The Country Bride

Judy went back to Creek Manor with mixed feelings. Daisy had given her good advice, but she had put doubts in Judy’s mind as to the eventual outcome of Jack’s injuries. After all, Daisy had spent time as a probationer nurse at the London Hospital, and she had probably seen people with similar conditions, which made her an expert in Judy’s eyes. She went straight to Jack’s bedchamber without even stopping to remove her hat and gloves, and she found him wide awake, staring up at the ceiling. She could tell from his expression that he was in the grip of deep depression.

‘Let me prop you up, Jack. You don’t look comfortable.’

‘You’ve been gone for hours,’ he said peevishly. ‘I’ve been here all alone, apart from Ma, who keeps trying to make conversation when I’ve nothing to say. What is there to speak about when I’m stuck here like this?’

Judy peeled off her riding gloves and plumped up the pillows. She could not lift him and she did not try, but she dropped a kiss on his forehead.

‘You can stop being grumpy, and I’ll tell you what Daisy had to say.’

Jack turned his head away. ‘Go on then.’

‘Well, she said she was very sorry to hear about the accident, and she’s going to ride over to see you.’

‘I really don’t feel like seeing anyone. It’s bad enough having my sisters coming round every day.’

‘You should be thankful that people care about you, Jack Fox. If you keep on like this I’ll go away and leave you to sulk.’

He shot her a sideways glance. ‘I’m not sulking.’

‘Well, what do you call it then? I went to see Daisy to ask her advice, because someone has to take charge until you get better, and you will recover, Jack. I refuse to let you sink into a state of depression.’

‘I might never walk again. What sort of man does that make me?’

‘You are still the same Jack Fox that you were before the accident.’

‘I’m as dependent as a baby. I can’t do anything for myself.’

‘That will change in time. Look at my mother: she’s learned to live with her disability. You have every chance of a full recovery, so don’t lie there feeling sorry for yourself. Dr Neville is coming tomorrow and maybe he’ll let you sit up in a chair. If he does, then James could carry you downstairs.’

‘Like a baby,’ Jack said with a wry smile. ‘I’m sorry, Judy. You’ve been working so hard to keep up my spirits. I will try to be a better patient.’

She leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. ‘Just try to be positive, Jack. I’m doing my best.’

Having left him in a slightly better mood, Judy went to her room to change out of her riding habit. She put on a simple grey cotton gown with a starched white collar and cuffs, and brushed her fair hair into a chignon at the nape of her neck. Small tendrils curled around her forehead, as if rebelling against her attempts to tame her thick tresses, but she was not concerned about her appearance, she had work to do. She began with Cook, her old friend and mentor Nell Pearce, and they sat at the long kitchen table, drinking tea and discussing topics as diverse as laundering the kitchen maids’ uniforms, stocking the larder and the cold room, as well as the menus for the coming weeks.

When Judy left the kitchen she went straight to the housekeeper’s office and found Ida Ralston poring over an accounts book. Judy had grown up in awe of Mrs Ralston, but now they discussed the housekeeping duties like equals, although Judy was careful to defer to Ida’s age and experience, and they parted on the best of terms. That left Molesworth, who was getting a bit rheumaticky, but was still eager to show off the contents of the cellar and explain his method of cataloguing the wines, spirits and barrels of ale. His one complaint was that the days of dinner parties and large-scale entertainments were over, and there was little call for his expertise. Judy sensed that he was worried about his future at the manor house and she did her best to assure him that he would not be replaced by a younger man, and that he was virtually indispensable.

She was exhausted when she made her way to the drawing room to tell Mary about her visit to Colneyhurst, and she was surprised to find her mother seated on the sofa in deep conversation with Mary. They both looked up with a start when she walked into the room, putting Judy in mind of two children caught doing something naughty.

‘Is there something I should know?’ Judy looked from one to the other.

‘Wilfred has asked me to marry him,’ Hilda said, blushing rosily. ‘I know it’s quite sudden, although we’ve known each other for ten years, and quite ridiculous for a woman my age, but …’

‘But nothing, Ma.’ Judy rushed over to give her mother a hug. ‘Don’t be silly. If you love each other, of course you must marry him.’

‘That’s what I said.’ Mary smiled smugly. ‘Faulkner is a good man and he’s been here for as long as I can remember. I don’t see what’s stopping you, Hilda.’

‘My leg,’ Hilda said in little more than a whisper. ‘He hasn’t seen me undressed, and I’m afraid he might find me repulsive.’

‘Of course he won’t.’ Judy squeezed in between them on the sofa and put her arm around her mother’s shoulders. ‘He must know about your injury. You’ve never kept it a secret.’

‘I know, dear, but it’s different when you’re married.’ Hilda glanced anxiously at Mary. ‘It’s one thing having a kiss and a cuddle, but when you’re married you share a bed … well, Mary knows what I mean.’

‘I’m not a child, Ma.’ Judy released her mother with one last hug. ‘If it worries you so much just show him.’

‘What?’ Hilda cried. ‘Lift my skirt in front of a man? I’d die from mortification.’

‘Ma, you want to marry him, don’t you?’

‘I’m considering his offer.’ Hilda pursed her lips primly.

Judy looked from one to the other, shaking her head. ‘I don’t see how you can get round it in any other way. Although, I suppose if you were to sit behind a screen, and I lifted your skirt for you, we could show Wilfred without causing either of you any embarrassment.’

