Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The morning of the summer fair began with dull, drizzly rain. Henry looked out the window in distress.

"We've had such lovely weather, Mama. I don't want it to rain today," he complained.

"I can see blue sky on the horizon," said Arabella, looking out the window. "I think it will be sunny soon."

‘I'm going to lead Snowball in the pony and miniature decorated cart rides, and Freddy is going to lead one of the ponies from the castle," confided Henry.

"It's an exciting day, and I can't wait to see the ponies taking the tiny children for rides," said Arabella.

"The Reverend Colbrooke and Aunt Emma have helped us to decorate the little carts. I don't want it to be so muddy in the field that we can't have the pony rides."

"Definitely blue skies, and it's stopped drizzling. It's going to be a special day," Arabella reassured him.

"Uncle Joseph told me that I could try and shoot the target with a bow and arrow. I can be Robin Hood once I know how to do that."

"Well, just be careful. Bows and arrows can be dangerous," warned Arabella.

He raised his eyes. "I will be careful, Mama. I'm doing better. I haven't fallen out of a tree this week."

"You're doing wonderfully well," she told him. "I sometimes forget you are only eight years old."

"Cook has been teaching Aunt Emma to make a strawberry pie with a special secret ingredient. I know what the secret is, but I'm not allowed to tell anyone. There is a competition and if the pie she makes this morning looks like a good one, then Aunt Emma will enter the pie in the competition," Henry informed Arabella.

"Ah, she will have stiff competition. I hear Monsieur Charente, the chef from the castle, is entering a gooseberry pie," replied Arabella.

They walked down to the field where the fair was being held. Henry and Judd led Snowdrop along the way. Today, family, household, and grounds staff all walked together. The village fair had always been a day of equality and fun.

Emma had already been down to the showground that morning to enter her strawberry pie in the competition.

As they neared the ground, they could hear a band playing folk songs, and some of their group began to sing as they walked along the track.

"As I was going to Strawberry Fair, Singing, singing Butter-cups and Daisies," they sang in unison. Then they changed the words to "As I was going to Montbury Fair" and sang it all over again.

Everyone greeted each other warmly, and Arabella felt glad to be part of this community in a remote valley in the North Riding.

They went first to the area with the pony and cart rides. Freddy and Elinor were already there waiting. It didn't take long to set up the decorated carts and make sure the ponies were fed and watered ready for the rides.

Once the boys were settled, Arabella, Elinor, and Emma went to the place where all the pies were displayed.

"Who judges the pies?' asked Arabella. She was surprised to see Emma blush.

"Surely not the Reverend Colbrooke? He could not help being biased in favour of your pie."

"No, it was supposed to be Nathaniel, but he had to stand aside when he knew that I was entering my strawberry pie. I think it might have been your mother, Elinor."

"Well, if it was, she kept that very quiet. I don't think it will have been as our chef, Monsieur Charente, planned to enter his gooseberry tart," replied Elinor.

The pies that had won prizes had little plaques next to them. Emma and Monsieur Charente had won joint first prize.

"Who judged the competition; did we find out?" asked Elinor.

"Yes, it was Mrs Cribbage and Doctor Beardsley," said Emma.

At that moment, Nathaniel appeared, and Emma offered him a taste of her pie. "It's the best pie I've ever eaten," he enthused. "I knew you would win." And to Emma's surprise, he lifted her off her feet and spun her round in celebration.

"I used to do that to my sisters," he explained in a sudden rush of embarrassment.

Arabella looked over the showground and felt a moment of immense pride at seeing Henry leading Snowdrop around the arena.

"I must go and check on our house guests and then return home," said Elinor. "It was a lovely idea of Mama's to have a ball so soon after the summer fair, but it makes the days very busy."

"We'll be there tomorrow to help plan and decorate the ballroom," said Arabella. "Don't rush off today. There will only be one summer fair this year."

"Maybe. I'd like to stay longer. I must check on our guests, though. I know Colonel Edmund and Julia are at the Beehive Tavern. I've lost track of the others, and I did promise Mama."

"I saw Lady Dorothea and Miss Anne watching the pony and cart rides, and they were enjoying themselves. It may be the first time I've seen Miss Anne smile," said Arabella.

