Tom Brownings Schooldays

Tom Browning's Schooldays

By

Joel

Chapter Thirty Two

There was quite a hubbub as we entered Careby Hall. Weary travellers we may have been but we were such as needed to tell all our news and to hear theirs. Father waved a hand to quieten things and welcomed Geoffrey, who stood much taller than George. However he looked just as an older version of him, flaxen-haired and broad-shouldered as well. As soon as father had finished telling Geoffrey he must treat the place as if he were at home, he excused himself. He said he would retire to his room and have a rest before dinner. Torquil had gone over to where Robin was standing and was smiling at him as he enveloped him in a great hug. I saw tears in his eyes as they parted and heard him say to his son,"We must talk together later".

Mr Clements went out with father and was tut-tutting about something. I don't think he approved of Torquil or me sitting in the drawing room in our smelly and stained riding clothes. It was no matter as, at that moment, two of the maids appeared with another pot of tea and an assortment of small cakes on a platter. I was ready for food. Timmy insisted on serving me while Benjy did the honours for Torquil. We were polite to our guest and asked how his journey had been. Geoffrey laughed and said it was rough riding as they had tried some country lanes which were worse than fields he had hunted over, but they had arrived safe and sound late on Friday afternoon. He had said 'they' as he had brought a young man of nineteen with him who would be his groom and batman if suitably assessed as a possible trooper by the recruiting sergeants. The young man in question was being entertained in the Servants' Quarters and had the maids hearts a-flutter, or so Lancelot said.

I asked how George was and found he was staying with Maitland and would be driven back to Ashbourne. On the way he would be collecting at least three other young pupils, with Maitland riding alongside on Perseus. Geoffrey said that his father, Lord Harford, had succumbed to the lad's entreaties and had sent instructions for my father to supply a suitable mount for George. "Some docile old nag which won't run away with him," he said laughing, "No, I jest, he is a good rider but the horse should not be too mettlesome as George does rather take risks. We don't want any broken bones." That meant another horse drover's task!

It was then Timmy whispered something to Lancelot. He nodded. "Tom, some sad news, there was a letter from Mr Ridley to my father. Mr Dimbleby's old horse Newton died on Christmas Day. He wishes to replace him and, as you know, Timmy had grown fond of that old nag so he has been to the stables and picked out one which could be a suitable replacement. All that remains now is that your father has to name a price." He turned to Timmy. "You knew exactly which one to choose, didn't you?"

Timmy smiled. "Yes, sir, that one came forward of his own accord and I was satisfied it was the one for Mr Dimbleby. A kind horse for a kind man."

Geoffrey turned to him, too. "Young man, I have been here two days and I have learned much about you. Dr Dodd, here, has said you have quietened beasts, know herbs, suggested plantings and chosen a mount for that schoolmaster. I have another task for you. My father says I must have two suitable chargers for myself and one for Mark Dawson my groom, as well as some suitable ride for my brother. I trust you will accompany us when we see what Mr Browning has to offer."

I wondered if this was some recompense for the treatment he had received from a member of Geoffrey's family, albeit a side of the family which was crooked and evil. It was obvious Geoffrey was not of that ilk.

Timmy bowed his head in acknowledgment. "Sir, if Mr Browning will allow me I would do my best."

It was all talk after that. Of course, the news had not yet reached the house that Uncle Billy had been knighted. The story of the parade with the Royal Duke in attendance kept them all agog. I think Geoffrey was rather concerned at the pomp involved in being with the regiment in London. He might be the son of a Lord but looked and sounded a countryman at heart. I had to tell of the ball with Jabez and his friend Mehmet in their costumes and of my performance at the At Home. I said little about the SoirＦ but said I had been driven all round London and had even been to the Tower.

"You have seen and done more than I have," said Geoffrey. "I have never been to London. This is as far South as I have been." His statement had confirmed my opinion. He went on, "I had tutors at home, as did my elder brother, until we were sent to relatives to learn of farming. This is a new adventure. Here am I at twenty-eight embarking on my voyage of discovery!"

I laughed. "I suggest you do not set sail on the Thames then. That waterway is foul and you venture on it at your peril I have been told, especially if you fall in."

"I have heard that, too," Geoffrey said, "My father still has an interest in one of the wharves. He knows that ships' captains do not like to tarry when unloading or loading. They say the miasmas carry many poisonous diseases which are every bit as bad as in those sweltering places their goods come from."

