Unknown
The Widowed Heiress
Jane stood near her parents outside the church gossiping with her friends when she heard the words “I’m sure Jane would suit. She looks after her younger siblings after all.” She turned to see the vicar conversing with the lady of the manor. “Jane come here.” She stepped across and curtsied to her ladyship. Five year old Mary’s smiling face looked up at her as she grasped her mother’s hand. “Well Mary?” “She’s nice. I like her.” “Come up and see the housekeeper this afternoon.” “Yes my lady.” Jane curtsied again. The vicar spoke “I’ll just step across and see your parents.”
“Well you’ll have food in your belly and we don’t want to offend the big house.” “You mean there’s no choice?” “Not for the likes of us I’m afraid and it is a step up in the world.” Twelve year old Jane resigned herself. She’d had thoughts about marrying Steven when she reached sixteen. That would have given her status and a home even if it was a cottage. Now it was doubtful if she’d ever marry. No followers allowed was the rule in most households.
“Your responsibility will be Mary and you’ll sleep in the nursery suite so you’re on hand during the night if needed.” She was led up to the nursery suite and shown her room. A room all of her own and no one to share with. She liked this idea.
Mary was already dressed “Can we go out and play?” Jane looked at the housekeeper who nodded so Jane took Mary’s hand and let her lead the way to the gardens where they could play together.
Sam, the head groom, approached “We have a new pony for Mary to ride.” Jane took Mary’s hand. “Shall we go and see your new pony?” Mary nodded solemnly and together they walked to the stables.
“New then Miss Mary let’s have you up on in the saddle.” “He’s big?” “He’s not that big.” “I’m frightened.” “There’s nothing to be afraid of. Would you like Jane to show you how safe it is?” Mary nodded. “Joe bring out Daffodil with a side saddle.” Jane had been a passive spectator until then and her thoughts when Daffodil was led out was exactly the same as Mary’s. The head groom saw her hesitation, “Up you go then Mary will feel safe and follow you.” She gave him a reproachful look and wondered why she had no control in her life but he lifted her into the saddle anyway.
Mary looked up at her and was reassured. If Jane could do this then she would as well. They were both led round the yard and gradually first Jane then Mary relaxed. “Right that’s enough for the first time. I’ll see the pair of you back tomorrow morning.”
Two weeks later the stables were short handed. “Daffodil has taught more riders to ride than you’ve had hot dinners. You’re responsible and can ride well enough so you can take her out on a ride round the estate.” Mary and Jane set off together and after than well there was no point in tying up a groom when Jane could ride.
A few months later a governess arrived. “Why do I need to learn to read and write? Jane can’t and she’s grown up.” Miss Tulk questioned at Jane. “Can you read and write?” “No Miss.” She admitted. “Sit down then and you can learn with Mary.” The housekeeper was amused when she heard the story still if Jane could read and write she could check her books for mistakes. It seemed like a good plan and if it kept Mary happy so be it.
“Now I have some of the very latest vaccine. Enough for half dozen people and I've found in the past that if a family member is vaccinated first then servants are more accepting.” The butler hurried out of the room. “Perhaps you could inoculate my daughter and some of the servants?” A footman slipped away. Harry was about to follow him but was caught short. “Harry bring Mary down.”
Harry quickly mounted the stairs to the nursery. “Mary is wanted in the drawing room. The doctor is looking to inoculate half a dozen people.” The governess looked to Jane. “Could you take her down. I still have tomorrow's lessons to prepare.” Jane had a sense of impeding doom, especially as Harry slipped off rather than accompany them downstairs.
Downstairs all the servants had disappeared. The butler had an inspiration. The steward and a few grooms should do nicely.
“Now there is nothing to be afraid of little girl.”. Mary looked at him and then at Jane. “Shall I go first?” Mary smiled. Jane took a seat and had her arm bared. She tried to be brave as the needle pierced the skin. Mary held her hand. Then it was Mary's turn and Jane held her hand.
