Twelfth Night at Eyre Hall (8 page)

“Would you make sure Mrs. Mason is aware
of your opinion? It would greatly help my sister’s position.”

“Does Dante love her?”

“My sister tells me they are in love.”

“Is he prepared to marry her?”

“I believe so.”

“Then the matter is solved.”

“Perhaps not. Mr. Greenwood may insist
on your marriage to his son. If you inform Mrs. Mason that such a match would
not be to your pleasure, Susan’s position will be more favourable.”

“Rest assured, Lieutenant Kirkpatrick, I
will inform Jane at once.”

“I cannot thank you enough, Miss Mason.”

She opened the door. “Lieutenant
Kirkpatrick, you must understand that my uncle is a very dangerous man.”

“I fear no man, Miss Mason.”

“I was thinking of Jane. Your visit may
have put her at great risk.”

“Nothing is further from my intentions,
Miss Mason.”

“Then please proceed with caution. Mrs.
Mason is a married woman.”

The Carringtons had already left. Joseph
took me back to the inn, and I mulled over the evening’s events, head bent and
spirits low. Annette was right. I had ruined everything for myself and for
Jane. I had dug a hole and crawled inside with every shameful word I had said.
I had hurt Jane with my foolhardy words, which she did not deserve. I had
confronted her son, and placed her in an embarrassing situation with her
husband, while her house was full of family and guests. I was indeed the
unworthy, miserable cad her son had identified. I deserved Saul’s death. Indeed,
it had crossed my mind to end the misery I had been feeling since I had left
Eyre Hall over a year ago. I imagined my finger on the trigger and the barrel at
my temple. One quick movement and it would be over. No more pain. 

***

I watched Michael jump into the carriage
and returned to the library. Jane was as I had left her, staring into the fire
with a blank expression. I approached the couch, uncertain of whether she
wanted my company. I asked her how she was feeling.

“I’m not sure I’m able to express, or
even understand, how I feel at this moment, Annette.”

“Jane, is there anything I can do to
help?” I asked.

“Sit with me, if you care to.” I sank
into the couch by her side.

“I have been speaking to Lieutenant
Kirkpatrick. He is very worried about his sister. He has told me of her
predicament.”

“Women in love are often foolish and
impulsive. On Susan’s behalf, she was vulnerable. Adele should have taken more
care of her, and Mr. Greenwood should have brought up his son to be more
honourable. He must have seduced her while she was in his own house! It is most
unfair.”

“I think they are in love, Jane.”

“How can you know?”

“Well, Dante has been honest with me. He
told me he would marry me if I agreed, to please his father, but he informed me
that he loved another woman whom his father would not approve of, because she
had no dowry. I had no idea who it was, but now I gather it is Susan. I have no
feelings whatsoever for Dante, and I am not inclined to marry a man who loves
another woman. I would prefer to remain a spinster than to marry a man I do not
love.”

“Are you in love, Annette?”

“I do not know. I have had very little
experience with men.” I lied because the truth was unspeakable.

“Would you like a season in London? You
are so beautiful, and with your dowry, you would have suitors to choose from.”

“I am too old for that, and the idea of
parading in fancy balls to exhibit myself and my dowry in search of the highest
bidder is unacceptable to me.”

“I can understand that, but the older
you are, the less choice you will have.”

“I do not care if I never marry. I could
return to the convent in Jamaica. I was happy there, or I could stay at Eyre
Hall, with you. You will be alone when Adele marries.”

“Would you stay and watch John marry and
have children?”

I was surprised at her question. “It
seems we are both in love with men we cannot marry. What are we going to do, Jane?”

We hugged and laughed, and then cried in
each other’s arms.

“I feel exhausted, Annette, and
terrified. The earth is cracking beneath my feet. I am falling into a pit and
there is nothing to stop me reaching the bottom. I used to think I was in
charge, that I could run this family and the estate, but I am a wreck, and this
family and the estate are coming to pieces.”

“Mother Superior used to say when we had
a complex problem that we should meditate on it as if it were a flower with
different petals. Each petal was a small part of the problem that should be
tackled independently and torn away, until only the central receptacle was
left. The receptacle on its own withers and the problem disappears.”

“Interesting theory, but I can’t think
right now. I need to rest. I wish I could go to sleep and wake up in six months’
time.”

“I’m afraid that if you don’t do
anything about it except sleep, when you wake up, the problem will still be
there waiting for you, probably having increased in proportion.”

She smiled. “You are right, of course.”

“I do not think, if I may say so, that
Phoebe is the right person for John.”

“Perhaps you are right. Elizabeth was so
perfect, but Phoebe, well, she is a spoilt child; her parents were too busy
making Elizabeth into the perfect daughter to pay much attention to her younger
sister, and perhaps, she ran wild. Now she is getting all the attention she
never had, she is too immature, and John is unhappy. I can see that. He has
been unhappy since his father died. So unsettled and distant. He was never like
that before. What can I do?”