Lancelot looked pensive. "I have wondered if it is not the stenches which produce the disease but it is the water itself which carries the cause."

"But from ancient times," I said, "the wisest of men have blamed bad air, haven't they? Doesn't malaria mean 'bad air'?"

Lancelot nodded. "That is true. It would seem that hot, marshy ground does give off vapours but why say that it is the air itself which causes the illness?"

Robin spoke up for the first time. "You mean that doctors should look elsewhere for their causes? There would seem to be more disease and dying in those poor hovels in London than in a village like Careby, unless they are like those poor sojourners. Edward Harrison said his father is also a lawyer to an insurance company so must keep note of the deaths and the causes as given in various parts of London. I have seen the chart and the maps he has in his study and there are many differences across the parishes."

I could see Lancelot was interested in this and would be questioning Robin further. We passed to happier matters. We heard that Geoffrey and George were now uncles twice over as their eldest brother's wife had been delivered of twin boys on Christmas Day. Their two sisters were with child and Geoffrey thought that for both their time would be around Easter. From what he said I gained the impression they had been married off to sons of other local landed gentry, if not the aristocracy.

As we had finished eating and drinking by then Torquil and I took our leave and went off to our rooms to wash and change into more suitable clothing for the evening. "Not too formal I hope," said Torquil as we walked side by side up the stairs, "I have a clean shirt and a reasonable suit of clothes in my saddle bags and will have to wait until the carrier brings my boxes which are promised for tomorrow."

"How long will you be here?" I asked.

"Ten days or so but I need a good uniform and evening clothes as I must make my obeisance to the local dignitaries at Stamford and Peterborough. If I don't then the local militias will have their noses out of joint and they won't join in with our training at Easter. There are letters of introduction to Lord This and Sheriff Other, plus Mayors and Esquires who must be cosseted and cozened to get their cooperation." He was quiet for a moment as we reached the top of the stairs. "My, hasn't Robin grown since I saw him last. You and he are so much alike." He took my arm. "I must make amends for any feelings of abandonment he may have. I must admit I have been a poor father with lack of diligence and I feel there is a gulf to be bridged. I pray you will help. Please."

It was such a heartfelt plea I turned and hugged my brother. "I do not think Robin feels he has been rejected or abandoned. He has been happy in the Goodhew family and I have been a friend and companion since we were both small. He has a strong character and that has been nurtured by Steven Goodhew. He is loved by his young brothers and he is the kindest brother to them."

I was hugged back in turn. "Sweet Tom, I feel I have neglected you, too. I have been away too long. Terence has said how much he enjoyed that enforced stay here last year. He said you lightened his days and Robin was with you all the time and he could see your great friendship."

"I haven't felt neglected. Mother always read to us your letters to her and we knew of the questions you asked about what was happening in the village and the comments you made when you heard I was for Ashbourne."

He laughed. "That place! I learned little enough there and that fiend Pullen used my arse to try out any new switch he had cut. I still feel the sting when I think of the mad things Jemmy Fitzhugh and I did..."

"...Like cutting off Mr Pullen's moustache?" I asked, interrupting him.

He gave a snort of laughter. "Only half his moustache. He was as drunk as a fiddler's bitch but started to stir and we had to run for it. We were unlucky as I had used Copeland's razor and Pullen knew he was too pi to do such a thing. As usual I got the blame and a good half-dozen more stripes. It was a good jape, though, and made all the fellows laugh."

He gave another laugh but I heard no more as we were joined by Jackson and Benjy. Jackson said he would act as Torquil's valet as Mr Clements was looking after Geoffrey Lascelles and my father was being left to fend for himself until he had had his sleep.

Benjy opened my door for me and I was greeted by a good blazing fire but things had been moved around. My oaken clothes closet had been shifted away from the panelled wall and my bath had been moved to the other side of the fire place. I took up a candle to look as some of the panels had been removed from the side towards the wall where a window was situated some six or seven feet in. There was brickwork on show which looked quite old but appeared sound. I noted there were chalk marks low down on the bare wall. All this must be some preparation for my jakes and fitted bath.

"Mr Goodhew has taken many measurements," Benjy said as he pointed to the bare walls. "He has found there are places under the floor where pipes can run and some of the boards have been removed in the room next door. He will bide by young Philip's suggestion to have the new rooms back to back as this will reduce expense for the pipes but it will mean removing bricks and repairing these inside walls. You cannot see now as it is too dark but there are ropes laid outside where the trenches are to be dug. My father expects to carry many pipes soon which have been ordered from some manufactory in the mid country where there is also a good canal to bring them a good way down."

