Lord Ilchester's Inheritance Read online

  LORD ILCHESTER’S INHERITANCE

  BY

  FENELLA J MILLER

  Cover Design

  Jane Dixon-Smith

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any method, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of The Author - Fenella J. Miller

  Lord Ilchester’s Inheritance Copyright Fenella J. Miller, 2015

  This e-Book is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual places or events, the names, characters, incidents, and locations within are from the author’ s imagination and are not a resemblance to actual living or dead persons, businesses, or events. Any similarity is coincidental.

  Chapter One

  The journey had become wearisome and the twins, although good travellers on the whole, were becoming fractious after being cooped up in the antiquated carriage for two days. Sapphire tapped on the roof and the vehicle lumbered to a halt.

  ‘Thomas, David, I believe we are no more than an hour or two from our destination; I think it would be perfectly in order for us to get out and walk for a bit in the countryside. What do you think?’

  David, the older by the quarter of an hour, immediately spoke up. ‘Can we have a picnic? Do we have anything in the hamper?’

  ‘Indeed we do, my love, the landlady where we stayed overnight was instructed to pack it full of delicious treats as well as sandwiches. If you and your brother take a blanket, I shall bring the cushions and Jenny can carry the basket.’ She threw open the door and kicked down the steps.

  The coachman and under coachman, Ned and his son Billy, peered over the box. ‘We can’t stop here, Miss Stanton, any vehicle coming around the corner will go straight into us.’

  Her little brothers were already scampering across the nearby meadow, tossing their rugs into the air with glee. ‘Hurry up, Jenny, pass me the hamper and then we can allow the coach to continue without us. You will surely find a suitable place to wait, Ned, and we will catch up with you in an hour or two. As long as we arrive before supper there is no urgency.’

  He touched his cap, flicked his whip, and the two sturdy bays ambled off down the lane. She hoped she had not made a foolish decision in stopping here without male protection. They were in the middle of nowhere, at least ten miles from the last village and a further five to the next.

  Too late to repine, the deed was done and now she was alone in a meadow with only her four-year-old half-brothers and maid for company. The field was brimming with wildflowers, scarlet poppies, blue cornflowers and golden buttercups bursting through the lush, green grass.

  Only then did it occur to her that there might be livestock in the field – something she should have checked before allowing her brothers to rush off like that. Then she realised her fears were misplaced – if there was no fence or hedge around the pasture then it was obviously not used for grazing.

  ‘Jenny, shall we eat our picnic under this tree? If you would be kind enough to set the food out I shall round up the boys and the blankets.’ She dropped the armful of cushions and went to call her brothers. They came at once, dragging their burdens behind them. ‘Put the rugs under the tree, boys, and then we shall sit down. There is ginger beer to drink which I know is a great favourite of yours.’

  By the time they had munched their way through half the contents of the hamper her brothers were ready to go in search of the carriage. However, they abandoned their blankets leaving her to carry them as well as the cushions. ‘We must walk in single file, boys, just in case a vehicle comes around the corner. I’m sure Ned will not be too far away.’

  Her brothers scampered off larking about and laughing as if they had no cares in the world. It was hard to credit that her dear mama and stepfather had only been dead a few months. Her parents had been visiting friends when influenza had swept through the house leaving few survivors. Sapphire had become the main carer for her brothers as there had been no funds to employ a nanny or nursemaid, but they had scarcely noticed the absence of their parents.

  Her step-papa, unlike the dashing Captain Stanton, had been a quiet, studious gentleman. She had become very fond of him and would miss his gentle humour as much as she would miss her dearest mother. Fortunately Sapphire had eventually discovered, when packing paperwork before being evicted from the family home, that they had a great-uncle, a bachelor of seventy years, who was now their only living relative and must therefore be guardian to the boys and herself.

  The house they had dwelt in was rented, the furniture not worth keeping, so with the family’s three members of staff, their two carriage horses and ancient travelling coach, she had set out for Hertfordshire without contacting her ancient uncle. She had no intention of allowing him the opportunity to refuse to take them in.

