The Summer Maiden

by Dilly Court

  ‘A radical view, certainly.’ He turned away, concentrating his attention on Maria. ‘Now you’ve seen my office, what do you think? Perhaps I should have some embroidered cushions or a few vases of flowers.’

  ‘That would make it much more comfortable,’ Maria said, smiling. ‘It is a very masculine room, Phin. Perhaps a couple of pictures on the wall would make it a little more cheerful.’

  It was obvious to Caroline that Phineas was merely humouring his cousin and she suspected that he was laughing inwardly, although he maintained a straight face. She picked up a copy of Lloyd’s List and searched for the name of her uncle’s ship, the Esther Manning, but it was not amongst the expected arrivals. On the other hand there was no bad news, and that gave her cause for hope. What had befallen the vessel was anybody’s guess, but she felt a huge wave of relief and she could not wait to share it with Sadie and the boys. A sudden feeling of homesickness almost sucked the breath from her body, and she was beginning to regret her rash decision to accept the position at the Colvilles’ establishment. It had been taken for the best of reasons and the worst of reasons, and perhaps she should have given it more thought. Now she was embroiled in Maria’s troubles and they far exceeded her own. Even if she wanted to walk out on the Colville family she knew that she could not. Maria’s sad story had touched her heart, and she could not simply abandon her.

  ‘So where exactly does your interest in shipping lie, Miss Manley?’

  Caroline looked up with a start to find Phineas watching her with a calculating expression on his classic features, as cold and impervious as those of a marble statue.

  ‘I suppose it’s the thought of being able to travel abroad that appeals to me,’ she said evasively. It was obvious that in his mind all women were scatterbrains, but that suited her purpose as it deflected attention from herself, leaving her free to observe him and the workings of his company.

  His eyes narrowed and, for a moment, Caroline thought he was going to question her further, but he turned his attention to his cousin. ‘Well, you’ve seen me in my office. Does that satisfy your curiosity, Maria?’

  ‘A little,’ she said with a nervous giggle. ‘But I would like to see over one of your ships, Phin. If it isn’t too much trouble.’

  ‘That could be arranged, but I doubt if Grandmama would approve.’

  ‘Need she know?’ Caroline asked casually. ‘It sounds like a very interesting outing.’

  ‘An outing?’ Phin’s lips curved in a cynical smile. ‘I wouldn’t call it that, but maybe the reality of life at sea would dispel some of the romantic notions you young ladies harbour.’

  ‘Oh, Phin! You do say such cutting things,’ Maria said, sighing. ‘I would love to see over one of your ships, and I agree with Caroline. There is no reason to tell Grandmama anything that might upset her.’

  ‘Very well. I’ll arrange it for tomorrow afternoon, but I won’t go behind Grandmama’s back – she must be told. However, it just so happens that the Colville Star is in port and I intended to inspect her anyway. You may accompany me, if you wish.’

  Maria clapped her hands. ‘I do, Phin. I can’t wait.’

  ‘What about you, Miss Manley?’ Phin asked silkily. ‘Does the prospect please you also?’

  Caroline met his amused gaze with a steady look. ‘It will be interesting, but might I suggest that you broach the subject to Mrs Colville as you seem to be the only person who might be able to influence her?’

  ‘Yes, please do so,’ Maria added eagerly. ‘You know that you can wrap Grandmama around your little finger.’

  What Phineas said to his grandmother remained a mystery, but his powers of persuasion had never been in doubt. After luncheon next day, suitably dressed for the occasion in cool cotton-print gowns, lace mittens and straw bonnets, Maria and Caroline were driven to the docks in the Colvilles’ landau. The Colville Star was similar in size to the Esther Manning, and Phineas introduced Maria and Caroline to the captain, who was a great deal younger than she had expected. She had met a few of her father’s seagoing officers, and most of the captains had been middle-aged men with years of experience in ship handling. But, as she studied his craggy, weathered features, Caroline realised this man, who could not be a day older than thirty, had seen more of the world than many people twice his age. The corners of his intensely blue eyes were crinkled, as if he had spent most of his life gazing out to sea. He was polite but careful in his dealings with Phineas, and for that she could not blame him. One step placed wrongly might mean instant dismissal to an ordinary member of staff, but Caroline had a feeling that this man was too valuable to dismiss on a whim. Phineas was treating him with more respect than she had previously noted when he was speaking to his subordinates, while Maria seemed to have been struck dumb, and was gazing at the young captain wide-eyed with admiration.

