by Emma Hornby
‘Aye. It’s just … There’s other ways than turning to savagery, surely?’
‘Aye, if you’ve the means. Do you?’
‘Nay,’ she was forced to admit. ‘But I’ll not give up until I do. I vowed I’d ruin him, and I will, one day. Ruin, not maim or kill, you understand?’ she murmured, turning to face him again, and was gratified when he nodded. ‘Violence … I shrink from it, avoid it at all costs. I suffered enough as Adam Cannock’s wife. I can’t condone it inflicted on another for my sake.’
‘It’s the only language some people understand, though. It’s my way of thinking that your uncle’s one of them. But if you say nay to it …’
‘I do.’
‘Then we’ll find another way.’
‘We?’ He’d come to stand in front of her and she gazed up at him in hopeful disbelief.
‘Me and thee. Together.’
‘But Nathan, he …’ Laura knew her intended wouldn’t be too pleased with her teaming up with someone who he’d begun to see as competition, brother or no. His jealousy of late if she and Daniel were so much as in the same room together was palpable. ‘He …’
‘Don’t need to know.’
‘Keep it a secret from him, you mean?’
‘In a manner of speaking, aye. The lad’s too hot-headed to fight with his brains – his fists are the only weapons he knows how to win with. He’d be for the noose, as you said, and I’ll not see that happen. So we say nowt.’
She nodded. He’d moved in, close enough that she felt the breath from his words fan her cheek.
‘You act like the matter’s on t’ backburner for now, convince him nowt’s to be done till you say.’
His face was so near she could see the new growth of fine-coloured hairs at his strong jaw and chin. Her heart was hammering. ‘I will.’
‘Meanwhile, I’ll start doing some digging about Ambrose Todd.’
‘Yes.’
‘And Laura?’
‘Aye?’
‘You know, don’t you, that for two pins I’d slay every last swine what’s ever caused thee hurt if you asked me to?’
She didn’t answer, simply stared back, lost in the captive depth of his green gaze.
‘We’d best get inside afore we’re missed.’
This wasn’t deceitful, not really, she told herself as she followed Daniel back to Mrs Price’s. It was for Nathan’s own good, that’s all. They were doing him a kindness, saving him from himself. So why were her palms clammy and her stomach in knots with the knowledge that she and his brother shared something that was just theirs? A secret that was his and hers alone …
And what he’d sworn he’d do for you should you but ask? her mind whispered. The burning urge to kiss him that gripped you just now? You’re going to convince yourself that was innocent, too?
Closing her eyes and ears to the accusation – the truth – Laura forced the troubling thoughts away.
CHAPTER 15
SMITHFIELD MARKET BUZZED with Christmas spirit and left a glow in all who passed through its doors. It mattered not if money was in short supply, whether turkey, roast beef, goose or the cheaper options of boiled sheep’s head or offal broth would grace the family table on Wednesday afternoon – the festive anticipation was felt by all.
Stalls were decorated with sprigs of shiny-leaved holly and the traders were more enthusiastic than ever in urging the shoppers to buy, their cries as they advertised their wares mingling above the heads of the crowd in an unintelligible garble. Of course, the poorer folk of the city were careful not to be drawn into parting with the little they had, not today. Instead, they would swarm here in their droves on Christmas Eve, when the best bargains were to be had. Sellers keen to offload their remaining stock would drop their prices considerably at the last minute, and eager buyers knew it. For many, needs must, and the late trek home in biting temperatures was worth it to save a farthing or two.
Laura wasn’t much feeling the cheer. This would be her first Christmas without Amos and she was missing him more than ever. A chance for kith and kin to gather together, that’s what the time of year was meant for. You couldn’t make that happen when everyone you’d known and loved were not on this earth any more, could you?
She had Nathan and her friends at the court, but it just wasn’t the same, though of course she didn’t tell them so. Everyone was being so kind and understanding that it would appear ungrateful of her to put words to her emotions. But by God, how she longed to confide in someone, to spill her heart and release some of the pent-up pain of her loss.
Then there were her disturbing feelings concerning Daniel.