  Tom shouted back. ‘I can see them, they are waiting for us. Can we run ahead now, Saffy?’

  ‘Yes, and tell Ned to be ready to depart as soon as Jenny and I get there.’

  Jenny, no longer young, was puffing and panting beside her. ‘I’ll be right glad to put this basket down, miss, even half full it’s a bit heavy.’

  Immediately contrite that she had allowed Jenny, as much a friend as a servant, to carry the burden alone, Sapphire dropped back. ‘Allow me to take one of the handles, Jenny, I can carry the rugs and cushions as well.’

  ‘No, I’ll manage. There, I can see the carriage now. I reckon the horses will be well rested and will get on a bit faster now. How much further is it to Canfield Hall?’

  ‘The landlady said it was no more than three miles from the village of Canfield, and that is the next place we get to. We shall be there long before dusk, Jenny, plenty of time to unload the trunks before dark.’

  They trudged along in silence for a few yards. ‘I wish you had written to Mr Bishop, miss, what if he is away from home?’

  ‘He is an elderly gentleman and this is April, I must assume that he will, like most sensible people, wish to remain in the country during the spring.’ She could now see the carriage for herself; it was neatly parked on a grassy triangle at the side of the crossroads leaving ample room for passing vehicles.

  The boys were skipping about talking non-stop to Ned and his son, and Sapphire prayed she had not made a catastrophic error by uprooting them without having secured a new home before doing so. ‘Here we are, boys, what is all the excitement about?’

  David hopped from one foot to the other, his blond curls flopping endearingly across his forehead. ‘Ned spoke to a gentleman who rode by and he told him that Canfield Hall is the biggest, largest house anywhere.’

  ‘That is good news indeed, David, it would seem that our new home will be far grander than our last.’ She turned to Ned whose normally glum features were almost happy. ‘Did you by any chance ascertain how many more miles we have to travel today?’

  He nodded vigourously dislodging his cap and exposing his bald pate to the bright sunshine. ‘The village is no more than a mile down that lane, Miss Stanton, and Mr Bishop owns all the land from here on.’

  ‘How exciting, Mama could have had no idea she had such a wealthy uncle or she would have applied to him for financial aid. Jump into the carriage, children, I am as eager as you to see our new abode.’

  She watched out of the open window with more interest than before and could not help but notice the cottages they passed, if not exactly dilapidated, they could certainly do with some renewals and repairs. However, people they passed seemed cheerful enough and several village children waved to her brothers who were each hanging out of a window. Tom was at her side and David with Jenny.

  ‘Look, Saffy, there’s huge gates and
we’re going to turn through them. Are we going to live in a palace?’ Tom was bouncing up and down and David was equally excited.

  ‘Not a palace, darling, but a very big house indeed. After all, Uncle John’s home is called Canfield Hall and the village bears the same name. Now, I want both of you to sit down and listen to me carefully.’

  Obediently they subsided onto the squabs and waited, no doubt expecting her to exhort them to be on their best behaviour or some such thing. ‘Uncle John is not aware that we are coming to live with him so do not expect him to be overjoyed to see us. However, he will not turn us away and, as we are such a charming family, I am sure he will soon be pleased that we are here.’

  The boys exchanged a worried glance and then Tom piped up. ‘Will he be cross and grumpy and make us sleep in the fireplace?’

  Before she could answer this his brother elbowed him in the ribs. ‘No, silly, you’re thinking of Cinderella.’ David smiled sunnily, he was always the more optimistic of the two. ‘He will be ever so pleased to have us living with him. He must be lonely by himself in that huge house.’

  ‘Exactly so, my love, nobody likes to be on their own. Now, boys, let Jenny and I make sure you are respectable.’

  After a considerable amount of bouncing and jolting the carriage stopped in the turning circle. Somehow she was not surprised that their arrival prompted no reaction from those living in this magnificent, if neglected, house.