  Phineas glanced round the deck with a nod of approval. ‘Everything seems to be in excellent order, Captain Barnaby. I’ll have a word with you later, but perhaps you would be kind enough to show Miss Colville around. My cousin is eager to learn more about our business and this seems a good place to start.’

  Captain Barnaby’s cheeks flushed beneath his tan and he cleared his throat. ‘Of course, sir.’ He glanced at Caroline, his sandy eyebrows raised in a mute question.

  ‘I will escort Miss Manley,’ Phineas said firmly. ‘She has also expressed an interest in the shipping industry and I am curious to learn her opinion.’

  ‘Aren’t you coming with us, Caroline?’ Maria asked anxiously.

  ‘Apparently not, but we’ll be close behind you.’

  ‘Indeed we will.’ Phineas proffered his arm to Caroline. ‘A quick tour of the ship will suffice, Captain. Lead on.’

  ‘Why did you do that?’ Caroline demanded when Maria and the captain were out of earshot. ‘You know how nervous she is.’

  ‘No harm will come to her on board a Colville ship. Captain Barnaby is a staid young fellow and certainly no ladies’ man. But the truth is I wanted a private word with you and I knew that this was my best chance.’

  Caroline withdrew her hand from his arm. ‘Really? I can’t think what you might have to say to me that can’t be said in front of Maria.’

  ‘I want to know what your business is with my family, Miss Manley.’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean, sir.’

  ‘I think you do. We met once briefly on the foreshore. You were with two young boys, who were being threatened by a pack of mudlarks. What is your reason for obtaining such a menial position, when you are obviously well educated and used to better things in life? Who are you, Miss Manley?’

  Chapter Seven

  ‘I am your cousin’s companion, Mr Colville.’

  ‘That’s no answer.’

  Caroline met his steely gaze without blinking. Two could play at his game and she was in complete command of her emotions. Iced water seemed to run in her veins as she remembered how her father’s business had suffered due to this man’s cutthroat business tactics. ‘Mrs Colville was satisfied with my credentials, sir. I see no reason to go through them again with you.’

  His eyebrows snapped together and his eyes narrowed, but to her surprise he threw back his head and laughed. ‘Touché, Miss Manley. You have me there, but I will discover the truth, sooner or later.’

  ‘All you need to know about me is that I am genuinely fond of Maria, and I will do my best to look after her.’ Caroline pressed home her advantage. ‘Now, may we continue in our tour of the ship?’

  It was not until they reached the cool interior of Pier House that Caroline realised how close she had come to being discovered. Phineas Colville might have appeared to concede a win to her, but she had a feeling that he would not stop until he knew her true identity, and that would almost certainly mean instant dismissal. It was not the loss of earnings that worried her – even after such a short time in her company, Caroline felt responsible for Maria, and she could not simply abandon her new friend. There was something about her
that touched Caroline to the core, and with every passing minute spent in Pier House Caroline’s dislike for Mrs Colville had burgeoned mushroom-like.

  ‘Wasn’t that splendid?’ Maria said enthusiastically.

  ‘I’m not sure what you’re talking about.’ Caroline dragged herself back to the present.

  ‘Everything. Surely you felt it as much as I did? I mean, it’s the first time I’ve ever been on board a ship and I thought it was wonderful – so romantic. Can you imagine starry evenings leaning over the railings, gazing at the moonlit sea?’

  ‘Perhaps, but I can also imagine stormy waters lashing the deck, and hours and hours with nothing to do.’

  ‘But wasn’t he handsome?’ Maria stepped into the entrance hall, giving the maid a beaming smile. ‘Thank you, Gilroy. Isn’t it a beautiful day?’

  Gilroy stared at her blankly, saying nothing.

  Caroline followed Maria into the house, catching up with her at the foot of the stairs. ‘I’m not sure I know who you mean.’

