Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"Robert, brother, please take Freddy with you when you go into the village," asked Elinor. "He is getting under my feet and needs to do something more exciting. I have to start preparing for Mama's house party and soiree. This morning, she decided that we might host a midsummer ball on the eve of the summer fair in the village."

"Well, I'm not convinced joining me to interview a land agent at the tavern is in any way exciting. But I see you look tired, my dear sister, so I will gladly take Freddy with me on my visit to the village."

"Thank you, brother," she said with gratitude, reaching up to lightly kiss his cheek.

"What is happening to the lessons with the Reverend Colbrooke?"

"Oh, we've started the tutoring here at the castle. I've made the morning room into a school room. It's close to the boot room, so they can get outside very easily. It is going better than expected," Elinor informed him.

"I'm impressed with the Reverend Colbrooke," Elinor continued. "He has an imaginative, rather individual approach, and we all know that Freddy does not enjoy books. Now that Henry Farrington has joint lessons with him, I'm hoping that might change. I'd like Freddy to be a little more interested in his studies, and Arabella would like her son to relax a little more."

She smiled at Robert. "I've never known a child as enthusiastic about learning as little Henry Farrington. Hopefully, the love of learning is infectious, and Freddy catches some of it."

"Elinor, I've watched you teach young children; you've been teaching Freddy ever since he was born."

"Thank you, and you're right. He just wants to be outside, being active, rather than sitting, listening, and looking at books."

Robert laughed. "And who can blame him? He's on his way to becoming a fantastic estate manager. He knows every inch of the park and woodlands."

"Reverend Colbrooke has suggested that they make the old wooden pavilion at the far end of the garden into an outside, open-air classroom. It's the one near the path down to the lake, and I think this is a really good idea," Elinor informed Robert.

"Really? It seems a little unusual, but I can see how that would work for both boys," replied Robert.

"Yes, it's been unused for many years, but the structure is sound. I've had it cleaned out and a few pieces of furniture moved in, so it will be a place for them to learn away from the house."

Elinor paused before continuing, clearly choosing her words carefully. "This house party has the potential to become a nightmare that drives us all to distraction. I like Mama's idea of a summer ball, and I encouraged her to become more involved in the summer fair in the village. However, we now have guests arriving, and at the moment, this family needs some quiet space to sort out our issues.

"You mean me and Simon?" Robert said quietly.

Elinor sighed and touched her brother's arm gently. "I do. I know it may never be healed, but it would be nice for Mama if you and Simon could at least tolerate each other's company."

"I never wished to cause Mama distress, but I think it unlikely that will happen soon."

"But you were so close when you were growing up. I remember you had very few squabbles, let alone fights. I miss my big brothers, too."

Robert fell silent, lost in memories and flashback images of what had happened that summer when Rosalind, his betrothed, had jilted him for his younger brother Simon.

"I can't forgive him. I've tried, but the anger is too strong."

"I know. But she abandoned him, too," added Elinor. "Within weeks, Rosalind Seymour was married to the Duke of Wyndale. Now, she's a widow. I pity her in some ways."

"Well, I don't," he said, almost shivering with distaste. "And at least I won't have to see the fickle, social-climbing Rosalind again." He looked through the window at the blue sky waiting outside. "Let's find young Frederick and tell him he can come with me to the village."

"Thank you. It will make your nephew a very happy little boy," said Elinor, smiling.

"I'll enjoy his company. We might even call in to see the gamekeeper on our way back."

"It's good for him to have you here. He needs role models, with the colonel away so much."

"He'll return soon. I think within a sixth month," Robert reassured her.

"I hope so, Robert. Or I very much fear that we will all have forgotten what he looks like," Elinor joked.

"You must miss him every day," commented Robert.

"I do indeed. Very much. I loved it when he was home when they first captured Napoleon. Freddy needs his father here more of the time. And I'm not getting any younger. I still hope for another child," confided Elinor.

"It won't be long now. The final troops should leave Belgium in the next few months."

"I know. Some days, it is just more difficult than others." She took a deep breath. "I'll go and find Freddy. Enjoy your walk – and thank you, dear brother."

As Robert walked towards the boot room, his mother intercepted him.

"Where are you going, Robert? Our guests are arriving soon."

I wish I'd got her agreement in writing to my not having to be involved in more than two or three of her social events, he thought ruefully.

