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and Martin’s mother would let her use the spinning wheel. They would have lots of wool and his mother could make them all new jumpers and a shawl for herself. That was what he had wanted to tell her and she would have smiled.

SEVEN
    The rain did eventually stop, but it was a very poor summer that year. Things went from bad to worse at the Hall. Charles Fitzwilliam had been spending even more time in the company of Black Jack and his friends, losing heavily. His gambling debts were now in the thousands. Carey laughed it off, and let him sign ever more promissory notes. After all, he regularly assured Charles, what was a few thousand between friends?
    As his debts grew, Charles’ drinking increased, until the wine merchant’s account was outstanding to such an extent, that he refused to supply the Hall until it was settled. Charles had sold many fine paintings and priceless heirlooms were occasionally dispatched to Dublin for a few hundred pounds. The family silver shared this fate. He had descended to such a muddled state that he no longer knew what assets he had left.
    When Elizabeth realised this, though it went against all her beliefs, she started to steal little trinkets, silver snuffboxes and ivory miniatures that she knew he would not miss. On her rare trips to town, she sold these to a jeweller known for his discretion. She got only about a tenth of what they were worth, but she was saving as much as she could. Charles’ moods and outbursts were becoming worse, and twice she had to stop him from hitting the children. Lucy had grown out of almost all her dresses, but Charles refused to buy her more. Elizabeth spent days cutting and sewing some of her own things to fit the girl. The children’s education was suffering too, but she just didn’t have the heart to teach.
    ****
    August was almost out and the few fine days they had were heavy and humid. Faint breezes did nothing to dispel the stifling heat that hung about the rooms like heavy curtains. The place had been in an uproar all day. Ger Ryan, the farm manager, had been in to complain that things were not as they should be.
    Charles had completely neglected to buy seeds and new equipment. He refused to buy in any new stock. After the sale of the spring lambs and most of the ewes, there would be very little to sell the next year. But he wasn’t interested in next year, she heard him yell at Ryan, nor the year after that.
    â€˜You’re the damned manager!’ he’d roared. ‘So manage. Now get out.’
    Elizabeth watched as Ryan came out of the study and knew from the man’s expression that if Charles didn’t mend his ways, it would be disastrous.
    She was surprised to receive a summons to his study later that day. They had taken to avoiding each other and speaking only when necessary. He still made the odd attempt on her bedroom doorknob, but other than that he left her alone. She walked tentatively toward the door and knocked.
    â€˜Enter.’
    â€˜You wished to see me, Charles?’
    â€˜Yes, yes,’ he waved her to a chair and she perched herself on the edge of it. ‘I want you to organise a small dinner party for me. There will be just four of us dining, unless you would care to join us?’
    She did not reply.
    â€˜No?’
    Her silence said it all.
    â€˜I thought not.’
    â€˜Is this dinner party to be attended by anyone I know?’ she asked, hoping he had made friends with the local gentry.
    â€˜Yes, as a matter of fact. I believe you may be acquainted with one of the gentlemen. We shall wait and see.’
    â€˜Very well, when is this party to be?’ She wasn’t sure what they had in the larder.
    â€˜Tonight.’
    â€˜Tonight!’
    â€˜Is that a problem? After all, that’s why I keep you here. You’re no use to me if you can’t even arrange a small gathering.’
    â€˜No, Charles, it’s not a problem. I’m sure I’ll find