The steward watched from the door. He had a bad feeling about this. Still he could hardly refuse after Jane and Mary had suffered the procedure. The first groom fainted at the sight of the needle. Mary walked across to him and gently squeezed his hand. “Be brave.” She whispered. Mary held the hands of the other grooms to reassure them as they underwent the procedure.
Soon the outside staff had been done and there was no vaccine left. “Now let me know if there are any problems.” “You mean it might not be safe?” Blurted out the steward. “It is safe most of the time but we aren't absolutely certain.”
Jane hurried Mary back upstairs. “My arm hurts.” “Never mind you were braver than Joe.” Mary wrinkled her nose. “I was wasn't I but he's only a boy.”
“I'm having difficulty with my ledgers.” “Well you could ask Jane to do them. She checks mine over. I'll send her along shall I?”
Jane found herself in front of the steward. “It'll cost you.” “How much?” “You'll take on Martin as a paid apprentice.” The steward thought about it. He’d heard that fourteen year old Martin was clever. “You need those books doing and your eyesight isn't getting any better.” She held her breath was she asking for too much for her friend.
“Send him along to see me.” Jane let her breath out. “Thank you.”
That afternoon Jane took Mary to visit some of the tenants. They carried a basket with a few things for the older tenants supplied by the cook. “Why do we visit the tenants?” “When you’re the lady of the manor you should visit them to see they aren’t in need. They are your responsibility.” “Mother doesn’t.” “No but she has someone else do it for her.” “All right.” Mary said in acceptance. The first two cottages were elderly folks who were given pots of jam and a bag of flour each. Then they reached Martin’s home and Jane took a deep breath in as they approached.
“Jane how nice to see you and this is Lady Mary?” “Hello.” Chirped up Mary. “Well the kettle’s on so sit yourself down. Now why are you here?” “We’re visiting the tenants.” Said Mary importantly. Jane pulled out a toy from her basket. “Why don’t you go give this toy to Susan then you can both play in the garden.” Mary took the toy and carried it out to Susan who was about her own age. “Now then what are you really here for.” “Is Martin around?” “I’ll give him a call.” Martin’s mother went to the door and called his name loudly. Martin returned with his dad who demanded “What’s going on then?” “If Martin presents himself at the steward’s office tomorrow morning he’ll be apprenticed as a steward.” “I don’t think we can afford the fee.” “It’ll be free and he’ll be paid.” Martin looked up “Why?” “He owes me a favour.” “Blackmail? I’m not sure I want to be party to blackmail.” “If you must know he’s having difficulty doing the books as his eye sight isn’t as good as it used to be and since I already look over the housekeeper’s books I’m to do his as well but the price is you get a paid apprenticeship.” “Looks like you’ve just become an apprentice son.” “Why me?” “Well I didn’t want to do them for free and the first thing that came into my mind was you could do it.” “Don’t you worry about the small holding, I’m not so old that I can’t work it myself and I can always hire a bit of help from Tommy.”
Martin started work as an apprentice steward the next day. The baron thought about querying the expense but decided against it having read in the paper the previous week that training staff paid for itself in increased yields.
“Now lad since you’re here you’ll earn your keep by improving yields. So visit the surrounding area and see what crops are grown where and which breeds of sheep and cattle they’re using and how they are doing. Then we’ll draw up a plan for the estate and see what we can do. We might not be Thomas Coke but we should be able to do a bit better. Whilst I think about it look at the ploughs we use some old ones need more horses or oxen to pull them through the soil than others so we ought to buy a few new ones.”
Martin was kept busy. Market day he spent inspecting the cattle and sheep for sale. The steward pointed out the good points of various cattle and sheep and gradually the steward let him select the stock to buy. He was taught to watch how some workers were more productive than others so watch how they worked. Sometimes Martin would work alongside them to learn the techniques so he could pass them along. For as one or two said they weren’t much good at explaining things nor at supervising but they were happy for Martin to do that part.
