Chapter Eighteen
Arabella listened to Tristan’s carriage rattle away, then turned to walk quickly up the stairs, pausing at the top of the stairs to look left to where her mother-in-law’s room was at the end of the corridor. She knew that Miriam was probably in her mother-in-law’s room, she thought of going to see her and offering an olive branch. but decided against it. Her mother- in- law was a frightful person and didn’t deserve her sympathy or her respect. Besides, she was in a good mood, a very good mood in fact. She and Tristan’s physical relationship had expanded from kissing and caressing to more adventurous touches and exploring of each other’s bodies.
It was all rather exhilarating and frustrating at the same time. Tristan’s touches were stirring such odd and startling feelings, feelings that she wanted to continue exploring. As a midwife, she knew that there were ways for couples to pleasure each other without intercourse.
Straight ahead was the atrium, and she briefly considered going there, but she wanted to stay clean for her outing to the menagerie, and she’d promised Tristan to look at the ledgers. With a resolute nod, Arabella turned right towards her bed chamber and her workroom. Arabella passed the empty rooms, stopping finally at her and Tristan’s bedchamber. She reached into the hidden pocket of her day gown to pull out her room key. Arabella unlocked the door and slipped inside, closing the door behind her. Then, walking around the bed, she made her way to their closet. Using the key to the closet, she opened the door and stepped inside.
Against the nearest wall was Tristan’s army trunk. Kneeling before it, she used the key he’d given her and flipped it open. The mingled scents of assorted spices and leather washed over her. Tristan had brought back a collection of rare spices and seeds from both India and Greece; some of the spices were for cooking, and others were used for teas and tonics. Under the boxes and bags of spices and his uniform jacket was Tristan’s leather scabbard with his saber inside. Pushing them aside, she reached into the bottom of the trunk, where several leather-bound journals, filled with Tristan’s drawings and recollections. Beneath all of that were the account books for Hasting’s House and his family.
Arabella sorted through them till she found the book dated before the death of Tristan’s father. She would start with that one. Arabella closed the lid and locked it, slipping the key into her pocket as she rose. Arabella slipped from the closet, being sure to lock the door after her, she repeated the process with her bedroom door.
Back at Avondale, she had not worried about such matters, as everyone was trustworthy. But here with the mysterious Mr. Keene on the loose and someone having ransacked the downstairs office, it was best to err on the side of caution. Arabella, the book pressed firmly to her chest, stepped into her sunny workroom. Seated in one of the padded chairs that Arabella had taken from another room was Mia, quietly stitching one of Arabella’s new gowns. The gown Mia was altering was of emerald velvet, and Arabella was looking forward to wearing it. While velvet was usually worn in the cooler months, the color had called to Arabella, and it felt so wonderfully smooth when she’d touched it.
“Almost done, miss, you’ll be a right treat in this shade too. ‘Tis lucky Sir Tristan’s aunt was a might bigger than you, gives us plenty of material to work with.” Mia stated.
“Indeed, you are right. What are you going to do with all the remnants?” Arabella asked as she crossed to her desk by the window. Aunt Amelia had not only been taller than Arabella by a good four inches, but she’d been larger in the waist and bust, requiring all the gowns to not only be shortened but taken in by several inches. Mia had asked if she could have all the remnants, and as Arabella had no use for them, she’d agreed.
“Well, there was enough left over from this one miss to make a reticule. I have a light green gown that it will go well with. The other pieces I’m stitching together to make into a bedspread.” Mia replied.
“That sounds like it should be lovely and very soft,” Arabella replied, thinking of the silk remnants that had come off the other gowns.
“Oh, aye, miss it will be,” Mia replied.
Arabella laid the ledger on her desk and sat down. She pulled out a fresh piece of paper from her desk and a pencil and started going through the ledger. Half an hour later, Arabella stretched as there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Arabella called, turning to face the door. The door opened, and Penelope stepped in.
“Arabella, might I hide in here for a bit? I had a terrible argument with mother and Miriam about the boys and moving out, and well, taking control of my life.” Penelope asked.
“Yes, of course, make yourself at home,” Arabella replied.
Penelope stepped in, receiving a nod from Mia to take the only other empty chair in the room.
“Buttons told the boys and I that Tristan was going to take us all to the Menagerie this afternoon,” Penelope said.
“Yes, the newspaper said that it would close soon, and I have always wanted to see an elephant and a tiger,” Arabella replied.
