White Water (13 page)

‘I’m here!’ he yelled as Jem came rushing through the bushes in search of them. With a tremendous effort Wynne threw off Martin and rolled free as Jem leapt for him. Then the bush was between them but Martin was back on his feet.

‘’Tis Wynne!’ cried Jem. ‘Corner him against the wall!’

Seeing the danger, Wynne charged between them before they could close in on him, then he turned to the right and made a dash for the orchard. The dog ran up again, leaping at him, hostile now. He caught at his sleeve and hung on.

With an oath Wynne swung him off the ground and into a broad tree trunk. As he yelped the dog released Wynne’s sleeve, but now Jem had doubled round. There was only one way to go and that was towards the pond.

‘Stop the wretch!’ cried Jem. ‘After him, boy!’

Wynne managed to keep just ahead of them and reached the water. He waded out and began to swim. Jem waded after him shouting back to Martin, ‘I’ll hold him. Go fetch a rope. We’ll need to bind his hands. Behind the first stable door. Go!’

Martin hesitated then ran back the way they had come. Jem reached Wynne to find he had snatched the oar from the old boat and now faced him with it. He braced himself as the wooden blade curved murderously towards him then grasped it and jerked as hard as he could. Surprised, Wynne stumbled forward and released his hold of the oar, and seizing his chance Jem brought the oar round and down on the back of Wynne’s head. Wynne gave a short cry and fell face downwards into the dark water. Jem dragged him to the water’s edge.

‘I reckon I’ve stunned him, sir!’ he cried when at last Martin reappeared, ‘and thank the Lord for that! A vicious bastard, this one.’

‘Is there any need then, to tie his hands?’

‘Aye, ’tis safer. He’ll come round shortly and he’s going to be desperate!’

They twisted the man’s hands behind his back and knotted the rope securely. Then together they dragged him up to the house and on to the steps where Maria and Felicity waited anxiously. It was only when they examined him by the light of the candle that they discovered his neck was broken. Mark Wynne was dead.

It was four days before Maria and Martin were able to leave for Heron. Hugo was waiting for them and listened to the account of the episode with horror. When Martin described Wynne’s death he said, ‘And a good riddance! ’Tis quite intolerable that such scum should prey upon innocent folk. Felicity had a narrow escape. Dear God! When I think how it
might
have ended. But what then? How did you dispose of the wretch’s body?’

Maria took up the tale again. ‘I’m ashamed to say we left it in the hall for what was left of the night. The truth is no one knew what to do with it.’

‘Jem wanted to toss him back into the pond!’ said Martin with a grin, ‘but Maria would not have it.’

‘He can smile now,’ said Maria, ‘but ’twas no laughing matter, I can assure you. What did we do next? Next morning Jem rode into Ashford to the justices and they sent a man with a cart and took Wynne away. There were a few legalities. Martin and Jem told how it happened and the clerk wrote it down. They put their signatures to it — ’

‘Jem put his mark,’ Martin corrected her.

‘And ’twas all over,’ she said, ignoring the interruption. She sighed heavily. ‘A sad end, in some ways, for I believe he had given Harold good service for many years.’

Hugo put an arm round her. ‘You are too soft hearted.’

‘But what makes a man go to the bad?’

Hugo shrugged. ‘Who can say? Drink, mayhap, or some base aspect of his personality. The stars, mayhap, ill placed at his birth.’

Martin said, ‘Rumour has it that he had a woman once and beat her ’til she ran off. So Jem says.’

Seeing the depressing direction of their conversation Hugo said forcefully, ‘Jem may be right. But let’s talk no more on the subject of Mark Wynne. He brought about his own downfall and has no claim on our pity. Now, Maria, tell me how Ruth fares — ’

‘The physician was well pleased with her recovery.’

‘And Felicity is none the worse for her ordeal?’

‘She, too, is quite recovered.’

‘Good. Then the incident must be forgotten and the sooner the better.’

At that moment the two younger children appeared with the puppy and flung themselves first on Maria and then on Martin with cries of welcome. They then dragged the latter away to show him various tricks which they claimed to have taught the pup during his absence. As soon as they had gone, Maria turned to her husband.

