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Chapter 5

St Leonards School for Girls

September 1948

The day arrived when Lara was due to begin her first year at St Leonards Girls School in Somerset only five miles from Westmoreland Manor.

Lisbeth laid her school uniform out on the bed and helped the schoolgirl dress for her big day.

‘Are you looking forward to your first day at school sweetheart?’

‘Yes, although I’m a little bit scared.’

‘Why darling it will be the beginning of a great adventure, you will meet new friends and learn all sorts of things.’

‘Yes, but I’m still a little scared.’

‘You’ll be okay once you settle in.’

Lisbeth called for the driver, John Spencer to bring the car around to the front of Westmoreland so that she and Lara could be driven to St Leonards to begin her new life.

The Rolls pulled into the school entrance, the imposing front gates and gothic building intimidated the young girl she felt like she was going to a prison.

‘What’s the matter Lara you look afraid. St Leonards is excellent school I know you will enjoy it here.’

‘I hope so. I wish Mummy was here with me.’

‘She is darling, she’s watching over you all the time so is Daddy.’

The car parked close to the main entrance. Lisbeth instructed Mr Spencer to wait while she escorted Lara into the school and introduced her to the headmistress, Mrs Humphries.

The headmistress was a tall woman with red hair worn in a bun. She looked rather stern in her grey woollen suit and practical low-heeled shoes. She had been married to a fighter pilot, Wing Commander William Humphries who was killed during The Battle of Britain in October 1940.

Elizabeth Humphries never married again and she regarded her students as her children.

They waited outside until her secretary announced their presence to Mrs Humphries. The Headmistress came out of her office greeting Lisbeth and the new student and invited them in.

‘Well, Lara I’m very pleased to meet you. I know you will enjoy your time at St Leonards. It won’t be all learning. There are many sports you can play such as hockey, netball and swimming. I’m sure you will make lots of friends as well.’

‘Thank you. Can Nanny stay with me while I’m here?’

‘I’m sorry dear, but that wouldn’t be possible. Nanny has many things to do before she picks you up at 3 pm. I will take you to your classroom where you can meet your teacher, Miss Cooper, and meet the other children in your class. Say goodbye to Nanny – she’ll be back before you know it.’

The Headmistress thanked Lisbeth for taking Lara’s hand as she led her through the school’s corridors until she reached the First Grade classroom.

Miss Cooper instructed the children to stand as Mrs Humphries entered along with Lara.

‘Children this is Lara. I’d like you all to say hello and make her feel welcome.’

The First Grade students all said ‘hello’ in unison. Lara was shown her desk, a timber top with a tubular steel frame. Although nervous she was beginning to feel more comfortable. The day encompassed drawing, singing and playing with blocks.

At 3 pm Nanny returned to find Lara waiting at the front of the main building along with another girl called Megan. The two girls had already formed a friendship

‘Here’s my nanny Megan. I better go, see you tomorrow.’

‘Goodbye Lara.’

‘Hello, darling. How was your first day?’ asked Lisbeth.

‘It was splendid Nanny. I met a new friend called Megan.’

‘That’s wonderful.’

Lisbeth and Lara chatted on the short trip home. The nanny was delighted at how her demeanour had completely changed since the morning.

London September 15, 1948

London Middle Temple Lane

The inaugural Trust meeting was due to be convened at Sir Horace’s chambers in the heart of the London’s legal area, ‘The Temple.’

The meeting was due to begin at 3 pm. Mrs Humphries took the train from Castle Cary, the closest station to the school; a two-hour journey.

Mr Harmsworth’s offices were in London. A thin man with horn rim glasses, he spoke with a slight stutter but was regarded as a financial genius.

Lord Andrew de Neville, who didn’t work at all and never really had in his forty-five years resided in Bath, drove himself in his Aston Martin DB2.

Lord de Neville was born into wealth and used his family’s vast resources to purchase expensive cars and travel abroad first-class. His other passion was women, expensive women; Lord de Neville spent large amounts of his wealth on diamonds and expensive jewellery to keep his lady friends happy.

