Chapter 16

I will never know how I managed to endure the days following the vision. It was vital that no-one would guess the agony and fear I had undergone. Somehow, I performed my duties. Each day I continued with my instruction of Thomas and each night discussed his progress and made polite conversation with his father. There could be no question in my mind now of spending years in this house. I had seen too much and with justice I think, feared for my reason if I should have to undergo more. Mr Uttridge was the best of employers; Thomas was a delightful and intelligent little boy and the servants were uniformly both capable and pleasant in their manner but I could not doubt that there was a power at Southwell Hall that wished to use me for its own purposes. What that purpose could be I had no conception, but I could not believe that it was benign. I constantly plotted a plan of escape. Finally, I determined that I would stay until Christmas. At that time, it being a quarter day, I would receive my first wages. With over eleven pounds in my pocket I would be free to do as I wished. With the very little money I had in my possession, I could not even afford to return to my home. I fear that I may have given the impression of being aloof during that period. I was so drowned in my own thoughts and misery that I had little time or inclination to be sympathetic to others.

I did not seek out the ledger. There could be nothing entered there that could concern me or that I wished to see. I did glance into the estate office once as I passed it when the door was open, but there was no sign of that particular book, which was much smaller and slimmer than the others and bound in red buckram.

Thomas and I still took our weekly lessons with Captain Holman. Now that we had grasped the basics of equestrianism, the emphasis turned to teaching us to ride fast but safely over rough country so we would not disgrace ourselves with the hunt. Accordingly, both Thomas and I found ourselves at the trot and canter over both grassland and ploughed fields. We learned to cast up and down for gates and gaps in the hedges and received much helpful advice in small matters. My problems seemed fewer when I was on horseback in the open air and I continued to be charming to the captain, without being I hope in any way forward.

At last the great day arrived. One of Captain Holman’s servants had delivered a set of the correct attire for me the night before. It had been donated by the hunt secretary, Miss Peabody, whom, it was tactfully implied, it no longer fitted.

I dressed myself before my looking-glass and thought I looked very well in it. There was a black jacket - only the men wear pink of course - and a matching riding skirt. There was even a silver stock-pin in the shape of a leaping hare included. I doubted that Miss Peabody would have been so generous and suspected in this the hand of the captain. I had a little difficulty in tying the stock, but finally obtained an acceptable appearance.

The arrangement was that Thomas and I would be driven to Captain Holman’s farm, obtain our mounts and hack over to Thetford where the hunt was to assemble. We started from the Hall at seven o’clock, when it was still dark. Thomas was obviously sleepy, but calm and not in any way irritable. His nurse, who of course had risen early herself to dress her charge and bring him to us, was anything but calm, and there was much fuss and bother and predictions of dire calamity before we were able to start.

We arrived at Manor Farm to be greeted by the captain who led us into his house and seated us at a long oak table, already set for a meal.

“We will be away for perhaps as much as eight hours with no refreshment,” he explained, “so we must all lay in a substantial breakfast to see us through the day. Let us start with a full bowl of porridge: there is nothing so good for energy with endurance.”

He ladled out the porridge himself from a large tureen, and we all picked up our spoons and began to eat. On finishing the bowl, the maid brought us ham and eggs, which with a portion of crusty bread made an excellent and satisfying meal.

When we were all done, our host declared that we must be on our way, as it was a good hour’s hacking to Thetford. We found Harry waiting for us outside with all our horses saddled and ready. The captain helped me into my saddle then swiftly mounted Merlin. Meanwhile, Harry lifted Tom onto his pony and himself mounted a bay mare.

We trotted along amicably through a network of lanes and bridle paths. To make conversation I told Captain Holman of my experiences as a spectator of Lake Country hunts.

“We have fox-hunters in Ullswater,” I said, “under the direction of the famous Bob Grisdale. The hounds are kept by many farmers who come together for the hunt most often in the autumn and winter when the harvest is in. They wear their ordinary clothes and follow the hounds on foot. Nevertheless, good sport is had by all, and we valley folk often climb up the opposite hillside so as to see the foxhounds and men, and often the quarry itself, run and scramble over the crags.”

“It sounds capital exercise,” said the captain. “And perhaps in some ways more pleasant with the informality and good companionship of working men. I must try it myself if, as I hope, I have occasion to visit the Lakes.”

I smiled agreeably in response.

Finally we arrived at the mustering place - the Eagle in Thetford. There was a number of riders already gathered, including the Master and his huntsmen. Captain Holman rode over to speak to him and introduced Thomas and me. We also chatted to several other of the captain’s acquaintance and discussed the state of the going, which was as usual rather wet and heavy.