  Billy appeared at the door and opened it with a flourish, then let down the steps. ‘Shall I start unloading the trunks or go and knock on the door? I don’t reckon anyone is going to come out to greet us.’

  Sapphire was undecided – would it be presumptuous or sensible to arrive on the doorstep of her great-uncle with her baggage at her feet? ‘Start unloading please, Billy. When everything is down then, Ned, I wish you to take the carriage round to the stables. Even if we cannot remain here permanently, the horses are far too fatigued to go anywhere else today.’

  Her brothers arrived at her side and for once remained quiet. Jenny climbed down behind them. ‘Best stop here, Miss Stanton, I’ll go and bang on the door. There must be some inside staff and they can come out and collect our trunks.’ Without waiting for her to confirm she wished Jenny to do this, her maid hurried off.

  David tugged at her skirt. ‘Why are the shutters closed, Saffy? Do you think Uncle John has gone away?’

  ‘Perhaps he is dead,’ Tom said dolefully.

  ‘I am sure he is perfectly well, Tom. See, there are unshuttered windows at the far end of the building. I expect the others are closed inside the chambers that are no longer in use. Anyway, we shall be inside momentarily and able to see for ourselves.’

  With a twin on either side of her she marched across the sadly neglected turning circle and up the scrubbed marble steps. The door remained shut. The sound of the carriage wheels crunching on the stones caused her to glance over her shoulder. Good, if the carriage had gone then she could not be sent packing.

  ‘Jenny, knock again and do it with more vigour.’

  Her maid grinned, raised the dolphin-shaped knocker and hammered loudly. The boys giggled and this lightened the mood. ‘They would have to be deaf not to have heard that, Miss Stanton.’

  Tom pressed his ear against the peeling paintwork. ‘I can hear someone coming,’ he looked over his shoulder nervously. ‘I can hear lots of people coming.’

  He scampered back, and with his brother hid behind her skirts, Jenny was prepared to face whoever was approaching but Sapphire shook her head.

  ‘Come and stand behind me, whoever it is, is less likely to be unpleasant if they are faced by me.’ Although there had been little money to purchase new garments Jenny was an excellent seamstress and had kept the family well-dressed. There had been two trunks of exotic materials at her disposal which Papa had brought back with him from India.

  Sapphire checked her smart travelling gown was hanging smoothly, that there was no grime on her kid half-boots and that her matching green bonnet was securely tied. She was glad at this moment that she was a statuesque young lady, had she been a diminutive blonde she would be quaking in her boots.

  She had half expected the door to be flung open and that she would be faced by a row of disapproving faces. However, there was the sound of bolts being drawn back and keys being turned before the door slowly moved to reveal three ancient retainers who appeared pleased to see them.

  The least decrepit of the three, a gentleman of sixty years or more, stepped forward and bowed politely. ‘I beg your pardon, miss, for the delay, we only use the rear of the house nowadays and nobody has called at the front since Lord Ilchester’s man came last year.’

  ‘I am Miss Stanton and these are my brothers, Mr Bishop is our great-uncle and we have come to live with him.’

  ‘My word, the master will be thrilled to have you here. Come in, Curtis and Smith will fetch in your trunks. I am afraid we have no chambers prepared, but Mrs Banks, the housekeeper here, will find you something suitable.’ He bowed again. ‘I am Robinson, the butler.’

  ‘My men will bring in my luggage when they have seen to the horses, thank you.’ She feared carrying something as heavy as the trunks might be the death of the two old men.

  The butler shook his head. ‘Not a bit of it, Miss Stanton, it might take them a bit longer but they will get your belongings in safely, don’t you worry.’ Curtis and Smith nodded and set off remarkably briskly to collect the waiting trunks.

  ‘We would like to introduce ourselves to Mr Bishop. Is he quite well?’

