Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange by Jenny Kane (the little red hen ebook .txt) 📗

Ignoring her husband’s elongated puff of dismissal, Bea leant forward. ‘I’m so proud of you, Sam, and I’d love to hear about Bert. The name suggests an elderly gentleman?’

Tina gave Lady Malvern a grateful smile. ‘He’s in his eighties, but with the spirit of a twenty-year-old. Possibly the kindest man I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet.’

‘Does he live at Mill Grange too?’

‘No, he’s in the village. Upwich. He and his wife Mabel have been good friends to us since Thea – she’s the house’s co-manager – took over the property’s restoration last March. Mabel is something of a village stalwart. She helps with our meal preparation now.’

Bea beamed. ‘She sounds wonderful. Like an elderly Mrs Beeton.’

‘She is a bit.’ Tina risked a glimpse at Sam, who was still in the process of mastering his breathing. ‘Bert was in the forces too. He was involved in an incident that resulted in a severe fear of confinement, to the extent that they had to build a wet room in their home with a door leading into the garden.’

Tina felt Lord Malvern’s eyes on her as she kept speaking. ‘Bert has worked his whole life to overcome his fear. He came from a time when backbone was the thing. Any show of weakness was considered failure. Thankfully we know better these days.’

Shifting his chair closer to Tina, Sam put an arm around her and took over the story. ‘Traditional therapy has been good, but only goes so far. Bert has taken me under his wing. He’s teaching me the small steps he took to conquer his fear.’

‘Yet he still has an emergency exit from his bathroom!’ The earl had the air of someone who was trying to hold on to his argument, simply for the sake of it.

Sam sucked in a patience-grabbing breath. ‘Because while it is there, he doesn’t need it. It is the knowing it’s there that counts.’

Lady Malvern pointedly removed her husband’s teacup. ‘I think Bert sounds fantastic. Please thank him for us. We appreciate what he’s doing for you, Sam. Don’t we, Charles?’

Lord Malvern grunted as the refilled cup was passed back. ‘He’s very kind I’m sure.’

Sam’s eyebrows rose so high that Tina thought they might shoot off his head. ‘I didn’t tell you about Bert helping before because I wanted it to be a surprise, Tina. I hope you don’t mind.’

‘Of course not!’ Tina felt the tension in her shoulders ease. I should never have assumed he wasn’t trying to overcome his fear. Sure Sam would appreciate not being the centre of attention for a while, Tina screwed up her courage and said, ‘You have a beautiful home here. Sam tells me it’s Queen Anne.’

‘It is.’ Bea lowered her cup. ‘Would you like a tour?’

Tina was halfway through saying she’d like that very much, when she realised it would mean leaving Sam alone with his father, and backtracked. ‘I couldn’t possibly impose. You’ve already been such a kind hostess.’

‘Nonsense. That was just a snack to keep us going. We’ll need a walk or you won’t have room for Karen’s lunch.’

As Bea got up, Charles raised his cup to his lips and took a sip. ‘I don’t know why she wants to study physics when she’d be a brilliant housekeeper.’

Lady Malvern rolled her eyes, but there was an affectionate lilt to her tone as she said, ‘I know you don’t, dear, that’s the problem.’ Getting to her feet, beckoning Tina to come with her, the countess gave her husband and son an equally stern glare. ‘If you two can manage not to squabble before we get back, we’d both be very much obliged.’

*

Tina stood in the vast marble-lined hallway, not sure where to look first. In the very centre, a staircase of highly polished mahogany sat, with doors – presumably leading into a variety of small rooms – opening off the hallway and upper gallery around it.

‘It’s breath-taking.’

‘I’m glad you like it.’ Bea gazed up the stairs. ‘I’m never sure if I do or not. I’m continually impressed by it of course, but I’ve never warmed to it.’

Surprised, Tina asked, ‘If planning permission allowed, would you change it?’

‘I’d make the hall smaller. Divide it into rooms. Many other houses of this period have been split up like that. As you can imagine, this space costs a fortune to heat. I’m constantly guilt-ridden by how much we are costing the environment in this bit of the house alone.’

Liking Lady Malvern even more by the minute, as they walked up the staircase into a world of silver-white marble and landscape paintings, Tina shyly asked, ‘Do you think they will be alright out there?’

*

‘Which family does your young woman come from?’

Sam groaned. ‘Why do you have to say it like that? You know they won’t be landed, and therefore not good enough for you.’

‘I was merely being civil.’

‘No, Father, you were being condescending.’ Sam flexed his legs. ‘However, just so you don’t say something to upset Tina, I’ll tell you that her parents passed away when she was in her teens.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘Are you? Well that’s a first.’

Letting out a hiss of a sigh, Lord Malvern got to his feet. ‘Can I show you something?’

Sam followed his father away from the house towards the walled garden. Following in his father’s footsteps, Sam noticed how much slower he walked these days. In fact, now Sam looked properly, he noticed that Lord Malvern wasn’t as square-shouldered or upright as he remembered.

With a jolt, Sam realised his father was getting old. Objectively, he knew he was in his late seventies, but Sam had never associated ageing with his formidable parent. He moved to his father’s side, instinct telling him he might have to support his arm if he tripped. The concept of the daunting Lord Malvern being enfeebled filled Sam with a mixture of horror and regret. He didn’t like the old man much, but he couldn’t help loving him.

‘There.’ Lord Malvern opened the gate to the walled