The Summer Maiden

by Dilly Court

  Gilbert stepped forward. ‘Perhaps I should introduce myself. I am Captain Gilbert Reid and my companion is Miss Caroline Manning.’

  After a moment of stunned silence, Falco was the first to speak. ‘Who could forget that face – so like that of her mama. I knew it the moment I saw her.’

  The dark-haired man held up his hand. ‘That’s enough, Falco. You’re jumping to conclusions.’ He moved around the table, coming to a halt in front of Caroline, his blue eyes scanning her face as if trying to read her thoughts. ‘You must forgive my friend, Miss Manning, but either this is the most amazing coincidence or you are who I think you are.’

  ‘You’re talking in riddles, sir,’ Gilbert said warily. ‘Who are you?’

  ‘I’ll tell you who he is.’ The oldest man in the group leaped to his feet. ‘This is Lord Dorincourt, the Earl of Starcross, and he’s come home to claim what’s his. I’m Jacob Chapman.’ He seized Caroline’s hand and clasped it to his chest. ‘And unless I’m very much mistaken, you are my granddaughter.’

  Caroline looked into his eyes and saw something of her mother in their hazel depths. Despite the wrinkled skin, the colour of tanned leather, and thinning white hair, there was something familiar in his voice and in the smell of salty air, mingling with a faint whiff of tobacco and lye soap that stirred a distant memory.

  ‘Grandpa?’ she murmured. ‘You once read me a bedtime story.’

  His eyes reddened and his lips trembled. ‘You was four years old and as pretty as a picture.’

  ‘You are Essie’s daughter?’ Dorincourt threw back his head and laughed. ‘Well, I’m damned. For a moment I thought the years had rolled back and Essie had come into the room.’ He held out his hand. ‘How do you do, Caroline?’ His handshake was firm, but brief.

  ‘How do you do, my lord?’

  ‘My friends call me Raven,’ he said, smiling. ‘I knew and respected your mother. Is she well?’

  ‘She is in mourning for my father and her brother …’ Caroline hesitated, eyeing her grandfather warily. ‘I’m afraid I have some bad news for you, Grandpa.’

  Jacob sank down on his chair. ‘George is dead?’

  ‘Yes. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘What happened to my boy?’

  The old man was clearly moved and Caroline struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to overcome her.

  ‘Mr Manning was struck down by yellow fever, sir,’ Gilbert said hastily. ‘We took a cargo to Trinidad and it was after we left that certain members of the crew came down with the disease.’

  Jacob shook his head. ‘Yellow fever. Poor George.’

  ‘That’s hard, Jacob,’ Raven said, frowning. ‘Is Essie all right? It must have been a terrible blow.’

  ‘Mama is coping.’ Caroline dashed a tear from her cheek. ‘It’s been a difficult time.’

  ‘Many commiserations.’ Falco shook his head. ‘Life is hard.’

  ‘I must see my girl,’ Jacob said urgently. ‘I can’t hang around here when Essie needs me.’ He turned to glare at Caroline. ‘Anyway, what brings you here? This ain’t no place for a young lady like you.’

  ‘I was going to ask that same question,’ Raven added, frowning. ‘Why are you travelling without a chaperone, Caroline?’

  Gilbert cleared his throat, facing Raven squarely. ‘It’s not what it looks like, sir.’

  ‘No, indeed,’ Caroline said hastily. ‘We were hoping to book a passage to London for two friends and myself. One of the ladies is in desperate need.’

  Falco’s waxed moustache quivered. ‘How so, signorina? We might be able to help.’

  ‘It is a very long story.’

  ‘Perhaps we should sit down and allow Carrie to tell you in her own way?’ Gilbert suggested.

  ‘I never thought I’d live to see this day.’ Jacob pulled a grubby hanky from his pocket and blew his nose. ‘I’ve been away too long, and I’ve neglected my daughter and I’ve lost my son. It’s a judge-ment on me for the way I treated him when he was a boy.’

