Without a Mother's Love

by Catherine King

  His neck ached from looking upwards. His eyes stung from the falling grit, but eventually he detected a pale hint of moonlight penetrating the blackness. He stood up. ‘Bring another lantern. Quickly! Help me here. Secure the platform first.’ He picked her up in his arms. She was groaning again, weakly now. ‘Take her from me. Careful, man, she’s hurt.’

  Jared hoisted her limp body across the gap and Sam took her from him. He clambered out. ‘Here, give her back to me. Do you know her?’

  Sam held the lantern close. ‘Oh, aye, that’s the new lass.Went down with old Wilton this morning. You don’t suppose she were hurt an’ all and never said owt?’

  ‘It’s likely. Where does Mr Wilton live?’

  ‘Farmhouse Lane. End cottage afore you get to the cobbler’s house.’

  ‘I’ll take her there.You turn off the steam pressure as I showed you and lock up. Make sure the keys go back.’

  ‘Right, sir.’

  Jared didn’t hear him. He was already on his way.

  He fell against the cottage wall, his arms and back aching. ‘Mr Wilton!’

  The door opened, casting a shaft of candlelight over the threshold.

  ‘Sarah?’

  ‘Jared!’

  ‘I thought you were leaving.’

  ‘I was on my way to the carrier but one of my dad’s neighbours caught up with me and I came back. Dear Heaven! That’s Livvy!’

  ‘She was left behind and I fear she is badly injured. There’s a lot of blood—’

  ‘Wait a minute. I’ll clear the kitchen table. Here, put her there for now. Can you light me another candle? There, on the mantelshelf.’

  When he had done that and placed Olivia as gently as he could on the table, he said, ‘I’ll fetch the apothecary.’

  ‘No, there’s a lot of blood. I might need you. My father’s asleep and there’s no one else. I’ll send Sam from next door.’ Sarah picked up a heavy metal ladle and knocked on the kitchen wall.

  ‘He can take my horse.’

  They heard the wail of a child through the wall.‘You’ll wake your father, too,’ he said.

  ‘I’ve given him a sleeping draught. I - I’ve decided to take him with me to Northumberland. He can’t stay here with a bad arm.’

  Sam came in through the open door and Jared despatched him for help. ‘Give Mr Harvey this guinea and impress on him the urgency.’

  ‘What shall I tell him?’

  ‘Say nothing. Tell him it’s for Mr Tyler.’

  When he had gone, Sarah asked Jared what had happened to Livvy.

  ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘She was left behind when they brought your father out. She may have been hurt at the same time.’

  Sarah was searching Olivia’s near-lifeless body for wounds. She lifted her tunic and unbuttoned the thick trousers, peeling them away from the bloodied skin. She had seen this before when helping her mother in the village and frowned. Jared could hardly believe there was so much blood. ‘What is it?’ he asked anxiously.

  ‘She’s not been injured by falling rock. She’s lost a baby.’

  Chapter 29

  ‘Lost a baby?’ Jared breathed.

  ‘I’m certain. And is still bleeding. She’ll die if we don’t stop it. I’ll fetch more linen.’

  His eyes searched hers as though for a sign that this was not true. ‘What can you do?’

  ‘My mother kept a mixture in the cupboard. I’ll make it up.’

  Jared now wished he had gone himself for Adam Harvey. He paced the kitchen, listening to the clock on the mantelshelf tick away the minutes. He supported Olivia’s head and shoulders while Sarah spooned the potion between the pallid lips. It seemed to revive her and she groaned again.

  She opened her eyes first, and her mouth to scream, but no sound came. Her eyes rolled and she fell back in another faint.

  ‘Will she live?’ he asked anxiously.

  ‘I don’t know. Ask your Mr Harvey when he gets here.’

  ‘Should we get her upstairs?’

  ‘Can you carry her?’

  Livvy roused again as Jared lowered her onto the narrow bed. She drank some water and groaned as anxious eyes stared at her in the candlelight. She was too exhausted to scream. Her mind was jumbled with memories of stormy seas and dark mines. There were black faces everywhere, black faces with white teeth, and white eyes looking at her. Then they had walked away and left her to die. Her body ached. She was hurting all over, alone and frightened, and she heard a distant sound in her head, a wailing, long and whining . . .

