WoodlandDaughter

Anne Whitfield

~ Woodland Daughter ~

Woodland Daughter is my first book set in the early Edwardian era of 1902.
I enjoyed researching and learning about this time, especially briefly touching on the Boer War.

Woodland Daughter is a family drama, focusing mainly on Eden Harris and her life, her family and those she loves.

Blurb
Throughout her years of devoted service to the Bradburys, Eden Harris has hidden a secret that would affect them all, a secret shared only with her husband, Nathan and grandfather. But an enemy returns, shattering her world and exposing her secret.Then, robbed of Nathan, she must flee from the country estate. However, her attempt to start anew is not so simple as the past haunts her. Now Eden must gather her strength and look into her heart to accept what the future offers.

Woodland Daughter is available in hardback from Amazon.uk and Robert Hale Ltd and also
Tesco
The Book Depository (free delivery world wide)

Excerpt

The face is the mirror of the mind,
and eyes without speaking
confess the secrets of the heart.
Saint Jerome
374 AD – 419 AD

Chapter One
North Yorkshire, England.
August 1901

Eden lay on the cushioning grass with her eyes closed against the brightness, enjoying the sunshine on her face. Insects buzzed by her head, sounding as lazy as she felt. The summer day’s warmth bathed her body through the thin linen dress of blue. Her limbs weighed heavy, her mind sluggish.
Squeals of laughter carried on the hot breeze. Her daughters splashed in the Aire River where it tumbled over the rocks in a noisy riot. The girls were likely trying to drench their father as best they could.
She wiggled a little on her spongy bed, squashing the grass and releasing its scent. A sigh of complete contentment left her and she smiled with guilty pleasure. Idle days like these were rare and most precious. All in her world was good.
“How do I awaken such a sleeping beauty?”
Eden opened one eye and spied her husband, who stood a few feet away with a mischievous expression on his face. “Not with wet hands, I can tell you that now, Nathan Harris!”
He flopped down on his side and laid his head on her chest. “You’re a cruel woman, wife.”
“Indeed.” She closed her eyes again and stroked his dark brown hair. “Are the girls dreadfully wet?”
“Aye and happy with it.” He nuzzled her breast, his hand straying down her skirts. “In fact, they’re so busy larking about we can have a minute or two of fun-”
“You think so, hey?” Chuckling, she grasped his wandering hand. “I’d much prefer to just lie here quietly and do nothing for a change.”
“Well you lie quiet and I’ll have some fun…” His voice dropped to a husky whisper and he nibbled the soft skin below her left ear.
Eden wrapped her arms around his neck, curling her fingers into his hair. “I adore you, husband.”
“Aww, my girl…” Nathan kissed her and then hitched himself up onto his elbow, his love for her shining in his light grey eyes.
She caressed his cheek, rough with bristles. “I’m a couple of years from thirty, hardly a girl any longer.”
“You’ll always be my girl to love.” He blocked out the sun as he lowered his head for another soft tender kiss that tasted of the light ale he’d drunk earlier when they ate. Rubbing his nose on hers, his hands spanned her waist as he pulled her tightly against him. “Even when you’re old and grey and with no teeth, you’ll still be my girl.”
Spluttering with laughter, she slapped him away. “You cheeky beggar! Call yourself a lover?”
Nathan rolled onto his back, bringing her with him. “Do you want me to show you how much of a lover I can be?” He undid the top button of her dress but at that moment their daughters, Josephine and Lillie came running up the bank.
Sitting up and straightening her skirt, Eden smiled at her darling girls, who fell in a tangle of wet petticoats and giggles. Unlike many other children of the area, her daughters were healthy and well fed. They hadn’t been put to work in the numerous mills or coal mines littering the district and instead attended the local village school. She and Nathan both agreed that their daughters would be educated, like their parents, to give them better advantages in their lives.
Listening to Josephine tell Nathan about the colours of a dragonfly she saw, Eden handed out red apples, plucked from their own orchard trees. After the girls had run off again, Eden packed up their small picnic.
“Where did the time go, Eden? When did they stop being babies?” Nathan murmured watching them run along the bank squealing with innocent joy.
She looked up at him. “They are only seven and six, not adults yet.”
“Aye, I know, but I liked it best when they fell asleep in my arms. I felt I could protect them better then.”
“You can protect them now.”
“Not like I want to. Sometimes I want to shut the cottage door and never open it again.”
She sat back on her heels and studied him. Not for the first time did she notice the fine sprinkle of silver in his dark hair, that the lines running from his nose to mouth were deeper. He was a good looking man, a quiet man. What they called a deep thinker in these parts. He pondered and weighed up his thoughts and actions, which was in contrast to her. She did everything in a hurry, always eager to start the next task or talk about another subject. She thrived on being busy and that’s why today was so unique. For the first time in a long while she had actually sat and done nothing, except eat and watch her family. Now, Nathan’s turn of mood had dimmed her glow of happiness. As much as she loved him, sometimes it was hard living with such a serious man.
