Sprig of Thyme Read online

  If only he had told someone of their engagement, then Mr Waters would believe her, and she would not have to leave. But there was no one. Oh, the injustice of it all. To accuse her of all people of being mercenary, nothing was further from the truth.

  His father called him Joel. If that was the case, then why had he masqueraded under a different name, and if he was already engaged, why propose to her?

  He had proposed to her hadn't he?

  She flung herself on the bed and wept bitterly as the things she should have said and done whirled in her head. Some time later, as it was growing dark, there was a knock at the door. Adella gathered herself together, wiped the tears from her eyes and opened the door. It was Daisy.

  “I thought you might like something to eat.” She carried a tray with supper on it.

  “Thank you Daisy, that was very thoughtful of you. But I am not hungry.”

  She placed the tray down on the bed anyway.

  “Well I'll leave it in case you change your mind. Look at the state of you,” she said, “You look positively dreadful.”

  “Thank you Daisy.” She managed a small smile.

  “Oh, don't mind me. I speak as I find, but you should have told Mr Waters that you weren't engaged.”

  “But that wouldn't have been the truth!”

  “Aye, but you'd have kept your job.”

  “So you know I have been dismissed.”

  “Of course. The servants know everything, especially that you are to be out of the house before nine tomorrow.”

  Adella slumped down.

  “I just can't understand why he would deny your engagement.” Daisy said.

  Adella looked up suddenly. “So you believe me?”

  “Of course. Why wouldn't I? I know you enough by now. I know an honest person when I see one. But if you ask me, you're well rid of him.”

  “So it seems,” she said quietly.

  “Best eat your food, and get a good nights sleep. You'll have to walk to the Railway Station, Mr Waters says on no account are you to have the carriage.”

  “How charitable of him.”

  “You should know by now, that you're best to keep on his good side and not cause trouble.”

  “But I didn't cause trouble. Not willingly anyway.”

  “Well, what is done is done. You'd best make the most of it.”

  Adella left Brayfern House shortly after dawn the next day. She said goodbye to Daisy, then slipped out. She walked to the railway station at Sidmouth and arrived home late that night. Her mother and father were astonished to see her. Their pleads of why she was so suddenly returned home caused them much anxiety, especially when fuelled by their concern and the tiredness of the journey, she found it difficult to get the words of explanation out for some time. She was too stunned, too upset. Not only had she lost the dearest man she loved, but also her position, reputation and hope.

  When she told her story, they believed her. How could they not? Her father wanted to go directly to the Polwarth estate and confront him, but she managed to persuade him otherwise. Besides, her father was just back at work and she did not want anything to jeopardise his health or his reputation. And anyway, she was not sure where Joel lived in Bedfordshire, she would need to find out.

  In the end, she did find out where he lived from Daisy and wrote to him at the earliest opportunity.

  Joseph,

  I do not know what to call you. Joel seems as though I am addressing a stranger, not my Joseph with whom I shared such precious moments.

  You must know why I write? I am at a loss to know why you denied our engagement and I am more confused than ever about your name.

  Please write and tell me why you behaved as you did, indeed, I think my heart will break if you do not.

  But still, I remember your cold manner when you left Sidmouth, and if needs must, I release you from our engagement if you have changed your mind.

  Please write soon, if only to say you are well.

  Yours

  Adella

  The reply, nearly a week later was not from Joseph, but from his lawyer.

  Miss Maxwell,

  With reference to your letter to Mr Polwarth, I must warn you not to contact my client, or any member of his family in the future in any form. If you do so again, I will be forced to take legal action against you in the form of a restraining order.

  Mr Polwarth is about to marry and is happy in his choice. I trust this will put to an end any delusions of grandeur you have towards him.

  I have kept your letter as evidence, should it be needed in the future.

  Yours etc,

  Mr Thatcher.

  Attorney to the Polwarth Estate

  Her response upon reading such a reply was as any heart that loved would react. It was not a letter to be recovered from easily and Adella was at a loss to know what upset her the most; that the letter was not written by Joseph, or the threatening nature of the content.

  She was devastated, and was inconsolable for many days. Her mother and father tried their best to help her recover but they knew only time would heal her wounds. Adella's sudden arrival home was covered up; they told their friends and acquaintances that her charge had been sent to a school. Her services were no longer needed. But Adella's absence from social gatherings sparked more than one persons notice, and her parents did everything they could to quell any gossip.

  A month later, and Adella was slowly recovering from her disappointment. But she suffered a setback, when, as expected she found in The Times what she dreaded in the marriage announcement section.

  6th December, Mr Joel Polwarth, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Michael Polwarth of Biggleswade Bedfordshire, to Miss Cynthia Anderson only daughter of Mr and Mrs George Anderson of Woking, London. The wedding took place at 11am at St Mary's Church Woking. The couple will honeymoon in Italy for three months.

  Bath 1840

  “He really did all this?” Leonard asked.

  “Yes. Now you see why I hate him? Not only did he deny our engagement, but I left my appointment in disgrace.”