  Caroline reached out to pat him on the shoulder. There was nothing she could say that would take away his pain. She sat down, waiting while the landlady served their food, but even though the plate of roast beef and potatoes looked tempting, she realised that her appetite had deserted her. There was silence in the room as everyone waited for her to continue. Desperate to find the right words, she glanced at each of them in turn. These men had been so much a part of her mother’s life that she felt she knew them all, even though she had never met Raven or Falco, and her memory of her grandfather was vague like a half-forgotten dream. Her mother had talked endlessly of her time with Raven and their voyage to Italy on Falco’s rusty old ship, and of the months they had spent in the mining town of Ballarat. She had lulled Caroline to sleep at bedtime, recounting the events that had culminated in her return to London with a fortune in gold. And now here they were, the three most important people from her mother’s younger days – all of them hanging on her every word. She began, haltingly at first, and then growing more confident she told them everything. When she came to a halt Jacob leaned over to give her a hug. Raven’s expression was inscrutable and Falco’s eyes were moist.

  Jacob sat back, shaking his head. ‘I was a bad father, and I’ve been a neglectful grandfather, Caroline. I want to make amends.’

  Falco downed the last of his ale. ‘You are my first mate, Jacob. The Bendigo Queen is due in London in two weeks and I need you on board.’

  Momentarily diverted, Caroline turned to Falco. ‘What happened to the Santa Gabriella?’

  ‘She was an old lady,’ Falco said, sighing. ‘She slipped away peacefully to the bottom of the Indian Ocean, where she still slumbers.’

  ‘How did that happen? Was there much loss of life?’

  Falco grinned. ‘Maybe a few rats that did not get away from the sinking ship. No, mia cara, it was not far off shore and everyone was saved.’

  ‘Be honest, Falco,’ Jacob said, chuckling. ‘She was scuttled deliberately and you claimed the insurance money.’

  ‘I had to purchase another vessel. It was the only way.’

  ‘Forget that for a moment.’ Raven met Caroline’s curious gaze with an even look. ‘Why do you think travelling by sea is the best way to get your friend back to London?’

  ‘Her husband is a vicious brute and he’s determined to get her back, no matter what. She would be safe on board your ship and it would give her time to recover from the beatings he inflicted on her.’

  ‘I would like to meet this man,’ Falco said, flexing his fingers. ‘I would make him think twice before he harmed a woman.’

  ‘I second that.’ Jacob shook his head. ‘The man should be horsewhipped.’

  ‘Wouldn’t it be best to bring Grace to the Abbey?’ Raven said thoughtfully. ‘I’m going there to visit my brother.’

  ‘The last I heard of him he was in London.’

  ‘Then I’ll send for him. Your friend would be safe with us until she is well enough to travel.’

  ‘I don’t think you understand the situation at Starcross.’ Caroline leaned forward, lowering her voice. ‘Jenifry and her son, Dickon, want Grace out of the way.’

  ‘What have they to say in the matter?’

  Caroline eyed him curiously. ‘Didn’t Freddie tell you?’

  ‘What is it that I should know?’

  ‘Freddie is Dickon’s father. He’s allowed Jenifry to live with him as mistress of Starcross Abbey, although she is supposed to be his housekeeper.’

  ‘The dirty dog,’ Jacob said, grinning. ‘Begging your pardon, Caroline.’

  ‘Freddie always had a way with women,’ Falco added.

  Raven held up his hand. ‘We all know about my brother’s weakness for a pretty face. Are you telling me that he is romantically inclined towards Grace?’

  ‘I think he really cares for her, but Dickon and his mother could see that Freddie had a soft spot for Grace, and they did their best to get rid of her.’

&nbs
p; ‘That’s not good,’ Falco said darkly.

  ‘If he’s made advances to you, Caroline, he’ll have to answer to me.’ Jacob’s jaw hardened. ‘I may be an old man, but I can still handle meself in a brawl.’

  ‘No, Grandpa,’ Caroline said hastily. ‘Freddie is a perfect gentleman. I think he has genuine feelings for Grace, but Jenifry and Dickon see her as a threat.’

  Raven rose to his feet. ‘It’s definitely time that I returned home. Falco, you’ll take the Bendigo Queen to London, and, Jacob, you’ll sail with him. I intend to hire a horse and travel to Starcross, and I’ll join you later. In the meantime I’ll do what I always do and sort out my brother’s mess.’

  Falco and Jacob rose to their feet, exchanging mutinous glances, but saying nothing.

  ‘What about Grace?’ Caroline asked anxiously.

  ‘You’ve explained that you must leave Daumerle,’ Raven said seriously. ‘I suggest that you bring Grace to the Abbey first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll deal with Jenifry and her son, never fear.’

