by Dilly Court
‘Aye,’ Molly said, nodding wisely. ‘I’ve heard that women can be real bitches at the beginning, and then they cheer up and become almost normal. That’s what Sal says anyway, and she ought to know for don’t her ma drop a new baby every year regular as clockwork?’
But matters did not improve. Now that her secret was out, Honoria became more difficult and demanding. Robert was terrified of upsetting her in case she miscarried, which he told Kate had happened several times to Kate’s own mother before she arrived as a gift from God, and everyone had to tiptoe around Honoria, giving in to her slightest whim.
The weeks went by without further incident but Kate’s nerves were stretched to breaking point. She was beginning to hate Honoria with a slow-burning passion, and she knew very well that her stepmother wanted her out of the house and out of their lives. Although Honoria was always sweetness itself to her when Robert was near, her claws came out when they were alone together. Molly and Sam knew what was going on, but they had been banished to a small one-up, one-down cottage that had once housed the pig man and the lingering smell of swine persisted despite Kate and Molly’s best efforts to scrub the place clean. The Lovedays were allowed to eat in the kitchen with Kate, but Honoria insisted that she and Robert took their meals in the parlour, which hitherto had only been used for special occasions. Kate’s position in the house was reduced to that of a servant, and worse was to come when Robert grudgingly allowed Honoria to hire a lady’s maid.
Tilda Harvey had worked as a chambermaid at the Grange, and Kate suspected that Honoria had been planning to employ her all along. Tilda turned up at the farmhouse one morning at the beginning of February with her belongings packed in a carpet bag. She was allowed to have the bedroom that Molly and Sam had shared when they were children, and she ate her meals in the parlour with Honoria if Robert was out working in the fields, or in her room if the master chose to dine with his wife. This treatment immediately placed her above Kate, and although Tilda did not say so to her face, she made it plain that she considered herself to be Honoria’s favourite. When Kate complained to her father he simply said that she was imagining things and that keeping Honoria happy and contented was the most important thing at this critical time. Kate was left to fume inwardly, unable to do anything other than to put a brave face on things, but she was beginning to think that her days as a servant in Bedford Square had been a bed of roses compared to the life she was forced to lead now.
She was in the dairy one morning, making butter, when Josie appeared in the doorway. She was smartly dressed in a sapphire-blue velvet mantle trimmed with sable with a matching bonnet and muff, but she looked far from happy.
‘Josie. This is a pleasant surprise.’
‘I can’t stand it any longer,’ Josie cried passionately. ‘I’ve left home and I’m never setting foot in that house again while that disgusting creature is there.’
Kate stared at her in dismay. She was used to Josie’s volatile moods but she could tell that this was something more serious than a childish tantrum. ‘What’s happened?’
Josie dropped a leather valise on the flagstones, holding her hands out to Kate. ‘I need you to come to London with me. I’m going to the house in Bedford Square, and I can’t travel unaccompanied.’
‘I don’t understand. You’re talking in riddles.’
‘That beast who calls himself my uncle has been making improper advances to me ever since he first came to Damerell Manor. It stopped for a while after Papa died, but now he’s made it clear that the only way I can stay on in my home is if I warm his bed.’
‘That’s terrible, Josie. Are you certain he wasn’t just teasing you?’
‘Of course I’m sure. His hands were all over me and it wasn’t the first time. I just packed a bag and walked out. I didn’t even tell Mama, although she’ll find out soon enough. That sneak Joseph will make her think it was all my doing.’
‘But running away isn’t going to solve anything. You should tell your mother what he’s been doing. Get it all out in the open and shame the hateful man.’
‘Don’t you think I’ve thought of that?’ Josie paced the floor, wringing her hands in an obvious state of agitation. ‘I’ve spent sleepless nights trying to work out a plan of action, and I’ve been playing for time in the hope that Harry would come up to scratch and propose.’
‘But he hasn’t?’ Kate held her breath, waiting for Josie’s response.
