The Royal Lacemaker

by Linda Finlay

  ‘Yeah, well, water down the brook, as they say. Happen I’m off to Coombe myself, so what say we walk there together and have that chat?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, let’s,’ she answered, smiling up at him. It would give them the time they needed to clear the air between them once and for all, she thought.

  ‘Happen, I might have something to show you,’ he said, giving her his saucy wink and holding out his arm to her.

  ‘Oh, and what might that be?’ she asked, linking her arm through his. But, before he could answer, Mrs Bodney’s strident voice sounded behind her from the doorway of Picky Pike’s.

  ‘Lily Rose, what are you doing outside at this time of the day?’ Then, without waiting for her reply, she added, ‘I’ll see you in the parlour, directly. There’s something you need to do whilst it’s still light.’

  Lily’s heart plummeted. She wanted to go with Tom but did she dare defy her employer?

  ‘Good afternoon, Tom. I didn’t notice you there,’ Mrs Bodney said, peering out of the door. Then with a brisk nod, she disappeared back inside.

  ‘Will you wait for me?’ Lily asked, looking hopefully at Tom.

  ‘Sorry, Lily. I’ve arranged to meet someone before dusk and daren’t keep him waiting. Give me the lamp and I’ll see that Beth gets it.’

  Lily’s heart sank to the cobbles and she could have screamed in frustration.

  ‘Oh, well, thanks, Tom. Tell her I’ll visit her as soon as I can,’ she said, reluctantly passing it over. ‘Will I see you again soon?’ she couldn’t help asking.

  ‘Lily, just how much longer do you propose keeping me waiting?’ Mrs Bodney called impatiently.

  ‘Go on, you’d best go in before she lays an egg,’ Tom said, chuckling as he went on his way.

  Cursing under her breath, Lily went inside, threw her shawl over the nail beside the stairs and went through to the parlour.

  ‘And not before time,’ the other woman remarked, frowning as she looked up from her table. ‘Now, we know how good your sewing is, don’t we?’

  ‘My sewing?’ Lily asked, looking puzzled.

  ‘I’ve not got time to listen to you parroting, Lily. I need you to sew these together,’ she instructed, handing Lily six of the sprigs they’d made. ‘I have things to attend to, but when I return, I’ll inspect your work to see how you’ve got on.’ With that, she swept regally out of the room, reminding Lily of the time she’d sat her ability test. The woman was still just as intimidating, she thought, threading the needle and setting about her task.

  How she wished she was walking over the cliffs with Tom instead of sitting here doing this wretched sewing. He’d seemed really pleased to see her, and she hoped the bad feeling between them was completely gone. How frustrating to have had the opportunity of spending time with him snatched away from her. Perhaps she should have ignored Mrs Bodney’s order and gone with him.

  Luckily her mother, an accomplished seamstress, had taught her well, for whilst her thoughts were in turmoil, she stitched automatically. It was only when Mrs Bodney reappeared carrying a lighted candle that she noticed dusk had fallen and the room was in shadow.

  ‘Right, let’s see how you’ve fared,’ the woman said brusquely, reaching out for the completed work. ‘Just as I thought,’ she said, a few moments later. ‘Right, Lily, go and pack your bag.’

  ‘What?’ she exclaimed. ‘Oh, Mrs Bodney, I know I should have gone back—’

  ‘What are you wittering about? I said go and get your things packed. We leave at first light,’ her employer said, impatiently waving her hand around.

  So she’d been right: she was to leave. Then she realized what the other woman had actually said.

  ‘You said “we”? Where are we going?’ she asked, looking at Mrs Bodney suspiciously.

  ‘I’ll give you the details on the morrow. If it was up to me, we’d leave straight away. However, I’ve been advised that travelling overnight in these parts with … well, let’s just say it would be foolhardy.’

  Completely bemused now, Lily stared at her employer. ‘I don’t—’ she began, but Mrs Bodney cut her short.

  ‘Lily, if you want to continue working for me please take yourself upstairs and pack your things. Then I suggest you get a good night’s sleep. Travelling can be tiring, not to say tiresome, and as our mission is confidential you are to tell nobody. Promise me?’

