At long last the war was over. Rumours abounded, but at the War Office they heard that some of the allies had entered Paris at the end of March, while Wellington was still mopping up pockets of resistance in the south. Napoleon was not to be seen for some days, but on the sixth of April, just before Easter, he abdicated.
The Earl brought the news to Albemarle Street, where he and Sir Peter were invited to dine.
'The King has been restored, the French constitution is back in force, and a treaty has been signed at Fontainebleau that has banished Napoleon to Elba and given him a pension to support his family.'
'Where is Elba?' Amelia asked.
'In the Mediterranean,' the Earl said, 'and in my view too close to the south coast of France. But he is apparently to have his own little court there.'
'They discussed a variety of options,' Sir Peter said. 'It was even suggested that he might continue, under proper safeguards.'
'After all he has done?' Caroline asked. 'How could anyone even consider such a thing?'
The Earl laughed. 'I understand another option was to install a Regency for his sons, but that was abandoned because many people believe the boy was substituted for a dead girl Maria Louisa bore.'
Sir Bernard groaned. 'Not another baby in a warming pan rumour?'
'What do you mean?' Amelia asked. 'Why do you put babies in warming pans? Because they are too cold? It's silly!'
This time it was Caroline who explained. 'This was a rumour when Maria of Modena, who was married to James the second, had a baby. Many people wanted to be rid of James, who was a Roman Catholic, who they feared would impose his religion on them, so they claimed the baby was not hers, which had been born either dead or a girl. A boy, they said, had been smuggled into her bed in a warming pan.'
'Oh. What a lot of trouble to go to. Why could they not just switch the babies?'
'Royal births are attended by all sorts of people, including Ministers, just to make sure no substitution does take place, and that the queen really does bear a child, since that child may in time become king or queen.'
'Or Emperor like Napoleon. Another suggestion,' the Earl said, 'was to place Bernadotte of Sweden on the throne.'
'But why? He was just one of Napoleon's marshals, wasn't he? Before he was put on the Swedish throne.'
'I think they were trying all sorts of alternatives before they eventually decided that the Bourbons should be reinstated. After all, the French people might not be very happy to have that family back, considering it was partly their behaviour that caused the revolution.'
'Well, we shall see,' Sir Peter said. 'And we will be able to go to Paris as planned, Amelia.'
'Where is Wellington?' Sir Bernard asked. 'Has he been involved in these negotiations?'
'He is still in the south, and we believe attacking Toulouse, almost the last town to hold out for Napoleon. The negotiations are being led mainly by Castlereagh and Metternich.'
'The Austrian?'
'Yes. But everyone wants to see Wellington in Paris.'
'He will be there, in time,' the Earl said.
'Meanwhile,' Caroline said, 'we intend to enjoy this sudden sunshine. We are having a picnic in the Park tomorrow, to make the most of it. We hope you will both join us.'
*
It was so warm on the following day that Caroline decided they would go as far as Richmond Park. 'The Park will be crowded. So many people have already come to town, and will be wanting to enjoy the sunshine. Bernard and I will go in the barouche, and we'll send Thompson and the other servants ahead to obtain tickets and select a suitable spot. I suppose you and Peter will come in your curricles and bring the girls?'
The Earl nodded. 'I prefer that to the phaeton in case, after this harsh winter, the road is too deeply ridged for safety.'
They set off in procession. The Earl was unusually silent until they had passed Kensington, and then he smiled at Eve, and took a deep breath.
'I had a message this morning, when I called into the War Office to see if there was anything urgent to do. Your father has been located and will be coming back to England very shortly. In fact, he may have travelled almost as quickly as the message, and be here within days.'
'Papa? Oh, where was he?'
'In Spain, but I have no more information.'
Eve was silent. Her father would be so very angry when he heard that James had always been in England, and his journey had been pointless. He would naturally blame James rather than his own impetuosity, and she was thankful her brother was out of his reach. That, of course, would increase his fury, but at least James would not have to face it until, perhaps in time, the strength of it faded.
'I will know more in a few days,' the Earl said.
'How will he travel home?'
'With some of the army, I suspect. It is being reduced, now the war is over, regiments disbanded, and the men brought back to England. I'm sure your father will be assisted to come back with them, but I do not know where he will arrive. It may be in London, or any other south coast port.'
'He will be furious.'
'But you are not to blame.'
'That will not count! Papa has never permitted facts and logic to influence him,' she said bitterly. 'I expect he will insist I return to Herefordshire.'
'Surely he will permit you to remain until after Amelia's wedding? That is next week.'
'I can only hope he does not reach London beforehand.'