Once all the trust members arrived they were ushered into the chamber’s meeting room and seated at the meeting table.

It was magnificent; the panelled walls and portraits of past members of chambers adorned the room. The long table and chairs would have suited a royal household.

Chamber’s Meeting Room

Sir Horace called the meeting to order and addressed the trust members.

‘As you are all aware, this trust has been established to manage the affairs of Lara de Neville, also known as the Countess de Neville. I think we all agree that our main priority is to ensure Lara receives a proper upbringing and is educated to the highest level.

‘Miss Lisbeth Forsyth, Lara’s nanny for the past six years, has agreed to continue caring for the girl in the role of legal guardian. I have made application to the court to have her appointment approved. I think we should all be pleased that the young girl will have some continuity in her life.

‘I call on Mr Harmsworth to brief us on the financial status of the de Neville estate.’

‘Thankyou Sir Horace, ladies and gentlemen. I’m sure you are all aware the de Neville land holdings are quite vast including Westmoreland Manor in Somerset and Raby Castle, in Scotland. A townhouse in South Kensington and a villa in Nice, France are also owned by the estate.

‘Currently, the London townhouse and the French Villa are being leased on a long-term basis. As well as the real estate assets the family has an extensive share portfolio together with debentures and Government bonds.

‘Finally, the furniture and artworks in the manor and castle are valued at well over a million pounds.’

‘Mr Harmsworth, have you been able to estimate the total value of the estate?’ asked Lord de Neville.

‘At this stage, it is estimated the value of the de Neville estate is around £25,000,000.’

‘My God, I had no idea Harry was so wealthy,’ said Lord de Neville.

‘Well, the family have been building their wealth over the centuries and have been careful managing it.’

‘Thank you Mr Harmsworth, the trust has a duty not only to maintain the wealth of the estate but to grow it until Lara is entitled to her inheritance at age 18,’ said Sir Horace.

‘Sir Horace, will the members of the Trust get remunerated for the time spent on Trust business?’ asked Mrs Humphries.

‘Yes, all members will be paid at the same rate, £50 pounds an hour. I arrived at this figure based on my standard hourly rate for estate management. I would expect Mr Harmsworth and I will spend the most amount of time on trust business; you and Lord de Neville will be remunerated for the meetings attended, including travel time.’

‘Are there any implications for the estate regarding death duties?’ asked Lord de Neville.

‘No, the law stipulates that if a minor is under 18 and a trust has been established, there’s no inheritance tax if the assets in the trust are set aside just for bereaved minor, i.e. Lara.

‘It is also dependent on Lara becoming fully entitled to the assets by the age of 18.’

‘She shall be a very wealthy young lady.’

‘Indeed, she will be Lord de Neville.’

‘I understand that Lara will continue to reside at Westmoreland but what should we do with the other properties?’ asked Mrs Humphries.

‘Raby Castle is situated on 200 acres of prime farming land, it is more than self-sufficient, and therefore I think the property should be retained. The London townhouse and the Nice villa are both being leased and generate excellent revenue. Therefore, I recommend the property portfolio be retained.’

‘Thank you Sir Horace, I agree,’ said Mrs Humphries.

‘As you all are aware Mrs Humphries is headmistress at St Leonards Girl’s School in Somerset. We are not only fortunate to have her as a trustee she will also be reporting on Lara’s progress, both scholarly and mentally at each meeting.

‘Miss Forsyth has made a request to the trust. Apparently, Lara’s father promised her a pony upon his return from America. Miss Forsyth requires a sum of £200 to purchase a suitable pony plus tack. Are we all in agreement?’

All trust members nodded their approval.

‘Good. Mr Harmsworth, would you be kind enough to transfer funds to the house account, please.

‘Well, I think we have finished business for this meeting. May I suggest we meet again in December unless there is urgent business that requires attention.’