Chapter 188

About a week later, Hugo was used to riding to work with Ben, to first help with the feeding and then have breakfast together in the common room. Mrs Reynolds usually had an update on the wedding preparations and the work crew from the nearest town were pleased to discuss their progress building a modern conservatory for the most respected landowner in the county. Bruce had been happy to hear that Hugo had broached the subject of him returning to London with Mr Darcy and had been well-received with a promise of a recommendation and possibly the renewal of his position as stable boy in London. With such informative conversation, breakfast was over pretty quickly, and then Ben would find his own way to Mr Brewer's study and Hugo would follow his staff to the stables, where he'd saddle Liquor for their daily practise.

Fowler was much better but still adhering most strenuously to Caitlin's orders of total rest, though he liked to watch Hugo's efforts almost every day. Hugo felt free to work with the horse in his employer's time, since a sizeable share of his spare time was taken up by exercising the latter's team of ponies. Mr Darcy did ask for almost daily updates on their progress and had not failed to recognise Hugo's efforts, he allowed Hugo to leave for home a little earlier than usual and he had offered to let him keep the gig if he wanted to buy his own pony to use it.

Hugo had to admit he was tempted, it was so convenient for Caitlin to be able to go out on visits quickly and safely, and he had started to teach her and Ben how to drive, Mr Darcy wouldn't mind since he wanted those ponies to be proven absolutely safe for his pregnant wife.

They had fetched the ponies last Tuesday, with Mr Manners' sturdy team pulling the cart, Bob driving and Mr Darcy with him on the box, to make his final judgement before handing over the money. Ben and Hugo were sitting on a rough bench in the back of the cart, it was a rough ride but quite fun to do together, Ben was so eager to see bits and pieces of a world he'd never gotten around to exploring. He had friends now, Mr Brewer's boys but also a few lads in Witham he'd met in Sunday school, with whom he'd go out on long rambles in the woods or play near the stream. But to have been invited on a trip with his new father by the gentleman of the big house was a real treat for a boy his age.

The ponies were starting to show their elegant heads and legs a little, though they were still shaggy enough with patches of winter coat to not cause suspicion among the good people of Witham. Ben had been sworn to secrecy and was immensely proud to be trusted by a real gentleman, though at the moment Mr Darcy did not look like one at all. He was wearing an almost nondescript brown coat with his usual skin-tight pantaloons and hunting boots, and his hat was more suited to a hunt than a visit to a local tradesman. He looked like a wealthy tradesman himself, and Hugo guessed he'd done that on purpose, not to feel out of place sitting on the box of a cart instead of in his precious carriage or on an elegant horse.

'What do you think, young Ben?' he'd asked, as if Ben had the same sixth sense for choosing horses as his new father.

'They're very cute, sir,' Ben had replied seriously, 'and their heads seem different from the ponies in Witham and Ripley. Father said we cannot groom them well until they're ready to move to your stables, but I must admit my fingers are itching to brush them. And I'm not even truly a horse person.'

Ben had taken to calling Hugo 'father' instead of 'Jean', and Hugo loved it.

'I think you are right, they look just like ordinary ponies except for their heads. I'm glad to hear you like them, for they'll be living with you for maybe as much as a fortnight. Do you think they make a good match with the little phaeton?'

Ben obviously pictured that beautiful work of art in his mind, with these scruffy-looking creatures in front of it, then said, 'I think they're just perfect. They look like fairy horses and the phaeton looks like a fairy carriage. I think anyone who sees them will love them, like Rover. All my friends love him and want a dog just like him, but he knows he is part of our family.'

After a last check by Hugo, easier now since a lot of the coat had already fallen out, but a rather messy task since the rest of it was decidedly loose and shed white hairs all over his livery coat, Mr Darcy paid for the small horses and Mr Garrick had his stable staff rig a sturdy board from a small elevation in his yard to the back of the cart. Trusting to his special ability with horses of all sorts, Hugo took the first pony by the halter and led it over the little hill, then over the board onto the cart. The little thing didn't make any fuss, which was such a boon for a pony meant to entertain a pregnant lady up to the very last days before giving birth.

