5
The walk through the woods into the village was undertaken in rather a subdued fashion: conversation amongst the party was muted.
Archer Maitland had joined them and was leading the way with Celeste on his arm, while the Colonel and Susannah followed.
Jane and Dr Moore brought up the rear and although he chatted cheerfully about all around, she found it difficult to respond in a like manner.
She had apologised profusely to the Colonel for alarming him by her behaviour, although she did not fully understand why he seemed to be upset.
Surely she had never been in any real danger and she was certain that if it had been her young sister, Bennetta, who had ventured up the cliff, he would not have been so worried.
But there was no denying that her godfather looked quite white and drawn with worry and only Jane’s insistence that she was perfectly well stopped him from cancelling the outing and returning at haste to the house.
As they reached the village, Archer and Andrew vanished into the Green Man Inn to discover if cold lemonade could be purchased and the Colonel, at the begging of Celeste who was anxious for new ribbons, accompanied her into the tiny shop to inspect the wares on display.
On the far side of the pond, a large willow tree cascaded its branches down into the water where a family of ducks were squabbling.
In the shade of the branches stood a wooden bench and Jane pushed her way under and sat down, thankfully, because she realised she was far more tired than she cared to admit.
She pulled off her bonnet again, not caring that her hair was flying free and gazed around in happy recognition.
She had often sat in this half-hidden spot over the years, knowing she was safe …
Safe! There was that wretched word again.
What was the matter with her? Every time she cast her mind back to the past, that was the word that came to mind.
Why, she could not think of a single occasion in her whole life when she had not been safe, taken care of and protected from harm.
So why did she cling to safety in such an odd way?
Suddenly the branches were parted and Susannah joined her, her smile warm and obviously not critical.
“Do come and join me in the shade, dear friend. I fear I am in disgrace,” Jane said. “The Colonel can hardly speak to me, Mr Maitland does nothing but scowl and except for Dr Moore, this would be a very sorry outing. Are you angry with me too, Susannah?”
The older woman retied the ribbons on her straw hat and smiled at her friend, admiring the way the sunlight flickered through the willow leaves and shone on her fair hair.
The unusual amount of exercise had brought a fine colour to her cheeks and she seemed to have lost some of that look of despair that had worried her friends and family so much.
“Not at all, Jane dear. I admit I was slightly concerned when I looked up and saw how high you had climbed, but within seconds Mr Maitland was at your side and I knew all was well.”
Jane felt her temper rising. “There was no need for a fuss. Mr Maitland acts as if he had rescued me from some terrible fate. He really is an objectionable man. I have yet to have any conversation with him that does not include barbed comments and condemnation of my actions.”
“On the other hand, Dr Moore is very amiable.”
Jane nodded, knowing her cheeks were colouring.
She had to admit it was pleasant to have a gentleman pay her such kind and considerate attention.
Not that she was attracted to him, of course.
She had vowed to have nothing to do with men for ever more and was determined not to be one of those young ladies who changed their affections in the same way they changed their bonnets!
Susannah changed the subject. “Do not think too badly of the Colonel. I was talking to him when we both noticed to where you had adventured. He was only as alarmed as I was myself.”
“Then why is he now so upset?”
Her friend hesitated, then said, “Well, I am sure it was not her intention, but Signorina Celeste got very agitated, on your behalf. She kept insisting that you would fall, that you would dash your head on the rocks below and inflict some great injury on yourself. Her cries of alarm made the Colonel feel that you were in mortal peril and he became most concerned for your safety.”
“Oh dear. What a tangle. Why did Celeste have to interfere?”
“She has a very excitable nature, no doubt, and I am sure she was worried. It is just a pity she reacted so violently and upset the Colonel.”
Jane glanced at her friend and started to speak, then fell silent. There had been an odd tone in Susannah’s voice, as if she was highly critical of the Italian girl but could not say so out loud.
“Why, here they are! Sitting comfortably in the shade, whilst we faint from hunger!” Celeste parted the branches with a cry of success.