  Knowing she was in no position to argue, Lily nodded and took herself up to her room to pack. Going over to the tin chest, she saw the pen and ink lying on top and wondered if she could take them with her so that she could practise her letters. Deciding she’d better not as they weren’t hers to take, she placed them on the chair. Then, opening the lid, she set her few possessions on the bed, tears welling as she saw her mother’s Bible and the bobbin Tom had fashioned to commemorate her pitifully short life. The letter from Aunt Elizabeth crackled under her fingers as she stroked it. Remembering the astonishing news it contained, she had a sudden desire to go to see her. Of course she’d loved the people she’d always thought were her parents, but now she yearned to find out where she’d come from.

  Blinking back the tears, she noticed the rays of the moon casting a silver pathway across her floor. Crossing to the skylight, she stood looking up at the luminous sphere shining out of the inky darkness. Why, she wondered, did everyone who mattered leave her?

  But we are with you still, Lily. You carry us within your heart wherever you go.

  ‘You’re back, Father,’ she whispered, a sense of peace washing over her. He’d come when she needed him. Then she remembered she was leaving here. ‘I’ve to go away tomorrow, Father, but I don’t know where. How will you know where to find me for Samhain?’

  Like I said, Lily, I’m with you always, watching over you, willing you to choose the right path in life.

  ‘Oh, it’s all so complicated,’ she whispered.

  Be true to yourself, Lily. Remember, peasants never compromise their principles.

  His voice faded, and she knew he’d gone. But he’d left her with a warm feeling of optimism and she was pleased she hadn’t compromised her principles. Wiping away the tears that were flowing freely down her cheeks, she finished her packing then, exhausted, collapsed into bed.

  Making her way downstairs at first light, she saw the hallway was busy with activity. Despite the early hour, parcels were already loaded on a carriage that was drawn up outside.

  ‘Ah, Lily, there you are. Hand the driver your bag, then go and sit in the carriage. We will be leaving shortly. Driver, be careful with those packages. The cost of any damage will be docked from your wage,’ Mrs Bodney warned, shaking her finger at him. Seeing his indignant look, Lily hastily stepped up into the carriage. Then, as she settled back against the squabs, she noticed that same peculiar scent in the air as she’d detected in Rupert Mountsford’s carriage.

  ‘We have a long journey ahead, Lily,’ Mrs Bodney said, climbing in beside her. ‘Driver, where are our blankets?’ she called, putting her head out of the window. ‘It’s perishing in here and if we expire, on your conscience be it.’ Poor man, Lily thought, as he dutifully handed blankets in to them, muttering under his breath. Her employer, who could hear a pin dropping in her sleep, glared at him. ‘What are you wittering about, man? Why would you need a short straw?’

  Lily stifled a grin and busied herself with the rough horsehair cover, but Mrs Bodney was still fussing. ‘Do get a move on, driver. I’ve arranged to break our fast at the coaching house on the Sidmouth Road, and at this rate it will be supper time before we get there.’

  The slamming of the door was his only response. There was a thud as he climbed onto his box, then gave a shout to the horses, and the carriage began to move.

  Watching the familiar rolling hills pass by the window as they climbed steadily out of the hamlet of Bransbeer, Lily wondered where they were headed. She was dying to ask Mrs Bodney, but the motion of the carriage seemed to have sent her employer to sleep. Her eyes were tightly shut
and Lily couldn’t help noticing that she was as white as the foam on the waves.

  As she became used to the rocking motion of the carriage, Lily could feel excitement bubbling up inside her. The visit from her father had settled her and she was feeling cheerful again this morning. If Mrs Bodney was taking Lily with her, wherever that might be, it must mean she still had work to do. She couldn’t help wondering about the others, though. Did they still have work? If so, who was going to supervise them? All this thinking was making her weary and before long her eyelids began to droop. She must have slept, for the next thing she knew Mrs Bodney was shaking her arm.

  ‘Come along, Lily. What a time to go to sleep,’ her employer remonstrated. Lily started to protest but Mrs Bodney was already climbing from the carriage, shouting to the driver that he wasn’t to take his eyes off her packages or his life wouldn’t be worth living.

  ‘It ain’t now,’ he grunted, unhitching the horses and leading them towards the stables.

