by Dilly Court
Essie waited until they were alone and she pulled up the only chair in the room and sat down. She felt Freddie’s forehead and it was cool to the touch. ‘How long have you been like this, Mr Dorincourt?’
‘Call me Freddie, please.’
‘All right, Freddie. Suppose you tell me when the fever started and what the monks have done for you.’
He fixed her with a curious stare. ‘Who are you, Esther Chapman? How do you come to be here? You said something about a boat sinking? Where was that and how did it happen?’
‘Why do you want to know? We’ll be leaving tomorrow and I doubt if we’ll ever meet again.’
‘You are as spiky as a cactus. Humour me, Esther. I’ve been up here in the tower, mostly on my own, for what seems like weeks. Tell me your story.’
Essie was about to answer when she heard heavy footsteps on the stone stairs and Brother Ignacio staggered into the room carrying a heavy tray, which he placed on a small table close to the bed.
‘Grazie,’ Essie said, receiving a curt nod in response as Brother Ignacio retraced his steps and left them to their food. She peered into one of the two bowls and sniffed. ‘Soup,’ she said, turning to Freddie. ‘It smells good. Are you hungry?’
He shook his head. ‘I haven’t much appetite. I’d rather listen to you than eat.’
She dipped the spoon into the vegetable broth, thickened with little strips of pasta. ‘I’ll talk, but only if you promise to eat.’
He opened his mouth as obligingly as a small child and Essie told him of her first meeting with Raven, and the complications arising from his visit to London. Freddie listened with a rapt expression on his handsome features, supping the broth without seeming to notice that he was taking nourishment. When the bowl was empty, Essie peeled a peach and fed him slivers until he lay back, protesting that he could eat no more.
‘Your soup will be cold,’ he said severely. ‘Now you eat, and I’ll lie here and watch you. It’s good to be in the company of a pretty girl again. I’m sick of seeing male faces and listening to their deep voices. You look and sound like an angel from heaven.’
Essie almost choked on a spoonful of rapidly cooling broth. ‘Now I know how you charmed the young ladies in the town,’ she said, laughing. ‘I’m hungry so I’m in no danger of losing my appetite, but you can tell me about yourself. For instance, how did you get involved with the gang of smugglers in the first place?’
‘Someone has been talking,’ Freddie said with a rueful smile. ‘I suppose Alice has told you about my wild ways. Most of it I suspect is true, but when I came down from Cambridge I found life in Devon much too quiet. I’m not one for hunting and fishing and pursuits like that, and I used to frequent the village pub, where I met the boys I grew up with. When we were young we used to roam the countryside and get into all manner of scrapes.’
‘But you’d grown out of that, surely?’ Essie broke off a piece of bread and dipped it in the soup. ‘Go on.’
‘There’s not much choice for young men born and bred in the country. They either work in the fields or they fish for a living and those occupations pay very little. My boyhood friends had chosen to flout the law in order to earn a little extra money. I did accompany them on one of their sorties, but on the night in question I just happened to be on hand when they beached. Unfortunately someone had informed the revenue men and they were there, waiting to pounce.’
‘I’m sorry you were caught, but you must have known it was a dangerous pursuit.’
Freddie heaved a sigh. ‘My main regret is that Raven became involved. He’s taken the punishment that should have been mine.’
‘You could have faced the gallows,’ Essie said, placing her empty bowl back on the tray. ‘The least you can do is to promise to be patient and wait until your appeal is heard. He risked his life by returning to London, and it was all for you.’
‘I know that, Esther. There’s no need to rub it in.’
‘You can call me Essie. I think Lady Alice is the only person who’s called me Esther since I left school, except for my pa when he’s scolding me.’
Freddie reached out to hold her hand. ‘I won’t make things difficult for Raven. I’ll promise to behave and wait patiently for the law to take its course.’ He squeezed her fingers and his lips twisted in a mischievous grin. ‘But I can’t guarantee my behaviour if the appeal fails. I might book passage to Australia for myself. Raven hasn’t said anything, but he must have struck gold to be able to afford to hire a ship.’
