The Steward of Hanbury

Chapter Eight – On Love and Duty

Lady Ludlow rose from her chair to look out of her study window, ignoring the pain in her bones as she stood, leaning heavily on her stick. The pain had increased recently and there had been days when it was simply impossible to leave her bed. Despite this, she refused to consult a doctor; it was nothing more than rheumatism aggravated by the cold air.

Her eyes gazed upon the grounds below, recalling with a pang of nostalgia how long ago her children once played there in the snow, the sound of their laughter filling her ears. Her reserved character had meant that she never participated in their games and as the years went by, it was a constant source of regret for her for she could never again hold them in her arms or to speak to them. Septimus alone was the sole surviving child but he even he was far away in Italy and sometimes she thought it had perhaps been wrong of her to persuade him to go abroad for his Grand Tour. Throughout much of his youth, he had always harboured a dislike for the Continent or in fact, any country other than England and he had nothing but scorn for anyone who wasn't an Englishman.

He had however given in to his mother's suggestions and had dutifully set off for Europe when he came of age. When she received letters that he had been delighted by what he found there, she was much pleased by the development. What she had not foreseen was the slow decline of their once relatively close bond. His steady flow of letters ceased, reduced to only a trickle of correspondence to not more than three letters a year, more often than not asking for more funds to be sent to him in Italy, the country in which he had decided to settle on account of his health. Mr Carter, she knew, was unsympathetic in this respect. He and Septimus had met only once when the latter had last visited Hanbury four years ago for Christmas and though Mr Carter had endeavoured not to show it for her sake, it did not escape her that he had been much unimpressed with her son.

Mothers know nearly everything about their children and she knew better than anyone that Septimus had his faults. Her motherly duty to treat him as her main priority in life however always overrode other considerations and now perhaps to her great cost. Mr Carter in his annual report summarising the condition of her estate had cautiously suggested that if the harvests were good this year, Hanbury could expect to see an improvement in its precarious situation. She had however little hopes for this and resigned herself to the fact that she had made the biggest mistake of her life.

In view of her sad outcome of her only son, she was understandably thankful when it came to how another child had turned out. Laurentia was not her daughter but she had brought her up as if she were. Their stations in society were not equal but and although she did not show it, she always had an interest in her welfare. Her situation being what it was, Laurentia was never an attractive prospect for a possible husband and the years went by, her survival made possible by her own endeavour and independence of spirit which Lady Ludlow greatly admired. But every so often, she wished for a good gentleman to come her way and propose to her. Little did she know that the prospective husband would be her very own estate manager.

He was not a gentleman, that was indisputable, but Lady Ludlow, sensitive as she was to social rank and station, made an exception for Mr Carter. Ten years had taught her the worthiness and reliability of the man and she could do nothing but approve of Laurentia's choice. She had already seen the change in dynamics between them after his accident as he recuperated at Hanbury but she deliberately avoided playing any part in their budding relationship, preferring to observe and await the outcome.

Then at the beginning of February, he requested an audience with her, writing that it was a personal matter. Her curiosity piqued, she assented to his request and received him in her study.

'Mr Carter, I trust that this is a matter of some importance,' she said when he entered the room.

He bowed. 'I apologise if I have caused you any inconvenience, my lady.'

'There is none to speak of. Now what is it that you wish to speak to me about?'

He appeared to consider his next words carefully but his voice betrayed no hesitation when he said, 'Lady Ludlow, I come seeking your consent to marry Miss Galindo.'

Mr Carter's natural directness was sometimes breathtaking and in this case, none more so and it took her a few moments for his words to sink in.

Mistaking her silence for disapproval, he continued, 'I assure you that Miss Galindo knows of my intentions. She and I have recently reached an understanding, my lady, after my proposal of marriage was accepted at Christmas.'

'Christmas?' she echoed. Laurentia had been engaged for over a month and only now was she able to hear of it! However she was not surprised at the quietness, almost clandestine nature of their proceedings; neither of them liked to attract attention.

'Yes.'

'Mr Carter, please sit down.'

Although slightly taken aback at her request, he duly did so. To be allowed to sit in her presence when one was not indisposed was almost unheard of.

Her dark eyes studied him a while and said, 'You may not be aware of this but Laurentia is very dear to me. Lord Ludlow and I took her in and raised her as our own when she was but an orphan of eleven. Of course, she came of age many years ago and she is thus free to make her own choices. '

'She has informed me of the fact, my lady, which I must admit was the reason why I thought it best to seek your permission,' he replied, wondering in which direction their conversation was heading. If the answer was to be in the negative, he preferred to have it now than to prolong the tension.

Perhaps some of the uneasiness showed in his eyes for she said, 'You must not mistake my meaning. I only say this because as you are fully aware, none of my nine children have ever entered the sacred state of matrimony, either because they could not – or they choose not to.' Her gaze travelled a little wistfully to the grounds outside. Her expression said everything and Mr Carter's jaw clenched a little as it always did whenever he thought of Lord Septimus.

