by Dilly Court
Chapter Six
Caroline’s first day in Pier House was not what she might have wished. Maria gave her a warm welcome, but Mrs Colville was as frosty as ever and spent a good fifteen minutes going through all the things that Caroline was not allowed to do. Having laid down the law in no uncertain terms, she rang for Gilroy and Caroline was taken below stairs to the housekeeper’s office.
Mrs Bury was a little less friendly than her mistress, and Gilroy had been downright rude. Caroline stood in front of the housekeeper, hands folded demurely in front of her, but the sudden change in her status was becoming more obvious with every passing minute. A short while ago she had been Miss Caroline Manning, daughter of a wealthy ship-owner and had had servants running round after her – now she was neither part of the family nor was she a servant.
‘You will be responsible only to Mrs Colville, but I assume that she will have told you that already.’ Mrs Bury looked Caroline up and down with a sceptical twist to her thin lips. ‘I will introduce you to the servants, and then I will show you your room.’ She rose from behind her desk with a rustle of starched petticoats. ‘Follow me, Miss Manley.’
Caroline had rarely ventured below stairs when living in Finsbury Circus, but she was familiar with the general layout of pantries, still rooms, boot rooms and kitchens. Mrs Bury allowed her a cursory glance into each area, ending up in the kitchen where Cook was busy preparing luncheon. Through the open door Caroline could see a young skivvy, who was standing on an upturned wooden box in order to reach the sink as she struggled to cope with the never-ending supply of dirty pots and pans. The smell of washing soda and grease wafted out in damp steamy clouds, but Mrs Bury hurried Caroline out of the kitchen and led her down a long dark corridor to a cupboard containing uniforms. She brought out a faded grey poplin gown with white collar and cuffs.
‘Mrs Colville wants you to wear this, although in my experience ladies’ companions usually wear their own clothes. This was last worn by Miss Maria’s governess and it’s quite serviceable, although it might be a bit large for you.’
‘I would prefer to wear my own clothes,’ Caroline said firmly. ‘As you say, Mrs Bury, it’s not the custom for a lady’s companion to wear a uniform, let alone one that has seen better days. I will tell Mrs Colville so.’
A fleeting look of admiration crossed Mrs Bury’s face. ‘Very well, Miss Manley. I’m sure you would like to see your room. Gilroy has taken your luggage upstairs for you.’
Mrs Bury took the back stairs, which were steep and narrow, winding their way through the house in a discreet manner to enable the servants to do their work without disrupting the lives of the family. Caroline’s room was on the third floor at the side of the building overlooking the entrance to Wapping Basin. It was small and crowded with unmatched furniture, but the single bed looked reasonably comfortable and the room was spotlessly clean.
‘Luncheon is at noon,’ Mrs Bury said as she prepared to leave. ‘You will take your meals in the dining room, of course.’
The door closed on her, leaving Caroline to unpack her valise. She was just putting the last of her clothes in a deal chest of drawers when there was a knock on the door.
‘Come in.’ Caroline knew it was Maria even before she burst into the room.
‘I’m sorry they put you in here,’ Maria said breathlessly. ‘I wanted Mrs Bury to give you the room next to mine, but she said that you were to be put in here, and I suspect that was Grandmama’s doing.’
‘It’s perfectly fine,’ Caroline said, closing the top drawer. ‘I’m done now, so what would you like to do, Maria? Shall we go for a walk?’
Maria’s cheeks paled. ‘I can’t – I mean I have to ask Grandmama first.’
‘Well, go and ask her, or shall I do it for you?’
‘I have to wait until she sends for me. She doesn’t like it if I do otherwise.’
Caroline stared at her, hardly able to believe her ears. ‘But she’s your flesh and blood. She’s not the Queen of England.’
‘You’d think she was sometimes. I think Her Majesty would be easier to approach. Anyway, it’s half-past eleven and we have to be at table on the dot of midday.’
‘I suppose that’s another of your grandmother’s rules.’