Ben was waiting in the back of the cart and took the lead rope from his father, with Bob staying within reach to help out if the little horse should spook. It was small, but much stronger than a boy. The faster Hugo had the brother with him, the better the chance of both staying calm.

And the younger brother was as cool and as collected, he was keen to join his brother though he had to walk a hollow sounding board to get there. The board was removed and Mr Garrick said urgently: 'Don't let them on the grass for too long, Mr Hugo, I beseech you, they'll founder if you do.'

Hugo promised faithfully, then sat next to Ben holding the younger gelding's lead rope. Bob moved to the box, Mr Darcy shook hands with Mr Garrick and also climbed on.

'Or should I sit next to you until we're certain Ben's pony won't spook?'

Hugo didn't think that was necessary, both ponies were totally calm, eating a little hay the men had brought to distract them, and he said so.

'If we need help I think I can handle them both until you can change seats, sir.'

Bob set the cart in motion and the ponies didn't even look up, but Ben took his task seriously and didn't let his eye off his charge. He scratched the shaggy neck and the pony stopped eating to examine the person touching him, Ben giggling when the stiff hairs on the tiny muzzle tickled his face.

'He is cute, and his nose is so soft.'

'He likes you,' Hugo said, and he really did think the little horse liked the attention.

Now the other pony wanted to see what his brother was doing, and both enjoyed a good scratch from Ben.

'They have the same itchy places a dog has,' Hugo offered, and indeed these tiny horses liked Ben's scratches so much they tried to groom him back.

'A horse's love can hurt, Ben, better be careful.'

But Ben seemed born to deal with animals, for he carefully redirected the horses' love to each other instead of to himself, and in this way the trip back to Witham went surprisingly quickly and uneventfully. Once at their cottage, they used a little ramp Hugo had fashioned with a pile of dirt and a few smaller planks to unload the ponies, and waved goodbye to Bob and Mr Darcy as they returned to Pemberley. They had the rest of the day to settle the ponies and maybe adapt their harness to the gig, and then they'd find out whether Caitlin and Ben had a talent for driving not one but two horses at once.

With such pleasant memories to muse over the walk to the paddocks went quickly, and when every member of his staff was at his designated task Hugo fetched Liquor from the paddock with Mr Manners' horses and started to groom him carefully, mind now turning to his beloved, how beautiful she'd look in her wedding dress, and how busy she was, making house calls all over the neighbourhood. Rover was fast becoming her silent shadow, though he could occasionally be very noisy, especially when Ben took him along to make fun with the local lads.

'I hope my constant presence doesn't bother you when you're working with Liquor?' a voice spoke behind him, pulling him back into reality. Not that it bothered Hugo, he liked Fowler and besides, he was paid to work here, not gather wool over his beloved.

'I'm not keeping an eye on you, I'm just bored and your riding is a joy to behold.'

Hugo's neighbours had told him they were slightly disappointed to see him driving those shaggy ponies instead of riding the beautiful black horse, though they assumed he did that to benefit his fiancée and praised him for being so thoughtful of her.

'Thank you, Fowler, and of course I can imagine you are bored. Want to do part of the grooming? Your other arm is fine. Just stay on your legs so you can take a step back should something spook him.'

Fowler thankfully accepted the brush and started on Liquor's neck.

'I'm glad you don't treat me like glass, some of the others do.'

'You're an important man now, Fowler, that may seem bothersome at the moment but it cannot hurt to stand in good stead with your master and mistress.'

Fowler stopped brushing for a moment and looked straight at Hugo, had he heard that right? Did Hugo deny any knowledge of what things were really like within the Manners' family? Hugo took care to look totally serious, Fowler knew he knew, if he denied knowledge the burly guard would get the hint. And he did. He continued brushing the horse with firm strokes and said in a neutral voice, 'I suppose you're right, I should be glad they're not dismissing me and instead I complain of being fussed over too much. Oh well, it's just another few weeks, I'll try to make the most of Mrs Reynolds saving me slices of the best pies as she's done ever since the accident, and your boys fetching and carrying for me. Fortunately Dora has her beau, she can't moon over me whilst writing long love letters. And there is always plenty to see with you training Liquor to be a war horse and those builders bolting huge pieces of iron together to make a conservatory. I cannot imagine how they'll fasten the glass to it, can't bolt that on, can they?'

