Brothers at Arms Page B

cards.
    Clarissa had not known, for she was married before Martha told Jane about the ramshackle family of lechers at Norcott Abbey. She wondered what her own father had thought about it when he had learned the origins of his stepdaughter’s violent tantrums, so characteristic of her family connections.
    However difficult the present circumstances; it would serve no purpose for Jane to scream with frustration as Kate frequently did to gain attention. Nor could she reveal that she and Tom were trapped in a coil of Kate’s making. They had lived with the intolerable situation for so long, she wondered if it would ever be resolved.
    However tempting it might be to shock Clarissa by telling her exactly why Tom would never dance to Humphrey Cardington’s bidding, there were young people whose lives would be ruined by such a revelation. The scandal would be immense.
    It was all so complicated, and she was not going to create more upset when the purpose of inviting the Cardington family to Linmore was to resolve the problem with Matthew. The need to do that overruled everything else.
    It was easier to pretend ignorance and change the subject.
    “I presume that Fred will be joining the army soon.”
    Jane said it because she had noticed the increasing friction between Fredrick, Lord Cardington’s second son, going on eighteen, and his father. She knew of his ambition to join a cavalry regiment and of his father’s refusal to let him out of his control. It caused great resentment, which resulted in many arguments and subsequent humiliation. Everyone must be subjected to his Lordship’s despotic command.
    “Oh, no, you are mistaken,” said her sister. “Humphrey will never allow it.”
    “Then he is a bigger fool than I thought,” Jane allowed herself to say with asperity. “The time for that was last year, after he overturned the chaise and almost killed the groom.”
    Conscience-stricken, Fred had asked Jane to intercede when Lord Cardington dismissed the groom, whose head-injury reduced him to simplicity. Had Tom not shown compassion, Horace would now have been living in the poorhouse.
    “But Fred might be killed…” wailed Clarissa.
    “And he might do it driving too fast,” said her sister, ruthlessly pursuing an idea she had. “Tell me, Clarissa; how much would a pair of colours cost in a cavalry regiment?”
    “Oh Jane, you can’t mean…” Clarissa said, her eyes widening in alarm.
    “Yes, I do, Clarissa. I think I will ask Tom to make the purchase on my behalf. After all, Fred is my godson. It is only natural that I should want to help him.”
    “But Humphrey would never agree.”
    “Then he must be willing to pay the purchase price himself, and tell the world that he is proud of his second son. Otherwise, I will do it,” Jane said, knowing that to challenge Lord Cardington was the only way to stop him interfering in things that were not his concern.
    Having decided on her course of action, Jane raised the subject over dinner on a night when Kate was not present. She timed it to perfection. The servants had left the dining room and the ladies were not quite ready to leave the gentlemen to their port. She received a knowing look from Tom, who was already aware of her intention. Cardington gave a snort of dismissal, and Fred a grin of delight, when a lazy voice gave his approbation.
    “That’s an excellent idea, Aunt Jane. It’ll be the making of him,” said his half-brother Atcherly, who turned to his father. “You must admit, sir; Fred would look splendid in the uniform of one of the Guards’ regiments. Apart from everything else, think of the benefits to the Rushmore horses if he learned to drive a team properly.”
    It was said softly, and in the driest tone, but Jane could see that Lord Cardington had taken heed of his heir’s opinion. Only Moreton Cardington had the power to influence his father, and she knew he did it to save Fred embarrassment.
    She also saw the look of mirth that passed