She tried to forget her father for the rest of the drive. They spoke of the suddenly blossoming countryside, what to expect now the war was over, the possibility of travel on the continent, and the celebrations which would undoubtedly be arranged.
They reached Richmond and entered the Park, finding Thompson and his helpers had set up a table under some trees that were just coming into leaf, providing a little dappled shade, and were busy laying out the cold meats, the cakes, fruit and wine for the picnic meal. In the distance Eve saw a herd of roe deer grazing beneath some trees.
'This is beautiful,' she said. 'I did not imagine it would be like this, so extensive and varied. I would love to ride here like those two gentlemen,' she added, indicating two men who were galloping up a grassy slope.
The Earl laughed as he helped her to a chicken breast and some slices of ham. 'Do you miss being able to ride? It has not been possible since before Christmas.'
'No, and Sir Bernard provided me with such a beautiful mare when we first arrived in London. Though we had to be so decorous in the Park, being told not to gallop, to avoid censure.'
'Do you have a riding horse in Herefordshire?'
'There is one pony we all ride. Papa has his own mount, but he will not allow us to ride him. So when we ride out we either have to go with friends, or alone. My brothers and I can never ride together.'
'A pity. Would James prefer a cavalry regiment, do you know? Is he a competent horseman?'
'I believe so. But Papa will never permit him to join any regiment. Oh dear, I suppose I should be pleased he has been found, but I dread his coming home.'
*
On the following day, while Amelia was having a fitting for her wedding gown, Eve was seated by the window in the drawing room reading the latest novel from the circulating library. Thompson came into the room and shut the door behind him.
'Miss Eve, there is a gentleman wishing to speak with you. He says he is your uncle. A Sir George Talbot. Shall I show him up?'
'My uncle? But I have no – wait! My mother's name was Talbot,' she said almost to herself, 'and she had a brother. I have never seen him. Yes, Thompson, show him up,' she said more firmly. How very odd, and if it was her long-lost uncle, how did he know she was here?
When he came into the room she recognised the elderly man who had been asking her so many questions at Lady Farley's musical evening. She rose to greet him as he crossed the room towards her.
'Thompson, some wine please.'
'Do sit down, child, and may I pull this chair to sit beside you? Did you not suspect who I was the other evening?'
'I did not properly hear your name,' Eve confessed. 'You are my mother's brother?'
'Half-brother. Our father married twice and I was much older than she was. I was saddened to hear dear Rachel had died. Tell me about it.'
'It was a fever, going about the village. We thought she had contracted it when she visited one of her old servants.'
'That was typical of Rachel.'
'Did she write to you, sir?'
'Yes, but secretly, because your father forbade her to have any contact with me. I was able to give her my direction in Cornwall, but I could not reply. I sold the family property in Lancashire, for after living in England I found it too cold, so I moved as far to the south as I could manage. When the letters ceased I hoped it was merely because your father had discovered it and forbidden her to write again. I was so hoping it did not mean she was dead.'
Thompson came in with the wine, and some rafatia for Eve. It gave Sir George time to recover.
'She told you about my brothers?'
'James and John. Yes. But I never met them. This quarrel with your father was when you were a babe in arms, and your sister Rachel about three years old. I only came to the Rectory that once.'
Eve took a deep breath. 'I am afraid my father quarrels with most people,' she said. 'Why did he quarrel with you?'
Sir George frowned. 'I'm a wealthy man. My wife died in India long ago, and my son. It was an unhealthy place for women and babes. I never wanted to marry again, but I had my nieces, and I knew your father was not rich, having little more than his stipend. I wished to make settlements on you and Rachel, and any other children my sister had. He objected, and told me to take my pieces of silver out of his house.'
'That sounds so like him!'
'Is he in London now? When I met you I began to think time might have mellowed his mood, since he permitted you to be here, and he would agree to my proposal.'
'He is somewhere in Spain at the moment,' Eve said, and explained. 'I fear he will be so angry when he comes home he would quarrel with you again.'
'Rachel is married now. Is her husband wealthy?'
'He owns a large estate in Worcestershire, and has a good income, but I do not know exactly to what extent. Several thousand pounds a year, I think.'
'I see. And I understand you are staying with some friends?'
'My best friend Amelia Montgomery, her brother Sir Bernard and his wife. They are our neighbours in Herefordshire, and they asked me to accompany them to be with her, or I would not be in London now.'
'You stay for the Season? I will be here for a few weeks more, and hope to meet them, and see more of my niece.'
'Amelia is getting married next week, and then we will go home. We were kept here after the Little Season by the weather, and because Sir Bernard was not well and needed to stay near his doctor. But if my father comes to London, I expect he will order me home at once.'
