The Reluctant Heiress

by Dilly Court

  Kate paced the floor in an attempt to get warm. An icy draught blew in from the old kitchen and the smell of charred wood and smoke hung in the air like a pall. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve got the range going, by any chance. I could do with a cup of tea.’

  ‘Tea? I ain’t had a hot drink for months. I got no coal and I was about to starve to death when Harry turned up just before Christmas. Not that I had what you might call a Christmas. I probably wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t bought me some food and drink.’

  Kate smiled in spite of the fact her face was stiff with cold. ‘That sounds like Harry. But where is he now? Where is Monks? I want to find Harry before he does something he’ll regret.’

  ‘You left it a bit late for that, miss. He’s been back here for nigh on two months, where’ve you been all this time?’

  ‘You’re right. I should have come looking for him sooner, but I’m here now and I need to speak to him. Is he upstairs?’

  Spears shook his head. ‘No one in their right mind would stay here. As for me, I got nowhere else to go.’

  ‘Are you expecting him to call on you again? You must know something, Spears.’

  He leaned closer and she recoiled at the smell of his unwashed body. His straggly hair was lank and greasy and he had grown a beard. ‘What’s it worth?’

  ‘I’m not stupid enough to carry a lot of money on me in this neighbourhood.’

  ‘But you got some, I know that.’ Spears cast his eyes over the reticule she clutched in her hand. ‘I’m starving, miss. Get me a pie and a jug of ale and I’ll tell you everything I know.’

  Kate eyed him warily. She had no way of knowing whether he was simply using her or if he actually had some information as to Harry’s whereabouts.’ She sighed, shaking her head. ‘If you’re having me on, Spears, I won’t forgive you.’

  ‘I won’t be here to repent if I don’t get some vittles inside me soon.’ Spears raised a skeletal hand to his forehead. ‘I’m faint from lack of nourishment.’

  ‘All right. I’ll go to the pie shop and the jug and bottle, but you’d better give me some news when I get back or I’ll go straight to the police station in Leman Street and report you for being here illegally. I assume the property still belongs to Harry.’

  ‘I ain’t lying,’ Spears said feebly. ‘Two pies would be better than one, miss. I got to keep body and soul together.’

  Kate walked past him and went into the kitchen, where she and Ivy used to make the vast batches of soup for the needy. It was, as she expected, filthy and there were rodent droppings everywhere, although what they found to eat was a mystery. She plucked a chipped china jug from one of the shelves and hurried back into the shop where Spears had slumped down on the only chair in the room.

  ‘I’m going, Spears, but I’ll be back as quickly as I can. Let me out, please.’

  He stumbled to his feet and staggered to the door, leaving her in no doubt as to his weakened state. Kate knew the area quite well and she walked to the Brown Bear pub where she had the jug filled with ale. She went on to a nearby pie shop where she purchased three pies – two for Spears and one for herself. She had not bothered to have breakfast before she left home that morning, and the cold weather, together with the long walk, had given her an appetite.

  She returned to the shop and Spears let her in. He grabbed one of the pies and returned to his chair, stuffing the food in his mouth as if he had not eaten for days.

  ‘Give us the ale,’ he said through a mouthful of pie. ‘This tastes so good. You can’t imagine what it’s like to starve, miss.’

  Kate passed him the jug and he drank from it, gulping down the ale and belching loudly. Kate nibbled her pie, but she was no longer hungry and she gave it to Spears, who downed it in seconds.

  ‘I’ll save the other one for me supper,’ he said, grinning and exposing a row of blackened and broken teeth. ‘That went down well, and the ale. Thank you, miss.’

  Kate moved closer. ‘I’ve done my part, now tell me what you know. Where can I find Harry?’

  ‘He’s lying low, miss.’

  ‘Yes, I understand that, but where will I find him?’

  ‘He moves around so that Monks never knows where he’ll be next, but the last I heard he was lodging at the Town of Ramsgate pub, next to Wapping Old Stairs. But it ain’t the sort of place you should go to, miss.’

  ‘I want to find Harry. I need to know what’s happening and why he hasn’t returned home. If it was up to me I’d have left Monks to the police.’

  ‘If you say so, miss.’ Spears lifted the jug to his lips and drank deeply once more.

  Kate took a sixpenny bit from her reticule and placed it on the table next to Spears. ‘That should feed you for a day or so, and I’ll speak to Harry about finding you somewhere safer to stay. That’s if I find him.’

  ‘Good luck, miss.’ Spears gave her a tipsy grin, waving to her as she let herself out of the shop.

  Kate headed towards the river. She knew Nightingale Lane, of course, which was where she had first met Ivy and the children, and it was easy enough to find the pub that Spears had mentioned. However, she was not prepared for the hostile reception she received from the men, mostly dockers and seamen, who crowded round the bar. She pulled her cloak more tightly around her and pushed her way through to speak to the barman.

