by Dilly Court
‘We will find a way, and Phin has promised to help you both.’ Caroline raised her glass in a toast. ‘Fate threw us together, and together we’ll get through this difficult time.’
Grace and Maria joined in the toast, clinking glasses as they sat amongst the debris of the meal. Caroline set her empty glass down on the table. ‘I suggest we leave the gentlemen to their wine and brandy, or whatever Uncle Freddie has hidden in his study. If you want to go to bed, then please do so, Grace. You must be exhausted.’
‘I will, if you don’t mind.’
Maria jumped to her feet. ‘I’ll come too, Mama. We could talk for a while, if you aren’t too tired.’ She glanced at Caroline. ‘That’s if you don’t mind being left on your own.’
‘It’s a lovely evening. I think I might take a walk in the rose garden. They were my father’s favourite flowers and the scent of them always reminds me of him.’ Caroline stood up to embrace Maria and then Grace. ‘I hope you sleep well. Tomorrow we’ll make plans and perhaps Phin will have some helpful advice for you.’
The last remnants of a fiery sunset were being stalked by darkness, but there was still enough light for Caroline to make her way easily amongst the well-kept rose beds. The air was heavy with perfume from the full-blown blooms and even more intoxicating than the wine she had drunk at dinner. The alcohol had left her with a slight headache, but, fanned by a light breeze she began to feel refreshed and more optimistic about the future, although when they left Starcross Abbey, as they must, it would be like leaping off a precipice. She could stay with her mother at Daumerle, but they could not remain there for ever, and she would have to find a way to earn her own living. Being dependent on friends was not an option that she would even consider.
She was deep in thought, listening to the sound of the leaves rustling in the trees and the ever-present action of the waves on the shore, when, without warning, someone clamped their hand on her shoulder. She spun round.
‘Dickon! You gave me a terrible fright.’
A saturnine grin curved his lips but his eyes were pools of darkness. ‘You shouldn’t roam outside after dark, miss.’
‘Surely I’m safe enough in the garden?’ She was shaken by his sudden appearance and unaccountably nervous. ‘What do you want?’
‘Ma sent me to find you, miss. There’s coffee in the drawing room. You’d best come with me.’
It was more of an order than a request and Caroline could not think of an excuse that would not sound feeble or childish in the circumstances. ‘You go first, I’ll follow.’
‘Of course, miss. As you wish.’ He bowed and ambled off, but she had the inexplicable feeling that he was laughing at her. Perhaps it was the tone of his voice or the arrogant way he held his head as he walked on, stopping every few seconds to make certain that she was following.
‘You don’t need to escort me, Dickon,’ she said at last. ‘I know the way to the drawing room, but I think I’d prefer to go straight to my room.’
He came to a halt, moving closer to her so that his face was just inches from hers. ‘My mother wishes to speak to you, miss. It wouldn’t be wise to ignore her, if you get my meaning.’
Caroline drew herself up to her full height. ‘Are you threatening me, Dickon? I don’t think my uncle would like to hear that.’
‘Of course not, miss. I am just saying that Ma wants to speak to you. She requests the pleasure of your company in the drawing room.’
‘Then I will go to the drawing room on my own.’ Caroline met his gaze with a determined lift of her chin. She was not going to allow a mere boy to frighten her, although she felt the menace beneath his softly spoken words. There was something not quite right about the situation in Starcross Abbey – she felt it with every fibre of her being. She walked past him, keeping to a measured pace, although she was tempted to run. Without looking back she knew that he was standing where she had left him, watching her like a wolf eyeing his prey. But as she reached the house and let herself in through the side door, she managed to convince herself that her fears were ridiculous and must be due to tiredness, exaggerated by the eerie silence away from the sounds of the city. She collected the oil lamp she had left burning on the windowsill and made her way to the drawing room. Jenifry Grimes might hold a special place in Freddie’s heart, but she was still a servant, and not the mistress of the house. Perhaps she would do well to remember that fact.