  ‘Why, the captain, of course. He was so good-looking and so nice. He showed me round the ship and made me feel really important. He listened to what I had to say and he didn’t contradict me once.’

  ‘Oh, the captain.’ Caroline nodded. ‘Yes, he was very nice.’

  ‘But I’ll never see him again. That’s so sad.’ Maria ascended the stairs, trailing her mittened hand on the banister.

  ‘I don’t see why not,’ Caroline said hastily. ‘If you really like him, why not ask Phineas to invite him to dine one evening while the ship is in port?’

  Maria came to a halt, turning her head to give Caroline a searching look. ‘Do you think I could?’

  ‘There’s no harm in asking. He can only say yes or no.’

  ‘I’ll ask him tonight, but not in front of Grandmama. I’ll just tidy up and I’ll meet you in the morning parlour in a few minutes. We can have a lovely chat.’ Maria picked up her skirts and raced up the remaining stairs, leaving Caroline to follow more slowly.

  She had a suspicion that all Maria wanted to do was to rhapsodise about the captain, but it was a pleasure to see her suddenly coming to life. However, if this was first love, it might be unrequited or, even worse, it might meet with such strong opposition that it had no chance to blossom. Caroline went to her room and sat on the bed for a few moments before making herself ready to go downstairs. She had come close to telling Phineas her real name, if only to see the shock and chagrin on his face, but even though she had managed to hold her tongue it was only a matter of time before he discovered that she was Jack Manning’s daughter.

  Minutes later, Caroline was about to make her way to the morning parlour when someone rapped on the front door. She hesitated, waiting for Gilroy to make an appearance, but there was no sign of her and the knocking grew more insistent. Caroline crossed the hall and opened the door to find Captain Barnaby standing on the step, clutching a parasol in his hand.

  ‘Captain Barnaby.’

  ‘This was left in the saloon,’ he said with an apologetic smile. ‘I think it might belong to you or to Miss Colville.’

  ‘It’s not mine.’ Caroline stepped aside, holding the door wide open. ‘Do come in, Captain. I’m sure that Maria would wish to thank you in person.’

  ‘I don’t want to intrude.’

  ‘It was good of you to come all this way.’ She ushered him in with a wave of her hand.

  ‘I’ll just pay my respects to Miss Colville,’ he said, taking off his peaked cap and tucking it beneath his arm.

  ‘We were both very impressed with your ship,’ Caroline said over her shoulder as she led the way to the morning room. As she had hoped, Maria was already there and she leaped to her feet.

  ‘Captain Barnaby has returned your parasol. Wasn’t that kind, Maria?’

  Seemingly at a loss for words, Maria nodded, holding out her hand to take the delicate lace sunshade.

  Caroline turned to Barnaby. ‘Perhaps you would like to stay and take some refreshment, Captain?’

  ‘Yes, that would be lovely.’ Maria came to life and tugged at the bell pull. ‘Please take a seat, Captain.’

  He looked round for somewhere to sit and perched on the nearest chair, still clutching his hat. ‘That’s very kind of you, Miss Colville.’

  ‘Maria,’ she said shyly.

  ‘Theodore, but my friends call me Theo.’

  Maria smiled dreamily. ‘I think Theodore is a very nice name.’

  Caroline realised that she had been forgotten. ‘I don’t know what’s happened to Gilroy,’ she said hastily. ‘I’ll go and find out.’

  ‘Thank you, Caroline.’ Maria gave her a bright smile. ‘Tea and cake would be lovely.’

  In the kitchen, Cook had fallen asleep in a rocking chair by the range, her mobcap having fallen over one eye and her large bosom rising and falling rhythmically. The scullery was empty and there was no sign of the kitchen maids, but the smell of tobacco smoke led Caroline out into the back yard where she found Gilroy, leaning against the wall with a cigarette between her lips. She jumped at the sight of Caroline, tossing the dog end onto the cobblestones and grinding it under the heel of her boot.

  ‘It’s for me nerves, miss. I’ve heard that smoking is good for all sorts of conditions.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Gilroy. I don’t care if you smoke a clay pipe. Would you make up a tray of tea for three and bring it to the morning parlour? And some cake or biscuits would be good, too.’

  ‘You won’t split on me, will you, miss?’

