Rich Girl, Poor Girl

by Val Wood

  They rode for almost an hour without speaking much, both busy with their thoughts and enjoying the scenery. Polly was thinking she was in heaven, and yet her musings drifted constantly to Dora. I’m so lucky, she thought. If Sonny hadn’t insisted that I apply for work at Rosalie’s house, what would I be doing now?

  Rosalie was looking far ahead across Kirk Moor, which was more open here and turning from green to a rich purple. The gorse, in contrast, was a deep yellow. To think that my uncle has always lived here and yet we never visited, she thought. Why did my father not bring me before? Did he never consider that I might like to know our relatives?

  Her meandering thoughts also turned to Dora and the quandary she was in. Who will help her if she loses her job? How will she survive with a child to bring up? If she keeps it, that is. But she’s young and healthy; and then she remembered that her mother had been healthy too and yet had died in childbirth.

  They rode through a wooded area and within it they could hear the sound of rushing water.

  ‘We must be near Ramsdale Beck,’ Rosalie said. ‘And I think there’s a waterfall somewhere near.’ They came through the wood on to open moorland again and now they could see the sea in the distance.

  ‘Look.’ Polly pointed. ‘You can see a stone from here. Howard told me that they’re prehistoric. And some of ’em have strange markings. He said that some of ’smaller stones on ’moor are hidden amongst ’heather and you can’t see ’em unless you trip over them, and they’ve been there, oh, just about for ever!’

  They rode a little further and then dismounted to take it in turns to hold the reins and scramble through the prickly heather and bracken to reach the standing stone.

  Polly walked round it. ‘Why are they here?’ she said. ‘Do you think that ancient people lived here and practised magic?’

  ‘If you believe in magic, yes. But as I don’t then no.’ Rosalie laughed. ‘I think they were part of something else. They’re medieval; perhaps part of a stone circle.’

  She and Polly then swapped places so that she could take a look at the megalith. The heather pulled at her skirt and she bent and tore off a piece. ‘For luck,’ she said, holding it up and then putting it in a buttonhole in her lapel.

  ‘I thought you didn’t believe in magic,’ Polly observed, and then looked up at the sky where dark clouds were driving in from Robin Hood’s Bay in the east. ‘It’s looking like rain,’ she called. ‘We’d best get straight back rather than going on to ’beck.’

  ‘Perhaps you’re right.’ Rosalie stumbled back through the scrub that surrounded the stone. ‘I’m quite hungry, too. Why didn’t we think of bringing an apple or cake or something?’

  They mounted, both finding it much easier now than formerly, particularly when there was no one to watch their awkwardness. They moved off, both glancing up at the sky. It had been blue when they had set out, but now there were ominous black clouds overhead, dramatically lit by the sun behind them.

  ‘Castles and mountains in the air,’ Rosalie remarked. ‘How quickly the weather can change. And not a waterproof between us!’

  ‘Won’t hurt us,’ Polly said cheerfully. ‘I’ve been wet many a time and never a fire to dry me out. Come on, we can at least look forward to changing our clothes and getting dry when we get back.’

  Rosalie nodded. She needed Polly to remind her how fortunate she had always been.

  They had ridden only for half an hour and left the wood behind when the rain started. To begin with it was only a drizzle but within minutes it changed to needle-sharp sleet which wetted them instantly.

  ‘There’s nowhere to shelter,’ Rosalie called out plaintively. ‘We should have waited in the wood.’

  The moor here was wide and without boulders or overhanging ridges to shelter under, and their vision was obscured by grey mist which had suddenly descended to blanket the landscape.

  ‘Are we going ’right way?’ Polly asked. ‘There aren’t any landmarks.’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Rosalie drew in beside her and they both sat with their shoulders hunched, trying to work out their position. ‘We’ve left the coast behind. Will the horses know if we give them their heads?’

  Polly was dubious. ‘They’re new to this bit o’ moor. They might tek us back to where they come from. We could finish up at Egton Bridge.’

  ‘Well, we can’t just sit here,’ Rosalie said. ‘I shall order a compass on our return and in future always bring it with me.’

  They moved on, but slowly as the path through the heather was often obscured and there were many stones and boulders. They were both now soaked to the skin and very uncomfortable.

  Polly peered ahead. Was the mist lifting? She thought the view of the moor was clearing and that she could see further than previously.

