Shadows in the Night

Chapter Fifteen

  ‘Don’t you tell where no one is,

  nor yet where no one’s been’

  While she was changing from her riding habit into a morning dress, Julia realised that Smithers was very quiet and her face reflected definite disapproval.

  ‘Is this not suitable, Smithers?’ knowing full well the grey chintz and black shawl were eminently suitable. The maid merely sniffed.

  ‘What is troubling you? If there is anything amiss, please tell me.’

  Two hectic spots of colour appeared on Smithers’ pale cheeks while her face contorted with emotion and she wrung her hands.

  ‘Oh ma’am, it’s that, that, Mr Hamilton, Miss Julia. I really don’t know.’

  The woman looked so utterly miserable, that Julia automatically put her hand on her shoulder.

  ‘Oh, please don’t upset yourself. Tell me what it is.’

  ‘It’s what Mrs Knight told me. Though others know as well. He... he...that Mr Hamilton, he keeps, has, a lady, if that’s what you would call it. Living with him at his house. And it’s not the first!’

  The last burst out from her and Julia felt suddenly giddy. For a dreadful moment she thought she might faint.

  Using all her willpower she forced herself to stay standing. Really, what did she expect! Almost all gentlemen of fashion kept a fair cyprian, a ladybird, call them what you will, for their pleasure. She was clenching her hands so tightly her fingers ached. How could she imagine someone so vital, so handsome as Gerald, would not keep a mistress. But to flaunt a woman such as that in the county for the entire village to gossip about. Well!

  Smithers’ eyes were bright with unshed tears and like a bursting dam the words came out in a torrent.

  ‘That, that Mr Hamilton! He has this woman there. At his house. Foreign they say. Oh, it’s not the first by any means, there is always some female there for his pleasure! Not even kept hidden away. This one, though, deliberately flaunts herself. Bold as brass she rides out with him in his phaeton for everyone to see.

  ‘Entertains male guests there as his hostess, totally shameless, making no attempt to hide her situation. Everyone in the village, in fact the whole county, knows what is going on. Of course, a blind eye is turned because of his wealth and he is received in most houses, but really!’

  Almost out of breath Smithers panted on. ‘Nobody here wanted to say anything, of course, to you about this, this Mr Hamilton,’ she spat out the last word, ‘but I wheedled it out of them,’ she added triumphantly.

  Julia let the words wash over her, and when Smithers finally stopped her flow, Julia calmed her, placated her, and sent her to get a headache powder for indeed her head was thumping.

  Alone in her room, Julia gazed into her mirror and looked at the stranger staring back at her. Eyes, all pupils, like dark pools in a white face, framed by piled-up brown hair in a chignon. How ghostlike she appeared. Could she ever compete with a high flyer like Gerald’s light of love?

  Gritting her teeth, Julia felt a surge of anger. Well, Mister Gerald Hamilton, no wonder you shied away from any suggestion of a future commitment. If you think you can play games with me and trifle with my emotions, I have a surprise for you.

  The Morning Post was full of the forthcoming nuptials of the Royal Dukes of Clarence and Kent, which were to take the form of a double wedding at Kew before Queen Charlotte. At the breakfast table, Julia sat mulling over the thought of the two middle-aged men who had both given up long term mistresses to marry two German princesses; one a twenty-five year old spinster from Saxe- Meiningen, the other a thirty-two year old widow with two children, originally from Saxe-Coburg.

  Remembering court gossip and her own memories of the two men, Julia wondered how the women would fare. Clarence was kindly enough, though Kent was supposedly a martinet. From all accounts, it was all totally political in the race for an heir to the throne.

  Julia arose and put the paper down. Going to the window she looked out at the clouds scudding across the sky.

  How was she going to tackle Gerald about the news Smithers had told her? Was she being laughed at by the village for her afternoon rides in his company? Molly entered the room to clear away the breakfast things and Julia suddenly decided what she must do, and do quickly before she lost courage.

  ‘Jimmy rides the pony that’s kept as company for Athene, doesn’t he, Molly?’