'Cannot believe it myself, but I suppose Mr Darcy knows what he's doing, I heard he had some fellow over from London who designed it for him, a friend of Prince George's they say.'

With Liquor now clean and ready, Hugo saddled him and led him to the riding paddock, where he soon gathered a whole new audience besides Fowler. From the corner of his eye he saw some of their visitors' stable staff, his own men knew better than to laze about during working hours. Unless Hugo had something to teach them, but they'd all had ample opportunity to watch their stable master work a horse before today.

As usual, he started slow and worked towards the more difficult exercises, Liquor now totally oblivious to the world around them and Hugo not less so. When they had practised their whole arsenal of moves, he still felt some pent-up energy in the horse, and he directed him towards the exit, planning to let him have a good gallop on the other side of the river. He wanted to bring Ben back with him that afternoon, Mr Darcy had urged Hugo to leave early every day he had the ponies to work with after working hours, and Liquor needed to vent a bit before Hugo trusted him with an inexperienced rider, even riding double with him.

To his surprise, the person holding open the paddock gate was Mr Darcy himself, who had apparently been one of the onlookers, together with several of the other gentlemen and ladies of the house.

'I've never seen you ride like this, Hugo,' Mr Darcy remarked, 'I expected you to be good, but this rivals Mr Smith from Newcastle. Which reminds me, there is something I'd like to discuss with you, but you look like you're going out?'

'Thank you, sir. I suppose I wasn't ready to face my past, yet, and riding like this would have given me away, besides bringing back a lot of memories. I was going to let Liquor have a little run, he has worked hard and needs to stretch a little before I cool him down. But Bruce can do that, if you need me here...'

'No, you go do that first, there is no hurry. I can see he is very impatient to go and you should give him his reward yourself. I can wait for you to return.'

And when rider and horse returned shortly afterwards, invigorated by an exciting run at full speed towards the edge of the forest on the other side of the river, and back to the bridge, Mr Darcy was indeed still there, though with Bruce ready to take Liquor's reins from Hugo to walk the horse dry.

'You've done wonders with that boy, Hugo, his mother won't recognise him when he returns, she will be so proud of her son. Ever since you told me he wants to return to London I've been thinking how to accomplish that, and I've talked to him just now whether he wants his old position at my London house or whether he'd prefer to try to take a step up in a larger household. I know what to do with him, but what about you? You're losing a stable boy who cost you an immense effort to turn into a useful help, and I'd like to offer you someone in return who already knows something. I also know you prefer to start with a blank sheet, so to speak, but what if Peter wants to leave as well? You cannot teach two plough boys how to ride within six months.'

Of course, Hugo knew this, though he had tried to ignore his own better judgement.

'I really dislike the idea of having to break an experienced help of all his bad habits, sir, but you are right, as usual. I cannot train up two new stable boys at the same time, if you were to take Bob on a trip I'd have no-one here to help exercise the hunters. I do need someone with experience, though I dislike the idea.'

'This is what I thought, which is why I wrote to a friend of mine in Newcastle, who employs a boy who might be the very help you need. He has a feel for horses that so far I've only seen in you and his father, and he is used to being at the bottom of the pack, so to speak. He is curious and wants to see the world, he would not mind the move and he would fit in well with the staff here.

Problem is, he is headstrong and wise beyond his years, and I think your usual methods would either break his spirit or make him run away. He is not a boy to rule with strict discipline, he needs to learn to rule himself. I really liked him and wanted to hire him, but I always thought you and he would be like water and fire.

