by Val Wood
He shook his head as if waking from a sleep. ‘Erm. It’s nothing to do with me. I’ve been paid already. It was Toby’s.’
‘Toby said – he said, if anything should happen to him, then I had to take what I needed and use it to start a new life.’
‘Then take it,’ he said coldly. ‘If that’s what you want. But it won’t last you long. What will you do when the money you get from it is spent?’
‘No, you don’t understand. I meant for Robin and me to take it up into the Wolds, like we did before, only we’ll sell it for you instead of Toby.’
‘I don’t need to be in this kind of business. I’m a seaman. Not a draper.’
She started to get angry. ‘But I need to earn money in the summer, when your ship isn’t coming in with goods.’ Toby had told her that there were very few runs during the summer months when the evenings were light and the possibility of being seen and caught by the customs men was inevitable. ‘Where did Toby buy this stuff?’
‘I’ve no idea. Absolutely none. Some merchant from Leeds or such place I imagine.’ His tone was sharp and abrupt. ‘You’ll have to find out for yourself, I can’t help you.’
‘I’m not asking thee to help me,’ she snapped. ‘I asked a simple question.’
‘And I’m asking you one,’ he retorted. ‘I haven’t got all day to stand around arguing, I’ve a ship waiting for me. Do you want to run this operation or not? Or are you going to play at shopkeepers?’
She got to her feet and faced him. His eyes were flashing angrily and his mouth was tense.
‘Then if you’re in such a hurry what’s keeping you?’ Her own blue eyes locked antagonistically into his, her voice low and scathing. ‘Yes. I’ll do the running and I’ll do the selling up on ’Wolds, one way or another I’ll find out where Toby bought this stuff – without thy help, Captain Linton.’
He nodded abruptly and turned to go. ‘I’ll see you in about ten days then. Post a lookout as usual. You’ll find that Toby keeps a book somewhere, it has numbers in it, but no names. Josh knows which man has which number.’
She put her hand to her head. ‘Wait. Wait.’
He looked up, his expression was glacial, though his mouth turned down petulantly.
‘We have to do this properly,’ she pleaded. ‘If we’re to be partners we have to be organized. We have to talk to each other, or else it won’t work and somebody will get caught. I’m sorry I haven’t thought it all through yet, but I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.’
He sat down as if weary. ‘I’m back earlier than I thought. I – I wanted to get back to the Breeze. I’m listening,’ he gazed into her face. ‘Please, continue.’
It was harder than she expected it to be, explaining what she had in mind and how she would organize the men, harder because he kept his eyes on her the whole time. He didn’t look away, not into the fire or up at the ceiling and even when she got up to cut them some bread and cheese and pour a cup of milk, she felt his eyes following her.
He’s going to say summat scornful when I’ve finished, she thought. He’s going to tell me that none of it will work, that I’m just a stupid woman who’s getting above herself. Well, I’ll show him, just give me ’chance.
The only shadow of a smile which came to his face was when she told him that she was going to dress in Toby’s breeches and boots because Josh had said the team wouldn’t accept the leadership of a woman.
When finally she finished talking he got up to go. ‘That’s fine,’ he said briskly. ‘I’m sure you’ve covered everything. And that’s a clever touch to dress like a man. Or, a youth at least,’ he added whimsically. ‘You haven’t the shape for a man.’
He immediately realized his error. ‘I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to be impertinent.’
She smiled icily. ‘Nor to flatter, if I remember correctly. Don’t be embarrassed Captain, I’ve been insulted many times and a slip of the tongue doesn’t bother me one bit.’
‘I didn’t mean to insult you.’ He walked across to the door and paused. ‘It seems we’re doomed to misunderstand each other. It’s just as well we shan’t meet too often.’ He gave her a civil curt bow and was gone.
* * *
It was barely a week later that she had the opportunity to try out part of her plan. She had the door open catching the last of the daylight when she heard a man’s cough.
‘It’s onny me, Mrs Hope.’ Josh called to her. ‘I hope tha doesn’t mind me coming up uninvited, but I wasn’t sure what to do.’
