{"id":791,"date":"2017-08-30T20:51:51","date_gmt":"2017-08-30T20:51:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/?page_id=791"},"modified":"2019-04-20T21:55:52","modified_gmt":"2019-04-20T21:55:52","slug":"lord-reginald-chapter-1-a-family-meeting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/index.php\/sample-chapters\/lord-reginald-chapter-1-a-family-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"Lord Reginald: Chapter 1: A Family Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>From Lord Reginald: Sons of the Marquess Book 1:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lord Reginald Marford was uncommonly nervous. The summons itself was out of the ordinary, but the serious demeanour of his oldest brother about the matter was enough to concern any man. The Marquess of Carrbridge was, as a rule, the most easy-going and affable of brothers, never letting any setback disturb his equanimity. If some extraordinary event should manage to ruffle his feathers, then the marchioness was sure to smooth everything out in the most delightful manner. Nothing was permitted to interfere with the regular round of pleasure which any well-born family expected to pursue. In such comfortable ways, life had gone on in the Marford family for generations.<\/p>\n

But now, it appeared, all was gloom, the marquess was miserable and even his wife\u2019s good humour was replaced by anxious fluttering and an unusually short temper. It was not right that such a charming lady should have even the smallest worry to distract her, when her beauty and accomplishments entitled her to a life of unalloyed happiness. Such were Lord Reginald\u2019s thoughts as he made his way down the oak-panelled staircase at Drummoor to the great hall.<\/p>\n

Monty was there first, naturally. No matter how punctual one might be, Monty was always there first.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it going to be bad, Reggie?\u201d he said at once, raising those huge, innocent eyes to his older brother. Reggie was only six years older than Monty, but sometimes he felt very old, far older than his nine and twenty years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it might be,\u201d Reggie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is all my fault, I know it,\u201d Monty said, twisting his hands together. \u201cI should never have bought that pair from Longman. I was completely taken in, for he told me they were such fine animals, and they certainly looked it. Such a bargain, as I thought at the time, but it was not so. I am sure we will have to retrench and it is all my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense, Monty, but you should remember to take Gus with you next time. He knows everything there is to know about horseflesh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I tried to! I told Longman I would wait until Gus was back from Newmarket, but he would not have it. He had another buyer, you see, and the deal could not wait even another day, so what could I do but close with him at once?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could have called his bluff. He bamboozled you, and that is the size of it. But you need not despair, for your doings have been nothing to Gil\u2019s, and even Humphrey has been losing at the tables lately. If we are in the basket, it will not be because of that broken-winded pair Tom Longman managed to foist on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Monty tried a smile, managed only a lop-sided quirk of the lips and abandoned the attempt. \u201cI shall give up my curricle altogether, I believe, for I do not need it. One horse to ride \u2014 what more could any man want?\u201d<\/p>\n

Reggie was too much astonished by this pronouncement to form an answer. His own needs were modest, having but three hunters, a single pair to his curricle and a couple of hacks for everyday riding, and he could not imagine getting by with but a single horse.<\/p>\n

Monty went on, \u201cI am certain it will be bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything that Merton fellow has a hand in is bad, it seems to me,\u201d Reggie said gloomily. \u201cHe has a face like a wet Sunday in Lincoln. There is no joy in him, and he delights in making everyone else\u2019s lives as joyless as his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no, Reggie, I am sure you are mistaken,\u201d Monty said. \u201cHe is a very good sort of man, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reggie sighed. \u201cI am out of sorts today and not minded to be fair, but nevertheless I cannot dispute the point with you. He is indeed a most worthy sort of person, and was there ever anything more dispiriting than such a man?\u201d<\/p>\n

Monty managed a genuine smile. \u201cYou are just cross because he defeated you at chess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chess was the least of his worries, but Reggie managed a smile. \u201cA perfectly valid reason to be cross with anyone, I should think. I would not mind so much if he would be so obliging as to lose occasionally. Not every time, for I am not unreasonable, but once a week or so would be enough to make me happy. Is it asking so much? It would be a politeness in him as a guest, considering that he eats our partridge and drinks our claret, and never even looks as if he enjoys it. Ah, here are Humphrey and Gus.\u201d<\/p>\n

