A Companion of Quality Page 5

  Lewis Brabant strode forward with a lazy grace. “It will be good for you to have another expert to talk to, Lavender, rather than a brother who is a dullard!”

  Lavender laughed. “No such thing, Lewis! You are ridiculous!”

  “Well, I assure you I cannot tell a petal from a stamen, but I do know that your drawings are very fine! Now, you must excuse me for I must be about estate business.” He paused with his hand on the doorhandle. “You will not forget the commission at Hammond’s for me, Lavender? Perhaps Miss Whiston might accompany you if she has any errands into Abbot Quincey?”

  Caroline agreed readily. “I have some ribbons to buy for Mrs Chessford and a number of small purchases to make. If you do not mind waiting whilst I choose another book…”

  She put the two volumes she was carrying down on the table and moved across to the oaken shelves to choose something else for Julia. Lewis picked up the books and perused their spines. He looked at her quizzically.

  “Sense and Sensibility and Marmion! A curious mixture, Miss Whiston!”

  “Oh,” Caroline felt flustered. “Sense and Sensibility is Mrs Chessford’s choice—”

  Lewis raised his eyebrows. “You do surprise me, ma’am! So Julia reads the books on manners and morals, and you read the romance! How singular, when outward appearances would suggest otherwise!”

  He put the book in his pocket. “I should like to read Marmion again…” He raised a hand in farewell. “You must join us for dinner tonight, Miss Whiston. No more skulking in your room!” And he left Caroline feeling confused and annoyed, and suspicious that she had glimpsed more than a hint of speculation in Lavender’s eyes.

  The walk to Abbot Quincey was very pleasant, though the roads were a little muddy after the recent rain. It was the first fine day of the week, and Julia had roused herself sufficiently to take the carriage and go to visit friends near Northampton. She had dismissed Caroline, telling her that she did not need her when there was other, more congenial company to be had, which left her companion feeling more than ever sorry to be the butt of Julia’s bad manners.

  Lavender Brabant was a different matter, however, and there was certainly no faulting her courtesy. They talked of botany and art as they walked, and found that they had plenty of interests in common to make the journey pass quickly. Lavender’s companionship was stimulating after Julia’s trivial gossip, and Caroline felt her spirits lift at being out in the fresh air. They reached Abbot Quincey to find that it was busy, despite not being a market day, and strolled down the main street to pause before Hammond’s general store and admire the new frontage. Lavender giggled over the fanlight and huge bow windows.

  “Oh dear, it looks a little excessive for a country town! I understand that Mr Hammond has modelled it on his store in Northampton, and is as proud as proud! Only look, dear Miss Whiston—he has festooned the doorway with his muslin and kerseymere! I do so hope he will not get mud on it!”

  They were about to enter the shop when they were hailed from close quarters by a cadaverous gentleman with an eager eye. Lavender gave Caroline a speaking glance, ducked under the swathes of drapery and disappeared into Hammond’s interior. Caroline sighed and turned to greet the newcomer, trying to compose her face into an expression that was pleasant without being too welcoming.

  “Mr Grizel. How do you do, sir?”

  Hubert Grizel was curate of a neighbouring parish and had recently preached at the church in Abbot Quincey, on the invitation of the Reverend William Perceval. From the moment Caroline had seen him in church, she had identified him as the perfect example of a worthy clergyman looking for a consort. From the moment he had clapped eyes on Caroline, it was evident that Mr Grizel thought that he had found her. He had called at Hewly, not once but several times, and Julia had made sport of his pastoral visits until Caroline was very uncomfortable. She had no wish to encourage the cleric, but equally no desire to embarrass him.

  “Miss Whiston!” Mr Grizel’s thin face flushed with pleasure. He removed his hat, gave a gallant bow and looked as though he were about to topple over. “How are you, ma’am? You look very well, if I may make so bold! I had been intending to call at Hewly, but the weather being as it has—” He gestured vaguely towards the muddy road.

  Caroline smiled. “I am very well, I thank you, sir, as are all at the Manor. There has been little change in the Admiral’s condition. But you will perhaps have heard our good news? Captain Brabant is returned—”

  Mr Grizel had indeed heard all about Lewis Brabant’s return. “I am relieved that the Captain is home safely from the wars,” he observed pompously, “and am more than ever comforted that you ladies are no longer unprotected. A house full of women is in need of a staunch defender!”