“Ask him what the matter is. You may not
like what he has to say, but at least you will know.”

“Annette, where does your wisdom come
from?”

“My father, obviously. My poor mother
was very unwise. Although the sisters at the convent were wonderful teachers; I
miss them dearly.”

 “Perhaps you could return to Jamaica to
visit them?”

“I should very much like to return to
Jamaica, one day.”

***

Michael slipped out of the drawing room shortly
after dinner, and a good while later, Mrs. Mason followed suit. Adele, Mr.
Greenwood and Dante retired, making excuses related to Miss Adele’s headache,
and the admiral and his wife wished us goodnight, too. Not long afterwards, a
storm struck Eyre Hall. Mr. Mason, who was drunk, dashed out of the room. When he
returned, making improper comments about his extraordinary wife, Master John stormed
off with the stunning Miss Mason at his heels. Phoebe rushed out after her almost
betrothed while her ridiculous sister waited excitedly for Michael’s return,
brazenly telling us how he had enraptured her with his navy uniform and good
looks. Master John returned with Phoebe, looking mad as a dog with rabies, and
Mrs. Carrington wisely complained of tiredness, so we returned to the inn.

I waited for Michael at the bar. He
greeted me glumly and wished me good night, but I was not letting him off that
easily.

“Just a moment, Kirkpatrick. I want a
word with you.”

He hesitated, “I’m tired, Captain.”

“Stay, Kirkpatrick. Have a brandy with
me. I hate to drink alone.”

Michael nodded. “Very well, sir.”

“Good. Let us sit here, by the
fireplace, and don’t you dare get up to poke it. You are not a servant any
more. Next time you go to Eyre Hall, do not behave like a valet. Remember you
are a lieutenant of Her Majesty’s Navy. Do not forget that. Do not poke the
fire or offer anyone a drink.”

“I was a servant at Eyre Hall for many
years.”

“You’re not a servant anymore, nor will
you ever be one again. Is that understood?”

Kirkpatrick looked like a broken man,
instead of an admired naval officer.

“Yes, sir. It is hard for me to be
there, to see her, to watch him touch her. I thought I could be near her and
not be affected, but my feelings are even stronger than before.”

He paused looking into the fire, then
turned to me. “I want her back.”

“Easy my boy, she’s a married woman, at
the moment. Don’t get yourself into trouble.”

“I challenged Mason to a duel, but he
backed out.”

“Good grief, man! You will have to
control your temper. A duel could ruin your military career.”

“I wanted to kill him.” 

 “I bet you did.”

I remembered the mutineers he had slain without
hesitation in face to face combat on board. Of course that was different. It
was self–defence, but if he viewed Mason as a threat he could make the mistake
of killing him too, and he’d be ruined.

 “He’s not a threat, although he’s
putting his dirty paws on the woman you love.”

“He has not touched her! Theirs is a
marriage of convenience.”

“Perhaps.” I needed to make him express
all his anger and channel it into a more useful weapon. “Two husbands and a
young lover…”

He jumped up and grabbed the mantel. “Be
careful, Captain.”

“Well, I can see she’s very good at
doing what’s expected, and putting up a damned good show.”

“I warn you, Captain…” He tugged at the
mantel as if he intended to tear it apart. He was close to breaking down, but I
thought it would do him some good to express his frustration, so I pushed him
further.

“I bet she’s had her share of men
chasing her. I can easily see why; flawless complexion, porcelain neck,
stunning eyes, magnificent hair, a slight waist, and slim and shapely figure. She
is a beauty. I bet you have tasted her. It is driving you mad to be near her
and not have her again, isn’t it? Perhaps someone else might beat you to it.”

“I could kill you for saying that!” He
turned to me with blazing eyes and fisted hands.

“I’m sure you could, Kirkpatrick. You
could kill me or anyone who stands in your way, but you had better not take
that road. It will keep you away from her forever.” I put my hand on his
shoulder. “Mason’s old and looks pretty sick to me. I can’t see him holding up
much longer.”

“His death wouldn’t guarantee anything.
She may not have feelings for me. I behaved dishonourably. In any case, John is
right, I am not worthy of her.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself. She cannot
keep her eyes off you.”

“I was a heartless fool to leave her.”

“I don’t know if she loves you. I’ve
never understood women, and never will, but I am damn sure she still wants you.
I could almost hear her shiver every time you spoke, and she looked at that
young girl, what is her name? Claire, no Clarissa, fiercely every time she
touched your arm. She is a flirt, probably an innocent flirt, at the moment,
but once she has sunk her teeth in a man’s flesh, she will never have enough
with one, same as the sister, Frances, no Phoebe. Do you think young Mr.
Rochester will marry the filly?”

“He will do whatever his mother asks him
to do. He is devoted to her.”

“Fascinating woman, Mrs. Mason. She seems
to have many people devoted to her, and her money and power.”

“You seem to know a great deal about
women, Captain.”