  ‘There’s a building of some sort down there,’ she said. ‘Can you remember it from when we came up? And that broken wall, see, where ’stones are heaped up beside it. We’re on ’right track, I’m sure of it.’

  Rosalie narrowed her eyes. ‘Yes, I see it,’ she said. ‘And look! There’s someone climbing over it.’

  ‘So there is,’ Polly said. ‘Whatever are they doing out in this weather, and where would they be going? Not looking for shelter, anyway.’

  The figure was a good distance away and heading across the moor. There were no cottages or other buildings in the direction the figure was travelling.

  ‘It’s a woman,’ Polly exclaimed. Her sight was sharper than Rosalie’s. ‘Shall we ride over and ask if we’re on ’right track? Where can she be going?’

  ‘Shall we call to her? Do you think she needs help?’

  ‘She’s running,’ Polly said. ‘Or trying to. Yes, let’s go to her.’

  They gathered up their reins and urged on the ponies, who swiftly responded. Rosalie thought they must be as eager as they were to be home and dry.

  ‘Rosalie,’ Polly said, ‘there’s no shelter and she’s on foot ...’ Polly took a breath. The figure was familiar. ‘It’s Dora!’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  ‘Dora. Come here.’ Anna beckoned to Dora when she came hesitantly into her sitting room. ‘Don’t be afraid. We’re here to help you.’

  Dora glanced at Mr Kingston, who was standing with his back to her staring out of the window, and then with her head lowered she came towards Mrs Kingston.

  ‘Dora,’ Anna began quietly, ‘we need to hear from your own lips what you have told Miss Polly. You have made a very serious charge against Mr Edwin and before we send for him we need the facts.’

  ‘I said nobody’d believe me.’ Dora began to weep. ‘But it’s true. I never wanted to go with him, but he made me. He said he would tell Mrs Moody I’d led him on if I didn’t.’

  Luke turned from the window. His face was pale and his mouth tight. ‘Did he promise you anything? A present, or money?’

  Dora stared at him from brimming eyes. ‘No, sir, and I wouldn’t have taken it if he had.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell someone?’ he bellowed suddenly, making her jump, and Anna shook her head at him, putting her finger to her lips.

  ‘I didn’t know who to tell, sir,’ Dora mumbled. ‘Not Mrs Moody, cos Mr Edwin’s her favourite, and I thought she’d dismiss me.’

  Luke gave a deep sigh and turned away again.

  ‘Have you told Mr Edwin that you’re pregnant?’ Anna asked her.

  ‘No, ma’am.’ Dora bent her head. ‘I daren’t.’

  ‘Then I will,’ Luke said and marched to the door. ‘Edwin!’ He stood at the foot of the stairs and his bellow echoed throughout the house.

  ‘He’ll surely be out on the farm!’ Anna said when Luke came back into the room. ‘He won’t be in the house.’

  Luke grimaced and was about to say something, but then seemed to think better of it.

  ‘Can you go home to your parents, Dora?’ Anna asked. ‘I realize that they’ll be upset and angry, but if we send someone with you – and of course there will be help in bringing up
the child—’

  ‘We need to hear Edwin’s side of the story first,’ her husband interrupted before she could finish.

  ‘Of course, dear,’ Anna soothed. ‘We must listen to what he has to say.’

  The door opened and Edwin came in. ‘Did somebody call me? I’d just slipped up to my room for something—’ He stopped speaking when he saw Dora, and glanced at his father.

  ‘You haven’t been out,’ his father accused him. ‘You’ve been in your room all morning.’

  Edwin flushed. ‘No I haven’t. I, erm, I came back in for a hat. I thought I’d ride over to ...’ His words tailed away. ‘What?’

  ‘You’ve been charged with raping a servant girl and making her pregnant,’ his father said bluntly. ‘That’s why I called you. What do you have to say for yourself?’

  ‘What?’ Edwin blustered. ‘Which girl? Not me.’ He cast a furtive glance at Dora, who kept her eyes on the floor. ‘I’ve never touched her.’

  Dora gave a gasp. ‘I said he’d say that. I told Miss Polly he would.’

  ‘Miss Polly!’ Edwin sneered. ‘Why bring her into this? And who’d believe either of them, anyway?’

  ‘Well I would for a start,’ Anna said quietly. ‘I can see no reason to think they would lie.’