"So Philip is employed, too?"

Benjy laughed. "That boy is here, there and everywhere. He has had Eamonn and the twins holding measuring rods and has also marked out dimensions in most of the bedrooms. He says he will wait until your mother is home before he deals with her rooms as there are too many things to move without permission. You must talk to him as there are some strange measures in two of the rooms and your uncle is looking for more old drawings."

"That I will do, it looks most exciting but I must hurry now to wash and be clean and tidy for dinner tonight."

No sooner said but done as Eamonn and the twins, all in neat plain grey livery, staggered in with large pitchers of hot water. I grinned at them and they each said they were glad I was back safe and sound from that strange place London. They couldn't stay to gossip as they had to get more hot water for Mr Torquil and my father. When they had departed and Benjy had poured the water for me he said Mr Clements had been teaching them how to be good footmen and they were eager learners as a position here was prized.

I stripped off my riding clothes and noted I had red patches on the inside of my thighs where my new saddle had chafed me through the leather on my britches though I was not too sore. Benjy was rather rude and said I walked like an old hen about to lay a large egg and that my backside was also red. I said if he had ridden that distance he would be red as well and might be redder if he didn't pay attention to my bath. I was glad of that hot water and the sweet smell of my sister's soap from the small piece which still remained.

Robin came into the room while I was lying quite contentedly letting the hot water ease any aches in my limbs having scrubbed any dirt away with my washcloth. He and Benjy giggled together and made comments about the piglet in it's bath of salted water ready to be made into good fat bacon. I said the piglet would give them both a sound battering when it was out of it's marinade and told them of the exchange between the two men at the inn over the fat girl who had just married. Robin laughed some more but eventually came and knelt by the bath to put an arm round my neck and kiss me so tenderly, full on the lips. "You're home and I have been waiting to do this since you went away," he whispered.

Benjy came and stood by his side and held up a good thick towel. "I would kiss you as well, but come and dry yourself." Robin helped me up. As I stepped out, still dripping water, he kissed me again, this time on the cheek. The pair of them enveloped me in the folds of the towel and rubbed away at all parts of me vying for whose hands should make sure my pizzle and balls were dried. Of course, my unruly stalk responded as it always did to any touch.

Benjy sneered as the towel was taken away from me. "I don't think the little fellow has grown while he's been away. It still looks like a stump of candle smaller than those bits Mr Clements throws away as useless."

Being unclothed I had an advantage. I grabbed Benjy and he began to hoot as I tried to pummel him and get him to the bed where I could hold him down and give him due punishment of a good tickling. "Robin, Robin, help me, the young master has lost his wits and is beating an innocent servant!"

I managed to quieten those shouts but set off squeals as I found his ticklish ribs. I looked down at him as I held him over the edge of the bed and he was made silent as I set my open mouth over his. I stopped my tickling and we kissed as well. I felt such friendship, too, for that lad. Robin came over full of laughter. "Come, let him up or Mr Clements will beat him with the gong stick for being untidy." He bent over Benjy and gave him a kiss on the cheek as well. He looked at me. "Benjy has told me how he has been your warming-pan. That is my task from now unless you feel so frozen you need to be warmed by two."

I let Benjy go. He stood to straighten his jacket and looked at Robin. "I think this night you will be sufficient, Master Robin, but I volunteer for duty when needed."

I clasped his arm. "Benjy, I will miss you again when I go with Robin to school. You must keep Eamonn warm and happy. He appears to be a good lad and you could be a friend to him."

He smiled. "I think we are friends. I have been a good warming-pan for him and him for me. He wants to stay and I think Mr Clements will recommend that so we will be together as good and faithful servants."

Robin grinned at him. "You and those twins will keep Mrs Gray busy preparing even more food as you vie with each other to see who has the biggest appetite."

Benjy held up a hand. "I am not guilty of that. I have taken your advice and I eat less than half of whatever those two pile on their plates."

"Well, see you keep to that while we are away or there might be another fat porker ready to be salted when we return."

While that exchange was proceeding I had found clean drawers in my closet. The second suit Mr Corsham had made for me was laid out ready. When I was half-dressed Benjy came to help me finish. My hair was still damp but he combed and brushed it and he said it would be perfect when fully dry. While he was engaged on this task I kept up a recital of various things which had happened on my stay in London including the SoirＦ and the fine food served. Benjy laughed at this and said he had better go as he would be helping to serve at table as well tonight but could not guarantee such lavishness would be on offer.

