The Swan Maid

by Dilly Court

  ‘But he’s in the army, young as he is, and I’m not a nurse.’

  ‘I’m in the 97th Regiment of Foot,’ Teddy said sleepily. ‘I have to get back to duty, miss.’

  Lottie and Mary exchanged weary glances.

  ‘War involving children,’ Lottie said angrily, ‘should be banned.’ She stroked a lock of sweat-darkened hair back from Teddy’s brow. ‘Can you stand, drummer boy?’

  Mary shook her head. ‘There’s no need. My man Johnny will carry him. I knew you’d want to help.’

  ‘We have to look after each other at times like these.’ Lottie hugged Teddy, who had fallen asleep against her shoulder. ‘He’s just a child. It’s not right.’

  ‘I’ll give you some laudanum for him, and the rest of the cake. I bake them aboard the Medora in the evenings. Cooking is one of my talents, and medicine is another. The men don’t call me Mother Seacole for nothing.’ She patted Lottie on the shoulder. ‘You’re a kindred spirit, Lottie Lane. I have nothing but respect for you, but don’t let that aristocratic woman run you ragged. She’ll get what’s coming to her.’

  Lottie chose to ignore this last remark. People could think what they liked of Lady Aurelia Dashwood, but she had seen another side of her, one that was infinitely more likeable.

  ‘I’ll look after Teddy for now, but how long will it be before he can return to duty?’

  ‘I wouldn’t count on it, honey,’ Mary said in a whisper. ‘It’s a bad break and I’ve done what I can, but it’s going to take a mighty long time to heal.’ She straightened up. ‘Anyway, now I’ve got to collect more driftwood, iron sheeting and anything that will help me finish building my British Hotel. It’ll be open soon, I swear to God it will.’

  Mary’s servant carried Teddy up the hill to the camp and laid him on the straw-filled palliasse in Lottie’s tent.

  ‘Thank you, Johnny,’ Lottie said with a grateful smile. ‘We’ll take care of the boy from now on.’

  ‘Pleased to help, miss.’ Johnny backed out of the tent and strolled off whistling.

  ‘Whatever next?’ Ruby said, frowning. ‘What’s wrong with the boy, Lottie? It’s not catching, is it? Think of the baby.’

  Lottie kneeled beside Teddy, who was drifting off under the influence of laudanum. ‘He suffered a broken arm, Ruby. There’s nothing else wrong with him and I’ve agreed to look after him until he’s fit enough to rejoin his unit.’

  ‘That could take months, and the boy is a soldier. The army should be responsible for his welfare.’

  ‘He has a mother somewhere in England, I’m sure, and a family who love him. If he were my son I would want someone to take care of him until his bones have knitted together.’

  Ruby cradled the baby in her arms. ‘We’ve barely enough food for ourselves, let alone a hungryboy.’

  ‘Let me worry about that. I’ll go to the colonel, if necessary, and ask for more rations.’ Lottie sighed, shaking her head. ‘Mrs Fothergill was out to cause trouble this morning, telling tales on Lady Aurelia, and the colonel was quite upset. I hope he’s in a better mood now.’

  ‘I should think he’s got other things on his mind than that woman’s tittle-tattle,’ Ruby said angrily. ‘But your lady is playing a dangerous game. What will happen if her husband discovers the truth?’

  ‘I daren’t think about that now. All I know is that the colonel is suspicious and Lady Aurelia rode off with Gillingham this morning, and I doubt if they’ve gone to the monastery. Gillingham would have known that the colonel was here in Balaklava.’

  ‘Well, there’s nothing you can do about it.’ Ruby sat down as the baby began to cry. She unbuttoned her blouse. ‘Molly is a hungry little thing. I just hope my milk doesn’t dry up.’

  Lottie rose to her feet, brushing dust from her skirt. ‘As you’re here I’ll go and look for Tom Bonney. If I tell him we’re taking care of the drummer boy he might let us have an extra ration of flour and some more blankets.’

  ‘What should I do if the boy wakes?’ Ruby asked anxiously.

  ‘Talk to him. He’s just a child and he’s far from home. Treat him like you would your own son.’

  Ruby’s eyes filled with tears and she turned her head away. ‘I’ll never know what that’s like now. I doubt if I’ll have another child.’