  “I cannot believe it.” He shifted about in his chair.

  “Oh, please. Do not say that! I have had enough people say that they do not believe me. Mother and Father did, why can't you?”

  He moved himself next to his sister and took hold of her hand. “I do believe you. I find it difficult to understand why he would do such a thing. Why would any man be so cruel, lie, cheat and leave you? It is beyond comprehension.”

  “I wish I knew the answer, I have tried to think of a reason these five years, and have yet to come to a satisfactory explanation. I think, it was because he was about to marry and wanted to seduce me. But it does not explain why a man as wealthy as he would become a tutor. What possible reason could he have, especially when he was so rich?”

  “Yes. That is beyond all my understanding. I am speechless.” Leonard managed to stutter, “To sully your name in such a way, to make it look like you made up an engagement and then to warn you off just because you wanted to know why!”

  “I did not write what was in my heart, I wanted to say so much to him, truly I did, but I merely asked in the politest terms for an explanation of his recent behaviour to me and released him from our engagement. That was all. He told me so many lies: that he could not afford an engagement ring, yet he could.”

  Leonard stood up and paced the room for several minutes.

  When he managed to calm himself, he noticed Adella was silently crying and so sat back down with her.

  “He cut my heart open and it bled for a long time,” she said.

  “The scar remains still. I can tell,” he said, his voice full of sympathy.

  “Yes. I vowed never to trust a man again. If he changed his mind, which he obviously had, I would have released him from the engagement. Indeed, to find out that he was gentry, too far above me, I think it would have been impossible for us to marry anyway. If he only asked I would have released him, I would.”

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nbsp; “You are not beneath him. He is the lowest of men! Indeed he is!” He clenched his fists and shook his arms. “If I knew all this before -” but before he could continue, Adella interjected.

  “If you knew, you would have acted properly and professionally as a doctor should.”

  Leonard sighed deeply, “Yes, you are right. I would, but it will not stop me disliking him. I am due to see Mrs Polwarth tomorrow. I do not know what I shall say!”

  “Leonard please. These people are extremely influential, and I am sure you are charging them a fee that will be very helpful to your income.”

  “Yes, but I would rather not see him again. I don't want his money. Knowing what I do now, I sent you back to take his sleeping draughts too. Oh Adella I am so sorry.”

  “I am well enough. You mustn't let it show that you know what happened. Besides, you are principally treating Mrs Polwarth aren't you? For all we know she was an innocent party in all of this.”

  “We cannot know.”

  “Please Len, please. Take their money. Be her physician and when she is better, they will be gone.”

  Leonard ran his fingers through his dark curly hair. “That is the problem Adella. Mrs Polwarth is not going to get better. She has a malignancy. It is only a matter of time before she dies. Four or five weeks at the most.”

  Chapter 6

  Leonard made his way to the Polwarth's house in South Parade at a fast pace. The rain that was so frequent in Bath caught him unprepared today. It only started a few minutes after he left, and he was angry at himself for not bringing an umbrella. Unfortunately it was the type of rain that was not only heavy, but penetrative.

  He was taken straight up to his patient and as he entered the salon he saw Mrs Polwarth seated near the window. A quick scan of the room showed no other person present and he was glad that Mr Polwarth was not there; knowing what he did, he was the very last person he wished to see.

  He stayed with his patient for half an hour, his treatment of her major illness taking up little of his time, for there was nothing else he could do for her in that respect. However, she was weakening considerably fast and had many other minor ailments all of which contributed to her being uncomfortable.

  “Mrs Polwarth, I do hope that next time you are feeling as ill as this, you will call for me immediately,” he said as he packed away his bag.

  “Very well, though I do not like to trouble people with my little complaints.”

  “It is no trouble. I am your doctor, you must call for me if you need me. Take this pain relief every six hours and you will be more comfortable, but if it is not strong enough, then send for me. You will promise?”

  “Very well,” she said as she sank back in the chair.

  The door opened and Joel walked in.

  “Oh Joel, I do wish you were here sooner. Dr Preston has been here nearly half an hour and now he is leaving. I do so hate being alone,” Mrs Polwarth said.

  “I beg your pardon Cynthia, I was replying to my father's letter and he required an immediate response.”

  “You are your father's slave.”

  “Indeed, as I am yours also,” he replied. He held out his hand to Leonard, who after a moment decided to shake it. He remembered Adella's words the night before, “act properly and professionally as a doctor should”.

  “We have finished and I am ready to leave,” Leonard said avoiding eye contact and looking at the door longingly. If he could only get out of this house quickly he might be able to hide his aversion.

  “I will see you out then,” Joel said and he gestured to the door.

  As they made their way down the stairs, Joel asked, “How is she?”

  “She is weakening quickly and has worsened much more than I expected over the last few days. I do not believe she has very long left.” His tone was lowered and he stopped half way down. “Is there somewhere we can speak more privately?”

  “Yes of course,” and he led Leonard to the study at the bottom of the stairs.

