The Lamerton Workhouse Orphanage

by S G Read

  ‘Can I tell him that?’

  ‘You can tell him I will ask but I can make no promises, he is not charging for Mrs Webber’s operation but he will charge for the operation on Tom, he has to earn money to live.’

  ‘I will wait until you have asked then, in case I give him hope where there is none.’

  ‘That is very adult of you sister Alice.’

  ‘I am seventeen you know, a lot of girls are married before now!’

  ‘Some never marry at all.’ Andrew answered.

  ‘Somehow I do not see myself as an old spinster like Edith Benoy!’ Alice replied haughtily and sat down.

  That evening Clarence stood on the porch at the rear of the cottage smoking a cigar and wondered if Peterkin would arrive to report on what was going on. They had seen the thief taker’s cart go by with Jenkins chained in it and Lady Dymonds coach following, that meant they knew who had been arrested.

  ‘It seems the dog’s body known as Jenkins shot her and robbed her but she is too mean to die. His boat was delayed so they caught him red handed although he denies everything but then he would; being caught and all that.’ Peterkin said quietly.

  ‘Send for Titmus Peterkin, this letter on the coach should do.’

  ‘Are you going to defend him Sir?’ Peterkin asked in horror.

  ‘I fear I am Peterkin, a man has to do what a man has to do.’ Clarence answered with a sigh.

  ‘Why sir, if I am not to forward for asking?’

  ‘I am just dotting the eyes and crossing the tees. If he did and is proved to have done it I will be satisfied. If he did not, I do not want it being laid at anyone in my family’s particular door: Juries are fickle things.’

  ‘But Mrs McDay junior was at her dress fitting.’

  ‘And Andrew was with me but I will not settle until I know what went on and can prove it, after all anyone can send an assassin, or be accused of such.’

  ‘The letter will be on tonight’s coach.’

  ‘Thank you Peterkin.’

  ‘Do I mention this to anyone else?’

  ‘Best not, I will keep it to myself unless I have to divulge what I am doing.’

  Andrew and Beth spent a second night full of passion and fell asleep in each others arms, they were making up for lost time, or so it seemed.

  The following day the children were up early and the washing started again but with the new equipment in took less effort from fewer people to wash the clothes although it needed more to lift the heavier wet things from the tubs even using the lifting equipment.

  Beth appeared at ten in the morning, a lot later than she wanted but Eliza and Ruth were doing their best to help the children. She took over gratefully and lessons began.

  Andrew appeared at eleven, feeling very guilty about getting up so late but they were all working well, including Alice.

  ‘Good morning sister Alice.’

  ‘Good morning brother Andrew.’

  ‘I thought you would be preparing for your return to London?’

  ‘Father says there is a delay, we had the choice of going without him but mother wanted us all to go together, to be honest I think she likes it here.’

  ‘What is not to like?’ Andrew replied. ‘I wonder what he is up to.’

  ‘He chose not to tell me and if he told mother, she is not telling. I think you will have to ask him.’

  ‘He will tell me if I am to know.’ Andrew replied knowing full well that she wanted him to ask his father so that he could tell her what he was up to.

  ‘I will find out! Peterkin will tell me.’

  ‘I find that hard to believe sister Alice.’ Andrew answered and walked into the parlour.

  Peterkin rode like the wind and cut across country to intercept the mail coach after it had left Exeter. He flagged it down and gave them the letter with payment and a little extra for their trouble before riding back with less haste.

  Clarence dressed for business and asked Tom to take him into Exeter; Tom sought out Andrew to ask him and was soon on his way with Clarence and Peterkin aboard. Peterkin had two pistols at the ready in case they should be stopped by a highwayman.

  Andrew watched them go and still wondered what Clarence was up to. It did not occur to him that he would offer to represent the down trodden Jenkins in his trial.