Mary covered her mouth with her hand, barely disguising a chuckle. ‘That sounds sensible, Hilda.’

‘I don’t know. I’d still find it awkward.’

‘You won’t see him,’ Judy said firmly. ‘You’ll be hidden except for the bit of you that is causing the problem. If he finds it disturbing, I’ll know by his expression.’

‘It’s the most practical solution, Hilda.’ Mary rose from the sofa. ‘I think I need a glass of sherry wine. You must both join me. I never drink alone.’ She moved swiftly to the bell pull and tugged it so hard that Judy was afraid she might pull it down.

Judy turned back to her mother. ‘Well, what do you think?’

‘I don’t know, dear. It all sounds a bit theatrical, not to say embarrassing. There’s no getting round the fact that I look like something from a freak show.’

Judy leaped to her feet. ‘Nonsense. I won’t have you say things like that about yourself. You’re the bravest, kindest woman I’ve ever met and you deserve to be happy.’

Mary nodded emphatically. ‘I agree with Judy. It sounds a bit extreme, Hilda, but if you can’t bear to reveal your poor damaged limb in any other way, I don’t see the harm in it.’

‘I wonder what Grace Peabody would say if she knew,’ Hilda said with a wry smile.

‘Heaven forbid!’ Mary sank down on a chair by the fireplace. ‘Where is that girl? I really could do with a glass of sherry.’

‘I’ll fetch the decanter and glasses from the dining room,’ Judy said hastily. ‘Just in case words gets out that the mistress of Creek Manor has taken to drinking in the afternoon. That really would scandalise the vicar’s wife.’ She left the room, almost bumping into the parlour maid. ‘It’s all right, Lizzie. The mistress has changed her mind.’

‘Yes, miss.’ Lizzie turned on her heel and hurried back in the direction of the servants’ quarters, leaving Judy free to fetch the decanter.

After two glasses of sherry, drunk in quick succession, Hilda finally plucked up the courage to agree, and they decided to put Judy’s stratagem into action the following afternoon.

Later, when Judy had taken Jack’s supper to his room, she told him what they were planning and had the satisfaction of hearing him chuckle.

‘You’re a witch, Judy Begg,’ he said, grinning. ‘Who else would think of something like that?’

‘It’s common sense,’ she countered. ‘Ma is afraid that Wilfred will be horrified when he sees her poor injured leg, and both Mary and I said that if he really loves her he will take it all in his stride.’

‘Unlike poor Hilda,’ Jack said, laughing.

Judy smiled. She knew that Jack was not being callous, it was merely his wry sense of humour struggling to get through the haze of misery that had held him in its thrall since the accident. He had always been able to see the funny side of a situation, and this was just the start of his recovery, or so she hoped. She waited until he had finished his meal, then she picked up the tray.

‘Lizzie should be doing that,’ Jack said sharply. ‘And you should be seated at table in the dining room with my mother. Why are you still here with me?’

‘I’m here because this is where I want to be, and I eat in the servants’ hall, as always.’

‘But that’s ridiculous, Judy. You aren’t a servant, and you should be treated as a member of the family.’

‘You’re wrong, Jack. I am still a servant, even if my position has changed slightly.’

‘I won’t have that. You’re my …’ He met her gaze with a puzzled frown. ‘I mean, we’ve been together for so long that you’re part of me.’

‘Not in the eyes of the family, or anyone else, if it comes to that. We’re not engaged or even thinking about it.’

‘Of course not. I’m a cripple and likely to remain so. I can’t marry you, or anyone while I’m in this state.’

She could see that he was getting agitated and she headed for the doorway. ‘Don’t worry about it, Jack. It will all work out in time.’

‘That’s what people say when they don’t know what’s going to happen,’ he said bitterly. ‘Look at me, Judy. I’m supposed to be lord of the manor in Jay’s absence, but everyone knows that I’m not up to it. I wasn’t before the accident and now I’m completely useless. I can’t even elevate you from the servants’ quarters to the family table.’

‘I won’t listen to this.’ Judy balanced the tray on her knee while she opened the door. ‘I’ll come back after I’ve had my supper.’

‘Don’t bother. I’ll probably be asleep.’

‘All right, if that’s the way you want it, I’ll say good night.’ She left the room, knowing that she would return later and he would be pleased to see her, even if he pretended otherwise. She loved him dearly, but he was behaving like a fractious child.

She took the tray to the kitchen where she found her mother in conversation with Cook and Ida Ralston, but Judy was quick to note the worried look on her mother’s face.

‘What’s the matter, Ma?’

‘Oh, Judy! I really can’t make up my mind. I don’t know what to do.’

‘What do you mean?’ Judy asked wearily. ‘Is this about your feelings for Mr Faulkner or embarrassment because of your amputation?’

‘Yes, my dear,’ Cook said with a sympathetic smile. ‘If you have any doubts about marrying the fellow, I’d say think again.’

‘Yes, indeed.’ Ida Ralston nodded in agreement. ‘What exactly is worrying you, Hilda?’

The sound of booted feet on the flagstone floor made them all turn with a start and Judy was surprised to see Wilfred Faulkner standing in the doorway, the smell of the stables hanging over him in a cloud.

‘Well, this is charming,’ he said, grinning. ‘Are you spreading the good news, Hilda, my dear? We’re to be married, ladies. My Hilda has yet to name the day, but it can’t be soon enough for me.’

Nell nudged Hilda in the ribs. ‘Go on, then. Tell him what you want him to do.’

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