The third and fourth Marford brothers were laughing at some private joke, but seeing the long faces on Reggie and Monty, Humphrey said, \u201cCheer up, you two! How bad can it be, truly? If we are really under the hatches, we must all marry heiresses to set ourselves straight. Ladies love a lord, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey love a peer,\u201d Reggie said, determined not to cheer up. \u201cBeing the mere brother of a marquess is less appealing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense!\u201d Humphrey said. \u201cThey all want to be Lady Something-or-other. But if matrimony holds no attraction for you, Reggie, you might think about taking up a career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reggie shuddered. \u201cLord, no! Can you see me in the army, galloping about with a sword in my hand? Far too energetic for me. And as for the church, that is not energetic enough. No, I should infinitely sooner find myself an heiress.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHeiresses are always bracket-faced,\u201d Gus said. \u201cI prefer my horses, thank you all the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, but will we have any horses left us after Merton has done his work?\u201d Monty said.<\/p>\n

Gus\u2019s expression turned instantly to alarm. \u201cNo! Carrbridge would not \u2014 would he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must all make sacrifices,\u201d Humphrey said, his smile suggesting that he had no serious fears of such a thing. \u201cNo more than half a dozen hunters, perhaps, and you might have to give up one or two of your curricles, Gus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is all very well for you,\u201d Gus said. \u201cYou do well enough at cards to keep you in style, but I seem to have done nothing but lose lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will not attend to the play,\u201d Humphrey said. \u201cYou get distracted too easily. And I lost a fortune last year, remember. I daresay I am part of the problem. But I shall come about, whereas you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, here is Hattie,\u201d Reggie put in quickly, before the two could lapse into their familiar debate. \u201cAnd Carrbridge and Connie. Excellent.\u201d<\/p>\n

The marquess and marchioness made a handsome couple, but their usual smiles were absent today. Lady Harriet Marford, by contrast, wore an expression of determined cheerfulness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a delightful family gathering,\u201d she asked. \u201cWhy so Friday-faced, everyone? No one has died, you know. Are we all here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill awaiting Gil,\u201d Reggie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps we should wait,\u201d the marquess said, looking about the hall anxiously, as if he expected the youngest Marford brother to be lurking behind a pillar or hiding in the suit of armour at the foot of the stairs, ready to pop out at any moment to surprise them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho knows when he might appear?\u201d the marchioness said briskly. \u201cBest to get this over with, do you not agree, Lord Carrbridge?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, indeed, my love. Let us go in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The library at Drummoor was as large as a ballroom, and was indeed used for that purpose once or twice each winter when its three massive fireplaces almost kept the room warm enough for comfort. Now, in January, it was as cold as an ice house, and almost as cheerless, the endless shelves of books filling every wall and the dark-painted ceiling giving it the appearance of a cave. Reggie would not be surprised to spy bats hanging from the chandeliers. As a boy, he had always been terrified of the place, scene of the weekly summoning by his grandfather to be shown a new treasure \u2014 a stuffed peacock, perhaps, or a map of Persia, or a bone knife from some long-lost tribe \u2014 followed by a lecture on the ingratitude of the French peasantry, or the colonials, or whoever was in revolt at the time. The seventh marquess was long in his grave, but the familiar dread still settled in Reggie\u2019s stomach as he crossed the library floor.<\/p>\n

The assembled Marfords filed past long lines of glass-topped display cases housing the collections of former marquesses \u2014 eggs, feathers, decorated snuff boxes, pocket watches, strange assortments of bones and numerous sets of miniatures chess pieces, enamelled or bejewelled or carved or gilded into a variety of fanciful shapes. At the far end of the room, the vast arched window depicted in stained glass the triumphant ride of the Earl of Deveron to the king\u2019s aid in the civil war, which resulted in the grateful monarch immediately raising him to the title of Marquess of Carrbridge.<\/p>\n

Beneath the window, and painted in jewel colours by the glass, sat a desk large enough for a score of people to dine in tolerable comfort. Behind it, sombrely attired, Daniel Merton stood awaiting them, bowing. Reggie had no great liking for Merton, for he was sober to a fault, and what could be worse than a man who never gambled or drank to excess or even took a mistress? He was a decent rider, Reggie had to give him credit for that, but there was something unnatural about a man who enjoyed rummaging about with old documents and ledgers. And then there was his irritating skill at chess. No, Reggie could not like him.<\/p>\n