'A pity. Well, I must be away, but I will hope to see you and meet your good friends soon. Will you write to me, as your mother did?'
'Yes, sir, of course.'
'Then here is my address in London, until the end of June, and then I will be at home in Cornwall.'
*
To Eve's relief, her father did not arrive before Amelia's wedding. She had been afraid he would suddenly appear and insist she went back home at once.
It was a beautiful sunny day, and Amelia was radiant. Sir Peter looked so proud as he led his wife down the aisle after the ceremony that Eve had to choke back tears. Then they all went back to Albemarle Street. Amelia had insisted she did not wish for a big party, just as many of the cousins as could come to London and a few close friends, and Caroline's cook declared she could provide a feast as good as any that an hotel might offer.
'Are you going on a wedding journey?' one of the cousins asked.
'First I am taking Amelia to Devon, to introduce her to my people there, and then we mean to go to Paris, maybe further if the continent is quiet.'
'Did your mother come to the wedding? I have not seen her.'
'She said she had done sufficient travelling during the past few months, in dreadful conditions, and it was too far. Besides, she has determined to move to the Dower House, and there is need for some small alterations there, so she has stayed to ensure everything is done as she wishes.'
'Thank goodness she is moving there,' Amelia whispered to Eve. 'I really didn't want to have to live with her.'
Sir George, who had met Sir Bernard and been invited to the wedding, came to talk to Eve.
'You look delightful in that blue gown,' he said. 'You are the prettiest girl here, just like your mother was at the same age. It was that resemblance which made me ask Lady Farley to introduce us. When will you be getting married yourself?'
'Me? Oh, I don't expect to be married,' Eve said. 'Papa was planning for me to marry his curate, which neither of us wanted, but fortunately Nicholas has decided to become a missionary and he has gone to Africa.'
'If your father is still in France, who is looking after his parish?'
'I don't know. Perhaps the Bishop has sent someone. He is angry, so far as Bishops allow themselves to be angry,' she added, laughing, 'with both Papa for vanishing on his own concerns for months, and Nicholas for deciding he could no longer do Papa's work as well as his own, and just leaving.'
'This time, I mean to come to Herefordshire when your father is back, and I will not allow my own anger to drive me away. I intend to do something for you and your brothers, and Rachel, unless I discover she has no need of help, and I will not permit his pride to deter me.'
Eve thanked him, but privately thought he would not prevail against her father unless Papa had changed dramatically after his time away.
There was time for no more. Sir Peter and the new Lady Sankey were to start on their long journey to Devon that afternoon. When they had gone, cheered on their way by the wedding guests, Eve retired to her room. For the first time in days she could think of her own concerns. What would happen to her now? She could not remain with Sir Bernard and Caroline, and if her father had not come back by the time they went to Herefordshire, she could hardly stay at the Rectory on her own, especially if the Bishop had installed a temporary replacement for her father. Her best plan would be to go to Rachel's, and she was sure Sir Bernard would help her. He would not permit her to go on the stage, but he might send her, with a maid for propriety's sake, as soon as they reached his home. She sighed. It would be far better than having to face her father.
*
The Earl frowned. He was being sent to France, for consultations with Castlereagh. Wellington was still in the south, where he had fought the final battle at Toulouse. It was no time for him to be away from London, especially as Peter had resigned and was no longer working with him.
Napoleon was finally defeated, and the Treaty to settle his fate was being negotiated at Fontainebleau.
'But is he finished?' one of the men involved asked Justin when he arrived there and was catching up on the news.
'They say,' another put in, 'that as he was leaving he claimed he would be back with the violets.'
'I always thought Elba too close to the French coast,' Justin said. Perhaps he ought not to do as he had planned, resign his commission as soon as possible and leave the army.
He put aside his doubts and listened to the rumours. Wellington was to be made a duke. He stifled a smile. One who had got away from Talia! Then it was said Napoleon had tried to commit suicide, but the poison, whatever it was, had lost its potency. A pity, many thought. While he lived he would be a focus for discontent, and would need always to be watched and guarded, even if it was pretended he was still an emperor but living in retirement.
There was to be a review of the Allied troops in Paris. The Russian Emperor and the King of Prussia were to be there, and there was considerable annoyance that Wellington might be absent. Because of his brothers' disputes with Lord Liverpool, he did not think he could serve in the government, so when he was offered the post of Ambassador in Paris, he took it. In the end he would be there for the triumphal entry, Justin learned. But that was not until May the fourth, and Justin wanted to be back in England before then.
