Page 93 of Escape to the Country

Chapter 31

Tom was trying to control his temper as he went along the east wing corridor to find Sam. The letter he was holding was becoming crumpled in his hard grip. He needed someone to talk to.

But Sam was on his mobile when Tom found him in the music room. From his gestures, he was likely to be some time. So Tom waved at him that it didn’t matter and left him to it.

He went back along the corridor and spotted Arthur in his study. Before he could move on, Arthur had smiled and gestured for him to come in. Reluctantly, but not wanting to cause offence, Tom did so.

It was one of the rooms yet to be plastered or decorated, but it looked settled in its careworn way, with the dark wood shelves and desk. Many dusty books were piled up, most of them referring to agriculture and managing estates.

‘I found this by my desk this morning,’ said Arthur, picking up an old tennis ball. ‘I’d hate for young Dylan to lose one of his most prized possessions.’

‘And for you to trip over it,’ said Tom, with a grimace at the thought. ‘I think he’s outside so I’ll make sure he gets it.’

Tom could see the whole vista of the grounds bathed in sunshine through the window behind the desk.

‘I’ve always thought this one of the best views out of any window,’ said Arthur, following his gaze. ‘From my seat here, you can see across most of the grounds at the back all the way down to the river. Almost the whole estate.’

‘That’s a lot for one man to be responsible for,’ said Tom.

Arthur nodded. ‘Indeed. But it’s all I’ve known, so I guess you could say that it’s what you’re used to.’

Tom wondered if Sam felt the same. He appreciated the responsibility that his friend was taking on by becoming Earl of Cranley.

‘Of course, I’m number seven in the line,’ carried on Arthur. ‘My father and grandfather were also well aware of their responsibilities. But my great-grandfather almost lost the whole stately pile in a cards match. Of course, gambling has always run amok in the whole family. The first Earl of Cranley won the estate in a poker game, after all.’

‘So, in a way, it’s a miracle that this place is even here.’

‘Oh yes,’ said Arthur, smiling. ‘But some people make their own destinies, of course.’

Tom glanced down at the letter he was holding and hesitated. Perhaps Arthur could help him, but he didn’t want to burden the elderly gentleman with yet more problems.

He started at the sound of laughter as Rose entertained one of her friends in the drawing room and frowned. Looking back, he found Arthur studying him.

‘Do you know, a place like this does have some advantages,’ said Arthur. ‘Would you like to have a bit of fresh air and see one of them?’

Tom knew that Arthur was being kind and getting them out of the house meant they could talk privately. So he let Arthur lead him out the back door in the ballroom where they found Dylan dozing in the shade of the house.

He automatically glanced at the woods to see if he could see anyone hiding amongst the trees but thankfully the fans seemed to have decided that remaining at the front gates seemed to be their best hope of spotting him. So at least the grounds were private once more.

Once Tom had thrown the tennis ball, Dylan soon perked up and they both followed Arthur across the patio and down the dirt track towards the dilapidated dairy house and stable block.

‘Long since abandoned unfortunately,’ said Arthur, as they reached the buildings. He sounded wistful but not too upset. ‘I remember when I was growing up, the place was full of stable lads and people dashing back and forth to the dairy. I think that’s what I miss most of all. The people. But times, of course, change.’

They carried on past the buildings. Tom counted at least ten empty stable pens.

As they went further into the woods, the path narrowed.

‘Would you like me to go first?’ said Tom.

‘Lead the way, son,’ said Arthur, nodding. ‘I daren’t risk another broken hip. Annie hasn’t got over the first one yet.’

‘What happened?’

‘Slipped over at the bottom of the stairs,’ said Arthur. ‘It was my own fault. Mind you, it did have one good outcome. Sam came home and met Annie.’

They carried on through the trees, taking care to step over the roots that were sticking out of the dusty ground. Dylan ran around them, chasing squirrels until they ran up the trees out of harm’s way.

Finally, Tom could see water ahead through the large trunks of the trees.