Saraband for Two Sisters

I could only stare at it. It was large-larger than Pondersby Hall-red brick and E-shaped with its central part and east and west wings. I saw several outbuildings and the green sward all around it.

“It’s beautiful,” I said.

He was pleased.

“I hope you will grow to love it. My brother lives in Flamstead Castle in Cumberland where my family have lived for generations. This was built later and we called it Far Flamstead because so many miles separated it from the old home.”

“That’s interesting,” I said. “So your younger brother took the castle and you Far Flamstead.”

“As a soldier I needed to be in the south. It works very well.” As we came nearer the house I noticed that it was surrounded by a shallow moat which was crossed by a bridge. Looking up, I saw how impressive was the central block; above the gateway was a window with eight-light windows-a sort of lookout because from those windows one would be able to see a party approaching for some distance. I wondered if we had been watched. On either side of the central tower were the projecting octagonal towers of the east and west wings.

We passed through the gateway and were in a courtyard bounded on three sides by brick walls with two corner turrets.

As we entered the courtyard a man appeared. He bowed to us and Richard said, “This is Jesson. Jesson, your mistress.”

“Welcome to Far Flamstead, my lady,” said the man; he had a sharp clipped voice and there was something in his bearing which told me that he was an old soldier. “Are they prepared?” asked Richard, dismounting and helping me to do the same.

“Yes, sir,” answered Jesson. “We have been awaiting your arrival since late afternoon.” Richard took me by the arm and we went through a door into a hall. The first thing I noticed were the people there, standing in a line waiting to receive us and give the traditional greeting of the household to the new mistress. There were eight of them-not so many for such a large house, I supposed-three women, I noticed, and five men.

“We have ridden far and are tired,” said Richard, “but I must first present you to my wife.” He turned to me. “Jesson you have already met. Mrs. Cherry.” A plump woman came forward and curtsied. I thought her name suited her, for she was somewhat rotund and her cheeks had the reddish tinge of a ripe cherry. “Mrs. Cherry is the housekeeper, and Cherry her husband.” A man came forward. “Cherry served with me at one time before he received a wound in his leg. He now serves me here at Far Flamstead,” There were two women-one in her mid-thirties, I imagined, and one slightly younger. They were Meg and Grace Jesson, daughters of the man who had been in the courtyard.

t The others were brought forward and presented to me but I forgot their names. I could not help feeling that I was inspecting an army parade. It was faintly amusing. “Now,” said Richard, “you have met them all. We will go to our rooms and then we will eat, for you must be hungry.”

I was very much aware of eight pairs of eyes studying me intently, which was natural.

They must have all been agog with curiosity to see whom their master had married.

They seemed relieved, I fancied, and that would no doubt be because of my youth. The hall was lofty, some fifty feet in length with the hammerbeam kind of roof that was at Pondersby; the floor consisted of marble slabs; the walls were whitewashed and an array of banners and trophies hung there with a suit of armor at either end. A large refectory table stood in the center, and of the same oak were the companion benches on either side. Pewter implements had been placed on the table and I was immediately aware of the high polish on tables and benches and how the armory shone. The servants had fallen back, their eyes following me as Richard led me along the hall to a staircase. We mounted this and came to a gallery along which we passed and, mounting yet another staircase, we came to what was to be our bedchamber.

I confess to a shiver of apprehension as I was led into this room and my eyes fell on the big four-poster bed; this was draped in crimson velvet and the counterpane was of the same colored satin.

 Richard shut the door and I was alone with him.

He took off my cape and threw it on the bed.

‘That which you will need tonight will have been brought by the pack horses,” he said. “Tomorrow the rest of your baggage will come.”

“Yes,” I said, “I shall have adequate.”

He took me by the shoulders and turned my face up to his.

“You tremble,” he said. “Are you afraid?”

“No... not really. I’m just hoping that I shall not disappoint you.”

“You are such a very dear child,” he said.

“But I must stop being a child, must I not, now that I am your wife?”

“You will always be yourself,” he said, “and that is what I ask.”

I said, “The house is a little-“ “Yes?” he prompted.

“Well, overpowering. So many menservants.”

“That is because I am a soldier. They have all served with me at one time. The country is not very good to soldiers who can BO longer be of use to it.”