  ‘You don’t know that,’ Lottie said sympathetically. ‘You can’t be much older than I am.’

  ‘I’m twenty-three. Living in camp ages a woman, unless you’re an officer’s wife, with servants at your beck and call, like Lady Aurelia. I was pretty once, so my dear husband used to say.’

  ‘And you are still, Ruby. Anyone can see that, even in such dire circumstances as these.’ Lottie opened the tent flap and a cool breeze brought with it the stench of the latrines. ‘I won’t be long and I’ll see if I can beg some food from the kitchen.’

  Leaving Ruby to cope with the baby and the injured boy, Lottie went in search of Lieutenant Bonney. She found him in the supply store.

  He looked up from a list he was studying. ‘Good morning, Miss Lane. What can I do for you?’

  ‘Are you busy?’

  ‘I’m trying to find enough food for the major-general’s table this evening. I believe he’s entertaining Colonel Dashwood and his lady, and there’s a possibility that Lord Raglan himself might attend.’ Tom Bonney’s serious expression melted into a beaming smile. ‘But I’m never too busy to talk to you, Miss Lane.’

  ‘Thank you, Lieutenant. As a matter of fact I’ve come to beg a favour.’

  ‘Of course, I’ll do everything I can to help.’

  ‘It’s not for myself, but I’m looking after an injured drummer boy who was with the 97th Foot, and I’ve come to ask if we can have extra rations to feed the child. He’s suffering from a broken arm and won’t be able to rejoin his regiment until it heals.’

  ‘I see. Perhaps that’s a blessing in disguise, although I shouldn’t say so, but the 97th are in the thick of things at Sebastopol. In my opinion it’s no place for a child.’ He glanced over his shoulder, smiling ruefully. ‘Don’t tell anyone I said so.’

  ‘I won’t, I promise. Can you help us? We could do with another couple of blankets, too.’

  ‘I think that can be arranged. I’ll have them sent over to your tent, and some extra rations. You can take some oats and sugar now, and I have a small supply of oranges and apples, which I’ll be glad to let you have, only don’t tell anyone or I’ll be inundated with requests for fruit.’

  ‘Thank you, Lieutenant. I’m forever in your debt.’ Lottie was about to walk away when he called her back.

  ‘It might not be important, but Mrs Fothergill’s maid has been asking questions about Mrs Wagg. I thought you should know.’

  ‘Yes, thank you, but I’ve already found that out. I hope you won’t believe the rumours that might be flying around the camp.’

  ‘I never listen to gossip, Miss Lane.’ He took a step towards her, his smile fading. ‘There’s something else perhaps you ought to know.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘A telegraph message was sent to the station at Kadikoi regarding Private Ellis. You mentioned his name when you first arrived in Balaklava. I believe he’s a friend of yours.’

  Lottie shivered although it was hot and humid in the storeroom. ‘Yes, I know him.’

  ‘Ellis and Benson are being transferred to the most forward position.’

  ‘Where is that? Is it far from here?’

  ‘I can’t tell you exactly because I’m not in possession of that information, but I would imagine it must be close to the front lines. I’m sorry if it’s bad news.’

  ‘Have they moved on already? Can you tell me that?’

  ‘The message was sent last evening. They will have been relieved first thing this morning.’

  ‘I see. Thank you for telling me.’

  ‘Is Private Ellis a close friend, if you don’t mind me asking?’

  ‘Yes, he is a very good friend of mine.’ She answered automatically, but
the news of Gideon’s transfer struck her like a blow. It seemed that she had found him only to be separated again in the cruellest possible manner. He had been relatively safe at Kadikoi, but being sent to the front meant one thing – danger. She left the store and was making her way back to the tent when she saw the colonel coming towards her. He stopped and beckoned.

  ‘What exactly did my wife say this morning, Miss Lane?’

  ‘She said that she was going to the monastery, sir.’

  ‘And yet she has not returned, even though she would have found out that I am in fact here in Balaklava.’

  Lottie could see that his distress was genuine. ‘Perhaps they stopped to rest the horses, sir.’

  ‘I dare say you’re right.’ Colonel Dashwood walked on, leaving Lottie staring after him. She walked slowly back to the tent, and only then she realised that she had left the fruit Lieutenant Bonney had given her in the stores.

