The Legacy of Tallow Manor

By Terence Goodchild

The story is based in England at the end of the nineteenth century the story is mainly regarding Benjamin Rawlings the farrier’s son and Elizabeth Gatcombe the daughter of the lord of the manor and how their lives entwine together with many twists and turns
But later takes in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Greece and through two world wars it follows the main characters of Benjamin Rawlings and Elizabeth Gatcombe two young children brought up in very different circumstances, Benjamin the son of a Farriers at Gatcombe manor and Elizabeth the heiress of Lord Simon Gatcombe.
They become friends early on at the age of thirteen then Benjamin and his family are let go of Gatcombe as it falls on hard times and Lord Simon gives the Rawlings chance of a new life in Australia they leave on a convict ship that is sunk in a hurricane off the east coast of Australia Benjamin climbs back on board to try and help the prisoners escape but is captured as a convict and chained up. Elizabeth gets a letter off her father when she is sent to Italy away from Benjamin as Lady Elanora Gatcombe does not want her daughter mixing with a farrier’s son the letter says Benjamin and his family have been killed in a shipwreck.
She believes Benjamin to be dead, he believes Elizabeth to have been married off and throughout their lives they meet many new people and many adventures are bestowed on them, Elizabeth builds a business and then goes to war as a nurse in world war one Benjamin gets involved with Jonathan, who rescues him from the soldiers who hold him prisoner they in turn get involved with Henry a gold miner and Josephine a shop keepers daughter and Grant Farnsworth a captain of the garrison in Australia that keep all the convicts in line Benjamin and Grants paths have crossed when they were young but Grant does not know that until the day they face each other in a fight to the death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terence Goodchild
• Release date: Dec 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370816460

Terence Goodchild

Terence J Goodchild I am an English writer born in Manchester in the north of England and now live in Tasmania with my wife on a farm with our horses. After travelling in Europe for many years my wife and I came to Australia for a holiday in 1981 and found that we could live in this country, so we migrated in 1988 to Melbourne, but now live in Tasmania. I have been writing for about 12 years, and have written 17 novels of fiction and about 100 poems that I may put in a book one day, I try and make my books somewhere the reader can escape to, and hope they enjoy my stories, I put in a few truths, just for spice to make it more interesting, and a few one liners, I put the characters in my stories of people I have met and places I have travelled to and write how I see things,

Book preview

Introduction

The story is based in England at the end of the nineteenth century the story is mainly regarding Benjamin Rawlings the farrier’s son and Elizabeth Gatcombe the daughter of the lord of the manor and how their lives entwine together with many twists and turns

But later takes in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Greece and through two world wars it follows the main characters of Benjamin Rawlings and Elizabeth Gatcombe two young children brought up in very different circumstances, Benjamin the son of a Farriers at Gatcombe manor and Elizabeth the heiress of Lord Simon Gatcombe. While running around the estate trying to hide from her grandmother and jump out and say boo, she runs off and bumps into Benjamin and knocks herself out, when the grandmother brings her around she wakes to look into the eyes of Benjamin, and is smitten, he helps the grandmother carry Elizabeth back to the manor house where he meets Pierpiont the head butler who views Benjamin with a strange look, but the grandmother puts Pierpoint in his place and send him to get some ice for Elizabeth lump on her head.

Benjamin has never been in the big house and tells his parents his father does not approve.

When Elizabeth’s birthday comes around, her mother decides to throw a party and Benjamin is invited, that his where the then meets Grant Farnsworth, who’s father is head of a garrison in Australia, when Grant insults Elizabeth family Benjamin lays into him, Elizabeth’s mother, tells Benjamin to go home, Elizabeth pleads it was Grants fault, but it falls on deaf ears, and Benjamins sets off for home along a path through the woods to where he lives on the estate, but is accosted by Grant and his mates and is beaten up, a doctor who was at the party finds him and takes him home, Benjamin and Grant meet many times throughout their lives.

Then Benjamin and his family are let go of Gatcombe as it falls on hard times and Lord Simon gives the Rawlings a chance of a new life in Australia they leave on a convict ship that is sunk in a hurricane off the east coast of Australia, there is only one life boat for the crew, Benjamin’s father asks the captain what is to happen to the convicts, the captain replies, they are shark bait, Benjamin hearing this, and being taught about how life is precious, climbs back on board to try and help the prisoners escape, he unlocks the cell chains and in the confusion is knocked out, and later finds himself lying on the beach, with bodies lying all around, soldiers arrive and chain all the convicts together including Benjamin who protest who he is but is captured as a convict and chained up. Elizabeth gets a letter off her father when she is sent to Italy away from Benjamin as Lady Elanora Gatcombe does not want her daughter mixing with a farrier’s son the letter says Benjamin and his family have been killed in a shipwreck.

She believes Benjamin to be dead, he believes Elizabeth to have been married off and throughout their lives they meet many new people and many adventures are bestowed on them, Elizabeth builds a florist business with her friends Sophie and Bessey and then enlists and goes to war as a nurse in world war one, where she meets Marcus a doctor who takes a shine to her and Elizabeth thinks she is falling in love with Marcus, but one night coming home from a restaurant in France.

