POVERTY'S PRIDE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (Part One)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (Part One)

Cedric felt an aching weariness as he rode his horse around to the stables on returning from business. He dreaded the following day’s proceedings. His father’s threat to boycott the funeral would add to the gossip already mounting in the county.

He knew to his cost that his father was an unforgiving man, but he could not understand Sir Leopold’s continued stubborn bitterness against his eldest son. He thought it might stem from the disappointment his father had shown when Jonathan had refused to take his place in the business.

Jonathan had turned his back on his family, and now Sir Leopold was turning his back on him, even in death. Cedric felt his shoulders slump. There was no happiness to be had at Cliff House.

As he neared the stables, Jowett, the head groom, came forward to take his horse when he dismounted.

‘I trust everything is ready for tomorrow, Jowett,’ Cedric said wearily. ‘The carriages, the tack; all is as it should be?’

The eyes of the county would be on them tomorrow.

‘Aye, sir,’ Jowett said. ‘I’ve just finished giving Lady Greystone’s carriage a good polish. It’s a fine carriage, sir. It’ll make a spectacle on the day.’

‘Lady Greystone?’ Cedric was startled. ‘My sister-in-law is here?’

‘The party came this morning. Lady Greystone, Mr Whillowby and...’ Jowett stopped, his face reddening.

Cedric frowned. ‘Out with it, man!’

‘Your lady wife, sir,’ Jowett said warily. ‘Mrs Trevellian was with them.’

Cedric was stunned but he quickly recovered. ‘Has my father arrived yet?’

‘No, sir.’

     Disconcerted, Cedric put up his hand up to rub his jaw and then was aware of the groom’s curious gaze.

     ‘That will be all, Jowett,’ he commanded sharply. ‘I’ll inspect the carriages and accoutrements first thing in the morning.’

     Cedric strode to the house his thoughts whirling. Cynthia had returned. What would be his father’s reaction to this, he wondered not without dread? He feared there would be bitter strife.

     His heart contracted as he thought of his daughters. They would be overjoyed at Cynthia’s return, but Sir Leopold’s acrimony towards their mother would blight that.

     And what did he feel, he asked himself? Cynthia had betrayed him but more importantly she had cruelly betrayed her innocent children. He doubted he could easily forgive her for that.

     He made his way to his father’s study and then summoned the housekeeper. Mrs Gilbert appeared almost immediately as though she had been waiting for his call.

     ‘The guests have been accommodated, I trust,’ he asked.

     ‘Yes, Mr Cedric, sir.’ She paused, her features stiffening. ‘I wish I’d been told, sir, of the party’s arrival. I was unready.’

     ‘We all were,’ Cedric said and then checked himself. ‘Where is - my wife now?’

‘Mrs Trevellian is in her old suite of rooms, sir.’

‘I see.’ He was aware that she was watching him expectantly. ‘That will be all, Mrs Gilbert.’

With an indignant snort Mrs Gilbert pranced from the room.

Cedric remained seated at the desk for a while ruminating. Over the three years since she left he had come to believe that Cynthia would never return. Did she now expect her homecoming to be accepted without recriminations he wondered? If she did intend to remain he could not be other than glad for his daughters’ sake. But for himself he could never forgive her; he could never be husband to her again.