by S G Read
‘And what are these other reasons Andrew McDay?’ Beth asked when they reached her door.
Andrew made the top step and looked down into her blue eyes. ‘I did resolve to give you time to settle after the trial before I said more.’ Andrew answered. ‘To let life to return to some sort of normality.’
‘Who says I need time?’ Beth asked.
‘When I ask you what is to me, an important question, I want your answer to be for love and not in gratitude.’
‘You talk easily of love.’
‘Oh no Beth Conibear, not easily. When you held me up on the trail I was drawn by your blue eyes. When you took of your mask I was smitten and will be forever smitten.’
‘You saw how good a shot I am when I put a ball in Mitchell when he was going to put a ball in you. Why do you think you were able to pull your pistol on me? I saw you and it was like my legs turned to jelly, I was helpless for a few seconds.’
‘Are you saying’-
‘Yes I am Andrew McDay, so if you have a question to ask, I am willing to give you an answer.’
Andrew dropped to one knee.
‘Oh for goodness sake.’ Beth complained but Andrew was not to be swayed.
‘Will you be so kind as to consent to be my wife Beth Conibear?’ He asked sweating profusely.
She looked down to where he knelt. ‘I can not think of anything I would like better Andrew McDay so the answer is yes.’ She took his arm and pulled gently so that he stood up and looked up into his face.
Andrew leant toward her and kissed her. It was a long lingering kiss which neither wanted to end but end it had to.
‘Now I am going to bed.’ Beth declared. ‘We can discuss when and where tomorrow.’
Andrew did not speak but watched her go inside, he was feeling very happy. He turned to go but was conscious of a familiar smell, one he had smelled before.
‘You are the first to know Peterkin.’ Andrew said as he stepped down.
‘A good job no one else was out here while you were discussing Mitchell’s death.’ Peterkin answered. ‘No one else is about so I suppose congratulations are in order.’
‘Thank you Peterkin, come over to the house for a cigar, it is better than those things you smoke.’
‘As you say better than these but I only smoke when I am not working or they give my position away.’
‘Thank you for the warning Peterkin, we will have to be more careful in future.’ Andrew answered.
‘I will be around in the morning to collect a cigar Mr McDay.’
Andrew walked back to the orphanage and to his two chairs pushed together with the footstool between, it was not comfortable but he was a happy man so laying there thinking about Beth was good enough.
Work on the new washing to arrive was underway when Andrew woke. His father was inspecting the new equipment and how it worked; he had already been up to the school room and seen Beth teaching the children. Under the law they were supposed to be taught but it never usually happened and he was impressed by Andrew’s humanity.
‘Good morning father.’ Andrew greeted when he walked out, to find Clarence working on of the machines with six showing him what to do.
‘This is very easy I wonder why no one else has thought of this.’ Clarence declared as he pulled a lever and the paddle started to go round.
‘They just used all the labour they had and made them work very long hours. Now if they have to work long hours they can do it but there is less hard work to do. By washing and rinsing the clothes in the same container it saves a lot of heavy lifting and now that the system for moving the wet clothes into the drying room is completed they only have to use the pulley to lift them. With less time for work there is more time for learning.’
Clarence stopped the paddle and six inspected the clothes.
‘They are clean Mr McDay so we can rinse them now.’ He explained.
Andrew left them to it and walked up the stairs to the school room. He stood and watched Beth with the children for some time, before he felt a presence behind him. He held out a cigar in his right hand holding it level with his shoulder.
‘Do I deserve this then?’ Clarence asked.
Andrew turned to where he stood. ‘Yes you do father.’
‘I take it the walk over to the cottage was fruitful then?’ Clarence asked.
‘Yes father, I asked Beth if she would marry me and she agreed to. I had no plans to do so after such an upheaval but Beth said she was ready so I asked her.’
‘What are your plans?’
‘We have yet to discuss when and where but I hope to marry her soon and in this orphanage. The children will want to be there when we wed, possibly with the exception of number six who feels as I do about her I think.’
‘At his age?’ Clarence declared.
‘At his age.’ Andrew answered.
‘Well he is in for a disappointment is he not.’
‘He is.’
They walked down the stairs and Andrew saw Peterkin at the door. He walked over and gave him a cigar.
‘Thank you Mr McDay.’
‘Ah Peterkin I need you to go back to London now with a letter for Mrs McDay.’
‘I’ll be on my way, as soon as you have written it.’
Clarence pulled a sealed letter out of his coat pocket and handed it to Peterkin. Peterkin took it, smiled knowingly at Andrew then left. Andrew turned to look at his father.
‘How is that possible?’ He asked.
‘I had a shrewd idea but Peterkin explained the evening’s events to me after I had retired. You must be a bit more guarded as to what you say and where Andrew after all that has gone on. They will still take her back to Exeter and hang her if they find out.’
‘Is that fair she has been tried?’
‘Fair or not it will happen if Lady Dymonds thinks she was tricked.’
‘So what have you told mother?’