Jane and Susannah left their seat to find the rest of the party standing waiting for them.
“I apologise if we have kept you from your luncheons,” Jane said. “Was there no lemonade to be had at the Green Man?”
Dr Moore shook his head. “Well, there was, but although my doctorate is not in medicine, I suggested to Archer that it did not look at all wholesome. Indeed, the place was filthy and I could not recommend that we purchased anything to eat or drink there.”
“But it always used to be a lovely, clean establishment! Papa and Mama often purchased little items for our picnics when we were young.” Jane was distressed to hear the inn being so disparaged.
“I fear the decline of villages such as Compton Forge is the result of so called progress,” Archer Maitland said.
“The area no longer has such a large population as it did ten years ago. There is very little work for men nowadays. The small holdings and little farms have all but disappeared, swallowed up by the larger farmers, and so more and more families have left the area to seek employment elsewhere. They frequently go to London which is causing a great deal of overcrowding and poverty in the city. And the workers who remain are often not paid a good wage.”
The Colonel nodded. “It has caused a great deal of distress and unrest, I must admit. That shocking affair in the village of Tolpuddle in February was, I fear, just the beginning of what might become a very ugly few years. And Tolpuddle is not so many miles away as the crow flies.”
Archer nodded. “It was a bad affair and equally badly handled by the authorities. I have been busy at work, trying to help the families of those men who were deported to Australia. There is a great petition, being signed by thousands of people, to bring the men back. I am hoping that we might have some success, perhaps not this year but maybe next.”
“Yes, I am aware that you have similar views to mine. Well, I employ the same number of staff as I have always done and pay them what I think is fair for their labour, but I know several of my neighbours have dismissed people such as under shepherds, labourers, herders and the like. It is very sad, but as Archer says, it is progress.”
Jane stared about her; now she was looking with clarity, and not through the glow of happy memories, she could see that the village was a shadow of its former self.
Several of the cottages stood empty, their thatched roofs had weeds growing through them.
There were broken windows in places and even the dwellings that were inhabited looked mean and run down.
The Green Man did indeed look dilapidated and dirty; the sign swinging over the door just a blur of old paint on warped wood.
She realised, too, that where before there had always been groups of young children out playing, who would happily run up, expecting pennies to be thrown, only two very grubby infants dressed in torn shifts were standing, gazing listlessly at the Deerwood party.
Of course she was well aware that earlier that year there had been disorder and outcry when six farmers from Tolpuddle had been arrested for swearing an illegal oath when they joined a society to protest against their poor pay.
Even far away in Derbyshire, news had arrived of the great gatherings in London to protest the men being transported to Australia and campaign for their pardon and return.
She could plainly recall her papa throwing his newspaper down on the breakfast table in anger, stating that the people in authority were out of their minds and if employers only paid their workers a decent wage—for how could a family with small children exist on six shillings a week?
—then the country could settle down once more.
“But surely something should be done, especially for their families!” Susannah sounded distressed and angry.
“La, please let us talk of something more pleasant,” Celeste broke in with a laugh. “Me, I am hungry and eager for my luncheon. Come, Jane, walk with me. We will leave the men and Miss Courtney to their serious discussions.”
“We must return to Deerwood Park by the quickest route, along the track.” The Colonel turned to Archer and Andrew. “Will you gentlemen give us the pleasure of your company for lunch, or are you promised elsewhere?”
“No, we are entirely at your disposal, Sir,” Andrew replied with a bow. “Although I am reluctant to impose on your hospitality for a second day running.”
“Indeed, I have not spoken to my grandmother but I am sure she will be delighted if you will all come and dine with us on Friday.”
Archer Maitland spoke almost without thinking, aware of the surprised glance his friend threw in his direction. Lady Goddard was not a person who took kindly to surprises, especially ones that involved an extra four people for dinner at short notice.
“Oh how delightful. I am so anxious to see Robyns,” Celeste said. “The dear Colonel has told me that it is one of the most delightful houses in the whole county.”