Twelfth Night at Eyre Hall Read Free

man to do his duty’ he would say,
morning, noon and night. He was obsessed with duty. My father watched him die
and told me, ‘Son, this is what happens to all of us, no matter how dutiful,
brave, rich, loved, or worshipped we are, we all die’.”
    He stood once more, looking out of the
port hole. “When it happens is just a matter of time and chance. If Nelson had
died in his bed, we would not be speaking about him now, would we? He died in
battle and became a national hero. He was in love, too, with an inappropriate
lady. My father should never have told me all those stories. I was a romantic
then, so I also fell in love with the wrong woman.”
    He turned back to me. “She married, that
was one of the reasons I joined the navy. Later I met my wife. Mrs. Carrington
is a good woman, but I have never forgotten Theresa. I should never have given
up.” He sighed and refilled his glass. “You were a valet too long to be a good
sailor, and you’re too clever to stay in the navy for long, but I’m promoting
you to lieutenant because you’re the cleverest, maddest, yet boldest man on
board. I have just signed the dispatch to promote you for your bravery and
value. Not only did you save my life yesterday, for the second time, but you
also saved the lives of dozens of men on board. The crew respects and obeys
you. You will make a good officer.”
    “Thank you, sir.” I stood up to leave,
eager to put an end to our conversation and read my letter.
     “We will arrive in Portsmouth in two
weeks’ time. You have seven weeks’ leave before we return to sea at the end of
January. You will be my First Lieutenant. You may pick up your uniform at the
navy outfitters, when we arrive. You will be wearing it on land, and I guarantee
Mrs. R., whoever she is, will be yours, once more.”
    He knew nothing about the real
situation, and I should make sure to keep it that way. He had been an
invaluable instructor and guide for the last six months, but I was not sure how
far I could trust him once we landed.
    “Sir, I would ask you respectfully not
to mention our conversation to Admiral Fitzjames, in order to protect the
reputation of the lady you mentioned.”
    “I wouldn’t dream of it. Knowledge is
power, Lieutenant. I think we can both benefit from this situation.” He
gestured to the chair again. “Sit down, I haven’t finished.”
    I obeyed, disturbed by the unexpected
turn of events. Had something happened to Susan or to Jane?
    “I’ve been captain for over nine years.
My wife seems to think I would make a good admiral. I would not want to
disappoint her. She is a very stubborn lady. I may be visiting Eyre Hall
myself, this Christmas. Fitzjames has often invited me to visit his wife’s
wealthy and influential family in Yorkshire, but Mrs. Carrington has never
liked travelling up to the cold north of the country, especially in winter. I’m
sure I can persuade her it is in our interest to visit this time. So I hope to
see you there, my boy.”
    “I’m not sure I’ll be welcome, sir.”
    “What, a brave naval officer recommended
by her cousin’s husband, not welcome? You underestimate your worth and your
powers of persuasion, Lieutenant. You will accompany us to Admiral Fitzjames’s
home, and we will do our best to be invited to Eyre Hall.”
    “May I have my letter, please, sir?”
    “Of course.” He picked up the letter and
absent–mindedly ran his fingers along the folds of the envelope.
    “Are you going to tell me all about it,
Kirkpatrick, or am I going to have to find out for myself when I visit Eyre
Hall?”
    “Mrs. Rochester is the mistress of the
house where I worked. She was a widow. I was below her station. She became
engaged and I presume married another, more suitable man, so I left.”
    “This more suitable man, Mr. Mason, I
believe, is richer and older, I suppose?”
    I cringed on hearing his name. What had
Susan written in her letter? “Not richer, but older and more acceptable.”
    “Ah, so