Every Mother's Son by Val Wood Read Free Book Online

another day.
    ‘Can we leave early?’ Maria begged. ‘Please, Da. Can we leave at seven?’
    ‘Eight,’ he conceded. ‘Daniel has to be up early ’following morning anyway.’
    They drove down the dale towards Broomfleet and the estuary and up the long drive of the manor, taking note of the carriages and gigs depositing the guests outside the house, after which some of the vehicles were driven round to the yard at the back whilst others set off down the drive again.
    ‘Looks as if there are some local folks and others from out of ’district,’ Fletcher commented. ‘D’you see that some of ’drivers have gone round ’back to ’servants’ area?’
    ‘Mm,’ Daniel murmured. ‘I mebbe won’t know many people then after all.’
    Maria gave a small moan. ‘I’ll die of fright, Da. Can Daniel say I’m not well and I’ll come back home with you?’
    ‘No,’ her father laughed. ‘Don’t worry; you’re as good as anybody else if that’s what’s bothering you. Don’t forget that I’m a farmer with my own land. Just like Master Hart,’ he added. ‘Though not as big.’
    He pulled up at the front steps and Daniel jumped down and then helped Maria. ‘See you at eight o’clock then, Da,’ he said. ‘Come on, Maria, nobody’s going to bite you. You look very nice,’ he said warmly. ‘You’ll have all ’lads after you, but look for me if you have any bother wi’ them.’
    ‘Oh, but stay by me, Daniel,’ she whispered. ‘Don’t leave me.’
    He kept hold of her arm as they mounted the steps. The door opened and a maid bobbed her knee and asked if she could take Maria’s wrap. Maria’s eyebrows shot up as she recognized the girl, who was a little older than herself and had been at the local school; she didn’t say hello, although Maria was sure that she knew who she was.
    ‘That’s Meg Hall,’ Maria murmured to Daniel as they followed her across the floor. ‘Why didn’t she speak to me?’
    ‘Cos she’s working,’ he said softly. ‘She’s probably been told not to speak to ’guests even if she knows them.’
    ‘But why?’ she asked, but Daniel was saved from answering as Charles and Beatrice came out of the drawing room to greet them.
    ‘Oh, Daniel! And Maria, I’m so glad that you’ve come.’ Beatrice was exuberant in her enthusiasm. ‘You’re the ones I know best!’ She lowered her voice. ‘Some of the others are sons and daughters of friends of our parents and we hardly know them at all!’
    ‘What a relief that you’re here,’ Charles confided to Daniel. ‘Some of the chaps from school are staying the night, and they’re not getting on very well with the locals. I need you as a sort of go-between.’
    ‘Me?’ Daniel was astonished. ‘But do I know them? Are they local lads?’
    ‘Erm, well sort of, and their sisters. One’s from Swanland, and there are some from South Cave and Market Weighton and North Ferriby; you know, all in farming or agriculture. I need you to help me out, Daniel.’
    And all gentlemen farmers’ sons, I’ll bet, Daniel thought, and knew how Maria felt. He guessed, rightly, that he would know none of them.
    Beatrice whisked Maria away so that she might change her shoes, chattering as she did so. ‘It’s all very well, Maria, but some of the girls, sorry, young ladies ,’ she said, wriggling her eyebrows, ‘are expecting dancing, and we aren’t doing that, only party games, which I adore, don’t you? You look very pretty,’ she added, barely pausing for breath. ‘How fair you are. We could almost be sisters. You’re so different from Daniel.’
    ‘That’s because we have different fathers,’ Maria ventured. ‘Daniel’s father died when he was just a bair— a baby,’ she corrected.
    ‘Oh.’ Beatrice looked at her. ‘Did he? I can’t remember if I knew that.’
    ‘I don’t know,’ Maria shrugged, wondering if she was letting slip a family confidence. ‘Ma’s always saying that she’ll tell us ’full story one day,