by Diane Allen
As soon as she arrived home, Alice busied herself getting the fire going and preparing supper for Will. She was busy laying the table when he opened the door. Knowing that a lecture was imminent, she didn’t dare look round, not wanting to see his scowling face.
‘Well, bugger me, our lass, what you been up to today? You’re the talk of the manor, woman!’
‘I couldn’t help myself, our Will. She provoked me.’
‘What do you mean, she provoked you? Whatever it is you think you’ve done, it can’t be that bad – Miss Nancy wants you there tomorrow. First time she’s ever asked someone back.’ Will sat down to take his boots off, undoing the laces slowly and not looking up to see his sister’s face. ‘Jack’s to pick you up in the trap, first thing in the morning; I had to tell him before I left tonight. Cost me a penny, you did – I had a bet on with Jack that you’d not last more than a day.’
‘She asked for me? I don’t believe you. Why would she want me back, after what I said?’
‘Have you been telling it how it is, then, our lass? Old Frankland said you were like a breath of fresh air, just what his sister needed.’
‘But . . . I don’t know if I want to go back. They . . . She doesn’t have any manners, and she swears, and them servants treated me like a lump of dirt.’
‘She’s spoilt, our lass. Treat her straight and you’ll be fine. I’ve never set eyes on her, but I’ve heard her often enough. Her tantrums are that loud, you can hear them from the stables. Everyone’s frightened of her, so she gets her own way. As for that stuffed-shirt Faulks and old Mrs Dowbiggin, they’re both used to having their own way too. I wouldn’t let ’em bother you.’
Alice was stunned. For a moment she stood there, watching Will kick his boots off, trying to fathom it out. Then she came to her senses: ‘You can put those boots back on, our Will. Father’s gone to Dent; no doubt he’s in the Moon, spending what money we have left. He’ll not be home in time to milk the cow, and the sheep could do with being looked at in case we have an early lambing. So don’t get the idea you’ve finished for the day.’
‘See? Keep saying it as it is and you’ll be all right, our lass – you boss us around enough!’ With a heavy sigh, Will reached for his boots and wearily began lacing them up again. ‘I know he’s my father and I should respect him, but I’m getting a bit fed up of doing his jobs as well as my own. I tell you what, our lass, Jack and I have been talking about leaving and finding something else. Now’s the time to make our fortune, while we’re still young.’ He got to his feet and grabbed his coat and hat. ‘I don’t want to stay here and end up like Father, that’s for sure. Anything’s better than working for nothing, still forelock-tugging when you’re nearly in your grave.’
‘You can’t leave me, Will. I couldn’t manage on my own, not with Father in this state!’
‘I know, but we can’t carry on as we are. If he doesn’t straighten up soon . . .’ With a despairing shake of the head, he walked out, slamming the kitchen door shut behind him.
Alice was left feeling utterly wretched. As if it wasn’t bad enough that she had to return to the manor in the morning, now she had the worry of Will and his itchy feet. She prayed that he would not leave – not yet, anyway. Please God, not yet. She couldn’t face life on her own with a drunk of a father.
3
‘It’s no use you tutting, Jack Alderson – you’ll just have to wait! I can’t do things any faster . . . It isn’t as if I want to go, mind . . . I don’t know why you were sent for me in the first place.’
Both Jack and the horse found their patience stretched to the limit as they waited for their unwilling passenger to finish running around the farmyard in an effort to get all the jobs done before departing for the manor. Having finally climbed aboard, she sat panting for breath and fidgeting, making constant adjustments to her shawl and hat, obviously nervous about her imminent re-entry into the unfamiliar world of the manor.
‘Are we right now?’ Jack cast a quick glance in her direction, not daring to look into the ice-blue eyes of his best friend’s sister. He was afraid that, if their eyes met, Alice would read his thoughts. Thoughts that he had harboured for the past year but didn’t dare do anything about. How come that scraggy bit of a girl had turned into such a beautiful woman? And what would Will make of him fancying his sister? Jack made a conscious effort to put aside all such thoughts for the moment and go back to treating her as the lass he had grown up with.