As we had time before we had to descend to the dining-room I told Robin some more of my time in London but did not say what Jabez had found out about Black Jack. Those happenings would be related later. I said I had some forty or so books to share with him but then I told him of the greater sharing. He was amazed I had spotted that line on the map and gained so much money. I said that I had told Uncle Digby he would be getting a half share.

Robin shook his head. "That is your money and properly earned. You must keep it for your own use. I have had so many kindnesses so far and even now I have received gifts which I have not expected. Old man Peters stopped his carriage on Friday and called me over. He gave me five gold sovereigns and wished me well. I was so overcome I could hardly thank him. I did not believe he would recognise me but my mother said she had worked in his household as a very young girl and he was quite a kindly man but missed his wife who died young. He is not the only one. The Squire has sent a purse as well and I have to visit to say my thanks. We have a command from Miss Barnes to attend on her on Monday and to take Timmy with us. I feel quite bewildered at all the generosity I have been shown and yours would be too much."

"For you, my dear Robin, nothing would be too much. We have much to share in any case and I will keep that money safe for things we will need." I laughed. "I do have presents for you and your brothers and there are things for you which my Aunt Fanny will be sending in a box with the carrier." I told him about being fitted for my evening suit and also being taken to the emporium for other clothes and also for footwear. "You will find you have the same as me."

He was shaking his head almost in disbelief but I said it had all been planned for him to join me at Ashbourne and we had made it happen through George's ruse. I told him then what Uncle Digby had said about observing the little things.

"But not to jump to quick conclusions," Robin cautioned.

I agreed. However, I didn't tell him about Curly. He would be apprised of that tale before he visited Charles Street and I would see if the hair powder was disturbed!

I asked him how he had spent his time while I was away. He smiled. "I have spent many hours with your Uncle. We have read through almost all the third book of the Aeneid which is most enlightening about the journeys of Aeneas after the destruction of Troy. Although I can construe I find what is being said and described quite difficult. Your Uncle says that understanding will come in time as their way of living was so different from ours."

I thought the same about many of the things I had read but told Robin that Mr Martin always talked about the customs of the time and had maps which showed where the various places were.

He nodded. "I was lost when I translated a passage about the building of the ships sub ipsa Antandro. I did not know where that and the Phrygian mountains were. Your Uncle had a map which made it clear, especially when the ships sailed and made their way across to an island and then on past Naxos and other towns on the shore. Anyway, he has also spent time with me on my Greek and says I must work at it with you. We have made lists of verbs with their tenses and he has tested me on some more vocabulary."

"I hope you will be placed with Mr Martin as we will be able to work together both in class and after. Do not worry, I find some of the Greek most difficult."

"Some!" he said with a snort, "It has so many rules I wonder how those old Greeks learned to speak it?"

I said all we could do was to work at our exercises as best we can and hope we do not make too many errors.

We passed to other things. He said that Liam had settled in well. He was a match for young Philip but his greatest achievement had happened on his first day in the barn where Robin's foster-father, Steven Goodhew, was about to draw out the design for one of the memorials for Stinsted Church. As Steven lined up the curve in which the first words were to be placed Liam pointed to the old rector's paper and noted that the first word in REQUIESCAT IN PACE was missing the essential 'I'. Steven said Liam had earned his first quarter's wages by noting that as he was so used to just having to carve R.I.P he might have missed it and he would have been derided as no scholar, but a mere carver.

Messages back from Mr Grindcobbe's premises in Stamford from Niall said he was happy, though his right hand ached with all the writing. Robin grinned when he told me this as we both knew that stiffness in one's arm could follow the relief of stiffness elsewhere.

It was then we heard the sound of the gong. Dinner had been announced and our stomachs were ready for more food. We smiled at each other as we reached the dining room door. I said I wondered what the conversation would be with no ladies present. But there was one. My Uncle Dodd was there with Aunt Matty. Father was awake and refreshed and was in earnest conversation with his sister. We were followed in by Lancelot and Geoffrey Lascelles. Geoffrey was greeted most affably and had already met my Uncle and Aunt as he had been to church that morning. Places were arranged and as we sat so a great tureen of hot game soup was carried in by Benjy and Timmy and ladled onto our plates by Jackson. There was no conversation as the tasty mixture was spooned in and the last remains mopped up with a piece of warm bread.