  Caroline stood up to give her grandfather a hug. ‘I’ll see you in London, Grandpa. You’ll find Mama and the boys at the Captain’s House. You know where that is.’

  Jacob’s weathered face creased into a smile. ‘Aye, and I have a lot of lost time to make up for. I’ve lost the son I treated so badly, which I’ll regret until my dying day, but I have two grandsons and I want them to think well of their old grandpa.’ He gave her a whiskery kiss on the forehead before shambling out of the parlour following in Falco’s wake.

  ‘I can’t believe this is happening,’ Caroline said slowly.

  Raven laid his hand on her shoulder. ‘In my life I’ve had many regrets, Caroline, but I’ve a feeling that things have come full circle. I’m a very wealthy man, thanks to my goldmine in Bendigo, and I promise that you and your mother and brothers will never want for anything, ever again.’ He turned to Gilbert with a grim smile. ‘Take care of her, Reid. She’s as important to me as if she were my own daughter.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  Next morning Daumerle echoed with the sound of running footsteps and the excited chatter of voices. After a long discussion the previous evening, it had been decided that Maria would return to London with Cordelia and Gilbert. Maria had wanted to accompany her mother to the Abbey, but she was equally anxious to see Theo again. Even though the cuts were healing and the bruises were beginning to fade, Grace was still suffering mentally from the vicious treatment she had received at the hands of her husband, and Caroline suspected that peace and quiet during her convalescence was what Grace really wanted. It was left to Caroline to take her to Starcross Abbey in the Bearwoods’ barouche, while the others travelled to the railway station in the family brougham, which had seen better days, but was still roadworthy.

  The journey to Starcross Abbey was uneventful, although the nightmare Caroline had endured persisted even in daylight. She had dreamed that Quick, dressed as an eighteenth-century highwayman, had held them up at gunpoint and had dragged Grace physically from the vehicle, with Dickon and Jenifry waiting to take her away in a tumbril. What might have happened next was left to her imagination, as she had been awakened by the appearance of a maid bringing her a cup of chocolate.

  Grace was calm and accepted everything that was done for her, smiling as much as her swollen face would allow, and she dozed off during the carriage ride, which saved Caroline from making conversation. Her thoughts kept straying to the meeting with her grandfather, Falco and Raven. They were part of her parents’ past, and until yesterday had been shadowy figures, but suddenly they were flesh and blood. Caroline wondered how their unexpected reappearance would affect her mother, but if Raven had been sincere in his promise to help them financially, it could mean an end to hardship and homelessness. Maybe they could rent somewhere in a more respectable area than Great Hermitage Street, and they would not be dependent on the Colvilles. She settled back against the leather squabs, closing her eyes. The sooner Grace was fit enough to return to London, the better.

  Half an hour later the barouche drew to a halt outside the Abbey, which, despite its harsh granite walls, looked mellow in the brilliant sunlight. Raven met them with a welcoming smile and ushered them into the drawing room. A young parlour maid was instructed to fetch refreshments and, to Caroline’s relief, there was no sign of Jenifry or Dickon. When Grace was comfortably ensconced in an armchair by the window, with a view of the sunlit parterre garden, Caroline sat down to pour the coffee. She shot a covert glance at Raven, and it was easy to see what had attracted her mother to him all those years ago. He might be closer to fifty than forty, but he was still a commanding figure, and dressed in a tweed jacket and riding breeches he looked every inch a country gentleman.

  Caroline rose from the table to take a cup of coffee to Grace, who accepted it with a nod and a crooked smile. Her facial injuries were beginning to heal, but the deep purple bruises had taken on a rainbow effect and her lips were still very swollen. Caroline returned to her seat and Raven sat down next to her.

  ‘Where are Jenifry and Dickon?’ she asked in a whisper.

  ‘I paid them off,’ Raven said simply. ‘Everyone has a price and I gave Jenifry enough money to purchase her mother’s cottage, which is large enough to house both herself and that son of hers. He may be my nephew, but I didn’t take to him at all.’

  ‘I can’t imagine that Dickon would give up so easily. He seemed to think that he was heir to the estate.’

  Raven threw back his head and laughed. ‘Don’t worry – I soon put him straight.’ His expression darkened and he leaned closer. ‘To tell the truth I don’t think we’ve heard the last of that young man, despite my generosity. On my way here yesterday I stopped off to send a telegram to Bearwood House in London, assuming that my brother is staying with Alice, and I’ve asked him to return home as quickly as possible.’