‘No, and I suppose that makes you happy. I know you wanted him for yourself.’ Josie rounded on her, eyes blazing. ‘I know that you have feelings for him, Kate, but he’s not for you, any more than Sam is for me. We’ve both fallen in love with the wrong men, but we’ve got to accept the fact that it can never be. I can’t marry a farm labourer and you have no hope of hooking a man of Challenor’s standing. It’s hard and it’s cruel, but it’s the way things are.’
Kate bowed her head. She knew that Josie was only stating a fact, but the truth hurt. She had hoped that she had conquered her feelings for Harry, but she had been deluding herself. She raised her head, forcing herself to look Josie in the eye. ‘What you say is true, but at least I know that my case is hopeless. Are you so certain that you can ignore the bond between you and Sam? And doesn’t he have any say in the matter?’
Josie tossed her head. ‘Of course not. I can’t tie myself to a clodhopper with no prospects. I’m going to London to set myself up in my own establishment and I intend to pursue Harry until he catches me. Now are you with me, or do I go to London on my own?’
Chapter Fourteen
KATE SAT OPPOSITE Josie in the first class railway compartment, and as she watched the fields and hedgerows flash past the window she wondered if she had done the right thing. Josie had made it almost impossible to refuse her plea to accompany her to London. Kate had had serious misgivings at first, but her life on the farm was proving to be intolerable, and she could see that when the baby arrived things would get progressively worse. It was Honoria who had tipped the scales in Josie’s favour, and when Kate had asked for permission to accompany Josie to London, Robert was obviously too afraid of upsetting his wife to raise any objections.
‘It’s a fair offer, maidy,’ he had said with an attempt at a smile. ‘Miss Josephine will look after you, and you will have some standing in the household. It will be like old times.’
Kate had thought she heard a note of envy in his voice, and she had seen a hint of wistfulness in his smile. He might not have been a Londoner born and bred, but she realised then that he missed his old life. He had taken on the role of farmer, but she suspected that in his heart he yearned for the companionship of the stable yard, and the ordered simplicity of his old job as head groom.
Kate leaned her forehead against the cool glass pane of the carriage window. She had been sad to leave her pa, and she had not had the opportunity to explain her sudden departure to Sam, who had taken Molly to market to sell the butter and cheese to Biddy Madge. She glanced at Josie who was huddled in the corner and appeared to be asleep. For the first time Kate noticed the dark circles underlining her eyes and the telltale droop at the corners of the mouth. Josie might put a brave face on what had happened in the manor house, but Kate knew her well enough to realise that Sir Joseph’s unforgivable conduct had shocked her to the core. Coming so soon after her father’s death, Josie must have been desperate to walk away from the place where she had been born and raised, and which but for the rights of succession should have been her home for life.
Kate settled back against the padded squabs. She could not help wondering if they were doing the right thing. It was all very well for Josie to state that she would set herself up on her own in the London house, but even with her limited knowledge of society, Kate knew that life was not going to be easy for a young, unmarried woman living without the protection of her family. She suspected that her main objective would be to save Josie from herself, and that was a challenge she had yet to meet. As for herself, she knew that she must face the prospec
t of seeing Harry again. Josie had her sights set on marrying him and it was inevitable that he would be invited to the house in Bedford Square. She was painfully aware that her feelings counted for nothing. She would have to melt into the background. She really was Miss Nobody. She closed her eyes, blotting out all thoughts and fears and drifting into a dreamless sleep.
They arrived at Waterloo on time and took a hansom cab to Bedford Square. It was late afternoon and rain was falling from a pewter sky as they trudged up the steps to the front door. Josie rang the bell several times, cursing the weather and the idleness of the servants who were taking their time to answer her summons. When the door finally opened she was about to step inside, but her way was barred by the footman.
‘May I be of assistance, ma’am?’
‘Yes, you can stop being ridiculous and let me in. Do you know who I am?’
He remained impassive and unmoving. ‘I regret to say that I do not, ma’am.’
‘I’m the owner of this establishment, Miss Josephine Damerell,’ Josie said angrily. ‘Now stand aside, my man, and let me in.’
