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The Madeira had barely been poured, and Aunt Madge had gone off to the kitchen to see about tea, when James and Mr Leadbetter returned.
“Father! Have you heard? Mr Hasswell is dead.”
“I came to tell you of it myself, and to congratulate you. Four hundred a year — a timely addition to your income, James. Once the funeral is over, I shall write to the bishop and St Agnes will be yours.”
“I have a better idea, Father. I should like to recommend Thomas for the living.”
Mr Leadbetter froze, his gaze flicking from father to son and back again.
“Leadbetter?” Sir Owen said. “St Agnes has always been intended for you, James.”
“I know, but I hardly need the income. St Hilary’s tithes combined with Julia’s dowry gives me a very good income, more than enough to meet our modest needs. You would not wish me to live in luxury while Thomas goes on year after year as my curate on a hundred pounds a year. The living of St Agnes would enable him to be independent… to marry.”
Sir Owen looked from one to the other, then nodded briskly. “Very well. It shall be as you wish. I congratulate you, Leadbetter. I had better return to the Manor. Lady Plummer will wish to hear the news without delay. Good day, James. Leadbetter.” With a little smile, he added, “Good day, future daughter-in-law.”
James calmly sipped his brandy, but Mr Leadbetter sat as one stunned.
“Are you quite well, Mr Leadbetter?” Julia said, trying not to laugh at his shocked expression.
“I… perfectly… quite well… merely…”
James rumbled with laughter. “Poor Thomas! How wicked of me to spring such a thing on you without the least warning.”
“Oh… no… no… too generous, but…”
“I have had the idea in my mind for some time, but I did not want to get your hopes up, for Hasswell might have lived for another twenty years, after all. But now you will be able to marry at last.”
“Marry…” He cleared his throat. “You will not mind if… if I go to the Park to tell Miss Crabtree of my good fortune?”
“Of course not. Off you go.”
He went, reached the front door, came back for his forgotten cloak, then left again.
“Miss Crabtree?” Julia said in wonder. “Is that the way the wind is blowing?”
“It is. Thomas has wanted to marry for years in an abstract sort of way, but the idea became a more material prospect when he got to know Miss Crabtree better. They will live very comfortably on five hundred a year.”
“Five hundred? I thought St Agnes yielded four hundred.”
“You cannot imagine I can do without my curate, do you? No, he will still have a hundred a year from me.”
“Pa will give Miss Crabtree something when she marries, as well. A sum of money, or an annuity. He is very generous towards former servants. This is all very well, my love, and I am delighted for them both, but Aunt Madge will be back at any moment with the tea things. Are you going to kiss me or not?”
“Oh, let me think about that…”
But he did not have to think for very long.
~~~~~
The procession of carriages leaving Chadwell Park for London was rather impressive. The small carriage, the larger travelling coach, a hired post chaise for the servants who could not be squeezed into the first two vehicles and finally a luggage wagon. Julia, James, Aunt Madge and Bella stood on the steps waving, while Miss Crabtree stood with Anthony, the one remaining footman, in the doorway.
“Well, there they go, off to the delights of town,” James said cheerfully, as the cavalcade began its ponderous journey. “This evening they will dine in the fully-staffed splendour of Grosvenor Square while you are left to the tender mercies of a couple of kitchen maids. Are you quite sure you have no regrets about staying behind?”
“A couple of kitchen maids and Aunt Madge,” Julia said, “who is a better cook than Mrs Sharwell, truth be told.”
“And I shall go and see what those kitchen maids are up to just now,” Aunt Madge said. “Nothing good, I wager. Bella, back to the schoolroom with you. Anthony, you are the butler now, so off you go and begin butlering.”
They all scattered to their appointed tasks, leaving Julia and James alone on the step.