  Caroline repressed the urge to tell him that they had scarcely felt in danger before, and a small silence fell. It was clear that Mr Grizel was trying to think of some conversational topic and equally clear that Caroline did not intend to help him.

  “Well,” Caroline said brightly after a moment, gesturing towards the shop, “I must be about my errands! We will see you again soon, Mr Grizel.”

  Mr Grizel ardently assured her that she would indeed, and took himself off, still stammering profuse compliments.

  Caroline smiled a little as she negotiated the blue spotted muslin adorning Hammond’s doorway. Poor Mr Grizel! She hoped that she had mistaken his intentions but suspected that she had read them all too clearly. He could scarcely be blamed for considering a governess companion as a suitable wife and she just hoped she had not been so civil as to encourage his pretensions. She had no wish to hurt his feelings.

  The interior of the shop was dark after the sunshine outside, and Caroline paused to allow her eyes to attune. One half of the shop was a grocery and general store, selling everything from candles to teapots, whilst the other half was a drapers. It was clear that Arthur Hammond was not a man to miss a commercial opportunity. He understood perfectly that his country clients could be anyone from the baker’s wife to Lady Perceval, and that rich and poor alike required a shop that sold all the bits and pieces they needed to save them making the journey into Northampton. At the same time he managed to give the impression of fine quality. Local gossip said that Hammond was very rich and an inveterate social climber, and Caroline could well believe it. She knew that he owned an emporium in Northampton and a string of other shops in the county, and that other members of his family had also made a fortune from trade. Hammond’s children had been sent away to get a fine education, all except Barnabas, his eldest son, who was being groomed to take over the shop.

  Caroline ducked behind a bolt of glossy lustring that was resting against the shelves, and looked around for the ribbons. Julia had asked her to match some colours for two new gowns. She had chosen the dress material herself, but had lost interest in the details once the purchase was made, leaving the choice to her companion. Caroline did not mind. She knew she had a good eye for colour and style when given a chance, and if Julia did not like the outcome she should not have delegated the task in the first place.

  Caroline paused before a display of fine stockings and lace. Would that she had either the opportunity or the means to wear such clothes! The red dress was the only luxurious item of clothing that she possessed, and she had ruthlessly avoided buying clothes she had known she would never wear. Nevertheless it would be fun one day…Caroline caught herself in a rosy dream where she was dressed in green silk and descending a sweeping staircase to a ballroom…She put it firmly from her mind.

  She caught sight of Lavender over by the counter, purchasing some gold braid, presumably the commission from Lewis. Barnabas Hammond himself was attending to her, which struck Caroline as interesting since the purchase was small enough for one of the assistants to attend her. Lavender’s head was bent over her purse and there was an expression in Barnabas’s eyes that made Caroline’s heart skip a beat. So the draper’s handsome son had a tendre for the Admiral’s daughter! Caroline watched as La
vender looked up, met Barney’s very dark eyes and blushed becomingly. She pursed her lips in silent surprise. So the interest was mutual! Caroline could not be surprised, for any woman could see that Barney Hammond was a devastatingly attractive man. And perhaps it was simply a physical attraction on Lavender’s part. She had probably not met many young men and Barney had a strong, lithe physique, and a dark, intense gaze that was particularly compelling. Village gossip had it that the girls were mad for him, but Barney was quiet and kept himself to himself, almost as much as Lavender did…

  Barney looked up, saw Caroline watching and straightened up, taking a step backwards and assuming a more formal expression. Caroline hurried forward with her fabric samples. She liked Barney and did not wish to be thought prying, but she could not help but wonder how Lewis would feel if his sister had developed a genuine affection for the draper’s son. For all Arthur Hammond’s pretensions, it could not be seen as an equal match.

  With ribbons, buttons and braid purchased, and waved on their way by a fulsome Arthur Hammond himself, Caroline and Lavender stepped out into Abbot Quincey’s main street once more. There was a delicate flush still on Lavender’s high cheekbones and a sparkle in her eyes, but before Caroline could decide whether or not to quiz her, they bumped into Lady Perceval.