Mary asked questions about the cottagers’ life when they left and asked Miss Tulk what could they do to help. She said she’d noticed some children didn’t say very much but she enjoyed visiting them and could they go again. Miss Tulk was never one to miss a learning opportunity and asked Jane what she thought. “Well the poorest ones don’t get enough to eat which means the children suffer but you can’t give them food as they’re proud and have been known to resent charity. Some go to Mrs. Notley for advice.” “She’s the officer’s widow with two small children isn’t she?” “And probably not much money. Shall we go and visit her and see what she thinks?”
Miss Tulk handed Mrs. Notley’s maid a small packet of tea as they passed through the door.
“Well my view has always been you can’t expect hard work out of a man who doesn’t have enough food and it’s the same for the children although often the children go hungry so the man can be fed to bring in his pay.” “And I expect his wife doesn’t get enough food either.” added Miss Tulk. Jane added her mite “I’ve noticed that the poorest are more often sick than the other villagers.” “Could we give everyone money for food?” “I wonder how much it would really cost by the time we had less sickness and we got more work out of the workers.” “You’d have to give it directly to the wives so it didn’t get spent on beer.” Said Jane on a practical note. “Well it’s all very well discussing these things but nothing will change.” “I’ll see my dad.”
Mrs. Notley watched them leave and turned to her maid. “I hope they don’t come too often. I can’t afford the tea.” She said worriedly. Her maid smiled “Miss Tulk left a small packet enough to last us a month.” “We’ll let them come again then.”
“Dad I want the children on the estate to have an allowance.” The baron looked down his nose the books were in good shape. “Why?” “Then the workers could work harder and the children wouldn’t get so sick.” The baron liked the idea of harder working workers. “I suppose you’ll want a school for them next?” “Sam says the grooms who can read and write make fewer mistakes.” The Baron’s hunters were the centre of his life. “Right see the steward and tell him my say so.”
Mary went to tell Jane what her dad had said. Jane was shocked but not one to let grass grow under her feet and together they sort out the steward and gave him the news. “Martin sort this lot out!”
Martin was easy to deal with and in all in favour but he wasn’t sure where to start. They took him along to visit Mrs. Notley once more with Miss Tulk. “So you see Mrs. Notley I’ve access to money to pay for it all but I’ve no idea how to do it all.” “He’s approved paying for a school?” “I told him that Sam says his grooms who can read and write make fewer mistakes.” “And his hunters are the love of his life.” Mrs. Notley smiled. “So we need to start a school and pay an allowance to families on the estate.” “So where would I come in?” “Well you live on the estate and if you accepted the allowance then the others wouldn’t think it was charity.” Mrs. Notley blinked. “You mean it would be paid to everyone not just those who were the poorest.” “And if you explained to the mothers when you took it round on say Tuesday that you were accepting it as well it would go down better.” “Why Tuesday? And how would I explain it?” “Mary’s experiment. She’ll have to write a report saying what impact it has.” Jane laughed at the expression on Mary’s face. “You didn’t tell me that before.” “You’ve asked your dad now so you have to do it.” Martin smiled. “Think of the good it will do.” “Tuesday because the workers get paid on Friday so by Tuesday the money has sometimes gone.”
Mrs. Notley got organised and the school was set up based on the village hall. One of her widowed friends was called upon to teach and Miss Tulk looked out some of the children’s books that Mary had grown out of. As Mrs. Notley did her rounds she talked to the young mothers about the importance of having a two sided conversation with their children early on. As one said to the other “Well I didn’t like to say it was all a lot of nonsense to her face her being gentry and all and with the extra allowance we get I had a bit more time to spend with them. I don’t know if it made any difference or not as I’m sure any child of Henry’s must be ever so clever anyway but our Nigel picks things up much faster than his cousins ever did. I suggest you try it with yours. It can’t do no harm after all.”
“Jane since you're looking after the steward's books as well as mine. I’ve given you an increase in wages to reflect the increased responsibility. I've also decided to appoint an assistant for you and she'll look after your rooms and Miss Tulk's room as well. Can you train one of your sisters?” Well Sally was nearly old enough and she’d be able to keep an eye on her. Sally looked round in awe. “You mean we both get a room to ourselves?” “But you have to keep it tidy.” “I can manage that.”
