Laura Matthews (7 page)

Phoebe caught Glenna’s eye mischievously and offered, “Miss Forbes is very accomplished on the harp, Captain Andrews, and I am sure if you were to have the harp brought from our cabin she would play for you."

“Would you indeed, Miss Forbes? Hobart...that is, Lord Pontley had mentioned last spring that you play exquisitely.”

Glenna very nearly said that it was the reason he had offered for her, but on second thought decided such a remark might make the good captain uncomfortable. He seemed wary of her, while he was completely at ease with Phoebe, and Glenna could only assume that, not knowing the basis of the broken engagement, he did not wish to make a misstep.

The harp was brought and Glenna willingly entertained them for an hour, since Phoebe teased her that she had not touched the instrument during its stay at the vicarage. “And Papa never did understand why you brought it for a one-night stay and then left it with us for a month.”

“He probably prayed for the expected invasion so that the French would relieve him of it,” Glenna retorted.

“Pooh! He merely wished that you would return so that it need not sit silent.” Phoebe turned to the captain. “May we walk on the deck?”

He escorted them, and Glenna fell behind, lost in the wonder of the water lapping against the ship, the pin-pricks of the stars in the dark, moonless canopy above them. Instinctively she thought that she must write her father to tell him of the amazing experience, and brought herself up sharply. Consigning a description to her journal would not be the same, but she could write to Pontley and thank him; Peter, she thought, had never been on a ship and would not understand. She was recalled from her thoughts only when the other two returned to seek her, talking as though they had known each other for years rather than hours. The captain’s dark hair and ruggedly handsome countenance provided a perfect complement to Phoebe’s fair hair and skin, her delicate features and her elegant carriage. Their laughter warmed Glenna, and she set aside her sadness.

* * * *

The journey was relatively uneventful, with only one storm encountered off Land’s End, and even this proved awe-inspiring rather than terrifying to the two ladies. The calm efficiency of the sailors and the unwavering good humor of Captain Andrews convinced Glenna that they were not indeed likely to disappear beneath the angry lashings of the waves and rain. On the third day they were delivered to shore in Porlock Bay, none the worse for the experience. In fact, much the richer, and, Glenna thought with delight, in possession of a new friend. Captain Andrews had shown a marked interest in Phoebe and begged permission to visit them once they were settled.

The Manner Hall staff had arranged for a cart to await their arrival and transport the baggage and furniture, and the ladies were bundled into an ancient carriage drawn by two very unlikely-looking animals. “I don’t doubt they are used on the farm,” Glenna sighed. “And Pontley only convinced me to come by assuring me that there were a few horses to ride. I had hoped you would teach me.”

“Not on either of those,” Phoebe protested.

“Never mind. There will be other things to do.”

Darkness had fallen before they reached the Hall, and they could tell little about the estate. The hall into which they were ushered was rather shabby, but clean, and the servants were lined up to greet them. Just as though I were the mistress, Glenna thought with amusement, until she realized that was indeed how they intended to treat her.

Mrs. Morgan, the housekeeper, identified her husband as the butler, their son as the footman, their daughter as the cook and a niece as kitchen help. The daughter’s husband was in charge of the stables—such as they were, Glenna thought wryly. The only unrelated person was a housemaid, who, from the flattering glances she cast at the footman, Glenna judged to be soon a member of the family.

There was a motion at the door and a robust young man entered. “Excuse me, Miss Forbes. I only now received word that you had arrived.”

“This is Mr. Glover, the agent, Miss Forbes,” Mrs. Morgan pronounced doubtfully. Glenna could not be sure whether the woman eyed him askance as an outsider, or for himself.

The housekeeper’s opinion did not seem to perturb the young man, who assured Glenna that he was at her service. She liked his frank brown eyes and open countenance, the look of stolid country stock about him. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Glover. Has Lord Pontley communicated with you on the renovations for the Hall?”

“Well, so to speak, ma’am. Not very specific, was he. If I might wait on you in the morning, you could perhaps make more of it than I.”

Glenna had the distinct impression that the young man was amused by his instructions but she merely agreed to meet with him at ten.