  ‘There’s every reason,’ Edwin said arrogantly. ‘I’ve seen Polly and Dora hanging round the stables waiting for Sam.’ He smirked. ‘He’s one for the ladies.’ His lips turned down as he looked at Dora. ‘Or even those who are not ladies,’ he added.

  ‘Why are you mentioning Polly?’ His father’s eyes narrowed. ‘Have you reason to think she’s accused you of something?’

  Edwin shrugged, but he seemed uncomfortable, as if he’d spoken hastily. ‘No,’ he floundered. ‘I thought – you know; kick a man when he’s down. Anyway, I’ve not touched either of them.’

  Anna looked alarmed. ‘Polly has not blamed you for any indiscretion. Should she have done?’

  ‘If I thought for one minute that you’d offended a guest in our house, let alone a trusted servant,’ Luke was furious, ‘I’d take a horsewhip to you.’

  ‘Not me, Father,’ Edwin mocked. ‘You’ll have to look elsewhere. Try Sam, he’s the obvious one.’

  ‘Not Sam,’ Dora wailed. ‘We’re not even walking out, and he wouldn’t.’ She began to sob, her breath catching in her throat. ‘It was Mr Edwin. And not just once. Since Christmas – and ’worst time was after the wedding, when he made me meet him; he said nobody’d notice we were missing.’

  ‘Stop. I’ve heard enough.’ Luke was red in the face with anger. ‘I’ll find the odious culprit. Edwin, you’ll come with me and I’ll talk to Sam. Anna,’ he commanded, ‘do what you can for Dora.’

  He strode purposefully across the room, beckoning his son to follow him, and as he passed her Edwin gave Dora a look of pure loathing, which Anna saw.

  ‘Try not to worry,’ she murmured to her. ‘I believe you.’

  ‘Sam! Sam! Where are you, boy?’ Luke hurried across the yard.

  ‘Here, sir.’ Sam came out of one of the stables carrying a hay fork. ‘I’m mucking out, sir, while the two young ladies are out.’

  ‘There’s trouble, Sam, and I need to know if you’re involved in it.’

  Sam looked startled, his fresh face flushing. ‘What sort o’ trouble, Mr Kingston? What ’ave I done?’

  ‘Have you had knowledge of Dora?’

  Sam frowned. ‘I know her, sir, if that’s what you mean.’

  ‘I mean ...’ Luke hesitated. How to put the case without seeming to apportion blame. ‘I mean that Dora is expecting a child and the act took place without her consent.’

  Sam’s jaw appeared to drop and he gave an involuntary gasp. ‘Not Dora!’ His voice was strangled. ‘But,’ he groped for words, ‘I was going to—’

  ‘What? You were going to what?’ Luke took a step towards the stable lad.

  ‘I was going to ask her to walk out wi’ me. When she had her next day off, and now you’re saying she’s – she’s got somebody else!’ He looked the picture of misery. He shook his head. ‘I didn’t think she – who else is there?’ He appeared to consider. ‘But what do you mean, sir, without her consent?’

  He’s not very bright, Luke thought, but perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. ‘I mean that she was forced, and she’s accusing my son, who in turn is accusing you!’

  Sam shook his head in bewilderment. ‘I wouldn’t do that. Anyway, I hardly ever see Dora on her own. Onny sometimes if she brings me a bit o’ pie from Cook.’ He looked up at Edwin as if suddenly all was clear. ‘Is it you? Have you done this?’

  Edwin shrugged and lifted his hands. He wore a scornful expression. ‘She says I have. It’s her word against mine. You know what these young girls are like; they’ll blame anybody as soon as their teasing goes wrong.’

  ‘Dora’s not a tease,’ Sam shouted as if he’d suddenly found his voice. ‘She wouldn’t know how. We’re not like that, her and me. We’re different from you lot!’ He lifted the hay fork threateningly. ‘Are you telling me that you forced yourself on her and now she’s carrying your bairn? And you’ve spoiled her for anybody else!’

  ‘Sam,’ Luke broke in. ‘Wait. Could it be anybody else? Was Dora seeing anyone else?’

  ‘How?’ Sam said belligerently. ‘How could she wi’ hours she works, and anyway who else is there? There’s onny owd Amos, or it could be you or Mr Howard if it isn’t Mr Edwin!’ Even in his fury Sam gave everyone their title. ‘It’s him all right. I’ve seen him hanging about as if he was waiting for somebody. I never thought as it’d be Dora!’

