Page 50 of The Fortunes of Ashmore Castle

In the instant that Sebastian’s attention flickered towards her, Hubert sprang. Sebastian jumped back and felt a sharp burning, like a thin trail of fire, across his ribs; Hubert came at him again, the wicked-looking blade no longer concealed, his other hand raised to fend off any counter-attack. Sebastian feinted with his stick, sidestepped, caught Hubert’s knife-hand by the wrist as it came at him – the forward and upward blow of the accustomed fighter – and managed, just, to keep it from his body. He brought his cane down on Hubert’s arm, thrusting him backwards at the same time, and broke free. As Hubert came again, he swung and hit him hard with the cane between the shoulder and neck. Hubert swayed under the blow, lost his balance, took a half-step backwards to recover it, and caught his heel against the shallow kerb. He flailed and fell backwards, and there was a sickening sound as his head hit the iron lamppost.

A little sudden silence dropped, and Sebastian only then realised that there had been noise, the gathered crowd shouting, egging the fight on. He waited, panting, shifting his grip on his cane for the next attack, but Hubert, sprawled on his back, didn’t get up. From the corner of his eye he saw that the slatternly woman – presumably the ‘wife’ Mary – had been caught by the arms by two onlookers to keep her from interfering. She had been struggling to be released, but was now still. ‘Jack!’ she yelled.

Close behind Sebastian there was the shrill sound of a police whistle, and he felt rather than saw the crowd starting to sidle away. Then a large, authoritative voice bellowed, ‘All right, everybody, stand where you are! Stand still! You with the stick, don’t you move!’

Sebastian was only too glad to obey. He didn’t think he could have moved anyway.

Maud was standing when Angus was shown into Caroline’s drawing-room: she wasn’t prepared to have any young person loom over her. She had never really looked at him before – he was just one of the young cousins – but she saw now that he was a handsome boy, well set-up, and his smile, though suitably uncertain for this meeting, was attractive. She could see why Rachel had fancied him. Why she should want to give up everything for him was another matter.

‘Aunt Maud,’ he said cautiously. His eyes travelled to Caroline and Rachel, seated on the other side of the room and forbidden by Maud to speak. He nodded respectfully to them. ‘Aunt Caroline. Rachel.’

‘Sit down,’ Maud said to him. She took the chair opposite, and studied him in silence to unnerve him.

He bore it well. ‘Thank you for giving permission for us to become engaged.’

‘Yes?’ she said, to indicate that there was always time to withdraw the permission. Then, ‘It is a great pity you managed to alienate your father and lose all your prospects.’

‘But I have others now,’ he said. ‘I have a good position, and I’ve been told I’m giving satisfaction. When my trial period is over, I’ll have a salaried place with excellent prospects for advancement. I intend to save hard and hope to be in a position to marry next year.’

Rachel drew breath as if to speak and Maud silenced her with a glance. ‘You are an office clerk, I believe.’

‘Something more than that, ma’am. I am to be Mr Cowling’s general manager, a position of responsibility within his business empire.’

‘Empire?’ she queried witheringly. ‘Is he a monarch?’

‘It’s an expression. His interests are wide, ma’am. He is a very wealthy man. He advises the King on financial matters.’

‘My permission is only for you to become engaged. In a year’s time, we will see how things lie. In the mean time, you may see each other under the normal rules of society, and you may correspond.’

‘Thank you, Aunt Maud.’

‘If there is the least impropriety—’

‘I would never do anything to harm Rachel. I love her.’

‘Hmm. Well, we shall see. When the time comes, if your application has been constant and your behaviour impeccable, I may find a dowry for Rachel commensurate with your financial position.’

‘Thank you, Aunt Maud.’

Maud stood. ‘You may have five minutes together,’ she said. ‘Caroline?’

The two dowagers went into the morning room, where Maud sat rather abruptly, and Caroline said, ‘Are you feeling unwell, Maud dear?’

‘Tired,’ she said. ‘This unnecessary situation wears me.’

‘But he’s such a nice boy, and they do seem very fond of each other. And don’t forget, I was allowed to marry for love.’

‘Sir James Manningtree was one of the richest men in London,’ Maud observed.

‘Well, perhaps Angus will make his fortune. It’s very promising that Mr Cowling has taken him up.’

‘You know this Mr Cowling well?’

‘His London house is on the other side of the square. He’s a shrewd businessman, and really rather a pet. I’ve taken a queer fancy to him. He moves in very good society, Maud – received everywhere. And you know he married Kitty’s bosom friend Nina, the girl she was brought out with?’

Maud waved that away. ‘I look to you, Caroline, to supervise their trysts.’

‘Of course.’