He turned to her, his smile sad. “Take no notice of me. You know what I’m like.” He jumped to his feet. “I’ll go find the girls.”
Eden stood and reached out to take his hand, halting him. “We’ve had a wonderful day together.”
“Aye.”
She stepped closer and kissed him. “And now I no longer work at the Hall, we can have many more days like this.”
He let out a long sigh and traced her jaw line with his finger. “I’m a happier man knowing your time there is done. Annabella should have released you years ago and let you be with your family. She didn’t really need you or could have replaced you.”
“I didn’t want to be released, I enjoyed being her companion. We are very close. She is like a sister.”
“But she’s married now and needs you no more.”
She moved away from him. “That’s cruel. You make me feel guilty for keeping my links with the Bradburys.”
“I’m sorry, but that family has too strong a hold over you.” He glanced away. “They always have done.”
“We’ve been together since we were children. Why must you bring this up again? You know how much I love Annabella. You know the ties between our two families.”
“Aye I do. I’ve been the one who suffered because of it.”
She stared at him, amazed at the bitterness of his words. “That’s not fair, Nathan. We live a good life because of the friendship we hold with the Bradburys.”
He grunted. “You may have a friendship. I simply work for them.”
“They think highly of you.”
“As long as I do my job right and earn them money. It’s not as if we dine with them or are invited to their house for high tea.”
“I have dined with them informally,” she argued, her anger building. “I may not be their social equal but they have never made me feel-”
“I don’t want to row with you, not today. Besides, we need never have this argument again now you’re home for good.” After a quick kiss on the nose, he left her to consider his remark.
Frustrated by the quarrel, she folded the old blanket they had used as a table, and tried not to condemn his feelings. However, the Hall and the people in it played an enormous part in her life and had done long before she met Nathan. For ten years she had been companion to Annabella, the daughter of Colonel James Bradbury, but even before that official role she was childhood playmate to Annabella and her older brothers, Joel and Charlie. She always made up one of their party as they roamed the woods, frolicked in the river, went shooting and on picnics. She felt the family was an extension to her own, though there were times when it was difficult to be in a position of somewhere between servant and friend. Annabella was like a sister and Charlie a brother. Her mind faltered on Joel. She had schooled herself not to think of him and had been successful for the most part. He had been away for so long and belonged to another part of her life. A life when she had been young and carefree…
She tossed her head, dismissing the urge to reminisce, and wishing Nathan had not mentioned the Bradburys at all today. Their unusual relationship was the result of Eden’s great-grandfather Morley being the head gamekeeper of the estate, a position he passed onto his son. All of Eden’s family had worked for the estate since her great-grandfather was a lad. Eden’s own mother had been lady’s maid to Annabelle’s grandmother and mother, and her father had been their coachman. She had grown up playing in the estate grounds, and being an only child, she had enjoyed her special friendship with the children of the Hall. It seemed natural to follow her mother into the role of lady’s maid and companion to the female Bradbury.
On her great-grandfather’s retirement he gained, as recognition to his family’s devoted service, a pension, cottage and three acres on free hold land at the edge of the estate in what was known as Bottom Wood. They, as small landholders, had a respectable position in the small local village.
She looked up as the girls ran to her with Nathan walking behind, his expression one of apology.
Lillie gave her a small posy of wildflowers and Eden kissed the top of her fair head. “Thank you dearest. Come now, it’s time to go home. You need to change your damp clothes and there are chores to be done.”
“Can we not do them today, Mam?” Josephine pouted, dragging her feet as they collected the basket and blanket. Her dark hair hung in untidy strands down her back.
“I’ve explained this before. The animals need to be fed. Would you like to go without your supper?” Eden frowned at her eldest daughter, the one inclined to argue. “Compared to most children you do very little. Be grateful.”
“Don’t be harsh with her, Eden,” Nathan murmured, taking the basket from her. “I’m sorry I spoilt your day.”
“You didn’t, not really.” She sighed and forced a smile, trying to recapture the happiness she felt only an hour before. She knew the ghosts of her past walked in the shadows. They had tried very hard for nearly seven years to ignore them, but her leaving the Hall last week had stirred up memories and emotions long thought dead.
