by Dilly Court
Someone was shaking her and calling her name. Rose opened her eyes and found herself looking into Maisie’s young face. ‘What time is it?’
‘You was sleeping so sound I didn’t want to wake you, miss.’ Maisie handed her a cup of tea. ‘Drink this and don’t worry. I seen to Miss Cora. I washed her face and hands like you done to me when I lost me babe. You was so kind to me then. I’ll never forget it.’
‘Thank you,’ Rose said softly. ‘You’re a good girl, Maisie.’
‘That’s not what your pa would say, miss.’ Maisie covered her mouth with her hand to suppress a gurgle of laughter. ‘Anyway, Miss Cora seems a bit better so why don’t you go downstairs and have some breakfast? Mrs Vennor’s been frying bacon and kidneys and something called hog’s pudding. She give me some instead of porridge and it were ever so tasty. If I was rich like Mr Vere I’d have bacon and kidneys and hog’s pudding every day for breakfast, dinner and tea.’
Her enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment of her food made the day seem brighter. Despite her harsh upbringing, and the physical abuse that had resulted in her pregnancy and attempted suicide, Maisie’s spirit was not dulled. The loss of her baby when she was little more than a child herself had been a bitter blow, but Maisie had somehow recovered and retained her youthful enthusiasm. Rose stood up to give her a hug. ‘What would I do without you?’
Maisie stared at her in astonishment. ‘I dunno, miss. Why would I want to leave you is more the question.’
‘One which I hope will never need an answer. You’re a treasure, Maisie.’
‘Well, I never did.’ Maisie sank down on the chair, gazing up at Rose wide-eyed. ‘I been called lots of names, but no one said I were a treasure.’
‘They didn’t know you as well as I do,’ Rose said, smiling. ‘Now, I suppose I’d better put in an appearance at breakfast. I won’t be long, but if Cora’s condition alters in any way you must send for me. Just ring the bell and hopefully someone will come.’
‘Don’t worry. I knows what to do.’ Maisie folded her arms and fixed her gaze on Cora as if willing her to recover.
Satisfied that her sister was in the best of hands, Rose made her way to the dining room and the first person she saw as she entered the room was Bennett. She came to a halt, staring at him in surprise. The shock of seeing him had taken her breath away and she was momentarily lost for words, but he was smiling as he stood and pulled up a chair.
‘Good morning, Rose. How is the patient?’
Vere had half risen but he subsided back onto his seat. ‘I told Bennett what had happened,’ he said apologetically. ‘I hope you don’t mind, Rose.’
‘No, indeed. It’s no secret. I’m sure that Cora’s elopement is giving the gossips in London something to talk about.’ She sat down, casting a sideways glance at Bennett. ‘Was it you I saw coming from the stables this morning? It was still dark.’
‘It might have been,’ he said casually. ‘I did arrive early.’
‘Or it could have been me,’ Vere added hastily. ‘I went to check on my horse. The poor animal had gone lame.’
Rose reached for the coffee pot and filled her cup.
‘I see.’ She was not convinced, but she was not in a position to challenge either of them. She took a slice of toast from the silver rack and buttered it.
‘Is that all you’re having?’ Vere asked anxiously. ‘You ate almost nothing last night, Rose. You must keep your strength up if you’re to nurse your sister back to health.’
‘Stop fussing, Vere.’ Bennett leaned back in his seat, an amused smile curving his lips. ‘I’m sure Rose knows what’s best for her.’
‘I can recommend the hog’s pudding,’ Vere insisted, ignoring him. ‘And the bacon is particularly tasty, or I could ask Mrs Vennor to scramble some eggs for you.’
‘Leave her alone,’ Bennett said, chuckling. ‘Rose isn’t a child.’
A quick glance in Vere’s direction was enough for Rose. He was staring straight ahead but Bennett’s teasing had obviously embarrassed him, and she sensed his chagrin. ‘As a matter of fact I think I will sample the hog’s pudding,’ she said, rising to her feet. ‘I’ve heard so much about it that it would be foolish not to try some.’ She went to the sideboard and lifted the lid of the silver breakfast dish, taking a small helping of the blood sausage and a slice of crispy bacon. ‘It smells delicious,’ she added as she returned to the table. ‘And you’re right, Vere. I need to be strong for Cora’s sake.’ She popped a slice of the hog’s pudding into her mouth, chewed and swallowed. ‘I have to agree. It’s very tasty.’