Chairs were already arranged in front of the desk, and Merton waited politely while they disposed themselves, Carrbridge and the two ladies in front, the rest behind, and one empty chair for Gil. Only then did Merton bow again and take his seat, and even his air of deference irritated Reggie that day.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy lord?\u201d Merton said politely.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, do begin. We will not wait for Gil.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs your lordship wishes. I have completed my initial assessment of the state of your holdings, my lord. It has not been as complete or as detailed an investigation as I should have liked, for not all the relevant documents were readily to hand, and there are limits to what may be done in only one month, but I have done the best I could.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could have asked Sharp for help,\u201d Reggie said. \u201cHe knows everything. He has been here since Grandfather\u2019s day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed, and Mr Sharp has been most willing to offer every assistance,\u201d Merton said. \u201cHowever, he not very keen on writing things down, and I have a preference for seeing the original papers wherever possible, and not depending upon Mr Sharp\u2019s memory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis memory is perfectly sound,\u201d Reggie said. \u201cHe is not quite in his dotage yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy no means. Indeed, I can well believe that Mr Sharp\u2019s acumen in matters of business is every bit as acute as it ever was. However, when one has been managing the affairs of one estate for three generations, there is a tendency for events to blend together somewhat, or for dates to be confused. It is my habit to refer to written records only, to avoid any such lapses in memory.\u201d<\/p>\n

The marquess shuffled impatiently in his chair. \u201cReggie, I gave Merton a free hand to look into things, so there is no point quibbling about it now. Best to have a fresh perspective, you know. Take no notice of him, Merton. He is out of sorts because he thinks you will force me to sell off Marford House and all our hunters, but things are not so desperate as all that, surely? Are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, but there are debts outstanding, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very sorry!\u201d Monty burst out. \u201cI will repay it all, I swear it! It was so foolish of me to buy those horses, and I shall find a way to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no, Lord Montague, none of the debts result from any action of yours,\u201d Merton said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Humphrey? Gil?\u201d<\/p>\n

Merton shook his head firmly. \u201cI assure you, none of you are responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen who is?\u201d the marquess said sharply. \u201cThe fellow must be brought to to account. If there has been any misappropriation, I want it set right immediately and the scoundrel made to answer for it. Who is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe eighth Marquess of Carrbridge,\u201d Merton said.<\/p>\n

There was a long, surprised silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather?\u201d the marquess said. \u201cYou mean that Father left debts when he died, and they have not been settled?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is correct.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that is easy enough. They must be settled at once\u2026 oh. There is no money to do so, that is the nub of the matter, I collect?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly so, my lord.\u201d<\/p>\n

The marchioness adjusted her shawl. \u201cWhat must we do, Mr Merton? Advise us, if you please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy lady, my advice is very simple \u2014 to reduce unnecessary expenditure and to increase income. A few very modest economies will bring immediate benefits. For example, his lordship maintains five separate residences in London for the convenience of his brothers, while Marford House sits empty for months on end.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, must we have no independence now?\u201d Reggie said. \u201cAre we to be rubbing shoulders with the aunts all the time, and enduring their disapprobation whenever a fellow might happen to have a glass or two of brandy? It is not to be borne.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen there are three hunting lodges, where one would suffice,\u201d Merton went on relentlessly. \u201cAs for stabling\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll not have my hunters moved,\u201d Gus said, his voice so low he was almost growling. \u201cUnder no circumstances, do you hear me, Merton? Tell him, Carrbridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy lady\u2019s plans for the new orangery could be postponed,\u201d Merton continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that is more sensible,\u201d Reggie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed, it is not as if one needs to grow one\u2019s own oranges,\u201d Gus said. \u201cIt is the easiest thing in the world to have them sent from\u2026 well, wherever one obtains oranges. They can be had by the sack, I daresay, at very little expense. You can manage without an orangery, I am sure, Connie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI shall not give up my orangery unless you give up keeping all those teams at post houses,\u201d the marchioness said. \u201cIt is not as if one needs to keep one\u2019s own horses for the journey to London.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, drive around behind hired hacks?\u201d Gus said, scandalised. \u201cAs the brother of a marquess, I have a position to maintain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are the brother of an impoverished marquess,\u201d Merton said crisply, \u201cand if you do not retrench\u2014 Ah, Lord Gilbert.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGil! At last!\u201d Reggie said in relief, for so much talk of economy was beginning to wear at his nerves.<\/p>\n

