White Water (27 page)

‘My God, I’ll hang them all with my own hands if they’ve harmed him!’ muttered Hugo.

The cottage was ablaze by the time they reached it, but the smoke had finally entered Bucher’s lungs and made him cough. Dimly, he had become aware of the fact that his home was on fire and he had the presence of mind to stagger to the top of the stairs, only to find them burning fiercely and offering no escape. His peril was very real and fear sobered him.

He lapsed into his native tongue, and began to pray. As he prayed, he ran to the window and looked down. It seemed a long way to the ground and there was nothing to break his fall. Looking up, he saw the blazing roof and was seized by another fit of coughing as the wind blew the thick white smoke towards him.

‘Help me!’ he screamed. Terror gave added power to his thin voice, which was heard by the approaching group of horsemen. Behind Bucher the flames had reached the door and flickered under it and around the edges. From below him came the dull roar and the room was uncomfortably hot. Wisps of smoke found their way through the planking of the floor and he stared at them hypnotized, like a rabbit before a snake. Despairingly he fell on his knees beside the bed and resumed his prayers, his eyes closed against the smoke, his hands covering his ears, blotting out the awesome crackle of the fire. With a crash, the stairs collapsed and the sound jerked him into a fresh paroxsym of fear and a heightened sense of his helplessness. He knew he was going to die as surely as though he read the words. With a moan, he ran to the window to take a last look at the sky and from there to rail at his cruel God, who thus abandoned the innocent.

To his astonishment he saw a group of men ride up to his gate. They were shouting to him urgently, but he could not make out what they said. He leaned out, a wild hope forming in his breast that God, in his infinite mercy, had relented.

‘Jump!’ shouted Hugo. ‘As soon as the horses are in position. D’you hear me? Jump on to the horses. They will break your fall.’

‘I can’t!’ cried Bucher. ‘I know I can’t! God help me but I can’t.’

‘You must!’ shouted Hugo, and already the men had dismounted and were pushing the horses together. There were five animals and their backs made a broad if insecure platform.

‘Jump, you fool, before ’tis too late!’ urged Jon. The extreme heat was affecting the horses nearest to the house. They whinnied shrilly in alarm and fidgetted sideways.

‘Jump, damn you!’ shouted Hugo. ‘If not, then you’ll burn. We can do no more for you so
jump
!’

Awkwardly, Bucher climbed out on to the window ledge and closed his eyes. The ceiling behind him collapsed in a fierce tangle of burning reeds and a whirling mass of sparks. He actually fell out of the window, and his scream of fear was abruptly ended as he landed heavily among the backs of the horses and all the breath was knocked from him. The horses reared as he slipped down between them, and a hoof caught him across the back of the head. With a final agonized shudder he slipped into unconsciousness and was carried back to Heron in the same state.

*

No words from Hugo could reassure him or persuade him to reconsider his decision to go home. He was not a brave man nor a foolhardy one and he was convinced that, having failed the first attempt, his adversaries would try again. The prospect terrified him and his one aim was to put as many miles as possible between himself and Heron. He was breaking his contract by going, but remained unimpressed by all the arguments put forward to keep him in England. The shock of his ordeal had seriously undermined his health both physically and mentally. His hands shook visibly and his eyes had a haunted look which revealed his inner turmoil. He had lost weight and could not eat without nausea. A sleeping draught was recommended by the physician but he refused to take it, afraid that another attempt would be made on his life while he slept.

All the men believed to be involved in the attack were rounded up and detained for questioning by the justices, but they could not be shaken from their alibis — that they were at the harvest supper and had gone home early. They insisted stubbornly that they went straight to their homes and knew nothing of the fire until the following day. No one believed them and it was only a matter of time before one of them would back down and confess. So far it had not happened and no action had been taken to convict and punish them. Hugo was deeply incensed by this failure and his bitterness grew as Bucher remained adamant on the question of his return home. The entire success of the innovations at the mine depended on him and the prospect of losing him was unbearable. Jon was questioned about the two men he had passed on his return from Bucher’s house but he could not identify them. He was secretly glad that he could not do so, for he was convinced he would be marked down for harassment if he did. He was not a coward, but he had a wife and family and the tinners were hard men who could be very vindictive — as they had already demonstrated. Jon had no wish to cross them.