They strolled away from the gurgling river and into the shade of the beech and sessile oak trees, following a well-worn path back to the cottage. Bottom Wood was a mixture of plantation and ancient woodland spread over many acres. Its cool interior was today lightened by the sunny weather, but Eden loved the forest in all seasons. Having been born in the cottage she had grown up playing in the wood, it was her home.
Nathan slid his hand into hers. “Now you’re a lady of leisure, what do you plan to do with your days?”
“Huh!” She nudged him with her elbow. “I’m sure I’ll have enough to keep me occupied. For a start the cottage will get a good cleaning and a clear out, then I can plan to make more vegetable gardens. Grandfather needs a rest from taking care of everything. Some days he can barely stand for more than a few minutes and I know he worries that things have been allowed to slide into disarray.”
He nodded. “I think he’ll be very happy to have you home with him now.”
“Yes. I can keep an eye on him, and make sure he’s not doing too much.”
She stared up into the leafy canopies above. As much as she adored being with Annabella, the thought of staying home all the time lightened her heart. She could take care of her ailing grandfather, spend more time with the girls and work about the cottage, which in turn would ease Nathan’s responsibilities. He worked hard enough at the Bradbury’s cotton mill, where he was a manager, without having to work in the cottage as well because she was always at the Hall.
They rounded a bend and the wooden cottage, dull with age, came into view, nestled amongst overgrown gardens, an orchard and the back drop of tall dark trees. Sitting out front on a wicker chair and smoking a clay pipe was her grandfather and opposite him was old Barney, a groom from the Hall. Both held pots of home brewed ale. They were deep in conversation and wore worried expressions until the girls skipped towards them and then they sat back and turned with a smile. The girls chatted a moment before running inside to change.
Still holding hands, Eden and Nathan stopped and greeted the visitor. “How is everything with you, Barney?” Eden asked him.
“Well, lass, thank yer.” Barney glanced at her grandfather, who slightly shook his head.
Eden stiffened. “Is something the matter?”
Barney blinked rapidly. “Nay-”
“Has something happened at the Hall?”
“Well, Mister Charlie is bad again with his chest. Yer know how he gets.”
Eden’s heart beat a little faster. Charlie had always been sickly ever since they were children and last year was diagnosed with the dreaded consumption. She and Annabella spent most of their time with him, especially in the winter when cold weather kept him housebound.
“Poor man,” Nathan said. “I only saw him in the village a few days ago and he looked extremely well.”
“Aye,” Barney nodded, “well he an’ the Master got caught in the rain that evening an’…an’ they’ve both been in bed ever since.”
“Both?” Eden blinked in surprise. “Are they very bad?”
“The doctor’s been each day. I’ve never known the Master to be poorly in the entire time I’ve been at the estate, which is near on thirty years.”
“Why didn’t someone come and tell me?” She fumed.
“All them inside have been kept busy with two of them to care for.”
“So how ill are they?”
“Right bad from what I hear. The Master must be, to stay abed for days. Yer know him as well as me and he’s not one for staying indoors.”
“Why wasn’t I called? They know I sit with Charlie when he’s unwell. I could have helped care for both of them. Has Mrs Fleming engaged nurses?”
Barney’s eyes widened at her onslaught. “Eh, I don’t know what happens in the house, lass.”
“I must visit them.” Eden ignored Nathan’s hand squeeze. Did he expect her to forget the family now Annabella had married and moved away? She let go of his hand and went to stand by the open doorway. The girls’ chattering drifted down from the attic room above.
“That’s kind of yer, lass.” Barney stood, placing his ale by his feet. “I’d best be getting back, not that I’m eager to.”
Eden, about to call the girls to do their chores, paused and looked suspiciously back at Barney. “Why’s that then?”
Grandfather straightened in his chair and removed the pipe from his mouth. “Take care then, Barney. Call again next week if you’ve a mind to.”
Her grandfather’s diversion was wasted as Eden took a step forward. “What else is happening up at the Hall, Barney?”
“Nowt lass.” The groom’s weather-beaten face paled and he tugged his flat cap down over his brow as he patted her grandfather’s shoulder. “I’ll be off now, Horatio. Good afternoon to yer all.”
Eden’s hand shot out and stopped him from walking away. She knew he was hiding something. “Barney?”
“Eden!” Grandfather and Nathan barked at the same time.
Her gaze didn’t waver from Barney’s. “What is it?”
He sighed heavily and looked down at his boots. “He’s arriving this evening.”
“Who?” She whispered, but she knew already the man he referred to. There was only one man that the whole estate hated.
“Mr Clifton.”
She heard Nathan’s grunt of anger and wearily closed her eyes. He was back.