“Indeed, I saw an elephant once and would like to see one again,” Penelope stated, “Can I help with the stitching? It will keep me from thinking too much,”
“Of course, Mia, what needs to be worked on next”? Arabella asked.
“The peacock silk, my lady, the hem needs working.” Mia put aside her stitching and bent to retrieve a peacock colored gown from the basket by her feet.
“Oh, it is such a lovely color,” Penelope gushed, “It should look wonderful on you. I would like to wear colors again, Lord Kenyon, my husband,” Penelope shuddered, “refused to let me wear bright colors. He said he didn’t want other men to look at me, that I was his property. And mother says that I’m too old for colors, that I should only wear dark colors.”
“That is utter nonsense, ma’am with your hair you would look ever so lovely in bright colors, especially red.” Mia said looking up from her sewing.
“I agree with Mia, you would look lovely in red,” Arabella added.
“Thank you, you know I think I shall buy myself a red gown. I have the funds from my husband, which Tristan brought to me. It is more than enough to buy myself a gown or two. Would you come to the modist with me, Arabella? It has been years since I went to one,” Penelope asked, spreading the silk gown over her lap.
“Yes, I would be happy to. Penelope, do you know what happened to the bookkeeper who was seeing to your father’s accounts before Mr. Keene?” Arabella asked.
“I was still with my husband then, but I do remember the man. He was working for my father before I married. His name was Mr. Vickers,” Penelope replied. “He was a nice man, not that old, and very pleasant. I remember him having arguments with father over his spending habits. Mr. Vickers always won in the end, though. Why?” Penelope asked.
“Tristan asked me to look over all the accounts for him since I helped his uncle with his accounts,” Arabella replied.
“Oh, of course that makes sense. Would you teach me how to keep accounts? Mother only taught me how to throw a party or plan a menu, but never anything useful.” Penelope said with a sigh.
“I would be happy to, if you would teach me how to plan a menu and throw a party?” Arabella replied and saw Penelope smile, and then laugh.
Arabella turned back to the ledger noting the neat handwriting and notations for every entry. Every penny was noted as were the funds coming in from the estate as well as from various investments that had turned a profit. It was odd that the investments were no longer turning a profit, she wrote a note on her paper to speak to Tristan about it later.
“Oh, Penelope, I nearly forgot. A friend of ours, Mr. Victor Waterhouse, stopped by right after breakfast to welcome us to London. He has a box at the opera and invited us all to join him tomorrow night, the invitation includes you, if you would like to join us.” Arabella turned to see a variety of emotions cross Penelope’s face. “Oh no, I couldn’t, I haven’t been to the opera since I was seventeen. And I have nothing to wear, my gowns are all so plain and dull.”
“If you don’t mind my interrupting, miss, there are two gowns in your trunk over there that would be lovely on her ladyship. One is purple and the other violet,” Mia said. “Lady Penelope is of a height for them; we would just have to take them in at the waist a bit.”
“Mia that is a wonderful idea. Why don’t you pull the gowns out and show them top lady Penelope.” Arabella stated.
“But I couldn’t, could I?” Penelope asked.
Penelope’s response reminded Arabella a bit of herself, wanting, dreaming of nice things, but afraid to grasp an opportunity when it was before her. She had nearly let her timid nature overrule her heart and let Tristan get away. Luckily, Elizabeth had consoled her to take a chance and now she was happily married to a wonderful man.
“Of course you can, the purple will look better on you than me,” Arabella stated.
“I shall do it then, I don’t have to do what mother says anymore, I’m a grown woman.” Penelope relied.
“And there is more exciting news, after the opera he is going to take us all to Vaux Hall. His family also has a dinner box there,” Arabella added.
“Vaux Hall, oh yes. I love it, I have been a few times, it was one of the few places my husband would take me,” Penelope said.
“Then it is settled, you will pick one of the gowns and come with us,” Arabella said.
“I’d like that very much,” Penelope replied.
“Come ma’am, I’ll show you the gowns.” Mia put the gown she was altering in the basket beside her and stood. Mia walked to the large trunk in the corner of the room and threw back the lid. Inside were some thirty gowns that Arabella had brought from Avondale, most of them new or worn only once. After a few minutes of rummaging, Mia pulled out the gowns she had mentioned and draped them over the top of the trunk for Penelope to examine.
“They are beautiful and both made of silk, and the lace trim, they are ever so lovely,” Penelope gushed.
“Why don’t you take them to your room and try them on? Mia can help you,” Arabella suggested.