On the Thursday following the attack, Hugo stood in the Hall with Allan. ‘If only Maria would return,’ said Hugo wearily. ‘I don’t know what she could do but she is very shrewd. She might even charm Bucher into staying with us. He likes her well enough. They have become good friends.’

‘I doubt if anyone could persuade him,’ said Allan. ‘Eloise has tried to no avail. You have tried and so have I.’

‘Hell and damnation! Something
must
be done. I cannot let him go. He will never return and we will never find another to equal him. I know he is an odd fellow — they call him mincing man — but I’d give my eye-tooth to have half his skill. He is a brilliant man and we are going to lose him. Oh, why did Maggie let him go home? She should have insisted that he stayed at Heron.’

‘Poor Maggie. She reproaches herself daily, but how could she know what would happen? She’s not at fault. The blame rests squarely with the perpetrators of the crime.’

‘I know. I know.’ Hugo pressed a hand over his face and sighed heavily. ‘Dear God, I’ll crucify those bastards if I can. I swear I will. So much at stake! So much to lose! By God, they’ll know my wrath. They’ll know how it feels to cross a Kendal! But what good will it do if Bucher is lost to us?’

‘Revenge is sweet,’ said Allan.

‘Aye. So they say. And defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. They say that, also. If Bucher goes we may hang the villains but we’ll have lost. What a sorry mess. Ah, here comes Minnie.’

Minnie came downstairs with a tray and shook her head.

‘Not a bite!’ she reported. ‘I’ve cajoled him and sweet-talked him but he wouldn’t touch it. A nice coddled egg, I said, and a fine slice of ham. Very soothing for the nerves, eggs, I told him, but he said he had no appetite and was there any news of a riding party he could travel with to Harwich!’

‘Hell!’ muttered Hugo.

‘Poor little man,’ said Minnie. ‘He’s wasting away and his eyes have sunk right back in his head. I doubt they’ll recognize him when he does get home. And his fingers keep twitching at the sheet, never still. He took a sip or two of milk, though.’

‘He did? Did he drink much?’ asked Allan eagerly.

She shrugged. ‘A few sips. See, here’s the beaker. He took less than half. I don’t know how he’ll get to the coast the state he’s in. He’ll be that weak.’

She went away and the two men regarded each other dejectedly.

‘’Tis the Gillises,’ Allan said. ‘The damned Gillises.’

Hugo looked at him sharply. ‘’Twas not them alone. Boord, Greer, Jenkins.’

‘But they were behind it, I know it in my bones. Working out the curse after all these years.’

‘Don’t talk that way! ’Tis folly and you know it.’

‘Is it? I wonder. Perhaps we have been doomed ever since they hanged Marion Gillis.’ He spoke calmly but he avoided Hugo’s eyes. ‘She cursed the Kendals, so they say.’

‘Stop it! You rant on like an old woman!’

‘Mayhap we kick against our fate but cannot escape it.’

‘You play into their hands, then, by such fancies. Don’t speak this way again, Allan, d’you hear me?’

Allan turned to look at him and his face was haggard. ‘These accursed Gillises are my kin,’ he said. ‘All mad or bad, Nat said.’

‘I won’t stay here and listen to you!’ Hugo stormed. ‘Those Gillis brothers are far removed from you.’

‘And Annie Boord. She’s another of them.’

‘They’re an evil brood, but in Heaven’s name you are a
Kendal
. You were never a Gillis. Annie was born to a Gillis father. You were more fortunate. Your father was more fortunate. His was a Kendal father. There’s a world of difference and you’d do well to — Ah, here’s Eloise.’

She came up smiling cheerfully and slipped her arm through Allan’s. ‘I refuse to be sick at heart,’ she said. ‘A few more weeks and we shall be wed. Come, Allan, smile for me.’

But he pulled his arm free and strode away without a word.

