A Refuge at Highland Hall (15 page)

The boy's eyes flashed. “I should've known you would take his side.”

“That is not what I said.”

“So you think I should just stand there and let him mock me in front of the others?”

“I think you should have the good sense to not let someone's careless words pull you into a fistfight.”

“So this is my fault? What about him? He's the one taunting me every day, stirring up trouble.”

William turned to Donald. “Is that true?”

Donald jabbed his finger toward Andrew. “He's the one who has an attitude as big as this house. It doesn't matter what I say.”

“I think it might be best if we spoke to the boys, one at a time, in private.” William stepped toward Donald. “Take a seat here in the hall and wait with Penny, while we speak to Andrew.”

Donald smirked and gave a cocky glance at Andrew.

William narrowed his eyes. “Don't think because I'm calling him in first that you are not in trouble. I take this kind of poor behavior very seriously.”

Donald's face fell, and he dropped his gaze to the floor.

“Come with me, Andrew.” William turned and strode into the library.

Julia released a deep breath and crossed the entrance hall after them. She dismissed Mrs. Dalton, who had stood by and observed it all, then walked into the library.

Undoubtedly, the rest of the staff would soon know the details of the confrontation.

As soon as they entered the library, William motioned for Julia to continue their conversation with his son.

She hoped a calm discussion would help resolve matters. “I'd like you to tell us what you did wrong.”

“But what about Donald? He's the one—”

“We'll speak to him, and he'll be required to answer the same questions. But you need to take responsibility for your actions.”

Andrew's mouth twisted. “I suppose I lost my temper and I hit Donald.”

“Is that all?”

“I cursed him and called him a…rotten street urchin.”

Julia's heart clenched, but she kept her voice calm. “Why are those things wrong?”

Andrew looked up with a puzzled expression. “Because you don't like fighting or cursing.”

“That's true. But it's not only my opinion that matters.”

He glanced at William. “You don't like it either.”

William gave a solemn nod. “When we're mocked or insulted, the wise response is to ignore it or speak to the person in private and try to resolve your differences.”

“Donald wouldn't listen to me.”

“You didn't try, so you don't know.” Julia softened her tone. “Jesus asks us to turn the other cheek and love our enemies.”

“I can't imagine that.” Andrew's words were still strong, but his tone was not as heated.

“It is a high standard but one we should all aim for,” Julia added.

Andrew's shoulders sagged. “I try to get along, but those boys don't like me.”

“That's a different matter, and I'd be glad to give you some ideas about building friendships with Donald and the others, but right now we need to deal with what happened today.”

Andrew gave a slight shrug and looked up.

“What will you do the next time you overhear an unkind remark? Because you can be certain it will happen.”

Andrew grimaced. “I don't know why you allow those boys free rein at Highland. They've no schooling, no background. In my opinion, they ought to be put to work with the German prisoners in the fields.”

William's expression grew stony. “You will listen to Julia and answer her question, or you will stand in the music room by yourself until you are ready to give an answer.”

Andrew glanced at the door leading to the music room, the struggle evident on his face. Finally, he straightened his shoulders and looked at his father. “If I overhear a rude remark, I will try to ignore it or I'll ask the person to stop.” He lowered his voice and grumbled, “Though I don't think it will make any difference.”

William's dark eyebrows rose. “We'll see what happens the next time you have an opportunity to overlook an unkind remark, won't we?”

Andrew gave a slight nod.

William released a breath. “All right, Andrew. You may go, but you can expect us to call you back to apologize to Donald after we finish speaking to him.”

Andrew's face reddened again. “Will he be apologizing to me?”

“We'll see.”

Andrew and William looked at each other for several seconds. Finally, William motioned toward the door. “Please ask Donald to come in, and I will be watching to see how you do it.”

Andrew turned and strode out of the room. William followed him to the doorway, and Julia stepped to the left to have a clear view of Andrew's actions as well. The boy delivered the message to Donald, then took the stairs two at a time and disappeared from view.