  ‘Why yes, ma’am.’ The maid looked puzzled at her question.

  ‘Ask Ridges to tell Jimmy I want both horses saddled and Jimmy is to accompany me for a ride.’

  Molly looked startled, but left immediately in search of Ridges while Julia went upstairs to find Smithers and change into her riding habit.

  Jimmy was waiting with both horses when she reached the stables, his eyes bright with anticipation. Beside him was Ridges, looking anxious.

  ‘It’s all right, Ridges, I’m only going for a ride and Jimmy will be a fine escort.’

  Jimmy gave her a cheerful grin. Ridges nodded his head and muttered instructions to Jimmy about being careful and taking care of his mistress. He assisted her to mount and soon they were off down the drive.

  At the end of the drive she turned to Jimmy’s eager face and asked, ‘Do you know where Mr Hamilton lives?’

  ‘Oh yes, Miss,’ he answered cheerfully and pointed east. ‘It’s that way, towards Rye.’

  ‘Very good. I need to visit Mr Hamilton so if you can show me the way I will be most obliged.’

  Together they took off at a fast trot. Although Athene wanted her head, Julia restrained her as there was no way Jimmy’s fat pony would be able to keep up.

  As if he wanted to be her guide as well as escort, Julia was given a running commentary on whose establishments they were passing as they made their way to Gerald’s home. Julia could not help but notice the sodden grass and ruined crops in the fields and the sheep wading in pools of water. It had been one of the wettest springs and summers that anyone could remember, haymaking not even started. The hay wagons were lying idle in the yards and the huge shire horses stood dispiritedly in their fields.

  Even if there was a dramatic change in the weather it would be too late, and for the poor it was going to be a hard winter as prices would rise dramatically for bread and other basic foods. An hour later, they arrived at a very respectable looking establishment, and after dismounting and leaving Jimmy to walk the horses, Julia, with a pounding heart, knocked on the front door.

  An elderly manservant let her in, looking totally astonished when she bade him announce her to Mr Hamilton. The minutes waiting in the hall were nerve-racking. Her mind was a complete blank and she couldn’t think how she could explain herself.

  ‘Why, Julia. This is a surprise!’

  Suddenly he was there, filling half the hallway with his presence, his shirt dazzling white against the dark panelling, the manservant hovering behind him.

  ‘Come into the library and let me offer you some refreshments. Coffee?’

  ‘Why, yes, thank you.’

  The library was a small room, books in cabinets, a writing table in the centre scattered with papers in an untidy jumble, a few chairs and an old dog that slowly got up, tail wagging, to press his nose against her skirt and be patted in return.

  ‘Come back here, Flush, and don’t be a nuisance.’

  And to her, ‘To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?’

  A magnificent smile lit up his face but she couldn’t read his eyes. Dropping to her knee, patting, and bending over the dog with her eyes fixed firmly on it, Julia tried to keep her voice light.

  ‘I needed to go on an errand with Jimmy, Molly’s brother, in this area and as I was passing your estate, I thought, well, when Jimmy told me you live here…’

  She looked up, meeting him squarely, ‘I do hope you don’t mind.’

  ‘No, no, no. Not at all, it’s a pleasure.’

  The door swung suddenly open and both of them turned. In the frame, poised dramatically, dressed in a foaming blue peig
noir, was one of the most exquisite women that Julia had ever seen. She stood there, or rather leaned, looking at them nonchalantly. Creamy white skin, bold blue eyes and a mass of shining auburn hair. The decolletage of her robe exposed a figure that was superb.

  ‘Why, mon cher, I did not know you had company.’

  The voice was a caress. Without moving, her eyes appraised Julia from head to toe and never had that lady been more conscious of her old-fashioned creased habit and windblown appearance.

  ‘You may leave us, Lenore. You are not yet dressed.’

  His voice was level, but Julia was aware of the fury in the tone. With a slow contemptuous smile, the Frenchwoman slowly turned and then swung back to face them, this time with a smile brimming with malice.

