Marriage Under Siege by Anne O'Brien Read Free Book Online Page B

and sufficient for new clothing. They shall also be assured of their
keep and a roof over their head until the day of their death.'
    Mr Wellings paused.
    'Is that the sum of the
bequest, sir?' enquired Mansell in a quiet voice at odds with the grooves of
disgust that bracketed his mouth.
    'It is, my lord.'
    'It is interesting, is it
not, Mr Wellings, that the final part of the bequest will fall on my shoulders,
not on those of my late departed cousin?'
    'Indeed, my lord.' Wellings's sharp eyes held a glint of humour at the obvious
strategy of his late employer.
    'It is quite insufficient,
but much as I expected.' Mansell dug into the deep pocket of his coat and
produced a leather pouch. How fortunate, he thought sardonically, that he had
come prepared. As the pouch moved in his hand, the faint metallic chink of
coins was clear in the quiet room. He approached Foxton and handed over the
pouch.
    'I have noticed that every
member of this household is in need of new clothing, Master Foxton. If you
would be so good as to arrange it, this should cover the expense and more. I
expect that those in my employ should be comfortably and appropriately clothed,
as would any lord.'
    'My lord...' Foxton
stammered, holding the pouch tightly. 'This is most generous...'
    'No. It is your right and I
believe it has been neglected.'
    'Thank you, my lord. I
shall see to it.' Mistress Brierly and Mistress Morgan, less successful that
the Steward in hiding broad smiles of delight, exchanged glances and dropped
hasty curtsies, their cheeks flushed with pleasure.
    'If you will come to me
this afternoon, Master Foxton, I will discuss with you suitable remuneration
for all three of you as is fitting and as I am sure Lord Edward would have
wished.'
    'I will, my lord.' Lord
Francis himself opened the door to allow Foxton to usher out the two women.
    'That was well done, my
lord.' Wellings's tone was gruff as he nodded in
acknowledgement of the gesture.
    'It was necessary. I take
no credit for it, Mr Wellings.' Mansell's tone was sharp, his brows drawn in a
heavy line. 'Efficient servants are essential to the smooth running of this
household and should be suitably rewarded. It is to Lord Edward's detriment
that he failed to do so. It is something I must look to.'
    'Your concern will be
welcomed at Brampton Percy, my lord. It is not something of which your
dependants have recent experience.'
    'Probably not. So, Mr
Wellings, let us continue and finish this business.' He returned to his stance
by the fire, casting a critical glance at Honoria. She had remained silent,
uninvolved, throughout the whole interchange. The sudden warmth that touched
her chilled blood would have surprised him, her instinctive admiration for his
sensitive handling of Edward's mean bequests. He did not see her quick glance
through concealing lashes. She would have thanked him, but feared to draw
attention to herself. Perhaps later, when all this was over and she could
breathe easily again.
    'Very well, my lord.'
Wellings picked up where he had left off. 'To my wife Honoria...
    'As by the terms of the
jointure agreed between Sir Robert Denham and myself on the occasion of our
betrothal in February 1643, she will enjoy to her sole use and her gift after
her death the property of Leintwardine Manor in the county of Herefordshire,
which was in her own inheritance. Also the property Ingram House in London. The
coach and six horses in which she travelled on the occasion of her marriage
from the home of Sir Robert Denham. And the handsome sum of £4,000 per annum.'
    'This will be deemed
sufficient to allow her to live comfortably and is in recognition of the extent
of the inheritance that she brought to the Brampton family with her marriage.
It is a substantial settlement— as is your right, my lady.'
    'Is that as you
anticipated, my lady?' Mansell queried when the lady made no comment.
    'Yes. It is as was agreed
between my lord and Sir Robert. Lord Edward made no changes here.'
    'Continue