‘I think there is some mistake, ma’am. The owner of this house is Mr Geoffrey Keaton, QC, but if you wish to leave your calling card I will put it before him on his return.’
‘No, you are mistaken. This house has belonged to the Damerell family for generations. I don’t know who Mr Keaton is, but this is not his home.’
The footman was ousted by a grim-looking butler. ‘What appears to be the problem, Jones?’
‘This young lady seems to think that she owns this residence, Mr Brown.’
Brown drew himself up to his full height. ‘I think you are labouring under a misapprehension, ma’am. This house was purchased recently by my master, I believe from the former owner, Sir Joseph Damerell.’
Josie staggered backwards and would have missed her footing if Kate had not stepped forward to save her. ‘That’s impossible. This house belongs to my family.’
‘Not any more, ma’am. I suggest you leave now and take the matter up with Sir Joseph if you are in any doubt.’ Brown closed the door firmly, leaving Josie and Kate standing on the doorstep.
‘He can’t have sold it so quickly,’ Josie said, shaking her head in disbelief. ‘Even Joseph would not do such a thing without consulting Mama.’
‘It appears that he did, Josie.’ Kate shivered. ‘We’d best find shelter because the rain is running down my neck and soon I’ll be soaked to the skin, as will you.’
‘This can’t be happening. Where will we go?’
‘We could try the stables in the mews. Perhaps some of the old grooms have been kept on. We could shelter there until we’ve decided what to do next.’
Josie glanced up at the building, blinking the rainwater from her eyes. The fur on her bonnet was sticking up in wet tufts and dark patches stained her velvet mantle, but she held her head high. ‘I’m not going there to be humiliated by mere servants.’
‘Well, what do you suggest?’
‘Be quiet. I’m thinking.’ Josie stomped down the steps, allowing her long skirt to trail on the wet paving stones.
Kate followed her, picking up Josie’s valise and her own, much smaller, carpet bag into which she had thrown a few necessities. She waited patiently, stamping her feet in an attempt to keep warm while Josie paced up and down in front of the house.
‘We could take a chance and call on Harry,’ she said at last, and then shook her head. ‘No, I won’t go cap in hand to him. We must meet again, but on equal terms. I won’t turn up on his doorstep looking like a drowned rat.’
‘Perhaps we should return to Dorset,’ Kate suggested tentatively.
‘Never. I’d rather die than go back and live with that beast.’
‘Maybe we could find lodgings somewhere? We can’t stay here and it will be dark in a couple of hours.’
‘Don’t go on so. I have an idea.’ Josie moved swiftly to the edge of the kerb and hailed a passing cab. ‘There’s only one person I can think of who would willingly take us in. I just hope and pray that she’s still in the land of the living.’ She climbed into the cab. ‘Hackney Terrace, my man.’
‘It’s a fair way, miss. I’ll take you there but it will cost you.’
‘I’m aware of that,’ Josie snapped. ‘Get in, Kate. Don’t stand there gawping. Hand me my valise.’
Kate lifted the cases into the cab and clambered in with difficulty, hampered by her damp skirts. She sat next to Josie, closing the folding doors as the cab lurched forward. ‘Where are we going?’
‘Hackney. I’ve no idea where it is exactly, but my old nanny retired there some years ago. I know that because I send her a present every Christmas. Toop used to let one of the under footmen take it to her. I suppose she’s still in the land of the living, although I must confess I forgot all about her last year.’ She broke off on a sob and Kate put her arm around her shoulders.
‘At least it will be a roof over our heads for tonight. You’re worn out, Josie. You’ll feel better after a rest and something to eat.’
Josie managed a grim smile. ‘You always look on the bright side, Kate. Sometimes I wish I were more like you.’ She stared gloomily at the road ahead. ‘I’ve got to think of a plan. I can’t allow Harry to find me living like a pauper in the East End.’
‘Have you got any money left? I mean, it was quite extravagant to travel first class, and the cab fare is going to be expensive.’