"That just leaves Sir Benjamin and Lady Hanslope then," said a relieved Elinor.

"Over there, talking to the Reverend Colbrooke," Arabella replied, pointing to the right.

"That makes sense. Sir Benjamin was asking if part of St Mary's pre-dated the Norman conquest, and Mama and I had no idea. It looks as though all our guests are accounted for, except for Simon and his betrothed, and he can look after himself."

"It's a nice group. We enjoyed meeting them at the soiree," commented Arabella.

"Your playing was truly gifted. I closed my eyes and felt relaxed immediately. When I opened my eyes, everyone looked the same. Well, there was one exception, but she is jealous that Robert likes you," Elinor told her.

"Elinor, you can't mean The Duchess of Wyndale? She is the most elegant and beautiful woman I've ever met. And Robert is kind to everyone," said Arabella.

Elinor burst into a fit of giggles and seemed unable to stop. Arabella looked at her in concern and put a hand on her back to help as she seemed on the verge of choking.

"He most certainly isn't kind to everyone," she spluttered. "And I have eyes in my head and experience of the world. I can see how he looks at you, and when he danced with you at the soiree, there was something almost magical between you."

Arabella blushed, cheeks flushed pink.

"There, I knew it, and you like him too. Enjoy a romance, my friend; you deserve some happiness. I'd be wary of Rosalind, though, as I think she likes to think of all men as her conquests. She will have noticed the connection between you and my brother and won't like it."

"I still say you are imagining things."

"Say what you wish, Arabella. I know what I saw. And there's Robert, by the archery. Robert, over here," she called.

Arabella felt the now familiar flutter in her stomach at the sight of Robert approaching.

"I've just seen the decorated carts. The boys look so professional, leading those pony rides," commented Robert.

"I believe the reverend and Emma worked with the boys as part of a lesson. It's the first time I've seen Freddy enthusiastic about arithmetic and measuring for a specific reason. He has been resistant to doing his sums in a book, but he saw the point of measuring and adding together to cut the decorations' ribbon. I was quite proud of him," confessed Elinor.

"I must go and congratulate him and Henry. I'm later getting here than planned. Mama found me as I was leaving to give me another lecture about my behaviour towards our future sister-in-law," said Robert.

"Well, I'll go and take over at the castle. Perhaps she'll find something to lecture me on," Elinor said, laughing.

"Oh, no doubt," said Robert, sharing the joke.

"Though Arabella has persuaded me to stay a little longer at the fair, so I shall go and watch the pony rides. I'll then go to the Beehive to find my friend Julia and take tea." And with that, Elinor dashed away.

"You're in trouble with your mother?" asked Arabella as she found herself alone with Robert, wandering around the stalls and games. A group of children were playing tug of war, and they paused to watch.

"No more than usual. She wants me to be more solicitous to The Duchess of Wyndale."

"I'm sure you are polite and courteous," Arabella commented with a hint of humour.

"Since her marriage, the duchess has a sizable fortune, and I hardly recognize the young lady I knew during her first season in London."

"I just told your sister that The Duchess of Wyndale is the most glamorous and refined lady I've ever met. She told me herself that she uses a French dressmaker for all her gowns," remarked Arabella.

Robert paused, his face forming a determined expression, and she knew he was choosing his words carefully.

"I think you know I was engaged to be married to The Duchess of Wyndale several years ago. She called it off and entered into a relationship with my brother Simon instead."

"But surely they have only recently become engaged?"

"No, no, this happened when I was twenty-three. The Duchess of Wyndale transferred her affections to Simon, but less than a month later, she jilted him to marry the elderly and very wealthy Duke of Wyndale."

Arabella nodded, unsure what to say. "That must have caused much anger and pain. You lost your brother as well as your betrothed."

A look of sadness appeared on Robert's face. "Simon and I were close as children, but we hardly speak to each other now. I think it is Mama who feels the pain most; she hopes for a reconciliation."

"Of course she does. But it isn't easy to forgive something that caused loss and also humiliation in society."

"I left Montbury and went to live in the London house. This is the first time I've returned to stay for any length of time."

She watched as his gaze moved across the field towards the high tower and battlements of Castle Montbury.

"Now that Simon and Rosalind have re-discovered their love, Mama wants us to be one big happy family," he added.