  After they entered, Joel closed the door and indicated a chair. The study was dominated by an oak desk. To the left there was a fireplace with two dark leather armchairs.

  “No thank you. I will stand,” his expression was hard, and resentful, though he was desperately trying to hide it.

  “Very well. What is it you wished to say to me?”

  “Your wife still does not know that her illness is terminal?”

  “No, I believe it would be better if she did not. She has a delicate temperament as you are aware, and I do not want her last days on this earth spent fretting or worrying that she is dying. She would become hysterical I am sure of it.”

  “It is not unusual to keep knowledge of terminal illnesses from the patient. But I would let you know in the strongest possible terms, that her family at least should know so that they can be prepared for the inevitable.”

  “They already know, and they agreed it was for the best to keep it from her.”

  Leonard raised his eyebrows. “Very well. In that case, if they wish to see her before she dies, then you must ask them to come immediately. I would recommend that I visit every day from now on. If she continues to deteriorate as she is doing, then it will only be a matter of weeks. I have given her more medicine for her pain and told her to fetch me if she needs me.”

  “Thank you,” Joel said.

  The two men having concluded their business, stood in silence for a moment, yet there was still something unspoken between them as they looked at each other, and neither made a move to leave the room.

  “Adella has told you what happened between us, hasn't she?” Joel said in a quiet voice.

  Leonard lifted his chin, “Yes. Yes she has.”

  “You are not good at hiding your disdain,” Joel said, with a wry smile.

  “I am sorry, I tried to hide my feelings, but my brotherly affection is strong.”

  “I understand those sentiments completely; I have three brothers, all are younger than me.”

  “Yes I know. It seems that is one thing you did not lie to Adella about.”

  Joel turned away and walked to the fireplace, deep in thought. After a few moments he turned back and said, “She told you recently, didn't she? You didn't know of our engagement a few days ago. Certainly not the first time you visited? I wonder why she did not tell you before.”

  “So you do not deny you were engaged?” Leonard stepped forward quickly.

  “No,” he shook his head, “I have no wish to deny my engagement to Adella now, and to you of all people; her brother. Whatever Adella has told you, I am sure it would have been the absolute truth. During the time we spent together, I became very well acquainted with her. She is no liar.”

  Leonard felt himself go red, and could no longer contain himself. “Mr Polwarth, I believe it would be for the best if I handed your wife's care over to another physician. Despite Adella's protestations that I should continue, I believe Dr Thanby, who is a good friend of mine and would very capable of -” but he was cut short by Joel.

  “Dr Preston. Before you do that, would you allow me to tell you what happened five years ago? What I mean is, will you let me tell you why I did what I did?”

  “I would very much like to know why you behaved so abominably to my sister.”

  “Do you have any other appointments this morning?”

  “Yes, in half an hour.”

  Joel ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Half an hour is not long enough, there is too much to say. Could you return one evening in the next few days?”

  Leonard thought for a moment, “I can return in two days' time. Saturday. You will tell me why you abandoned Adella?”

  “Yes, and after I have told you everything, if you decide to hand my wife's care over to this other doctor I will accept it. But in the meantime will you remain as her Doctor?”

  Leonard nodded.

  “Very well. I will expect you on Saturday evening, seven o'clock?”

  Joel opened the study do
or, “One more thing. When I tell you everything, it must be kept confidential. You must not speak of it to anyone else – especially not Adella. Not yet anyway.”

  “But she deserves an explanation!” he spluttered.

  “I know. But please, I will explain everything on Saturday, and especially why I do not wish Adella to know yet. But I can only tell you if you promise me that it will be kept to yourself, else I can tell you nothing.”

  “Nothing?”

  “Nothing.”

  Leonard sighed. Joel's hard gaze was uncompromising. “Very well. I give you my word however much I dislike it.”

  “Thank you.” Joel said.

  Leonard turned to leave, he heard Joel say in a strained voice, “How is she? How is Adella?”

  Leonard turned around and searched Joel's face, looking for a reason why this man would ask. What would he care? After a moment he said, “Physically she is well. But your appearance here in Bath has upset her greatly. You will not try and speak to her again as you did before? You will not demand that she speaks to you like you did outside the Apothecary?”

  “No. I will not.” Then he added, “I promise you that. Tell her, tell her I am sorry for it. It was wrong of me.”

  After Dr Preston left, Joel checked on his wife, who was sat quietly content near the fire. Then, satisfied that she needed nothing, he went to find Frederick. He was in his bed chamber sat by the fire, reading the newspaper.

  “It's very early for a visit. Who was it?”

  “Dr Preston,” he said as he sat himself opposite his friend. “And he is coming on Saturday night, when I will tell him everything about Adella and I.”

  “Everything?” he peered over his newspaper.

  “Yes.”

  “Are you sure that is wise?”

  “Yes. I need his help, and you need not look at me like that. He can help me, once and for all.”

  “I still think you should do as I say and follow my plan. It is an excellent plan after all.”