The jeep they are traveling in, hits a mine and kills Marcus, Elizabeth is sent home after she comes out of hospital only to find the manor house her home is being sold

Benjamin gets involved with Jonathan, who rescues him from the soldiers who hold him prisoner, he has lived with an aboriginal tribe since he escaped the solders when he was a convict.

They travel together on the road they see a man sat under a tree with a donkey, he seems to be dead but in fact is just asleep and needs water, for him and the donkey, Benjamin looks after the donkey, while Jonathan sees to the man, it turns out he is named Henry a gold miner, on his way to town to lodge his claim, Jonathan and Benjamin escort him to the nearest town and Henry goes into the bank and later returns and takes Jonathan and Benjamin to the nearest restaurant and buys them the biggest lunch, after being in each other company for some time, Henry asks if they would help him back to his home, but is the back the way they have just come from, but they have nowhere else to go and agree.

At the next town they book into a half way house where the owners daughter Josephine the shop keepers daughter looks after them, and persuades them to take her with them when they leave, so now they are five, years later Benjamin finds out Grant Farnsworth is now captain of the garrison in Australia that keep all the convicts in line Benjamin and Grants paths have crossed when they were young but Grant does not know that until the day they face each other in a fight to the death.

Benjamin returns to England where he finds that Gatcombe Manor the home of Elizabeth is for sale, he buys it hoping to give it back to her, but they meet once again and romance is once again ignited, they cannot marry as Benjamin has to find if his parents are still alive, so he sets off back to Australia and New Zealand, he then finds out through an advert in the papers a sailor arrives on the manors doorstep, and he tells Benjamin’s his parents are alive and live in Greece where they have a import business, so now the journey takes him back to England and then to Greece, there he finds his parents and all are reunited, now Elizabeth and Benjamin can now marry and he invites all his friends and family back to Gatcombe for the wedding, world war two erupts and send the family once more into conflict, with sad results for Benjamin’s friends, there is more conflict as family secrets evolve and no one knows how they happened, but through all the conflicts, heartache and death, Benjamin and Elizabeth are together forever and move to Greece and leave all their troubles in England

The Legacy of Tallow Manor

The weather was warm and sunny in Wiltshire Tallow Manor basked in the sunshine the only noises breaking the beautiful peace, was the blacksmith anvil and the shouting of a woman, after a fleeing young girl.

‘Lizzie, come back, you are running too fast.’

Lady Constance shouted to Elizabeth as she ran ahead of her through the garden, Constance knew she was too old to be running after a child, on a hot day like today. Elizabeth knew her grandmother could not keep up with her, so she hid behind the huge rose bushes that ran along the pathway, and when her grandmother got close she would jump out and scare her.

Elizabeth had just returned from boarding school for the summer holidays it was also her fourteenth birthday this weekend so she had two reasons to be happy, as all her birthdays were special. Elizabeth loved Tallow Manor, named by her great grandfather who made his fortune in candles. He had built the manor house sixty years ago and could not think of a name, so he asked his employees to name the manor house in a competition, so the name Tallow Manor was born. Many of her ancestors had fought in the great wars, and became famous as politicians, and other well known dignitaries their portraits hung in the great hall of the manor and looked down with sour faces at everyone. Elizabeth was looking forward to her birthday; everyone would be there, all her friends and friends of the family.

‘Lizzie where are you, it is too hot to run around child.’

Constance shouted, ‘Where can that child be?’

Elizabeth shouted Boo, as she jumped out from behind the rose bush, Constance grabbed her chest. ‘Good god child are you trying to kill your grandmother.’

‘Sorry grandmother.’ Elizabeth said Constance smiled at her granddaughter.

‘Its okay Lizzie you just gave me a fright that’s all.’

Constance, called her grand daughter Lizzie, and she was the only one who did, to the disdain of Elizabeth’s mother Elanora, but Constance did not care, she said. ‘At my age, I can call anyone anything I like.’

‘Come on grandmother let’s run.’

Lizzie took off once more, she looked back as she ran to see where her grandmother was, and did not see the boy till it was too late, and ran straight into him banging her head on his, and passed out.

Elizabeth could hear voices far away, but had no idea where they were coming from. ‘Lizzie my child are you all right.’ Constance rubbed her grand daughter’s face, all the time saying her name. Elizabeth could hear her faint voice, and slowly came around, focusing her blue eyes till she saw her grandmother smiling. ‘My dear child, can you get up.’ Constance asked.

Elizabeth got to her feet wobbled a bit and then fell over, someone grabbed her and helped her to her feet, Elizabeth turned around to see who was helping her, and saw the young boy she had run into.

‘Who are you?’ Elizabeth asked.

‘My name is Benjamin Rawling’s I am the farrier’s son.’ The boy replied.

‘What happened grandmother, I was running then I blacked out, oh my head hurts.’

‘You silly girl you ran right into Benjamin and bumped your head, it seems he has a harder head than you, I don’t know about hotter, but it seems harder, if that can be possible.’

Benjamin just smiled and Elizabeth sort of smiles back, her head was hurting.

‘I am sorry, did I hurt you Benjamin.’ Elizabeth asked.

‘It seems not has much as I hurt, you Miss Elizabeth?’

Benjamin just smiled once more. Elizabeth’s head was now hurting more, and a big lump was growing in size on her forehead.