Donald walked in, his steps slow and heavy. The earlier bravado he'd shown had melted away while he waited his turn to speak to them. He stopped only a few steps into the room and stared down at the floor.

“Please come here and look at me, Donald.”

The boy raised his head, cast a wary glance at William, and took a few steps toward them. He looked as though he expected a scolding, and Julia couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for him.

“You are here at Highland as our guest, but as we told you the first day, we expect you to be respectful of others and thoughtful in your speech and actions.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you understand what you did that caused this fight?”

He nodded.

“Go ahead and tell us. Confession is good for the soul.”

“I poked fun at Andrew and said he'd never train that horse.”

“Why was that wrong?”

“Because he hit me for it.”

“It caused a fight, yes, but I'd like you to think past the results to the offense itself. Why is it wrong to poke fun at Andrew or anyone else?”

“I guess it hurts their feelings and makes them mad.”

“Yes, it does. And we live by a higher standard here, one that says we are to love and honor each other and build one another up.”

“But he was doing a poor job. I felt sorry for the horse.”

Julia pressed her lips together to hold back her smile, and she could tell William was struggling a bit too.

Her husband nodded. “Yes, I've seen him, and it's true he's just learning how to work with the pony. But when you noticed he was having difficulties, you had a choice to make.”

Donald cocked his head.

“You could've kept quiet or offered some encouragement.”

“I don't think he'd have liked to hear anything I had to say.”

“Perhaps not, but you still had a choice.” William waited. “Do you understand?”

Donald gave a slight shrug.

Julia bit her lip. There was a deeper issue causing strife between the boys, and she wished she could help them see it.

“Donald.” She waited until he looked her way. “There are some differences between you and Andrew, but I also think you have many things in common.”

He sent her a skeptical look. “Me and Andrew?”

“Yes, you're both determined and intelligent, and you're both strong leaders.”

The boy's face turned slightly pink, but she could tell he was pleased with her assessment.

“The other children look up to you. And you can have a great influence for good if you make the right choices.”

He watched her with keen interest now.

“What Sir William said is important. We want everyone at Highland to show honor and respect and learn to become peacemakers rather than troublemakers. If you'll remember that, you'll be admired and appreciated by everyone.”

Donald gave a slow nod, then looked back and forth between them. “May I go now?”

“Yes, you may.”

Julia watched Donald walk out the door. Would he take what they had said to heart? Would it help the boys understand each other and get along better? She certainly hoped so.

Lawrence stepped into the doorway. “Excuse me, sir, but the car is just pulling up the drive.”

William nodded to the butler. “Very good, Lawrence. Thank you.” He turned to Julia. “My dear.”

She took his arm and walked out to meet Sarah, Clark, and Aunt Agatha.

The sun beat down on Lydia's shoulders as she shepherded the children up the lane, toward the house. She swiped her forehead and glanced at Helen. Her sister walked beside her, carrying Emily. The children were unusually quiet, no doubt still a bit stunned by Andrew and Donald's foolish fight at the stable yard.

Rose slowed her pace. “What do you think Sir William will do about Andrew and Donald?”

“I'm not sure, but I wouldn't want to be in their shoes.” The memory of Mr. McTavish and Miss Penny pulling the two boys apart made Lydia shake her head.

Rose looked up, eyes anxious. “Do you think Sir William will get rid of the pony?”

“I don't know. We'll have to wait and see.”

Rose bit her lip and gave her head a slight shake. “Donald shouldn't have said what he did, but Andrew shouldn't have hit him for it either.”

“No, he shouldn't. Both boys let their tempers get the best of them.” Lydia sighed. Andrew was a wild one, fighting and cursing like a lowborn field hand. He ought to be ashamed of himself. Would Sir William punish him by selling the pony? That didn't seem right, but it might be the only way Andrew would take the lesson to heart.

“Look, someone's coming.” Helen nodded toward the main gate. The Ramseys' dark-blue motorcar drove past the open gateway and up the main drive toward the house.