But now I've seen you with Ben I'm starting to hope, he is so precocious and yet you let him find out things for himself. You didn't punish him for getting caught in the front, I did ask him, I admit, and he was proud to answer that you told him to trust to his own sense of propriety. I think you've changed, Hugo, I think you might even appreciate Daniel Smith these days. He rides like a hussar, he grew up evaluating his father's employer's breeding herd of army horses, he is a hard worker and an honest one. What do you say, do you think you could let him find a place among your staff, knowing that he may challenge you if he thinks you are wrong?'

'You mentioned a Mr Smith just now, who rides like I do. Is he the boy's father?'

'Yes, he is. Though he is not his current employer.'

'And is he a cavalry man?'

'Well, Colonel Drummond is an army man, though not cavalry as far as I know. And Mr Smith, I don't know, frankly. I wouldn't be surprised for where else would he have learned those exercises?'

'If his father raised him as an officer would, I can work with the lad. He will have known discipline, he just doesn't respect authority for its own sake. I expect my staff to obey me because I know better, and sometimes it takes a while for them to find out I really am right most of the time. If the lad wants to try the Pemberley stables, I'm willing as well. We really do need someone experienced, even if he is young and headstrong. Who knows when Fanny will convince Bob she'd like to return to London to be closer to her family.'

'Please don't even think about that, Hugo! Fortunately Mrs Reynolds is ahead of both of us there, she knows Fanny has ambitions to become a housekeeper and has offered to teach her. You know Mrs Reynolds doesn't want to stay in charge of the Pemberley staff forever, I think she realised there were other things she wanted to do after her illness last winter and Fanny can take her place here slowly.'

That would be a true blessing, especially if the Newcastle boy was eager to explore the world in charge of a team of thoroughbreds. If he was as talented and teachable as Mr Darcy described him he could learn to take Bob's place when the family travelled to London or Hertfordshire or wherever they pleased.

'I'm very glad to hear that, Bob is an excellent man in every respect, I'd hate to lose him. And you agree to hiring a new local lad to start at the bottom as soon as possible? So Bruce can teach him the essentials while he is still here?'

'You said you knew this boy, a local lad from an excellent family?'

'He's the late John Kendall's second son, sir. Darren Staples will soon be his stepfather, he will learn a lot about horses from him as well.'

'You are very well-connected these days, Hugo. How is the search for Mr Langley's team progressing?'

'He hasn't decided on a carriage, yet, but once Peter has seen the phaeton and described it to his father-in-law that estimable man will decide quickly on who will craft it. Mr Porter will help him decide on the details, and then we'll start to look for a team in earnest.'

'You could offer him a tour of the stables here, with Bingley's, Mr Gardiner's and Manners' team he can see what is possible and what his money can buy him.'

'That is a magnificent idea, sir, and if we wait a week or so he'll be able to see Mr Porter's craftsmanship as well. With your permission, I will do that.'

'He has been of great help to me finding the new ponies, I would like to return at least part of the favour instead of letting you do all the real work. I'm also very aware of the time you have spent on those ponies, Hugo, and I assure you your efforts will also see a return.'

That sounded as if he was already working on it, but Hugo didn't see schooling horses as a chore, he loved his work and to be fair, Caitlin and himself had used the gig and ponies a lot the last week, and not just to help Caitlin make her house calls, they'd thoroughly enjoyed the little vehicle.

'Thank you, sir, though it really has been our pleasure to have those ponies, I've been teaching Caitlin and Ben how to drive, and we've made a few house calls together. It's so much faster and safer, I really think we may get our own pony.'

'Good, that gig is so small a single pony will do very well, though I'd get a slightly taller animal since it would be quite a bit faster, I think.'

'I think so, too, those little legs are perfect for Pemberley but if we are to drive to an emergency or to town, we'll need a little more speed. Well, there are all those markets I was planning to visit for your team, no-one has ever managed to sell me a nag, I may take my chances there.'

'Excellent, Hugo, I'm glad to hear having the ponies has been of some use to you. I will write to Colonel Drummond, whether he is still prepared to let Daniel Smith go, and once Patrick Kendall has been here for a few days I'll be pleased to meet him. Let me know when you think the ponies are ready, will you?'