Sighing, Laura gave a pile of material on a nearby stall a cursory glance, but her attention remained on the deeply concealed thoughts hounding her brain. He was on her mind constantly – yet oddly, it added only to strengthen her resolve to marry his brother.
Guilt had her seeking out Nathan’s company more than usual and, in doing so, she’d got to know him better and to see even more what a thoughtful, loving, all-round decent fellow he was. He could make her laugh until her ribs ached and he loved her. Oh, he did, and it felt good to be needed. More than ever, she realised how fortunate she’d been to find him. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop the other man from creeping relentlessly into her consciousness and she’d given up trying to banish him. It was all such a worrying mess, and one she was at a loss how to resolve.
‘Remember to tell the ribbon seller you’re a friend of mine. You’ll get what you’re after at a better price.’
Laura assured Widow Jessop that she would. She’d accompanied the old woman to work in order to purchase the last few items for the wedding. Of course, she couldn’t stretch to a new dress, but one or two carefully chosen adornments would make all the difference.
The market would stay open late tonight and, being the last Saturday before Christmas, it was busier than usual – it seemed that half of Manchester was here. In addition to their regular shop, many were on the search for small, inexpensive trinkets to give to their relatives on the twenty-fifth, and the stallholders were doing a roaring trade. That included Widow Jessop. Business was always good this time of year, owing to the numerous winter ailments that plagued people young and old and, already, her barrow was almost empty.
After fighting through the crush to the appropriate stall and selecting a length of silky material in pale yellow to wear in her hair on the big day, Laura moved on to the next. Here, she opted for a handful of cheap artificial flowers in a similar shade to fashion into a bouquet. Several minutes later, she’d begun making her way back to her friend when a stall selling cakes caught her eye and she paused, her interest piqued. Changing direction, she headed across.
The sweet treats were carelessly arranged and looked less than appealing. Some hadn’t risen sufficiently, whilst others were burnt around the edges, suggesting the heat of the oven in which they were made was too fierce. Worst of all, most looked to be bordering on the side of stale – discreetly, Laura pulled a face.
The none-too-clean-looking woman serving offered no smile and sighed at Laura’s request, as though customers and work in general were some big inconvenience to her. With a fingerless gloved hand and long, grubby nails, she plucked a slab of plain sponge, wrapped it carelessly in brown paper and handed it over.
Unsatisfied with the cost – it was much too overpriced for its condition – Laura was nonetheless willing to give the woman the benefit of the doubt until she’d at least sampled the product. As she’d expected, it was bland-tasting, due to low-quality ingredients. All in all, a heavy, stodgy, inferior bake.
She and Lizzie could do so much better than that. And what was stopping them? Excitement stirred. She must talk to the girl about this, see what she thought. Surely Widow Jessop could help them in acquiring a stall … Could they really do it? They would need capital to set things up – money for equipment, ingredients, that sort of thing. Would it be possible? Could they make a success of it?
Questions were still whirring around her head later when Nathan came to meet them to walk them home, and Laura was disappointed when, upon reaching the court, she saw that the O’Briens were already abed and the house in darkness. Her proposition to Lizzie would have to wait until morning.
‘Just four more days and you’ll be my wife,’ murmured Nathan, pulling her into a hug when Widow Jessop had disappeared inside and they were alone in the yard.
She smiled. ‘I can hardly wait.’
‘Will I see thee the morrow?’
‘Aye, all right. We could go forra walk somewhere if you’d like?’
‘Aye. Only keep it to yourself, eh? We don’t want a certain someone tagging along next time, do we?’
Laura remained silent. Truth be told, she would have welcomed both men’s company, though of course she couldn’t say so.
‘What time shall I call round for thee?’
‘Whenever tha likes. Oh,’ she added as she remembered, ‘I plan to call at church tomorrow, though, and catch Bridget afore she leaves. I’d like to invite her to the wedding – it slipped my mind entirely last week when she was here.’