‘Let’s get you back to the house child, Benjamin can you help me to get Lizzie home.’ ‘Yes, Lady Gatcombe.’ Benjamin replied, and grabbed one of Elizabeth’s arms Constance got the other one, and together they made their way back to the house. They neared the house just as Gareth Pierpoint the butler and Housemaster was coming out of the front door. He saw Constance and Benjamin coming up the drive holding Elizabeth up and wondered what had happened. Pierpoint walked towards them, and gave Benjamin a look, that made Benjamin feel uneasy.

‘What has happened to Elizabeth Lady Constance.’

‘A slight accident Pierpoint, can you get Bessy to bring some ice into the parlor.’ ‘Yes, Lady Constance right away.’ Pierpoint grabbed the door handle and opened the front door Benjamin stopped. ‘What is wrong boy?’ Constance asked. ‘I have not to go in the front door Lady Gatcombe my father told me it was not right and proper for the likes of me.’ Pierpoint stood looking at Benjamin his face surveying Benjamin’s. ‘Pierpoint did I not ask you to do something for me.’

‘Yes, my Lady right away.’ Constance gave Pierpoint a look and he walked away. ‘Well, if you think I am going to carry Lizzie in on my own young man, you are sorely mistaken, now grab her arm and lets have none of this right and proper nonsense.’

‘Yes, my Lady.’ Benjamin replied Benjamin took Elizabeth’s arm once more and helped her inside Benjamin had never been in Tallow manor and marvelled at the place, it was so rich and big, Benjamin’s eyes were everywhere. His father had taken him to the theatre once, but it was not as big has this place. ‘Come, boy help me.’ Constance brought Benjamin out of his thoughts.

‘Sorry.’ Benjamin replied He helped Elizabeth once more; they took her into the parlor where Bessy had just arrived with the ice.

‘Put it on the table girl and bring me some tea please.’

‘Yes, my lady.’ Bessy replied.

‘There you are Lizzie sit down her while I put some ice on your bump.’

Constance wrapped some ice inside a towel and applied it to Elizabeth’s head.

As Constance applied the cold towel, Elizabeth winced; her mother came in the door and saw Benjamin standing there and gave him a look.

‘Constance what has happened, Pierpoint said Elizabeth had been in some kind of accident.’ Constance looked at Benjamin and said.

‘Good old Pierpoint.’ Constance winked at Benjamin; he smiled, but stopped when Lady Elanora looked at him then lowered his head.

‘There is nothing to worry about Elanora she has just banged her head, and Benjamin here helped me to bring her home.’

Lady Elanora looked at Benjamin and smiled, she was very beautiful and Benjamin blushed slightly. ‘And how did she bang her head mother, you were supposed to be looking after her.’ Elanora asked.

‘She was running around as usual and went headlong into Benjamin, and it seems he has got a harder head than Lizzie’s if that is possible.’

Constance replied.

‘Mother her name is Elizabeth.’ Lady Elanora replied.

‘Don’t be so stiff Elanora she will be okay it is just a little bump nothing more.’ Pierpoint came in carrying a bucket, which contained more ice and a clean cloth and a glass of water, he looked at Benjamin as if to say are you still here, Benjamin ignored him. Constance puts more ice in the cloth and applied it to Elizabeth head once more.

‘Mother that is a servant's job not yours.’ Elanora said.

‘Nonsense I was not a nurse in the Crimean war for nothing my dear, servant’s job indeed.’ Elanora hated Constance calling her my dear as she has done on many occasions; it seemed as if her mother in law did not approve of her marrying her son. Elanora walked out of the room saying she would call Doctor Samuel’s, Pierpoint followed lady Elanora out like her lap dog.

‘She worries too much.’ Constance said and smiled at Benjamin.

‘You had better get home young man your father and mother will wonder where you have got to.’ Elizabeth never spoke but just stared at Benjamin.

‘Will you be alright Lizzie while I show Benjamin out?’

Constance asked her granddaughter; Elizabeth just smiled, and then said.

‘Goodbye, Benjamin and thank you.’

Benjamin did not know what to say and followed Constance to the front door.

‘You go straight home Benjamin do you hear.’ Constance said.

‘I will goodbye.’ Benjamin replied

Benjamin put his hat on his head and walked down the driveway, Constance eyes followed him as he walked away,

‘No one has even asked how Benjamin was; the boy must have a harder head than I thought.’ Constance said out loud then went inside.

The doctor arrived shortly afterwards and examined Elizabeth, he concluded she just had a bump on her head and no concussion.

‘See I told you she was alright.’ Constance said.

Constance looked at her daughter in law who just tutted.

‘Who was that boy mother?’ Elanora asked.

‘That boy as you so aptly put it is the farrier’s son Benjamin, I don’t know Elanora you have no idea who works for you on this estate, or who your staff are, apart from Pierpoint here.’

Elanora said nothing in reply but just looked at Constance, Pierpoint never spoke either. ‘When the doctor has finished Pierpoint could you take Miss Elizabeth up to her room?’

‘Yes my lady.’ Pierpoint replied. ‘I can look after Lizzie.’ Constance said.

