Lady Catherine Sinclair smiled as Rachel Farmer was ushered into her private sitting room by her trusted lady in waiting Elizabeth Margate. Both women were of the aristocracy, but Elizabeth’s family had fallen on hard times because of Lord Margate’s foolish decisions. As they were related Lady Catherine had rescued the daughters of the Margate family and arranged suitable marriages for them young as they were and taken the eldest Elizabeth as her personal eyes and ears in the home with authority to command the household on her behalf.

Lady Catherine had come into the marriage with Lord Horace Sinclair when she was in her early twenties. Because of the prestige of the Sinclair family her family had decided while they were richer the Sinclair’s outranked them in the pecking order of the aristocracy, so it was considered by parents on both sides to be a good match. The money introduced through marriage to Lady Catherine Holbrook would be useful to the Sinclair’s when they ran into debt from time to time keeping up appearances with an active social program requiring large expenditures on staffing and pleasure. Money arising from rental from their tenant farmers and from the village houses and businesses on their ancestral land was not sufficient to support their lifestyle.

There was no love between Catherine and Horace but that didn’t matter. She was only supposed to supply an heir and spares in case the eldest son was to encounter unfortunate circumstances, she produced two sons Richard and Charles before making it plain to her husband they’d have no further intimate contact, and he should satisfy his needs as he chose but with the clear understanding, she’d make all major decisions for the household and wink an eye at his indiscretions. Richard was overseas in army service and Charles had decided on a career with the church which would give him power and honor for the family name.

The Sinclair’s had a history of army service and without really working for it or showing aptitude for strategy Horace was over a period promoted to the status of Colonel. That was the privilege of the aristocracy everyone accepted but while decisions in war were under the authority of those in the upper classes it was those under them who did have the aptitude, knowledge, and experience to cleverly manipulate vital decisions in war that won battles. Horace was just a figurehead but obliged to take a long overseas service period in India and Africa where he lived a life of ease and luxury at government expense going through the rituals of the rank but essentially letting those under him make the hard decisions.

Lady Catherine was delighted at his long absences overseas, refusing to leave the castle unless deciding on a vacation at their home in London. She ran things financially with her transferred Holbrook family wealth with great authority the support of her family the Holbrooks. Lord Horace who preferred to be referred to as Colonel was no match for his aggressive wife and content to let her run things if he received sufficient money out of her astute management of the estate to satisfy his personal needs, and his needs were many.

The Colonel had a great attraction to young women and Lady Catherine who insisted on the hiring and firing of staff made sure she selected those girls who were required to do all the important tasks around the castle daily were plain enough in looks so Horace wouldn’t divert them from their work after finding them attractive willing targets. In the early stages of Catherine and Horace’s marriage she’d not been that particular to choose plain looking young women and Elizabeth her eyes and ears had reported on the Colonel’s affairs diligently. Those who Horace found time to divert in their duties in those years had found they were given notice quickly and sent away to search for other employment. But this had only been a problem when the Colonel was on furlough from his duties overseas. When he was gone on new assignment overseas Elizabeth’s work was a lot less taxing because she didn’t have extra responsibility spying on what he was up to for Lady Catherine in addition to managing the household.

Catherine was not concerned about her husband’s affairs as it meant she didn’t have to have any intimate dealings with him as a wife but now he was retired this had raised Elizabeth’s detective levels considerably and she too was getting older and in need of less strenuous work. At his present age Horace was unlikely to get the young ladies into a situation where a settlement was required with the young woman’s family to take responsibility for a child produced and swear the family to secrecy. But there was still the chance the honor of the family was at stake when these dalliances were gossiped through those renting properties or from those on to their farming estates and castle workers. If possible, it must be assured those rumors would not find their way into the village and wider community to the dishonor of not only the family but Catherine’s family as well by association.

Lady Catherine was quite aware of the fact her husband funneled the money he was allowed for his personal use to the young women he favored in the household and Catherine was willing to tolerate that provided his charity did not get out of hand. No likelihood of there being another child coming out of his current interests at his age.

The family was somewhat protected by the fact there was a resident priest on the property appointed by the area bishop with his housing supplied by the estate. The church which served the village on their estate had been built by the family as well. A resident priest was always supplied with the best of liquors from castle cellars and officiated at the castle’s regular functions for the aristocracy. The priest was usually accommodating knowing his prosperity was at the mercy of the Sinclair family and when the occasional priest assigned by the bishop was too forthright about the Colonel’s dalliances pressure was placed on the local Bishop to reassign them.