‘Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get going!’ Clearly Alice was in one of her assertive moods. ‘You’ll probably be bringing me back again as soon as we get there.’
The morning had not started well at Dale End Farm. Alice had woken to discover that her father had not returned – no doubt he was in a hedge somewhere, sleeping off his hangover. In addition to making herself presentable for the sneering folk at the manor, she’d had to milk the cow, feed Will and send him on his way, as well as attending to all the other jobs that needed doing – and everything had had to be done at twice the speed that it should have been. She was going to have stern words with her father tonight, even if it wasn’t her place to do so.
With a rueful shake of his head, Jack whipped the horse into motion. God, she was a feisty one, but she looked so pretty when she was angry that he couldn’t help smiling.
‘What are you smiling at, Jack Alderson? I can’t see anything to grin about. My father’s gone missing, I’m entering into a job that I don’t want, stuck all day with a spoilt brat when there’s chores waiting to be done at the farm, and all the while you’re leading my brother on, trying to get him to leave the dale. I don’t see how things could get much worse.’
‘Don’t you blame me for Will’s wandering feet – that’s down to your father’s antics and Lord Frankland putting ideas in Will’s head, telling him what a good worker he is.’ He turned to face her, his voice softening. ‘It’ll be good to see you working at the manor, Alice. You can tell me what Miss Nancy looks like – I’ve never seen her. Nobody has. And I’ll show you around the place, when you have some spare time . . . if you want me to.’ Will blushed and stumbled over this last sentence, his confidence ebbing away under Alice’s scrutiny. His eyes returned to the road ahead, focusing intently, as if the bumpy old farm lane required his undivided attention.
Alice had never known Jack to blush, and she thought she knew the reason why: ‘So you fancy your chances with Miss Nancy, do you, Jack? Look at you, all tongue-tied and blushing. Wait until I tell our Will!’ she joked at the bashful Jack’s expense. She could see his face glowing even redder with embarrassment, his dark hair complementing his rosy cheeks. ‘I wouldn’t be setting my sights on her, Jack. She’s too posh for you, and a right madam, besides.’
‘It’s not like that, Ali, honestly it isn’t. I know my place. So you needn’t tell Will anything.’
Both fell silent as they entered the driveway of Whernside Manor. To Alice, the building looked even more daunting than it had the previous day, especially now she knew what the occupants were like. Jack slowed the carriage, but continued past the grand front entrance and pulled up at the back door.
‘Good luck, Alice,’ he said, as he helped her alight from the gig. ‘I’ll be in the stables if you need me.’ Then he gave her a parting smile and turned away, leading the horse across the yard.
Alice sighed. There was a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, and she really didn’t want to enter that cold, unwelcoming building. She was hesitating on the doorstep when Mrs Dowbiggin came bustling out. In her long black dress with its pristine starched white collar and cuffs, she looked every inch the perfect housekeeper.
‘Oh, hello, dear. So you’ve come back. I said to Reggie – Mr Faulks to you – that it took some courage to stand up to Miss Nancy. We’ve never dared, you know. She’s got a temper, has that one; likes her own way. Anyway, she must have taken quite a fancy to you or you wouldn’t be back. Either that or the master has. Wouldn’t be the first time that some sli
p of a lass has taken his fancy.’
Before Alice could get a word in, Mrs Dowbiggin took her by the arm and began steering her across the yard.
‘Seeing as you’re here, you can come and help me bring the washing in from the orchard – I could do with another pair of hands to help me fold the sheets. It’s Alice, isn’t it, dear? Well, since you are going to be part of the team, Alice, let me inform you of the rules of the house, the main one being that the house servants do not consort with the outside staff. It’s just not done.’
This remark was accompanied by a disapproving glance in Jack’s direction. Still reciting rules, she bustled onward in the direction of the orchard, where white sheets were billowing in the wind. Alice fell in beside her, nodding and occasionally managing to fit in a word of assent. Mrs Dowbiggin certainly could talk. She’d not given Alice a second glance yesterday, but she was making up for lost time now. Though her sole topic of conversation thus far had been the many rules and regulations of the manor, at least she was talking to Alice as if she counted for something and not like some worthless beggar.