The sound of male laughter brought Caroline to a halt outside the study, and she was tempted to join them. Freddie’s loud voice, fuelled by the wine he had imbibed at dinner and possibly a generous tot or two of brandy, was followed by monosyllabic answers from Phin, but it seemed a pity to interrupt them, and she made her way to the drawing room. If they were to remain at Starcross for an indefinite period, or at least until Freddie had finished his painting, perhaps it was time to put Jenifry and Dickon firmly in their place.
Caroline placed the lamp on a side table and entered the drawing room, ready for a constructive conversation, but she came to a halt in the doorway, staring in horror at the man seated in a chair by the fireplace.
‘What are you doing here?’ she demanded angrily. ‘Why did you allow this person into the house, Mrs Grimes?’
Chapter Thirteen
Elias Quick stood up abruptly. ‘Where’s me wife? I’ve come to take her home.’
‘How did you know she was here?’ Caroline demanded breathlessly. She looked to Jenifry, who was seated on the sofa as if she were the lady of the house. ‘Was this your doing?’
‘This gentleman was hammering on the front door, demanding to see his wife. What else was I supposed to do but let him in and sort matters out face to face?’
‘That’s not your choice, madam,’ Caroline said angrily. ‘You should have gone to Mr Dorincourt and told him what was happening. This fellow would not have been admitted.’ She rounded on Elias. ‘I’m asking you politely to leave, or else I’ll have you thrown out.’
‘I ain’t going nowhere until I’ve got me wife. I’ll have the law on Mr Dorincourt if he don’t give her up to me. It’s a case of kidnapping, that’s what it is. We’re married legal and proper.’
‘Someone must have told you where to find her.’ Caroline backed towards the door. ‘I’m going to fetch my uncle and Mr Colville.’
‘They’ll be too drunk to deal with the matter, Miss Caroline,’ Jenifry said slyly. ‘Best give her up to her husband, I say.’
Caroline stared at her and suddenly all the pieces slotted into place. ‘Dickon was in on this, wasn’t he? You knew where we had found Grace. Did you send your son to fetch this man?’
‘It’s only right and proper that a wife should know her place.’ Jenifry folded her hands in her lap, glaring at Caroline with narrowed eyes.
‘I hardly think you’re in a position to criticise anyone for their morals.’ Caroline turned to Elias. ‘I’m asking you once again to leave this house, Mr Quick.’
‘And I say I won’t. Fetch the gentlemen and the constabulary, if you’re so minded, but I won’t go without my wife.’
‘We’ll see about that.’ Caroline stormed out of the room to find Dickon barring her way, his arms folded and a smug grin on his face.
‘Are you going somewhere, miss?’
‘You knew he was here, didn’t you? Why did you interfere in matters that don’t concern you?’
‘But it do concern me, miss. I am the son and heir to my father’s fortune, that’s what Ma says. I see the way he looks at that woman you brought here, and if he marries her we’ll be sent packing.’
‘But that’s nonsense.’ Caroline stared at him, hardly able to believe her ears. ‘What makes you think that Mr Dorincourt would want to marry Mrs Quick? Anyway, she’s a married woman.’
‘He be an old goat when it comes to pretty women. Ma knows that to her cost, but she’s managed to keep him safe from the clutches of others when it comes to marrying. Even so, there’s something different in the way he treats Mrs Quick, and us don
’t like it. ’Tis best that she goes home with her old man.’
‘That’s not for you to say. Now get out of my way. I’m going to speak to my uncle and settle this once and for all.’
She made a move to pass him but still Dickon barred her way. ‘No, maid. You go back in there and sit down. I won’t ask you again. I’ll carry you if necessary.’
Incensed, Caroline stamped on his foot with all her might and he howled with pain, hopping around and swearing volubly. Taking advantage of his temporary incapacity she ran off in the direction of the study, arriving breathless with her hair flying around her face in wild confusion.
‘What on earth is the matter?’ Phineas demanded, rising to his feet as she burst into the room.
‘Is the house on fire again?’ Freddie asked with a drunken laugh. ‘I can’t smell smoke.’
‘Come quickly.’ Caroline grasped Phin’s hand. ‘That boy has brought Grace’s husband here. He’s in the drawing room with your housekeeper, Uncle Freddie.’