  He lifted the fork again and lunged at Edwin, who jumped back. ‘You deserve a hiding for what you’ve done. Nobody’ll want her now.’

  ‘Come now, Sam.’ Luke tried to intervene. ‘Steady on. Dora’s been wronged, but—’

  Sam brushed his remark aside. ‘My fight’s not wi’ you, sir. It’s wi’ that arrogant dog. He never does a hand’s work; he lords it over everybody and doesn’t know how we despise him.’

  He threw down the hayfork and hurled himself on to Edwin, jostling him to the ground and raining blows on him. He threw a punch under Edwin’s chin, shouting, ‘That’s for Dora,’ and then again in his ribs, muttering, ‘and that’s for me.’

  Edwin pushed him off and hit out, but he was no match for the young stable lad, who hit back even more violently.

  Luke, who was bigger and stronger than either of them, forced himself between them and yanked them apart. Edwin was battered and bloody but Sam was not yet finished with him and raised his fist again. Luke grabbed Sam’s collar and pulled him off.

  ‘That’s enough,’ he yelled. ‘Stop it.’

  Edwin rolled over and rubbed his hand over his face and saw the blood. ‘Look what he’s done! I’ll have the constable here and charge him with assault.’

  ‘On your feet, both of you,’ Luke ordered. ‘There’ll be no police here. This is a private matter. Get inside,’ he told Edwin. ‘I’ll deal with you shortly.’

  As Edwin slunk off, Luke turned to Sam. ‘I want the truth. If what Dora says is true then I’ll disown him. Think carefully before you speak and condemn me to losing my only son.’

  ‘I’m sorry, sir, but it’s not my child.’ Sam wiped his hand over his chin. ‘I’m eighteen and never yet been wi’ a lass. Whether it’s Mr Edwin’s I don’t know, but if Dora says it is then I’d stake my life on it. Why would she lie?’ He took a grubby rag from his pocket and blew his nose. ‘He’s ruined my life as well as yours and Dora’s, for I’ll not want her now. She’s spoiled.’

  ‘Then you are blaming her for a sin she’s not guilty of,’ Luke told him. ‘This girl has been cruelly used.’

  Sam frowned. ‘But not by me. And why should I bring up another man’s child?’ he said bitterly. ‘I’d see its father’s face every time I looked at it. And,’ he jabbed his finger in the direction of the house, ‘he’d continue to deny it was his bairn if I married Dora to save her
face. He’d walk off scot free!’

  ‘No. He will not.’ Luke turned away to go back to the house. ‘He’ll be punished.’

  ‘What about me?’ Sam called after him. ‘Do I get fired now for giving the maister’s son a beating?’

  His employer turned to face him. ‘You’ll keep a civil tongue in your head, Sam Little.’ His voice was tight and full of tension. ‘Remember who you are speaking to. I’ve not blamed you, I simply asked you a question and you have answered it. Now go back to work.’

  Luke felt low as never before. He gave a deep sigh. The happiness he had enjoyed since marrying Anna was melting away. He had always had a difficult relationship with his son; Edwin was a shirker, he knew that, but he would never have thought that he was dishonourable.

  He went in search of Anna. He must talk it over with her and decide on the best course of action. She was a sensible woman as well as a beautiful one.

  Edwin was waiting in the corner by the servants’ stairs. He hoped he might catch Dora and persuade her to change her story, but he saw his father go towards Anna’s sitting room. He grimaced disdainfully. He’ll be going to ask her advice. He can no longer make his own decisions. He’ll let a pretty face decide for him.

  Stealthily he stole out from his hiding place, unlocked the gun cupboard, took out his gun and moved hastily towards the door.

  ‘I’ll teach Sam Little a lesson he’ll not forget,’ he muttered. ‘I’ll show him for speaking to me the way he did.’ He closed the door softly behind him and headed down the steps and round the house towards the stable yard.

  Dora stood by the attic window. Mrs Kingston had suggested she go upstairs whilst Mr Kingston spoke to Sam. From her vantage point she’d seen Edwin come back to the house, holding a bloody handkerchief to his nose, and then Mr Kingston. Tears flooded her face. They’ll have told Sam now, she thought. What will he think? Will he blame me? He’ll not want me, anyway. Nobody will, not now. She stifled a sob. How ever will I manage? Where will I live? And even if Mr Kingston gives me money for the bairn everybody will know it for a bastard.