‘No Constance I want to talk to you now.’ Elanora replied, and walked out of the room, hoping Constance would follow. Constance made a face to Elizabeth and got up to follow, Elizabeth chuckled.

‘Why don’t you treat Elizabeth like a young lady instead a letting her run around the estate like a wayward child, and why do you insist on calling her Lizzie, she could have been seriously hurt, but of course you don’t give a damn do you Constance.’ Elanora stood hands on her hips her face twisted with rage.

‘Don’t you dare talk to me in that tone young lady and remember who I am, the head of this household. And besides Lizzie is a child not a young lady not just yet anyway, let her have her childhood it will soon be over, then she can become a lady or whatever you want her to become.’ Constance replied.

‘What is that suppose to mean, and yes I know you are the head of this household, you have told me often enough, anyway I have to go and see the cook for Elizabeth birthday party, so will you excuse me, mother dear.’

Putting on the dear at the end of the sentence Elanora shrugged her shoulders and walked past Constance.

‘Silly girl and I am not your mother.’ Constance poured herself a large brandy and looked up at her husband's painting hanging over the fireplace.

‘Why did you have to leave so soon my love, cheers.’

She downed the brandy and replaced the glass on the shelf and went out to see how Elizabeth was.

‘Where have you been Benjamin?’ His mother asked.

‘I have been in the big house mother.’ Benjamin replied his mother looked at him strangely.

‘What do you mean the big house, what was you doing in the manor and why.’

Benjamin related the story to his mother.

‘That Constance is some classy lady, that family would be nothing without her, my mother told me she volunteered for nursing in the Crimean war, her father went mad when she told him, he tried to stop her but she stood her ground and went. She even won a medal for bravery; I don’t know what will happen when she is gone, are you okay does your head hurt, let me see.’

His mother looked at Benjamin’s head

‘No you will live; your head is like your fathers.’ She smiled at Benjamin

‘Go and dress for dinner your father will be home soon, he has taken his Lordship into the city to his club, you go and clean up young man. And don’t get any idea’s about the manor house either it is not for the likes of us.’

Benjamin did as he was told that night Benjamin told his father of his visit to the manor and he was as surprised as his mother was.

‘The manor house hey, I have never been in there, you young bugger that Elizabeth is just like her grandmother full of spirit.’

He began to eat his dinner when there was a knock on the door.

‘Who can that be?’ Benjamin’s father got up to answer the knock on the door, he opened it, and Pierpoint was standing there.

‘Hello Pierpoint what brings you to our door this night?’ Pierpoint handed Barnaby the envelope. ‘Could you please give this to your son Benjamin it is from Miss Elizabeth, I will bid you goodnight.’

Pierpoint left. ‘He is strange man that Pierpoint, have you noticed he never laughs, for that matter he never smiles, here Benji this is for you, off miss Lizzie.’

Barnaby gave his son the letter, it had the crest of the manor engraved on the top, and Benjamin opened not knowing what it contained.

‘What is it Benjamin?’ Benjamin handed the contents of the envelope to his mother. ‘An invitation to Miss Elizabeth’s party on Friday night you are a lucky boy.’ Benjamin looked at his mother.

‘You can not go to her party.’ Barnaby said.

‘And why cannot our son go to Miss Elizabeth’s party.’

Marion asked. ‘It is not right and not proper that is why.’

Barnaby replied something Lady Constance had put Benjamin right on, when he was up at the Manor this afternoon.

‘They are lords and ladies and we are.’ Barnaby stopped in mid sentence.

‘We are what Barnaby Rawlings.’ Marion interrupted him.

‘Not good enough to be seen with them, well let me tell you Barnaby Rawlings our son is good enough to go anywhere he likes and don’t you forget that.’

Forgetting what she had said earlier to Benjamin, Barnaby never answered his wife he knew she was right, but it did not change the way things were in this world of the have and have nots, his father had brought Barnaby up to respect his betters and not to mix with them but times were changing and there was nothing he could do about that.

‘Grand mother did you send Benjamin an invite to my birthday party.’ Elizabeth asked. ‘Of course I did, Pierpoint took it there this evening.’

Her grandmother replied. ‘Good I like Benjamin he seems nice, I have seen him around the place on a few occasions.’

‘Oh really have you my dear Lizzie.’ Constance lifted one eyebrow and looked at her granddaughter. ‘Oh grandma give over you know what I mean.’

‘You do realize he could feel out of place, young Benjamin he hasn’t had the upbringing you have had my dear, he may feel a little uneasy to say the least.’

‘Grandmother I have asked a boy to my party that is all, what harm can that do, after all we are only children.’

Constance knew Lizzie was right and I hope in her young mind it was all worth it.

‘You will have to do something about your mother Simon, she has Elizabeth running around the grounds like some wild animal, only this afternoon she had an accident with that boy, what’s his name, the farrier’s son.’

‘Benjamin what did he have to do with Lizzie’s accident.’

‘You see your mother has got you calling our daughter Lizzie, her name is Elizabeth, well that is what is on her birth certificate but now with you and your mother calling her something else, maybe we should change it.’

‘Elanora what is wrong, and what has Benjamin got to do with, Elizabeth having an accident.’

‘Your mother had her running around and she bumped into Benjamin and passed out.’

‘Benjamin is he all right.’ Simon asked.