  Now when the washing was finished and there was still daylight the children worked outside in the cold air to get the garden ready for the spring. They also had the next field to do but Andrew had houses in mind at one end of it, the other would have fruit. There was a dry stone wall between the two fields and Andrew had spent time repairing in before he owned the field the other side. Now they took away part of the wall to give them a way into the field. Slowly they removed all shrubs and young trees, then all the hard to kill weeds before John Potter’s son arrived to plough it. Andrew had the entire field ploughed, as he did not know how long it would be before they would start building there.

  As they worked both inside and out news filtered through from Exeter. Lady Dymonds was indeed still alive despite having a ball lodged in her brain. It drew a few comments from those who heard about it. Beth on the other hand merely thought that either her or one of her children shot in the head would survive, as there was nothing much in there to damage but then she did not like the family.

  Clarence arrived in Exeter with Tom and walked straight into the gaol where Pip was sitting writing at his desk.

  ‘Can I see Mr Jenkins please thief taker?’ He asked.

  ‘You can indeed Mr McDay. Are you going to defend him?’

  ‘If he wants me to but I need to find out a few things first.’

  Clarence followed the thief taker into the rear of the gaol to where Jenkins sat in the cell, he was not chained they did not see any point he never showed any aggression at all.

  Tom sat on the cart not wanting to get too near to a gaol cell whereas Peterkin dropped off the cart on the outskirts of town and had not been seen since.

  ‘A visitor for you Simon.’ The thief taker said as he let Clarence into the room where the cell was situated.

  ‘I know you, you defended Beth Conibear.’ Jenkins said warily. ‘What do you want with me?’

  ‘Tell me what happened and I will answer that.’ Clarence answered.

  ‘I already told him and I am still in here.’

  ‘Tell me and I might get you out.’

  ‘I’ll leave you to it, I have heard the story.’ The thief taker said indifferently and closed the door as he went out.

  Clarence sat on the chair next to the cell door and listened.

  ‘I woke up and was given a note from her ladyship, it said to go to the docks at Plymouth and take the boat to France as there was a large diamond for sale and she wanted it. I was to take the money I had with me and leave the carriage in the stables when I boarded the boat.’ Jenkins said quietly. ‘I did just that but there was no boat so I had to wait and that is when the thief taker took me for robbing and shooting her ladyship. They say her jewels are gone, as well as her money.’

  Clarence did not say anything for a moment. ‘As you are still in here, I assume the note is no longer about your person.’ He said at length.

  ‘On the note it said I was to destroy it in case someone else went after the diamond, her ladyship is mad about diamonds.’

  ‘Did you so destroy it?’

  ‘I stopped and read it on the outskirts of Tavistock then just screwed it up and dropped it.’

  ‘So it could be found?’

  ‘Pip says he sent men out to look and they never found it.’

  ‘Did you see her ladyship before you left?’

  ‘No sir but no one could have shot her with me sitting outside the door all night, without me hearing.’ Jenkins declared.

  ‘So it must have been after you left. Someone went out of their way to get rid of you so that they could shoot her and then botched the job to the extent that she still lives. We need to find that note if we can.’

&
nbsp; ‘How do we do that when the thief takers men have looked?’ Jenkins asked.

  ‘We will look harder Mr Jenkins.’ Clarence stood to leave. ‘I will take your case and find out the truth; if you were telling the truth then I should be able to free you.’

  He walked out, nodded to the thief taker who was sitting at his desk again and walked outside. Tom watched him into the cart and drove away; glad to be away from the place.

  They met Peterkin on the outskirts and he climbed aboard without saying anything and Clarence did not ask him anything.

  Lady Lamerton arrived during the afternoon, with an invite for the two girls who wanted to be maids to come back with her to Lamerton Hall, for training. Andrew met her in the parlour.

  ‘Any news on your latest suitor Lady Lamerton?’

  ‘He is still interested and what is more he is rich, so new staff who are as willing to work as the children here, will help Andrew.’

  ‘Well they are more than willing to go so I will release them to you for training with the agreed fee.’

  ‘Thank you Andrew. I have seen Mr Doble and he is in need of help now as well, so an approach at this time might be beneficial to both of you.’