"I have an appointment to see a prospective candidate for the job as a new steward. If I don't hurry, then I shall be late. Freddy should be here any minute as he's joining me for a walk into the village."

He could see her dilemma. She could hardly tell him to stay and cancel the interview, but he could see she wanted to.

"It's going to be such a lovely few weeks with picnics, soirees, and a grand ball," his mother commented, reminding Robert of all the things he wanted to avoid.

"And you will grace all those events as a very talented hostess. I hope you enjoy our little summer season, Mama. I am so pleased you included the village summer fair in your plans. Simon and I always used to sneak off there when we were boys," he confessed.

He saw the look of pain in her eyes, but despite his sorrow, he knew he would never easily forgive his brother.

"Well, the guests will arrive soon. Don't be late back," his mother warned him.

How old am I? he thought. I've been living an independent life in Italy for several years, yet my mother is clearly still trying to manage my time.

"Enjoy your day, Mama," he said, smiling to her, very aware he had not agreed to return for her guests. He felt in no hurry to see his brother Simon again.

***

"Can we walk by the lake on the way back?" asked Freddy.

Robert nodded. "I see no reason why not."

"Henry has been showing me the creatures that live on the side of the lake. We've made a sketch of all the fish we think live there. Have you ever seen the giant pike? It sounds like a monster."

"I have. I even caught one once when out fishing. It was huge, and I felt quite sorry for it. Cook prepared it, and we had a feast at the castle." He lowered his voice. "It didn't taste very nice, but I pretended I liked it."

"We found an old wooden boat down by the lake. Can we mend it? The Reverend Colbrooke said he would help us and then take us sailing on the lake."

Robert smiled to himself, remembering his own childhood. "What an excellent idea. Yes, of course. I'd like to help, too, if I can."

He could see the church spire and the village in the distance. "We're nearly there. You can stay at the tavern or explore the village green. I have to meet Mr Brown for an interview. I won't be too long."

As they approached the tavern, Freddy skipped off to look at the horses in the stable, and Robert went into the dusty tap room to find Mr Brown.

Robert greeted Thomas Fanshaw, the landlord of the tavern, who waved him through to a parlour at the back of the tap room.

"Morning, Your Grace. Jason Brown is waiting for you in the back room. If you don't mind my putting a word in for him, he's a good lad. Known him since he was a boy, and his father before him."

"Thanks, Thomas," said Robert, giving a nod. "I'll go straight through."

"Oh, and thank you for giving young Jim a chance as a stable hand up at the castle. We did our best to support him here, but we didn't have enough work for him to make a living. I heard he's doing well up at the castle."

"Indeed he is, Thomas. He will be an excellent asset at the Montbury stables."

The next half hour was a pleasant surprise. Jason Brown clearly knew the Montbury Estate and had grown up there. He'd been working with Sir Joseph at Horton Hall and taken on considerable responsibility. He seemed eager to progress further and take up a leadership role.

He knew the current scientific developments with crop rotation and fallow land. He also had ideas about which cattle and sheep to buy to build up those herds. In short, Jason Brown knew the estate, the men who worked there, and what was needed to keep modernizing the property.

After considering the matter for a minute or two, Robert decided to offer him the job.

He knew as soon as Jason accepted it that he had made the right decision. Even better, Sir Joseph was prepared to release Jason the following week. Everything was falling into place very nicely.

Better still, his new steward and land agent had an in-depth knowledge of fishing on the lake.

"I will have to introduce you to my nephew when you start at the castle," said Robert. "He has started to show an interest in fishing and wants to catch a pike."

After leaving Mr Brown, Robert went to check the stables for Freddy. Not finding him there, he made his way to the village green. There, he could see Freddy and another boy with him. They were throwing sticks for a dog, and Robert immediately recognized Dash, the spaniel and realized the other boy was Henry. Robert smiled as he saw Freddy and Henry dissolving into a fit of giggles.

At that moment, he realized this was what he wanted his life to be about. The children showed such joy in playing and throwing sticks to the spaniel. The Reverend Colbrooke, with creativity and tenacity, had engaged both boys in a project that would help them learn far more than if they had stayed in the library looking at nature-related books.

Life was never easy, but the boys were showing the way to joy in life and learning.

"Henry, Freddy," he called. "And Dash, too, Can we join you?"

"Uncle Robert," cried Freddy. "Henry was in the village. His mama is at the haberdashery shop. We've been playing with the best dog in the whole world."