“And now, ma’am,” Mrs. Morgan hastened to interject, "you must be weary from your journey and wish to be shown your room. My Betsey will have a warm supper for you whenever you wish and Alice will assist you and Miss Thomas.” She gave a curt nod of dismissal to the younger members of the staff and herself led the two newcomers up the finely carved oak staircase.

“If there’s a thing you wish and don’t find to hand, you have only to let me know. On the other hand, if you don’t see it, we probably don’t have it, but never mind. Lord Pontley wrote as how we was to keep you comfortable and so we shall, if I have anything to say about matters, and I promise you I do. Proper delighted we are to have folks in residence. The late Lord Pontley never came next or nigh the place from one year to the next, though we did have occasion to house his friends from time to time. Not always the best-behaved gentlemen they were, begging your pardon, ma’am, but then it’s no more than the truth. This is your room, Miss Forbes, with Miss Thomas direct across the hall. The fires haven’t been lit here for some time, so it
may be the least bit smoky for a while.”

She bustled into the room and cast a quick, approving glance about. “Alice will bring you a can of hot water right off. If you’ve a mind to rest for a bit, my Betsey will keep your supper warm, but the sooner you partake of a bite, the sooner you feel restored, I always say."

Phoebe shared an amused look with her friend; Mrs. Morgan obviously took her own advice, for she was the roundest, most comfortable-looking woman Phoebe had seen in some time. The room relegated to Phoebe was similar to, if not quite so large as, Glenna’s. Although well-proportioned, the wall coverings were faded and the furniture scuffed. When Glenna peeped in to urge Phoebe down to supper, she commented, “Lord Pontley did not exaggerate the necessity for some renovation, did he?”

“I think he underestimated, if anything, from what you have told me. Didn’t you say he had actively sought for a tenant?”

“Yes, absurd, isn’t it? I cannot imagine who would consider such a scruffy place. The fact that it is clean is its only saving grace,” Glenna remarked dryly.

They supped on rabbits smothered with onions and pike served with a sauce compounded of anchovy sauce, walnut pickle and melted butter. The currant pudding in addition won their approval, and they pronounced Betsey a welcome inmate in the household. “Every bit as fine as Captain Andrews’s table,” Phoebe remarked.

“We shall have to search out the kitchen in the morning, but frankly, I am exhausted and very nearly asleep on my feet.” Glenna rose and, unable to suppress a yawn, shook her head remorsefully. “No doubt it is all that sea air. I am grateful you convinced me to come by water, Phoebe, as I enjoyed it tremendously.”

“No more than I, I promise you. We were fortunate to have such an amiable gentleman as Captain Andrews to escort us.” Phoebe joined her friend at the door but did not meet her eyes.

Glenna pressed her hand gently. “I think we will see more of Captain Andrews, my dear.”

Chapter 7

Glenna’s visit to the kitchen was an eye-opener. She found it difficult to believe that the delectable meal they had partaken of the previous evening had been produced in this dark, smoky hole. The turnspit looked medieval, the open fire on a hearth too small to cook for above a dozen people, with the kettle for the hot water supply absorbing the majority of its space. There was no stove. The Forbeses had had a Bodley range for the two years since it had been introduced, and prided themselves on the modernness of their kitchen. Glenna was appalled by the lack of equipment at Manner: only one boiler and two stew-pans, with no covers. The frying pan was untinned and there was only one copper ladle and one saucepan. She began to make notes of the necessities, consulting with the astonished Betsey, who was all eagerness to assure her that she would be delighted with a modernization of her sphere. It was through no hesitation on
her
part that the kitchens were so ill-equipped.

“You manage amazingly well on so little,” Glenna confided to her, “but if Lord Pontley expects to find a suitable tenant, he must realize that this kitchen cannot by any means serve up an elegant dinner party. It confounds me that you can serve more than the staff from that miserable hearth. Surely previous generations could have managed no better.”

Betsey gave a despairing gesture. “The previous viscount had the bake house torn down. Not that I blame him, for it was falling apart and blackened beyond recall, I fear. But he made no effort to restore the ovens and hearth lost.”

“Well, we will just have to make it right, won’t we? Where do you bake your bread?”

“In the cottage, ma’am. John carries about for me sometimes, there not being much activity in the stables.”