“I shall, and thank you, Arabella.” Penelope took the gowns, and holding them tightly to her chest hurried from the room, followed by Mia, leaving Arabella alone with the ledger.
Arabella smiled, feeling pleased that she could do something for Penelope. After a while, Arabella was lost in the numbers and the entries. As Arabella worked, she noticed something rather odd; the family had been making a steady income from both their investments and their estate, then both seemed to slowly stop at the same time that Mr. Vickers had died.
There was the rattle of a carriage slowing to a stop, and Arabella looked out the window to see their carriage stopping before the house. Arabella smiled. Tristan was home, she looked forward to telling him what she’d found and hearing his thoughts on the matter.
Arabella slipped the sheet of paper with her notes on it into the ledger, so as not to lose her place, and closed it and closed the ledger. She didn’t want to take the time to return the ledger to Tristan’s trunk, but she also didn’t want to leave it on her desk for someone to take. Arabella looked over to the window seat; she had discovered by accident that the window seat contained a hidden compartment. She had been looking to replace the threadbare cushion and accidentally pressed a hidden switch that opened the lid of the compartment. She would hide the ledger there, then cover it with some of her old gowns that were in her hamper waiting to be repaired.
Arabella quickly placed the ledger in the compartment, then covered it with the gowns. Satisfied that the ledger was well hidden, she closed the lid and rose, pausing to shake out her gown. Checking her gown was smooth and in order she hurried out of her room, pausing only long enough to lock the door behind her.
* * * *
Tristan was reaching for the front door knob when the door opened on its own to reveal Buttons.
“Ah, sir, you are home, welcome.” Buttons stepped back, opening the door wide.
“Thank you, Buttons. I would like to introduce you to two new additions to the household,” Tristan stepped back to indicate Roberts and Cayden.
“This is Sergeant Reginald Roberts and Private Rhy Cayden, late of the majesty’s army. Mr. Roberts and I served together years ago. He will be serving as valet to both Mr. Marcus and I,” Tristan said
“Welcome, sir, glad to have you with us,” Buttons said, giving a nod to Roberts.
“And Mr. Cayden is going to be our gardener,” Tristan said, as Jeremy helped Marcus bring in the men’s luggage.
“Tristan, your home and you brought quests,” Arabella said from the bottom of the steps.
Tristan looked over at Arabella with a smile, a beam of light was filtering in through the tall foyer window to illuminate Arabella’s hair, turning it into a golden halo, making Arabella look like an angel come to earth.
“Hello, my sweet, come and meet Mr. Roberts, he has agreed to serve as valet to Marcus and I,” Tristan turned to indicate the older man standing beside him. “And this is Mr. Cayden, who has agreed to be our new gardener. They both served in the same unit as Marcus and I in India.”
“Welcome, gentlemen, it shall be a pleasure to have you both here,” Arabella said. She smiled looking over each man in turn, seeing the half-healed scars and burns marring their faces and necks. The men had both obviously suffered severe trauma.
“Thank you, we’re right glad to be here too,” Roberts stated.
“Aye, ma’am, I was about to be living on the street, and his lordship gave me the job. He said you needed help putting your garden to right,” Cayden said, nodding to Arabella. “My father is a farmer, so I’ve got lots of experience with plants, ma’am.”
Arabella smiled at the man’s enthusiasm. She could see why Tristan had hired the two ex-soldiers. The men both needed work badly, and judging from the scars they bore, they had suffered greatly. The fact that Tristan had given the men work, despite their disfigurements made her love him all the more. Arabella didn’t know much about London society but she did know the major households prided themselves on having attractive staff. Good heavens, she loved him, she loved Tristan; this feeling for him was love.
“It is a pleasure, Mr. Cayden; I look forward to your help in the garden. I am afraid we have our work cut out for us,” Arabella replied.
“Buttons, I was thinking of giving Roberts one of the upstairs rooms so he shall be closer to Marcus and I, and so he won’t have to be constantly going up and down the steps,” Tristan said.
“Yes, sir, there is a smaller room that was meant for a governess, I believe, on the corridor down from the conservatory. It is sunny and next to a shared bathing room.” Buttons stated. “And there are several chambers on the lower floor for Mr. Cayden to choose from.”
“Excellent,” Tristan replied as Penelope and the boys descended the stairs.
“Uncle Tristan,” Seamus shouted, “Mr. Buttons said you were taking us to the Menagerie.”
