Chapter 19

CHAPTER19

Leaving Ben to keep an eye on Genevra, Garmon washed and dressed to pay a visit to his prospective mother-in-law.

Ushered into her presence he found a small, slightly rounded, middle-aged woman with curly brown hair going grey, dressed with propriety and taste in a lace cap and dark blue morning gown. She was employed in some embroidery, which she abandoned upon his entrance, rising in agitation.

“Mr Lovell? You have some news of my Beth?”

He had provided the housekeeper, who opened the door to him with his name and the message that he had news of Beth in order to gain admittance. He bowed and came towards her. “I do Mrs Robinson, let me assure you she is safe and well.”

“We thought she must have gone to Bath. Hiram has gone there to bring her home. When I didn’t hear from Genevra, I was sick with worry.” She wiped tears from her face with a fine lawn handkerchief.

“Mrs Tate has been unwell, which is why you didn’t hear from her.”

“We thought she must have gone to Bath too, when the Tavern was closed up and those men would tell us nothing when we went there. We have been so worried. Where are my girls Mr Lovell, and how do you come to be mixed up in this?”

“Please sit down Mrs Robinson and I will attempt to explain.”

She nodded and resumed her seat on the couch. He took his place beside her and said, “Firstly I should tell you that your daughter Genevra has done me the honour of accepting my proposal of marriage, which I hope is sufficient explanation of why I am, er ‘mixed up in this’.”

“Genevra marry? But she was adamant she would not!” Mrs Robinson’s pale blue eyes blinked at him myopically.

“Yes, I know,” he said with feeling. “It has taken all my powers of persuasion to convince her to have me, but I have finally been successful in that endeavour. I must tell you Mrs Robinson that I love your daughter with all my heart, and she has finally admitted to returning my regard.”

Her tired expression was chased away by a smile, and she patted his hand. “I am very pleased to hear it Mr Lovell. My poor Genevra deserves some happiness.”

“I am aware.” He nodded gravely. “You can rest assured her heart is safe with me. It is my sole ambition to ensure her comfort and wellbeing for the rest of her life.

“And what is your profession Mr Lovell?”

“I am an entrepreneur. I dabble in all manner of business ventures, but I can assure you that I have the means to keep your daughter in all the comfort she could desire.”

“Will you continue with the Tavern or sell it?” she asked with what he suspected was a whisper of hope.

“Genevra desires to continue running the business. In fact, it was a condition of her acceptance. Your daughter is stubbornly independent Mrs Robinson.”

“Yes, that is my Genevra.” She smiled again, her eyes tearing up.

“It is her dream to own and run her own brewery. I want her to have her dreams fulfilled.”

She nodded and heaved a sigh. “To see one’s children happily established is the greatest wish of any parent’s heart, Mr Lovell.” She dabbed at her eyes again. As if recollecting the purpose of his visit, she straightened and fixed him with an anxious stare. “And what of my Bethany?”

“As I said, she is safe and well. I am sorry if this pains you Mrs Robinson, but it is her desire and Genevra’s, that she make her home with us in the future.”

“Oh but-”

“You will be aware of the circumstances that drove her from this house. I have promised your daughters that Miss Whittaker will not be subjected to that kind of pressure again.”

Mrs Robinson’s face crumpled. “Mr Robinson means well! He and Genevra have never got on, but Beth is usually quite biddable. I was stunned by her reaction to Hiram’s plan for her to marry Mr Neeps.” She wiped her face. “I admit I could not like the match, but Mr Robinson was most set on it and when he gets an idea in his head it is as hard to dissuade him as it is Genevra.” She sighed. “As long as Beth is safe, and I can visit her...”

“Yes, you will be welcome to visit her of course, perhaps on Tuesday? And to attend the wedding. It is to be held on Friday.”

“So soon?”

Garmon smiled. “Neither of us want to wait and there is no reason to.”

After supplying her with the details of the wedding, he took his leave and returned to reassure Genevra that her mother’s mind had been set at rest.

Lyingbeside her on the bed with her head on his shoulder he kissed her hair and asked a question that had been plaguing him for months with no answer. “Where did you get your colouring from? I thought it must have been you mother, but she was a blonde like your sister.”

“Yes both Beth and Mary take after mama, I got my red hair and blue eyes from papa.” She said.” Why do you ask?”

“Because when I first saw you I thought you looked familiar but haven’t been able to work out why. It’s your eyes, I swear I’ve seen them somewhere before.”

“Really? How strange. Papa always said he got his looks from his mother. Great Aunt Maddie is papa’s mother’s sister, but she doesn’t have that colouring either.” She shook her head. “I’ve never thought about it. I just took it for granted that papa and I were alike.” she smiled tearily. “I still miss him.”

He kissed her hair and stroked her arm. He envied her the bond with her family. That sense of belonging somewhere to someone...

* * *

The followingday he took Genevra home to the Tavern and Mr Rooke brought Beth there mid-morning to be reunited with her sister.

Watching the two sisters greet each other it was easy to see the affection between them. Garmon knew a stab of envy to have that kind of family feeling.

Leaving the girls to their chatter he drew Mr Rooke aside for a word.