“As much as any man can know. Fifty–five
years teaches a man plenty. I have had my share. Still do when I can. I love my
wife, but months at sea and battles, never knowing which day may be your last,
make every minute precious.”

“Every minute I’m near Jane is precious
to me because I don’t deserve it. I should not have come back to Eyre Hall. I’m
trapped again and it is hopeless.” He held his head in his hands. I let him
think about her for a few minutes. We drank our brandy in silence until I
finally spoke.

“Make sure she knows you still love
her.”

“She must know I love her.”

“Women are strange creatures; they need
a great deal of reassurance. Make sure she gets it.”

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.”

“Will you be able to wait for her?”

“I think not.”

He could have any woman he desired, but he
wanted the unattainable yet fascinating mistress of Eyre Hall, and he was crazy
enough to get her.

“Don’t do anything foolish.”

He swallowed his brandy. I hoped he
would be wise enough to control his rage.

 “So, what are you doing tomorrow when
we’re in York?”

“First I’m returning to Eyre Hall for a
letter, and then I’m leaving for London. I need to do something for Jane.”

“Good. She trusts you. Is it a difficult
mission?”

He watched the fire and shook his head. “It’s
almost impossible. I must locate the whereabouts of someone who disappeared
over ten years ago.”

“Any clues?”

“A letter and an address in London where
the person was last seen.”

“Can I help?”

“I am afraid not. It’s not a matter I am
at liberty to discuss.”

“Any malpractice involved?”

“Possibly.”

“Would law enforcement be of any help?”

“Probably.”

“My wife has a cousin who works at
Scotland Yard; name is Wilson, Sergeant Stanley Wilson. They share the same
grandfather, a wine merchant in Covent Garden. I’ll write you a letter for him.
Use it if you need it.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Mr. Raven refilled our glasses and I
asked him for a cigar. “Now, tell me about your sister.”

“Susan says Dante is willing to marry
her, but he may not be able to do so.”

“Did you have to threaten him?”

He smiled and shook his head. “No, not
at all. They are in love, and although they were too hasty, Dante is prepared to
marry Susan of his own accord, but Mr. Greenwood is aiming for Miss Mason’s
dowry for his son.”

“The stunning Miss Mason, indeed. What a
wild, Caribbean beauty and so tamed to polite society. I noticed she had no
inclination towards young Dante. Avoided him, more like. He is too artistic for
her, perhaps? A woman like that needs another type of man. I fancied her eyes
fixed on fiery young John’s, who seemed to return her lustful glances.”

“Maybe you are right. However, if Mr.
Browning insists, Mrs. Mason may have to press his suit.”

“Surely Mrs. Mason would not force Miss
Mason to marry Dante against her wishes?”

“She might have to. It could be part of
the negotiation for Mr. Greenwood’s marriage to Miss Adele, which is long
overdue.”

“But Miss Adele and Mr. Greenwood are
already engaged, aren’t they?”

“Not officially. Mr. Greenwood’s
finances are in need of assistance and Adele’s dowry may not be enough.”

“Surely Mrs. Mason could make a
complimentary settlement which would help Greenwood’s finances.”

“Mrs. Mason has told me she will discuss
the matter with Mr. Greenwood.”

“What about Mr. Mason?”

“I understand Miss Mason’s marriage is
in Mrs. Mason’s hands.”

“So, if you are successful in the matter
you are to deal with in London, Mrs. Mason would be more inclined to help Susan?”

“Not exactly. I think she will help
Susan because she understands her plight, and knows that they are in love. Annette
has informed me that she has no wish to marry Dante. The matter in London is
something I had promised Jane I would do before I left a year ago. However, I
have little hope of any satisfactory advance in the matter.” 

“Don’t underestimate yourself,
Kirkpatrick.”

We were silent for a long time, until
the flames died down and all the customers had gone home or to their rooms. The
innkeeper asked us if we wanted anything else before he retired.

“Thank you, Mr. Raven. Another brandy.
We’ll be going to our rooms shortly.”

He poured us another round and left. We
drank in silence, staring into the embers.

“Come on, let’s get some sleep.”

Michael looked like death warmed up;
dark circles under his bloodshot, lifeless eyes, hunched shoulders, and his
feet dragged as he walked.

I turned to him with my hand on his
shoulder. “Tell her you love her again tomorrow.” His eyes shone and his face
twisted in pain.

“That woman loves you, Kirkpatrick, as
much as you love her. Fight for her, but be patient. Mr. Mason is not a young
man or a healthy man, and he has many enemies. Mark my words; she’ll be a widow
again very soon, my boy.”

I had seen men cry often in pain or in
fear of death, but never for love. His eyes shone and he wiped his tears away.
“I hate myself for failing her, hurting her, and not being able to protect
her.”

“Sleep on it, my boy. You’ll have her
almost to yourself tomorrow; it seems we’re all leaving Eyre Hall for a few
days.”  

I watched him stoop into his chamber and
hoped he would regain his strength and his sight and put it to good use on the
morrow, or I would have to retire as captain.

***