“That is right, after lunch we shall go. Now wash up and let Cook know that we shall be having a guest for dinner,” Tristan replied.
“I’ll go with you boys, and say hello to Mr. Roberts, our new valet, and Mr. Cayden, our new gardener,” Marcus said.
“Hello,” The boys said in unison.
“Greetings, young masters,” Roberts said, while Cayden gave them each a nod.
“Come, boys, let’s see what is for lunch,” Marcus said.
“Gentlemen, if you will come with me, I shall show you your chamber,” Buttons said.
As the men followed after Buttons, Tristan turned to Penelope.
“Penelope, I need to speak with you for a moment, please,” Tristan said.
“Yes, of course,” Penelope replied, giving Tristan a puzzled look.
“I’ll wait for you in the sitting room,” Arabella said, curious about what was going on.
“No, please join us, Arabella, Tristan said.
Tristan motioned for Penelope and Arabella to follow him into the office; once they were inside, he shut the door.
“Please have a seat, Penelope, and you too, Bella,” Tristan motioned to the chairs before the desk.
“What is it, Tristan?” Penelope asked.
“It is about Stanley, there is no easy to say this accept blurt it out, Stanley is dead. He died last night.” Tristan said.
Penelope paled and covered her mouth with her hand, “Dead, but how?”
Tristan sat on the edge of the desk, while he thought of what to say, he supposed brutal honesty was best.
“While I was gone to Avondale, he was found guilty of theft, blackmail, and abusing the women working for him, among other crimes. Because of his status, he was to be transported to Australia. The presiding magistrate had once been an admirer of yours and managed to keep it all quiet so as not to tarnish your name. Stanley, according to what I was told, was being taken to a boat to transport him to a prison hulk and he tried to escape. During the attempt, he was injured and returned to the prison.” Tristan paused.
“Go on,” Penelope prompted.
“His original cell was no longer available, and he was put in a shared cell with two other men. Apparently, he was bragging about,” Tristan paused again, searching for the right words. “There is no easy way to say this, about how he mistreated several young women and girls. His cellmates and the guards took exception to his bragging and meted out some justice. He did not survive the encounter. My friend at the yard has asked an undertaker who works with the yard to see to his remains.”
“Good heavens, Penelope I don’t know what to say,” Arabella was stunned by what Tristan had said.
Penelope looked down at her lap for a moment, then up at Tristan.
“You are sure he is dead?” Penelope asked.
“Yes, that is what I was told. I have his death certificate in my pocket now. We shall have to take it to your solicitor tomorrow to begin proceedings so that you and the boys can inherit his estate.” Tristan said.
“I do not have a solicitor, nor do I know if he had one,” Penelope replied.
“Then, with your permission, I will contact Uncle’s solicitor, Mr. Solomon. He can look into everything and tell you how to proceed,” Tristan said.
Penelope nodded, “Yes, that is fine, and thank you Tristan. Don’t tell the boys, I shall tell them later. I would still like to go to the menagerie, it would be good for the boys and for me, I think.”
“That was what I was thinking. If you need anything, Penelope, I’m here for you.” Tristan said.
“Thank you, Tristan, for all you have done for the boys and I. And I’m sorry I could have been a better sister to you. I know the school father sent you to was horrible, and then when you were home I ignored you. I am sorry Tristan, can you forgive me?” Penelope gave Tristan a sad smile.
“It’s all right, Penelope, we have now and many years ahead of us to make up for the past. Let us make the best of the years ahead,” Tristan replied.
“You are right,” Penelope rose and stepped forward to embrace Tristan, startling him. After an awkward moment, Tristan returned the embrace. Penelope stepped back after a moment and gave Tristan a fleeting smile.
“Suddenly I feel lighter than I have in years, it is like a great weight was lifted off me, like I’ve been living in darkness and suddenly the sun came out. I am free, for the first time in my life, I am free. I will not mourn Stanley, for he was not a husband to me but my jailor.”
“Tristan and I will support you in whatever you decide, Penelope,” Arabella said, rising and stepping up to Penelope to give her arm a comforting squeeze.
“Thank you, Arabella, and thank you for the gowns. I will wear the purple one tomorrow night, and I don’t care what people say or what they think. And I am glad Tristan married you Penelope you have been a good friend to me.” Penelope gave Arabella a quick hug before stepping back. “I shall see you both at lunch in a few minutes; I’m going to freshen up. And thank you again, Tristan, you gave me back my life.”
Penelope walked quickly from the office leaving Tristan and Arabella alone in the office.
