Love at the Tower Read online

  She picked up her book from the bedside table and as she opened it, she was surprised to find that she could not find her place.

  ‘I know I used the Earl’s letter to mark the page,’ she said to herself, ‘and now I cannot remember where I was. Perhaps it fell out when I put the book back this morning.’

  But search as she might, she did not find the letter.

  Then the truth dawned on her.

  “Molly!” she exclaimed out loud. “She must have taken it!”

  A simmering fury swept over her. She snapped the book shut and was on the point of ringing for Molly when she heard a noise in the corridor outside.

  Thinking that it might be Nanny returning, she ran and opened the door.

  Emerging from Nanny’s room were Newman and one of the footmen carrying boxes of Nanny’s belongings that had obviously all been packed up.

  “Where are you going with those?”

  Newman looked as if he wished he was invisible. The footman scuttled off with his box and left them alone.

  “Newman, please, I need to know what is going on. I will not be angry with you, as I am concerned for Nanny’s well-being. If she is ill or something has happened to her, then I wish to know.”

  The butler put down the box and indicated with a gesture that they should speak softly.

  “Miss Robina, Nanny has been dismissed. Did you not know? She has been informed that she is too old to be useful and has been sent back to her home. She cried and asked to see you, but her Ladyship would not permit it.”

  “She did this?” asked Robina in a quavering voice.

  She did not know whether to be angry or to cry.

  “Yes, miss. Her Ladyship ordered it herself.”

  “And is Papa aware of this?”

  “I did not ask. We do not question her Ladyship’s orders or wishes.”

  Robina was utterly shocked.

  ‘I would guess Papa knows nothing about this,’ she thought to herself.

  “Thank you, Newman.”

  He picked up the boxes he had been carrying and took them downstairs.

  Robina walked slowly back to her room to think.

  She simply must now confront her stepmother and as for Nanny – she must believe she had been deserted.

  ‘I have a responsibility for Nanny,’ decided Robina, ‘tomorrow I shall go to the village after I have finished my duties at the Castle and find her. She must feel so alone and unwanted.’

  *

  The gong sounded at eight o’clock on the dot.

  Robina changed into the pale-lemon silk dress she had bought in Paris. She always felt very chic in it and, as she knew that her stepmother would not be dressing down, she did not wish to give her any cause to make remarks.

  She felt somewhat nervous at the thought of dining alone with Laura.

  Robina collected herself and walked downstairs.

  The dining room door was open as she reached the last stair, so she took a deep breath and went inside.

  Her stepmother was already seated at the table and threw Robina an impatient look as she entered the room.

  “Good evening, Stepmama.”

  “On time for a change,” she responded sourly. “To what do I owe this honour?”

  Robina was not certain if she was posing a question or making a comment.

  “I am very sorry, Stepmama, I have obviously done something to annoy you, but I cannot think what it is.”

  She sat down in her chair and waited for a reply.

  Laura was yet again wearing her Mama’s diamonds and Robina had to bite her lip so as not to make a remark.

  To her surprise she simply laughed.

  “Don’t look so serious, Robina – do you not have any sense of humour? You must take after your mother as Herbert has the most delicious sense of fun!”

  Robina wanted to shout that her Mama had the best sense of humour in the world and that they had laughed so much, but she could see Laura’s attempt to irk her for what it was.

  “Now,” she continued, “I have a surprise for you. Lord Drury will be coming for dinner on Wednesday and I will expect no resistance this time. I believe your father has spoken with you on the subject?”

  “Yes, Stepmama, he has.”

  “So, I can count on your cooperation this time?”

  “As I have told both you and Papa, I will be there.”

  “Good. There is also another matter I would wish to discuss with you. I do not like the idea of your working for a living in the least. It is not fitting for the daughter of one of the most important gentlemen in the County to work as a common secretary – I want you to write to the Earl and tell him you cannot possibly continue to work for him.”

  “But, Stepmama, you misunderstand his intentions. He certainly does not see me as a mere secretary,” replied Robina, who decided that it was high time that she threw her stepmother off course. “He has made it quite clear that he wishes to court me.”

  “Then why hasn’t he asked to see your father? Any gentleman with intentions on a young lady would do. No, Robina, I don’t believe you for a moment. In any case the Earl is far too handsome and important to favour you with his attentions. Really – you are quite deluded.”

  “He declared his love for me only this morning, I do not tell lies. You can ask him yourself.”

  Her stepmother stared at her across the table with a mixture of loathing and disbelief. Her chest heaved and a slow flush of pink rose up it.

  “Are you really asking me to believe this nonsense? If you think that by lying to me, you will be able to prevent Lord Drury wooing you, then you are very much mistaken. He is not a man to be easily deterred.”

  Robina could see that her trump card had fallen on fallow ground. What use was it if her stepmother totally refused to believe her? She could hardly go to the Earl and ask him to write a letter stating that he had proposed to her and that she had turned him down!

  Newman brought in lobster bisque – usually one of Robina’s favourites.

  However, with her stepmother sitting there glaring at her she found it difficult to consume anything.