‘That’s something you’ll have to discuss with your brother.’ She turned her head to see Raven standing in the doorway.
‘You two seem to have got on well,’ he said casually. ‘What is it to want to discuss with me, Freddie?’
Essie withdrew her hand and rose to her feet. ‘I’ll leave you two to talk.’ She picked up the tray and made her way down the spiral staircase to the cloisters. The fragrant aroma of hot bread and soup led her to the refectory where she found Lady Alice seated at a long table with Sadie and Captain Falco. The monks sat at another table and they were intent on eating, but Essie could tell from their covert glances that they were fascinated by Lady Alice Crozier. Even clad in a plain peasant gown she was undoubtedly a beautiful woman and her vivacity lit up the dark refectory like a beacon. The monks might be holy, but they were men first, and it was obvious that they were falling under her spell.
‘There you are, Esther,’ Lady Alice said, frowning. ‘Have you finished playing nursemaid to my cousin?’
Essie placed the tray at the end of the table and sat down. She had grown used to Lady Alice’s moods during the sea voyage and had found it best to ignore her barbs. ‘We had an interesting conversation, my lady,’ she said calmly. ‘But I think Mr Frederick’s problem is caused more by boredom and loneliness than illness.’
‘So you’re a doctor now, are you?’
‘No, my lady, of course not.’
Falco gave Essie a beaming smile. ‘I think you may be right. A clever young lady like you would be an asset to my crew. Alas, Hooper only knows how to bandage a wound and give purges.’
Lady Alice rose to her feet, causing the monks to look up from their food, although they quickly bowed their heads when they caught the abbot’s reproving glance.
‘Tell them I need somewhere to rest my head tonight, Falco,’ Lady Alice said imperiously. ‘Esther and Sadie will sleep in my room, for their safety and my own.’
‘I don’t think you have anything to fear from the holy men,’ Falco said, chuckling.
‘Men are men, whether they wear a monk’s habit or a priest’s vestments.’
Falco crossed himself, casting his eyes heavenwards. ‘May you be forgiven, my lady.’
‘That’s not funny.’ Lady Alice met his amused look with a stony stare. ‘If you had put me ashore in England I wouldn’t be here now.’
He stood up and bowed from the waist. ‘And I would have been denied the pleasure of your company, my lady.’
Essie held her breath. For a moment she thought that Lady Alice might throw something at Captain Falco, but a slow smile curved her lips and her laughter echoed off the vaulted ceiling.
‘You are a rogue, Falco. I have a sneaking suspicion that you kept us on board for your entertainment only, so now you can return the favour and find me a comfortable place to sleep.’
Falco nodded and went to speak to the abbot, returning moments later. ‘They only have one room to offer.’
Sadie tugged at Essie’s sleeve. ‘What’s going on? Have we got to stay here tonight?’
‘It appears so,’ Essie said in a low voice.
Falco said something to Brother Ignacio, who replied, nodding and gesticulating. Falco turned to Lady Alice. ‘I have explained the situation, and Brother Ignacio will show you to the cell.’
‘It sounds like we’re going to prison,’ Sadie whispered.
Essie hushed her with a glance as they followed Lady Alice and Brother Ignacio from the refectory.
The cells were in a block that had escaped the fire from the Barbary pirate ships, but when Lady Alice saw where they were to sleep she threw up her hands. ‘This really is a cell. It’s as bad as the cabin on the Santa Gabriella.’
Brother Ignacio bowed and backed away. It was obvious to Essie that he had had enough of the imperious foreign lady, and could not wait to return to his life of prayer and contemplation.
Lady Alice slumped down on the bed. ‘This is so hard I might as well sleep on the floor.’
Essie glanced round the tiny room where the only furnishings were a small table, a single chair and the narrow bed. ‘It look as though Sadie and I will have to do just that.’
‘Oh, well. It’s just for one night.’ Lady Alice rose swiftly to her feet. ‘I think I’ll go up and spend the rest of the day with Freddie. You two can amuse yourselves as you please. But whatever happens, we’re leaving first thing in the morning, and I’ll insist that Raven books us a passage home. I can’t wait to get back to England.’