The first main course was a fine roast capon stuffed with nuts and served with thin sliced potatoes braised in its fat. Mr Clements had brought in bottles of a mellow claret which must have been quite a treat for Robin as I knew good ale was the preferred accompaniment to meat in the Goodhew household. The second course was slices from a leg of pork with preserved beans and boiled parsnips, of which I was not particularly fond. The dessert made up for my dislike of strange roots as it was my favourite syllabub with thin biscuits flavoured with almond. I watched as Geoffrey nodded when asked if he wished for more. I was deprived as he and Torquil finished the dish between them! I did have a glass of a sweet wine which Uncle Dodd said came from his College cellars and had been maturing in his cellar for at least five years. My Aunt Matty remarked it was only because he had forgotten it was there.

No one retired from the table after the dishes were cleared. Other than Robin and myself the men took pipes and filled them with a tobacco my father said he had brought back from London in his saddle-bag and was a present to him from my Uncle Digby. He said it was a very expensive mixture and he was glad young whippersnappers like us hadn't learned to smoke. The scent was most aromatic as the smoke curled around our heads. I said at least the aroma was better than the sooty smoke of London and told of the Duchess's requests for small cigars to counteract the stink of the burnt coal and other things. I was careful and did not say 'stink', or it's other cause, 'horseshit', in front of my Aunt. I managed to say 'noxious odours' which satisfied my sensibilities but got a snort from my father. The little story did get a laugh and Torquil said the Duchess was a very fine lady. He then let a bit of a secret surface. He said that the ring he had given to Elizabeth Branscombe when he asked her to marry him was a gift from the Duchess. She had said it had been in her family for many years but she had no one else to pass it on to other than one nephew who was still unmarried at quite an age. Her own sons and daughters had been furnished with other family heirlooms and wanted for nothing.

Aunt Matty was about to say something but I saw my father shake his head. I wondered if it might be a question, or something, about the Duchess's nephew. The conversation changed to more local things. Mrs Matthews, the Squire's wife, had fallen and broken a wrist which Lancelot had made immobile with a splint and bandage.

"The poor lady is rather ancient and healing will be slow," Lancelot pronounced, as he sipped at his glass of the good sweet wine. "It is a blessing that she did not break her hip or leg like the old woman who was in the Almshouses last year. I found there was little I could do for her and it was a mercy she did not last long."

"Lancelot, please!" his mother said and wagged a finger at him, "We do not want a recital of your patients and their ailments tonight. I haven't forgotten last night's dinner where our main dish of roast pheasant was accompanied by you telling of those three children with ringworm, that groom with a broken nose from brawling and the woman with the diseased leg you were watching in case it turned green." She snorted. "There, I have done the same as you. Forgive me everyone, but it is difficult for one to live with Greek being quoted on one side and foul disorders being described on the other."

Robin, sitting opposite me, had been silent so far. Very quietly he said "de gustibus non est disputandum." There was a double guffaw, one from my Uncle Dodd and the other from my father. Lancelot laughed, I giggled and my Aunt Matty glared, then dissolved into laughter. Torquil and Geoffrey sat and simply stared at the rest of us.

"At least that was in Latin which I always consider to be a most respectable language," my aunt said.

"Not always, my dear," Uncle Dodd said to her from the other end of the table, "There are many utterances conveniently hidden by that ancient tongue which spare blushes and conceal truths."

"And was that one of them?" asked Torquil, "I have forgotten what little I learned of that language. I am sorry, Uncle, as you spent much time trying to cudgel what brain I have and poor Mr Hollister did the same at Ashbourne, though that was accompanied with the switch rather than the invisible cudgel."

Uncle, sitting next to Robin, held his glass up. "A toast to our new Latin scholar. Tell your father what you said."

Robin looked at Torquil with a straight face. "I commented that there is no accounting for tastes. We say more emphatically 'one man's meat is another man's poison' but I think the Latin is gentler."

Torquil was shaking his head. "Dear Robin, you show up your father's ignorance but I accept that willingly. I drink to your health. Another glass, Mr Clements, if you please!"

There was a general toast to a now blushing Robin. My father looked at me.

"And what do you have to say?"

"'Silence is Golden'" came out on the spur of the moment.