'Certainly, sir, I think we are nearly there, we'll groom them well tonight to see if their coats are ready to be brushed smooth, and if they are we'll have them ready for you in three days.'

'Will you teach Mrs Darcy, Hugo? I want her to learn from the best and she's used to Fielding's lessons, he is much stricter than he looks.'

'I would be honoured, sir, and I know Mrs Darcy will not be afraid of me. She doesn't scare that easily, I've noticed.'

'You are right, her courage rises with every attempt to intimidate her.'

That sounded like a quote of something Mrs Darcy had said, or someone had said about her, and Hugo wasn't even tempted to feel insulted by the possible implication that he might try to intimidate her.

'That is how the stable staff have come to know Mrs Darcy, sir. She is a true horse person and will be a delight to teach.'

With that, they parted ways, and Hugo felt somewhat flattered that Mr Darcy had refrained from hiring a new stable boy to suit Hugo. On the other hand, again, he might feel insulted that his employer didn't think he could handle this particular boy, but he decided not to. Everybody accepted Mr Fielding's peculiarities because he was extraordinarily talented, and whilst Hugo did not think his own accomplishments with horses were by any means comparable to the piano master's, they were still very useful and had saved Mr Darcy a lot of money and inconvenience. And people did so envy him those thoroughbreds.

When Ben had finished his task, he looked out of the window and reflected on how much his life had changed in just a few weeks. He had not been unhappy even though he had known for a while that the way mum and he lived was somehow not right. For as long as he could remember he had minded the goats in the woods, whilst mum was away taking care of patients. She would return as soon as she could, with a loaf of bread, or some real vegetables, or even some fruit or milk or meat. There had been plenty of time to spend together, and she had told him stories and taught him to read and write. Besides the few books of their own, she had sometimes borrowed new ones from the widow, which he was allowed to read but not before he had washed his hands and face really carefully.

And then Jean had come into their lives, tall, manly and most of all, kind. He had always left something behind for Ben, some books, writing materials, clothes, useful things but things that made life a little more than just staying alive.

For some reason, mum had quarrelled with him, Ben still didn't understand since he could see she loved him. He was only a boy and he had never been among people much, but the way she looked at their visitor, drank in the sight of him, came alive when he visited, Ben had read quite a few books and not all of them necessarily meant for little boys. Mum looked as if she didn't want Jean to leave them, though she never tried to stop him from leaving, he would probably not have returned if she had. When he had stopped visiting for a few months, his master needed a certain team of horses and only Jean could drive them to him in London, life had been rather dull, but he'd brought a few magnificent gifts back with him and Ben had soon forgotten he hadn't been around for quite awhile. Mum was just as glad to see him back.

And now Ben's dearest wish had come true and his life was much more like the books he'd read, with a proper house with a roof and windows, a garden with a fence and a large blossoming tree in the middle, and real neighbours, who liked a ten-year-old boy and taught him things about real vegetables growing in neat rows, with bright colours and a sweet taste. Mrs Wright gave him cookies and Mr Wright trusted him to weed the tiniest seedlings, saying Ben recognised them better than Mr Wright did himself when they were still so small. Besides, Mr Wright had some trouble bending over to look at them, though he didn't like to admit it. Hopefully mum's draught against rheumatism would soon help him with that, take some of his pain away.

When Mr Wright said he'd have friends soon, Ben couldn't believe it, he knew Nathaniel and Jonathan liked him but they were bookish, like him and like their father, Mr Brewer. Ben had seen mum's look every time Jean had mentioned living in a village, she was afraid to be shunned, and Ben knew she was even more afraid of Ben being shunned by the village boys.

And yet Mr Wright had been right, the first time they went to church the villagers had been very curious and very kind, and some boys had asked Ben to come and play with them afterwards. He had been rather afraid they meant to play some trick on him but they never did, they had merely shown him all the good spots to play and given him a tour of the village with all the gossip and two generations of village history.