‘That Beth has been freed, she has consented to be your wife and I have informed her that the New Year’s Day soirée she has planned can go ahead, as it is likely that the wedding will now be in the New Year.’
‘I will talk to Beth during the evening when the children will be in the long tub, prior to getting the new clothes Mrs Hodgson has made them or later when they are asleep on their new beds. They will have their names on their new clothes, as soon as I know them and they can write them.’
‘Names now is it? Easterbrook will be surprised but he is happy with your improvements so far but I fail to understand why.’
‘We talk the same language father, that is all.’
‘You are starting to become worldly Andrew and interesting to know.’
‘My gambling days are behind me now father.’ Andrew answered and showed him his calloused hands.
‘I can understand you improving things but why clothes? I know they are only wearing rags but they do not go anywhere where they need anything but rags.’
‘I have arranged with Mr Doble the builder for two of the boys to be indentured to him next year but that is for your ears only.’
‘I can understand that but why teach them a trade?’
‘I will explain after the wedding if I can arrange it, by then I will have moved my plans forward a little more.’
They all sat round the long tub for another meal later that day after all the clothes were washed, they even worked on Christmas day. This meal was as lavish as the welcome home Beth meal as it was Christmas day, although there were no frills or party games but Andrew hoped they would come next year if he was still in charge. When the meal was over and the children were washing up, the table top was removed and it was filled with hot water.
The children were all bathed and their old clothes dropped in to be washed as was usual now. This time after they had dried, with their old towels wrapped round them in front of the fire in Andrew’s parlour, with Beth reading a story to them their new clothes were issued. As they had been washing, their beds had been taken outside and burnt. That meant the room wher
e they slept could be sprayed with the liquid Mrs Oldray had supplied. While they were listening to the story the new beds were carried upstairs by John Potter and his son. Ruth made the beds ready for them, as they were brought up. That way the children had somewhere to sleep. The door to the room they usually slept in was locked to keep them out, in case the liquid was dangerous and it probably was.
The girls had dresses and the boys trousers and jackets. When they had their new clothes on they were taken up to try out their new beds and their new bedroom.
Later that evening Beth and Andrew walked across to the cottage but sat outside in the cool evening air, talking.
‘Do you mind where we are married Beth?’
‘I was thinking here might be best so that the children could be present Andrew.’
‘So did I. What about a date?’
‘Let us celebrate the New Year, then get married.’
Andrew smiled. ‘Any date in mind?’
‘My mother married my father on the twenty second of January, would that be too late for you?’
‘The twenty second it is then I will inform my father; he is going back home to greet the New Year, when he comes back you will get to meet my mother and my sister.’
‘Where shall we live?’
‘I thought here at first but then that does mean being away from the orphanage during the night, which takes us back to my two rooms. What are your thoughts on it?’
‘Two rooms are enough for us are they not?’ Beth answered. ‘Now that the cottage is habitable we could rent it out and have more income for the orphanage.’
‘We certainly need all the money we can get, if I do all I want to do here.’
‘Have you noticed number forty one?’
‘What that she is exceptionally clever?’
‘Yes Andrew just that, I think she should go to a good school, so that she can fulfil her full potential.’
‘Good schools cost money Beth.’
‘Then we do need all the money we can get Andrew.’
‘I have plans in that vane but I have to play a waiting game for now but I should be able to act soon enough.’
They kissed again; long and lovingly, then Beth went inside, leaving Andrew to discuss things with his father after he returned to the orphanage.
‘The day is set; the twenty second of January is the chosen date.’ He announced.
‘Then I will be back on the twentieth with your mother and your sister.’ Clarence replied.
‘I will make sure the cottage is available for you to stay in when you arrive.’
‘Where will Miss Conibear stay then?’
‘She will be in my rooms and I will be sleeping upstairs with the children father until the twenty second that is. We have decided to use the rooms and rent the cottage for income.’
‘A sound idea, will we be paying rent when we come?’
‘I feel that would be unforgivable father. You may stay as long as you like, free of charge, unless you were going to charge us for your services?’
‘That would also be unforgivable, my only wish is to still be compos mentis when my grand child is born.’
‘I sincerely hope you will be but you never know with these things, as you well know.’ Andrew said wisely. ‘The last beadle was punishing one of the children in one particular way and she has just given birth, is there any way of seeing that the baby gets his name as the father?’
‘If he was the only one who was mistreating her in that way, we can ask questions about it, I might also be able to arrange for his estate to be paid to her.’
‘The stigma of being termed a bastard alone makes it worth while to try.’
‘I would agree, I will question her after the wedding before I return to London.’
‘Thank you father.’
‘But you must not discuss it with her beforehand, I always insist on the truth from my clients.’
Clarence went to bed and Andrew settled down on his two chairs and a foot stool for another nights sleep but this was Christmas night. No presents had been exchanged this Christmas day, as there had been no time to buy any, only the children had their new clothes and new beds.