"Laudable, but I can see from your face that it is not possible in practice," commented Arabella.

"Exactly. I agreed to be polite to The Duchess of Wyndale, but no more than that. I refused to dance with her at the soiree, and Mama isn't at all happy."

He looked at Arabella as he spoke quietly. "I've told Mama that things have changed, and I'm determined to stop hiding who I am."

"Well done, Your Grace. So many people present a face to the world, which isn't their real personality," Arabella reassured him.

"Thank you. I will continue to be polite, but I draw the line at dancing with The Duchess of Wyndale."

Arabella stopped walking, staring towards the far side of the village green, her face ashen, drained of all colour.

"Henry. Where's Henry?" she called frantically.

He placed his hand on her arm. "He's there. I can see him. He's with Mr Brown and Judd from Horton Hall. He's quite safe."

She sighed and clutched his arm for support.

"Lady Farrington, please don't faint. I don't believe you are the swooning type, and this muddy grass is not the place to start having the vapours," he said with a smile.

She returned his smile, some colour returning to her cheeks.

"Now, please tell me what just happened?" he urged.

"I thought that I saw Christopher Farrington over there. It probably wasn't him, but something about the way the man walked drew my attention. I panicked that he had come to take Henry away," explained Arabella.

"Come, you look to be in a state of shock, and a drink of lemonade will refresh you. There's a stall over there, run by the tavern. You can sit down and regain composure," he said.

He ushered her to a seat in the shade of a large tree.

"It must have been my imagination. I need to get my fear of Christopher Farrington into perspective," said Arabella.

"If he was here, then he is long gone. Look, Henry is coming to find you," replied Robert.

She felt tears welling up and took the handkerchief Robert offered to dry her eyes.

At that moment, Henry appeared, and she hugged him close.

"You look tired, Mama. I wanted to show you the archery, but I can sit here with you instead," said Henry.

"I'm just a little tired, and this lemonade that Lord Robert brought me is exactly what I need. Shall we all go and try archery?" suggested Arabella.

"I always enjoy archery. That might be because I always win," said Robert, grinning.

"I'm sure Henry is a natural as he knows all the stories of Robin Hood. You may be surprised today," replied Arabella.

"You can be Lady Marian, Mama. Who do you want to be, Lord Robert?" Henry asked.

"Well, if you're Robin Hood, I guess I should be the Sheriff of Nottingham," answered Robert.

On the way to the archery, Henry turned to look at Arabella and asked, "Can I go to the midsummer ball, Mama?"

"Of course not, Henry; you're far too young," Arabella told him.

"I didn't mean to dance. I'd just like to be there and listen to the music. Freddy's mama said I could sleep in the nursery at the castle. Tabitha could come too, though Freddy has a nanny. Can I, Mama? Please say yes," pleaded Henry.

"How can I say no with the host of the ball walking next to me?" She laughed.

"The Sheriff of Nottingham, you mean? I'm not sure the sheriff will let Maid Marian leave the castle," said Robert with an evil grin.

"Oh, I'll be fine. I have Robin of Sherwood Forest to protect me," replied Arabella.

A heat haze hung over the fields, and the late evening midsummer sun shone through the leaves of the trees, illuminating the track from Horton Hall to the village.

They walked together for the second time that day: Arabella, Grace, Emma, Joseph, and Tabitha, along with the house and ground staff who wanted to attend the evening entertainment at the Beehive Tavern.

Thomas Fanshaw, the landlord, and Mabel, his wife, had let it be known that they had put extra special effort into creating a community evening.

A band had been hired from Harrogate and a feast prepared for the assembled company. Arabella smiled, knowing the pies from the competition would be part of the feast. Emma's strawberry pie and Monsieur Charente's gooseberry pie took pride of place on the display.

Judd would join them at the Beehive with the coach. Arabella quite liked the idea of walking back by torchlight, but Aunt Grace had vetoed that suggestion. "The very idea," she'd said, "of us walking along that woodland path when half the village has been in the Tavern drinking ale all evening. I have a coach, and I intend to make use of it."

As they walked together, Arabella admitted to herself that Aunt Grace had been right. She was feeling quite fatigued after a day filled with energy and fun. I have memories from today of Henry that I shall always treasure, she mused. She had memories of conversations and laughter with the Duke of Montbury, too, but she pushed those away to the corners of her mind.