She stood in the doorway and greeted him warmly. She hadn’t seen a soul since Matt had left and had spent her time morosely sorting out the linens and cottons which she hoped she and Robin would be able to sell. The silks she had repacked, knowing full well that they wouldn’t be wanted by the wives of the Wolds. Now she had just one more box to empty.
‘It’s just that there’s a fellow, name of Moses, asking for Master Toby over at ’Admiral Hawke. Landlord forestalled him and sent for me. What shall we tell him?’
‘What does he want?’
‘I don’t rightly know. But landlord says he’s got a couple of boxes with him and Robin seems to think that Master Toby dealt with somebody called Moses. He says he once heard him mention his name.’
‘Oh.’ She clapped her hands to her mouth. ‘Maybe he’s the one who sells the cloth. Wait for me. I’ll get ready now and go and meet him.’
She dashed indoors to brush her hair and get her cloak, then slowly turned back to the door. Josh must have had the same thought for he stood in the doorway staring at her.
‘He won’t talk to me, will he Josh? He won’t deal with a woman?’
Josh shook his head. ‘And it’s no use asking Robin. He’s a great talker, but he’s nobbut a bairn when it comes to business.’
‘So am I, Josh, but we both have to start sometime, so we’ll collect him on the way. How have you come? Have you walked?’
He looked abashed. ‘I came on Sorrel. I was going to ask thee what we should do with him? Maybe Captain Linton would like him for when he’s here.’
‘Never mind that now.’ She spoke quickly. ‘Wait here for me. I’ll be as quick as I can.’
She pulled on the breeches and tucked her shirt inside, then on second thoughts pulled it out and left it loose. Though her breasts were not large they were firm and rounded and any man would be sure to notice. Toby’s grey coat was still hanging over a chair, he’d worn his black one the last time, she thought sadly, so that he wouldn’t be seen. She slipped it on and fastened it and searched for a piece of black ribbon for her hair which she tied back and tucked inside the coat collar. Then she padded the toes of his boots and pulled them on.
‘Sorry to keep you, Josh.’ She tried to keep her voice low and to stop the laughter from bubbling out as she watched his awestruck expression.
‘By! Well I never! I’d never have thought! Tha looks grand, Mrs Hope. I mean – what am I to call thee?’
‘I’ll have to keep to Hope. It’ll get confusing otherwise. But I’ll introduce myself as Toby’s partner and try not to mention a name.’ She giggled and her laughter started to flow so fast that her nose wrinkled and she opened her mouth wide and hooted. ‘You can call me sir, if you like!’
Josh bent double as he laughed and laughed. ‘Very good, sir. If that’s what tha wants, sir.’ He wiped his eyes. ‘We’d better get going or we’ll find yon chap’s got tired of waiting and has cleared off.’
They ran down the meadow and collected Sorrel, then Josh put out his hands for her to step into and mount. Then he took a step back and with an agile spring launched himself behind her.
‘I’ll drop you to collect Robin and then come as fast as you can, won’t you?’ she said as they cantered towards Hessle. She was beginning to enjoy herself, tasting a freedom that came with the clothes she was wearing. I don’t feel like a pitiful weak-minded woman. Nor yet do I feel like a man. I just feel like – like me!
‘Take ’horse into ’yard at ’
back of ’Admiral’ Josh said as he slipped down from Sorrel’s back. ‘Groom there knows him, he’ll see to him.’
Her heart pounded as she trotted into the yard and dismounted. Remember you’re a man, she kept reminding herself. Keep your voice low.
The groom took the reins from her and gave her no more than a cursory glance as he touched his forehead and led Sorrel away. Then she stopped in her tracks as she heard him call.
‘Other door, sir. That one leads to ’kitchen.’
She heaved a sigh of relief and nodded her thanks and went in search of Mr Moses.
‘Sorry to keep you, Moses.’ The landlord had pointed him out and she strode to where he was seated alone at a table. The room was dim, not all the lamps yet lit. She extended her hand and shook his firmly. Her hands were small and she kept her grip as tight as she could. But Mr Moses was a small man too with a flaccid handshake and as she released his hand he rubbed his together. ‘My man had difficulty finding me,’ she continued. ‘I’m pretty busy just now as I’m dealing with Mr Linton’s business.’