‘I’m glad we have that settled.’ Bennett pushed back his chair and stood up. ‘I have business to do in the village, but I’ll be back later.’
‘Are you here on my brother’s behalf?’ Rose asked anxiously. ‘If so I’d like to know what you’ve discovered.’
He gave her a long look, his dark eyes holding her gaze. ‘I am still working on it. You will have to trust me.’ He turned to Vere. ‘I’ll see you at the office later.’
He left before Rose had a chance to question him further and she pushed her plate away. ‘There’s something more, I can feel it. What is it that you’re not telling me?’
Vere made a show of folding his table napkin and placed it on his unused side plate. ‘You must understand that Bennett and I are doubly involved in this case. We’ve lost our brother and cousin, and Billy was Gawain’s friend and a welcome guest in this house. Neither of us will give up until we’ve had justice for both.’
‘Yes, I know that, and I’m with you, of course. I just wish that there was something I could do to help.’
Vere’s expression softened. ‘You’re helping by just being here, Rose. I only have to look at you and it reminds me what I’m fighting for. I beg you to be patient a while longer.’
‘I should go upstairs and check on my sister,’ Rose said, rising to her feet. She left the room before he had a chance to respond. There was something going on that was being kept a secret from her and she was curious, but it was obvious that neither Vere nor Bennett was prepared to take her into their confidence. She heard Vere’s footsteps behind her as he left the dining room, but she did not look back as she mounted the stairs and he did not follow her.
Dr Quinn came an hour later and he seemed pleased with Cora’s progress. She was quieter now and her fever appeared to be abating. He left behind an elixir of his own making and said he would call again the next day, unless Cora’s condition gave cause for concern, in which case he would return at any time of the day or night. Rose thought privately that Vere must be paying the doctor a handsome fee in order to warrant such attention, but she merely smiled and thanked him.
When he had gone she uncorked the bottle, sniffed and wrinkled her nose. The overpowering smell was of a substance suspiciously like the one that Mrs Blunt had given her when as a young child she had eaten some deadly nightshade berries. The taste was vile and it had made her very sick. Mrs Blunt swore by ipecacuanha as a cure-all and often mixed it with honey and lemon juice as a remedy for coughs. It had always seemed to work, but Rose and Cora had been convinced that the cure was worse than the illness. She put the cork back and hid the bottle on the mantelshelf behind the clock. Cora would have to be in a desperate state for her to administer such a punishing medication.
She returned to the bedside, laid her hand on Cora’s forehead and was relieved to find her cooler than she had been the previous evening, but the blankets felt damp and the wool was scratchy to her touch.
‘Maisie, would you be a dear and ask Mrs Vennor for some fresh blankets and bedlinen? I’m going to change the bedding, never mind what Dr Quinn says. I can’t think of anything worse than feeling hot and sticky as well as itchy and uncomfortable.’
Maisie had been sitting by the window but she jumped to her feet. ‘I agree. I never thought it were a good idea in the first place. I’m not sure that doctor knows what he’s on about.’
‘We’ll try it and see.’
/> Cora opened her eyes, looking dazedly round the room. ‘Rose.’
Rose hurried to her side. ‘I’m here, Corrie. Are you feeling better?’
‘I’m thirsty.’
With Maisie’s help Rose managed to get Cora into a more upright position and she held a glass of water to her lips. ‘Sip it slowly,’ she said gently.
Maisie plumped up the pillows and piled them behind Cora. ‘There you are, miss. Now you can see what’s going on. You got a fine room here. You’re like a princess in this big bed.’
‘Where am I? I don’t remember coming to this place.’
‘We brought you to Portmorna House,’ Rose said before Maisie could make it into even more of a fairy story. ‘It belongs to Vere Tressidick and it was the nearest place I could think of to bring you.’
‘I’ve been quite poorly.’
‘You were, but you’re on the mend.’