‘How goes the match?’ she asked eagerly. ‘Allan and Eloise — do you think they like each other? Has there been a sign or a hint? I thought of nothing else until Mark Wynne appeared on the scene. Hugo, do tell me what has been happening.’

‘I will, I will!’ he laughed. ‘If you have done with your questions, I may venture some answers! Do I think they like each other?’ He paused reflectively and Maria bit back an impatient comment. ‘I think Eloise is disappointed that he does not show her more affection, but knowing Allan as well as I do, I think he is giving her more attention than I expected.’

‘Hugo! What does that mean? Have you answered my questions?’

He opened his hands with a helpless gesture. ‘How can I say more? As far as I can tell they do not quarrel and they spend a fair amount of time together.’

‘A fair amount! Is that all? Oh, what is the matter with the boy? There are times when I could shake him.’

Hugo shook his head gently. ‘No Maria, he’s no longer a child. No one can influence him. I think he finds her more attractive than he cares to admit. His manner is — guarded. He needs more time, that is all.’

‘And Eloise? Is she all we hoped for? You have seen her this past week. What is your true opinion of her? I must know. Did we make a wise choice?’

Again his reply was slightly guarded. ‘Eloise is — intelligent and has great charm but she is used to her own way, I feel. Her father has obviously indulged her in everything. That much was evident in the time he was here. She is also rather vain but who can blame her. She is already a beauty.’

Maria was chastened by his observations and Hugo regretted her disappointment.

‘You did ask for a true opinion,’ he reminded her, ‘and ’tis hardly a calamity. On the other side of the coin she is interested in the management of the house and the mine — ’

‘The mine?’

‘Aye. We talked at some length on the subject and she is eager to learn all she can and has a ready ’understanding. She asked Minnie for her recipe for mincemeat and has won
her
heart completely. She has won everyone’s affection — Ellie, Ben, Matt. They all adore her.’

‘Oh.’ Maria felt a slight twinge of jealousy but quickly suppressed it, ashamed of her reaction. ‘So there’s hope for them?’

‘If Allan can give her all the love and attention she craves aye, there’s hope for them. We must put our trust in God. I think all will be well. But why are we still standing on the steps. We’ll go in and find you food and drink. Oh Maria, I have to let you go away, for ’tis so
good
when you come home!’

Eloise was delighted to discover that Maria and Martin had returned. She had been looking forward to a supper at which the whole family was present and she could take her place as Allan’s bride-to-be and ‘second’ mistress of Heron. Since her arrival she had worked hard at winning hearts and influencing her future father-in-law. Her father had done his best to promote her, but she had finally grown tired of his constant efforts to convince Hugo that she was the perfect bride for Allan. Why did no one try to persuade her of Allan’s suitability as her husband? Her original doubts about him had mostly been dispelled for she sensed the suppressed desire which he believed well hidden and knew he could not maintain his passive role indefinitely. Twice during the week he had ridden out alone and he had spent one whole day at the mine. When they walked together in the garden he was polite and spoke earnestly on a variety of subjects, but Eloise Ballantyne was never one of them. So far he had proved impervious to her feminine wiles and despite her thinly veiled encouragements, had done no more than kiss her hand. But he longed to do more. That much she read in his eyes and knew intuitively that an admission of his feelings for her was just a matter of time. How much time remained to be seen. She was not known for her patience. She was curious about his relationship with Harriet and asked discreet questions of the servants. Their replies confused her. They had seemed an ideal couple, Ellie confided, and very much in love. Had Harriet been beautiful? Sweet-faced, Minnie told her, with a soft smile and gentle ways. Eloise was unimpressed and decided she had little to worry about. Maria and Martin would soon be back and with a little help from the latter she would soon jerk Allan out of his indifference.

The meal was well under way and Eloise was enjoying herself immensely. Hugo, at the head of the table, was properly attentive and Allan, opposite her, was relaxed and unusually talkative. The talk flowed freely as Hugo told stories of his earlier exile in France and Maria spoke with affection of her protracted stay in the nunnery at Arnsville. Martin amused them with descriptions of some of the more eccentric boys and teachers at his school and the two younger ones endlessly extolled the virtues of the puppy who had finally been named Beazel.