  ‘A bit low in spirits, miss, but not too bad, considering. He occupies an apartment on the ground floor, I shall take you there directly.’

  Sapphire wasn’t sure this was the best option. She was fairly certain that an elderly gentleman would much prefer to be forewarned. ‘Perhaps it might be better to send word to his rooms that we would like to see him at his convenience.’

  ‘Bless you, miss, he will already know you are here. His drawing room overlooks the drive. Come along, it is a fair trek as he resides at the far side of this establishment.’ He pointed towards a passageway on the left of the vast black and white chequered vestibule. ‘It is easy to get lost until you get to know your way around the place, so keep close.’

  Tom clutched her hand. ‘I don’t like this house, it is dark and smelly.’

  Before she could reassure him a small, round woman, dressed in grey bombazine, appeared from a different corridor and bustled towards them, a broad smile on her plump face. ‘Well then, what do we have here? Two splendid young men come to liven up the house. Shall I put them in the nursery, Miss Stanton, or do you wish them to be close to you?’

  How did the housekeeper already know her name? Sapphire smiled. ‘I should prefer them to be close by, Mrs Banks, and my maid also. Once we are settled and my brothers familiar with their surroundings I might reconsider.’

  ‘Very well, miss, I shall have chambers prepared for you immediately. Do you wish your men to live inside or outside?’

  ‘If the accommodation is acceptable then they would prefer to be outside.’

  ‘That’s what I thought. If your maid would like to come with me she can oversee the unpacking whilst you are speaking to the master.’ The housekeeper dipped and then rustled away.

  Their guide had not waited and she was concerned she would be left behind. ‘We must run, boys, and catch up with Mr Robinson for we do not wish to be wandering about the place for weeks.’

  As they raced down the spacious passageway Tom and David began to enjoy the experience. ‘I think we should carry a bell, Saffy, then we can ring it if we get lost.’

  ‘I think that is an excellent idea, Tom, I believe there are at least two in our luggage somewhere. There, just ahead, I can see the butler is waiting for us outside those double doors.’

  They skidded to a halt on the uncarpeted floorboards and instead of being shocked by their display Mr Robinson greeted them with a smile. ‘I’ve knoc
ked on the door so you can go straight in. The master’s valet, Fullerton, is waiting to conduct you.’

  He opened the doors with due ceremony and stood aside to allow them to enter. They were greeted by another elderly servant, but again one who appeared delighted to see them.

  ‘Miss Stanton, and Masters Stanton, you are indeed welcome at Canfield Hall. I have not seen the master so animated in many a year. Would you care to come this way? He is in the drawing room.’ The valet escorted them to the door and then vanished. Sapphire did not have time to correct his mistake, the boys were Palmer, not Stanton.

  The carpet was threadbare, and the furniture and draperies old-fashioned, but the room was pristine, not a scrap of dust to be seen anywhere. This was a good sign – lack of funds must account for the dilapidation but obviously the housekeeper and her staff were diligent and thorough in their duties.

  Despite the warm reception they had received, her heart was thumping uncomfortably and she was glad to have a small hand in each of hers to give her the necessary courage to meet this elderly relative who would, in future have control of their lives.

  The drawing room was gloomy, no candles or lamps had been lit even though dusk was falling. This surely was another sign of pinched circumstances? She hesitated in the doorway and glanced around the cavernous room. For a moment she thought it empty and then she spied a huddled figure sitting by the window.

  ‘Welcome, welcome, my dears, I cannot tell you how delighted I am to have you come here. You have made the heart of an old man very happy.’ His voice was surprisingly strong for an older gentleman who was obviously in failing health.

  Chapter Two

  Sapphire was obliged to keep a firm hold on the boys as they lagged behind, unwilling to approach the shrivelled figure in the armchair.

  ‘Thank you for your welcome, Uncle John, I am Sapphire Stanton and these are Thomas and David Palmer, my half-brothers. Mama was your niece.’ She was now within arm’s reach and ventured a glance down at her uncle.