  ‘I will send a letter today Lady Lamerton.’

  ‘Odd goings on at the Dymonds manor house;’ She said idly. ‘But if anyone was going to be shot in the head and not die, I would believe it of that woman. I would also believe that if she survived, she might well blame someone she had a grudge at, rather than loose a faithful servant.’

  ‘Beth was here getting fitted for a dress when she was shot.’ Andrew answered without distress.

  ‘A fast horse to Dymonds manor and back would take only an hour, so be careful who she points the finger at should she recover. She is a spiteful person and some jurors would take her word over obvious facts if the prosecutor put in even the smallest doubt.’

  ‘Almost dead and she is still causing trouble; do you think she shot herself just to be in this position?’

  Lady Lamerton laughed. ‘I would not put it past her but I think there is something else going on and I certainly do not think Jenkins had anything to do with it; a more obsequious man I have not found. Should he be released from his fetters I will certainly invite him to work for me.’

  ‘Even with Lady Dymonds still alive?’

  ‘I suppose that makes me someone with a reason for wishing her demise.’ Lady Lamerton said lightly. ‘Just be careful Andrew McDay.’

  They walked out to where the older girls were working.

  ‘Ann and Margaret, Lady Lamerton will take you to start to learn how to be parlour maids. Ezekiel call down two more from upstairs if you need them.’

  ‘Yes Mr McDay.’

  Andrew saw Lady Lamerton into her carriage and helped the two girls in as well. As she rode away Clarence arrived home in the cart. He was alone in the cart with Tom as Peterkin had already left it before they were in sight of the orphanage.

  ‘Have you had a good morning father?’ Andrew asked, as he held the horse stationary to enable him to disembark

  ‘An interesting one Andrew, I will see you later; now I feel I should make sure your mother is well.’

  ‘I will look forward to it father.’

  He watched Clarence walk across the road as he helped Tom unhitch the horse from the cart. Tom did not say anything at all.

  ‘A good journey?’ Andrew asked, fishing for information.

  ‘Yes Mr McDay.’

  ‘How was Exeter?’

  ‘Fine Mr McDay but I did not get out of the cart.’

  Andrew knew Tom’s thoughts on Pip the thief taker and put two and two together.

  ‘Then you did not get to see the thief taker?’

  ‘No way Mr McDay, I stayed put in the cart.’

  Andrew walked the horse inside for Tom to rub down and feed, as he did, he reflected on the information he had gleaned. As far as he knew the only prisoner of importance was Jenkins and if his father was talking to him, he thought the same as Lady Lamerton; there could be trouble forthcoming again from the harridan. He took the livery off the horse and let Tom start grooming him. Still deep in thought he walked back inside and found Beth looking for him.

  ‘Is it true?’ She asked.

  ‘Is what true my darling?’

  ‘That Lady Dymonds may still implicate one of us in her shooting?’

  ‘I think my father thinks so and Lady Lamerton does as well.’

  ‘I will go in and put another ball in her but this time in her black heart.’ Beth declared unhappily.

  ‘Rest easy Beth, I think my father is looking into it and you know, first hand, that he is quite good at what he does.’

  ‘That I do but I was with people all that morning with no time to spare to go and shoot her, whereas you had the time and probably the inclination. Not that I think for one moment that you rode in there and shot her.’

  ‘I had both but I did not make proper use of it or she would not have survived. That is also how I know you had no hand in it; I have seen your handiwork close up.’

  ‘Come husband let us forget all this and you see just how the children are improving. Sarah is getting on really well and I would see her go further.’

  Andrew stopped and looked at her. ‘Do you mean to a finishing school?’

  ‘Yes.’ Beth answered unequivocally.

  ‘Then I must arrange for more washing to come in. Two girls have gone with Lady Lamerton to become parlour maids.

  ‘I know Ezekiel took two from school, to help out.’

  Clarence strode into the cottage to find Rosemary waiting for him.

  ‘Well husband is it a problem?’ She asked well aware of what he was up to.