‘Forgive him,’ said Hugo. ‘This wretched business has played havoc with our spirits but we must not give up hope.’

But his optimism was ill-founded. Maria returned three days later in time to witness Bucher’s departure. Hugo’s mood was one of black despair as they made their farewells and watched him ride away to join his party.

‘Someone will pay for this!’ he whispered bitterly.

Maria was shocked by the change in him. She had never seen her husband so angry and was suddenly fearful.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Hugo sat on a grassy mound, his elbows resting on his knees and his mouth pressed against his clasped hands. The mound on which he sat had once been a wall of the old Harben Priory, but it had long since crumbled and many of the stones had been taken away for use elsewhere. From where he sat he had a good view of the rest of the ruins and, beyond them, the gardens which had once been so lovingly tended by the monks. Andrew had been among that devoted band and Hugo found himself wishing his spirit might somehow return to advise him. Andrew was Elizabeth’s brother and Elizabeth had wed the first Kendal to live in Heron. So long ago and so promising a start, Hugo thought joylessly. Now where were they, this proud line of Kendals? The mine was closed: doomed in Hugo’s eyes. They were living on borrowed time. Without the precious tin, Heron would surely dwindle and die. There was a great bitterness in his soul and his heart was heavy. A month had passed since the outrage, during which time much had happened and none of it good. Bucher had returned to his native land with a half promise — reluctantly given — that he might one day come back to England and finish the task for which he had originally been engaged. Hugo knew in his heart that he would not do so, although for Maria’s sake he pretended to believe it.

Hugo had given the tinners an ultimatum. If the perpetrators of the deed confessed he would reopen the mine. If not he would close it forever. Those suspected — the men missed from the harvest supper — were held in custody awaiting charges, but there was no real evidence to connect them with the firing of the cottage. Jon had not recognized the two men he had passed that night on his return to Heron and all the men had alibis. There was someone to vouch for each one, to say that they were safe at home or on the way home in the company of friends or family. The ranks of the tinners had closed round the would-be assassins and time was running out. No one had come forward to confess to a part in the attack and no information had been laid before the justices which could bring about a conviction. The suspected men remained in gaol and Hugo’s vengeance fell upon the others. After an extended deadline there was still no response and he had closed the Heron mine for an indefinite period. A notice was posted outside to the effect that the planned alterations could no longer go ahead, since they were now without the expert advice needed to further the scheme. Hans Bucher would not return to England while the attack on his life went unpunished.

Maria had tried to remonstrate with him. It distressed her that the innocent were suffering along with the guilty, but Hugo argued with some justification that by concealing the identity of the guilty men they all shared responsibility for the crime and must thus be considered accessories to it. By refusing to betray the criminals they were giving tacit approval to their actions, and Maria was unable to argue with the ultimate logic of his argument. The plight of the tinners’ families disturbed her deeply, for she had always prided herself on a genuine interest in their welfare. Now she knew that the children would go hungry and in a few months’ time the elderly would be at risk from the winter cold. She would have helped them had she dared, but Hugo was adamant and she knew she must support him in the matter, however her humanitarian instincts might dictate to the contrary. All work at the mine ceased and the tinners and their families were left to endure the ensuing hardships.

For Hugo it had been a difficult decision. His loyalties were also divided to a great extent. On the one hand, he felt a natural responsibility to his work force. The Kendals were accounted good masters who treated their workers fairly. On the other hand, he felt a moral obligation towards Bucher who had come to England at his instigation. Hugo was deeply ashamed at the way his visitor had been treated. Whatever their imagined wrongs the men had gone too far. They had overstepped the limits of peaceful protest and had stooped to murder. There could be no relenting. Hugo was determined to maintain the pressure until they cracked under it. Justice must be done and all his thoughts were directed to that end.