Chapter Eight
That night, of necessity, as the cell allotted to Lady Alice was too small to take the three of them, Essie volunteered to sleep in the chair in Freddie’s tower room. Falco and Raven sat drinking wine late into the evening, and the prospect of sleeping on the floor in the refectory did not appear to bother them. Essie, on the other hand, was glad to escape the constant ringing of the bells that summoned the brothers to prayers at all hours of the day and into the night. At least it was peaceful at the top of the tower and the air was sweet with the fragrance from the lemon grove and the herby aroma of the sun-warmed cliffs, tempered by the salty smell of the sea.
Just as she thought that Freddie had settled down to sleep, he sat up in bed and leaned over to touch her hand. ‘I must leave with you tomorrow, Essie.’
She peered at him, trying to make out his features in the darkness. ‘I thought you had to stay here for your own safety.’
‘Raven is going to Australia. I want to go with him.’
‘But he’s returning to the penal colony. If they find out that he’s been away he’ll be in terrible trouble.’
‘My brother is too smart to be caught, and he’s made a fortune in the gold fields. I want to have that chance, too. Money can buy anything, even freedom.’
‘That’s why he risked everything,’ Essie said patiently. ‘He went to London for that purpose only.’
‘And I’m grateful to him, but I’ll die if I have to remain here another day on my own. You can understand that, can’t you, Essie?’
‘I think so, but you need to speak to your brother. He’s the only one who can help you.’
‘Yes, I will. First thing in the morning I want you to bring him to me.’
‘I will,’ Essie promised. ‘Now go to sleep.’
Freddie heaved himself off the bed. ‘I can’t lie here in comfort while you’re sitting in the chair. We’ll swap places. You need your rest more than I do.’
She stared at him in horror. ‘I can’t do that. You’re unwell.’
He took her by the hand and pulled her to her feet. ‘I’m quite recovered from the fever. I need fresh air and something to do or I’ll go mad. Now take my bed and let me sit in the chair. I insist upon it.’
Next morning, Essie awakened to find Freddie watching her with a smile on his face. ‘It’s a pleasure to watch you sleeping,’ he said cheerfully. ‘You looked as though you were having sweet dreams.’
She sat up, self-conscious and embarrassed. ‘I can’t remember. I hope you managed to doze off.’
‘I cat-napped, but that’s all I ever do. I don’t need much sleep.’ He leaned forward, his smile fading. ‘Now, will you do as I asked you last night? Go and find my brother and tell him that I’m leaving with you.’
Essie shook out her tangled mop of hair. ‘All right, but I can’t go down looking like this. I don’t suppose you have such a thing as a hairbrush or a comb?’
Freddie stood up and walked over to a chest of drawers, returning with a mirror and a brush. ‘The brothers do allow such luxuries, but that’s about all. I had to leave my few possessions when I abandoned my studio in town. Not that I brought much with me from home, as my departure was rather hurried.’
Essie winced as she tugged at a particularly knotty tangle, and to her surprise Freddie took the brush from her. ‘I haven’t finished,’ she protested.
‘Turn round and I’ll do your hair. It’s a long time since I ran my fingers through a dark silky mane like yours. I’ve always loved women, and the monastic life isn’t for me.’
‘From what I heard it was your liking for a pretty face that brought you here in the first place,’ Essie said, chuckling.
‘My intentions were misunderstood, and I never had any complaints from the ladies in question. But you will do your best to convince Raven that I’m desperate to leave here, won’t you?’
She closed her eyes, enjoying the rhythmic strokes as he brushed her long hair. ‘I’ll do my best, Frederick.’
‘It’s just Freddie. Standing on ceremony doesn’t have a place here.’ He stood back to admire his handiwork. ‘You have beautiful hair, Essie. And the face of an angel, particularly when you’re asleep.’
Essie felt the blood rush to her cheeks. ‘Please don’t say that in front of anyone else. Heaven knows what they’d think.’ She moved to the top of the spiral stairs. ‘I’ll do what I can, Freddie.’
‘I think I’m in love with you, Essie.’ He blew her a kiss.