  They sat and ate in silence.

  Finally as the dessert was served, Robina found her tongue again.

  “I was wondering where Nanny was,” she asked, as casually as you could.

  “I have dispensed with her services. She is too old to be of any further use and Molly is young and strong.”

  “I don’t care for Molly,” retorted Robina, “I would like Nanny back, please.”

  “Nanny has served this family for long enough. I am not concerned whether or not you like Molly, there is nothing wrong with her and so she will continue to be your maid.”

  Robina could see that she would not get the better of her stepmother by arguing. It was clear that she would not be swayed by any amount of pleading with her.

  ‘Even if it means going behind everyone’s back, I shall reinstate Nanny,’ she vowed.

  ‘I will never allow this – woman to drive a wedge between me and anyone from the past. I owe it to Mama’s memory to ensure that one of her old servants is properly looked after and not just discarded because it suits my new Stepmama!’

  With her mind made up Robina’s confidence grew.

  She would bring Nanny back to Trentham House – she would!

  CHAPTER NINE

  To outward appearances, Robina appeared to be the compliant stepdaughter. That morning over breakfast, she informed her stepmother she would tell the Earl that very day that she could no longer work for him.

  “I shall explain it to him in person,” said Robina, “I think that he deserves that much.”

  “That is so thoughtful of you, Robina,” she replied with a triumphant smile, “and so you will be at the Castle today?

  “Don’t mention that another is wooing you as it may offend him. If indeed he has proposed to you, as have you suggested, you must make quite certain that you don’t upset him in any way as he is so influential i
n this County. Your father would be most displeased if he came home to find he has been ostracised through your actions.”

  Robina was surprised that her stepmother appeared to be behaving in a more reasonable manner.

  “Yes, I ought to stay for the day and finish off what I can. I promise I will not mention Lord Drury.”

  “Good. Make certain that he knows this is the last time you go there to work. I cannot imagine what he was thinking of employing you in the first instance. Could he not find some middle-class matron who would have done just as well?”

  “I think it was my expertise in French that caught his attention. He wishes to attract European visitors to the Castle and my linguistic skills would have been useful.”

  “Oh, everyone speaks French these days,” said her stepmother dismissively.

  Robina could not help but smile, as she knew very well that Laura’s French was poor.

  She finished her breakfast and then made her way quickly to the stables where Firefly was waiting to take her to the Castle.

  ‘I don’t like making false promises to anyone,’ she thought as she galloped along, ‘but if it means that I can do what I have to, then I am certain that God will forgive me.’

  She arrived at the Castle rapidly – it seemed that now Firefly knew the way so well he covered the distance incredibly speedily.

  The Earl was outside the Tower as she arrived.

  The builders were heaving the new battlements up the outside wall with a winch.

  “Robina! Look over here,” called the Earl. “The finishing touch. The men worked all night in order to be ready to install them this morning.”

  Robina nodded her head appreciatively.

  With the Tower almost finished she would have to concentrate on the interior decor rather sooner than she had thought.

  “It will look magnificent,” she said, as she jumped off Firefly and hurried over to where the Earl was standing.

  He looked at her fondly as she drew level with him.

  “There is something I wish to ask you,” he began confidentially. “I have just had the plans for the ballroom from the architect and I would like you to look at them and give me your opinion. Would you do that for me?”

  “I would be delighted,” answered Robina, thrilled that he trusted her judgement.

  The ballroom was originally two large rooms which the Earl intended to enlarge to create one huge space.

  “I want it to be the finest ballroom in the whole of England,” he enthused as they reached the study. “But it has to be in full keeping with the style of the Castle and it would not do to have anything too modern.”

  “Yes, I do agree, my Lord,” remarked Robina, as she studied the plans. “These windows he has drawn, here and here – they are far too modern. They should be high and in the Tudor style.”

  “That is what I thought too. But the architect is a frighteningly opinionated fellow and, to be truthful, I am a little in awe of him. If he was an Army man, I would know how to deal with him, but artistic types – ”

  Robina laughed.

  “I understand what you are saying, but you must be firm. You are paying for these works, my Lord, and you must have what you want.”

  “Naturally. Now, Robina, there is something else I would have you do for me and I am afraid it involves your going out again.”

  He walked to the window and picked up a piece of panelling.

  “Do you see this? It’s a sample that the carpenter has sent me for the new library. I confess I am not fond of it, but I don’t have the time to visit his workshop and see whatever else he has to offer.

  “He is expecting me at eleven o’clock this morning, so I wondered if you would go in my stead. You may take my carriage.”

  “I would be happy to go,” agreed Robina, getting up from her desk.

  “Good, I will ask Marriott to have it made ready for you. You will need to leave in about half an hour.”

  He had no idea that there was another reason why Robina would be thrilled to go into the village.

  ‘I can see the carpenter and then ask the coachman to take me to Nanny’s house,’ she planned, almost rubbing her hands together in glee.

  She hummed to herself as she worked.

  Once or twice she looked up to find the Earl staring at her, but he immediately averted his eyes.

