Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave - Stephanie Barron [85]
“I didn't say that” Lizzy Scratch's eyes narrowed. “Any more than I reckin you do, miss. Margie was very close about her man. Always thought he was an upper servant, I did—that Mr. Danson, as valets the new Earl maybe, or one of the head footmen. But I'm thinkin’ now as it's the new Earl himself, ‘im that was the death of ‘en It makes good sense, don't it?”
MAKING MY WAY BACK TO SCARGRAVE MANOR, I HESITATED before the gate of the cottage in the lane, searching for some sign that the occupants were abroad. I should not wish to meet either Mr. Hearst or his brother; but it was very likely that the one was out walking the lanes, moodily surveying the abyss of human nature, while the other was schooling his hunter over the nearest hedge. Summoning my courage, therefore, I opened the gate and walked purposefully up the path.
Scargrave Cottage was intended as a dower house,1 but the late Earl having no use for such a place, his mother having long since departed this life when he achieved his title, Frederick Payne turned it over to his sister Lady Julia, as a refuge from the faithless Mr. Hearst. The Hearst boys had grown up under its Tudor eaves; and the Lieutenant spoke with the greatest affection of boyhood rambles among the cottage's blackberry vines. Neatly whitewashed and half-timbered, the place was no doubt picturesque in spring, for a rosebush clung to its lintel, and a fragrant boxwood hedge flourished beneath its leaded panes. In the depths of December however, the garden looked unloved and forlorn.
The housemaid, one Joan by name, bobbed me a curtsey, and informed me that Mr. George Hearst was within. I immediately regretted my impropriety—a woman alone, calling upon a single male acquaintance—but there could be no turning back, and I suffered myself to be led into the cottage's parlour. It bore all the signs of a bachelor's abode—books lining the walls and prints of grouse hanging above the mantel. A distinct smell, part pipe tobacco and part wet dog, hung in the air, despite the crackling fire. Mr. Hearst had been comfortably ensconced over a book, and rose with an air of consternation I fear my own features mirrored.
“Miss Austen!” he cried. “I did not think to see you until the coach should bear us all hence. Has some further calamity befallen the Manor, that you have hastened here in search of aid?”
“Pray calm yourself, Mr. Hearst,” I replied. “I have nothing of an alarming nature to report.”
“Then may I ask you to sit down, and take some tea?” He gestured vaguely about the room, as though to indicate any number of chairs.
I surveyed them hastily. Though of a decidedly comfortable appearance, the Hearsts’ furnishings were of a sort in which a lady should quickly lose herself. I shook my head in the negative. “I merely wished to have a word with Lieutenant Hearst.”
“My brother is not within. But perhaps I may be of service?”
“I fear not,” I said abruptly.
Mr. Hearst hesitated, and studied my countenance with anxious penetration. “I hope to God he has not so far forgot himself—” he began, and then broke off, biting his lip.
“Mr Hearst,” I said quickly, “do not give way unduly to fearful speculation. I know my coming here, in this manner; cannot but seem strange; but you must rest easy in the knowledge that no impropriety on the part of your brother has occasioned it.” On a sudden inspiration, I added, “I come on behalf of the Countess, with a message for the Lieutenant, that is all. You know that she is barred from coming herself. Perhaps I ought to speak to the Lieutenant's batman?”
“Certainly. Certainly. I should have thought of it myself.” The ecclesiastic's brow cleared. “I shall have him for you presently.” He threw down his volume and crossed to the parlour door, but I could not suffer him to leave unmolested.
“Mr Hearst,” I called after him, “I understand that congratulations are due. The Lieutenant tells me that you are to have a living after all. And so it but remains to take Holy Orders.”
He appeared first thunderstruck and then uneasy, his eyes dropping to the floor. “I would that it were