And when Rover had been added to their family, Ben had become a favourite, all those boys wanted a dog but none of the families could afford to feed one. Ben had started to realise his new life was rather privileged, his new father a highly ranked servant at the great house, his mother an acknowledged miracle worker and apparently quite pretty as well. Ben had never known any other women to compare her to, but the few young women in Witham certainly weren't as pretty and the maids at Pemberley weren't either. When he thought of Mrs Fielding his certainty wavered a little, she was so well-dressed and so young, she was more like a large girl than a woman. Mrs Manners was reputed to be very beautiful, and Mrs Bingley, but Ben hadn't seen either of them, yet. And he had seen Mr Darcy, who was certainly very tall and imposing, and possibly handsomer than Jean but undoubtedly not as kind and as good a rider, but he had never seen Mrs Darcy either. Mum knew all those people quite well, and the local boys thought that was almost as impressive as having a dog of his own, who followed Ben everywhere and always kept an eye on him without disdaining the other boys' pets and thrown sticks.

'Have you finished already, Ben?' Mr Brewer asked kindly. Behind him, the sun was shining outside on the front lawn of the large mansion, and the workmen could be heard doing outlandish things with revolutionary materials, as Jean called the iron and glass they worked with. And Jean was French, he had seen some things. Ben imagined France must be so much more beautiful than England, because the language was so elegant and Jean had described such beautiful flowers from his home country, where everybody ate fancy dishes and drank sparkling wines. Or maybe that was because he'd been rich in his youth.

'I have, Mr Brewer.'

'You were thinking nice thoughts, weren't you? I could see you smile, and since I know you're not the type to daydream whilst you're supposed to work I thought I'd let you.'

'I was thinking how my life had changed, Mr Brewer. I'm like a normal boy now, except I am a very lucky one to be able to learn things from you and listen to Mr Fielding play his beautiful music. And dad is teaching me how to drive.'

'What was your life like before you moved to Witham, Ben, do you mind telling us about it?'

Since Ben did not, he told Mr Brewer and his new friends what a day in his life had been like in their hut near Ripley, and Mr Brewer seemed to register wholly different things from his two sons, who most likely thought Ben's life had been enviable then since there had been nobody to tell him what to do all day.

'Now I understand why you sound so much older than your age, Ben, you lived the life of an adult. Your tasks were of vital importance to your survival, and your mother had to trust you to be sensible and stay safe when she had to go out to treat her patients. You did really well to read so much and learn so much under such difficult circumstances, your mother raised you well. Did you mind when she decided to marry Mr Hugo?'

'Oh, no, sir, I have never been happier in my life. And not just for mum, though it's so good to see her and dad so much in love. I'm glad to be a normal boy now, with chores and lessons but as you said, without being responsible for our survival. I never realised I was like a little grown-up but I do now, and I'm so glad I can be a child for a few more years. Dad even told me I could be naughty sometimes, to feel what it is like. Though I won't be really bad, of course, I've heard enough talk how strict dad can be.'

He added that quickly, he didn't want Jonathan and Nathaniel to get ideas. Not that he really believed Jean would ever be severe or harsh to him. Ben had run into Mr Darcy again, one day in the hall close to Mr Brewer's study, and the gentleman had asked him whether Jean had berated him over his excursion in pursuit of beautiful music. Ben didn't think it was an accident they'd met, he felt it was some kind of test for his new father and he'd proudly repeated what Jean had told him about being allowed to make mistakes and trusting Ben's sense of propriety. And indeed Mr Darcy seemed pleased, he really was a nice man though he looked rather impressive.

'Don't believe everything you hear in the back, my boy,' Mr Brewer said kindly. 'I can assure you that those who've felt Mr Hugo's displeasure have earned it. Those stable boys like a good story as much as anyone else, and it doesn't have to be altogether accurate.

Now, would you like to write down what you just told us in a little more detail? And how things have changed? Just to practise writing things down? That is always a good exercise, and I think you may want to remember later what happened and how you felt about it when you were a child. You can copy it out on real paper, to keep for later.'

It was a really good idea, and Ben instantly agreed. He quickly wrote down a few key words on the back of his slate, then corrected his previous work together with Mr Brewer.