‘But where is Mr Linton? Nobody seems to know, or if they do, they’re not telling.’ He leaned towards her, his dark eyes gleaming. ‘He’s not in trouble with the law is he? For if he is, then I can’t deal with him. My company has to be very careful.’
‘Good heavens! Mr Linton? You obviously don’t know him well or you wouldn’t ask.’ She bristled indignantly.
‘Oh, but I do sir,’ he spluttered. ‘We’ve been dealing amicably for nearly two years now, and he’s always a gentleman I must say.’ He leant forward confidentially. ‘Not the sort that I usually deal with, I can tell you. But you can tell quality, I always say.’
She backed away. She didn’t really want him staring too closely into her face. The landlord brought her ale as she’d requested, she lifted the large pewter tankard with two hands and took a long draught. Things were going quite well so far but she wished that Josh and Robin would hurry up, she could do with some support.
Other men came into the room and sat at the table next to them and lit their pipes but did no more than glance in their direction. They were probably used to salesmen and travellers coming in to the inn, she thought. Hessle was on a direct route to and from Lincoln via the ferry and travellers from York and London would be regular visitors.
She called the landlord over. ‘Do you have a room we can use, just for a half hour or so? Mr Moses here has some cloth for me to look at and we need some space.’
Moses looked startled for a moment but then followed her as she marched after the landlord.
‘But – erm, I never said that I’d—,’ he began as he sat down in the small dark room where they had been ushered. ‘Do I understand that you’re acting for Mr Linton, Mr er—?’
‘Hope,’ she said briskly. ‘I’m Linton’s cousin. I’ve recently joined him. He’s told me all about you. From Leeds aren’t you?’
She held her breath for a moment, then exhaled softly as he nodded. ‘Aye, Cartwright of Leeds. Foremost cloth merchants in the West Riding. We can get you the best deal you want.’
The landlord brought in another lamp and placed it on the table. ‘Well, Moses, it’s like this,’ she said, moving it nearer to him so that her own face was in shadow. ‘Mr Linton isn’t available at the moment and I don’t have the authority to spend as much as I would want, but I do want cloth. I have several customers up on the Wolds who are crying out for good hard-wearing stuff at a reasonable price, as well as some of your better cloth. So let’s see what you’ve got.’
Moses hesitated for a moment only, then excusing himself went up to his room to bring down his samples.
She leaned back in her chair and gasped. He hadn’t noticed a thing, no doubt at all, he had just accepted that she was who she appeared to be.
The door opened and Robin put his head round. ‘Oh. Beg tha pardon, sir,’ he muttered. ‘I was looking for somebody.’ He touched his forehead and backed away.
‘Robin!’ she hissed. ‘It’s me!’
He looked round the door again, his eyebrows drawn together, a frown puckering his forehead. ‘Beg pardon. Did tha speak, sir.’
‘It’s me, you idiot,’ she whispered hoarsely. ‘Come in quick and shut the door.’
Robin stood open-mouthed staring at her, then he gasped. ‘Josh said as how I might not know thee, Annie. But I never thought—!’
‘Ssh. Moses will be back in a minute. Say as little as possible and call me sir. Whatever you do don’t call me Annie!’
He grinned. ‘No, sir. I’ll try not to. What a lark, eh, sir? What a lark.’
She introduced Robin as a junior partner, and explained that they were trying to build up a separate business from Mr Linton’s. With his approval, she added. They could only buy a small quantity of goods, she said, and that Mr Moses would have to let them have it on trust.
‘But I don’t do business that way,’ he objected. ‘It’s got to be cash until we know you, then we can negotiate credit.’
She shook her head. ‘But you know Mr Linton, he won’t let you down. A gentleman, I believe you said. Let me have what you’ve shown me tonight. I’ll take it off your hands and have the money for you by the time you come again. Then,’ she said persuasively. ‘I’ll order some of your better cloth – only with this year’s designs.’
She saw him hesitate. She was fairly sure that he was showing her last year’s patterns and samples, some of it she recognized as being similar to that she had sold to Mrs Corner and the other wives on her last visit to the Wolds.