He was thankful that Maria had other matters to occupy her thoughts. She had the wedding to prepare for and the household at Appledore to manage. The latter presented no real problem. James Moore had generously offered to undertake Martin’s initiation into the mysteries of sheep farming, and he had already started work with Frank Innley, one of Moore’s best shepherds. After a year, Martin should have a fair grasp of the basic principles of successful sheep farming. He would have experienced the various seasonal activities and he would have some idea of market procedure, feeding, breeding, lambing and doctoring. Not until then would Maria buy the new flock. When she did, one of James Moore’s younger lookers would be permanently engaged to help Martin. Hugo was very hopeful of the outcome of this venture. He would be pleased to see Martin with a means of livelihood. The only problem would be financing the flock. A little of the money remained from the sale of the previous flock, but more would be needed. If the Heron mine did not reopen they would be hard-pressed to find the money.

The wedding preparations were Maria’s most urgent problem. Allan and Eloise seemed more content with each other after their earlier discords and Hugo felt a little more hopeful of the success of the alliance. Allan must master his moods and Eloise her roving eye — but a family would soon take up all her energies. Her first son would provide Heron with a new heir — but what would remain for him to inherit if the mine failed? It was a bleak prospect and one which increasingly occupied Hugo’s thoughts.

He sighed deeply, stretched himself back against the springy turf and closed his eyes. He reconsidered the action he had taken in respect of the mine and wondered, if Simon had lived, would
he
have acted in the same way. He covered his face with his hands the better to recreate Simon’s image. What would Simon have done in his place? Simon, blond and blue-eyed, with only a hint of the Kendal arrogance. Simon Kendal alias Betts … His death had dropped the plum of Heron into Hugo’s lap. Was he now throwing it all away needlessly? He thought not, but there was a small doubt which persisted in spite of his declarations to the contrary. He sat up again and stared round him at the decaying masonry and weed-filled crevices, all that remained of the priory. Slowly he stood up and eased the tense muscles in his shoulders. He would waste no more time on doubts, he told himself. The die was cast. All he could do now was follow the course of action to the end, however bitter that might prove. He had taken a firm stand and he would not weaken. Come what may, he was determined Hans Bucher’s ordeal should not go unavenged.

*

Maria decided to invite Felicity Carr to the wedding and wrote to Martin suggesting that they should ride to Devon together two days before the wedding. She was fond of Felicity, but her real reason for the invitation was one that she scarcely cared to admit even to herself — that she hoped Felicity’s presence would distract Martin’s attention from Eloise. She dreaded another clash and had seriously considered not inviting Martin to come home for the event. But Allan wanted him as chief bride-knight so she had no alternative. Now she crossed her fingers for luck and prayed nothing would go wrong.

Eloise was not pleased to learn that Felicity was coming with Martin but she kept her feelings hidden. Martin had described the girl in flattering terms whenever he had wanted to arouse her jealousy and Eloise did not relish the prospect of a rival. She had hoped for the undivided attentions of both brothers, but it was done and there was nothing she could do about it. It was merely another source of irritation to her. As it was, the conflict between Hugo and the tinners had cast a gloom over the occasion. The large crowd of anticipated well-wishers would doubtless not now materialize. In addition, Hugo and Maria had decided to make the actual service as short as possible and omit the procession, so that any troublemakers could be kept away. One day
if
the mine reopened, Allan and Eloise would be mistress and master. It disappointed her that the families of the tinners would not recall their wedding day with joy. In many ways she wished they were not marrying at this particular time, but there was no way she could bring about a change in the plans. Eloise felt that Fate was using her unkindly, but she tried to put such disagreeable thoughts aside and greeted Felicity and Martin, when they arrived, with every appearance of pleasure.

Her heart gave an unexpected leap as she saw Martin, but her radiant smile went unheeded as he slipped from his horse and turned at once to help Felicity from hers. Eloise saw his hands linger round her waist once she was safely on the ground and she bit her lip in vexation. Was he trying to make her jealous, she wondered, or was he truly enjoying the companionship of this nobody? It was hardly likely, but she would certainly not give him the satisfaction of seeing her discomfiture. She hurried forward, arms outstretched to take Felicity’s hand and kiss her cheek. The girl smiled shyly at her.

‘You must be Felicity,’ said Eloise. ‘I’m pleased to meet you at last and am glad you could be here for the “great day”.’