'You can start on your story straight away, you're gaining on Jonathan quickly, in a few weeks I'll be able to teach you both together. Will you walk home by yourself this afternoon, or will you play with my boys again until Mr Hugo heads home to this special assignment he has from Mr Darcy?'

'Thank you so much, Mr Brewer, I never thought I'd get the chance to learn this much. I have a lot of ideas so I'll be glad to write them down immediately. And the mystery task is not finished, yet, so I was hoping I could spend the afternoon with Jonathan and Nathaniel. I know the way home but it's so much quicker riding with dad, and it's kind of exciting to ride on a horse, even if it's only as a double.'

'I'll let you get to it then, and review the boys' work, and then you can work on a writing assignment for an hour and get yourselves outside, the weather is lovely and I'm sure Mrs Brewer has a new batch of cookies ready for hard-working boys.'

Mrs Brewer was very pretty and very kind, though she didn't look at like like she'd forged those beautiful ornaments for the small phaeton only he and dad and Mr Darcy had seen so far. She seemed so frail, though Ben had noticed a slight thickening of her cheeks and hands that didn't fit her stature. Forging did strengthen the hands, but not the face, and if Ben indeed had the same instincts mum had, Mrs Brewer might be in the early stages of making a little brother or sister for Ben's best friends. Of course that was not his knowledge to share, though he might let mum know in case she wanted to offer her services as a midwife to return some of the huge favour Mr Brewer did Ben by teaching him.

Since even bookish boys are still boys, the prospect of an extra hour of freedom on the huge Pemberley estate was a huge enticement to all three of them, and they went back to work eagerly.

They behaved like perfect little gentlemen until they had left the big house through the servants' door in the back, then stormed through the kitchen gardens towards the stables like little heathens. His friends were really in awe of the Pemberley stable master, and Ben didn't want to cause trouble for Jean, so they quieted down again until they were past the stable area, Ben waving at Bruce and Peter, who were busy in the cobbled yard. Once out of sight, they all ran as fast as they could, Ben keeping up rather well with Jonathan, who was his own age but a little taller. Poor Nathaniel couldn't run as fast, he was just eight, but he did try his best and arrived at the beautifully wrought gate of the Brewer house just moments behind them.

As they walked across the garden behind the gate, still breathing hard, Mrs Brewer came towards them with a smile on her face.

'You've performed miracles with my boys, Ben, just look at their rosy cheeks. Have you been running so hard you're an hour early?'

Mrs Brewer was the kind of mother who worried too much, and Jonathan and Nathaniel tried to protect her from her worries by behaving like little saints in her presence. Once out of her sight they were like any other boys, Ben's Witham friends didn't get up to more mischief than the Brewer boys, Pemberley was just so large and so few people lived there that no-one ever caught them up a tree or on the bank of the sizeable river. Mr Oliver, the hunt master, had taught them to swim and to fish, but still the river was not as safe as the stream in Witham or the one Ben had grown up by, it was much broader and quite deep in the middle. Still, the boys had never come to harm, probably because they were quite sensible, and it had been easy for Ben to convince them that running home was a much faster way to get to the cookies than walking sedately. And apparently, Mrs Brewer didn't mind seeing them red-faced and breathing hard.

'We're only running where we don't bother anyone, mum. Papa let us go home early, because the weather is so fine. May we go fishing?'

'If you don't bother the ladies and gentlemen, you may. Why don't you go and ask Mr Oliver for a rod for Ben as well? He is part of the staff now. But change your shoes first and have something to eat.'

As the boys ran in to put their good shoes away, Mrs Brewer looked at Ben as if she was wondering whether to tell him something, then decided to do so.

'Could you ask your mother to call on me next time she is at Pemberley? I believe she is here very regularly, isn't she? I need some advice. Not that I'm ill, mind you, I feel fine.'

Ben nodded as knowingly as a ten-year-old boy could, then said, 'I think she is due a visit the day after tomorrow, I'll ask her. She will be happy to come, Mrs Brewer, we are very grateful for what Mr Brewer is doing for me. And I know you're not ill, you look very well.'