Nathan’s eyebrows met in a frown. ‘Is that wise? Happen she tells your uncle? I’ve not rushed round there and smashed his skull in yet for your sake alone, for you’ve begged me not to. But I warn thee … If he shows up at that church, Laura, I’ll not be responsible for my actions—’
‘He’ll not. She won’t let on to him.’ At least she prayed so, for all their sakes. ‘Right, well, I’d best get in afore Mrs Price pulls the bolts across and locks me out,’ she teased, dropping a quick kiss on to his cheek.
‘Let her. There’s plenty of room for you in my bed.’
‘Cheeky!’
Winking, he flashed a wicked smile. ‘Eeh, lass. Four days …’
‘Goodnight, God bless, lad,’ she said with a chuckle, and grinning, he headed for home.
As she lay in bed that night his words flitted back to her – allowing herself to imagine the wedding night, she blushed in the darkness. However, her embarrassment wasn’t born from the idea of the lovemaking itself; no, no. She was a widow, after all, had known a man before. Rather it was because if she allowed her mind to wander too far, the face in her thoughts changed to that of another.
‘Daniel …’ she whispered to the emptiness.
Just what was she going to do?
Bridget didn’t show up at church.
Laura waited outside long after the last worshippers had disappeared for home, but there was no sign of her. Dread coiled her guts into knots. Something was wrong – she hadn’t known her to miss a service once since she’d known her.
Glancing in the direction of Ambrose’s street, she chewed at her lip, agonising whether to call round and check the Irishwoman was well. But would she just make matters worse? What if Bridget was merely a little under the weather and that’s why she hadn’t attended? Was she reading something into it that wasn’t there? Then the image of Bridget’s bruised eye, coupled with the recollection of her uncle’s wrath when a black mood took him – hadn’t she borne witness to it herself more than once? – trickled into Laura’s mind to torment her, and she nodded. She must make sure that everything was all right.
Once more, when reaching Ambrose’s residence, she found herself hanging back for an age. Seeing the place again had brought to her memories – both good and bad – she’d rather not dwell upon, and her legs refused to take her further. Her uncle creeping to her room with depravity in mind in the dead of night, his threats whenever he managed to get her alone, the pleasant evenings wiled away in the warm kitchen with Bridget, the cherished midnight chats with her father in his bedroom and, later, snuggling close to him as he slept and drifting into an easy slumber …
A sob caught in her throat and she crushed a fist to her mouth. So much had happened. So much had changed. What was yet to come? Just as she had sworn vengeance, her uncle seemed intent on doing all in his power to destroy her, too. Like her, was he still scheming to find a way to achieve this? And which of them would succeed? Lord, how she wished he’d been the one to die instead of her father. The wrong brother was no more; this time, God had got His plan devastatingly wrong.
She had forced herself to the door and was lifting her hand towards the knocker when a voice hissing her name from behind stopped her in her tracks. Turning, she frowned in surprise to see Daniel beckoning to her from the roadside.
‘How did you know I’d be—?’
‘What the hell are you doing?’ Taking her arm, he drew her aside, none too gently.
‘Daniel, you’re hurting me!’
His face changed instantly. He dropped his hold and ran his hand across his mouth. ‘I’m sorry. I’d never … You’ve had me worried out of my mind. What the divil were you thinking, coming here alone?’
‘Bridget, she weren’t at church. I were fretting about her, wanted to make sure nowt had happened. How did you know where to find me?’
‘When Nathan returned from your walk earlier without thee … Well, let’s call it a hunch.’
‘I told him when we reached the church on our way back to carry on to the court, that I’d follow once I’d spoke with Bridget. He had no idea I were coming here. I had no intention of doing. I still need to know she’s all right, Daniel. You saw for yourself her face last week, what he’s capable of. I’ll not rest, else.’
He flicked his eyes to the house. Then he nodded. ‘Aye. But first, let me go alone. You might make things worse for her, should your uncle see thee,’ he hastened to add when Laura made to protest. ‘He don’t know me; our paths ain’t ever crossed. Trust me. I have an idea.’