‘Poor old Leonie,’ laughed Maria referring to the older dog. ‘I expect she is worn out by his youthful antics. She has had the house to herself for so long.’

‘Oh but she loves Beazel,’ Lorna insisted earnestly. ‘She plays with him and they chase in the garden. Tomorrow you must see, Mama, how they romp together.’

Martin looked up wickedly. ‘Oh, there’s nothing like a young pup to liven an old dog — wouldn’t you agree, Allan?’

‘Allan’s not old!’ cried Eloise, quick to take the point of the remark, ‘he is mature.’

‘You make him sound like a good wine,’ said Martin.

‘And you make
me
sound like a scatterbrained pup!’ She pretended indignation but her eyes met his, challenging.

‘Talking of good wine — ’ said Hugo hastily, ‘my goblet is empty. Help yourselves and pass the flagon along.’

Martin picked it up and offered wine to Eloise.

‘Have you had enough?’ he asked.

She lowered her eyes fractionally and said, ‘Of wine? Aye.’

‘Only of wine?’ he persisted, refilling his own goblet. ‘What else do you lack?’

He passed the wine to Piers and Maria said, ‘No more for you, Piers, you and Lorna have had enough.’ And she took the flagon and refilled Hugo’s goblet.

Lorna giggled. ‘Allan’s twenty-two!’ she said. ‘He’s an old man!’

Hugo leaned over and tweaked her ear. ‘Take care what you say, young lady. I’m more than twice Allan’s age remember. Would you have me with a long grey beard, then, and no teeth?’

She clapped a hand to her mouth, shrieking with laughter.

‘You know the old saying,’ said Eloise. ‘Many a good tune is played on an old fiddle!’

She glanced at Allan opposite her and then across at Martin.

‘Do you like music?’ he asked innocently.

Maria was fully aware of the undertones, but unsure how to put an end to them. Hugo had drunk rather too well and was taking the exchange at face value.

‘I propose a toast,’ he said, ‘to old fiddles and mature wine.’

Eloise raised her glass. ‘But some wines are best drunk young,’ she said and held Martin’s eyes steadily over the rim of her goblet. ‘Are you a connoisseur?’

‘What is a connoisseur?’ asked Piers.

‘A connoisseur — ’ Hugo began but Martin interrupted him.

‘A connoisseur is someone who knows what he likes.
I
know what I like so I suppose I am a connoisseur.’

Martin knew by Maria’s expression that she was about to challenge him so he hastily turned his attention to the pile of walnuts on his plate and began to crack them.

‘So you can define the word connoisseur?’ said Allan. ‘It seems your teachers have taught you something. Let us be thankful for small mercies.’

He stood up abruptly and turned to Eloise. ‘If you have finished you might care to walk down to the river with me before the light goes. There is often a kingfisher at this hour.’

‘A kingfisher? How splendid. I’ve never seen one.’ She stood up obediently and Maria breathed a sigh of relief which was short-lived for Eloise continued, ‘Will you join us, Martin? I should be flattered to have
two
handsome brothers to escort me to the river.’

Martin hesitated. He dearly wanted to accept but dared not. The man in him longed to challenge his brother but the boy in him feared Maria’s wrath.

‘I think not,’ he said. ‘They say two’s company and three’s a crowd.’ And he watched them leave the room with regret. Avoiding Maria’s eye, he turned back to his plate, picked up the nutcrackers and gave the walnuts his undivided attention.

*

Allan and Eloise walked across the garden, past the orchard and down the steps to the stretch of garden that bordered the river. Neither spoke. Eloise was a trifle apprehensive but unrepentent. Allan was disturbed but anxious to conceal the fact. He was grateful that Martin had not accompanied them but knew well the reason. They stood side by side, looking down at the water which gleamed softly with the last of the light and lapped the stepping stones with a familiar sound that soothed Allan’s ruffled feelings. At last he said as calmly as he could — ‘So what d’you think of my young half-brother?’