'Therefore for Laurentia to do so,' she said, her attention in spite of her maturity and her independence, is a matter of considerable importance to me.'

He nodded. 'Of course. Any responsible guardian would feel the same.'

'I thank you for your understanding.'

'If there is any doubt about my finances, I assure you that you have no need to do so in that regard. I would be more than able to provide her with a comfortable home and to see to best of my ability that she lives and is treated in the way that she deserves.'

'Mr Carter, I know very well what a fine husband you made for the late Sarah Bolton. I did, as you may recall, sanction that particular marriage as well,' she said a little wryly. 'No, I have no doubt that you will once again be an admirable and dutiful husband. But you must understand that it is my custom to listen to all parties involved before reaching a decision, especially in so delicate a matter as this. Therefore I hope you will not take offence if I speak to Laurentia privately before giving you my answer.'

'My lady –'

'If you could inform her that I would like to see her this afternoon, I would be most grateful.'

His face fell a little. 'Yes, my lady.'

He rose from his chair, bowed and left the room. Lady Ludlow looked after him, well aware of the disappointment she had caused him. If Mr Carter doubted what her answer would be, he needn't have worried for it was to be a 'yes' in any case. However as always, duty was uppermost in her mind and she would not fail in her duty in learning where exactly Laurentia stood in the whole matter. After all, these things had to be dealt with thoroughly.


After Roberts had taken her things, Laurentia Galindo made her way to the drawing room at Hanbury Court, wearing an expression of great apprehension. Her mind still dwelt on the look on Edward's face when she had greeted both him and Harry in the office earlier that afternoon.

'Harry, stay here and continue with your work. I need to speak with Miss Galindo,' he said, rising from his desk.

'Yes, Mr Carter.'

Harry turned his attention to the ledger in front of him and Edward gestured to her to follow him.

'Edward, is there something the matter?' she asked with some concern when they were outside.

'It is nothing, Laurentia,' he replied. 'It is only that this morning I went to speak with Lady Ludlow.'

'Oh?'

When it was clear that she was waiting for him to continue, he said, 'I told her of our engagement and asked for her consent.'

'And what was her answer?' she asked. It was a foolish question, she knew, for Edward's expression was more than enough to tell her that it was certainly not a 'yes' but it had to be asked.

He sighed. 'She said she would like to speak with you before coming to a decision.'

He appeared so dejected that after quickly glancing round to see if anyone was looking, she kissed him on the cheek.

'Better?' she asked, looking up at him and pleased to see that the melancholy in his eyes had abated a little.

'Hmm. I would have liked it more had you kissed me somewhere else.'

'You wicked man.' Her expression and voice turned serious. 'I'm certain that it is only a formality, Edward,' she said consolingly.

'I hope very much that it is so.'

'Did Lady Ludlow mention when she'd like to see me?'

'She is waiting to see you now in fact.'

And so she had gone to the house, wondering what was in store for her. As she had told Edward, she believed it was only a formality and that it was only her ladyship's way of doing things. However as she neared the drawing room, she grew less certain and by the time the doors had opened and she saw that elegant, upright figure sitting on the settee, she was completely drained of any confidence in the matter.

'Laurentia,' said Lady Ludlow.

'Lady Ludlow,' said Laurentia, curtsying.

The older woman rang the bell for the butler and when the latter appeared, she said, 'Roberts, bring some tea for Miss Galindo and myself.'

'Yes, my lady.'

Only when tea had been prepared and the both of them were alone that her ladyship began to speak.

'I believe Mr Carter has told you of the reason why I have asked you to come here this afternoon. He informs me that he asked you to be his wife.'

'Yes.'

'And you have accepted him?'

'Yes, I have. Does this displease you?'

'From your tone, I imagine that Mr Carter took my reaction this morning rather badly and it has affected you in turn.'

'He imagines the worst,' she admitted. 'I have never seen him so melancholy; it is quite disconcerting.'

'Well, you can inform him that he does not need to for his fears are quite unnecessary.'

'Quite unnecessary?' repeated Laurentia, hoping that she had not misheard. 'Does that mean he has your consent?'

'I would have given it to him this morning but I confess I wished to speak to you first.' In answer to her unspoken question, she added, 'It is clear that your concern for him surpasses mere friendship, Laurentia.'

'My lady –'

'I can see it in your eyes, my dear, and the way you look at him,' explained her ladyship.

Uncharacteristically lost for words, she allowed Lady Ludlow to continue.

'For many years, I have been unable to give you the care and attention that your own parents should have given you.'

'Oh, please do not think me ungrateful –'

'It is true that Lord Ludlow and I raised you as one of our own but that is hardly the same. You were always so independent; that is one of your great strengths and I have had little need to offer you guidance over the years as a result. But seeing that you plan to embark on one of the most important stages of a woman's life, I hope that you will not object to my giving some now.

'It is in the nature of all women to take pity on men who they deem as vulnerable. We cannot help it; it is engrained so deeply in us and although I am aware that Mr Carter will not appreciate this, he is a man scarred by loss and suffering and some ladies will doubtless find an attraction in that and not a healthy one in the least.' She saw the expression on the younger woman's face and added, 'But I see that you are not one of them.'