Together they retrieved the sheets from the washing line and folded them ready for ironing, then loaded them into a wicker linen basket and carried it between them back to the manor. When they entered the kitchen, the fresh smell of spring air clung to the sheets, its perfume filling the room.
‘Well, here we are, dear. Would you like a drink of tea before you go up and see Miss Nancy? She’ll be waiting for you. Master Gerald made her get up this morning and put on a dress in readiness for your arrival. She even ate some breakfast, which is highly unusual.’ Mrs Dowbiggin shook her head and sighed as she bustled to the huge kitchen range and put the kettle on the glowing fire.
‘Thank you,’ said Alice, ‘but I think I’d better go straight up and see Miss Nancy. After all, it is her I’m answerable to – her and Lord Frankland. I need to apologize to her for being a bit sharp yesterday. I know I shouldn’t have, but I’m not used to being talked to in such a manner.’
‘My advice, Alice, is to start as you mean to go on – and you certainly did that, my girl. It’ll have done her no harm. Why, I even got a thank you this morning! I could have dropped down dead on the spot – I haven’t had a thank you from her in months. Now, do you know the way to her room or will you need Reggie to show you?’
‘I’ll be fine, thank you, Mrs Dowbiggin. It’s best if I find my own way around.’ In truth, Alice wanted to be by herself for a moment, to walk through the beautiful hallway and to sweep up that magnificent staircase at her own pace, taking in the glorious scene.
Leaving the warm kitchen with its copper pans, jelly moulds and drying herbs mounted on the walls, she climbed the few steps up to the level of the hallway. Almost on tiptoe, keenly aware of the echo of her footsteps in the great hall, she crossed to the stairs and gingerly mounted them. When she came to Miss Nancy’s door, she hesitated for a moment to compose herself before knocking.
‘Enter.’ The voice that she’d last heard screaming abuse at her came from the other side.
Alice turned the doorknob, not knowing what to expect. All she knew was that she had to keep calm; these people owned her family home and no matter what she thought of them or how they behaved, she had to show them respect.
Nancy was sitting in the chair next to the dressing table, wearing a dark blue satin dress with a sash. She was facing away from Alice, her dark hair cascading down her back and reaching almost to her waist.
‘Miss Nancy.’ Alice curtsied. ‘May I apologize for my abrupt behaviour yesterday. I had no right to talk to you in such a manner.’ It galled her to have to beg her ladyship’s pardon, but the more she’d thought about the way she had acted, the more Alice regretted having been so forthright. What with worrying about her father and mulling over the previous day’s events, she felt as though she hadn’t had a moment’s sleep.
Nancy turned. Though the girl appeared demure and contrite, Nancy could detect no fear in her eyes and she did not drop her gaze when confronted with that scarred face.
‘I, too, should apologize. I was no lady – as my brother was quick to point out. I have bad days, I’m afraid, when my temper and memories get the better of me. Let us both start afresh today, Alice. I need someone to help me and become my companion, for I never go outside of these four walls. Though I should add that is my own choice.’ She patted the seat next to her, summoning Alice to join her. ‘Now, tell me a little about yourself. My brother informs me that you have recently lost your mother. You must miss her; I know I miss my parents deeply. If it wasn’t for my brother, I fear I would go out of my mind with despair . . .’ Her voice trailed and faltered, as if she was reliving the deaths of her parents. Pulling herself together, Nancy continued: ‘He also tells me that your brother – Will, is that his name? – is his best shot and the star of his beloved shooting parties. How grown men can take pleasure in shooting innocent birds, I do not know.’
Alice sat in stunned silence, her hands clasped tight on her lap. She could hardly believe this was the same person she’d encountered yesterday. At the mention of her brother’s name, she couldn’t resist a little show of pride:
‘Our Will is getting big-headed with the praise that he keeps getting – it’ll be the undoing of him.’ She gave a smile to show that she was joking. Looking into the face of her new employer, she continued: ‘I do miss my mother, and I’m so sorry to hear that you have no parents. I didn’t realize . . .’ She would have liked to know what had happened to them, but didn’t dare pry, especially when the conversation was going well.