‘Yes, of course. We have to be punctual for meals.’
‘Does your cousin obey the rules at all times?’
A slow smile curved Maria’s lips. ‘Phin does as he pleases because he’s a man, and he’s also the head of Colville Shipping. I expect you’ve heard of us.’
‘Oh, yes. Everyone has heard of Colville Shipping.’
‘Phin was quite young when Grandpapa passed away, leaving him in sole charge of the business,’ Maria said proudly.
‘Does your cousin live here?’
‘He stays sometimes to keep Grandmama happy, but he has a house in Princes Square.’ Maria lowered her voice in a conspiratorial whisper. ‘Grandmama doesn’t know about it.’
‘Doesn’t she wonder where he goes when he’s not here?’
‘He lets her think that he’s away on business, and she doesn’t think to question him. Phin is her darling and I’m just an embarrassment.’
Caroline patted the bed. ‘Sit down, Maria, and tell me why your grandmother treats you this way. I really need to know or I might not be able to help you.’
‘Well, it’s a sad story really. My mother was only fifteen when she fell in love with someone. I don’t know who he was, or why he couldn’t marry her. Maybe he was already married – I don’t know – but I was born out of wedlock and my mama was sent away. I’ve never met her, but I have a picture of her.’ Maria tugged at a gold chain hanging around her neck and drew out a gold locket, which she flicked open to reveal the portrait of a young girl.
‘That could be you,’ Caroline said slowly. ‘She is very pretty, Maria. Just like you.’
‘I’m not pretty. Grandmama always said I was behind the door when looks were given out. I’m very plain.’
‘Indeed you are not,’ Caroline said angrily. ‘Your grandmama is a cruel woman. She should have taken care of her daughter, and she should have been kind to you.’
‘But my birth disgraced the Colville family,’ Maria protested tearfully. ‘My mother was only sixteen when I was born, and I’m living proof of her wickedness.’
‘Nonsense. It’s not wicked to give love freely, even if it is ill-advised. Where was the father in all this? Why didn’t he stand up to Mrs Colville and spirit your mother away and marry her?’
‘I’ll probably never discover the truth. I wish I could meet my mother and get to know her, but that’s impossible.’
‘Have you told your cousin Phineas how you feel?’
‘Phin is quite sympathetic, but he told me that I should forget about her.’
‘And you can’t do that.’
‘No, of course not.’ Maria reached out to grasp Caroline’s hands. ‘I knew that you would understand. My dearest wish is to find my mother, but there’s no chance of that when I am never allowed to go anywhere unaccompanied.’
‘And you have no idea where she is?’ Caroline gave Maria’s fingers a gentle squeeze and withdrew her hands. ‘She might be living abroad.’
‘That’s true.’ Maria’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I’m never going to find her, am I?’
‘Don’t say that. There must be a way. After all, she’ll still be a relatively young woman. She must be somewhere, and I’ll do everything I can to help you.’ Caroline jumped to her feet at the sound of a bell clanging somewhere in the depths of the house. ‘What was that?’
‘That’s the first bell for luncheon. We have five minutes to tidy ourselves and go down to the dining room.’
Caroline stifled a chuckle. ‘A five-minute bell – that’s ridiculous. This isn’t the army.’
‘I wouldn’t know about that, but Grandmama is very fussy about punctuality. There is always a bell five minutes before each meal, and that means there’s no excuse to be late.’
‘I see. I’ll try to remember that.’ Caroline glanced at her reflection in the dressing-table mirror. ‘Am I presentable enough to grace the dining table, Maria?’
‘It’s no laughing matter. Grandmama takes it very seriously.’ Maria rose from the bed and peered in the mirror, patting her already immaculate dark hair into place.
‘So what happens if you are late?’
‘No food,’ she said tersely. ‘I get sent to my room and I have to remain there until the bell for the next meal. We’d better hurry.’