Cora’s eyes filled with tears. ‘You should have let me die, Rosie. I’m a ruined woman, just like the ones that Aunt Polly takes in.’
‘Stuff and nonsense. You might have been naïve, but Gerard took advantage of you, just like Maisie’s employer took advantage of her. You’re not to blame.’
‘But what will I do if I’m in the family way? I’ll die of shame.’
Maisie grabbed Cora’s hand. ‘It happened to me, miss. And then the baby got took by the angels. Mrs Blunt said I must have a guardian angel looking out for me, although I couldn’t see it at the time. If one of them angels bothers to look after a poor orphan just think what sort of heavenly being must be on your side, you being a vicar’s daughter and all.’
‘Yes, thank you, Maisie,’ Rose said hastily. ‘I’m sure you had the angels on your side, but we mustn’t tire Miss Cora. She needs to rest.’
‘And she should have some beef tea.’ Maisie nodded sagely. ‘Mrs Blunt gave me beef tea to build me up after you know what. She said it would do me the world of good, and look at me now.’
‘You’re a picture of health.’ Rose patted her on the shoulder. ‘Why don’t you go downstairs to the kitchen and ask Mrs Vennor to make some beef tea for Miss Cora?’
‘I will. Of course I will. I wouldn’t mind a cup of it meself.’ She danced off, leaving Rose and Cora alone in the room.
Rose sat on the edge of the bed. ‘You have to stop worrying, Corrie. No good will come of it. The main thing is for you to get better, and we’ll deal with problems if and when they arise.’
‘Thank you, Rosie. I’m sorry I’ve put you to so much bother.’ Cora’s eyelids closed and she uttered a deep sigh.
Rose pulled the coverlet up to her sister’s chin. Cora was on the mend physically, but it would take more than a cup of beef tea to take away the memory of Gerard’s betrayal.
Rose went to the window and opened it, relaxing on the window seat and taking deep breaths of the salty, blossom-scented air. Alerted by the sound of a horse’s hoofs she looked out to see Vere astride his grey mare, heading towards the park gates. There was not a sign of lameness as the animal broke into a trot. Rose frowned thoughtfully. She had not believed his story in the first place and this confirmed that he had lied, or at the very least the animal’s condition had not been serious, and would not have involved Vere in a midnight visit to the stables. The cousins were definitely up to something and she was determined to find out what was going on.
Cora had awakened for long enough to take sips of water and beef tea, but when she remembered her ordeal in Rosewenna Hall she had become distressed, and it had taken a hefty dose of laudanum to calm her down. She was sleeping peacefully now, and Maisie was dozing in a chair at her bedside. It was early afternoon and the sun was shining. Rose had a sudden desire to go for a walk. She needed to clear her head and she needed time to think. Cora would recover, but their future looked uncertain. The shadow of the hangman’s noose still hung over Billy, and Cora’s misplaced trust in Gerard might have implications for the future. A baby born out of wedlock would carry that stigma for the rest of his or her life, and the mother would bear the blame and the shame. The father would deny all responsibility and the mother would be branded a scarlet woman. Rose put on her bonnet, picked up her shawl and crept out of the room.
She had not intended to walk far, but it was a beautiful day and she found herself on the edge of the village. She stopped, and was wondering whether to proceed or to turn round and return to Portmorna House when she saw a familiar figure emerge from the inn a little further along the lane.
‘Scully.’ She called his name and he turned his head.
‘Miss Rose?’ He ambled towards her. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you here.’
‘My sister and I are just visiting.’ Rose had no intention of going into a detailed explanation, but she was curious. ‘Have you discovered any news of my brother’s whereabouts?’
‘I might have, but it’s too early to say.’
‘But you have an idea? Can you tell me more?’
‘It’s not up to me, miss. I have to pass any information I have to Mr Sharpe. I dare say as how he’ll tell you when he’s good and ready.’
He tipped his battered billycock hat, and was about to walk on when she caught him by the sleeve. ‘Are you going to see him now? Might I accompany you, Mr Scully? I’m desperate for news of my brother.’
‘I can’t stop you from following me, miss. On the other hand, I won’t encourage you to do so. I’m heading for the mine office.’