  Ruby had settled Molly down in her bed and she was sitting beside Teddy, holding his hand as he groaned in his drug-induced sleep. ‘Did you have any luck with the lieutenant?’

  ‘Yes, he’s very kind, and he’s sending over extra rations and some blankets. He was very understanding.’

  ‘You don’t look very pleased. What’s wrong?’

  ‘Everything.’ Lottie sank down on the end of the palliasse where Teddy slept. ‘Gideon has been moved on, to a telegraph station nearer the front, and Mrs Fothergill’s attempt to cause mischief seems to have worked. The colonel’s suspicions are aroused and I fear that Lady Aurelia and Gillingham will be found out.’

  Ruby pursed her lips. ‘I know you’re fond of her, but she’s been incredibly stupid and careless as to her reputation, and she’s a bad mother.’ She reached out to stroke the baby’s head. ‘How could she abandon this little poppet? I couldn’t, could you?’

  ‘No, of course not. I just keep hoping that Lady Aurelia will come to her senses and admit that the child is hers. You know, she’s not such a bad person, Ruby. She can be kind and generous, and she was so full of fun and laughter when we were in England. I’m afraid this place will be the ruin of her, and Gillingham too.’

  The sound of approaching footsteps made Lottie rise to her feet and she lifted the tent flap.

  Lieutenant Bonney smiled apologetically. ‘You forgot the supplies.’ He held out a wooden box covered with a scrap of cloth. ‘May I come in?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  He looked round their cramped quarters, frowning. ‘This isn’t suitable accommodation, especially with two children to care for. I’ll have to see if anything can be done to make you more comfortable.’ He placed the box on a camp stool beside Ruby. ‘How are you today, Mrs Wagg?’

  Ruby looked up and smiled. ‘Tolerably well, sir.’

  ‘I’m very glad to hear it.’ He glanced at Teddy, who was still asleep. ‘It was good of you to take the boy in.’

  ‘It seemed the only thing to do,’ Lottie said in a low voice. ‘He’s just a child.’

  ‘If there’s anything further I can do to make life a little easier, please let me know.’

  ‘Thank you, Lieutenant. It’s a relief to know we have one friend in camp.’ Lottie extended her hand and he held it for a moment longer than was necessary.

  ‘There are always people who choose to make life difficult for others, and I think you know to whom I’m referring. Anyway, I have to get back to the stores, but you must tell me if there’s anything you need.’ He stepped outside and Lottie followed him.

  ‘I would dearly love to find out where Gideon, I mean Private Ellis, is now.’

  He shook his head. ‘That I can’t tell you.’

  ‘Can’t, or won’t?’

  ‘Even if I knew, it would serve no purpose to pass on such information. You would both be in great danger if you attempted to see him.’ His expression lightened and his generous lips curved into a smile. ‘I’m sorry.’

  Lottie sighed. ‘I know you’re right. I just wish this war would end.’

  ‘You’re not alone there. I’m thinking of selling my commission when this is all over. I’ve lost my taste for soldiering.’

  Momentarily diverted, Lottie stared at him in surprise. ‘Really? What would you do in civilian life?’

  He was about to reply when a shout from a fellow officer made him snap to attention.

  ‘Hey, Bonney. Colonel Dashwood is looking for you.’

  ‘I have to go.’ Tom hurried off in the direction of Lord Raglan’s headquarters.

  Lottie watched him walk away with a feeling of regret. She would have liked to know more about the young officer who had shown them such kindness, but there were more pressing matters on hand and she realised that she was hungry. She entered the tent to find Ruby examining the contents of the box.

  ‘He’s a love,’ she said, grinning. ‘We’ll eat well today. If you’ll look after the nippers I’ll make something tasty. That lovely fellow has given us some tea and sugar. What I wouldn’t do for a nice cup of tea.’

  The sight of food made Lottie’s stomach rumble. ‘I’m starving. What is there to eat?’

  ‘He’s given us two eggs. I can’t remember the last time I had an egg. Anyway, I thought I’d make some pancakes and keep the other one for young Teddy when he wakes. He needs feeding up, poor kid.’ Ruby picked up a bundle of dry kindling and hurried out of the tent.

  Late that afternoon, Molly had been fed and was sleeping, as was Teddy, once again under the influence of laudanum. They had eaten well, and Lottie had enjoyed her first proper cup of tea since arriving in the Crimea. Ruby had picked up her sewing in an attempt to finish a tiny petticoat before the light faded, and Lottie took advantage of the quiet time to visit Lady Aurelia’s hut. She made sure everything was clean and tidy before lighting a fire in readiness for her ladyship’s return, although when that might be she had no idea. Having waited until the flames had taken hold, she was about to leave when she heard someone tapping on the hut door. She went to open it and found Maggie Cole standing on the threshold.

  ‘Can I come in?’ Maggie stepped inside without waiting for an answer. Her normally tidy hair was windblown and there was mud on the hem of her black bombazine skirt.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Lottie pulled up the one and only chair. ‘Won’t you sit down?’

  Maggie shook her head. ‘No, ta. I can’t stay. I just came to warn you that the old witch has been up to her tricks again.’

  ‘I’m sorry? I don’t understand.’

  ‘Mrs Fothergill has it in for Lady Aurelia. You must know that.’

  ‘Of course I do, but what’s happened?’

  ‘I accidentally had my ear to the door when she was ranting at her poor husband. I don’t know how he’s put up with her all these years. Anyway, that’s not what I came to say. You must warn Lady Aurelia that the cat’s out of the bag.’

  Lottie reached for the brandy bottle and poured a stiff tot. She handed the glass to Maggie. ‘You look as though you need this.’

  ‘Ta. I do.’ Maggie drank it in one greedy gulp. ‘I don’t normally interfere when the old bitch gets her knife into someone, but I’m sick and tired of her mischief-making. She told her old man that Lady Aurelia and Gillingham are lovers, and I’m almost certain that he’s passed the good news on to Colonel Dashwood.’ Maggie drained the last drop and handed the glass to Lottie. ‘There, that’s it in a nutshell. Make of it what you will, but be warned. There’s trouble ahead.’ She moved to the door and opened it. ‘I’ve got to get back and comb her bloody wig before she wakes up from her afternoon nap. One day I’ll set it on fire and she can go to dinner bald as an egg.’ Maggie strode out into the pouring rain, leaving the door to shut of its own accord.

  Lottie was about to close it properly when she heard the sound of a horse’s hoofs and Lady Aurelia drew her mount to a halt. She flung herself from the saddle and tossed the reins to a passing soldier. ‘Stable my horse,’ she ordered, ‘and see that she gets a good rub down.’ Without waitin
g for his response she strode across the tussocky ground.

  ‘Have you been telling tales to my husband, Miss Lane?’

  ‘No, my lady,’ Lottie protested, shocked by Lady Aurelia’s angry tone. ‘Of course not.’

  Aurelia stormed into the hut and threw herself down on the bed. ‘We had a wonderful day at Kamiesch, but as we rode into camp just now Gillingham was summoned to appear before Dashwood and the major-general. Bonney wouldn’t give me the details but apparently Gillingham has been posted to the front. Can you believe that?’

  ‘I had nothing to do with it, my lady.’

  ‘The only reason for such a move is if someone has been spreading malicious gossip. If it’s not you, then who is it?’

  ‘Do you really have to ask, my lady?’ Lottie controlled her anger with difficulty. ‘I would never do anything to hurt or betray you. Mrs Fothergill saw you ride off with the lieutenant this morning, and I was questioned by the major-general and Colonel Dashwood. They already knew that you had attended the race at Kamiesch yesterday, but I gave nothing away.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Lottie. I should have guessed she was at the bottom of this, but no one, other than yourself, knew that I planned to visit my husband at the monastery.’

  ‘But the colonel was here at a meeting with the major-general.’

  ‘I didn’t know that. Dashwood should keep me better informed.’

  ‘There is worse to come, my lady. Mrs Fothergill has been asking questions about Molly. She doesn’t believe the story we put about, and she’s been checking on Ruby’s background. It’s well known that her baby died within days of its birth, so it wouldn’t be possible to pass Molly off as her child. Even worse, Miss Cole was here just now. Mrs Fothergill has openly accused you of having an affair with Lieutenant Gillingham.’

  Aurelia took off her hat and threw it across the room. ‘Damnable woman. I hate her with a passion.’

  ‘She has done her best to ruin you, but you have the advantage still.’