She smiled as she negotiated the stone steps. The Honourable Frederick Dorincourt was not so different from Ben, who was always declaring his love for her – she knew it was just words.
Raven and Falco were sprawled on chairs in the empty refectory. Essie tapped Raven on the shoulder. ‘Wake up. I need to talk to you.’
He opened one bleary eye, staring at her as if he had never seen her before. ‘What d’you want?’
‘Your brother wants to go to Australia,’ Essie said sharply. ‘Wake up. Don’t go back to sleep.’
He opened both eyes and raised himself to a sitting position. ‘What did you say?’
‘Freddie insists on leaving here. He says he’s desperate and I believe him. He wants to go with you.’
Raven leaped to his feet. ‘We’ll see about that.’ He strode off towards the tower, leaving Essie alone with Falco, who was slowly surfacing.
‘What’s happening?’ he demanded, yawning. ‘What is all the fuss about?’
At that moment the monks began to file into the refectory carrying baskets of bread and fruit, which they laid on the table together with jugs of water. Grace was said and they took their seats, ignoring Essie and Falco, who had moved away to a respectful distance.
‘Freddie wants to leave with us,’ Essie whispered. ‘He says he’ll throw himself out of the window if we go without him.’
Falco did not look impressed. ‘I doubt if he’d go that far.’
‘He wants to go to Australia with his brother,’ Essie insisted. ‘I don’t see why that should be impossible.’
Falco shrugged and reached for a carafe of wine, taking a swig from it and wiping his lips on the back of his hand. ‘They make this concoction themselves, but it’s terrible.’
‘I’d better go and find her ladyship,’ Essie said, backing away. ‘Do you know what time we’re leaving?’
‘I am just the guide and interpreter,’ Falco said with a glimmer of a smile. ‘Raven is the one in charge. We’ll have to wait and see what he decides.’
Essie knew that there was only one person who might influence Raven, and she went to find Lady Alice.
‘What?’ Lady Alice sat up in bed, staring at Essie. ‘Surely you’re mistaken? Freddie wouldn’t want to go to a penal colony, even if Raven has struck gold.’
‘That’s what he said, my lady. He seemed determined.’
Lady Alice climbed stiffly from the bed. ‘That was the most uncomfortable night I have ever had. The monks obviously believe in mo
rtifying the flesh.’ She prodded Sadie’s sleeping form with her foot. ‘Wake up, girl. We’re leaving as soon as I’m ready, no matter what Raven says.’
Whatever passed between the two brothers that morning was never discussed openly, but Freddie said goodbye to the monks, thanking them for their hospitality, and the small party set off on the return journey to Brindisi. When they reached the inn a little after midday, a room was found for Freddie, who was plainly exhausted by the long ride. It was obvious that he had not fully recovered his strength, despite his refusal to acknowledge the fact that he was still recuperating from his illness.
Essie was relieved to find her clothes washed, dried and laid out neatly on her bed together with Sadie’s garments, and later that afternoon the local dressmaker arrived to take Lady Alice’s measurements for at least one new gown. Having satisfied her ladyship that she was perfectly capable, the dressmaker turned her attention to Essie and finally to Sadie, although she made it clear that their clothes would come second to those ordered by Lady Alice. Falco and Raven had gone down to the docks soon after they had arrived and returned in time for dinner that evening. Essie sensed a tense atmosphere, but neither of them was forthcoming and Lady Alice appeared to be oblivious to their change of mood. She seemed happy now that she was wearing her own clothes, even though they were well worn and faded, and Sadie had put up her ladyship’s hair in a very becoming style.
‘I hope you were getting the ship ready to sail for England.’ Lady Alice took her seat at the table, spreading out her skirts and tilting her head in a coquettish manner, addressing Falco with a charming smile. ‘You will see me safely home, won’t you, Captain?’
Falco had risen gallantly, as had Raven, but they exchanged wary glances as they resumed their seats. ‘I’m afraid that will be impossible, my lady,’ Falco said smoothly. ‘But I have had a word with the captain of another vessel, who will be setting off for Portsmouth in two days’ time.’