Perhaps sensing her interest, Nancy immediately steered her companion away from the painful subject of her family: ‘Tell me, Alice, what goes on in the world outside these four walls? All my brother talks about are his boring friends, who spend all their time drinking, shooting and playing cards. I know nothing of the locals, and I’m sure there must be plenty of tales to tell. But first, let us have some tea.’
She got up and rang a small bell by the side of her bed. Within minutes, Faulks arrived. Barely acknowledging his presence, Nancy commanded: ‘Tell Mrs Dowbiggin we would like tea and some of her excellent biscuits. I’m sure Alice would like to sample them.’ Then, dismissing him like an unwelcome intruder, she proceeded to interrogate Alice.
While enjoying the tea and biscuits that Faulks laid out before them, Alice tried to portray the inhabitants of the dale. She told Nancy about the shopkeepers in Dent, the comings and goings of merchants, the various characters who frequented the market, and how most of the farmers did their deals in the bar of the Moon Inn rather than through the local fairs. She mimicked some of the locals and passed on the latest gossip of the dale, the general chit-chat that made up everyday life. So engrossed was she in trying to convey the smells and sights of the dale, she quite forgot where she was. In fact, the time went so quickly she could hardly believe it when she realized it was lunchtime already.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep talking this long. You must be weary of my voice,’ Alice apologized.
‘Indeed I am not – I have enjoyed your company immensely,’ protested Nancy. ‘My brother was right: in you he has found someone to entertain me. However, you must forgive me, Alice, but I am getting a little tired. I usually have a midday nap. Would you mind leaving now, and I will see you in the morning. I shall look forward to carrying on our conversation tomorrow.’
Though things had gone better than she could have imagined, Alice nevertheless breathed a sigh of relief as she closed the bedroom door behind her.
‘Would you like a bite of lunch, Miss Bentham?’ Mrs Dowbiggin asked as Alice joined her and Faulks in the kitchen.
The butler, no doubt remembering how she had spoken to him the previous day, maintained a deadpan expression as he studied Alice in silence.
‘There’s just enough for a little one.’ Mrs Dowbiggin’s smile seemed genuine as she motioned to the near-empty stew pan.
‘That’s very kind,
thank you,’ said Alice. ‘I am a little hungry. I missed breakfast this morning.’ In truth, ‘a little hungry’ was an understatement. She was ravenous, having been too much on her best behaviour to do more than politely nibble at the biscuits served with tea earlier. The stew smelled so good, her mouth started salivating at the thought of it.
‘You can sit there.’ Mrs Dowbiggin ushered her to the chair at the end of the immaculately scrubbed pine table. ‘Here you go – you will all the better be for having that in you. My, you’re a little ’un. Isn’t she a dot, Reggie? So slim.’
‘It’s not my place to say. If you’ll excuse me, I’d better take Miss Nancy her lunch before she has her nap.’ Faulks rose from his chair, donned his jacket and picked up the tray, which was all laid out in readiness, then strutted from the kitchen like a prize cock.
‘Stuffy old devil,’ muttered Mrs Dowbiggin. ‘Thinks hisself God’s gift! Still, his heart’s in the right place, once you get to know him.’ She ladled stew into a dish and added a huge chunk of freshly baked bread, then placed it in front of Alice. ‘Here, you set to and eat that – it’ll fill you for the day.’ Looking on approvingly as Alice ate, she sank into the chair opposite and sipped her cup of tea. Obviously delighted to have someone to talk to, she leaned across the table, her ample bosom heaving as she quizzed the newcomer on the morning’s events: ‘She’s behaved herself, then, Miss Nancy? She has good days and bad days, you know. I reckon it’s the pain from her scars.’
‘Forgive me if I’m talking out of turn, Mrs Dowbiggin,’ said Alice, ‘but do you know how Nancy got the scars? She must have been a great beauty; it’s a pity her face is marked so.’