‘The devil he is.’ Suddenly sober, Freddie raised himself from his seat. ‘We’ll see about that. I’m not about to send Grace back to live with that brute.’
‘Perhaps you’d better leave this to me, sir,’ Phineas said calmly. ‘Grace is my aunt and I should be the one to stand by her. I’m afraid that hasn’t been so in the past, but I want to make amends now.’
‘Go on ahead, old boy. I’ll follow. Not as quick on my pins as I used to be, especially on a bellyful of strong drink. Kick the fellow to kingdom come.’
But Phineas had already left the study and Caroline had to run to keep up with his long strides. When they reached the drawing room they found Dickon standing guard, and when he refused to move, Phineas simply picked him up and tossed him aside as if he were a featherweight. Dickon sprawled on the floor, shouting obscenities that at any other time would have made Caroline blush, but she ignored him and hurried into the drawing room.
Elias leaped out of his chair, fisting his hands and dancing round as if he were in the boxing ring.
‘Stop that, you’re being ridiculous,’ Phineas said icily. ‘I’m asking you politely to leave this house, sir, but if you refuse I might have to use force.’
‘I ain’t afraid of a toff like you,’ Elias said belligerently. ‘Give me the woman and I’ll be on me way.’
At that moment Freddie arrived, huffing and puffing and red in the face. He lunged at Elias, catching him off guard, and grabbed him by the collar. Aided by Phineas he marched the protesting Elias Quick from the room.
‘You’ll be sorry for interfering in matters what don’t concern you,’ Jenifry cried passionately. ‘We were doing fine until you came along and spoiled everything.’
Caroline could see that Jenifry was genuinely upset and she felt a moment of sympathy for her, but it was short lived. ‘You acted out of self-interest and sheer malice,’ she said angrily. ‘You know nothing of the life that Mrs Quick led with that man. If you did you wouldn’t have brought him here. I just hope for your sake that he takes heed of what Mr Dorincourt said and stays away.’
‘This is my home, and I’m the real mistress of Starcross Abbey.’ Jenifry rose to her feet. ‘I understand the master. I know his ways and I’ve warmed his bed for nearly twenty years. He needs me.’ She walked past Caroline with her head held high, pausing when she reached the doorway. ‘I have been more of a wife to him than any high-born lady could have been.’ She left the room, closing the door behind her.
Caroline sank down on the nearest chair. The situation was even more complicated than she had thought, and she had a feeling that they had not seen the last of Elias Quick. He did not seem to be the sort of man who would give up easily. Grace ought to be told that her husband knew of her whereabouts, but somehow Caroline did not relish the task. Perhaps she would let her enjoy a good night’s sleep before breaking the news.
Caroline awakened early from a troubled sleep. She could only hope that Grace would feel strong enough to stand up for herself if Elias returned, as she was certain he would. She rose from her bed, washed and dressed and went downstairs, intending to have an early breakfast before taking a walk to clear her head.
To her surprise, she found Freddie was already at the table when she entered the dining room. He was seated at the head with a white linen napkin tucked into his collar as he munched his way through a large plate of bacon, egg, devilled kidneys and a couple of fat sausages. The aroma of freshly made coffee mingled with the savoury smells from the silver serving dishes, which were laid out on the sideboard. Caroline’s mouth watered – she had not breakfasted like this since their troubles began.
‘Good morning, Carrie,’ Freddie said cheerfully. ‘Help yourself while the food is hot. I recommend the kidneys, they’re Mrs Grimes’ speciality. She knows just how I like them.’
Caroline nodded. She could imagine Jenifry making herself indispensable by pandering shamelessly to her master’s appetite for good food.
‘Good morning, Uncle.’ She spooned some buttered eggs onto a plate before taking her seat at the table.
He wiped his lips on the napkin. ‘Mrs Grimes is a good cook and a good woman, too. Don’t judge her too harshly, Carrie.’
She reached for the silver coffee pot and filled her cup. ‘It’s really none of my business, Uncle.’
‘Carrie, you’re a grown woman now, and I think we can dispense with the honorary title “Uncle”. If I were in fact your uncle there might be a case to continue its use, but the time has come to acknowledge that you are a young lady. From now on I insist that you call me Freddie.’
