Spring turned to summer, and summer to autumn. They were happy months for Ellie. Her father’s recovery had been quite swift, considering the severity of the damage to his ankle. But even when he had regained full mobility, he still included her in the running of the estate. He was a hard taskmaster, watching everything she did, but gradually she was given more and more responsibility. She loved the work and threw herself into it with great enthusiasm. The last few months had also given her the opportunity to get to know her brothers and sisters, and it was hard to imagine what her life had been like without them. They all got on well, and they had quite obviously loved their little sister Queenie. Even Maggie wrote to her from time to time.
She had also been corresponding with James regularly. Their letters were long, telling each other what they were doing, and comparing the work on both estates. Philip was also taking a great interest in management, much to his father’s pleasure. He was also eager to start helping, and Mr Rogers was making sure he had a sound education to prepare him for the task. Ellie no longer had lessons so the tutor was able to concentrate on Philip.
Easing her horse into a trot, Ellie lifted her face to the warm sun. September was her favourite time of the year. It had been a good summer and there was going to be an abundant harvest. She was now going to see that the wheat was being safely gathered. Her father had given her this responsibility, telling her that if more workers were needed, she was to employ them. It was imperative that the work was done while the weather was good. She knew James was doing the same thing in Yorkshire, and she smiled to herself as the golden fields came in to sight. It made a glorious picture, as the men were busy cutting the corn and tying it in bundles.
Drawing to a halt, she dismounted and walked over to the farmer. ‘Hello Jim.’
‘Morning, miss.’ He tipped his cap. ‘It’s going to be a bumper harvest this year. Best we’ve ever had, by the look of it.’
‘Have you got enough men?’ She was pleased at the way the workers had accepted her, but she suspected that they were polite and tolerated her because of the high regard they held for her father. That didn’t worry her though, as she felt a sense of achievement to be doing what she was.
‘Oh, aye, most of them are regulars, but we must move fast before it rains.’
Ellie gazed up at the clear blue sky. ‘There isn’t a cloud in sight.’
‘No.’ Jim tipped his head back and sniffed. ‘But it’s coming. I can smell it.’
He had an uncanny knack for predicting the weather, so Ellie believed him. ‘How long have we got?’
‘Another two, maybe three days. Time enough. You can tell Mr Warrender that it will all be gathered in time.’
She nodded. ‘Is there anything you need?’
‘No, thanks, miss.’
‘I’ll be getting back then.’ She remounted and turned her horse for home. Jim had been with them for as long as she could remember, his sole responsibility being the running of the estate farm, and if he said that everything was all right, then that was good enough.
She arrived at the stables the same time as her father. This was a busy month, and they were hot, tired and hungry.
‘All well with the harvest, Eleanor?’ Albert waited until his daughter had given her horse a carrot as a treat.
‘Jim said it will all be gathered in before it rains, and he has enough workers for the job.’
Her father nodded and Ellie fell into step beside him. ‘How’s the orchard coming along?’
‘Taking shape. Ted’s doing a good job. They’ve started felling some of the larger trees. We’ll have plenty of wood for the winter.’
‘Lovely. Can I see that the estate workers are supplied as well?’
‘Of course. Ask Ted and he’ll deal with that for you. Oh, and the house is furnished now, so he’s moving in at the end of the week.’
‘We must throw a party and make it a happy home for Ted.’ She was beaming with delight. They’d had great fun choosing pieces of furniture from both houses to make a comfortable home for her brother. It was quite a substantial place, with three bedrooms. Over the last few months she had watched Ted grow in health and confidence, as her father and uncle had shown respect for his judgement in developing the land.
‘We’re going to, but you mustn’t tell him. We’re laying on a surprise, and your brothers and sisters are coming, including Maggie.’
‘What?’ Ellie was surprised. ‘But she’s still in Yorkshire.’
‘They’re coming back to London tomorrow.’
Ellie stopped suddenly. ‘Mrs Montague and James as well?’
Albert nodded, amused, as he watched his daughter’s surprise.
‘But I received a letter from James only yesterday, and he didn’t think they would be coming back before November. How can he leave the estate when there is so much work to be done over the next month or so?’
‘They must have a very good manager, and that is why they can spend so much time away from the estate. They are rather isolated where they are, and Augusta told me that she cannot bear to stay there too long.’
‘Does James feel like that?’
‘I really don’t know, Eleanor. You must ask him.’
She nodded, and then did a little dance, spinning round in excitement. ‘This is wonderful news. Ted will be so pleased to have so many of the family around him. And James might have told me he was coming back so soon. Just wait until I see him.’
Keeping arrangements for the party a secret from Ted wasn’t easy. Henry devised a plan to keep him out of the way by pretending that he needed advice on a bull he was thinking of buying. When Ellie heard this from Philip she howled with laughter. Although her brother was learning fast, he knew absolutely nothing about livestock.