‘Never mind about bloody Benjamin what about our daughter.’ Elanora shouted.

‘Well Lizzie, sorry Elizabeth, seemed okay this evening so I must assume she is okay, I was just asking about Benjamin that is all, is a family is in our employ. You seem very edgy why don’t you go and have a lie down or something.’ Simon said.

‘Lay down, what are you talking about I am fine, the problem is your mother and what she is doing to Lizzie. There you are, you have got me calling her Lizzie now, you are just like her, no standards.’

‘Excuse me Elanora, my mother has lived on this estate for sixty years and has been host to kings and queens not to mention the Prime minister, so you see, you cannot call her for having no standards, My father built this house for the sole purpose of entertaining and for my mother to be the perfect host ’

Simon went over to his wife and put his arms around her.

‘She is an old lady and some day she won't be here, give her a bit of space she loves Elizabeth dearly and would not harm her for the world, and one day you will be the head of our house.’

‘She scares me.’ Elanora replied

‘My mother scares everyone, I bet she stopped the war in the Crimean, she is a very good person I know she can be unruly at times but she knows things, just meet her half way that is all I ask, please.’ Simon looked at his wife, she was very pretty and he loved her deeply, but he also loved his mother and knew her very well, and knew his wife would have to change, Constance would not.

‘Anyway I have work to do you go and organize our daughters birthday, involve mother I am sure she would love to help.’

Elanora was not so sure about asking Constance for her help, but she would have to try for the sake of peace.

‘You look very handsome Benjamin.’

His mother said.

‘You should not have bought me this suit it is a waste of money, where am I going to wear it after Elizabeth’s party.’ Benjamin asked.

‘Benjamin you are my son and I want you to look your best, you are going to a party at the manor, it is not often if at all we get an invite, and I want you to look your best and be on your best behaviour you hear.’

‘Yes mother.’ Benjamin replied.

‘You never know you may be asked back to dinner.’

‘Barnaby Rawlings there is no need for sarcasm you know what they say.’ Marion replied. ‘Take no notice of your father he is only jealous he has not been asked.’ Marion looked at her husband and he pulled his face.

‘Here is your invite and remember best behaviour.’ then she kissed him.

Benjamin walked slowly through the wooded area of the estate and passed the tennis court, and came within sight of the manor, it seemed more impressive than this afternoon, but then he was not going to a party there was he.

Benjamin saw many coaches pulling up in front of the door and Pierpoint directing the staff, he was just about to leave but remembered his mother, and thought better of it. No one took much notice of Benjamin as he walked towards the big door; he joined the other guest’s as they went in.

He thought that a lot of people were coming to Elizabeth’s party, then realized they must be having a dinner party for the parents of the children.

Pierpoint was announcing the guest as they handed him their invitations; Benjamin gave him his invitation. ‘Master Benjamin Rawlings.’

Then Pierpoint realized who he had just announced and looked down at Benjamin, he thought he would not have the nerve to come to the party, but Pierpoint did not know Benjamin’s mother.

‘Good evening Benjamin how are you.’ Pierpoint asked.

‘Fine thank you Mr Pierpoint.’ Benjamin replied.

‘There you are Benjamin.’ Constance came towards Benjamin standing in front of Pierpoint.

‘Glad you could come young man, Lizzie is over there come on I will guide you through the crowd.’ Constance took hold of Benjamin’s hand and walked him through the other guests; some of them gave him the once over and then smiled at Constance. ‘Lizzie here is your special guest.’

‘Benjamin how are you and how is your head.’

‘I am fine as for my head it seems to be in a better shape than yours.’

By this time the bump on Elizabeth’s head was turning black; she put her hand on it and smiled. ‘So it seems Benjamin, come on with me and we will get something to eat from the kitchen.’

‘Here is a present for you Elizabeth.’ Benjamin handed Elizabeth a small box; she opened it and smiled. ‘This is beautiful Benjamin where did you get it from.’ Elizabeth asked.

‘I made it for you; they are things from the woods.’ Benjamin said.

‘I will wear it always, could you put it on for me please.’ Elizabeth handed the brooch to Benjamin and he pinned it onto Elizabeth’s dress, she was very close to Benjamin and he felt strange. This time Elizabeth took Benjamin’s hand, and it was different than when Constance held his hand, he felt a very warm feeling towards Elizabeth but shook it off as being stupid.

There were four other children in the kitchen eating and they stopped when Elizabeth and Benjamin entered. ‘Hello this is Benjamin a friend of mine that is Gloria, Cedric, Susan and Grant, say hello to Benjamin.’

They all said hello except Grant, he eyed Benjamin suspiciously.

‘What does your father do Benji?’

‘He is the manor’s farrier and the coachman, and my name is Benjamin.’

Grant looked at Benjamin as the other four laughed at Benjamin’s reply.

‘My father is a Major in the army.’ Grant replied. Bully for him, Benjamin thought.

‘Come on Benjamin lets get something to eat and get out of here.’

Benjamin picked a few things off the table and put them on a plate, not taking too much as he did not want to seem greedy and followed Elizabeth outside. She took him to an area where tables and chairs were set out for the guests.

‘Sit here Benji sorry, take no notice of Grant he is as pompous as his father.’