  Caroline felt a little awkward. The last time she had met Lady Perceval and her daughters she had been with Julia, and whilst they had all exchanged cordial greetings, it had seemed clear to Caroline that the Percevals had no wish to further the acquaintance. This was a little odd, for Caroline knew Lady Perceval to be the kindest of creatures and her generosity was spoken of very highly in the neighbourhood. Caroline had been forced to draw the unhappy conclusion that it was Julia who was the rub and that Lady Perceval did not wish to encourage her. This opinion was now borne out as her ladyship greeted Lavender very warmly.

  “My dear! How delightful to see you again!” She took Lavender’s hand in hers and bent a friendly smile on Caroline. “And Miss Whiston! A pleasure!” She turned back to Lavender. “We were so pleased to hear of your brother’s return, Miss Brabant! You must be greatly relieved to have him home.”

  Lavender blushed and smiled. “Oh, Lady Perceval, it is indeed a pleasure to have Lewis back! I have missed him a great deal!”

  Lady Perceval patted her hand. “Very natural, my dear! I hope that he will settle to life in the neighbourhood—we all do! It will be good for the estate.” A frown of concern touched her brow. “And your father? How is he?”

  Lavender seemed to droop a little. “I fear he is not well, Lady Perceval. I do not believe it can be long—” She broke off. “It makes me more grateful than ever to have my brother home.”

  Lady Perceval sighed. “Yes, indeed. It is fortunate that you have his support at so difficult a time.” She turned to Caroline. “It is good to see you back in Northamptonshire too, Miss Whiston. You must see some changes since your time at the school!”

  “I do indeed, ma’am, I thank you,” Caroline murmured, surprised at this sign of notice. She had not realised that Lady Perceval even knew who she was, let alone her past history.

  Lady Perceval was still smiling at her. “I knew your mama, you know, Miss Whiston. We were débutantes together, Deborah and I.” She sighed and shook her head. “She was a good friend and I am sorry that we lost touch with each other. If you are ever in need of any help—” suddenly there was significant look in Lady Perceval’s eye “—I beg you to come to me. I should do my best to assist you.”

  She smiled at Lavender again. “Well, I should not keep you. No doubt your brother will have a hundred and one things to do about the estate, Miss Brabant, but Sir James and I should be pleased if the two of you would care to dine at the Hall one evening. I will send the invitation over. Good day, Miss Brabant.” She nodded to Caroline. “Miss Whiston.”

  “How charming of her,” Lavender said, as they set off to walk back to Steep Abbot. “I must confess that I have little taste for company, but the Percevals have always been very amiable to me.” A cloud touched her face. “Julia will not be pleased, I fear, but Lady Perceval made no mention of including her in the invitation!”

  Caroline hesitated. She would have put it far more strongly and observed that Lady Perceval had pointedly excluded Julia from the invitation to dine. She could hardly say so, however. Julia was her employer and as such she owed her discretion at least.

  Lavender touched her arm in a contrite fashion.

  “I do apologise, Miss Whiston! It must be difficult enough for you, without my tactless remarks! Let us not speak of Julia and spoil this lovely day!”

  Caroline’s lips twitched. Despite herself, it was diverting to be sympathised with for putting up with Julia Chessford. More than ever, Julia seemed like the cuckoo in the nest at Hewly, unwelcome but somehow too important to be dislodged. But of course, all that would change if she married Lewis. Mrs Lewis Brabant could hardly be ignored in the neighbourhood. It seemed to Caroline as though the sun had suddenly gone behind a cloud.

  “Lady Perceval was very gracious to you too, was she not, Miss Whiston?” Lavender commented. “I had no idea that she knew your family! But what did she mean by offering her help to you should you need it?”

  “I imagine that she thought I might need some assistance in finding a new position one day,” Caroline said neutrally, wondering if that was what had really prompted Lady Perceval’s words. “It is very kind of her.”