“A most haphazard arrangement at best. Certainly there will have to be ovens here. You cannot be expected to improvise to such a degree. I won’t hold you further, Betsey, except to tell you how much we enjoyed our supper, and to assure you that Miss Thomas and I expect nothing elaborate. I hope to provide you with better facilities shortly.”

But her interview with Mr. Glover was not encouraging so far as the kitchen was concerned. He had brought with him the letter he had received from Pontley and offered it to her almost despairingly. Glenna perused the brief contents: “Glover—Miss Forbes will be arriving to stay at the Hall. I have asked that she oversee the necessary renovations. What is needed: repair of slate roof, upkeep of grounds, painting of interior rooms, and for God’s sake have a water closet put in. You may use one-third of the net estate revenues for these projects. And get her a horse. Pontley.”

Glennna stared at the sketchy instructions for a moment before meeting the amused glint in Glover’s eyes. “But what of the kitchen? Or the draperies? Does he not see that the floors are scuffed and the furniture disgraceful?”

“All beside the point, I fear, ma’am. One-third of the net revenues at this point might possibly cover the repair of the roof and the water closet. The harvest will be adequate, but nothing to write home about. I’ve just begun to plan the four course rotation, but there is still drainage to be done, and the proper equipment to be purchased for adequate cultivation. I fear Lord Pontley has only a minimal idea of the expenses involved.”

“Well, you needn’t buy the horse, at any rate.”

"I  already have, Miss Forbes. He was very specific about that.”

“You must return it, then. I won’t be a drain on the estate for a luxury.”

“Quite a bargain I made on the little mare, ma’am. You’ll find you need her to get about the estate and keep an eye on matters.”

“But I barely know how to ride,” Glenna protested, “and without a mount for Miss Thomas, there is absolutely no purpose in having one for me.”

“Now, that can be easily managed. No trouble to stable one of mine here for her use. I can’t ride more than one at a time,” he remarked with a grin. “No need to fret over the horse, ma’am. It’s the other expenses I cannot see how to cover.”

“Is there no way other than the crops to increase the revenues?”

“Not without additional staff—a gardener, a game-keeper, a dairy maid.”

“I fear I am no more familiar with the workings of an estate than Lord Pontley,” Glenna confessed. “How would they increase the revenues?”

“A gardener to produce our own kitchen vegetables, herbs and such, with any excess sold in Minehead. I understand there has been no outdoor staff here for some time and we purchase necessities in town. Mrs. Morgan has kept the closest parterre tidy, but she won’t have time for that now.”

“Would a gardener pay for himself?”

Glover considered the question carefully and then shook his head. “No, ma’am, but having him would provide the resource for
keeping up the grounds. Then there would be no additional expense.”

“Very well, of what use is a gamekeeper?”

"The estate is overrun with rabbits—destructive to the crops, and one of the few game items the estate could sell. The hedgerows are cover for woodcock and quails, too. Now a gamekeeper, he’d more than pay for himself, ma’am, and any excess could be spent on the renovations.”

Glenna noted this on her growing list. “A dairy maid?”

“John has looked after the dairy as well as the stables, but just enough to keep it swilled down for a minimum of production. Now, with our herd we could be getting cheese and cream enough to sell in town as well. A dairy maid would more than pay her own way.”

“Have we the churns and pans?”

“They’re there, ma’am. Hardly used these last years but more than adequate.”

“I shall write to Lord Pontley today with your suggestions. Should you think of any further possibilities, please inform me.” She sighed exasperatedly. “I know so little about country estates and their possibilities.”

“You might find some books here in the library, ma’am. Though it is far from a complete collection, the main portion is on animal husbandry and estate management.”

Glenna looked about the walls, carelessly strewn with ancient volumes. “Yes, I can see hours of pleasure before me."

Mr. Glover chuckled appreciatively. “Lord Pontley said much the same, ma’am.”

“No doubt.”

Manner Hall

15 August 1804

My dear Lord Pontley: Miss Thomas and I have arrived safely at Manner Hall after a most enjoyable voyage by water. I am appreciative of your kindness in arranging for our passage, and your thoughtfulness in the expense and time we saved. Captain Andrews proved an entertaining and informative escort; we hope to see him once we are settled in here.