‘I don’t mind if you call me Benji.’

‘That is very nice of you Benjamin but we should be called by our proper names not nick names.’ Elizabeth smiled.

‘Then why does Lady Constance call you Lizzie.’ Benjamin asked.

‘Because she is who she is, and it infuriates my mother and my grandmother loves to infuriate my mother, why I don’t know, now eat your food.’ She smiled once more. Elizabeth Gatcombe was very pretty for her age, she did not have the same colour hair has her mother or her father had, and Benjamin was proud she called him her friend, even though they had only just met the other day. ‘Why are you two sitting out here?’ Grant asked.

‘Grant what do you want I never remembering asking you to sit with us.’ Elizabeth asked.

‘Oh you would rather sit with a farrier’s son than with me, the son of a Major in the army, mind you what I heard about your family it is no wonder.’

Benjamin got up from his chair and smacked Grant in the mouth; Grant went down knocking the table over with the food and drink Benjamin and Elizabeth were just enjoying. It just happened when the music stopped and the crash was heard for inside, Elanora came rushing out to see what the noise was and saw Grant lying on the ground with blood coming out of his nose, and Benjamin is standing over him, with his fist clenched.

‘What is going on here, Elizabeth?’ Elanora asked.

‘Grant insulted me and Benjamin socked him.’ Elanora looked at her daughter, she is getting out of hand socked him indeed.

‘Benjamin I think you should leave.’

‘No mother if anyone should leave it should be Grant he started it.’ Elizabeth shouted.

‘It’s okay Elizabeth I am leaving, thank you for inviting me to your birthday party.’ Benjamin looked at Grant who had not yet got up off the ground, he thought he might milk the incident of all it’s worth.

Benjamin walked back to his home and crossed the immaculate lawns towards the tennis court and into a small part of the woods, then he saw the two figures blocking his way, then he heard the others behind him a turned to see Grant grinning. ‘Oh I see safety in numbers hey Mr big shot son of a Major, could not take me on your own so you had to bring your army with you, and is that how your father got to become Major. Sacrificing his men for his own gain, well son of a Major lets see how you fight with your men, or haven’t you got the guts.’

‘Get him.’ Grant shouted.

The first two went down, one smashed in the mouth the other kicked in the groin, then someone knocked Benjamin on the head with something hard, and he passed out. This way he did not feel the kicks and bashing he now went through Benjamin heard the voice and wondered who it was.

‘Boy are you okay.’ The voice asked Benjamin; he slowly came round and looked into a man’s face he had never seen before. ‘Are you okay son.’ The voice asked once again, Benjamin tried to get up and was sick.

‘I had better take you home young man, where do you live.’

Benjamin pointed to where he lived, the man had no idea where he lived but helped him up, and proceeded to take Benjamin in the direction he had pointed to. About five minutes later came upon the cottage Benjamin and his family shared, the man knocked on the door, and a woman came to the door.

‘Excuse me is this your son I found him in the woods.’

‘Oh my god Benjamin what has happened to you, please bring him inside please.’ The stranger carried Benjamin inside and laid him on the couch,

Benjamin’s mother bent over her son’s battered body, and then his father came into the room. ‘What the hell is going on here and who are you.’

Barnaby asked. ‘My name is Colin Bessemer I am the local doctor, I was at the party in the manor and decided to get some fresh air and have a smoke, I know I shouldn’t smoke being a doctor. I went for a walk and heard someone shouting and found four boys beating your boy up, I chased them off but could not catch them, I am not as agile I as used to be, and I brought him home.’ ‘Oh I see I am sorry doctor forgive me for being so rude.’

‘It is okay er.’

‘Barnaby doctor Bessemer.’

‘Please call me Colin, now would you let me have a look at your son.’

‘Of course Colin, my son is Benjamin and my wife over there is Marion.’

After the doctor said his hello’s he examined Benjamin.

‘So you are the Benjamin that bumped into Miss Elizabeth the other day, seems you have got a hard head, it is just as well young Benjamin.

You have at least two broken ribs, but that seems to be all apart from the obvious bruising which will look much worse come tomorrow.

You will have to take it easy for a couple of days till the ribs heal but you should be able to fight another day. Have you any idea who your attackers were, they must have been at the party.’ The doctor asked.

‘No doctor I have no idea.’ Benjamin replied.

‘Okay I must go, my wife will wonder where I have got to, if you have any pain or discomfort please come and see me, here is my card.’

The doctor gave Marion the card and left.

‘Have you any idea who did this to you Benjamin, I will have to talk to Lord Simon in the morning, you could have been really hurt.’

‘No father I have no idea, but there is no reason to tell his lordship it happened that’s all.’

‘We will see Benjamin we will see.’

The next morning the doctor was right, Benjamin’s face was like a balloon, and his father said he would have to stay at home for a few days Doctors orders. ‘Okay father point taken.’

Benjamin stayed home for three days and helped his mother around the house, which was strange seeing as how he had worked in the stables and farmland for so long. On the third day Benjamin answered the door to see Elizabeth standing there smiling, then her face changed when she saw the bruises on Benjamin’s face.

‘It was Grant wasn’t it Benjamin, I bet he did not do it alone, did he.’

‘I had an accident.’ Benjamin replied.