  ‘That’s good. Freddie should be here in case Dickon tries to make trouble.’

  ‘I know he’s acknowledged the boy as his son, but I sent a groom to the local superintendent registrar with a request for a copy of Dickon’s birth certificate. I want to find out if Freddie’s name is on it. If he is named as the boy’s father it could complicate matters.’

  ‘I don’t trust Dickon. He’s not a nice person.’

  ‘Are you talking about Elias?’ Grace’s querulous voice made them both turn to look at her.

  ‘No, Grace,’ Raven said firmly. ‘We were speaking of Dickon.’

  Grace shuddered and turned back to the view. ‘He’s a bad lot. Freddie should be warned.’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Caroline said gently. ‘That’s just what we’re saying. Whatever happens, we’ll keep you safe from him – and from Quick. All you have to do is to get well again.’

  ‘I should be with my daughter. I don’t want Maria to make a fool of herself over a man, as I did when I was her age. She hardly knows that sea captain, but she’s besotted and I’m afraid it will end in disaster.’

  ‘We can only hope she decides to wait a while.’ Caroline rose to her feet and went to relieve Grace of her empty cup. ‘Would you like some more coffee?’

  Grace shook her head. ‘No, thank you, dear. I’d like to sit a while and enjoy the peace and quiet, but I’m determined to get better quickly. In a day or two I’ll be fit to travel to London. I just hope I’m in time to stop Maria doing something she’ll regret.’

  Caroline turned to Raven. ‘Is there anything I can do to help now that you’ve lost your cook-housekeeper?’

  ‘I hired a woman from the village to take over in the kitchen, but perhaps you could keep an eye on her. I had to take her word for it that she can make a decent meal.’

  ‘No need for you to trouble yourself, Carrie.’ Grace heaved herself from the chair. ‘That’s somewhere I can make myself useful. I’ll be able to tell in an instant if the woman knows what she’s doing.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Caroline asked anxiously. ‘You’re supposed to be recuperatin
g.’

  ‘Don’t try to stop me. I can do this.’ Grace limped from the room, clutching her side as if every step caused her pain.

  Caroline was about to protest when Raven laid his hand on her shoulder. ‘Let her go. She might save us from being poisoned by Mrs Duffin. I think Grace is sensible enough to know when to rest, and having something to do will take her mind off her worries.’

  ‘You’re right, and I can help by getting our rooms ready. I think I can remember where everything is.’

  ‘Freddie should be here later. I need to have a serious talk with my brother.’

  Despite the fact that she was supposed to be working upstairs, Caroline could not resist the temptation to venture into Freddie’s studio. His portrait of Grace was on a large easel in the middle of the room, and a shaft of sunlight played with the tones and texture of her naked flesh. He had caught on canvas the essence of her fragile, faded beauty and the haunting sadness of her expression. Caroline knew little about art, but she was suitably impressed and also deeply touched. It was as if Freddie had captured the soul of the woman he painted and had saved this fragile beauty for posterity. Caroline had walked past the portraits of the Dorincourt ancestors each time she had used the main staircase, but those people with their lifeless faces and dead eyes were simply images from history – the portrait of Grace, even in its unfinished state, spoke as much of the emotions of the artist himself as those of the sitter. It was, as Caroline had suspected, proof of Freddie’s deep feelings for Grace. Perhaps now, with Jenifry and Dickon out of the way, Freddie and Grace could be together as fate seemed to have intended.

  Caroline closed the door on Freddie’s private domain and went about her tasks with the hope that he would come soon, and that everything would fall into place. She could then return to London with Raven, who had promised to find a new home for her family. Perhaps he would invest in the business and make her an equal partner with Phineas. It was an idea that both excited and pleased her. She paused with a pile of bedding in her arms as she caught sight of herself in the cheval mirror, and a smile curved her lips. She looked more like a chambermaid than the part owner of a shipping company, but looks could be deceptive and she would prove the doubters wrong. Phineas had been helpful, but, despite warming to him a little, she still could not bring herself to trust him and she suspected that he was simply humouring her. He might be waiting for her to lose interest in the business, intending to make a takeover bid for Manning and Chapman. She tossed her head – the young woman who scowled back at her from the mirror was not going to be bested, neither would she give up easily. As soon as Grace was well enough they would return to London.