'I am not so easily beguiled, my lady, but I confess that I pitied him after the accident,' said Laurentia, her mind recalling how terrible it was to behold such a man seemingly cut down in his prime. 'Everyone with any fragment of human feeling would have felt the same.'

'But was it love, Laurentia?'

The question was straightforward and yet it was suddenly so difficult to answer. Had she already been in love with him before that terrible day? Or had the days of continued dread and anxiety when he had been in danger merely feelings felt by a close friend and nothing more? Harry too had been terribly worried by his condition and so had Lady Ludlow, thus had her feelings been only a part of a shared phenomena? Pity was akin to love, they said, but was it really the same thing?

'I am not certain,' she admitted. 'I only remember those dreadful days as those which I hope never to repeat again.' And living in constant fear that each day was to be his last.

'I see. You were relieved then when you heard that he was out of danger?'

'So was everyone else, I believe.'

'Just because people feel the same thing does not necessarily mean that they experience it in the same way. It is felt in varying degrees and I gather that you felt it most acutely.'

She nodded.

'And now?' asked Lady Ludlow, her eyes inquisitive. 'Do you love him now?'

This time she did not have to wait for an answer for it came almost immediately.

'Yes, Lady Ludlow,' she said and unable to stop herself, she continued fervently, 'I am aware that you always intended me to marry well and that there are those who may consider Mr Carter as not a gentleman. I can only say that while there are indeed those who hold a higher rank in society or are perhaps in possession of more charming qualities, none of them I believe will ever equal the genuine goodness of his character. In that he is superior to any gentleman in England and for that I love him with all my heart.'

The last part of her declaration seemed outrageously sentimental, Laurentia thought inwardly, but she could have sworn she saw a small smile twisting the corners of her ladyship's lips.

'Very well,' she said. 'I wish much joy, my dear. I am glad at least that I have not failed in my duty to you and Mr Carter.'

Moved by her words, Laurentia said, 'It is not only I and Mr Carter who are indebted to you, my lady. You must think of Hanbury and the hundreds of good souls who live here and by your generosity.'

Lady Ludlow could only manage a sad smile, the thought of the mortgage on the very same land still causing her much grief. But she said nothing about it and said quietly, 'I will not keep you any longer, Laurentia. Your beau will be waiting for you most anxiously.'

She flushed a little, still unused to thinking of Edward as her beau.

'If you could tell Mr Carter to see me tomorrow morning, I will more than happy to discuss a suitable date with him.'

Laurentia left the drawing room considerably happier than she did upon entering it and with only one thought in mind; Edward, she had to speak with him at once!

Her pace quickened and the moment she had exited the house, she all but ran to the office, not caring in the least of what the servants thought of her. Her hurried footsteps outside must have alerted him for she heard a chair scraping against the floor from within and a minute or so later, Edward appeared in the passageway.

'Well?' he asked.

'It was as I told you, Edward. She has given her consent and wishes to speak with you tomorrow morning to set a date.'

'Good God,' he breathed and he stepped forward. 'Is it really true?'

'Would I have any reason to say otherwise?'

'No, I suppose you wouldn't,' he replied and it gladdened her immensely to see him restored to spirits. 'I only wonder why she did not give her consent earlier.' He looked at her closely. 'You were away for some time; surely it wasn't only a formality to be discussed if this was the case.'

'No,' she confessed slowly. 'There was a great deal spoken about you.'

His brow furrowed in puzzlement. 'About me? Why, you're blushing a little, Laurentia – this isn't like you at all.'

Although she attempted to evade his questions, it was in vain.

'What did you say about me which finally managed to persuade her?'

She looked up at him steadily. 'If you must know, I do believe that the whole point of my meeting with her this afternoon was that she wanted to ascertain whether I loved you or not.'

Her words had an astonishing effect on him; his body became quite still and he looked at her with such intensity that her first instinct was to look away but found that she could not.

'And what did you say?' he asked, his voice barely audible.

'I said I did and with all my heart.'

In a flash, there was the sound of ground being trodden underfoot, the warmth of his arms around her and then his lips descending upon hers. Although Edward usually kept his emotions in check, this was not the first time that he had surprised her so. However, she had no intention of ever putting an end to it as long as she lived.

They would have no doubt continued to remain outside in the cold had it not been for the sound of something smashing onto the floor.

'Harry –' he murmured in annoyance as he released her from his embrace.

Looking behind him, she caught sight of Harry quickly darting out of view at the window.

'I do believe that we've been found out,' she said. 'I've always said Harry was a clever boy.'

'If only he could have picked a better time to satisfy his natural curiosity,' he grumbled but he smiled a little regardless, if a little bashfully. 'However, I do believe I know who shall be the first to know of our engagement now that we are officially betrothed,' he added and looking pointedly at his office. 'I take it that you agree?'

'Most certainly.'