‘It would feel odd. I’m used to thinking of you as my uncle.’
‘To tell the truth it makes me feel a hundred years old, my dear. I’m sure that your mother would agree. She was always down to earth and ready to embrace change. You remind me of her in many ways.’
‘You make it sound as though she’s passed on. She’s very much alive.’
‘I’ve only seen her once since she came to stay with Alice. Poor Esther was a shadow of her former self. I hardly recognised her.’
‘She’s still grieving for my father. Surely you must understand that?’
‘I find it hard to comprehend such devotion. I’m shallow, Carrie. I don’t think I have any deep feelings for anyone.’
Caroline took a sip of her coffee. ‘Not even Jenifry?’
‘You’re a saucy minx,’ Freddie said, chuckling. ‘But I suppose I asked for that, and yes, I admit I’ve taken advantage of the poor woman, although I am fond of her in my own way. She’s an obliging soul, but the boy is a disappointment. I’m truly sorry that he interfered by bringing that oaf Quick here. I’ve had words with young Dickon and I threatened to pack him off to the army if he doesn’t shape up.’
‘I was going to ask you about that, Uncle – I mean, Freddie.’ Caroline shot him a sideways glance and saw that he was smiling. ‘I’m sorry, I’ve been calling you Uncle for as long as I can remember, so it will take some time for me to get used to the change.’
He mopped his plate with a slice of bread. ‘It will come in time. What were you going to say about Dickon?’
‘I was going to say that someone ought to tell Grace that her husband knows where she is. I don’t think he’ll give up without a fight, and we really ought to move on.’
‘What?’ Freddie dropped the bread onto the plate and pushed it away. ‘No, you can’t take her away, at least until I’ve finished her portrait. She’s a marvellous subject, so fragile and world-weary and yet so beautiful. She must remain here.’
Caroline eyed him curiously. ‘Are you falling in love with her, Freddie?’
‘What, me? I told you I don’t have the capacity for love and devotion, but I admit she has touched something in me, and I have to put it onto canvas. I refuse to allow that brute to take her from me.’
‘Then you might have a fight on your hands. That’s all I can say.’
Freddie pushed back his chair and stood up. ‘I’m
going to my studio. Tell Grace to join me as soon as she’s had breakfast.’
Caroline waited until everyone had finished their meal to break the news to Grace, who was naturally distraught when she heard what had occurred the previous evening, as was Maria, and they were both convinced that Elias would return.
‘The only solution,’ Phineas said firmly, ‘is for us to return to London today. I’ve been absent far too long as it is.’
Maria’s soft chin hardened into a stubborn jaw. ‘I won’t go back to Pier House, Phin. I’m sorry, but I’d rather live anywhere than there.’
‘We could go to the Captain’s House,’ Caroline said doubtfully. ‘But it would be a terrible squash, and it doesn’t seem fair to burden Sadie with our problems, even though I’m sure she would make us welcome.’
Phineas shook his head. ‘It seems to me that you have little choice. After all, it might be a temporary arrangement, Caroline. Your uncle’s ship should dock very soon and then he will be able to take care of you.’
‘Uncle George lived with us in Finsbury Circus. He had his own set of rooms, and he won’t be aware of what’s been happening in his absence. Besides which, I don’t want to be passed from hand to hand like an orphaned child,’ Caroline said firmly. ‘I am never going to depend entirely on anyone ever again. People let you down and sometimes they treat you badly, but I intend to save my father’s shipping company, if it’s humanly possible.’
‘Don’t you think it’s too late for that?’ Phineas said seriously. ‘The failure of the company was not your fault, Caroline. It’s a difficult business at the best of times.’
‘We still have one ship.’ Caroline met his gaze with a defiant toss of her head. ‘I’ll do everything I can to help my uncle restore Manning and Chapman. We’ll compete with you again, so you’d better beware.’
His eyes lit with a genuine look of admiration. ‘I don’t doubt you’ll try, but you’ll have a hard task ahead.’
‘What about me?’ Maria said plaintively. ‘And Mama, too. You know she can’t go home, Phin. Grandmama would never allow it.’