  ‘I won’t say a word, as long as you promise to stop telling tales on Miss Maria.’

  Gilroy’s eyes widened and her lips trembled. ‘Cross me heart and hope to die, miss.’

  ‘That won’t be necessary, just leave Miss Maria alone in the future.’ Satisfied that Gilroy understood, Caroline left her and made her way slowly back to the morning parlour, where she found Maria and Theo deep in conversation. She went to sit by the window, satisfied that at least something good had come out of their venture that day. Even so, she had a feeling that Phineas was not the sort of man to let matters lie, and he would not be satisfied until he had discovered her secret. She must be very careful what she said in his presence.

  The conversation between Maria and the captain did not falter, even when Gilroy arrived with a tray laden with refreshments, but the tea cooled in the dainty bone-china cups and the cake was left untouched. Caroline was content to merge into the background and she gazed out of the window, allowing her mind to stray to inevitable thoughts of her family. She missed her mother more than she would have thought possible, and she could only hope that time would heal the wounds left by widowhood. Leaving her brothers in Sadie’s care had been painful, but at least they were not far away, and she made up her mind to visit them next morning whether or not she had permission from Mrs Colville.

  Eventually, after an hour, Theo Barnaby glanced at his pocket watch and stood up. ‘I really must leave now. I’ve taken up too much of your time.’

  ‘Oh, no. Don’t say that, Theo.’ Maria rose to her feet, her eyes shining and her cheeks flushed. ‘I’ve enjoyed our talk.’

  He turned to Caroline with a disarming smile. ‘Thank you for the tea, Miss Manley. I must go, but I hope we meet again soon.’

  ‘You must come to dinner,’ Maria said eagerly. ‘Are you free tomorrow evening?’

  ‘I think perhaps you ought to check with Mrs Colville before making a firm arrangement,’ Caroline said hastily. ‘And Mr Colville might have a prior appointment. I’m sure he would want to join the party.’

  ‘Of course.’ Theo bowed and backed towards the doorway. ‘I’ll wait to hear from you.’

  ‘I’ll see you out.’ Maria followed him from the room.

  Caroline sat down again. It seemed that both Maria and the captain were love struck, but she had a feeling that Maria was going to come up against strong opposition from her grandmother, and probably from Phineas himself. It was unlikely that Mrs Colville would co
nsider a comparatively penniless sea captain to be a good match for her granddaughter, even allowing for the fact that the poor girl had to bear the stigma of illegitimacy.

  But when Maria bounced into the room she could not have looked happier. ‘Isn’t he wonderful, Caroline?’

  ‘He’s very nice,’ Caroline said carefully.

  ‘Don’t you like him?’

  ‘I didn’t say that, Maria. Captain Barnaby seems to be a very personable man, and you’ve obviously made a deep impression on him.’

  ‘Do you really think so?’

  ‘I do, but please be careful. You hardly know him, and you seem to have led a very sheltered existence.’

  ‘I don’t think anyone would match Theo. He’s so handsome and charming, and he listened to me, Caroline. He was interested in what I had to say.’

  ‘And he’ll be sailing off somewhere within the week,’ Caroline said pointedly. ‘What then?’

  ‘Don’t be so mean. I know he’ll have to leave soon, but he’ll return and I’ll be waiting for him.’

  ‘You can’t know that for certain. Your grandmother intends to introduce you to other young men, and you might find one that you like even more.’

  ‘Whose side are you on?’ Maria demanded. ‘I thought you would understand.’

  ‘I just don’t want him to break your heart.’

  ‘He won’t. Theo is an honourable man. I feel as if I’ve known him all my life.’

  Caroline realised then that nothing she could say would make the slightest bit of difference. Maria was in love and beyond reason.

  It had been a long, hot and tiring day, and the early evening was muggy and overcast with a hint of sulphurous yellow in the sky and the threat of a storm to come. Caroline was ready at the sound of the first dinner bell and seated at table before the second and final peal. Maria was in her place, nervously pleating her white linen table napkin as they waited for Mrs Colville to join them.

  ‘I hope that Phin is dining at home tonight,’ Maria said in a low voice. ‘I want him to be present when I ask Grandmama to invite Theo to dinner.’