Hiding out of sight, she watched him walk away. He knocked at the door and she held her breath – what on earth did he have planned? Then there stood Ambrose. Arms folded, he listened as Daniel spoke. Though she was too far away to hear what was said, whatever it was had the power to steal all vestige of colour from her uncle’s face. His mouth dropped open in disbelief. Then, with a roar, and much to Laura’s astonishment, he pushed past Daniel and thundered down the street as though hell’s hounds were at his back, leaving the door flapping wide. When he’d vanished, she made her way to the house and a smiling Daniel.
‘How in heaven …? What did tha say to him?’
‘Oh, just that he’d best get down to his yard sharpish, as the place was up in flames.’
Nervous giggles bubbled in her throat. She clamped a hand to her mouth. ‘You never did!’
‘That’s got him out of the road forra few minutes, eh? Now then, let’s get inside and check on your friend.’
‘And be quick about it. He’ll not be in the sunniest of moods, I’ll be bound, when he realises it were a pack of lies. I for one wouldn’t like to be here when he returns. Oh, Daniel, thank you,’ she added and, on impulse, hastily pressed her lips to his cheek. ‘Come on!’
They made straight for the maid’s domain – the kitchen – and burst inside. The space was empty. Laura motioned for Daniel to follow and headed for the stairs.
A minute later, they were back in the hall, breathless and disappointed. Their search of the whole house had proved futile – Bridget was nowhere to be found.
‘I don’t understand. She must be here.’
‘We checked every room, Laura.’
Her head swung in confusion. ‘But where could she be?’
Suddenly, heavy footsteps reached them from outside. Someone was approaching the house. They looked at each other in dread.
‘Colleen?’ Wearing a look of amazement, there stood the maid, in her ill-fitting clogs and thick shawl, a wicker basket in the crook of her arm.
‘Bridget? It is thee!’ Laura ran to her. ‘Eeh, I were that worried!’
‘Worried? About me? Sure, I’m grand, so.’
She did appear well. Even the bruising was almost faded to nothing. ‘But … tha weren’t here, and …’
‘I’ve been down the way, visiting one of my niec
es, for she’s mighty sick, poor love.’ She held up the basket. ‘I took her some foodstuff – a bit of beef tea, that sort of thing – to build up her strength.’
‘Oh. Aye.’ Glancing to Daniel, Laura bit her lip.
‘Where’s your uncle? Does he know you’re here?’
‘He … had to rush out.’ Despite herself, Laura felt the giddy laughter rising again, and it grew at Daniel’s soft snort. ‘We’d best be away.’
Still frowning in bemusement, the Irishwoman walked them to the door. ‘Have I to give your uncle a message …?’
‘Nay. Nay, don’t do that. He mustn’t know I were here. Oh, and Bridget,’ she added, remembering why she’d wanted to seek her out in the first place, ‘I’m getting wed. Christmas Day. You’ll come, won’t yer?’
‘Ay, I’d be delighted, colleen! ’Course, it shall have to be a flying visit, for I’ll have to get back to prepare the festive lunch for your uncle—’
‘Speaking of Uncle Ambrose: he ain’t invited. So please don’t say owt to him.’
A cloud of sadness for how things had turned out passed over her face. Nonetheless, she nodded. ‘As ye wish.’
Looking left and right up the street before stepping out, and relieved to see there was no sign of her uncle, Laura took Daniel’s sleeve. ‘Come on.’ Grinning, they hurried for Ebenezer Court.
‘’Ere, give me a minute to catch my breath.’
Panting and laughing, Laura sagged against a ginnel wall beside him. The excitement – the risk – was exhilarating. She’d never felt so alive. She turned her head on the rough bricks to face him. He was gazing back, cheeks rugged from the exertion, his eyes twinkling. For a long moment, they simply stared at each other. When their mouths met, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
It wasn’t a hungry kiss; there was no passion involved. More a mere joining of two friends brought together in the moment. Just one soft press of lips against lips, then they were grinning once more and running again for home.
Lizzie, crossing the yard as they careered through the arched entry, stopped to stare. Laura’s laughter slowly fizzled as real life – contrition along with it – slammed home. Just what was she thinking anyway, cavorting around the lanes like a slip of a lass? More to the point, with Daniel, whose company she had no business being in alone. Lizzie was bad enough, but what on earth would Nathan have thought, had it been he they had happened across instead?