The youngest Marford brother tap-tapped his way across the library floor in a brisk rhythm. He was a handsome fellow \u2014 all his brothers were handsome, Reggie reflected gloomily. Carrbridge had more than once been likened to a Greek god, Humphrey was as big and golden as a bear, and the younger ones were fashionably dark and romantic, whereas Reggie had the face of a grocer. One of his Oxford friends had described him so, to his great mortification, and as he examined his uninteresting features in the glass later, he could not deny the truth of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is all this about, Merton?\u201d Gil said. \u201cI am missing a promising mill on your account, so I very much hope the matter is important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are to give up two of the hunting lodges,\u201d Gus said. \u201cFurthermore, we are not to stable our own teams at post houses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRidiculous!\u201d Gil said. \u201cImpossible! How are we to manage?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is worse,\u201d Reggie said. \u201cWe must give up our own lodgings and live in Marford House with the aunts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInsupportable!\u201d Gil said. \u201cI shall not listen to such nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n

He would have turned and left at once, but the marquess said, \u201cDo not fly into the boughs, Gil. Something must be done, you know, for we have no money, it seems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can that be?\u201d Gil said. \u201cWe are one of the richest families in England.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is true, Carrbridge,\u201d Reggie said. \u201cGrandfather was wont to boast that he had an income of twenty five thousand a year. Where has it gone to, that is what I should like to know. None of us is particularly extravagant. We do not gamble to excess or have\u2014\u201d He was about to mention mistresses before remembering the presence of two ladies. \u201cWe have no expensive interests,\u201d he finished lamely.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a good point, Merton,\u201d the marquess said. \u201cWhere is all that money? We should be comfortably situated, heaven knows.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of it is tied up in estates settled on various female relatives,\u201d Merton said. \u201cThe French holdings were lost a few years ago, so that accounts for a part of it, and the eighth marquess lost two of the most profitable estates at the card tables. All of that constrains your current income considerably, yet no reduction in expenses has been attempted. If you want my honest opinion, my lord, it is my belief that your income cannot sustain your present expenditure. I cannot be sure, because not all the relevant papers could be located, but I believe your current income does not exceed five thousand pounds a year.\u201d<\/p>\n

They were all silent, contemplating this appalling state of poverty. Reggie had never thought much about money, for there had always seemed to be more than sufficient, but he knew that such a sum was inadequate to maintain them in their present style.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is to be done, Mr Merton?\u201d the marchioness said. \u201cYou have mentioned some economies, but there must be more we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed there is, my lady. On the one hand, a full inventory of all his lordship\u2019s estates and review of rents should provide some means of increasing his income. There has been no rise in rents for years, it seems. On the other hand, some means must be found to reduce every unnecessary burden on the estate. Lord Carrbridge\u2019s brothers\u2014\u201d Gil gave an exclamation of disgust at the idea that the brothers might be regarded as a burden. Merton went on relentlessly, \u201cLord Carrbridge\u2019s brothers might consider the options chosen by younger brothers for centuries, and take up respectable careers. Or, if they prefer, they might wish to marry women of independent means.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHeiresses, I suppose,\u201d Reggie said in disgust. \u201cSo it is the church, the army or government service, or else get ourselves leg-shackled to some fish-faced cit\u2019s daughter. Lord, what a choice! I had rather become a pirate. Whatever are we to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

To find out more, click here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From Lord Reginald: Sons of the Marquess Book 1: Lord Reginald Marford was uncommonly nervous. The summons itself was out of the ordinary, but the serious demeanour of his oldest brother about the matter was enough to concern any man. The Marquess of Carrbridge was, as a rule, the most easy-going and affable of brothers, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":135,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-791","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/791","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=791"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/791\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1939,"href":"https:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/791\/revisions\/1939"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marykingswood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}