He made enquiries about Eve's father, but no one he spoke to had even heard of the man. As he appeared to have been in Spain all the time, perhaps that was to be expected, but Justin fretted he had no news to give Eve. He hoped to be back in London in time, if necessary, to help her if her father were intransigent and blaming her for all that James had done.
Finally, his work was finished and he set off back to London. Perhaps Sir Bernard and his family had already gone back to Herefordshire. He would make time soon to visit them, for their friendship during the past few months had been most enjoyable.
*
The Montgomeries were planning to leave at the end of April. Eve, not knowing whether she would ever come to London again, still asked if she might leave her new clothes safely in Albemarle Street, from where, if a miracle happened, she might retrieve them.
She was helping Caroline collect together the books they had borrowed from the circulating library, and which must be returned, when Thompson came in looking far from happy.
'Miss Eve, there is a fellow wanting to speak with you.'
Caroline looked at him, puzzled. 'A fellow? Who is it, Thompson? Did he say?'
'He says he is the Reverend Sir Frederick Ripon, madam, but he is so wild looking, and dressed in an army uniform that doesn't fit him, I hesitated to bring him up.'
Eve went white and sat down suddenly. 'It must be Papa!'
'Bring him up, Thompson,' Caroline said.
The man he ushered into the room was barely recognisable as the upright, sturdy Rector they had last seen. He was thin and stooped, his face was gaunt and pale, and his hair ill-brushed and whiter than they remembered, hanging down almost to his shoulders. But his eyes still glittered with fury and he raised a trembling arm to point at Eve.
'What is that gown you are wearing? It's indecent! You are no better than a Jezebel. And where is my son?'
Caroline looked startled, but she had known the Rector of old, and knew his opinion of fashionable dress. She went towards him, keeping her voice gentle.
'Sir Frederick, do come and sit by the fire. You look so cold, and you are shivering. As for your son, we none of us know where he is.'
He ignored her hand, held out to him. 'I am well enough, Lady Montgomery, to insist that my daughter informs me what has become of my son. I went to ask the Earl of Newark, only to be told at the War Office he is in France. His servants in Grosvenor Square would tell me nothing, except that my son was with him no longer. I had not even known James had been with him. So where is he?'
He gave in to Caroline's invitation and almost collapsed into a chair. Thompson, without being asked, had brought brandy, and poured out a glass which Caroline handed to him.
'Drink this, sir, and you will feel better.'
He drank, and almost choked. When he could speak again he pointed to Eve. 'You must know where your wretched brother is hiding. Tell me!'
Eve shook her head. 'Papa, I do not know. That is the truth, I swear, I cannot tell you.'
'If I discover you are telling me untruths, my girl, I'll whip you from here all the way back to Herefordshire!'
Caroline took a deep breath. 'Not while I am here, Sir Frederick! Good charitable Christian attitudes you are demonstrating.'
'You are not concerned in this, my lady, except that you have encouraged my daughter into lewd gowns and given her false notions of behaviour. I will deal with my own in my own way.'
'Well,' Eve burst out, 'to begin with you can try and be polite to Caroline, who has cared for me while you have been chasing your fury all over Spain! She has shown Christian behaviour, kindness and charity, and when she tells you we don't know where James is, she tells the truth.'
'Chasing my fury? Is that what you believe? Well, you are wrong, Miss! I was captured by some rogues who stole all my money and clothes, and kept me for many weeks bound and naked in some cave in the mountains! I nearly perished from cold, and was given only rough bread and some greasy, fatty stew to eat.'
The two ladies could not conceal their horror.
'My dear sir!'
'Oh Papa! How did you escape?'
He drank more brandy, which seemed to calm him. 'They let me go when the British army came near. Pushed me out onto the mountainside, and they ran off. That is why you see me wearing these filthy, verminous clothes. And the Captain who found me would not believe me, who I am, or what had happened. He gave me these clothes, which I suspect had belonged to a dead man, and sent me, under guard, to his headquarters, where fortunately there was someone with better sense who believed me. They had been trying to capture these brigands for months. They arranged for me to come back to England with some of the soldiers.'
'Poor Papa! But you are back in England. You will soon be better, with rest and good food.'
'I am going back to Herefordshire tomorrow and you are coming with me. You'll swear on the Bible you don't know where your brother is.'
Caroline shook her head. 'We leave in two days, Sir Frederick, and I suggest you stay here and travel with us.'
'I'll not trespass on your charity.'
'No hotel will permit you to stay as you are.'
'Then I'll sleep in the Park.'
'That is foolish talk. Can you not accept help when it is offered? And how will you travel to Herefordshire? Did the army give you money as well as transport back to England?'