‘He never believed that, surely?’
‘Well, he did look rather surprised.’ Philip eyed the food being set out in the dining room of the new house.
‘I’ll bet he did. He must have wondered if Uncle Henry had taken leave of his senses.’ She put the finishing touches to a vase of flowers for the centrepiece of the table, and then glanced at the clock. ‘I hope they get back in time.’
‘Father said he was going to keep him away until everyone else had arrived.’ Philip wandered over to the window. ‘This is a good house, and in a lovely spot. If you’re quiet you can hear the stream running, and when the fruit trees grow they will almost surround the house.’
‘Yes, and the smell of the spring blossom will be wonderful.’ She sighed. ‘But I hope Ted won’t find it too lonely.’
‘Shouldn’t think so. There will be workmen around all day, and he can always come up to the house if he wants to. Father likes him. In fact, everyone likes him, especially our maid, Dorothy.’ Philip smirked. ‘She can’t take her eyes off him when he’s around.’
There wasn’t time to question Philip further about this, because at that moment, everyone started to arrive. Her father and Mr Rogers were the first, quickly followed by the carriages bearing Augusta, James, Maggie, Pearl, Dave and Jack. Jimmy had been left in the care of Dave’s mother for the day.
There was great excitement as they greeted each other, and Ellie couldn’t help looking around in wonder. It was almost a year since her mother had died – and what a year it had been. Her life had changed dramatically, and she still found it hard to believe that she had so many brothers and sisters.
‘Quiet everyone. They’re coming.’ Albert held out the keys to Ellie. ‘As soon as he comes in you must present him with the keys to the house.’
She took them, and waited by the door while the others kept out of sight. As soon as Ted walked in they all cheered. That was Ellie’s signal to curtsy, none too elegantly as usual, and give her brother the keys. ‘Mr Ted Bonner, welcome to your new home.’
The scene around him was almost surreal, and James watched in disbelief. This was an extraordinary situation. Ellie had been brought up in luxury, lacking nothing, then she’d been told that she had come from a very different background. If he’d been in her place, he didn’t know if he would have had the courage to do what she had, or if he would even have wanted to. He would much rather have left the past alone – undiscovered – where it wouldn’t upset his comfortable life. But Ellie wasn’t like that. He had begun to understand her a little through her letters, and he guessed that whatever crisis she encountered in life, she would face it head on. That took a special kind of person.
His gaze swept over the people in the room, coming to rest on Albert Warrender. After their first meeting James had thought he understood him, but now he was not so sure. Not only was he helping his daughter to find her siblings, but he had welcomed them, helping where necessary, and making them feel part of the family. Was he merely being kind, or was he a fool? These Bonners had been brought up in a tough world, and could be planning to take advantage of his love for Ellie. But, if that was their intention, then they were hiding it well; he could detect no sign of avarice in them. They just seemed delighted to have found their sister again.
‘Eleanor has changed since we were here before.’ Augusta spoke quietly to her son, as they stood slightly back.
‘She’s grown up.’
‘It’s more than that, James. I agree she has matured, but she’s also grown in confidence. When she found out she had been adopted, that must have changed her life completely, but she is handling it well. That points to a sound character.’
‘Hmm. And her father has been giving her much more responsibility than is expected of a young woman.’
‘From the tone of your voice I detect that you do not approve. I am surprised. I would have expected you to take a more liberal view.’
‘I am not Albert Warrender, Mother. He has a reputation for outlandish views.’
‘Don’t you mean enlightened, James?’ There was censure in her voice.
‘No, I don’t. Look at the way he’s welcomed this family into his home, treating them like friends. It doesn’t seem to bother him that their speech is common, or that they come from the slums of London.’
‘James!’ Augusta was taken aback. ‘You’re a snob, and I haven’t noticed that trait in you before. But then I’ve never seen you with anyone who was not from our class. And you are forgetting one thing.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Eleanor came from there as well. She loves her other family, and is not ashamed of her roots. Neither is Albert.’
‘Then he is being most unwise. They will take advantage of his wealth, and he will end up supporting the lot of them.’
‘That is his business, and nothing to do with us. I, for one, am honoured to have been invited to this little gathering.’ Augusta was angry now. ‘And you are underestimating Albert. I don’t believe he is the fool you are so rudely suggesting. You have been corresponding with Eleanor all these months, and I thought a friendship was developing between you, so what has brought about this change of attitude? You appeared to be quite happy to mix with them at the birthday party, and I thought you liked them.’
‘I do, but—’
Augusta made a quiet sound of impatience, stopping him in mid-sentence. ‘If you find this happy gathering so distasteful, then I suggest you return to London at once. But before you go I suggest you make yourself agreeable. I shall be most displeased if you embarrass me.’