“It's harvest time soon and we need wagon drivers so we'll teach you and Mary to drive one of the farm wagons.” If Jane had though Daffodil was big the shires were enormous but very gentle. Mary wasn’t so sure about guiding the large wagon into the yard but one of the grooms taught her to jump down and lead the horses in on foot. She thought that was a good idea.
Mary’s cousins came to visit. Algernon would one day inherit the entailed estate if Mary didn’t gain a brother. The housekeeper was less than impressed when she saw Algernon’s wife inspect the furniture by running a white glove along the surface then inspecting it for dust. Algernon himself seemed uninterested in learning about the estate but seemed more interested in what every one thought of the cut of his latest coat. All in all the visit was not a resounding success as far as below stairs was concerned. Mary wasn’t happy about being inspected and looked down upon as if she was a dowd.
“So Fenton tell me again how bad the heir is.” “I’ve brought up a few thousand of his vowels for sixpence in the pound.” “Bloody hell.” “Is there truly no way we can stop him ruining the estate?” “You could get married and have child?” The baron started to laugh then he ended up coughing. “At my time of life. I think not. I’ve seen children before with fathers old enough to be a grandfather. They never seem quite as healthy as the others. Still tell me more about this canal scheme. I’ve a mind to build it myself rather than cut any middlemen in by forming a company.” “The risk is greater.” “But so are the rewards.”
Mary was good at spotting small things that might make the cottagers life easier and Martin was often roped into explain what could be best done with the funds available. Somehow though he managed to make sure that many of Mary’s requests were seen to.
Sally kept an eye on Mary in the evenings whilst Jane would read out loud the latest instalment from one of her ladyship’s books after dinner to the servants gathered in the servant’s hall. Her ladyship’s dresser borrowed them for her for as she said her eyesight wasn’t getting any better and Jane had a good reading voice.
The baron was passing the door on his way to see the butler to fetch a new bottle of claret when he recognised Jane’s voice reading out loud. The next day he enquired of the housekeeper if Jane could read. “Well yes and she knows her sums. She checks my books before I present them to her ladyship and does the books for your steward.” “So she’s intelligent then?” “Yes I suppose so. She takes lessons with Mary which Mary seems to like and she takes Mary out on her pony.” “Responsible as well?” “Well yes or the head groom wouldn’t let Mary go off without her. Not that they go far mind.”
He wondered down to the stables. “Jed what can you tell me about Jane then?” “What has she been up to?” “Nothing as far as I know but I hear she and Mary go riding together. A bit unusual for a maid isn’t it?” “I forget she is sometimes more like two sisters than anything else. No I put her up on Daffodil to reassure Mary on her first time on her pony but she’s come on quite well. The pair of them drove a wagon each last harvest and they’re both good with the cattle. Gentle with them if you know what I mean.” “Has she driven a curricle or a dog cart?” “No but I think she could.” “Teach the pair of them then. You never know when it might be useful.”
The baron peered at the ledgers. “Your handwriting has improved since last year and I notice the yields have increased.” “It’s all that bloody Jane’s fault.” “What she done now?” “Well my eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be so I talked it over with the housekeeper and she suggested Jane could do my books.” “So I spoke to her and her price was taking young Martin on as an apprentice, which of course meant explaining things to him and answering his questions. I think he’s questioned just about everything we do. Still talking it through has meant I’ve looked at a few things that I’d thought about in the past but hadn’t got round to doing so I gave him the job of implementing them. He’s not doing bad I’ll say that much for him.” “What about this allowance we’re paying is that expensive?” “It seems to pay for itself. There seems to be less sickness, the workers are more confident and working more productively but its early days yet.”
Mrs. Notley and her friend who was now school teacher often took tea together. The teacher mentioned that the younger children from the estate seemed to advance more than the younger ones from the rest of the village. “I’ve been slipping those who only had a bit of bread for lunch a lump of cheese as you suggested and it seems to make a difference to how much they can absorb after lunch.”