‘No you didn’t the doctor told me yesterday when he called to see how I was, he said there were four of them, but did not get a look who they were, but you know don’t you.’ Elizabeth said.

‘It’s nothing really, Elizabeth just a few bruises I probably deserved it.’

‘Oh really just a few bruises what about your ribs Benjamin, or had you forgot that also as being nothing.’ Benjamin could see Elizabeth was upset, so he asked her if she would like to go for a walk.

‘I suppose so.’ She replied.

‘You don’t have to Elizabeth if you don’t want to.’ Benjamin said.

‘Benjamin Rawlings I did not have to come round here today but I did so let’s go for a walk.’ They walked in silence for a short time until they got into the woods, Benjamin took Elizabeth to his special place a clearing where bluebells grew in abundance, and the sun shone on the clearing as if it was not of this world.

‘This is beautiful I have never seen anything like this before.’

Elizabeth was amazed and looked at the vision before her.

‘I call this my special place, I come here often when I have nothing to do of course, I have lots of work.’

‘Benjamin I won’t tell my father, I know you work hard.’ Benjamin looked at Elizabeth.

‘How do you know I work hard, Miss Gatcombe.’

‘I have seen you.’ Elizabeth picked some bluebells and smelt them, but of course they had no smell, then she sneezed, Benjamin laughed and his face hurt.

‘You are hurt Benjamin.’ Elizabeth came to Benjamin and touched his bruised face, her hand was warm and soft on his cheek, Benjamin did not know what to do, after all she was a lady, albeit a young one.

‘Come on I will show you something else much nicer than my bruised face.’

Benjamin took Elizabeth by the hand and went deeper into the woods, they came across a waterfall rising sixty feet into the air, and Elizabeth was once more amazed. ‘No one ever comes here only me, sometimes when it is hot I swim in the water, it is very cold.’

‘Lets’ have a swim now, come on Benjamin.’ Elizabeth was eager but Benjamin thought about it long and hard.

‘It is not right and proper Miss Elizabeth, you being who you are and all.’

‘Benjamin relax there is no one here, come on last one in is a sissy.’

Elizabeth undressed to her underclothes and jumped in, the cold water hit her, and she squealed with delight. ‘Come on sissy.’ Elizabeth shouted to Benjamin, he took off his waistcoat and shirt, Elizabeth saw Benjamin’s bruised chest, but also saw he was well built for his age, Benjamin jumped in with his trousers on. They splashed around in the water for an hour, till both of them were soaking wet, they decided they had better get out and try to dry themselves off. They lay on the bank and let the sun warm their bodies and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The sound of the crow screeching in the tree awoke them up, the sun was setting, and it must have been late.

‘We have to go Elizabeth your parents will wonder where you are, not to mention mine.’ Benjamin got up.

‘Do we have to Benjamin, can we not stay here forever.’ Elizabeth asked.

‘It is a nice thought Elizabeth, but not very practical, come on I will walk you home.’

The two of them made their way through the woods towards the manor house, and bumped into Pierpoint who had been sent out to look for Elizabeth.

‘Miss Elizabeth where have you been, your parents are frantic.’

‘I have been with Benjamin to his special place in the woods.’

Elizabeth held onto Benjamin’s hand, Pierpoint gave him a dirty look.

‘Come on young lady I will take you home, you young Rawlings had better go home yourself, now.’

‘I will see you again Elizabeth.’

‘Benjamin I had a wonderful time, thank you.’

Elizabeth smiled at Benjamin as Pierpoint dragged her away, and Benjamin went home.

‘Where have you been Elizabeth, we have been at our wit’s end, look at the state of you.’ Elanora was very angry with Elizabeth.

‘I have been in the woods, it is on the estate mother, and it is not as if I was lost.’ Elizabeth replied.

‘In the woods, why have you been in the woods may I ask?’ Elanora asked.

‘I was with Benjamin, he showed me his special place, you should see it mother it is breathtaking.’

‘Right young lady get upstairs and have a bath, you look like an orphan, and I am going to have a word with your father.’ Elanora stormed off, Elizabeth just smiled as she went upstairs.

‘Your daughter has been in the woods all day with that boy, Benjamin Rawlings up to no good I will bet it is not right he is a stable boy for god sake, your daughter is the heiress to our estate, and she should not be seen with people like the Rawlings.’ Elanora was mad.

‘People like the Rawlings Elanora what does that mean, people like the Rawlings, do you know the Rawlings have been on this estate longer than any of us have been here. Barnaby Rawlings mother was my mother's companion for nearly forty years till cancer claimed her, so you see dearest they are not just people.’

‘Oh I see so that gives them the right to court our daughter and maybe marry into the family.’ Elanora asked.

‘Why as Benjamin asked Elizabeth to marry him.’ Simon replied.

‘You know what I mean Simon he is not the person for our daughter.’

‘Elanora stop saying persons and people, Benjamin is a young man and Elizabeth is a young lady, and they most obviously like each other’s company, they are not getting married, well not just yet anyway.’ Simon smiled.

‘That is right mock me, first of all it is your mother and now your daughter, well I am for one fed up with her attitude and I am going to do something about it.’

With that Elanora stormed out of the living room.