  “Oh, she is the soul of kindness!” Lavender agreed. “I suppose that she could be in the right of it, if Julia moved away, or were to marry…”

  Caroline decided to change the subject. She did not want to dwell on Julia’s matrimonial plans a second longer. Knowing that Julia was making a dead set for Lewis put her in a very awkward position when speaking to Lewis’s sister. With a sigh, Caroline reflected that the lot of a governess was preferable to that of a companion. She already felt that she was the repository of too many difficult secrets.

  “I am glad you are so pleased to have your brother back at home, Miss Brabant,” she said warmly. “Do you see much of a change in him?”

  Lavender smiled, and it lit up her whole face. “To tell the truth, Miss Whiston, I do not really remember what Lewis was like before he went to sea. He was very much the older brother, you see, although not as distant as Andrew, of course!” She gave a peal of laughter. “I do remember that he was very affected when he returned from University—he used to write very bad poetry and was forever striking a tragic pose until one wished to shake him, but I believe the Navy must have discouraged such foolishness in him! At any rate, he is much more forceful and decisive than I remember him, which is little wonder.” She hesitated. “I do question how it must be for him to return home, however. Hewly is hardly a happy place with my father so ill and the estate gone to ruin. I wonder if Lewis will not simply sell up and return to sea in time…”

  Caroline was startled. “But Hewly is a sound estate and surely must return a profit once it is in better repair! And your brother would not wish to remain at sea forever—” She broke off, realising that she must sound presumptuous.

  Lavender did not appear to mind. “I may be mistaken, but I do not think that Hewly holds happy memories for Lewis. Besides, it is not as though Hewly is a family home in the sense of Perceval Hall. Papa purchased the house, but you must know, Miss Whiston, that his family seat is in Yorkshire. As a younger son, however, he had his own way to make. Mama, of course, was one of the Fontenoys, but for all her aristocratic connections she had no money, so—” she shrugged “—Hewly should have become our family home. Fate has decreed that it is not a lucky one.”

  “Neither for you nor your brother,” Caroline said sympathetically. “You do not mention your own situation, Miss Brabant, but I imagine that it cannot always have been happy.”

  Lavender coloured a little. “Oh, I manage as well I might. I have been fortunate in spending time in Town with Aunt Augusta Carew—she even sponsored m
e in society, you know, Miss Whiston, and was very put out that I did not take!” There was suddenly a mischievous look in Lavender’s eye that reminded Caroline forcibly of Lewis. “It is not fashionable to admit it, but I prefer the country to Town. I had no time for all those fops and dandies, and silly, empty-headed girls who had no interest but to catch a rich husband!”

  Caroline burst out laughing. “And I admire you for it, Miss Brabant! The pleasures of drawing and botany must far outweigh those of balls and parties!”

  “Why, so I think!” Lavender said spontaneously. “Although—” a wistful note entered her voice “—I did enjoy the theatre and some of the balls…”

  “Perhaps your brother will take a house in Town for the season next year,” Caroline suggested. “It would be just the thing for you all…”

  “I am sure he will do if Cousin Julia has any say in the matter.” Suddenly there was a different note in Lavender’s voice. “I do so hope that Lewis will not—” She broke off abruptly. “I beg your pardon, Miss Whiston. I have run on a great deal, which is most unlike me!”

  “Pray do not apologise,” Caroline said with a smile. “It is very pleasant to have your conversation, Miss Brabant.”

  “Then will you not call me Lavender?” the younger girl said, a little hesitantly. “I should so like us to be friends…”

  Caroline was touched. “Well, only if you will call me Caroline,” she temporised. “Since we are to be friends and we share a home, at least for the time being.”

  “I should like that,” Lavender agreed smilingly. “Oh look, I do believe that is Lewis approaching—”

  They both spun around at the sound of wheels along the track behind them. Lewis Brabant was driving towards them and for some reason the sight of him made Caroline blush, as though she had been caught out in some misdemeanour. She stepped on to the grass verge and was about to suggest to Lavender that Lewis take her up in the gig for the rest of the journey home, when Lavender said hastily, “You must be tired with carrying that heavy basket, Caroline! Lewis can take you up and I shall cut across the fields here…” And almost before she had finished, she was through the gate and away. Caroline stared after her in perplexity. Lavender, it seemed, had a mysterious habit of appearing and disappearing like a will-o’-the-wisp.