  ‘Hush, Olivia. Be still. You’re safe now.’

  Olivia? Who was Olivia? A name from the past. A voice from the past. She opened her eyes again. A face from the past. But this face was no longer black, except for the rings of coal dust that clung round his eyes.Then the familiar features were gone, replaced by a woman’s, a stranger who pushed pillows behind her back and spooned a bitter tincture between her lips.

  ‘At least she’s still alive,’ the woman muttered.

  Jared had never felt so weary. His lips were pale in the candlelight. As he sat with her in the dimness, watching her every move, he wondered how long she had been in Mexton, toiling in the pit that bore her husband’s name. All the searching he had done! Had she been working down the mine all this time? He had never thought to look for her here. Neither had Hesley. She had disappeared right under their noses. He guessed that the colliers did not know who she was. He wondered if they knew the father of her lost child.

  He should not have left her. He had thought at the time it was the right thing to do, but if this was the result he had been wrong. God keep her alive, he prayed. Where was Harvey? He should have been here by now.

  The apothecary arrived on horseback, ahead of Sam, and came straight into the kitchen.

  ‘Oh,’ he said, as soon as he saw Jared, who hurried down to meet him. ‘I expected your father. What is it?’

  ‘A miscarriage, I believe, sir.’ Jared picked up a candle and led him up the narrow stairs to the small chamber. Sarah stepped away from the bed.

  ‘But this is—’ Adam Harvey exclaimed, as soon as he saw his patient. Then he snapped his mouth shut and set about his task of examination and administration, giving orders to Sarah as he did so.When she went downstairs to make up the couch for herself in the front room, Harvey turned to Jared. ‘How long has she been here? She’s been missing for more than a year.’

  ‘I found her by chance. I can scarcely believe it myself.’

  ‘Was it your child?’

  ‘No, sir, it was not. I had not seen her for years until now.’

  ‘But you found someone to help her get rid of it.’

  ‘What sort of man do you think I am?’

  ‘The woman did it, then?’

  ‘Sarah? Certainly not. She’s a chapel teacher, home to see her father. Olivia - er - Mrs Mexton was hurrying for him.’

  Now it was the apothecary’s turn to be surprised. ‘Mrs Mexton was down the pit?’

  ‘That was where I found her.’

  ‘How long ago?’

  ‘Two hours, maybe three.’

  ‘Well, you were already too late for her child, but you saved her life.’ He handed Jared his brandy flask.‘I attended her before, a good few years ago, not long after she was married, for something similar.’

  ‘You mean she has already been through this?’

  ‘As I remember it wasn’t so bad. She was very young. I thought she would grow out of it.You’re sure nobody helped this along?’

  ‘I told you, I found her a few hours ago down the mine. Surely such work would bring it on.’

  ‘Colliers’ wives keep going until their waters break.’

  ‘But they are born to it. Mrs Mexton is not.’

  ‘Aye. There’s something in that.’ Adam Harvey handed him a glass phial. ‘I’ve stemmed the bleeding for now. Keep her still and give her five drops of this in boiled water every two hours. Sarah has a good head on her shoulders. She’ll t
end her well enough and I’ll call back in the morning.’

  ‘Thank you. Just one more thing.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘It is best if her husband does not know of this. Or where she is. Not yet, anyway. Can I count on you for that, sir?’

  Adam Harvey gave a tired half-laugh. ‘You haven’t seen Mexton for a while, then?’

  ‘Not since his grandfather’s funeral. You were there with him.’

  ‘He’s worse now. It is more than just the drink. He is hardly sensible most of the time.’

  Perhaps that is why Jessup has so much power, Jared thought. ‘I did not know he had deteriorated so quickly. Why was my mother not informed? She is his great-aunt.’

  ‘Believe me, sir, it is better that she does not see him. His new lawyer handles the banking - that jumped-up butcher’s son.’