Roland Clifton, the Bradbury’s cousin. The man she hated with every ounce of her being. The man who had turned her world upside down, who haunted her dreams and rode the shadows at her back.
“Eden.” Nathan stood close, his hand on her waist.
“I’m fine, dearest.” She looked into his steady eyes and drew strength from him. “He-he’s been before and our paths haven’t crossed. I’m sure it’ll be the same this time.”
Grandfather coughed and she turned to him, but Barney’s wan face made her stop. “He-he is only staying a short time, isn’t he?”
“I’m afraid not, lass. From what I heard he’s staying until the Master is well again.”
“Colonel Bradbury is the healthiest man I’ve ever known, a trifling little cold will not keep him to his bed, nor would it be reason enough to call Clifton to his side.” Her eyes narrowed on Barney, who dithered from foot to foot, and then to her grandfather. “What else aren’t you telling me?”
Horatio slowly pushed himself to his feet, his bones creaking with the effort. “The Colonel has had some kind of heart seizure, lass. He’s not long for this world, apparently.”
Eden jerked, instantly wanting to cry out a denial and at the same time wanting to race to the Hall. “Why didn’t you tell me the minute you found out? Why did I have to drag it out of you?”
Grandfather seemed to age even more before her eyes. “Because I didn’t want to ruin your picnic and because Clifton is set to stay at the Hall and manage the estate until Mister Joel returns home from the war in Africa. You knowing now or later wouldn’t have altered the fact.”
She marched into the cottage and threw the blanket over the back of a chair. Her mind whirled with the sudden news. Clifton staying at the Hall, Joel coming home soon, the Colonel desperately ill and Charlie sick again too. For a moment she seemed unable to move as she thought of the things she must do. She had to wash and change before she went to the Hall, get supper ready...
“You’re not going.” Nathan followed her inside, anger radiating from him.
With barely a look in his direction, she stoked up the fire to heat water. “I’ll do as I please, Nathan, and you’ll have no say in it.”
He kicked the cottage door shut and strode to her, swivelling her around to face him. “I’ll not have it, you hear? If I say you’re not going then you’re not!”
She stared at him as though he’d gone mad. Only once in all the years of her knowing him had she seen him so furious. Still, she wouldn’t have him laying the law down, not after all this time. “You may be my husband but those over at the Hall are a part of my family too.”
“It’s all done with now. Annabella has gone!”
“I owe them my loyalty and they have it! That will never change.”
“You owe them nothing!” His face, that only hours ago was soft with contentment, now hardened, his lips thinned, his eyes narrowed. “I’ll not stand for you putting them first anymore. We’re fed up with it.”
“Really?” She reared back, ripping her elbow out of his hold.
“Me, the girls and your grandfather have always been at the end of your affections and your time in regards to them lot.”
“That’s not true!”
“Yes it is and I’m sick and tired of it, Eden. We are your family not them. So, it will stop now. Today.”
She raised her chin. “What do you plan to do then? Tie me up?”
“Don’t tempt me.”
The girls crept down the attic ladder and edged around the room to the door. After one terrified look at their parents, they raced outside to start their chores.
Nathan turned back to her. “See? Your obsession with the Bradburys make us row and it frightens the girls.”
“We don’t have to row about them.”
“No, not as long as I give you the freedom to do as you please,” he scoffed.
“Nathan-”
“I don’t understand you. I never have.” He sighed, sounding sad and lonely.
She took a step towards him, eager to comfort him, but he pinned her with a cold glare.
“I wouldn’t have thought you so keen to be there at the Hall knowing that the bastard Clifton would be in attendance.”
Flinching, she looked away, back to the fire. “I can visit the sick rooms without meeting him.”
“Do I have to beg?”
She swallowed, hearing the plea in his voice, hating him for making her feel so guilty and hating herself for making him that way. “I can never give them up, Nathan. I’m sorry.”
He nodded. “I’ve always known it. I guess I’m not man enough for you to want me more than them.”
The blood drained from her face and she felt cold all over. “No!” She ran to him and threw her arms around him, holding him close. “Never believe that. I love you. You mean so much to me. Where would I have been without you as my husband?”
Nathan gently disengaged himself from her embrace. “Maybe you need to ask yourself that question more often.” He walked out of the cottage, not bothering to close the door.
She let out a deep breath. The day had started so beautifully and ended in a mess. Her head throbbed from the argument with Nathan and she wished to put things right between them but all she could think of was Charlie and the Colonel being ill. The low rumble of her grandfather’s voice drifted through the open door as he talked to the girls. Eden toyed with the idea of staying at home but, as ever, the pull of the Hall was too strong.

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