"Hunnh! That is not your usual stance." He turned to his sister. "Matty, that young whelp was not silent in Digby's presence. His tongue turned a line on a map into good golden guineas at my expense. Nay, I will say he took good opportunity and there may be more of interest for the future so he is forgiven. I must see Grindcobbe at his first convenience." He looked at Uncle Dodd. "You know of Witham? There is some land there on offer. Digby Wright and that railway company of his have an agreement on it but would be glad to rid themselves on payment of a reasonable sum. Grindcobbe will know what reasonable is if he is to earn his fee."

I could see that Uncle Dodd was immediately interested though it was not in the price but the history.

"If that is around South Witham then that was Templar land. You will know of the buildings which were there and lie ruined mostly underground. I have heard of tunnels, too. You must have explored there in your youth?"

Father was nodding. "I have seen the ruins many times and hunted there often. It is strange land especially near the river. There is a good inn there called the Angel which old Reverend Percival said was from olden times."

"That is true," Uncle Dodd said, "You have been to the Angel in Grantham?" Father nodded. "That is on a pilgrim route and was a Templar inn. There is much evidence of the Templars and their houses between here and Lincoln."

"Who are these Templars?" asked Torquil. "I think I have heard of them. Were they knights?"

"That is true," said Uncle Dodd, "Their history goes back to being the knights who protected Jerusalem after it was taken from the Moors. They defended the pilgrims on their journeys to that city."

"When was this?" asked Robin as Uncle Dodd paused to draw on his churchwarden pipe.

"It was around eleven hundred when Jerusalem was captured," he said. "They were crusading knights and were like you, Torquil, sons of the higher classes who became soldiers. They were soldiers of Christ rather than of Her Majesty, though I do not belittle you for that, nor begrudge the Queen for employing your services." He took another puff, clearly enjoying his pipe and the tale he was telling. "They became very powerful and spread all over Europe and this country building castles and great houses. They were also traders but mostly famous for their money dealings and their reputation for honesty. In those days their documents of exchange were like our letters of credit today." I saw my father nodding at that. His major transactions were settled by paper so all that about seeing if his bank had his gold was his story. Uncle Dodd held his pipe up. "Legend has it they amassed a great fortune which disappeared when they were suppressed," he said before settling it in his mouth again.

"Suppressed? Do they not exist any longer?" asked Torquil.

"I would surmise they became too powerful for some of the rulers of places where they not only guarded but traded. If I remember correctly it was a king of France who saw his opportunity to lay hands on at least some of their wealth. He had all the Templar knights in France arrested and most were burnt at the stake for so-called heresy but although there were strongholds and other property no one found the gold which he had hoped for."

"When was this?" I asked.

"In the early thirteen hundreds," Uncle Dodd said. "It is a time since I read an account but I think that although the Pope of the time dissolved the Order of Knights Templar some still remained in various of their houses outside France. I suppose they could have remained in England in places such as Witham save taking any new knights." He reached for a taper which he put to a candle as his pipe was out. We waited until he had relit and was contentedly puffing the aromatic smoke out in thin coils. "I have visited the Temple Church in London. You know of that?" he asked Torquil.

"I have heard of it but not visited it," said Torquil. "That has reminded me. One of our officers goes there regularly and his family name is Temple. He has said his ancestors were buried there."

"Perhaps there is a connection with those ancient knights," said Uncle Dodd, "You could enquire further as it intrigues me." He looked at father who looked even more contented with a large glass of that sweet wine before him and even more smoke being breathed out. "Sam, you must have that land and we will explore! As I said there has been no sign of that wealth which was said to be theirs. You might get your guineas back!"

"Hunnh! The only person who will get guineas is Grindcobbe and the profligate family who has lived there. But I hear I have customers today for my stock I wish to discard as useless other than for the knacker's yard."

Poor Geoffrey looked askance as the rest of us laughed. Father was being father. Lancelot came to his rescue.

"My uncle disconcerts us often, though he knows that if he upsets me then the next time he complains of some ailment I might be tempted to dose him with a good purging draught."

"Will you teach me that mixture?" I asked.

Father shook his pipe at me. "And I will get two of the grooms to hold you and pour it down your throat and see if the concoction works."

"With Lancelot's expertise no doubt it would, so that would be a waste," I riposted.

Father harumphed again. "Boy, if I had a guinea each time your tongue wagged at me these last weeks I wager I could buy that land twice over."

"But, father, you have customers who want good stock, which they know you have, so guineas from those transactions should allow you to take up the option you have on that land," I said and took up my own glass.