'Nathan said you have your mother's talent, but you're so young. Can you really see it so soon?'

'It's very easy to spot when you know the signs, Mrs Brewer, though not with all ladies. I won't tell anyone, not even Mr Brewer or mum or dad.'

'You can tell your mum, and I suppose she'll tell Mr Hugo. Mr Brewer already knows. The boys shouldn't until it's certain. Oh, here they come, to think you're the same age as Jonathan. Let's see what the kitchen has to offer us, I feel like something special today.'

She was so sweet, and something in her voice told Ben she'd had a very sad pregnancy before. He'd tell that to mum as well, and it explained why she was so careful with her sons. And yet, those two had plenty of freedom, and plenty of excellent cake and pie, though Ben still preferred to have Jean as his new dad and a whole new forest to find useful herbs in.

Mr Oliver was very pleased to meet Ben, and he knew for certain that the gentlemen were not going fishing that day.

'You can go to the spot past the first bridge to fish, but only on the bank, mind! Your mum will kill me if I let you in the water this time of the year. Do you know how to swim, Ben?'

Ben had to admit he didn't, though he'd splashed in the stream in Witham with his friends.

'The water is still a bit too cold for lessons, though you could fall in at any time of the year so you really should learn to swim in every season. I'll talk to Hugo about it, for now you can go with them but you have to stay well back from the water until you've learned to swim.'

Ben wouldn't have gone into the stream anyway since he was wearing his only pair of shoes, he didn't feel like wearing wet shoes until they had a chance to dry.

'I promise I'll stay on the bank, Mr Oliver.'

'Excellent. And since it's your first time you don't have to dig for bait, I'll give you some. You boys show him how it's done, and be careful not to damage the fish when you put them back.'

'If we catch any, Mr Oliver!' Jonathan observed cheekily, but the hunt master seemed certain they would.

'Now, young Ben, do you know where I can find your mother today? There is a certain clearing I should have replanted with trees, but I have seen some herbs growing there that I think she may value for their medicinal properties. It's not a prime location since it's much too wet for hardwoods, so if she values them I can ask Mr Darcy to wait a few seasons, or maybe plant fewer trees or even leave it as it is. Frankly, I'm dying to have a nice long chat about trees with someone who knows and values nature. Not just as woods and prey, you see.'

Ben was immensely proud of his mum being sought after by so many people at the big house, the steward's wife, the hunt master. He couldn't help bragging a little.

'She knows all the plants, Mr Oliver, and the animals as well.'

Here he paused a little, for he suspected mum had poached the forest around Ripley, but of course she was not going to hunt in Mr Darcy's forest, she was wiser than that and anyway, they could afford to buy meat now. But Mr Oliver wasn't thinking of animals as meat right now, he just loved the forest and every living creature in it, and Ben dared say his mum did as well.

'She will be in the forest west of Witham this afternoon, she is still exploring that long ridge where the river has carved out the escarpment, it's the combination of sandstone and a steep slope she wants. Unless she is called out to a patient, but there were no babies expected or people on the edge of death this morning. If you look for her, don't be afraid of Rover, he won't hurt you if mum tells him not to. He is very protective because she is all by herself.'

'That escarpment is not too far from the clearing I mentioned, maybe she wants to take a look at it straight away. I think I'll saddle a horse, then, and see if I can find her. I've been hoping to meet her here but the genteel folk keep claiming her time. Don't worry, I will tell her who I am immediately so she won't set the dog on me. You boys enjoy yourselves, and take care of each other.'

Mr Oliver was a very nice man, and Jean had known him for years. Mum would like him, though when she first saw him she would probably be a bit startled to see a strange man in the forest. But Mr Oliver looked almost like a gentleman, not like some ruffian, and Ben knew he had his own hunter because Jean had told him he had. It was the hunt master's task to lead the hunt, as well as the pack of hounds, and he couldn't do that if he didn't have an excellent horse that could keep up with the gentlemen's hunters.