By ten o’clock all were assembled and at the call of “hounds, please, gentlemen” from the senior huntsman as he led his pack to the fore, everybody mounted and we began to move off. I noted that I was one of only three women. We trotted over several fields coming eventually to a small spinney. We were all led to a spot well downwind of this, while the huntsmen and hounds searched it for a fox. Some time later, they admitted defeat and we moved on to another covert, this time an area of waste ground well covered with bushes. Again, the hounds scattered through the undergrowth sniffing and searching the ground. Suddenly, one gave tongue, which was echoed immediately by the rest of the pack. I saw to my excitement a russet blur as the fox broke cover and dashed down the hill. Moments later, the first of the hounds followed on his scent, yelping with excitement at first, but then running mute as the chase progressed.

The riders turned their mounts and galloped after, many of the men loudly yelling hunting cries. We three followed after at a more sedate pace: Thomas’ pony managing a brave canter. In such flat land as the Fens provide, we managed to keep the hunt in sight, albeit at some distance. Several times we came to a hedge or brook, which experienced riders would leap, but we beginners could not. Again, however, the flatness of the land enabled us to head directly for the nearest gap or gate so as to lose as little time as possible.

For a while we did indeed lose sight of the hunt, but the wind was blowing from it to us, so we heard the occasional shout and the huntsmen sounding the twin notes of ‘gone away’. We pressed on at best speed, and then to my delight I heard the sounds of the hunt increase as the fox doubled back to the ground it knew best. Over the rise came Reynard, almost directly towards us, followed closely by the pack and, a quarter mile behind, the mass of the hunters.

Mad with excitement, I wheeled Strawberry and ignoring my companions, galloped after the hounds. I came to a low hedge, but with my blood up I did not deign to look for a gap but set my horse straight at it. As Strawberry leaped, I clamped my lower limbs firmly to the pommels, remembered to lean back a little and sailed over the obstacle! I landed quite well, pitching somewhat forward but recovering myself quickly. As I galloped on, I realised that Captain Holman was beside me on his stallion.

“Very well done, Miss Greencliffe!” he shouted with a laugh. I grinned back and urged Strawberry on with heel and cane. The rest of the hunt quickly caught us up and for a time we were in the middle of them until their superior speed and skill took them past.

Strawberry began to tire, and I eased my pace to a canter. Shortly after, we came up to the hunt which was now at a check. Speaking to one of the riders, we found that the fox had managed to lose himself in very broken ground with much standing water which had confused his scent. We waited for some time as the huntsmen chivvied the hounds up and down seeking for a line. While we were standing, Thomas and Harry met up with us, Thomas looking more excited than I had ever seen him.

“I saw the fox, Miss Catherine,” he cried. “And the hounds were close after him!”

“Well done, Thomas!” I said. “I fear however, he may have got away.”

Thomas looked a little doubtful, then said, “Good. I liked him.”

Captain Holman and I burst into laughter at this. We talked enthusiastically for a while about the chase, until one of the huntsmen blew the ‘gone to ground’ a long and wavering note to indicate that the quarry was lost.

After this disappointment we all trotted off to another covert and repeated the search of that morning. We drew a blank and set off once more, coming to a copse standing alone in a large field. Yet again nothing was found, and the huntsmen gathered the hounds to move off. Captain Holman however, felt that Thomas and I had done enough for our first meet.

“With your permission, Miss Greencliffe,” he said, “we will take our leave. There is only perhaps one more hour before the light makes it difficult to go on, and Thomas after all is extremely young.”

“You are quite right, captain,” I replied. “Enough is enough on this occasion.”

“Agreed, then. I will make our apologies to the Master.” He trotted off to speak to that gentleman, then re-joined us and led the way to Manor Farm. The way back seemed much longer than the way out, and I was weary when we finally arrived back at the stables. I had concern for Thomas, hoping that the day had not tired him too much, and feeling that I had neglected my duties towards him in the excitement of the chase, but the little man sat stolidly on his pony and made no complaint.

We dismounted, and the captain offered us tea, which I refused. “I think it would be best to start back immediately to Southwell Hall for our rest and relaxation, sir,” I said. “Please accept my thanks for your time and trouble: it has been a most enjoyable day.”

“The pleasure was mine, madam, and I hope to see you and your charge again very soon.”

We were conveyed quickly back to the Hall, where we found Nurse waiting for us anxiously. She swooped down upon the little boy immediately, exclaiming as to his dishevelled appearance and plentiful splashes of mud, and carried him off.

I climbed the stairs more slowly than was my wont and called in upon the housekeeper.

On being invited to enter, I said: “May I ask for a favour, Mrs Rawson? I have been hunting today and am rather hot and dirty. Would it be possible to arrange a hip bath in my room?”

“Why of course, Miss Catherine,” replied that estimable woman immediately. “If you would just step along to your chamber I’ll send the maids immediately.”

She was as good as her word. In a few minutes a footman delivered a large copper bath which he placed in on the hearth rug. One maid attended to the fire while others trooped in with towels and large jugs of hot water. Finally, all was ready and I was left alone. Gratefully, I pulled off my clothes and relaxed into the hot water. I was soaking fully forty minutes, and finally feeling clean and refreshed I climbed out of the bath and donned my nightgown and robe.

I picked up my novel and read for a while, but quite soon the efforts of the day overcame me and I retired to bed.