"So you and your brothers might hunt for buried treasure that no more exists than my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, eh?"

Uncle Dodd waved his pipe at my father. "Do not forget me! I will be a willing helper in any enterprise of that sort."

"Alfred, you are welcome to dig about but do not complain if you fall down any holes and especially if you find nothing."

"But I know the church there and it has many features which hark back to ancient times."

"But they must have been Catholic in those days," I said, "What was the heresy you talked about?" I knew from conversations with Uncle Dodd that there had been numerous disputes over beliefs in the early church and even when our Church of England had been set up by Henry the Eighth. We had our own Puritans in the village if Zeb and his father were examples.

"I think there were various lies dreamed up and used against them," Uncle Dodd said solemnly and I thought he was evading a straight answer. "It was easy in those days to accuse people of false beliefs."

The others seemed satisfied by that answer but Robin looked over at me and creased his brows. Both of us would have to question Uncle Dodd further.

Our talk then turned to other things. Aunt Matty said there had been two more fires, not too dangerous, but people were getting careless. I nodded at Robin. We would get plans for the construction of a water pump like the one at Ashbourne. She also said there was more trouble with the inn between our village and Bytham. That was where the groom had received the blow which broke his nose. Father pricked up his ears. Luckily, the groom was one of the Squire's. It was rumoured there was gambling there which had got out of hand and a fight had ensued. Two other fellows supposedly involved had disappeared by the time the local constable had arrived but no one would say what had happened. My father said that there was a nest of troublemakers in that village and he wasn't surprised at those events. Our grooms and labourers were forbidden to frequent the Barley Mow or the one further on as both were notorious for gaming and poor ale.

Uncle Dodd said at least Flaxman at the Varley Arms had a good brewhouse and kept an eye on the younger men who drank there. I knew that father would not countenance drunkenness among his workers. Riders or grooms taken in drink could easily maim or injure valuable horses. I knew of two bricklayers and a carpenter who had fallen from ladders after being at one of the neighbouring inns during their lunch time. Of course most of the men did drink but there was always the threat overhanging them of the consequences of over-indulgence. Constable Rogers was a good example. His drinking was so noticeable that it would not be long before he was deprived of that position unless he abstained or moved. I grinned to myself thinking of young Lem..., I mean Luke Emmanuel. Also had Bessie Phillips produced her offspring?

Time was passing rapidly and I was feeling quite tired after that long ride and the good dinner. Aunt Matty looked at her husband and Uncle Dodd said it was time to go. He hoped he would see Geoffrey again before his departure for London. We all stood as Mr Clements announced their carriage was at the door. We both got a hug from Aunt Matty as Robin and I followed them to say goodnight before we were going to my bed.

The other gentlemen were still sitting, drinking, smoking and chatting as we bade them goodnight. Benjy led the way with the sconce as we climbed the stairs. All was warm and snug as he left us to deal with our bedtime routine. I said I missed the jakes but, pointing to the bare wall, said I hoped all would be installed by the time we returned at Easter.

"The next thing may be gas lamps," suggested Robin.

I said that was unlikely for a long time. I told him I had asked Uncle Digby but he had said that a gas works to heat the coal to produce the gas would be very costly and would only be possible for a town of several thousand people rather than a village. Robin said that Philip would no doubt make drawings of how it might be done as both had heard the same explanation on their visit to London and it tallied with what Uncle Digby had told me. And at some time...

As we undressed I told Robin about the elaborate uniforms that the Hussar officers wore and Uncle Digby's assertion that they were hung like lampshades. I said if he was the true son of Torquil and I was Torquil's brother perhaps we might be hung like him in another way. I said I had had ample opportunity to see his possessions as on undressing at the first inn he had to find a nightshirt in his saddlebag and was displaying himself completely while he did so.

"He might not quite compare with dear Jabez," I said holding my fingers near five inches apart, "But he hangs like this and we should be his equal by the time we are full- grown."

"You did not see him hard?" asked my cheeky nephew with a grin.

"No, but he covered himself quickly in the morning when he got out of bed," I said, also with a grin, "Perhaps he did not want his little brother to see it had not hardened to be much more."

"Like this?" Robin stood naked and his pizzle was a hard shaft as was mine.

We fell onto the bed and did not settle until all our longings over the past week or so were satisfied three times over with caresses, kisses and that joyful release which each delighted in with murmured assertions of our deep and undying love for each other.

To be continued: