by Dilly Court
‘It’s far too big for one person,’ Caroline said tactfully, which was true, but being totally dependent upon Phineas Colville might make things difficult when it came to business matters.
‘Maria would love to share the house with you.’
‘I’m sure she’ll be married very soon, and Grace is unlikely to return to London, if Freddie has his way.’
‘Is it certain that your mother and brothers will go to Australia?’
‘I think her mind is made up, but anything could happen. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.’
‘You can tell me anything, Caroline. Above all, I want you to trust me.’
‘You do?’
‘We can’t work together if you’re suspicious of my motives.’
‘Oh! Yes, of course,’ Caroline said vaguely. ‘I suppose it would suit you best to buy us out completely.’
‘From a purely practical point of view, yes, it would. But I’m not in the business of taking over companies simply to further my own ends, and I don’t want to see you and your family penniless and struggling to earn a living.’
‘So buying half-shares in Manning and Chapman was a charitable act?’
‘Don’t put words in my mouth, and please stop making me out to be a villain, when all I’m trying to do is to help you.’
‘Thank you, but we don’t need your financial backing. My mother wants Raven to buy you out.’ Caroline turned her head away, staring ahead with unseeing eyes. The last thing she wanted was to be involved in a pointless discussion about the business over which she had no control. Phineas and Raven would have to argue it out between them, and she wished now that she had hired a cab to take her to Chelsea.
‘I’ve always loved the river,’ Phineas said, breaking the silence between them. ‘When we were boys, Gil and I used to steal one of the launches and head upriver to do a spot of fishing. Sometimes we simply tied the boat up and went swimming. I can still remember the smell of the willows and fields filled with clover, and the feel of the mud oozing between my toes as I stepped ashore.’
‘I’ve never learned to swim.’ Caroline smiled to herself, captured by the vision of the young Colville boys enjoying their rare moments of freedom. This was a side of Phineas that she had not seen until now, and she found it touching.
‘But you should. Everyone who lives and works on the water should be taught how to swim.’
‘My mother would never have allowed me to paddle, let alone venture deeper into the water.’
‘When I have a family my children will be taught how to swim as soon as they can walk.’ Phineas steered the launch expertly alongside the small wooden jetty. ‘We’re here.’
Caroline allowed him to hand her ashore. ‘I was forgetting that your grandmother told me of your engagement.’ She had not intended to mention it, but she had to know the truth.
He held on to her hand a moment or two longer than was necessary. ‘And you believed her?’
‘Are you saying that she was lying?’
‘Not exactly. She mooted the idea some time ago and I told her that I would prefer to choose my own bride.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Caroline snatched her hand away. ‘Would you pass my basket, please? Sadie has been baking again,’ she added smiling.
Munday’s tiny boat yard was in an even more sorry state than Caroline remembered. She had not previously had the time or the interest to look around, but even a cursory glance revealed that the boats were patched and old, and it was clear that the business was failing badly.
Rose came running down the path to greet her and she grasped Caroline’s hand.
‘Your brothers are in the boathouse helping Pa to mend the boat,’ Rose said happily. She eyed the basket covered with a clean white cloth. ‘I can smell gingerbread.’
‘Sadie sent it for you. But you’d better ask your pa if you may have some.’
‘Oh, he won’t mind,’ Rose said, holding out her hand. ‘I’ll put it on a plate and then you can take your basket back with you.’
Caroline ruffled Rose’s copper curls. ‘That’s very thoughtful of you.’ She followed her into the shed.
Ted looked up from his work. ‘Good morning to you both.’
‘Look what Caroline has brought for us, Pa.’ Rose thrust the basket under her father’s nose. ‘It’s gingerbread. Sadie made it especially for us.’
Jimmy sniffed the air. ‘I like gingerbread.’
‘Me, too.’ Max lifted the corner of the cloth and grinned. ‘No one makes it better than Sadie.’
‘It’s for Rose and her father,’ Caroline said, laughing. ‘Sadie will make some for you, I’m sure.’
‘It was very kind of her, miss.’ Ted glanced up at Phineas, eyebrows raised. ‘Is anything wrong, sir?’
‘A word in private, Ted,’ Phineas said, smiling.
Caroline hustled her brothers and Rose outside, but she returned to find Phineas and Ted deep in conversation. ‘Excuse me for interrupting, but I just wanted to pass on a message from Sadie. She would love to look after Rose should you decide to return to sea, Ted. She would be treated like a daughter and would share lessons with the boys.’
Ted’s eyes misted and he clasped Caroline’s hand. ‘Thank her for me, miss. I might just take her up on her offer.’
‘Then let’s get down to business, shall we?’ Phineas perched on a stool by the workbench. ‘I’ll happily take you on as third mate, if you’re willing to accept the usual terms. What do you say, Ted?’
‘I say, thank you, guvnor. Thanks from the bottom of me heart.’ Ted glanced round at the chaotic mess of wood shavings, broken oars and pots of glue. ‘This weren’t never going to make me rich, and it barely feeds and clothes us, so I’ll be more than glad to go back to doing something I know well.’
Caroline left them to talk over the details and went outside to join the children. She was delighted to think that Rose would benefit from Sadie’s loving care, but space at the Captain’s House was limited and Laurence wanted to take in more boarders. Caroline knew that staying there indefinitely was not an option.
Finding a home of her own was uppermost in her mind during the homeward journey, and she sat in silence while the boys chattered on excitedly about the prospect of migrating to Australia. It appeared to be an open secret and she had been the last to know.
There was little chance to talk to Phineas on the return journey to Wapping, and he dropped them off at the foot of the watermen’s stairs. It was all rather hurried as the tide was on the ebb, tugging at the launch in an attempt to carry it downstream, and by the time Caroline reached the top of the wharf the craft was lost to her sight amongst the busy river traffic. So much had been left unsaid and she was left in an odd state of limbo with her future hanging in the balance, over which she had very little control.
She went indoors to pass on Ted’s message of thanks to Sadie, who was thrilled at the thought of having a little girl to care for.
‘She won’t take your place in my heart, Carrie. No one could, but it will make up a bit for the fact that you’ll be on the other side of the world in Bendigo.’
‘That’s not certain,’ Caroline said, aghast. ‘I haven’t decided if I’ll go with them or stay in London.’
‘I expect Phineas would like you to remain here.’
Caroline sighed. ‘All he wants is to get his hands on the company. I thought at first that he was being kind and generous when he offered to buy half- shares, but I’m still having doubts. I have a feeling that he wants to be king of the river.’
‘Maybe he wants you to be his queen?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Caroline said, chuckling. ‘He’s not the romantic type. I think he takes after his grandmother in his single-minded pursuit of power and wealth.’
‘Isn’t that a bit unfair, Carrie? You can’t know that for sure.’
Caroline glanced at the kitchen clock. ‘I really should go to Princes Square and call on Maria. Phineas thinks that she might need my support, but I don’t
think I ought to get too involved.’
‘You’re related to the Colvilles, whether you like it or not. Maybe you’d better get used to the idea.’
Caroline shook her head. ‘I thought you agreed with my mother when it came to that family.’
‘I’ve changed my mind about Phineas. “Handsome is as handsome does”, as the saying goes, and I’ll say this for him – he is very good-looking and he’s proved that he has a kind heart by the way he’s treated Ted and Rose.’
‘I suppose you’re right, but I have to go now. I’ll see you later, Sadie.’
‘Maybe your sister can help you to make up your mind,’ Sadie called after her. ‘I have no doubt that if your ma makes up her mind to accept Raven, she’ll insist on taking you with her. You’d better think very carefully before you come to a decision, my love.’
Mrs Morecroft greeted Caroline as if she had not seen her for weeks, and there was no doubting the sincerity of her welcome. She ushered Caroline into the front parlour where Maria was attempting to darn a stocking, which she abandoned as she leaped to her feet and flung her arms around Caroline.
‘I was hoping you’d come today. I expect you know that Theo is on his way from Dover, or at least he should be, providing everything went smoothly. I can’t wait to see him again, but I must confess that I’m nervous. What will I do if he’s had a change of heart?’
Caroline extricated herself from Maria’s embrace. ‘I don’t think he would be coming here if he wasn’t desperate to see you again. After all, it wasn’t Theo who needed more time to decide.’
‘It’s true, and I wish I hadn’t been such a coward. I knew he was the one for me the moment I saw him, and he said he felt the same. I should have been braver, Carrie. I was such a baby then.’
Caroline stifled a giggle. ‘You’ve been apart for a short time – you can’t have matured suddenly.’
‘Oh, but I have. I had to think things over and Gilbert has helped me. If Theo’s ship hadn’t gone to Calais he would have been away for months, maybe a year or more. What would I have done then?’
‘Maybe that’s something you ought to think about before you commit to marrying a seafarer,’ Caroline said gently. ‘You would be on your own a great deal of the time.’
‘I could sail with him.’
‘What would you do when you start a family? You would have to bring them up virtually single-handed.’
‘I’d have you to help and advise me,’ Maria said shyly.
Caroline sat down beside her. ‘Maybe not. My mother is going to marry the man she fell in love with before she met my father.’
Maria dropped her darning and clapped her hands. ‘How romantic.’
‘Maybe, but it means she will migrate to Australia, taking my brothers with her. She wants me to go, too.’
‘Oh dear.’ Maria’s lips trembled. ‘Will you go with them?’
‘I don’t know what I’ll do, and that’s the truth.’
‘Phineas would be upset if you went away.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘Just a feeling I have.’
‘I think you’re wrong, Maria. Phineas wants to take over Manning and Chapman, but Raven wants to incorporate what’s left of our company with his shipping line. He sees a future in exporting frozen meat from Australia and New Zealand to Europe.’
‘The ice would melt.’
‘I think they would use a more complicated method than blocks of ice, but that’s where he thinks the future lies.’
‘And your future, Carrie? What do you want?’
Caroline shook her head. ‘I really don’t know.’
‘Will you wait with me until Theo arrives,’ Maria asked urgently. ‘I’m really nervous.’
‘Of course I will.’ Caroline patted her hand. ‘I expect he feels the same way as you, so don’t worry.’
‘He probably thinks I’m a silly woman who doesn’t know her own mind.’
‘If he did he wouldn’t be rushing up to London to see you.’
‘You mustn’t go to Australia, Carrie. What would I do without you?’
*
Caroline stayed in Princes Square until late afternoon when a hansom cab drew up outside and Maria almost fainted from nervous tension and excitement. Mrs Morecroft showed Barnaby into the parlour, and, having gone through the formal greetings, it became obvious to Caroline that she was not needed. She murmured an excuse and left the room, almost bumping into Mrs Morecroft, who was loitering outside the door.
‘I was just coming to see if the captain wanted some refreshments,’ Mrs Morecroft said feebly.
‘I think food is the last thing on his mind.’ Caroline laughed, and patted Mrs Morecroft on the shoulder. ‘They only have eyes for each other. I doubt if they’ve even noticed I’m no longer there.’
Mrs Morecroft made a tut-tutting noise, shaking her head so that her mobcap wobbled from side to side. ‘Miss Maria should be chaperoned. It’s not proper for her to be on her own with a young man.’
‘I have a feeling that they will be officially engaged before dinner is on the table.’ Caroline reached for her bonnet and shawl. ‘I have to go now, but no doubt I’ll be back soon to congratulate the happy couple.’
‘Mr Phineas wouldn’t approve.’
‘Mr Phineas isn’t here.’ Caroline fastened her bonnet and slipped her shawl around her shoulders. ‘I hope I can find a cab quickly.’
‘Where shall I say you’ve gone, should Miss Maria enquire?’
‘I’m going to Bearwood House to see my mother. I need to have a serious conversation with her.’
Esther entered the drawing room at Bearwood House, waving her left hand in front of Caroline’s face. ‘I said “yes”.’ The diamond ring flashed in the sunlight. ‘Raven insisted on rushing out to the jewellers in case I changed my mind. But, of course, I won’t. Are you all right about this, sweetheart?’
‘Of course I am, Mama.’ Caroline gazed at her mother’s flushed face and sparkling eyes and realised that she meant what she said. It was wonderful to see her mother happy again. ‘I suppose this means that you’ll live in Bendigo?’
‘Yes, of course. You’ll love Australia, Carrie. It was a hard life on the goldfields years ago, but Raven says that Bendigo is a thriving, modern city and he has a magnificent house. Even Pa says it’s quite splendid.’
‘You’re assuming that I’ll go with you, Mama. You haven’t asked me if that’s what I want.’
‘You’re my daughter, Carrie – of course I want you to come with us. Anyway, you’re under age and you can’t stay in London on your own.’
‘I have Sadie to turn to, should I need anyone.’
‘I’m trying to persuade Sadie and Laurence to come with us. Raven has offered to build a school and Laurence would be the headmaster. It means that Jimmy can continue his education and it gives Max time to consider what he wants to do.’
‘He says he wants to go to sea or join the army, Mama.’
Esther rolled her eyes. ‘He’s never been on a long voyage. The journey out will test his resolve, and anyway, there will be plenty of opportunities for him in Raven’s business empire.’
‘You have it all worked out, haven’t you?’
‘Raven and I have had long talks about the future. We want to start afresh in Australia, and I have little love for London now.’
‘But I have, Mama. This is my home.’
‘Nonsense, Carrie. You’re a beautiful girl and you’ll meet plenty of eligible men in Bendigo. Now, I don’t want to hear another word against our plans. It will be a good move for all of us, I promise you.’
‘When will you go?’
‘We leave in three weeks.’ Esther looked up as Raven entered the room. ‘I was just telling Carrie about our plans, my love.’
Raven walked over to the sofa and dropped a kiss on Esther’s beautifully coiffed hair. ‘How do you feel about living in Australia, Carrie?’
She stood up, facing him with a determined toss of her
head. ‘I don’t want to leave London.’
‘She’ll come round,’ Esther said hastily. ‘Carrie knows that she can’t remain here on her own.’
Raven met Caroline’s mutinous look with a sympathetic smile. ‘I hope you’ll change your mind, Caroline. I know this is all very sudden, and probably difficult for you to comprehend, but I will do everything I can to make the transition easy for you.’
The twinkle in his blue eyes was almost irresistible, and Caroline felt herself warming towards him. She could see why her mother found him so attractive, but she was not going to give in without a fight. ‘Thank you, but Phineas Colville has said I may rent the house in Great Hermitage Street and I intend to run my father’s business to the best of my ability.’
‘But you’ll be alone in London,’ Esther insisted. ‘We’re your family, Carrie.’
‘I also have a sister,’ Caroline said calmly. ‘Maria needs me as much as I need her, and I can turn to Phineas for help, should it be necessary.’
Esther shook her head, sighing. ‘You are a stubborn girl, Caroline Manning.’
‘I wonder who she takes after,’ Raven said, chuckling. ‘You have three weeks to decide, Carrie. In the meantime I’m taking your mother and the boys down to Devon. We’ll be staying with Freddie at Starcross Abbey, so if Maria wants to come with us she would be most welcome.’
‘She might want to be with her mother,’ Esther added. ‘I’ll make an effort to be nice, Carrie.’
‘I’ll mention it to her, although I think that she has other things on her mind at the moment, Mama, but give my love to Grace and Freddie. I hope everything goes well for them.’ Caroline rose to her feet. ‘I have to go now. Sadie will be wondering what’s happened to me.’
Sadie was in the boys’ room, throwing items into a large pigskin valise, with a scowl on her face. ‘Your mother is impossible at times, Carrie. She expects to click her fingers and have everyone running round after her.’
‘Let me help you.’ Caroline picked up one of Jimmy’s shirts and folded it neatly before adding it to the heap of garments in the case. ‘I’ve just come from Bearwood House. Mama said she’d spoken to you about moving to Australia?’
‘She turned up earlier and told me her plans, including taking Laurence and me with them. It was the first I’d heard of it.’