“I hope you don’t mind but I invited my friend Jules from Scotland Yard to dinner tonight. He’s been helpful with dealing Penelope’s husband. He also served with Marcus and I until he was badly injured in a skirmish.” Tristan gave Arabella a fleeting smile, hoping she would not be angry that he’d invited Jules home. “He nearly died, so his father bought out his commission and he returned to London.
“No not at all I’d like to meet your friend. I made some progress with the books while you were gone,” Arabella said.
“Indeed, what did you discover?” Tristan asked.
“Mr. Vickers the accountant was very diligent. He noted everything, every farthing that came in or went out. But once he passed the records became less accurate. The other odd think is that the investments that had been making money stopped, they just stopped.” Penelope said. “I thought that rather odd, and perhaps your solicitor might know what happened to the money or the investments, or what bank they went into.”
“Bloody hell, you are brilliant, Bella, and I’m an idiot. I was so wrapped up in dealing with Uncle Howard’s estate, wooing you, and dealing with the creditors that it never occurred to me that Father must have a solicitor. There should have been a reading of the will, but if there was, Penelope never mentioned it.” Tristan felt like someone had struck him over the head. How could it not have occurred to him that his father had a solicitor?
Tristan leaned forward to steal a kiss from Bella.
Bella stood on tip toe to return the kiss, sighing softly when Tristan broke it.
“There is something else that occurred to me, a good accountant or secretary would have kept a diary of daily events containing such things as whom came to call, what business was done that day, if there was a meeting and with whom. But yet you only found the ledgers, isn’t that odd?” Penelope stated.
“You are brilliant and correct. There should have been a reading of a will, yet if there was mother and Penelope didn’t mention it. Together we will find out who father’s solicitor was. We shall search the house for the books, they have to be hidden someplace, but first lunch and the menagerie.” Tristan leaned forward to kiss Arabella’s head.
“Before we go what happened at the War Office?” Arabella asked.
“Ah yes, I was waiting for the right time to tell you, there were two men from the East India Company in the meeting with a Colonel Rogers and a Captain Philips. They wanted Marcus and I to return to India as we both have experience in native relations in India, and I can speak both Hindi and Punjabi.” Tristan replied.
“Good heavens, how could they ask such a thing of you? You both just returned.” Arabella protested.
“I reminded them of that when I said no. The men from the East India Company were less than pleased. After a bit of shouting, it was agreed that Marcus and I would work for the War Office, part-time.” Tristan replied.
“Tristan, that sounds like a wonderful opportunity,” Arabella replied.
“It was agreed that while we are residing in London, we shall report to the War Office once or twice a week to go over the dispatches from India. When we are in Avondale, the dispatches shall be sent by courier to us. The position also pays a thousand pounds a year,” Tristan stated.
“That is marvelous news,” Arabella cried.
“I hope you aren’t mad that I said yes without asking you,” Tristan said. “But I had to make a decision on the spot.”
Arabella shook her head, “No, no not at all I understand and it is a fine opportunity. We certainly must celebrate later, first Victor offers us both an opportunity to illustrate Clara’s book and now you are given a position.”
“Indeed we shall, but first lunch and then the menagerie. I rode an elephant once in India it was amazing,” Tristan said as he held his hand out for Arabella’s.
Arabella took it with a smile, “That sounds exciting, and Tristan, about the men, it was good of you to give them a position.”
“They were standing before the War Office with several other men looking for work. No one would hire them because of the scars. I’d just been given some back pay and a new high paying position. I also have you; the world has been kind to me, Bella. I just had to help them. You aren’t angry with me, are you?”
“Not at all, I’m glad that you did. We can use the help and they need positions,” Arabella replied. “Will you tell me about India later? You haven’t spoken of it and I know it is a big part of your life.”
Tristan nodded. He knew one day he would have to tell Bella everything.
“Yes, but later, Bella much later, today is a day of celebration, and I’m in too good a mood to have it ruined,” Tristan replied.
Marcus knocked on the open office door and stuck his head in.
“Come along you two, Cook is setting out the food and I want to eat it while it’s hot, I’m hungry.” Marcus drawled.
“And when aren’t you my friend. We are coming, why don’t you tell everyone about Sergeant Brumley, his pet monkey and the elephant over lunch?” Tristan suggested earning a huge grin from Marcus.
“Aye, that is a good tale indeed,” Marcus laughed stepping back as Tristan turned to close the office door behind him.