  The coaching house was basic, but clean. Spotting the welcome glow of a fire blazing in the grate, Lily moved towards it, thinking to warm her hands. Mrs Bodney frowned, shook her head and marched over to the woman standing behind the bar.

  ‘Room reserved in the name of Bodney and a hot meal ordered,’ she announced. If the other woman was surprised by her terse address, she was too polite to show it.

  ‘Morning, Mrs Bodney. Yer room’s all ready and waiting, if yer’d like to follow me,’ she said, her respectful tones seeming to mollify Mrs Bodney somewhat. The room they were shown into was smaller but comfortable, with a table set for two in the bay of the window.

  ‘There’s water in the jug for yer to refresh yerselves and I’ll send Annie in with yer food shortly.’

  ‘Thank you. We are travelling a long distance and, as time is of the essence, please be quick in serving our food.’

  The woman nodded and left.

  They’d barely had time to rinse their face and hands and tidy themselves up when there was a timid knock on the door. A young girl, struggling under the weight of a laden tray, appeared in the doorway. Lily got up to help but Mrs Bodney frowned, ordering her to be seated.

  ‘We are paying guests, Lily; please remember that,’ she hissed. Biting down her frustration, Lily did as she was told, watching helplessly as the trembling girl set down plates of ham and eggs in front of them. She looked no more than eight, and seemed so ill at ease that Lily felt she could almost reach out and touch her fear. Tea cups rattled on their saucers as she placed them on the table, and her hands shook as she attempted to set down a jug that was filled to the brim.

  ‘Mind you don’t spill that,’ Mrs Bodney exclaimed, making the poor girl jump so that milk slopped over onto the cloth. As she stood there staring wide-eyed, Lily’s heart went out to her and, ignoring her employer’s order, she jumped up to help.

  ‘You go on now and I’ll pour our tea,’ she said, smiling at her. The girl didn’t need telling twice and scuttled out of the room.

  Mrs Bodney, eyes blazing, turned to Lily. ‘How dare you disobey me? That girl’s nothing but a paid servant.’

  ‘As am I, Mrs Bodney,’ she retorted, unable to contain her fury any longer.

  ‘I hardly think you can compare yourself to a wench who serves at tables,’ the other woman snorted.

  Furious at her high-handed attitude, Lily replied heatedly, ‘I used to serve at the squire’s table and Lady Clinsden never once spoke to me in such a condescending manner. But then I guess she has breeding,’ she added for good measure.

  Mrs Bodney’s cheeks flushed as red as the flames in the grate and the room fell silent as the two women glared at each other across the table.

  CHAPTER 39

  ‘If you’ve quite finished, Lily, I suggest we break our fast,’ Mrs Bodney finally said, picking up her knife and fork. ‘I’ve no intention of wasting good food, or my hard-earned money,’ she added.

  Lily watched as the other woman began tucking into her meal, then shrugged and did likewise. They ate in silence, but the thickly cut ham was so delicious Lily hardly noticed the awkwardness. When they’d finished their meal, Mrs Bodney sat stirring her tea thoughtfully.

  Finally, she looked up, asking, ‘Feeling better now, Lily?’

  ‘I enjoyed my meal, thank you,’ she answered carefully.

  ‘Your diplomacy does you credit, Lily,’ said her employer, smiling briefly. ‘Before we continue our journey, I want you to understand something. When you run a business, it becomes second nature to ensure everyone works efficiently. The old adage of time being money is still true today. When you have your own enterprise you will understand what I mean.’

  ‘That’s hardly likely to happen,’ spluttered Lily, looking incredulously at her employer.

  ‘Well, I understand from Lady Clinsden that you suggested it might be a good idea for her to have some lace collars and cuffs made so that she can attach them to her dresses and change their appearance without upsetting her husband.’

  ‘I offered to make her some, yes.’

  ‘And, she liked your suggestion and is commissioning you to make them when you have completed the lace for the Queen. Lily, you spotted a business opportunity that I did not, and believe you me, it’s rare for me to miss one. With initiative like that, you could become a successful business trader yourself.’

  ‘Well, even if I did, I would never be offensive to people who were trying to do their job,’ Lily retorted.