  ‘No, mon petit, I am not yet dressed, but then whose fault is that?’ and with a low laugh, she glided off, leaving the door wide open.

  Julia stood like a stone, unable to move. With an oath, Gerald strode to close the door.

  ‘I think I should leave.’

  ‘Why? You have only just arrived and I still don’t know the reason for this visit.’

  His face was pale and he looked furious. They looked at each other, Julia only too aware of the tears that had built up behind her eyes while his bored into hers. The door suddenly opened again and with a sinking heart Julia heard Gerald let out another oath, but this time it was directed at a startled servant with the coffee.

  ‘Put it there.’ He waved towards the desk, where the coffee was deposited. ‘Now leave us.’

  As the door shut, Gerald came straight over to her.

  ‘Once again, I will ask you. Why have you come here?’

  And to her dismay, Julia burst into tears. With another muttered oath, he swept her into his arms before she had a chance to compose herself. Struggling weakly in his embrace, Julia knew it was all wrong. She endeavoured, somewhat weakly, to break free. The alluring Frenchwoman could only be his mistress, of that much she was certain.

  ‘No, Gerald.’

  Reluctantly, or so it appeared, he released her.

  ‘I came today to ask you to.. to confront you.’

  Helplessly, she wrung her hands. The tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks.

  ‘That person....’

  Again she clenched her hands together and took a deep breath. ‘Obviously the gossip was correct.’

  She couldn’t finish what she wanted to say and nervously twisted the ring on her finger.

  ‘Julia, I’m no saint.’

  He was white faced, but obviously unrepentant.

  ‘I don’t pretend to live my life by anybody’s standards but my own. If what you have seen here today has offended you so much, then I’m sorry. However, I did not invite you to come and witness something that would be so disagreeable to you.’

  Julia felt as if she had been struck.

  ‘Please don’t apologise. You are quite right. I had no business to come.’

  Her tears stopped, she thrust out her hand to him, and forcing a smile on her lips, said. ‘I really must go. Once again, my apologies.’

  Turning on her heels, she walked steadily from the room, aware of him behind her, speaking to her, but not registering the contents of his words. Then she was outside.

  There was Jimmy and Athene, and as quickly as she could, Julia was into the saddle and cantering away, barely aware of Gerald standing arms akimbo in the drive or of Jimmy’s anxious face. Tears of humiliation drenched her face as she headed home.

  After slowing Athene to a walk, Julia dried her eyes and forced herself to think objectively about the scene she had witnessed at Gerald’s residence. Churning this over in her mind, they turned a corner in the path where it narrowed between the hedgerows. A man appeared almost in front of her.

  Wyatt! As if sensing her apprehension, Athene shifted nervously to one side. Julia could see Wyatt had been out shooting. Dead rabbits were tied to a pole on his shoulder and in his other hand he held a large, wide-eyed young hare by the ears. It looked as if it had just been caught and was not yet dead but merely stunned, judging by the way it was still twitching.

  She read the venom in his eyes as he looked at her, boldly standing his ground. As she was about to go past him, with a sudden movement a knife appeared in his hand and he sliced the hare open from neck to tail. Blood, entrails and gore spilled forth in a visceral eruption on to the earth below.

  Afterwards, Julia could never remember whether it was the hare or herself that screamed. With the smell of blood in her nostrils, Athene reared, and Julia, in a temper she never knew she possessed, slashed her riding crop across Wyatt’s leering face, again and again, as she heard herself scream, ‘You swine. You filthy horrible swine!’

  He dropped the hare on the ground amongst its entrails and Julia caught sight of the animal’s lifeless eyes. She slashed at Wyatt repeatedly, around his head and everywhere she could reach in a white hot fury, while he tried to protect himself with his hands. Athene snorted and pranced while Wyatt tried to grab the whip, blood streaming from the lacerations on his face.

  Athene leapt forward, out of Wyatt’s reach, and he bellowed at Julia, ‘You bitch. I’ll get you for this! You’ll pay for this!’