The Beehive was alight, with torches burning outside. As they greeted familiar faces, Thomas Fanshaw rushed out to give them a warm welcome.

"Come and take some ale or brandy. There's burgundy wine for the ladies, too. His Grace has been most generous."

"The duke has paid for the drinks?" asked Sir Joseph. "That's very generous of him."

"I am thankful that we have a master who has a vineyard and winery in Burgundy. We're never short of wine these days."

"I haven't tried the duke's own wine, but I'm keen to taste it," said Aunt Grace. "Come girls, let's get a glass of the Burgundy and let the gentleman find us a free table. I believe the whole village might be here this evening. It's as many as for the harvest festival in September."

Aunt Grace tapped her husband's arm and whispered instructions in his ear.

Whether Sir Joseph heard was questionable, as the folk band began to play at that moment, and the energy levels rose even higher.

"The band is through the back and stretching out into the garden," shouted Emma. "I think we need to go through."

The large room at the back of the Beehive had its doors flung open, and Thomas had put extra tables and chairs in the garden. With the torches blazing as night crept in, it was a scene to warm the heart.

"Go and spend time with Judd; you deserve an evening off. Enjoy time with your fiancé, Tabitha," Arabella told her with a smile.

"Are you sure My Lady?" replied Tabitha

"Absolutely. This has the makings of an evening to remember, so you should spend it with your betrothed," Arabella insisted.

The band were playing the popular favourite, "Summer is icumen in, loudly sing cuckoo," and, to Arabella's amazement, the voices naturally fell into a round. Before long, four groups of vocalists were chasing each other in singing the traditional folk song. Arabella felt a pang of wistful memory for the harvest supper at Farrington Hall, where this favourite song always made an appearance.

They greeted Mr and Mrs Belway and Lady Starling, whom Arabella had met at the church on her first visit there, as they found a place to sit.

Aunt Grace touched her arm. It was a little easier to hear now they were seated under an arbor in the garden. "I didn't expect the dowager duchess to make an appearance. She's usually otherwise engaged on the evening of the summer fair. It appears there is quite a party from the castle arriving."

She pointed to the entrance where the Duke and Lord Orsdale escorted the dowager duchess and Elinor, and the house party from Castle Montbury followed them. Elinor waved to Arabella in greeting.

"It's nice to see her grace's children together. I know that there are difficulties between the duke and Lord Simon," commented Aunt Grace.

"Look at the Duchess of Wyndale," whispered Emma. "It's rare to see such finery in the county."

The duchess almost glowed as she shimmered into the garden. She bent her head towards her betrothed and nodded at people as she passed.

"It's a spectacular gown," said Aunt Grace. "I'm not sure it's quite suitable for a village inn, but she looks very well in it."

Arabella took in the gown, which seemed to be a celebration of summer. The gossamer-like thread seemed to be embroidered with miniature sun motifs.

"Her dress seems to have the sun at all its different stages during the month. That gold thread is shining so brightly that the duchess almost resembles the sunshine," added Arabella.

Arabella saw the dowager duchess whisper in Elinor's ear, and they then changed their direction and made their way across to join the Horton Hall party.

They stood to greet the dowager duchess and bobbed curtseys. Her grace waved them to sit down and settled herself near to Aunt Grace.

The gentlemen stood behind them, and Arabella noticed how the duke and his brother, Lord Orsdale, stood as far apart as possible. Arabella breathed a sigh of relief when The Duchess of Wyndale sat some distance from her.

Suddenly, it felt as though the air around her charged with energy, and Arabella became aware of the Duke of Montbury standing close beside her. He nodded in her direction, and she acknowledged with a gentle bow. The fragrance of his signature sandalwood cologne drifted towards her. She inhaled the scent, remembering her enjoyment of spending time with him at the summer fair earlier that day.

After a brief pause, the fiddler began playing ‘Pastime with Good Company,' a song dating from Tudor times, and the company joined in, singing the familiar words.

"We know that King Henry the Eighth wrote this song," said Elinor. "It's one of my favourites."