  ‘If I was a bit abrupt with that young girl it was because she was being sloppy; a trait I cannot abide,’ Mrs Bodney added, as if that explained everything.

  ‘What about the poor coach driver?’ Lily couldn’t help asking. ‘You were rude to him.’

  The other woman sighed. ‘If you realized what a responsibility it is ensuring the Queen’s lace is safely transported, then you might understand my anxiety. Now come along, we’ve still a fair journey ahead of us.’ Rising to her feet, she hurried from the room, leaving Lily no choice but to follow. However, she couldn’t help smiling when, after settling the bill, her employer tossed a coin onto the bar.

  ‘A tip for the young waitress girl; please see that she gets it,’ she ordered, before sweeping outside.

  The sun was peeping above Peak Hill, tinging its slopes with an orange hue. The air felt raw and a strong wind was blowing russet leaves from the trees in swathes. Shivering, Lily pulled her shawl tighter round her as they hastened back to the carriage. The driver was standing joking with the ostlers, but his laughter quickly changed to a grimace when he saw them approaching. Raising his eyebrows at the others, he sauntered over to the carriage and dutifully held the door open for them.

  ‘Thank you, my good man,’ Mrs Bodney said, stepping inside. His jaw dropped in surprise, and Lily had to turn her head to hide another grin. But then her employer, reverting to type, snapped, ‘I trust you’ve looked after my precious parcels, driver?’

  ‘Wouldn’t dare do anything else,’ he muttered before jumping onto his box and snatching up the reins. Lily groaned inwardly then settled back on the squabs, wrinkling her nose at the unfamiliar smell that still pervaded the interior. She was about to ask Mrs Bodney what it was when the other woman spoke.

  ‘You know, Lily, you remind me of myself a few years ago.’

  ‘Oh?’ Lily said in surprise, undecided if this was a good thing or not.

  ‘I wasn’t afraid to tell people what I thought either. Not that you would have dared to do so when you first started working for me. Quite the shy little thing, you were then. You’ve come a long way in, what is it, five months or so?’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Bodney,’ she answered, not sure she liked being compared to her employer.

  ‘Mind you, I wouldn’t have sat there half the morning without demanding to know where I was going or why,’ she continued, giving Lily a conspiratorial grin.

  Lily was relaxing back in her seat, thinking that perhaps her employer wasn’t so bad after all, when the carriage hit a
rut. It jolted her forward so forcefully, her cap slipped down over her forehead.

  ‘For heaven’s sake do something with your appearance,’ Mrs Bodney snapped, opening her bag and handing Lily a hat pin. ‘Here, use this until your hair grows. I don’t want the others thinking I’ve brought a scarecrow from the country fields with me.’

  ‘The others?’ she asked, carefully fixing the pin through her cap and into her hair, so that it didn’t prick her scalp.

  ‘Yes, the women you will be working with. All those sprigs you’ve made need to be sewn together to form the flounce around Her Majesty’s dress. It’s to measure four yards in circumference. Can you imagine?’ she asked, shaking her head.

  ‘Oh,’ was all Lily could say, as she sat there trying to envisage such a thing.

  ‘Then there’s the veil, the collar, cuff edgings and all manner of adornments to be stitched and attached to the backing. I feel faint just thinking about it,’ Mrs Bodney said, shaking her head.

  ‘Where are we going to do all that?’ Lily couldn’t resist asking.

  ‘Ah, curiosity at last.’ Mrs Bodney raised her eyebrow. ‘I have secured premises in Honiton.’

  ‘Honiton? But that’s miles away. Why can’t we do this sewing up in the workroom?’

  Mrs Bodney sighed. ‘Because it wouldn’t be big enough to accommodate the lace as it’s joined together. It’s delicate work, which requires the skills of sewers and finishers. Naturally, I have managed to secure the services of the finest in Devonshire. Besides, Honiton is on the staging route to London. The Queen has instructed I take the finished lace to the palace myself,’ she added, as if that explained everything.

  ‘How long will I be away from Bransbeer?’ Lily asked, an image of Tom flitting into her mind.

  ‘Three weeks; maybe nearer a month,’ her employer answered. ‘As I’ve said before, the Queen expects her commission to be fulfilled by St Catherine’s Day, which is the 25th of November, as you know.’