James watched his mother glide away, elegant as ever, even in her anger. He bit back a groan as her question still ran through his mind. When had his attitude changed, and why? He’d been looking forward to seeing Ellie again. She was an interesting girl, and he had enjoyed receiving her letters. But watching her with her siblings just now had made him uneasy. Why? He’d met them all before and it hadn’t bothered him then.
He studied the Bonners, trying to see what was different this time – but there was nothing. Then it hit him with force. It wasn’t the Bonners who had changed, it was him! He was frightened of them. But he didn’t understand why. Why all of a sudden did he find them a threat? What had happened to him?
‘James.’ Ellie came towards him, smiling brightly. ‘Don’t stand in the corner on your own, come and join the party.’
He nodded and allowed her to lead him over to the food, greeting everyone as he went.
‘Do you like the house?’
‘It’s a fine building. Your brother will be very comfortable here. He is lucky to have been so well provided for.’ When she looked up sharply, he realised that his tone had been critical.
‘You sound as if you don’t approve. Father makes sure all his workers are well housed and looked after. If they are happy, then the estate runs smoothly. Don’t you do the same for your workers, James, or do you put them in mud huts in Yorkshire?’
His mouth twisted in a wry smile. He had deserved that rebuke. ‘No, we’re quite civilised up there.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. Ted deserves this because he is doing a good job for my father and Uncle Henry. They don’t want to lose him now.’
‘We most certainly don’t.’ Albert came and stood beside them. ‘Come and have a look at the transformation that Ted has managed to achieve.’
‘I’d like that, sir,’ James accepted eagerly. He was in such a strange mood that it would be better if he removed himself from here for a while.
Ellie laughed. ‘Father, take him for a long walk and see if you can cheer him up. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him again, but he’s in a most disagreeable mood.’ Her blue eyes were teasing. ‘I’ll find myself more convivial company.’
‘Is everything all right, James?’ Albert asked, as soon as they were away from the house.
‘I appear to be upsetting everyone today. My mother left me in disgust, and immediately after that I said something to your daughter and she took exception to my tone.’ James gave a resigned shrug. ‘I shall have to apologise to both of them.’
‘It will save a lot of trouble in the long run.’
‘Is that what you would do?’ James studied the man beside him, trying to get a clearer picture of his character.
‘I would say I was sorry for upsetting them, but I wouldn’t apologise for my views if I felt they were right.’
‘The problem is I don’t think I am right, but I can’t help how I feel.’
Albert sat on a felled tree and motioned for James to join him. ‘I expect you miss your father.’
James nodded. ‘I used to be able to talk everything over with him.’
‘Can I help? I’m a good listener.’
‘I am going to be very presumptuous, sir.’ James had decided to speak freely. He was upsetting everyone today, so why stop now? ‘This is none of my business, but would you answer a question for me?’
‘If I can.’
‘How do you know that the Bonners aren’t going to try and get you to support them for the rest of their lives?’ James shifted uncomfortably. ‘I shouldn’t be asking you about your affairs …’
‘No, you shouldn’t, but this is something that is obviously troubling you, so I will tell you. I suppose this doubt has come about because of the way we are providing for Ted.’
‘Well, yes.’
‘The answer to your questions is that I don’t know, but it is a chance I am prepared to take. I would never have given Ted a job and a house if he hadn’t proved himself. Pearl, Dave and Jack have their own business and it gives them a decent living. They are happy with that, and have never once indicated that they wanted my financial help. Maggie is happy working for your mother. From what I’ve seen of them so far, I believe they are all fiercely independent people. The only one I have any qualms about is Tommy, but he’s in prison for ten years, and will not be able to cause us any trouble for some time.’
James gasped. ‘I didn’t know that.’
‘A friend of mine investigated the case, but Tommy was proved guilty without a shadow of doubt. He lied to me when I visited him, so I won’t try to help him further. I have told him this and he’s furious, for he really did think I would be able to get his sentence reduced.’ Albert sighed. ‘He was wrong. That leaves only two of the children unaccounted for, but we believe one of them may not even be in this country. My daughter wants to find Harry, but all our efforts to trace him have failed.’
‘Why don’t you put a notice in the London newspapers? Someone might know where he is.’
Albert nodded. ‘It might be worth a try. Now, will you answer a question for me?’
‘That’s the least I can do after you have been so frank with me.’
‘Why are you concerned about the Bonners?’
‘I’m not sure, but watching the gathering in the house, I suddenly felt uneasy. I was afraid they might try to take advantage of you and Ellie.’
Albert studied James thoughtfully, then said, ‘I would never allow that to happen.’
A simple statement, but when James looked into Albert Warrender’s eyes, he knew it was true.