  ‘Jessup?’

  ‘That’s the one. A gambling friend of young Hesley. He took over the family affairs after old Hesley died.’

  ‘Withers is no longer needed?’

  Adam Harvey shook his head slowly and deliberately.

  ‘Jessup is no pit manager! He is the reason the mine is going to rack and ruin. He must be stopped. I’ll speak to him.’

  ‘Take care, Jared. Jessup has influence in the town with the parish and the railway company. He can make life uncomfortable for those who cross him.’

  ‘Then perhaps it is time someone made life uncomfortable for him. But he can wait. Olivia is my concern now. Will she recover?’

  ‘She’s strong in mind and body. Or she was when I last attended her at Hill Top House. These things can affect ladies in different ways.’

  ‘She needs to be with people who care for her. I’ll take her home with me.’

  The apothecary shook his head. ‘You must not move her until she has healed enough to travel. Do you know who the baby’s father was?’

  ‘She hasn’t said. She may tell me. Or Sarah.’

  ‘Sarah has her father to deal with.’

  ‘And she told me she has to return to her school. She was already on her way.’

  ‘Mrs Mexton needs someone with her at a time like this,’ Adam Harvey advised.

  ‘I do know someone.’

  ‘Well?’

  ‘I’m not sure that she is the right person, though.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘They did not part on good terms and - she had dubious morals.’

  ‘Who is she?’

  ‘The woman who was her governess.’

  ‘I remember her. Miss Trent. Capable, I always thought. My impression was that she was very moral. Schooled at Blackstone, I believe.’

  ‘She was old Hesley’s whore!’

  Adam Harvey gave a short, dry laugh. ‘You do not see the world as I do, young man. The child Mrs Mexton lost was not her husband’s. Is she a whore, too?’

  Jared was silent. He could not believe that of Olivia. But where was the baby’s father? Eventually he said, ‘I’ll stay with her tonight and ride into town tomorrow to ask Miss Trent if she will take over from Sarah.’

  ‘Why did you not tell my father how bad things were at the mine?’

  Jared had breakfasted early and left Olivia in Sarah’s care. He rode hard, intent on a visit to Jessup. If Adam Harvey was right that Hesley was barely sensible, it would be hopeless trying to reason with him, but Jessup was a lawyer and would surely listen to advice. The man had no experience of running a mine and Jared had. From what he had seen, improvements at Mexton Pit were urgent if it was to stay in profit and pay its colliers. Jared insisted on an immediate audience with Jessup, and his standing in the town ensured that he got it.

  ‘I answer to Mexton and Mexton alone,’ Jessup protested.

  ‘When did you last see him? And what were his orders?’

  The lawyer went quiet. The skin around his mouth turned white as his lips tightened. ‘How dare you march in here and make demands of me, sir?’

  Jared ignored the question. ‘Why have you not employed another manager?’

  ‘That is none of your affair.’

  ‘My mother is his kin, you charlatan!’

  ‘I warn you, sir, I do not have to receive you in my office.’

  ‘Nor the colliers, it seems. They need an engineer for the winding house.’

  ‘And who would pay him? The miners themselves?’

  ‘You are not talking to one of Mexton’s lackeys now. That coal is good and I know what you charge my father for it. Where are the profits going?’

  ‘It is not your business, sir. If that is all?’ He raised his voice. ‘Clerk!’

  A youth in a poorly cut jacket, ill-fitting breeches and worn shoes came in immediately. Clearly, he had been waiting by the door and listening.

  ‘Show Mr Tyler out,’ the lawyer ordered. ‘Good day, sir.’

  ‘This matter isn’t concluded, Jessup.’

  The youth looked at his feet as he led Jared through to the front of the office. But when he held open the outer door, Jared heard a soft whisper: ‘Gambling, sir.’

  ‘What did you say?’

  The youth kept his eyes firmly on the ground. ‘Nothing, sir. It’s a chill wind out there today, sir.’

  Jared nodded. Of course. Jessup was one of Hesley’s drinking friends. He wondered how much Hesley owed in gambling debts. Perhaps nothing. Perhaps he was using the mine profits to pay off his creditors. That was a more likely explanation. He walked slowly to his horse, immersed in thought.