Over time Mary grew more self confident and the relationship between her and Jane changed subtly as Jane and Miss Tulk gave Mary more choices about what was to be done and how to get things done. The countess worried that Mary’s needlework was non-existent as was her piano playing but on the other hand she did seem to understand much more about the practical side of running the estate. Still it was time that both she and Miss Tulk she dined with the family so that Mary would learn how to dress and deport herself. Both Jane and Sally were instructed by her ladyship’s maid on how to care for Mary’s new formal clothes and how to dress her hair.
“So how is it going?” “Well the manager thinks it’s all going smoothly and will be completed within time and budget. Although he did say they are very slightly behind.” “But I hear in your voice.” “I spoke to the foreman. He’s never seen a job this big yet be completed within time and budget.” “We budgeted twenty percent for things going wrong.” “I think the manager is counting on that. The foreman thinks it’ll go over budget by fifty percent.” “The manager’s pay is a basic salary plus a bonus for completion on time and budget?” “The foreman says all that means is the manager urges the workers to take short cuts and they’ll have more accidents. Bye the way I had the foreman’s daughter audit the paperwork.” “And?” “It’s not pretty. Some of the prices paid are a little high.” “The plans are all drawn up so sack the manager since he’s behind and have the foreman run it all. Get him a clerk to see to all the paperwork and see if he’ll get some of the workers to accept part payment in shares.” “That’s what the foreman suggested but I didn’t know if you were comfortable with his daughter as a female clerk.” “As long as she does the job and Felton she gets paid the same as a man doing the job would.” “Is that wise?” “She’ll want to prove she’s as good as a man doing the job for the same pay so we’ll get good work out of her. Go and sack the manager for being behind schedule.”
Mary was given the job of organising a dinner party at the age of fourteen. “So how many guests?” Demanded Miss Tulk in her element. “And how will you seat them?” What food is in season and what can you provide your guests with that they couldn’t get easily at home? Have you talked to the cook? Have you spoken to the gardener with the date so he can see what flowers he can produce?” “Can’t I just tell the housekeeper to do it all?” “And have all the neighbours look down their noses at you? Get a slate out and get planning.” “It all seemed so effortless when mother does it.” “It takes a great deal of effort to make things appear effortless.” Mary put her tongue out. Still her mother was pleased with her efforts and how she had managed to accommodate all her varied guests.
The first signs of a smallpox outbreak was amongst the children at school. It hit the poorer children not from the estate first but gradually spread. It was a recurring problem amongst the poorer children. The last outbreak had been six years previously. A letter was sent to the doctor who had done the inoculations and the manor waited to see who would go down next. Jane insisted both Mary and Sally stay in the nursery and that she would deliver their food which she prepared with her own hands apart from the bread she took directly from the oven once it was cooked. Contact with the outside world was kept to a minimum. Both Sally and Mary complained about the lack of variety in the food but only to each other. Neither wanted to offend Jane in any way. Even so some of the indoor staff became stricken. Jane kept herself away from those who were sick and waited on the Baron and his wife as the other servants became too ill to work. Finally the Baron fell sick and his wife insisted on nursing him personally. Jane delivered food on a tray which she left outside the nursery and removed the chamber pots that Sally put out. The grooms seemed unaffected and it was they who carried in the coffins and placed the dead in them as people died.
The doctor finally arrived and wanted to know if anyone who had been inoculated had caught the fever. He seemed much more interested in the fact that children from the estate had lower rates of infection than those poorer children from the village than in providing a cure for those who were sick. Not only that but he grew positively excited once he realised that the estate children had a lower death rate than the others. He bled the baron and his wife when she showed symptoms but dispute his best efforts they both died and in turn were carried to the village church.
“So much we don’t know.” He remarked “Now I wonder where they got their water from?” and he went round trying to find the factors that might have affected the rate of infection and death. He was pleased that no one who had been inoculated had caught the disease. “Some of the other servants I’ve inoculated before seemed to get ill after I inoculated them but I’m glad to hear my experiment here worked.”
