The House Read online

  Chapter twenty

  The rest of the days passed merrily at Merrion Square until it was time for her to visit Georgina, and the rest of her cousins at Tullydere. Her carriage left Dublin in the morning and reached Tullydere by early evening. She always felt a warm feeling when visiting Tullydere Castle. As her mother’s family home, she felt somehow close to her when she visited there.

  Tullydere Castle was situated in the rolling plains of the Irish midlands. With its turrets, towers and castellated roofs, this sprawling building always reminded Anna of something from a fairytale. An unexpected vision rising from the lush green fields and surrounded by numerous sycamore trees.

  The carriage drove under a clock tower and into the forecourt in front of the house and the horse had barely come to a halt when the front door flung open and Georgina came rushing out, jumped into the carriage and hugged her tightly.

  “Oh, I’ve missed you!” said Georgina.

  Georgina’s brother Richard and his wife Joannacame out of the house.

  “Welcome to Tullydere!” said Richard, embracing his cousin as she dismounted from the carriage.

  “Thank you,” said Anna. “It’s good to be back here.”

  “And it’s good to have you back here,” smiled Joanna, taking her hand and leading her up the steps and inside.

  It was difficult for Anna to have her opinion of Joannaanything but coloured negatively, she had heard so many bad things about her from Georgina. Although shealways seemed pleasant and charming to her, Anna was only too well aware the different masks people wore. As she was led through the immense hall at the centre of the house, she looked up at their ancestors on the portraits hanging on the panelled walls. Her mother’s family had been in Tullydere since the 1600s and the whole place was rambling, immense and antediluvian, unlike the baronial comfort radiated by her own house. Georgina constantly complained the castle was never warm, no matter how many fires were blazing.

  But to Anna the castle brought her back to the holidays of her youth, the freedom and escapism it had always offered. She hoped it would now offer her a temporary release from her marital troubles.

  “See how she acts while you are around,” saidGeorginato Anna, when they were safely ensconced in her bedroom.

  “I’ve never seen this unkind side to Joannayou complain of,” said Anna.

  “That’s because she always makes sure to be on her best behaviour when there are guests. Particularly relatives. She’s very differentwhen we are alone.”

  “And does Richard not intervene?”

  “I’m as much of a nuisance around the place to him as to her,” said Georgina.

  “Well, at least the place is so vast, you can escape from them.”

  “That is not the point, is it? Let’s face it, this Diana Hunter lives away from you in another house, and yet she still casts a shadow over you, doesn’t she?”

  Anna sighed and got up and walked over to the long leaded windows that looked out across the countryside.

  “Yes, she does.”

  “And how are you and Edward now?”

  “We weren’t on great terms when I left. Not since the row we had that I wrote to you about.”

  “Well, it’s the child thing as you said. It’s obviously causing him great concern.”

  Anna turned around quickly “And me!Georgina . . . I went to see a doctor when I was in Dublin.”

  “And?”

  “And he says there is no reason evident why I cannot conceive and have a baby.”

  “But that’s wonderful news!”

  “But he suggests there may be a problem with Edward.” Anna’s face creased with worry.

  “Oh no!” Georgina eyes widened. “Have you told Edward?”

  “Of course not! I couldn’t humiliate him like that.”

  “So what are you going to do about it?”

  “What can I do? I can’t do anything, except accept our fate.” Anna collapsed into her cousin’s soothing arms.

  Anna and Georgina walked through the gently sloping countryside, stopping occasionally to take shade under one of the giant ash trees.

  “I think you should tell Edward you saw the doctor,” saidGeorgina.

  “No! I can’t!”

  “But he will continue to think the problem is with you.”

  “I’d prefer him to think that than for him to think he is . . . deficient.”

  “You love him very much, don’t you?”

  Anna nodded and smiled sadly. “I can’t wait to see him again. And yet I’m dreading it, knowing there may be no answer to this.”

  They walked along in silence for a while.

  “There could be an answer to it,” said Georgian eventually.

  “What do you mean?” said Anna in surprise.

  “A very straightforward and simple answer.”

  “Well – tell me!” Anna looked at her cousin sceptically.

  “You’ve been told there is no reason why you can’t conceive . . . so go ahead and conceive.” Georgina had halted and was gazing intently at Anna.

  Anna rounded on her in exasperation. “Are you not listening to what I’ve been telling you! It’s not happening for me and Edward. It’s . . .” Then she stopped as she examined Georgina’s knowing face. “You’re not suggesting what I think you are, are you?” Anna was horrified and disgusted.

  “I’m just pointing out you have options. Edward would never know. He would never have to know. Only you would know. The child would never know. The man who fathers your child would never have to know.”

  Anna’s hand rose in the air and she slapped Georgina hard across the face.

  She then lifted up the hem of her dress and began to walk quickly back to the castle.

  “Anna! Anna!” Georgina shouted as she raced after her. She caught up with her, grabbed her arm and turned her around to face her.

  “Let me go! I don’t want to even look at you!” shouted Anna.

  “Listen to me! I’m only pointing out your options!”