The midday meal was eaten in silence and, to Caroline’s intense relief, it was over quickly. Mrs Colville favoured small helpings of plain food, which left Caroline feeling almost as hungry as when she had taken her seat at the vast dining table. Maria sat with her head bowed and picked at her meal, earning a stern rebuke from her grandmother, and a sympathetic smile from Caroline.
‘Don’t encourage her, Miss Manley.’ Mrs Colville rose from her seat. ‘Maria will sit there until she has finished her meal. Good food is not to be wasted.’
Caroline had eaten the tasteless sago pudding in an attempt to stave off pangs of hunger, but it was obvious that Maria was struggling. Caroline was about to protest, but the steely look in Mrs Colville’s eye was enough to convince her that she would only make matters worse.
‘I am retiring to the drawing room, Maria,’ Mrs Colville said coldly. ‘Gilroy will clear the table in five minutes and I expect her to find a clean plate.’ She swept out of the dining room, leaving the maid standing guard by the door.
‘I can’t eat it,’ Maria whispered. ‘I’ll be sick if I do.’
‘It’s not so bad.’ Caroline hoped she sounded more convincing than she was feeling. ‘Sprinkle some sugar on it.’
Maria shook her head. ‘Nanny Robbins used to say that sago pudding was good for me and that there were thousands of starving children in London who would be grateful for such a treat, but she kept a jar of raspberry jam hidden in one of the cupboards and she allowed me to have some to make the dish more palatable.’
Caroline glanced at Gilroy’s set expression and she had a feeling that anything they said would be repeated to Mrs Colville. She snatched Maria’s spoon and shovelled the rest of the dessert into her mouth, gulping it down with difficulty as it was cold and glutinous. She stood up, waving the empty plate in front of Gilroy. ‘It’s all gone. You can tell tales to your mistress if you like, but I’m taking Miss Maria out for a walk in the sunshine.’
Maria rose hastily from the table. ‘I’ll fetch my bonnet and parasol.’ She scuttled past Gilroy as if afraid that the affronted servant might try to prevent her leaving.
Caroline fixed the maid with a hard stare as she left the room. Whatever happened, she would not allow the servants to bully Maria – it was bad enough having to stand by and watch the poor girl being browbeaten by someone who was supposed to love and care for her.
Minutes later they were walking beneath the trees on the pier head.
‘I feel quite guilty,’ Maria said shyly. ‘I should have asked Grandmama’s permission.’
‘Nonsense. You’re not a prisoner and we’re only going for a short walk on a sunny afternoon. I told Gilroy to inform Mrs Colville where we were going, that should be quite sufficient. You aren’t a child, Maria.’
‘I know, but Grandmama is accustomed to ruling my life.’
‘Then it’s high time she learned that you are grown up, and in a year or so you’ll reach your majority.’
‘She plans to have me married off before then.’
Caroline came to a halt beneath a London plane tree. ‘Has she selected your future husband?’
‘I don’t know, but I hope not.’
‘You’ll have to stand firm. She can’t force you to marry someone you neither know nor like.’
‘You don’t know her as I do, Caroline. Grandmama has a will of iron.’
‘I can be very stubborn, too. I’m on your side now, Maria. We’ll stand up to her together.’
Maria came to a sudden halt as they emerged on to Wapping High Street. ‘Look, there’s our office building. Shall we pay Phin a surprise visit? He’ll be astounded to see me out and about.’
‘I don’t see why not.’ Caroline had not intended to visit Colville Shipping Company so soon, but now the opportunity had arisen she did not intend to turn it down. What could be more innocent than Miss Maria Colville paying a social call on her cousin, who just happened to be the head of the company?
The first person Caroline saw when she entered the building was none other than Sidney Masters. Bold as brass, he was seated behind the reception desk, but his bland smile froze when he recognised her and he stumbled to his feet.
‘Miss er …’
‘Miss Manley,’ Caroline said hastily. ‘I know you, Mr Masters. You used to work for the Mannings.’
He licked his lips, giving her an owl-like stare. ‘Yes, Miss Man—’
‘Manley,’ Caroline said firmly. ‘I am Miss Manley, Miss Colville’s companion, and she would like to see Mr Colville.’