‘You drive a hard bargain, sir,’ he said sitting back and folding his arms. ‘Harder than Mr Linton did. He always paid for his goods before he got them. But I’m prepared to take a chance, you’re young but enthusiastic and I approve of that, so if you’ll take all the samples I’ve got here,’ he pointed to the box on the floor. ‘I’ll give you a good deal.’
‘Done.’ Annie stood up and put out her hand. ‘Let’s shake on it as gentlemen.’
22
She insisted that Robin went straight away to the Wolds. ‘Sell what you can,’ she told him. ‘Stay until everything’s gone. Visit Mrs Corner and find out the name of her relatives and where they live and visit them. And go to the Sutcliff’s, she’d added with a smile. They’ll be glad to see you, and tell them I’ll be along when I can.’
The Breeze was due at any time, so she couldn’t go herself. But there would be plenty of opportunities soon for spring was well under way and summer only just around the corner, and then the Breeze wouldn’t be coming with any goods for them. Captain Linton will be busy with his coastal trade, she mused. I won’t have to put up with his surly, argumentative manner. But although she told herself that she would be glad to see the back of him, she knew that their quarrelsome banter exhilarated and excited her, making her feel mettlesome and full of vigour.
Josh came to tell her that the ship had been sighted on the river and would be at the designated place by midnight. She changed into Toby’s breeches and boots and rolled her cloak into a bundle and tied it to Sorrel’s saddle. She’d decided to keep the horse in the meadow during the summer and would use him for her journeys into Hessle to meet Moses, and also to reconnoitre the dropping places on the river bank.
‘Just you and me in this boat, Josh. I can row almost as well as any man, and I’d rather the men didn’t see me too closely.’
They saw the signal from the Breeze and set off and Annie climbed the ladder, musing that it was easier in breeches than in a skirt, though she preferred her bare feet to boots.
Matt stiffened and moved forward as if to help as she climbed over the bulwark, but he stepped back again and none of the crew moved to help her as they’d done previously, when their hands had been eager to assist her.
She followed him below decks to his cabin where they would discuss the cargo and the dates for the next run. She handed him a wad of money in payment of the last ill-fated consignment. ‘Well, Captain. You recognized me. Y
ou weren’t fooled, I could tell. Why was that? Your men didn’t know me.’
He stared at her and she felt herself grow hot under his scrutiny. She took off her jacket and hung it over a chair. The sooner they got the discussion of the run over with, the better, then she could go back to shore.
‘You warned me, if you remember,’ he said stiffly. ‘You said that you were going to dress in Toby’s clothes.’
There was an agitation about him that she couldn’t quite fathom, a look of intensity in his eyes as if he was trying to hide something, some passion. She gave an exclamation. ‘Oh. I’m sorry.’ Impulsively she reached out and touched his arm and he started and drew back. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t think. It was cruel of me.’
‘What are you talking about.’ His voice was a hoarse whisper. ‘What game are you playing now?’
Sudden tears came to her eyes. His words were like a slap in the face. How insulting he was, when she was trying to make amends. She blinked. ‘No game. I thought you were upset because I was wearing Toby’s clothes. I thought I reminded you of him.’
He gave a sudden laugh. ‘How just like a woman. Just the sort of thing a woman would think of. No, Mrs Hope, you don’t remind me of Toby one bit. Nothing like him. As if dressing in a few old clothes could make you look like him.’ He laughed again, amusement lighting up his face and she longed to hit him, to wipe the smile off his face.
‘Never,’ he crowed. ‘Never, never, never!’
* * *
Three more runs and they decided to finish for the summer. It was now too risky on the river-bank and though the soldiers were not seen, Roxton was: he and two other men were constantly in Hessle, asking questions but not getting answers. One night Annie had had a fright when he stepped in front of Sorrel as she was cantering home, the horse had reared, almost unseating her and she was relieved that she wasn’t carrying any goods, that Josh had taken a donkey-and-cart and loaded it and gone along another road. She had gathered her long cloak about her for she was wearing breeches, and on impulse had loosened her hair and removed her boots and strapped them to the saddle in a bundle in front of her, her feet were bare in the stirrups.