  “Have you heard again from Ellis?” she enquired, as he looked down once more.

  “Not a word. Not even a begging letter for money! Marriott said that he has heard he is staying in an inn in the village, but that no one has yet seen him. In any case I am certain that wherever he is, the first I shall know is when I receive the bill!”

  Robina hoped that she would never see Ellis again, although she felt it probable that he might rear his head at some point.

  ‘With any luck I will not be around to witness it,’ she thought, as Marriott announced that the carriage was ready.

  “You should go now, Robina,” suggested the Earl, putting down his pen.

  “Don’t wait for me to start luncheon,” she said as she left. “I often lose track of time when I am involved in choosing things.”

  “Very well, I will ask Mrs. Osidge to prepare a cold plate for when you return.”

  Robina felt a little sly, but she did not want anyone to know what she was up to.

  Although she thought that the Earl probably would not mind her borrowing his carriage to see Nanny, she did not want to have to explain herself.

  Outside Morton, the coachman, was waiting to open the door for her. The Earl’s carriage bore his crest and was very smart indeed. It was dark green and the interior seats were dark green velvet.

  Robina sank into the plush seats and marvelled at the luxuriousness of the interior. It was far nicer than her father’s newly refurbished phaeton.

  ‘If only Stepmama could see me now,’ she mused, smiling to herself, as the Earl’s carriage pulled away from the Castle and headed off for the village.

  *

  The carpenter’s workshop was next to the smithy.

  Robina knew it well as she had often accompanied Charles to buy supplies for their modest forge at Trentham House. There were some things that Charles could not do and then he would take the horse or the broken implement to Mr. Walters, the blacksmith.

  Mr. Armstrong, the carpenter, was understandably surprised to see Robina alighting from the carriage and not the Earl.

  “Why, Miss Melville. This is a pleasant surprise.”

  “I am the Earl’s secretary now,” Robina told him, shaking his hand, “and he has sent me to discuss the wood panelling with you.”

  Morton interrupted them.

  “I’ll take the carriage round to the rear and wait for you there, miss.”

  “Thank you so much, Morton,” she replied, paying little heed to him.

  She was far too excited at the prospect of choosing new wood panelling for the library.

  Inside the carpenter’s workshop, Robina inhaled the smell of sawdust and timber. It was almost as intoxicating as a visit to the florists and she loved the scent of freshly milled timber.

  Mr. Armstrong employed two men and they shared a huge bench covered in sawdust and wood shavings.

  “If you’d come over here, miss, I have the samples his Lordship is interested in.”

  Robina carefully studied the timber panels and then decided upon a light oak.

  “Can this be waxed?” she asked.

  “Of course. We will install it in its natural state as you see it here and then the French polisher can come in and finish it off.”

  “And is this extra?”

  The carpenter looked thoughtful for a moment and then said,

  “I’ll include it, seeing as it’s for the Earl.”

  Robina rewarded him with a beaming smile.

  “Would you be good enough to let me take a panel away, so that I may show him what I have chosen? Here are the measurements for the library. I am certain that you will be able to
work out how much is required from them.”

  “Very good, miss. Please do send his Lordship my best wishes,” said Mr. Armstrong, as he escorted her to the rear of the workshop.

  Morton was already in his box when she returned to the carpenter’s yard and the carriage door was open.

  ‘He is in a real hurry,’ she thought as she climbed inside. ‘I do hope he is not going to be too grumpy that I now want to visit Nanny.’

  She opened up the communication flap.

  “Do you know Myrtle Cottage in Southwell Lane?”

  “Aye,” came the gruff reply.

  “Take me there, please,” she said, thinking how odd Morton sounded.

  ‘Perhaps he has been smoking or has been affected by the wood shavings,’ she thought as her nose was itching from inhaling the dust.

  The carriage pulled out of the yard and Robina sank back into the comfortable seat.

  ‘Morton is taking a strange route,’ she wondered, as the carriage hurtled out of the High Street and towards the woods. ‘Perhaps he knows a short cut.’

  Nanny’s cottage was on the outskirts of the village set back from the road, but she was sure that they were travelling in the opposite direction.

  ‘We should be there by now,’ she thought, slightly worried that Morton had lost his way.

  She opened the flap to speak to Morton, but, as she did so, she found that something had been jammed into it so that she could not talk through it.

  ‘What is going on?’ she worried, as panic began to flood her body.

  The carriage was picking up speed and, as she tried the handle to the carriage door, she found it was locked.

  “Morton! Morton!” she shouted out, as they rattled down the lanes. “Please stop! You are frightening me!”

  But Morton took no notice.

  ‘I am being kidnapped!’ she said to herself finally, as the awful reality of her situation dawned upon her. ‘But why is Morton doing this?’

  Fear clutched at her heart as the carriage plunged onwards.

  ‘I could open the window and try to jump out,’ she murmured, as she held on to the sides of the carriage in order to steady herself, ‘but we are going so fast I would surely be killed!’

  Tears began to pour down her face as she became more and more terrified.