He looked as though he would refuse, but Eve took his hand in hers and the gesture appeared to startle him. Caroline went on.
'Here you can rest for a day, and I'm sure we can supply you with some decent clothes. You can begin to get better.'
*
The Rector kept to his room for most of the following day, but Sir Bernard's valet reported he had accepted a bath, and was eating all that was sent up to him. When Thompson went to ask if he would join the family for dinner, he agreed, and came down to the drawing room garbed in Sir Bernard's pantaloons, a frilled shirt, a cravat the valet had tied for him, and a coat of blue superfine. Even his shoes belonged to his host, though they were rather large and had to be stuffed.
His face looked less gaunt, his hair was clean and neatly brushed and had been cut short. The clothes were too big for him, but did not look ridiculous. He nodded to Caroline, and greeted Sir Bernard with a faint smile. Eve he ignored.
'I trust you are feeling better, sir,' Sir Bernard said. 'Will you have some sherry?'
Eve could have sworn he shuddered. 'Not that Spanish drink! Have you any Madeira?' he asked, and took the glass Sir Bernard handed him. 'I must thank you for your help,' he said, 'and apologise if I was ungracious yesterday. I did not realise how disreputable I looked until I saw my reflection in a mirror. And if you are still prepared to accept my company I will be most grateful to you for carrying me back to Herefordshire. If there is not room in the carriage, I can ride with the coachman. Or with the servants, if they travel in another carriage.'
'Nonsense, my dear sir. The carriage is large enough for the four of us. The servants will be following on the next day, after they have closed up the house, and we will be pleased to have you.'
Eve was speechless with amazement. Never before had she seen her father so complaisant. His thanks, to be sure, were a trifle grudging, but he was abasing himself in a manner unprecedented in her experience. Would it continue, or would his natural aggressiveness resurface?
'None of you know where my son is?' he asked after they had been called to the dining room.
Eve glanced at Sir Bernard. It would be far better if he were to be the one to convey the news, which she knew would be unwelcome to her father.
'None of us. The Earl, as you may have expected, took his brother to a new tutor when you were – unable to continue with the lessons. I believe James is now with him, but I do not know who he is or where he lives. And John was sent to Rachel's.'
'The Earl was being somewhat officious! And why should John be sent away from home?'
That was more like her father, Eve thought. Was the more peaceful time already over?
Sir Bernard shook his head. 'No, sir. You have not heard what state James was in when he arrived in London. He was at the end of his tether, having been robbed of his money and his greatcoat, and had his arm broken. It was only with great fortitude, of which we are all very proud, that he walked to London. He was exhausted, cold, hungry, and desperately disappointed not to have managed to join the army.'
'He should never have run away.'
'Agreed, but when a lad is so keen as he was to join the army and help fight a monster that he is prepared to join as a volunteer, we might praise his patriotism. However, Justin seems to have turned his mind back to University. We will see how another few years affects his ambitions.'
'He was seriously ill for some time,' Caroline said. 'Sir Peter Sankey, who has married Amelia, took him in and looked after him, employing the best medical attention. Then it was more convenient for him to be with Justin, the Earl. He has made two good friends there.'
'I wondered where Amelia was. I thought she might be staying with relatives, though with Eve still with you, it seemed strange.'
'Amelia is now married. We were going to take Eve to stay with Rachel when we went back home. It has been delightful, having her with us.' She smiled. 'It was intended to be just for the Little Season, but Sir Bernard's health made it necessary for us to stay here for several months. A few more days, sir, and you would have missed us.'
The Rector nodded. 'And I would have been forced to appeal for help to Lambeth. But have you heard any news from home?'
Sir Bernard sighed. 'Not good news, I suppose. Your curate, Mr North, came here to inform us he was leaving England to become a missionary in Africa.'
Eve thought her father's new mildness would be ended. He grew red in the face, then took a deep breath and gritted his teeth together.
'So who is caring for my parishioners?'
'We don't know. Possibly the Bishop will have sent a temporary curate. Mr North had informed him of his intention.'
And if he himself had not deserted his post, Eve was tempted to say, none of it would have been necessary.
The Rector sighed. 'I must make it my first task to see the Bishop. He will no doubt be angry with me.'
They could find nothing to say to that, for it was only too true. Caroline began to talk of the first night on the journey home when they would again stay in Oxford, asking the Rector about his old college, and whether there were people still there he might wish to visit.
'We travel by easy stages,' she said, 'so delaying our departure for an hour or two would not matter, especially as the days are drawing out.'
If only, Eve thought, they could delay it for days or weeks. All too soon she would be back at the Rectory, and she very much doubted her father's present mood of mild acceptance would last.
*