Chapter 6
Clarence left for London the day after Boxing Day. It was the first time he had not spent Christmas day with his wife. Andrew saw them off and returned to supervising the work, even today washing had arrived but he was keeping an eye on from whom it came.
When two carts arrived with Lady Lamerton’s dirty washing. Things she needed washed for her lavish new year’s party, he stopped them at the gate. He gave the driver a letter and sent him back where he had come from.
‘Lummy Mr McDay is that wise?’ Tom asked.
‘Needs must Tom. She owes money and she is going to pay or not get her clothes washed.’
He returned to his office to await the next barrage in the fight between Lady Lamerton and Andrew McDay. An hour later Lady Lamerton was shown into his office.
‘Good morning Lady Lamerton, have you come to pay your account?’ Andrew asked immediately.
‘No I have not you impudent puppy; why did my washing come back unwashed?’ Lady Lamerton answered ignoring the chair Andrew indicated.
‘Because at present you owe the orphanage a small fortune in unpaid accounts and I want to be paid before we contemplate doing any more washing for you.’
‘You impudent puppy I am Lady Lamerton and this is Lamerton orphanage.’
‘And you owe us money your ladyship which we need to pay our bills. My hands are tied. You may of course write to Mr Easterbrook my employer and he may well make me wash your clothes but that is what it will take!’
‘And the answer will come back after the New Year’s party for which I need the clean table cloths and curtains. You have timed it well Mr McDay.’ She sat down and lowered her voice. ‘My problem is that since my husband passed away, four years ago I have had no income to talk of and so I have no money to pay you.’
‘But you still have parties and balls at the hall.’ Andrew accused.
‘I do. I have to be seen to enable me to find another husband preferably one with money and more knowledge of how to look after it. I loved my husband but he left me almost penniless.’
Andrew smiled but it was a pleasant smile.
‘Maybe we can help each other.’ He suggested.
‘We can?’ Lady Lamerton asked looking at him suspiciously.
‘You own the strip of land which borders this orphanage.’ Andrew answered pointing behind him to where the strip of land was, even though they could not see it.
‘I do?’ She asked.
‘Oh yes you do.’ Andrew answered. ‘And I would like the orphanage to own it so that we can grow produce for market on it.’
‘What cabbages and the like?’
‘Yes. Up to the time I arrived the children had survived on one meal of gruel a day and the survival rate was low. Now they get proper meals of some description twice a day. I have improved the washing facilities and installed a teacher and a nurse.’
‘I had noticed a difference in the washing, it is certainly cleaner but my account is not as high as to entice me to sign over this piece of land.’
‘That is true but I can pay you the rest in cash, bank notes or keep it to cover future washing costs for the following year.’
‘I can see the orphanage has a new beadle that I will have to keep an eye on, or the children will end up living with me.’
‘I have two girls who would like to go into service but have no training I am willing to indenture them to you for formal training, as a reference from you will mean a great deal.’
‘Let me get this straight, you want this piece of land but you are then willing to pay me to indenture two girls who you should eject through the door the day they are sixteen?’
Andrew nodded.
‘Why?’
‘I consider it my task to get them fit for work in the world outside the orphanage but I also have to earn mone
y to keep us going, as I do it.’
Lady Lamerton sat back in the chair. ‘I think we will get on Andrew McDay; you will have your piece of land and I will accept fifty pounds as well to pay my staff over the festive season. I know fifty pound is a little high but the land is obviously more valuable to you than it is to me. Send the girls up in the New Year and we will see what they are made of, before I ask for money to train them.’
Andrew opened his draw and took out fifty pounds. ‘Do you want it wrapped so that it cannot be seen?’ At the same time he brought out a sheet of paper which he wanted to be signed.
Lady Lamerton read through the paper and signed it.
‘As for the money I will put it into my purse as it is, at least my servants will be happy in the New Year.’ She took the money and squashed it into her purse.
‘I hope you find a man worthy of you at this New Year’s ball.’
‘So do I Mr McDay, it is very demeaning to not be able to pay your bills. So far I have drawn four men out of the woodwork but none had any money; they were hoping for an easy life as the lord of the manor but it was not to be.’
Andrew stood and escorted her out to her carriage where her two carts full of washing stood.
‘You can start unloading six.’ Andrew announced, as he helped her into her carriage.
‘Good day Mr McDay.’
‘Good day Lady Lamerton.’
He watched her carriage drive away and helped with the unloading. It was soon being washed.
A soon as it was all washed the washing stopped and the children congregated up stairs while Ruth prepared the meal with number seven looking after the babies. Andrew sat in while Beth explained what Christmas was about and what the new year signified. As they had never had lessons before, the exceptions being Ruth’s children who were also there, they listened intently. Questions followed from the younger children then some from the older children. Beth listened to the questions carefully and answered them as well as she could. The question ‘why did they kill Jesus’ came up several times in several different ways and Beth answered it with honesty. The children were becoming more interested in life and asking more questions but Andrew did not mind as long as the work was done. He had said that on several occasions. Beth even took on the question ‘Are you really a highwayman?’