“That must be Mr. Dalton and his wife and aunt. Lady Julia said she expected them this afternoon.” Lydia glanced at the children and clicked her tongue. She should've brought them back earlier so they could wash their hands and look a bit more presentable to greet Clark, Mrs. Sarah, and his aunt, but there was nothing to be done about it now. She hurried to the front of the group. “Come along, quickly now.”

Mr. Lawrence stepped out the front door followed by Patrick, the footman, and Mrs. Dalton, the housekeeper. Sir William, Lady Julia, and Miss Penny walked out to join them. The car rolled to a stop, and Hardy, the chauffeur, hopped out and opened the rear passenger door. Patrick stepped forward and opened the other passenger door.

Where were Donald and Andrew? Probably banished to their rooms. Lydia led the children around the car and lined them up next to Mrs. Dalton. She wiped her hands on her apron and straightened Rose's hair ribbon.

Clark stepped out of the car, then he turned and offered his hand to Mrs. Sarah. She climbed out, and Lady Julia greeted her with a hug.

Sir William shook Clark's hand, then kissed his sister on the cheek. “Welcome home, Sarah. We've missed you.”

“And I've missed all of you as well.” Sarah smiled up at Clark and took his hand.

“Well, is anyone going to help me get out?” The elderly woman's voice came from beyond the open door.

Everyone turned toward the motorcar. Lydia leaned to the right, hoping for a better view. But she couldn't see Clark's aunt.

Sarah shot a concerned look at Clark. He quickly reached inside to help his aunt.

Mrs. Dalton stepped forward. “I can lend a hand.”

“Miranda, is that you?” The older woman's head appeared in the doorway of the motorcar.

Mrs. Dalton leaned down and smiled, though it looked a bit forced. “Yes, Agatha, it's me.”

“Thank goodness, a familiar face.”

“How was your trip?” Mrs. Dalton extended her hand.

“Terrible. The train was hot and dirty. I've been jostled about all day.”

Mrs. Dalton eased the older woman out of the car and supported her on one side, while Clark supported her on the other. She wore a long black coat and prim black hat with netting that shadowed her pale, wrinkled face.

Agatha looked around. “My goodness, who are all these people?”

Sarah motioned toward William. “This is my brother, Sir William Ramsey, Baronet of Highland Hall, and this is his wife, Lady Julia Ramsey.”

Agatha squinted at them as they greeted her.

“And this is my cousin, Penelope Ramsey,” Sarah continued. “My other cousin, Katherine Foster, is expecting a baby. She's resting inside, but you'll meet her soon.”

Lady Julia placed her hand on Millie's shoulder. “This is William's daughter, Millicent, and this is Clark's niece, Abigail, your great-niece.” The two girls gave brief curtsies. “You'll meet our son, Andrew, later. The other children are under Katherine and Jonathan's care. They've come from London to stay with us for a time.”

Agatha's watery gray eyes widened. “All these children live here at Highland with you?”

Lady Julia's smile melted. “Why…yes, they do.”

Clark's aunt pressed her lips into a sour line. “I had no idea the house was full of children. I never would've agreed to come if I'd known that.” She wrinkled her nose and sniffed. “How do you expect me to rest and recover my strength with a herd of children running through the house, disturbing me night and day?”

Heat flashed in Lydia's face, and she clenched her hands.
How rude!

Julia stared at Agatha for a moment, obviously restraining herself. Finally, she said, “The children have a structured routine, and the house is quite large. I don't believe they'll prevent you from getting your rest.”

Agatha huffed. “Well, I don't want to stand out here all day, discussing it. I'm not feeling well. I want to go inside and lie down.”

Lady Julia shot Sir William a heated glance, then motioned toward the front door. “Of course. Please come with me.”

Clark and Mrs. Dalton ushered Agatha through the doorway.

Helen leaned toward Lydia. “What a sour old apple,” she muttered.