Chapter 34
Vereker looked directly into his son’s extraordinary eyes, his precious Madeline’s eyes.
He said, “Your uncle Tally. He was always very kind, very loving, but he always wanted adventure, wanted to spread his wings. At Waterloo he fell from a French soldier’s sword in his side and, as Eugenie said, he struck his head.
He survived the sword thrust, barely, but his head, his thoughts—it’s quite true.
Tally came home finally, but he was never the same.
” Vereker paused, then, “I saw a strange look on your face, Graham. Did you have a memory of him? He spent a lot of time with you and Simon.”
Graham shook his head.
Donner leaned forward. “You truly can’t remember anything, Graham?”
“No.”
Eugenie said, “If Vicar Piercebridge hadn’t happened to visit his brother-in-law in London, if you and Mr. Sherbrooke just hadn’t happened to be at dinner—the happenstance curdles the brain.”
“It was more than happenstance,” Ryder said. “I believe it was meant to be, and that sounds odd, but I know Graham was meant to come home.”
Vereker felt tears and quickly said, “I agree with you, Ryder. Now, Graham, let me tell you of my plans today. This morning I would like to show you around our home farms, introduce you to our people. You will find them hardworking, honest folk, well, except for Old Clapper, who sits about and complains and suffers his daughter-in-law’s sharp tongue, a punishment, believe me.
They will welcome you, you were always well-liked.
As a boy, you were always playing with the farmers’ children.
And Simon too, of course. I’m certain Mrs. Flock will fill you with her very fine lemonade, perhaps an almond biscuit.
Be prepared to repeat your story, all of them have heard it, but they will want to hear it from you.
“This evening, we’ll dine with a man I hold in great esteem, Sir Malcolm Hopson, a mathematician, a philosopher, a man of wit and learning. I’m sure he’ll tell you about a brilliant young man he became friends with then he traveled to the Galapagos Islands some years ago.”
Eugenie snorted, a charming sound Graham thought.
“He is a crashing bore, Father, drones on and on. I’ve heard all about this young man Charles Darwin and his outlandish ideas.
Who cares about these islands with their silly name?
Donner and I will dine with the Willowbrooks, win at whist and enjoy their fine wit. ”
Vereker grinned at his daughter. He said to his son, “Unlike you, my boy, she has little interest in science and mathematics and all those wonderful things yet to be invented.”
Graham nodded. “I shall be happy to regale Eugenie and Donner with my adventures, particularly about little Angie who loved to put overripe plums in my bed.” But he was remembering that white veil, those shadows pushing against it, and he realized he wasn’t himself, he was young, only a boy, and he was looking up, probably at Uncle Tally.
Graham would find out from Blakeney where Uncle Tally lived and visit him.
Perhaps seeing his uncle would spark more memories.
He felt hope. He looked up to see Ryder studying him.
Ryder knew him so very well. He’d been his father and confidant and his friend for over ten years.
Did he guess something as his father had?
Probably. What had Ryder and his father seen on his face?
As for Ryder, he pondered as he walked around the estate, through the magnificent gardens, wending through the dozen or so sheep grazing in the wide park opposite the manor.
He stood at the edge of the wide ribbon of water, known as the Green Stream.
He couldn’t see below the surface and wondered what was down there, out of sight.
He wondered what his children would think.
Ah, there were only fourteen now since Teddy had left to become a solicitor’s assistant.
It was time to find another abused child.
So many different personalities, his Beloved Ones.
He considered himself the most blessed of men.
As he stood there, the green water rippled, stilled again.
Maybe there was something beneath that green surface, something frightening, something with slimy scales.
He saw more movement, waves building and falling in on themselves.
He picked up a stick and threw it at a hump that seemed to rise straight up, not quite breaking the surface.
The stick didn’t float away, it sank. Was there something beneath the surface that grabbed it, to gnaw on it, to swallow it?
He laughed at himself. Ryder shook his head, he was rivaling his son Grayson’s imagination.
He looked around at the sheep placidly grazing all around him, heard the occasional baa because he was encroaching in their area.
He looked at the mighty oak and elm trees surrounding the acres of green grass, rising up the hills, thick and lush.
He thought about Eugenie. She’d been welcoming, finally, but he wondered.
He’d seen her eyes resting on her newly returned brother, and there was something he didn’t understand in that look of hers, something she was thinking, feeling, but what?
Jealousy? When Graham and his brother, Simon, had disappeared she’d been the only child left.
Had she been smothered in attention and indulged until she believed herself the princess of the castle?
Was she really happy he was home? He was a shock, certainly, to all of them.
No, no, all would be good. Graham was home, where he belonged.
Ryder walked back to the house, weaving his way through the tame sheep.
Of course Vereker hadn’t invited him along with Graham on their jaunt to the home farms. He wanted his son to himself, to show him off to all the tenant farmers, the young god, so perfect.
Ryder remembered the time Graham had lied through his teeth to sneak away to a traveling bawdy show in Lower Slaughter.
He’d been seventeen, full of a young man’s lust. He’d snuck back into Brandon House, his young male’s eyes still glazed with lust and of course he’d been found out.
Ryder decided he wanted to meet Uncle Tally.
Before he left King’s Head he wanted to be certain there was no possible danger to Graham because he knew very well the danger to Graham as a boy was still here or nearby, ready to strike again.
Was the danger from this poor man wounded so severely at Waterloo?
Did he have any ideas on who had tried to murder Graham and his brother so many years ago? Had he been behind it?
Ryder sighed. Life was always changing and shifting in unexpected ways, bringing in new people whose motives were many times hidden, and people who lied. He also planned to speak to Graham tonight once everyone had gone to bed.