  ‘It could be wife and that is why I am looking into it.’

  ‘You have never let the family down in anything you have done so far my husband, so I feel comforted already but we will not be returning to London until it is resolved, regardless of what you say.’

  ‘If that is what you want my dearest, I will send a letter to London to make sure all is kept in readiness for our return.’

  ‘Did he do it?’

  ‘Who Jenkins? No I think not. I think he was a pawn in a bigger game but I have yet to find out who is moving the pieces but I will.’

  ‘Yes Husband you usually do.’

  ‘A fine night.’ Peterkin said from the shadows as Andrew was looking up the garden.

  The land had been dug by hand this time to give the children a taste of gardening. Andrew did his share but was glad when orphanage business made him stop.

  ‘It is but still cold.’ Andrew answered without looking into the shadows.

  ‘Your father has decided to defend Jenkins.’

  ‘With good reason I’ll be bound. If that witch does wake and refuses to name her attacker but instead names another there could be problems.’

  ‘Would she do that- I suppose she would, she does like her own way. Now I get it. I thought he was losing his marbles. Couldn’t I just slip in there and cut her throat?’

  Andrew stifled a laugh. ‘She would probably still live I think there is ice in her veins.’

  ‘Pip says there is an old man who lives near where Jenkins threw away a letter which would clear him, might be worth a chat.’

  Andrew said nothing as he took it to be rhetorical question but after a few seconds he realised that he was alone again. He continued his look at the garden in the gloom, making plans and deciding what would go where. The more they grew, the more money he could keep from the washing income.

  Chapter 9

  When old Rowan walked out in the morning Peterkin was leaning against his wall.

  ‘Who are you?’ He asked.

  ‘The man who might just kill you, if you are not honest with me.’

  ‘What have I done to you?’

  ‘Nothing yet that is why you still live. Did you see Lady Dymonds coach go be two days ago?’

  ‘It were three days ago and I suppose
you have been talking to that thief taker. I didn’t find any jewels if that is what you want to know.’

  Peterkin smiled, it seemed the old man did find something though! ‘Did you see it stop and remember my knife is itching to do some work!’

  ‘It stopped and the driver read something then drove on.’

  ‘Did you see him throw anything off the carriage?’

  ‘Nary a thing.’

  ‘Thank you old Rowan here is a shilling for your trouble.’ He flicked a shilling through the air and the man scrabbled on the floor to pick it up. By the time he looked up Peterkin was long gone. The old man kissed the coin and smiled.

  Clarence relaxed with his cigar on the porch to wait for Peterkin to report on his findings, it was a nice night even though it was cold. Andrew saw the light of his cigar and walked across the road.

  ‘Good evening father.’

  ‘Past evening son, I think you can definitely call this night time, sit and smoke a cigar.’

  ‘I will sit but I will refrain from smoking, as it bothers Beth when there is smoke on my clothes.’

  ‘As you wish; I take it you have heard that I am defending Jenkins?’

  ‘I have and I understand your reasoning and I too think that Jenkins is innocent.’ Andrew answered as he tweaked his coat tails and sat. ‘I do not know why but he was true to that woman and never a bad word.’

  ‘It amazes me that there are such people left in the world and still woman like that to make use of them!’ Clarence declared.

  ‘What will happen now father?’

  ‘I have some research to do before we go to trial and then I will do my best to get him acquitted.’

  ‘So they are sure they have their man?’

  ‘As sure as they ever are and often as not they are wrong but they do not care, as long as they are seen to hang someone for the crime.’

  Peterkin was gone when old Rowan had picked up the coin but he did not go far. He settled down to wait, for it would tell him if it was worth searching the old man’s hovel. He took him to be a careful man and he supposed that anything special would be stored where old Rowan thought in would be safe from robbers. Something like a shiny new shilling. He rolled up his coat to sit on it and waited not far from the house but out of sight, should old Rowan look out. The light slowly faded with no sign of him and Peterkin began to feel the man’s treasures were somewhere inside but still he did not move. He would wait until dawn if need be.