"It's lovely," said Arabella. She closed her eyes, listening to the music and the harmonies. When she opened them, she looked around and found herself gazing into the blazing blue eyes of the duke.

He held her gaze, and she found it difficult to look away. She felt warmth spreading throughout her body and welcomed the sensation. In a split second she decided to smile at the duke and took a deep breath as he smiled back and raised one eyebrow in his usual wry style.

In a moment, he was standing beside her. "Pray sit, Your Grace," she suggested, indicating the empty seat next to her. "I see I have been abandoned by my cousin Emma. I suspect the Reverend Nathaniel Colbrooke has arrived," she said, laughing. "I know they always seem to have much to talk about."

The band finished playing and moved on to introducing the next song. "I think we all know this one," Arabella said. "The bouncy rhythm always makes me smile." She joined in with those singing around her, and her light soprano voice sang out the story of Bobby Shafto.

She noticed how the duke looked disdainfully towards his brother as he joined in the song.

Of course, she thought, how clumsy of me to mention this song. It is all about a lost love, and if I remember rightly, Bobby Shafto broke the heart of his fiancée, Bridget Belasyse, and married a rich heiress instead.

The duke had joined in, and she closed her eyes and listened to his baritone voice. Well done, she thought, that can't have been an easy one to sing.

They went to find the pies and savoury treats while listening to Emma and the Reverend Colbrooke singing the gentle ‘Greensleeves' as a duet.

As the duke escorted her to the table piled high with cold cuts, he spoke quietly to her. "I find that I am lucky enough to have a delightful partner with actual green sleeves this evening," he commented, noting the colour of her dress.

"You're right, Your Grace. I am wearing green again this evening," she agreed.

"The colour becomes you. All those shades of green in the summer forest. And I am doubly blessed that you also have green eyes. I believe this song might have been written for you."

"I do like it very much. I also know that it may possibly have been written by Henry the Eighth to his second wife Ann Boleyn, and I wouldn't want to suffer her fate," declared Arabella.

"A French swordsman to chop off his queen's head …"

"Poor woman. She knew she would die in that way." Arabella paused. "And to leave her tiny daughter without a mother. Such sadness."

Arabella realized the duke was looking at her strangely as if he was seeing her for the first time.

"Let's not be melancholy," he said. "It's an evening for joy. What a splendid idea Thomas had to host a different sort of evening. What shall we call it … a summer soiree for the village?"

"And I thank you for the compliments, Your Grace," said Arabella, smiling at the duke.

"Arabella, Robert," called Elinor. "Can you come and join us? We're going to sing Scarborough Fair. You can lead as baritone. The Reverend Colbrooke will join you as a tenor. I've told Mr Fanshaw that we'll sing in a few minutes.

Elinor, the duke, Reverend Colbrooke, and Emma stood together as the introduction began quietly, becoming louder as each of their voices joined the song. The mood changed in the Beehive Tavern as the audience stopped talking and listened to the hauntingly beautiful melody.

As she sang, Arabella listened to the words sung by the duke's strong, deep tones, telling an ancient story of two lovers at cross purposes, both insecure about how they felt about each other.

The words are almost like a poem, she thought. I wish I could write something this beautiful.

She felt tears in her eyes, knowing that the lovers were setting each other such impossible tasks to prove their love, that they would never succeed and be together.

How often do we sabotage our chances of happiness? she wondered.

At that moment, Arabella saw the barriers people so often placed in the pathway to love. The man and woman loved each other, yearning to be together forever, yet they destroyed all possibility of happiness through the ridiculous tests they set.

In the final verse, Elinor gestured to her and the duke to stop singing and let Emma and Nathaniel carry the song to its bittersweet conclusion. The two voices chased each other through the notes, never quite coming together in harmony until the last line.

Emma and Nathaniel sang of their own love, and she envied them the joy they had found in each other's company. As the applause broke out and they returned to their group she looked towards the duke and found his gaze upon her again. She had a sudden impulse to move towards him and step into his arms. Instead, she kept her feet firmly focused on staying where she was.

When he smiled gently, his eyes twinkling in the torchlight, her heart melted, and she felt a cool balm of contentment flooding through her body and giving her strength. This felt so different from the racing pulse and excitement she had felt earlier that day. This felt like a safe harbour, after long days on a turbulent sea.