  The only way forward was to see Hesley and try to reason with him. What had Adam Harvey said? Hardly sensible? Well, he would find out for himself. But first he had to make sure Olivia was looked after discreetly. He must find Miss Trent.

  It was surprisingly easy. A visit to the mission hall next to the beast market brought him face to face with her again. ‘I thought you’d gone back to the asylum,’ he said.

  ‘I am staying with one of the leaders and his wife. I have been speaking with other leaders here and I am to have my own mission - a school, when funds can be found.’

  ‘Congratulations, Miss Trent. You must be pleased. May we talk privately?’ He took her elbow and steered her into a dark corner.

  ‘You have news, sir?’

  ‘Can you leave here? Can you move out to Mexton? Someone needs your help.’

  ‘Mr Holmes has a mission there,’ she said.

  ‘Holmes? Do you know him?’

  ‘Of course. His sister was my benefactor when I left Hill Top House.’

  ‘They are both gone. The farmhouse is shut up.’

  ‘He has been visiting his sister while I am here. With his wife, I expect. He married, you know.’

  ‘Did he? I had not heard.’ Jared lowered his voice. ‘It is not Holmes I speak of. I have found Olivia.’

  Harriet’s eyes rounded. ‘You have? Where is she? May I meet her? Will she see me, do you think?’

  ‘She is not well and needs someone to care for her.’

  ‘She is the one you spoke of? In Mexton? So close and I did not know! What ails her? Take me to her immediately.’

  ‘Wait. Finish your business here and come outside. There is something you must know first.’

  Minutes later they were standing beside his horse, deep in conversation.

  ‘She has lost a child. The apothecary believes it was several months in the womb. She had a great deal of bleeding and is weak.’

  ‘Olivia has lost a child?’

  ‘She almost died. This might not have happened if you had not deserted her so soon, if she had not run away . . .’

  ‘But you know why I had to do it! Th-that cruel, selfish man - I had to get away from him.You advised it yourself at the time.’ Her voice ended in a whisper.

  ‘I wish I hadn’t. It was Olivia who suffered.’

  ‘I thought she would be all right. Truly I did. I should not have left her otherwise.’

  ‘Well, you were wrong.’

  ‘You cannot blame me for everything! You were her f
riend. You told me you would look after her. I trusted you with her.’

  ‘She - she asked too much of me. She wanted me as her - instead of her husband.’

  ‘She . . .’ Jared saw realization dawn on Miss Trent’s face. ‘It was your child, wasn’t it? Yours!’

  ‘No! Why does everyone think that? I cared for her but I would never have disgraced her in such a way. I did not lie with her!’

  ‘So it was Hesley’s child.’

  ‘No. She has not lived with him for more than a year. I do not know who the father is. She may confide in you.’

  ‘If she will see me.We did not part as I would have wished.’

  ‘Well, she needs you now,’ Jared stated flatly.

  ‘She has asked for me?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘So it is you who is asking for my help?’

  ‘I know you can be discreet and you were very close to her once.’

  ‘Will you take me to her, please?’

  Jared untied the reins tethering his horse.‘We shall be quicker on horseback.’

  ‘I - I do not ride, sir.’

  ‘But you will do it for Olivia, I am sure. There’s a mounting stone by the water trough.’ He took the halter and swung into the saddle with ease.

  Miss Trent eyed his horse and swallowed. He leaned over towards her, offering his hand. ‘Put one foot on my boot and swing the other leg over the horse’s back behind me. I shall not let you fall.’

  She grasped his arm and he smiled at her, making her blink. He had never smiled at her before. She landed behind him with her skirts awry, showing her boots and stockings and - her eyes widened - the edge of her drawers. Carefully she shuffled about until she had covered as much of her legs as she could.

  If Jared had not been so concerned about Olivia he might have been amused by her show of modesty. He said, ‘Now put your arms about me and lean forward. Hold on tightly.’

  They set off at a walk and eventually she relaxed her grip.