Prue Phillipson - Hordens of Horden Hall by Hearts Restored

Newcastle, heading for the Pilgrim Gate he managed to avoid answering her question by pointing out the major buildings and the way to his grammar school. After they passed through the Gate into the Liberties and out into the open country his own excitement at nearing home after what seemed an age made him fall silent.
    “Not far now,” was all he could say, turning his head to meet Diana’s eager look and when at last the gates of Horden Hall came in sight he was speechless with emotion but Diana’s enthusiasm bubbled over.
    “Oh what a grand place! Ma foi , is that what you called an ordinary house, you mischievous boy. Look at that sweeping drive and the way the mansion sits against the woodland and whose is that splendid equestrian statue in front?”
    “My great-great-grandfather’s, Sir Ralph Horden, of King James’s time. It’s considered rather a clumsy sculpture. Ah!” he exclaimed, “here is Nana Sula running to meet us. She is quite ancient now but still runs everywhere.”
    His heart lifted at the sight of the scurrying figure, holding up her arms with joy towards him. She had put on the starched white bonnet she wore when strangers were about so that her face was partly shaded. She wore a plain grey dress and pinafore and Diana, dismounting first with the help of the groom, whispered to Daniel.
    “Is she a nun?”
    “No, but like you she is Catholic.”
    Diana made a face as if to say, “That matters little to me,” but she went forward before Daniel’s feet had touched the ground and held out both her hands to the surprised little woman.
    “You are Ursula, Saint Ursula, Dan tells me, his very special Nana Sula. I am so happy to meet you. I am Diana Rombeau.”
    Ursula was curtseying low but Diana lifted her up. “No no, please, call me Diana. Dan and I are great friends.”
    The rest were now gathering and Dan saw his mother hasten to clasp Ursula in her arms.
    “Oh Urs, I’ve missed you so but you would have hated London. It was so hot and we rushed about so every day. Is all well here?”
    His father had now joined them escorting the other ladies.
    Ursula told him, “Oh sir, the dear Reverend, your father, is not so well or they would have been here to welcome you.” She again curtseyed low, concealing her face, before Lady Horden, Henrietta and Madeline. Daniel intercepted the look Madeline gave her sister for paying attention to a servant.
    His father said, “I will ride over to the vicarage as soon as our guests are settled in.”
    Ursula looked up at him then and her poor twisted face was plain to see.
    Daniel saw Madeline recoil and take her mother’s arm and hurry past her.
    “Come, Maman, you are to show me this place you grew up in and I long to take off these travelling clothes.”
    Bel resumed with an effort, Daniel thought, her office of hostess as they went inside.
    “Mother, I have given you your old room and Hen, you have yours where I trespassed and chopped up your linen and lace in my wicked years.”
    Daniel was tickled that she could bring it up now and that she had fallen into calling her sister Hen. On the journey they seemed to have reached an intimacy they had never had in their younger days.
    Diana stood gazing about at the foot of the stairs. “The hall is so big and grand. Oh the magnificent plaster work!”
    “You girls have your Uncle Robert’s old room.”
    Bel was leading them up the stairs as she spoke.
    “ Sacre Dieu !” cried Madeline, “I trust he was not laid out there after his fall from his horse? I wouldn’t sleep a wink.”
    Daniel, following, called out, “It is also my room you have been given and I assure you I sleep there like a log.”
    Diana turned round to him with her eyes wide with concern. “Oh but where are you to go, Dan? We are turning you out!”
    “I have the little room that was once the chapel and then was Mother’s from which she invaded yours, Aunt Henrietta, but I promise you I will do no such evil deeds. The door