Robert remembered the puppies and dogs he had grown up with and the spaniel his sister had given him a few days before. He'd often crept off to the stables where the dogs were kept when he was a boy. His father had a traditional approach and insisted that all dogs stayed in the stables and never came into the house.

He remembered asking his father for a puppy from a litter of spaniels and how his father had laughed at the idea of a special dog that shared your life. Dogs needed to be working animals and only join you for hunting. He'd loved his father, but he'd been wrong about dogs.

As soon as his father died, even his mother allowed her tiny King Charles' Spaniel into the house. Times changed, and it was right to have dogs as part of family life at the castle.

"He certainly seems like the best dog in the world." He looked at the spaniel and threw a stick for it to follow. "Dash," he called and waited for the spaniel to return and sit in front of him.

"He's very obedient. Did you train him?" he asked Henry.

"Yes. My father gave him to me for my sixth birthday. After Papa died, our coachman, Judd, helped me to train Dash."

"He is a credit to you, Henry. Dash is a lovely dog."

"Uncle Robert, have you thought about whether we can mend the boat we found on the lake. The Reverend Colbrooke says he will help us."

"I think it is an excellent idea, and I can help, too. I remember when your Uncle Simon and I launched that boat onto the lake. Your mama was there, too," he told Freddy. "She liked to pretend that she was the lady of the lake. She was always reading stories about King Arthur and his Knights."

"King Arthur is great, but my favourite is Gawain the Green Knight," said Henry.

"I don't think I know those stories," said Freddy.

"I can read them to you," offered Robert. "I'm sure Reverend Colbrooke will know the stories of Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table at his castle of Camelot, too. "

"Was it like our castle, Uncle Robert?"

"Very similar, I think. Camelot must have been the same age as Castle Montbury. I've seen paintings of Camelot, and it does look like our castle. It might be a little bigger, though."

"King Arthur is the best story," said Henry. "I agree with your Uncle Robert. Castle Montbury could be Camelot. I think it could be the place where King Arthur saw the Lady of the Lake, in fact."

"No one could prove you wrong, Henry," said Robert.

"I see Mama," said Henry excitedly. "Look over there, with Aunt Emma."

Arabella and Emma could be seen on the side of the village green, near the rectory. Robert felt his eyes drawn to the willowy Lady Arabella Farrington and the graceful way she moved across the path towards them.

In another life, in another place, he would certainly have wanted to spend time getting to know the fascinating Lady Farrington. He doubted there would be any other lady in the house party as accomplished and intriguing.

"Your Grace," said Arabella. "How pleasant to meet you again."

How formal? Was it his imagination? He thought she spoke in a rather distant way as if she had learned something about him that made her wary.

"Delighted." He nodded and bowed.

"We were on our way to the tavern for a treat and then on to meet the Reverend Colbrooke before visiting the castle. The boys have a lesson together this afternoon," Arabella told him.

Arabella's eyes twinkled in the morning sunshine. He imagined emeralds worn by a fairy tale princess shining on her jewelled crown.

Robert forced himself to come back to reality and stop thinking this way. The young lady talking with him was a widow and a mother. He wasn't sure she even liked him, and today, her tone seemed frosty compared to their last meeting. Then he'd thought perhaps she had forgiven him for those heated words he'd uttered on their first meeting on the woodland trail.

"As the boys are enjoying each other's company, I suggest we walk back to Montbury together," said Robert. "I've promised Freddy we can walk back by the lakeside."

He noticed Arabella looked hesitant, almost as though she was trying to think of an excuse but couldn't find one. Eventually, she nodded her agreement.

"Very well. They do seem to be having fun playing together," she said with a smile.

Robert offered Arabella his arm. Again, he saw a look, almost of panic, before she drew close to him, and he tucked her arm under his. As he watched, he saw her eyes widen for a second or two.

He welcomed the frisson of energy that coursed through his body as he held her arm, and they walked towards the tavern. He knew he responded to her in a way that caused his nerves to fire throughout his body. What was happening to him? He was unsure, but as the sensations were not unpleasant, he would explore this experience and see where it led.

He'd felt attraction for many women in the past, but this felt different from anything he had experienced. As they walked along the village green in the morning sunshine, he welcomed the tingling sensory experience.

Don't think about why, he told himself. You can do that later. For now, live in this moment and enjoy time with this very individual lady.