‘I was so hoping to be invited,’ said Felicity with disarming frankness. ‘I have prayed for fine weather for you.’

Eloise had to admit to herself that the girl was attractive and well mannered. But low born, she reminded herself. How she must envy the new Mistress Kendal! She, Eloise, could afford to be generous.

Martin leaned between them, his face a picture of pretended dismay. ‘Don’t I qualify for a kiss of welcome?’ he asked. ‘I am to be chief bride-knight and have ridden many miles over rough terrain — ’

Eloise laughed. She wanted to kiss him to show Felicity the closeness of
their
relationship, but she would not give Martin the satisfaction of such a kiss. Also, Allan was already on the step behind her, so instead she turned and put her arm through his.

‘Here is Felicity,’ she told him. ‘Say “Hello” and then I shall take her under my wing. We have so much to talk about and none of it fit for your ears!’

She smiled at Felicity, who seemed unsure how to take this remark, but Allan kissed her briefly.

‘You look remarkably fresh after your long journey,’ he said.

‘Do
I
look fresh?’ asked Martin. ‘Will no one pay
me
a compliment?’

‘Martin has taken excellent care of me,’ said Felicity. ‘Will that suffice, Martin?’

Maria now came out of the house and Jon arrived to lead away the horses. Maria hugged both new arrivals and apologized for Hugo’s absence.

‘He is out somewhere,’ she told them. ‘The Bucher affair has affected him deeply and he prefers often to be alone. I think my chatter about food and clothes and gifts is more than he can bear at present, but he will be back soon, I’m sure, and is eager to see you both. Eloise, you take care of Felicity. I crave a few words with this young man.’

As the two young women disappeared upstairs she led Martin into the Hall, her arms about his waist.

‘What have I done now?’ he protested.

‘Nothing, to my knowledge,’ said Maria. ‘Nor will I trust. I want only to ask you not to rile Allan while you are home. No, let me finish. These last few weeks have taken their toll and our tempers are easily frayed. Martin, whatever grievances you bear each other lay them aside, I beg you, for these next few days. I want nothing to mar the wedding. There is no need for anything to go amiss. Think twice before you speak and try not to provoke your brother.’

‘And if he provokes me?’

‘Why should he do so, Martin? He is to be wed in three days’ time to a beautiful bride. He deserves to be happy and ’tis right that he should. Your turn will come later. For my sake, Martin, try to behave as a loving brother and … ’ She hesitated, ‘ … keep away from Eloise.’

‘Maria! How can I — ’

‘Oh I know that look of injured innocence, Martin, but you well know that a word or a look will call forth a pert answer from her and Allan will take it the wrong way. I do not find fault with you — ’

‘Indeed you do!’

Maria rolled her eyes despairingly and counted to ten. ‘Then I do not mean to,’ she said placatingly. ‘I merely ask you to try and avoid any ill feeling. No one is perfect. Eloise can be provocative and Allan can be touchy and you can be maddening. Oh, you can. Don’t deny it.’

‘Then I must sit in a corner all day and twiddle my thumbs and answer with monosyllables if spoken to — ’

‘You see! You are being maddening now! I’ll say no more but trust to your good intentions.’ She smiled suddenly into the handsome but sullen face. ‘How are you enjoying your time with Innly? Is he as good a teacher as was promised?’

Fortunately, she had touched upon a subject dear to his heart. He was thoroughly enjoying his time with the capable shepherd and was quite happy to talk of their mutual experiences. The other less acceptable topic was put aside and no further reference made to it.

*

Meanwhile Eloise had shown Felicity to her own chamber, which they were to share for the next few days. She left the girl to refresh herself and then, after a decent interval, rejoined her in the little room which would not be hers for much longer.

Felicity was admiring the bridal gown which hung against the wall. It was of heavy cream brocade and the head-dress was of pink and gold with creamy lace.

‘’Tis exquisite,’ she said, turning as Eloise entered the chamber. ‘And ’twill be quite perfect with your rich auburn hair. Martin told me you were beautiful and he did not exaggerate.’