d like to think that I played a part in making that happen.

But she didn’t say any of that. She merely smiled at him and said, ‘Right now? The same thing you do. To see the back of Harold Grimshaw, once and for all.’

~**~**~