‘We don’t talk about things like that. It’s vulgar.’
‘It’s only vulgar if you’re rich. If you’re poor it’s vital to know how much you have to spend, or how little.’
Josie fished in her velvet reticule and pulled out a leather purse. She thrust it into Kate’s hand. ‘Here you are. Count it. I don’t know how much there is in it. I didn’t think we’d need more than our fare to London.’
Kate stared at her in amazement. ‘So how do you think the household runs itself?’
‘I’ve never given it a thought. I suppose Papa paid all the bills, but either Toop or the housekeeper saw to the day to day running of the house. Anyway, how should I know about sordid things like that? I was brought up to be a lady, not a housemaid like you.’
Kate subsided into silence. Josie might pretend that they were equals when it suited her, but at other times she made the difference in their status painfully clear. After a moment, Josie nudged her in the ribs. ‘Are you sulking? Have I said the wrong thing again?’
‘You speak without thinking, but it’s no use pretending. You’ve got to choose one way or the other. I’m either your friend or your servant. I can’t be both.’
Josie screwed her face up against the rain and the foul smells emanating from the dung-covered city streets and overflowing gutters. ‘We’re friends, of course. I wish you wouldn’t be so sensitive, Kate.’ She kissed her on the cheek. ‘But when we’re with Harry you will pretend to be my maid, won’t you? It’s even more important for me to impress him now. I must marry him, Kate. I really must.’
‘And where does that leave Sam?’
‘On the farm where he belongs. One day I hope he’ll marry a nice cheerful country girl who’ll never utter a cross word and will bear him lots of chubby-cheeked children.’
‘You’re lying.’
‘Yes. I am, but don’t you dare tell him what I said. I’m going to marry money and that’s that.’
Kate stole a sideways glance at Josie and stifled a sigh. She knew by the stubborn set of Josie’s jaw that she had made her mind up and nothing would shift her from her purpose. There was little that she could do at this moment other than to go along with whatever her capricious friend decided. She settled back to endure the cold, bumpy ride to the wilds of Hackney. The streets grew narrower and poorer the further east the hansom cab travelled. Beggars and half-feral children crowded the pavements, beseeching passers-by for money. Skeletally thin cats and dogs roamed the narrow courts and alleyways, sniffing out morsels of barely edible detritus in the gutte
rs. It was scene after scene of poverty and deprivation, and even though the rain had ceased a sulphurous gloom wrapped itself around the stark outlines of the manufactories and the streets lined with back to back dwellings.
The lamplighter was just finishing his rounds as they reached Hackney Terrace which overlooked the wide expanse of Hackney Common, Josie awakened with a start, staring round wide-eyed and dazed with sleep. Kate climbed down from the cab, after paying the cabby what seemed like an exorbitant amount. She lifted their luggage to the ground and Josie alighted to stand on the pavement, smoothing out the creases in her clothes, seemingly oblivious to the dangers of being in a rough part of the city. The cab drove off at a spanking pace and they were alone. Kate had seen enough of the raw underbelly of London life to be aware of the perils lurking in the darkness. The common and surrounding market gardens would be the ideal haunt for thieves and robbers. She could see tiny pinpricks of light from fires lit by the homeless who huddled together for warmth, hoping to live through yet another bitterly cold winter night exposed to the elements.
They had been left outside a row of near derelict artisans’ cottages with front doors that opened out directly onto the pavement. Kate’s heart sank as she took in their surroundings. ‘Which house is it, Josie? Where does this woman live?’
‘Number ten, I think. I don’t remember.’ Josie gazed longingly at the far side of the street where a crescent of once elegant Georgian houses was set back from a tree-covered green. Even in the soft glow of the gas lamps they appeared to be sadly run down and the gardens a neglected tangle of brambles and ivy, but lights shone invitingly from the tall windows and their slightly tarnished opulence was in sharp contrast to the dwellings on their side of the road. ‘Why couldn’t she have lived in one of those?’
‘I expect it’s because she earned so little as your nanny that she couldn’t save a penny towards her old age.’
