Lament for a lost lover

“That I was dead. Yes, I know, John has just told me. No, there’s life in the old dog yet, Sister. Well, it’s good to be home. Eversleigh has not changed much. Been through hard times, I hear. But all’s well with the world now, I believe. The King’s come back, so I thought it was time Toby Eversleigh did the same.”

“It’s a wonderful surprise,” said Lord Eversleigh. “We have new additions to the family. This is Edwin’s wife.”

“What, young Edwin with a wife! And where is he ...?” There was a short silence and then Lord Eversleigh said: “I should have said Edwin’s widow.”

“Oh!”

The children had run down into the hall and were gazing with bewilderment at the newcomer.

“My grandson,” said Lord Eversleigh proudly. “Come Edwin and say good day to your Great-Uncle Toby.”

“Great-uncle,” said Edwin, looking upwards with awe.

“Yes, boy, I’m your great-uncle. I hope you’re going to be my friend.”

“I will, “said Edwin.

“So will I’ cried Leigh pushing forward.

“Another nephew for me?” asked Tobias.

“No ... Leigh is an adopted child.”

“There’s much I have to hear, I doubt not,” said Tobias.

“First something to eat and drink,” said Matilda.

“It’s good to be home,” replied Tobias warmly.

So that was Edwin’s Uncle Toby. The family had been so convinced that he was dead that they had never mentioned him to me. I gathered that he came between Edwin’s and Carleton’s fathers and could only have been Lord Eversleigh’s junior by about two years, but his bronzed complexion and his rather plentiful hair made him look much the younger.

He was a colourful addition to the household, and it was soon clear that he intended to settle there. Being very convivial he was extremely popular. His weakness was a love of wine and he would sit at the table after dinner and consume quantities of it while his mood grew more and more mellow and he more and more talkative. He was rich and had made a fortune in Virginia from tobacco. He had wanted to come home for years but feeling no affinity with the Puritan state, had waited until he heard the King was back.

“Mind you,” he said, wagging a finger at me as though I was about to contradict him, “there was much to be done. I couldn’t just up and off ... not with my business activities ... oh, dear me, no. I had to find managers ... people I could trust. I didn’t want to give up my interest out there. Why, if the Roundheads came back, I’d be off again. Wouldn’t live under them, I promise you that.”

“They will never come back,” Lord Eversleigh assured him. “The people have had their fill of them.”

“Then I’ll rest me here ... as long as you’ll have me.”

“My dear Toby’ said his brother, “this is your home as much as mine.”

Toby nodded, his eyes slightly misty. “What is it about old places like this? “he asked. “They get under your skin ... they get in your blood. You never forget them, however far you roam. And if you’re in line for them ... well, then, there’s something special.” He looked at me steadily. “Why, do you know if it wasn’t for young Master Edwin I’d be the heir to this place, that’s so, eh, Brother?” Lord Eversleigh said it was indeed the case.

“Mind you’ replied Toby with his booming laugh, “you’re going to outlive me by the look of it. I’m more fond of the bottle, brother, than you, and they say that while a little of it is good, for your stomach’s sake, too much is likely to rot the gut. There, I’m shocking the ladies. Forgive. I’ve got a bit rough on my travels. And what about Harry’s boy?”

“Carleton,” said Matilda. “Oh, he is still here. I daresay he will be coming back soon. He moves between here and London.”

“I remember Carleton. He must have been about two when I went away. What an upstanding little fellow, eh! I can see him strutting around. He owned the place already. Of course then we thought you’d not get a son and I was off to the wilds and that meant everyone had decided I’d be eaten by sharks or Indians. Young Carleton was very sure of himself. I’ve just thought of it. He’ll take a step back, won’t he? ... Not that it matters. We have our young Edwin. What a fine little man, eh? Madam, I congratulate you on giving us such a grand little heir.”

And so he talked, and I have to admit to slight and unworthy elation because Carleton had had to take another step backwards.