Once the doctor had declared the danger of infection was over the first thing that Mary did was to take her mare out riding. Jane just crawled to bed exhausted. The household gradually recovered. The housekeeper grew stronger, but the butler had been carried off as had Harry.
The lawyer came up from London to read the will. He dealt with the servants first who left the room leaving Mary, and Jane. “Everything just as it should be. Mary you have three guardians any of which may approve your marriage. You will have sufficient funds to live on for the moment. If you need more then you must apply to myself.” He named a sum that seemed extremely generous to Mary to live on. “You’ll need to spend money on a wardrobe for the season and I’ve allowed you enough for three seasons in that amount. Additionally you have a respectable dowry but we can talk about that when you marry.”
“Felton what use is a canal that is two furlongs and a lock short. It’s worthless. We’ll have to raise the money somehow. Sell the horses and all the livestock. Keep a few sheep and pigs back for meat for us but the rest goes. I know we’ll not get much for them but with the money we’d set aside for seeds and repairs to the estate it’s just about enough to finish the canal otherwise I lose everything. You’d best let the servants know they won’t get paid for another year and the food will be short as well. I’ll write them references if they want them and I promise to pay them their back pay even if they leave eventually.” “We could sell the wine cellar? The squire has made enquires.” The baron shook his head. “Damn upstart, still if it raises a few quid so be it. I’ll just have to get used to drinking beer. Do what you must.” Felton nodded and withdrew.
“Well what would you like to do?” “I don’t want to remain here. I’ve met my cousin and his wife and I don’t think I’ll enjoy living with them.” “Well being in mourning you can’t do a season for a year.” “No but we could go and live with my Great Aunt in London I’m sure she won’t mind.” “Should we write first?” “My cousin is expected shortly I think we should just take the mail down to London.” “We could hire a post-chaise?” “The problem would be my dresses.” “Martin might have an idea?” They walked down to the steward’s office where Martin was sat going through the books.
“Martin we’re thinking to going to Mary’s Great Aunt in London but how do we get Mary’s dresses there?” “Just visiting?” “No I don’t fancy living with my cousins when they move in.” “Well the will gave you the pick of the stables. You could take them all with you.” “They must be worth hundreds of pounds.” Sam walked in on them. “You’ll need me along if you’re thinking of taking them all. Be easy enough take two carts of fodder and your dresses as well. I could have it all arranged by this afternoon and we could be on our way.” “Could I come too? I’ve learnt a lot about being a steward but I’ll be waiting for dead men’s shoes here. It’s time to look for another post.”
An hour and a half later and two farm wagons harnessed up with three pairs of farm horses each pulled away from the estate. Sally dashed out from the house and threw a bag of her belongings onto the second wagon that Jane was driving and clambered up besides her. “I hope you weren’t thinking of leaving me behind!” Mary led the procession. Sam and Martin both were each leading half a dozen hunters on a string. Mrs. Notley waved goodbye to them as they passed.
The first night they stopped at a large posting house with plenty of stabling for the horses. The food was good but not quite up to the standard that Mary was used to.
They stopped at a small inn the second night. The horses were let loose in a nearby farmer’s field and given a feed from the farmer. The three girls were given two rooms but Martin and Sam ended up over the stables.
After the girls had retired Sam and Martin sat in the bar supping a glass of ale watching the everlasting game of dominoes. “Any chance of a steward’s job around here?” “Well the baron’s steward left last year so the estate needs one. The house is two miles east down the lane that cuts off at the cross roads.” Sam and Martin exchanged looks. “It wouldn’t hurt to enquire lad.” They had another glass of ale before retiring.