  A string of oaths emitted from his mouth as he ran after her. Exhausted, Julia sank low in the saddle and she galloped for home, her heart pounding like a drum and her body trembling with rage. That scum. That disgusting, horrible, brutal oaf!

  With trembling hands she slowed Athene and waited for a white-faced Jimmy to pull up on his pony beside her.

  ‘Lawks, Miss, what have you done?’ he gasped, his eyes like saucers.

  Julia steeled herself and in a shaky voice answered, ‘Jeb Wyatt is an evil, vicious man Jimmy. What he did back there was not only sickening and unnecessarily cruel, but done to frighten and intimidate me. Well, he succeeded, but only partly.’ She drew a deep breath.

  ‘But, Jeb Wyatt. Oh, Miss.’ His fear was only too apparent.

  She steadied Athene and could feel the fury still within her as she gave the boy a tremulous smile.

  ‘I will not be cowed by a bully of the likes of Jeb Wyatt, revolting as he is. Do you understand me?’

  Jimmy nodded, wide-eyed with amazement, and together they rode on, Julia suddenly wishing with every fibre of her being that she was a man, able to give Wyatt the thrashing she felt he so thoroughly deserved. While she battled to control her feelings, Julia became aware of another rider bearing down upon them.

  ‘Good afternoon, Miss Farraday. I trust I find you well?’

  Lieutenant Wareham’s face was solemn as he scrutinised her pale face.

  ‘Oh, yes, thank you Lieutenant. It is just… I have just had a most unpleasant experience.’

  Concern was etched immediately on his face.

  ‘Why, whatever can have happened, ma’am?’

  Oh, I have just had to witness the humiliation of seeing the mistress of the man I love in all her glory, and realise how impossible any relationship can be with him now. Also, my former servant has treated me in the most despicable fashion possible.

  I won’t humiliate myself by admitting the former though, thought Julia. Instead, with a voice trembling with fury, she told him of her encounter with Wyatt.

  ‘He is, I am sorry to say, one of the most callous, brutal men it has been my misfortune to meet. I believe him to be bordering on the insane and, begging your pardon, have never understood why your great uncle ever kept him in his employment.’

  Remembering Gerald’s comments on Wyatt’s parentage, Julia kept mute and shrugged her shoulders.

  ‘Do not worry any further, ma’am. I will escort you and your young groom home, though I doubt we will see any sign of the villain.’

  When they reached the house, Julia turned to him.

  ‘Would you care for some refreshment, Lieutenant?’

  ‘No thank you, Miss Farraday. That is most kind, but I have an appointment in Rye and must continue on.’

&n
bsp; ‘Lieutenant Wareham, thank you so much for your company. You have restored my confidence. I felt so much safer with your escort home.’

  ‘I assure you, it was my pleasure, ma’am.’

  He hesitated for a moment and then said quickly, ‘I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but my friend, Captain Martin, has asked me to join him on board his ship, the Revenue cutter Glorious, on Saturday for a day’s sailing along the coast to sea trial new rigging.

  ‘Mrs Martin and their youngsters are coming, as well as the Reverend and Mrs Talbot. Should you care to join us for the day, you would be most welcome.’

  Wyatt’s words of warning of fraternising with revenue men flashed through her mind. Julia was aware of the lieutenant looking at her intently, awaiting her reply.

  ‘Why thank you, Lieutenant. I’m sure I would enjoy the outing very much. I have never been on a ship since I sailed from Calcutta with my brother as a small child.’

  He looked pleased. ‘Should the weather be inclement, naturally we will not go and you will be informed.

  ‘I will send you a message with the time and place of departure, and will arrange for the Talbot’s to collect you after I have confirmed with Captain Martin.’

  ‘Is there anything I need to bring?’

  ‘Just yourself ma’am, though I will check with the captain. I would suggest, depending on the day, a warm coat, a shady bonnet and a parasol, for the wind can be cool at sea and the glare from the sun and water intense.’

  ‘I will certainly follow your advice and shall look forward to the day.’

  He gave her a tentative smile, a smart salute, and turned his horse in the direction of Rye.