  “Tom abandoning you has obviously affected you far more than any of us have thought. You’ve obviously gone demented from the whole experience!”

  “Not demented, but realistic!” Georgina was shouting back. “I know now how the world works, Anna, and it doesn’t work very nicely. You think that being honourable and respectable and decent brings you the happiness you crave, but it doesn’t! It cost me my fiancé – lost to some scheming bitch! And it will cost you your husband and your estate and that fine house you are so proud of!”

  “Let go of me!” demanded Anna, trying to shake her cousin’s firm grip lose. Georgina held her captive. “You have no idea what it’s like being a guest in your own home like I am. And that is what you will be if you don’t produce an heir. You and Edward will be just custodians of your house, while it passes through to the nearest relative who will have all the power. And as a matter of interest who does the estate and title pass to if you don’t produce a son?”

  “I have no idea! We’ve never discussed it! Edward has any number of relatives who would be next in line if we were not blessed with children.”

  Georgina’s eyes bored into her and her voice became a harsh whisper. “I bet you anything Sinclair is next in line, and his son after him!”

  “No!” Anna screamed and managed to squirm free of her cousin’s clutch. But she didn’t run away. She stayed still as a statue staring at her.

  “You need to find out,” advised Georgina, her voice now returned to normal. “But the way you describe how Sinclair and his wife acts suggests to me they know who is next in line, and it is them. They act as if they have that entitlement. And you and Edward are just irritations in the way until they take over. Another few years and it will be confirmed that you and Edward are unlikely to have children and that Sinclair orhis son will be the next Lord Armstrong. And then watch how they act. Then you will know what it feels like to be a guest in your own house!”

  Anna felt the rest of her time at Tullyd
ere was strained. It was true for Edward, Georgina had become too bitter. For her even to suggest what she had was leading Anna to suspect she really might have gone mad. By the time she set off back home, she couldn’t wait to see her husband again. As her carriage pulled in through the main gates of the estate and past the gate lodge, her heart was thumping as she eagerly looked out of the carriage and the house came into view. And there was Edward anxiously awaiting her in the forecourt. She nearly jumped from the carriage and into his waiting arms.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered to her, kissing her. “I’m sorry for saying what I said.”

  “Just hold me,” she whispered back to him.

  Chapter twenty-one

  Anna was sitting on the couch in the library, reading. Deciding it was time for afternoon tea, she stood up and tugged the bell-pull to call for Barton and returned to reading her book. After a few minutes, when none of the servants arrived, she pulled the cord again. Another while passed and still nobody arrived. With irritation, she closed over the book, and went out into the hallway.

  “Barton!” she called loudly.

  The house was in silence as nobody responded.

  “Hello! Barton!” she called even louder.

  Still there was no response. She checked the different rooms that led off the hall, and there was no sign of anybody. She walked to the back of the staircase and through the doors and down the stairs that led to the servants’ quarters. To her amazement everywhere wasquiet. Even the kitchen was eerily empty.

  “Where is everybody?” she called out loudly and walked to the back door in the passage beside the kitchen. Opening it, she walked into the flagged passageway outside and up the steps to the large yard at the back of the house. Walled kitchen gardens were to the left and the stables and carriage house beyond.

  “Is anybody around?” she called loudly.

  Suddenly Seán walked out of the stables leading a horse.

  “Seán! Where is everyone? There isn’t a servant in sight!”

  “They’ve gone down to Hunter’s Farm, Lady Anna.”

  Anna looked incredulous “Hunter’s Farm! What are they doing down there?”

  “I don’t know. Mr Sinclair sent for them and they all went down about three hours ago.

  Anna stood, hardly believing what she was hearing.

  “Seán, hitch up my carriage and bring it to the front of the house immediately.”

  Anna didn’t know if she was more consumed with rage or confusion as the carriage pulled up outside Hunter’s Farm. She got down from the carriage, marched up to the front door and knocked loudly.

  A minute later Barton answered the door.

  “Barton!” she exclaimed.

  “My lady!” he answered, looking as surprised to see her.

  “What on earth are you doing here answering their door?” she demanded.

  She looked past him and she saw a number of her servants busy at work inside the house.

  “What is going on here?” she demanded, pushing him aside and walking inside.

  The inside of the house was a hive of activity with her servants hard at work polishing, cleaning and dusting. Through an open door to the kitchen she could see her cook and kitchen maids busy at work preparing what looked like a sumptuous meal. She walked from room to room in the house, taking it all in, amazed. Walking into the small bow-windowed dining room, she saw Diana supervising servants laying the table, with silver that looked like it came from the dining room at Armstrong House.

  “Diana?” is all Anna could think to say.

  Diana looked over, unconcerned, at her. “Oh, hello, Anna. Have you come to lend a hand?”

  Anna walked further into the room. “Diana, what is going on here?”

  “We’re having the Earl of Kilronin and his party for dinner tonight.”

  “So? What has this got to do with my servants?” Anna was exasperated.

  “Well, I couldn’t possibly be expected to manage with my staff, so I borrowed them.”

  “You borrowed them?”