‘As it happens I was thinking of going there myself,’ Rose said eagerly. At last she might learn something. It was an opportunity not to be missed. ‘Lead on.’
He strode off and Rose had to quicken her pace to keep up with him. She was aware that they were attracting curious looks from the villagers, but Scully seemed oblivious, or perhaps he was used to people staring at him. He certainly presented an odd figure in his tight black trousers, his coat-tails flying and his battered hat pulled down over his lank, greasy locks, quite different from the local men in their working clothes or fishermen’s smocks. He barged into the mine office with Rose just a few steps behind him.
The clerk seated behind a tall writing desk peered at Scully through steel-rimmed spectacles. ‘Oh, it’s you again.’
‘It is I,’ Scully said grandly. ‘And I wants to see your boss, mister.’
‘It’s Mr Mabyn to you, Mr Scully. I thought we’d settled that some time ago.’
‘Well, Mr Mabyn, it don’t alter the fact that I wants to see your boss. Now do you announce me, or do I walk in?’
Mabyn slid off his high stool and banged on the door behind him. He waited for a moment before entering and reappeared seconds later. ‘Mr Tressidick will see you now.’
‘Ta.’ Scully headed for the open doorway with Rose close on his heels. He paused in the doorway, glaring at her. ‘What I got to say is for his ears only.’
‘I’m coming in,’ Rose insisted.
‘It’s all right, Scully.’ Vere stood up, beckoning to Rose. ‘Come in, Miss Perkins.’
Scully looked to Bennett, who was standing by the window. ‘She insisted on following me, boss.’
‘Thank you, Scully,’ he said calmly. ‘It’s quite all right. Miss Perkins should be kept up to date with our investigations.’
‘Thank you.’ Feeling vindicated and not a little excited, Rose walked past Scully with her head held high. At last they were taking her seriously.
Vere hurried round the large desk to proffer a chair. ‘Take a seat, Rose.’ He turned to Scully. ‘Well then, what did you discover?’
‘I’ve been following Gryffyn Penneck for over a week. He’s a crafty old fox and he’s led me a merry dance, but it was worth it in the end.’
‘Come on, man,’ Bennett said impatiently. ‘Get to the point.’
‘He takes his boat out every night, which is natural seeing as how he’s a fisherman, but on one or two occasions he came back with no sign of a catch.’
‘That’s not an unusual state of affairs.’ Vere r
esumed his seat, leaning his elbows on the desk.
‘We’ve been down at the harbour ourselves,’ Bennett said thoughtfully. ‘We haven’t seen anything unusual, have we, Vere?’
‘If you’ll kindly allow me to finish, guv …’ Scully dragged off his hat and clutched it in his hands, which Rose noticed for the first time were bandaged. He caught her looking at him and grinned. ‘Yes, miss. My hands are red raw from rowing. I hired a boat and risked life and limb to go out in search of your brother.’
‘I didn’t know you were an oarsman, Scully.’ Bennett moved closer, folding his arms across his chest. ‘You’re a man of many talents.’
‘My pa was a lighterman, boss. I grew up in Limehouse, and as soon as I was old enough to hold an oar he took me with him on the river. I can handle a boat, but being on the sea ain’t the same as working the Thames. Anyway, as I was about to say, your man goes across the bay and beaches the craft in a cove surrounded by near-vertical cliffs. It were too dark to see much, but I swear he was guided by the light of a lantern high on the clifftop. I saw it bobbing about, and he headed straight for it.’
‘He might be a smuggler,’ Rose suggested. ‘I’ve read about the free trade in these parts.’
Vere smiled and shook his head. ‘It’s hardly worth the risk these days, Rose. Forty or fifty years ago smuggling was rife, but when the duty on tea, tobacco, brandy and such goods was reduced it put an end to much of the free trade.’
‘Yes, that together with more better trained and equipped revenue officers,’ Bennett added, chuckling. ‘It put a great many people out of business, including our great-grandfather. If he hadn’t started the copper mine with his ill-gotten gains he would have been in a sorry state.’
Vere nodded. ‘And when copper was no longer profitable my father turned to china clay.’