Catherine had been lost in thought at these recollections but now turned her attention to the girl Rachel Farmer who’d been to see her yesterday. Catherine was familiar with the approximate amount that Rachel had acquired from her husband over the past two years, and she looked on that as part of Rachel’s remuneration for services rendered keeping him focused. Rachel had no idea Catherine was well informed about her activities over those two years and the amount of money collected. She’d wept in front of the Colonel as she answered his frequent calls lamenting the situation of her supposed sick mother. Rachel said she was supporting her with the money handed over to her liberally after each visit.

Catherine knew this was not true as she’d found out Rachel’s mother was still employed as one of the actors in a theatre in London and out of curiosity Catherine had even attended a play on one of her visits to their London home to see this mother of Rachel perform.

Rachel had first served the Sinclair’s in their home in London and had begged to be taken into castle employ when Horace took an interest in her on one of his trips. Catherine had taken her back to the castle to keep Horace diverted so he’d not interrupt her management of family affairs.

Yesterday this girl Rachel had the audacity to test Catherine’s intelligence with the made-up story that Horace Sir had forced himself on her and now she was carrying his child. She’d said she was willing to leave the employ of the castle and take responsibility for the child keeping the matter secret provided Cahterine was willing to settle with her for a stated astronomical sum. She said she confronted the Colonel who’d begged her to leave the castle and given her the little he had on him at the time and now needed Lady Catherine to make it possible for her to leave. Rachel didn’t know who she was dealing with, and she’d been told to see Catherine the following day for an answer.

Now was time for the reality check. Catherine calmly inquired about her need for so much money when such a supposed child would take much less to support if cared for by her parents. Rachel responded that her father was now dead, and her mother sick and she was the primary support for her sick mother. Catherine indicated Elizabeth should show something to Rachel and Rachel turned red as she saw the advertising material from the theatre in London identifying her mother. Lady Catherine now indicated Elizabeth should speak.

“Rachel Lady Catherine has been watching you for some time now and is quite aware of the money you’ve received from the Colonel and where you have been depositing that money. I’ve followed you on your days off and seen you visiting your mother at the theatre. Your mother is not sick, and Lady Catherine and I have seen her performing in a play.”

Lady Catherine indicated Elizabeth should say no more and turned to speak to the now frightened girl.

“Rachel you and I know the Colonel is incapable of producing children now which any doctor would be able to testify to so if you really are with child then you must have some interest outside this castle. Further, I consider the money you will claim to have received from the Colonel to be stolen money and am prepared to have the police check out your bank account deposits against what I say money has disappeared from this place. Are you still interested in asking me for that money you demanded yesterday as I’m about to call the police to lodge a complaint.

Rachel was shaking uncontrollably as she realized she’d overplayed her hand and was in serious trouble. Who’d believe her story when she was up against these privileged people? She tried to speak but the words wouldn’t come out.

Lady Catherine laughed but it was not a pleasant laugh.

“I think you should pack your bags quickly and go to your sick mother in London Rachel. I’m sure she will appreciate you looking after her from now on. I’ll let you keep the money the Colonel gave you these past two years for caring for my husband’s needs and that would have been a disappointing experience for you, I’m sure.”

The girl fled from the room and after packing her things quickly walked the five kilometers to the station to catch the first train to London followed by a mocking castle staff jeering as she ran. She’d learned a hard lesson. Rachel had caused many problems for staff during her time there.

Lady Catherine turned to Elizabeth.

“Would you tell the Colonel I’d like to have a word with him when he is able to make time Elizabeth.”

Two hours later the Colonel returned from a hunt on the estate and received the message heading up to see his wife.

Catherine wasted no time.

“Husband, we had an agreement which I’ll honor still. Rachel made some demands which I’ve attended to, and she is no longer here. I’ll look for some suggested carers for you now that you are getting older and will pay them for their services once you’ve decided who you’d like to have provide that care out of those I send for you to look over. You’ll not give them any money and they’ll come to me for their salary each week, so we avoid any attempts to compromise you in future.”

The colonel shrugged and departed to call the butler who provided him with his usual gin and tonic after his strenuous afternoon ride. He’d sit in the garden to enjoy the elevated view over their lands with farmers working in the distance before evening came.

Copyright Notice

© Copyright 2023 Ian Grice, “ianscyberspace.” All rights reserved.