“I haven’t told Mrs Tate of the circumstances in which you found her sister. It would distress her and if as you have assured me there was no damage done-?”

“None sir, I arrived just in time, any later and-” Mr Rooke shuddered visibly, his expression very grim.

“We will take steps to ensure other young women are not so endangered, such depravity will not stand.”

“You can count on it sir. What did you have in mind specifically?”

* * *

“Robinson is back,”said Garmon, poking his head into the parlour two days later, where Genevra and Beth were having breakfast. He came in and shut the door. “I expect he will come here shortly, what do you want to do?”

Beth looked up apprehensively from her plate of toast. “Do you think he will force me to go back with him?”

“Just let him try!” said Genevra.

“Don’t be concerned Miss Whittaker, Mr Rooke and I will ensure that doesn’t happen.”

Beth flushed. “Mr Rooke? Is he coming here?”

Garmon nodded. “I’ve sent for him.”

Beth looked down at her plate but the smile on her lips gave Genevra pause. She really needed to pay more attention to Beth, she had been so busy with wedding preparations and catching up on tasks neglected during her illness that she had spent very little time with her sister. Beth had been in Mr Rooke’s care during Genevra’s illness, what exactly happened between them to cause Beth to look like that at the mere mention of his name?

A few minutes later Mr Rooke arrived and after a short colloquy, Beth was bundled upstairs and locked in her room for her own security and Garmon and Mr Rooke took up a position in the tap along with Genevra. The Tavern remained closed to customers. Shortly after 8:00 o’clock, Hiram stormed into the Tavern, looking less than his usual pristine self.

“Where is my daughter?”

“I’m here papa,” said Genevra sweetly emerging from behind the bar.

“Not you, Bethany! What have you done with her?” Hiram’s flushed face got even redder, his wispy hair was all on end, his suit was rumpled, and he looked exhausted. Not surprising since he had journeyed all the way to Bath and back in five days. “That girl is my responsibility, and she will return to our roof immediately! I don’t know what you were thinking Genevra to aid and abet her in this madness -!”

“She stays here, Hiram,” said Genevra, her voice hardening. “You can threaten and browbeat Mama and Beth, but you can’t do so to me!” She crossed her arms and glared at him.

“Miss Whittaker will be making her home with us,” said Garmon quietly. It was the tone that caused shivers down spines in the those that knew his reputation. Hiram was oblivious.

“And who in damnation are you?”

“I am the man who is going to marry your daughter, Mrs Tate.” Genevra moved to his side and placed her hand on his arm.

“Lovell, is it?” Hiram sniffed. “Miriam mentioned your name. I see you lack the manners to apply to me as her father for permission to address her.”

“She’s of age and doesn’t need your consent.”

“But Beth is not. Whatever you choose to do Genevra, I’ll not let you ruin your sister! Consorting with thieves and low-lifes. Don’t think I haven’t heard of you, Lovell for I have, and none of it good!”

“I’m glad you’ve heard of me Robinson; I won’t have to explain to you what will happen to you if you don’t accede to our wishes in this matter. I repeat, Miss Whittaker will make her home with us, and you will give up all attempts to marry her to unsuitable persons!”

Hiram went from red to white at this threat and swallowed. “I’ll not be threatened! You won’t get away with this. I’ll go to the magistrate! I have the law on my side!”

“Try it,” said Garmon. Genevra’s heart thudded with pride and a slight thrill of fear. She had agreed to let Garmon intimidate Hiram, but she didn’t want him actually hurt.

Silence followed this for a moment as Hiram visibly struggled with himself. “You haven’t heard the last of this matter! I will not be manipulated by the likes of you Garmon Lovell!” He turned to Genevra. “Do you know what kind of man you’re marrying?”

Genevra smiled up at Garmon. “Yes, papa I do. I love him and he loves me.” She looked round at Hiram with a smile. “May I remind you that you were eager for me to remarry? You should be pleased.”

“It’s to be hoped he can keep you in line! A more froward girl I never met!” He huffed and mopped his brow with a handkerchief. “When is this accursed wedding?”

“Friday, and you’re not invited!” snapped Genevra.

“Forgive me my, love,” said Garmon, “But I did issue an invitation to your mother when I spoke with her.”

Genevra glowered at Hiram. “Mama is welcome, he is not!”

Hiram blinked, his face blanching even further and for a moment she wondered if that was hurt she saw in his eyes, but surely not. The man hated her as much as she hated him. Nonetheless, he swayed where he stood and reached out to grab the back of a chair. No doubt the rigours of his journey catching up with him. A momentary stab of guilt shot through her. He wasn’t a young man, had he overtaxed himself?

Mr Rooke took a step towards him, but Hiram waved him off, seeming to recover, he straightened his back and made them a stiff bow.

“Very well. You may treat me as you choose, but I’ll not have you upset your mother. I will not repeat your cruel words to her, for they would cut her to the quick. Good day.” And he stalked from the room, his shoulders drawn back stiffly.

Genevra sagged when he closed the door with a snap behind him, she was shaking. Garmon turned and enveloped her in hug. She clung to him a moment as she blinked tears from her eyes.