Elizabeth lay in her perfumed bath, thinking of the day she spent with Benjamin, she laughed and dunked her head under water.

‘What do you mean you were with Miss Elizabeth?’

Benjamin’s mother asked. ‘Elizabeth came round to see me this morning, the doctor told her about my injuries, and she wanted to see me.

I asked her if she would like to go for a walk in the woods and she agreed, I took her to the waterfall and we had a swim, but fell asleep and that is why we were late home.’

‘Oh dear Benjamin, you have got Miss Elizabeth in deep trouble her mother will have something to say about that, you should not get mixed up with the gentry my son.’ His mother said.

‘But you said I was good enough the other night.’ Benjamin replied.

‘I did my son but this is different, that was a party, now you have been out all day with the Lord and Ladies daughter, and have even swam with her, did you have any clothes on.’

Marion looked at her son Benjamin in turn looked at his mother.

‘Of course we had clothes on you don’t think I would jump in that pond nude, do you.’ Benjamin said surprised at what his mother was suggesting.

‘Well thank god for that.’

Benjamin had no idea what his mother was driving at, so he left it at that.

The next few days Benjamin did not see Elizabeth at all and wondered what her mother had said to her, little did Benjamin know that Elizabeth had caught a chill and had to stay in bed of course the blame was laid on Benjamin’s head after all it was he who had taken Elizabeth to the pond in the first place.

‘Mother it was not Benjamin’s fault.’ Then she sneezed.

‘You see you silly girl you have caught a chill from being stupid and careless, and running around half dressed with that boy, you should know better, I am going to see you never see him again, ever.’ Elanora slammed the bedroom door, Bessy the upstairs maid said.

‘Oh Miss Elizabeth you have made your mother mad, you are going to cop it now.’

Elizabeth puts her head under her bedclothes and screamed and kicked her bedclothes.

Two weeks passed and Elizabeth got better, one day she was called to see her mother and father, they both got up as she entered the room.

‘Sit down Elizabeth we have something to tell you.’

Elizabeth sat down not knowing the bombshell that was going to hit her.

‘Your father and I have decided you will not be going back to Cathard College, instead you are going to school in Italy.’

‘What Italy I am not going to Italy what about my friends at school and all my teachers, Daddy why are you doing this to me.’

Lord Simon knew this was not what Elizabeth wanted, but it was not his choice, he had to go with his wife’s wishes.

‘It is for the best Lizzie.’ Elanora looked at her husband, but he carried on.

‘We only want what is best for you my love, think of all the new friends you will make, you are the only heiress to this estate.’

‘You don’t want what is best for me, you just want to control me, and well she does.’ Elizabeth pointed to Elanora standing there, her face twisted with rage.

‘Don’t you talk to me like that young lady, remember who I am.’ Elanora replied

‘How can I forget, mother.’ Elizabeth said and crossed her arms

‘Don’t be like that Elizabeth, remember you are only a child, and therefore we have the right to tell you what to do.’ Simon tried to console his daughter.

‘You are rotten the pair of you, you don’t care about me you just want to keep up the appearance.’ Elizabeth ran out of the room and up to her bedroom and slammed the door, and lay on her bed and wept.

‘She will be fine you will see a couple of weeks and she will forget about all her friends.’

‘When has she got to go Elanora?’

‘Her passage is booked for Wednesday, the sooner the better.’

With that Elanora left the room, Simon wondered if he was doing the right thing.

‘Bessy you have to help me I must see Benjamin before I leave on Wednesday.’

‘Oh Miss Elizabeth I don’t know about that, I will lose my job if Lady Elanora finds out, let alone Mr Pierpoint.’

‘Bessy please I must see Benjamin and tell him where I am going I may never see him again.’

‘Miss Elizabeth you are in love with Benjamin Rawlings.’ Bessy asked.

‘We are too young to be in love Bessy, we are just good friends, and I must see him, please help me.’

‘Sounds like love to me miss, okay I will help you how I have no idea, but I will help you.’

‘Thank you Bessy I will be ever in your dept.’ Elizabeth replied.

‘Yes Miss Elizabeth you will, now how can I help you.’

Bessy thought hard how she was going to get Elizabeth out of the house.

‘That’s it, tomorrow is washing day, I will bring the basket up in the lift you climb in and I will take you around the back and you can sneak into the rose bushes at the side of the laundry.

How I can get you back I have no idea, but first things first.’

‘Bessy you are a genius.’

‘Yes Miss but I maybe an unemployed genius, see you in the morning early.’

‘Early how early.’ Elizabeth asked.

‘Four o’clock miss.’ Bessy replied.

‘Four o-clock it is still night time.’ Elizabeth replied.

‘Do you want to see Master Rawlings or not.’

‘Sorry Bessy, four it is then.’ The lift arrived at a quarter to four as Bessy knocked on Elizabeth’s door, Elizabeth opened it smiled and told Bessy to come in. ‘Are you ready Miss Elizabeth.’

‘Ready as I will ever be, it is very exciting Bessy.’

‘I just hope we don’t get caught, okay climb in.’

Elizabeth climbed into the washing basket Bessy took the clothes off Elizabeth’s bed and dumped them on top of Elizabeth, and closed the lid.

Bessy pushed the basket towards the lift, and pushed the basket into the