  Diana looked surprised but bored. “Yes. Is that a problem?”

  Anna managed to laugh at the audacity of the woman. “Of course it’s a problem. You can’t just borrow our staff without permission and put them to work for some silly dinner party.”

  “It’s not a silly dinner party actually. Getting the Earl of Kilronin and his wife to come is quite a coup. I’ve noticed you’ve never managed to get them to sit at your dining table.”

  “You’ve mistaken me for somebody who cares!” Anna suddenly shouted.

  The servants all jumped with fright and stopped working.

  Diana viewed Anna coolly.

  Sinclair suddenly appeared in the doorway and entered the room, giving Anna a start.

  “What’s all this shouting?” he said.

  “It’s cousin Anna,” explained Diana. “She seems somewhat perturbed.”

  “I’m not your cousin,” stated Anna. “You are married to my husband’s cousin and that’s where our relationship begins and ends.”

  “What is your problem, Anna?” demanded Sinclair.

  “My problem is you have taken all our servants without so much as a please or thank you. Who do you think you are?”

  “I think you’ll find Edward gave me permission to take them,” said Sinclair.

  “No, he didn’t!” Anna challenged him.

  “Excuse me?” Sinclair’s eyes flashed dangerously.

  “There’s no way Edward would let you take every last servant and leave the house unattendedand without so much as informing me.”

  “Calling me a liar is insulting me greatly.” Sinclair voice was low but firm.

  “And you have insulted me, Sinclair. Do not take my servants again without my express permission . . . Barton!”

  The butler appeared in the doorway. “Yes, my lady.”

  “Barton, you and the other servants return to your duties in the Big House immediately.”

  “Yes, my lady,” Barton nodded.

  “Do not, Barton!” Sinclair spoke loud and strong. “Remain here with the work Mrs Armstrong has given you.”

  Anna looked at Sinclair disbelievingly. “Sinclair! They are my servants. You can’toverrule me!”

  “I can and I do!Barton, the servants will remain at their posts here,” Sinclair pronounced, his dark eyes boringinto Anna’s.

  Anna felt frightened, but was determined not to show it.

  The servants were looking very nervously from Anna to Sinclair.

  “Barton, I will not repeat myself again. Do as I order. Return to our house,” Anna insisted, her eyes not leaving Sinclair’s.

  “Very good, madam,” said Barton. He clicked his fingers and the servants left what they were doing and walked quickly from the room, Barton in their wake. Anna could hear him in the hall, giving orders to the others. She felt a wave of relief sweep over her. For a minute she had been sure he would ignore her command.

  “How dare you come in here and give orders in my house!” Sinclair snarled at her.

  “Your house! I think you’ll find Hunter’s Farm belongs to my husband. This is our house. And those are our servants.” She picked up a silver fork from the table. “And this is our silver borrowed from our dining room, again without permission. And no doubt the food our cook was preparing for your esteemed guest tonight came from our pantry!”

  “What of it?” demanded Sinclair. “Edward doesn’t mind.”

  “Well, I do! And I will not be disrespected.”

  Sinclair leaned forward to her, his eyes glistening. “Edward would not deny his heir anything.”

  “His heir?” She was taken aback.

  “I am Edward’s heir and my son after me . . . in the absence of Edward having any children.”

  “We’ll see about that!” Anna said.

  “It’s the natural line of succession,” said Diana, speaking coolly and in control. “If anything should happen to Edward, Sinclair is next in line. And after him
our Harry.”

  “You are being very presumptuous!” said Anna, blinking backtears.

  “No, I amnot presumptuous – I ampresumptive,” said Sinclair. “Because in the absence of you and Edward having a son, the heir apparent, I am the heir presumptive.”

  Anna moved towards the door.

  “Oh Sinclair!” Diana said sweetly. “We should be kind to her. It’s not her fault that’s she’s . . . barren.”

  Anna blinked a few times and quickly left. As she walked out the front door, she could hear Sinclair and Diana laughing loudly behind her. Loud, hollow mocking laughter.

  The tears were streaming down her face as she quickly got into the carriage.

  “Are you all right, Lady Anna?” asked Seán, full of concern.

  “Just take me home, Seán,” she pleaded as she buried her face in her hands.

  Anna went straight to her room, and fell on her bed crying loudly, the scene with Sinclair and Diana replaying her mind. She cried until she was exhausted and then drifted off to sleep. When she awoke it was dark and she started to cry again, softly this time. The door opened and Edward walked in. He quietly went around the room lighting candles, before coming to sit on the bed.

  “Don’t try to defend them, Edward. I’ve had enough!” she said through her tears.

  “I’m not going to defend them.”

  “Did you give them permission to take all our staff for their stupiddinner party?”

  “No, of course I didn’t. I wouldn’t allow the house to be left unattended like that. You did right to order them home.”

  “How dare they!” She sat up and looked him in the face. “You’ve let them take over, Edward! Don’t you see what you’ve done? You can’t let it continue.”

  “I’ve spoken stern words to Sinclair and told him it must not happen again. He assures me it won’t.”