Masters swallowed convulsively. His face was a picture of consternation and confusion. ‘Miss Manley,’ he repeated dully. ‘But, I thought …’
Caroline moved closer, leaning over the desk. ‘Does Mr Colville know that you accepted money from Parkinson that he’d taken without permission from his employer?’ she said in a low voice. ‘I think he might be very interested to learn the facts.’
‘No, miss. It were Parkinson who opened the safe, not me. Don’t say anything, please. I can’t afford to lose this job.’
‘Just keep what you know to yourself and I will return the compliment. Please inform Mr Colville that we’re here.’
‘Yes, Miss Manley.’ Masters stood up and backed away as if in the presence of royalty. Caroline turned to Maria, who was gazing round the remarkable entrance hall with its carved oak panelling hung with paintings of sailing ships, screw steamers and the latest ship of the line. ‘This is all very impressive. You must be proud of your cousin for building up the business to what it is today.’
Maria gave her a curious look. ‘You sound as if you know something about shipping.’
‘I grew up close to the river, and I love ships,’ Caroline said casually. ‘We’re a maritime nation, after all.’
‘I wish I knew more about the business. Not that I’d be much use because I am quite a dunce when it comes to learning, but I’m sure there must be some way in which I could contribute.’
‘I’m sure there is.’ Caroline turned to see Phineas Colville striding across the polished floor. ‘Your cousin is coming.’
Maria spun round and her pretty face lit up with pleasure as she hurried forward, holding out her hands. ‘Phin. Thank you for seeing us. I was afraid you might be too busy.’
His taut expression lightened just a little. ‘What are you doing here, Maria? This is no place for you.’ He glanced at Caroline. ‘I suppose this is your doing, Miss Manley. If you intend to interfere in my family’s affairs I should warn you that it won’t meet with my grandmother’s approval.’
‘Phin! That’s not fair.’ Maria’s voice shook with emotion. ‘I wanted to see the office. It had nothing to do with Caroline.’
‘But I imagine it was Miss Manley who brought you out in the heat of the day. You know you have a delicate constitution, Maria. I’m surprised that Grandmama allowed it.’
‘She didn’t,’ Maria said with an impish smile. ‘We escaped, Phin. And I’m not delicate. Grandmama keeps me hidden away because she’s ashamed of me.’
Phineas shot a wary look in Masters’ direction, but the clerk had his head bent over a pile of correspondence. ‘Come into the office, Maria. This is not the place to discuss family matters.’ He turned to Caroline, a frown creasing his brow. ‘You’d better come, too.’
Caroline bit back a sharp retort. Phineas Colville was just as arrogant and disagreeable as she had thought at their first meeting, but she might learn somet
hing to her advantage. If there was the slightest chance of saving even a small part of Manning and Chapman she would be prepared to do anything within reason. She followed them across the vast, cathedral-like hall to an office that was twice as big as the front parlour in the Captain’s House, and furnished with an eye to quality as well as comfort and utility.
‘This is a lovely office,’ Maria said enthusiastically. ‘Why have I never been here before, Phin?’
A wry smile curved his lips. ‘I didn’t know you were interested in the business, and I doubt if Grandmama would approve of a young woman venturing into a man’s world.’
Stung by his patronising attitude, Caroline glared at him. ‘I heard that there was a very able lady running your main competitor, Mr Colville.’
‘So able that the business is now bankrupt and closed down.’
‘I believe that was caused by the sudden demise of her husband, sir.’
He turned to give her a searching look. ‘You seem to know a lot about the shipping industry, Miss Manley.’
‘I’ve lived close to the river all my life.’
‘But this sort of business is not the usual subject of conversation in polite circles, or so I’ve been led to believe.’
‘Then my upbringing must have been lacking in social graces, sir. My father believed that girls should be educated to the same standard as boys, and that women have much to contribute outside the home as well as within its four walls.’