Sally sat herself down in his lap and squinted at him and asked “Are you really the wicked Baron?” “Why are you asking?” “Well I wouldn’t want to waste my time if you were someone else.” “What makes you think I’m wicked?” “Well let me see, your staff haven’t been paid in a year, you’ve no horses in the stables, you’ve no steward and no plans to plant any crops this year so your people will most likely starve and on top of which you’re fondling my breast and only a really wicked baron would do that.” “The problem is I have no money at the moment. My canal should start to pay next year but at the moment there is two furlongs left to dig and one lock to build so all by money is tied up.” “So we use Miss Mary’s money to pay to get the estate working again and Martin gets a job as steward?” “Why would she do that?” “She’s in mourning so can’t do anything much for a year and she likes Martin. You can pay her back after the harvest and at least your workers would have some coin in their pocket.” She kissed him on the lips “See simple. I’ll tell Miss Mary you’ve invited her to stay for the year and Martin he has a job shall I?” The baron squeezed her breast gently and gave her a kiss. “Seeing as you’re staying as well go and offer them my invitation to stay and tell Felton my say so.” Sally skipped out the door. “We’re staying and Martin has a job but he’ll need some of Miss Mary’s money to get the estate working once more.”
The laundry maid addressed Fenton “If you please sir Miss Mary had her last monthlies for three months now.” “Keep it to yourself.” “Yes sir but I thought you might like to know all the same.” Fenton smiled to himself before dispatching one of the grooms for a special license immediately.
“So how is he?” Asked Fenton “In my professional opinion he won’t last much longer.” “A couple of days?” “Perhaps three or four at the outside.”
“She’s late?” Jane looked up at Fenton, “She’s missed last months and this one is late as well.” “Can you bring her into the Master’s bedroom in an hour do you think?” “If it will do any good.” “I think it might cheer him up.” “I’ll have her there. An hour’s time?” “I have things to arrange.”
He found the vicar eating his meal. “Your presence is required.” Can I finish my meal first?” “The doctor was in and says he won’t last much longer besides we can feed you at the manor.” Protesting the vicar allowed himself to be carried off.
When they reached the manor Fenton led the way to the baron’s bedroom before handing the vicar the special license. “I wasn’t expecting to perform a wedding.” “Never the less you’d do it.” “If both parties are willing.” Jane ushered Mary into the bedroom. “Are you of age and are you willing to marry his lordship?” “I’ll need my guardian’s permission but he’s is London.” “Enough said I think.” “Sorry but I’m her legal guardian.” Jane produced her documentation. “Unusual but legal I suppose.” Now then are you willing to marry his lordship?” “She is.” Spoke up Jane. Mary blinked then agreed. She didn’t quite know what was happening but it was clear the Baron was dying and if it eased his last few moments what harm could it do. “I am.” “As quickly as you can please. He hasn’t much time left.” The baron looked puzzled for a moment or two then Fenton caught his eye and winked. He winked back. The ceremony was very short and the baron barely managed to sign his name before Mary signed hers. Fenton passed him a second document which he signed and afterwards the baron sank back onto the bed closing his eyes with a contented smile on his face. Fenton had the documents witnessed before ushering them downstairs. “I’ll answer your questions shortly but first I’d ask you to drink to the health of the bride and groom.”
They drank a toast. Fenton explained that the baron wanted to protect Mary and this way the funds that were not part of the entail would become hers.
The solicitor started to read the will. First David Morton was left twenty thousand pounds and a shilling. He gave a sigh “That’s barely enough to pay off my debts.” The solicitor continued “Payable in his vowels which I have to hand plus the sum of one shilling.” David collapsed on a chair then had a thought. “But at least the entailed estate comes to me.” “Not if her ladyship gives birth within nine months.” His face went white. “She can’t be with child. He’s too old.” “I understand her ladyship is with child currently and no doubt you recall if it is either a boy or a girl they can inherit the title and the estate. I have instructions to offer to pay for a ticket to Canada and for a sum of money to be made available there if you wish to take advantage of the offer. The offer must be accepted within three days of being made.” “I accept there is no choice, otherwise the percenters will make an example of me.” Sam offered to escort him to Liverpool and put him on board.
Mary paled and turned to Jane “Am I enceinte?” “Probably I don’t think you’ve had a period for two months now.” Mary thought back. “You never said anything.” she whispered.
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