  ‘This ain’t the sort of place for you, miss.’ A burly man with shaggy red hair and tattoos on his forearms and neck, leaned towards her. ‘Unless you’re touting for business, of course.’ He roared with laughter, as did the men around him.

  ‘I’ll give you a penny for it, love.’ A younger man wearing workmen’s overalls and a woollen hat over his forehead, laid his hand on her shoulder.

  Kate pulled away, glowering at him. ‘Go away and bother someone else.’

  ‘Ho, we’ve got a lady in our midst.’ The tattooed man raised his glass to her. ‘How much d’you charge, your ladyship. I ain’t never had a lady.’

  ‘And you won’t now,’ Kate said, edging away towards a young serving girl, who was collecting glasses.

  ‘I’m looking for a friend,’ Kate said in a low voice. She took a silver shilling from her reticule under the cover of her cloak. It would be fatal to let the present company see that she had money on her person.

  The girl eyed her fearfully. ‘I don’t know your friend.’

  ‘His name is Harry and I was told that he’s lodging here.’ Kate pressed the coin into the girl’s hand. ‘Can you help me?’

  ‘I dunno.’

  ‘But you do know Harry?’

  ‘Maybe.’ The girl glanced fearfully at the barman, but he was busy serving ale, and her gaze flicked back to Kate. ‘Who’s asking?’

  ‘Is he here now? If he is, tell him it’s Kate.’

  ‘I can’t promise nothing, but you’d best get out of here. If they lay hands on you I don’t fancy your chances.’ The girl jerked her head in the direction of a group of rough-looking labourers, who were obviously the worse for drink. ‘It’s low tide, wait at the foot of the old stairs.’ The girl picked up her tray and headed for the back of the bar, leaving Kate with little alternative but to make a hasty retreat.

  The watermen’s stairs the girl had mentioned were at the side of the building down a narrow alley that led to the river. Kate glanced up at the pub windows as she made her way carefully down the worn stone steps. The aroma of tea from a nearby warehouse mingled with the various smells of tobacco, roasting coffee beans and the odour from the detritus washed up on the foreshore and sewage that floated downriver. A bitter east wind ruffled the surface of the water and tugged mercilessly at Kate’s cloak as she waited, hoping that the serving maid would have given Harry the message.

  She stood there for what seemed like an eternity, and the tide had turned causing the water to rise rapidly. Kate was about to climb the steps to the High Street when she looked up and saw Harry. He was dressed as a seaman in a pea jacket, with a cap pulled down over his brow, but she would have know
n him anywhere and she started up the slippery, well-worn steps. They met halfway and he enveloped her in a hug and a kiss that took her breath away, making it almost impossible to think. She laid her hands on his chest and pushed him away.

  ‘Someone might see us, Harry,’ she said, glancing nervously up at the side windows of the pub.

  ‘What the hell are you doing here, Kate? Why did you leave Warren House?’

  ‘Can we go somewhere safer?’ Kate said breathlessly. ‘One false step and we’ll end up in the mud and the tide has turned.’

  He put his arm around her waist guiding her up the steps in silence. When they reached the street he led her to St John’s church where they found a secluded spot in the churchyard. He leaned against the wall.

  ‘Now tell me why you came looking for me, Kate. You knew what I was about when we parted on the docks.’

  ‘That was nearly two months ago, Harry. I didn’t know if you were alive or dead, and Perry wouldn’t tell me anything. What was I supposed to do?’

  A wry smile curved his lips. ‘A sensible woman would have remained at Warren House where she was safe, but I should have known you wouldn’t abide by the rules. How did you find me?’

  ‘I went to my old soup kitchen. Where else would I go? I bribed Spears with a jug of ale and a couple of meat pies. He’s in a bad way, Harry.’

  ‘Spears is not my problem. He chose to stay on and he knows the score. Don’t waste your pity on him.’

  ‘But he was starving and filthy, as well as being chilled to the bone. You can’t leave him like that. He used to work for you.’

  Harry acknowledged this with a nod. ‘You’re right, of course. I should have done something for Spears, but I’ve put everything into catching Monks. The trap is set now, which is why you must return home immediately.’

  ‘What do you mean? How are you going to catch him?’

  ‘You’re shivering.’ Harry slipped his arm around her shoulders. ‘Have you come all the way from Walthamstow today?’

  ‘No, my mother insisted on opening up the house in Finsbury Square because she wanted to get her outfit for her Easter wedding. Your mother has returned to Finsbury Circus. I tried but I couldn’t dissuade either of them.’

  ‘It’s still not safe. If my plan fails Monks will be even more dangerous.’

  ‘But the police should be handling this, Harry. Come home. Come to Warren House and leave all this behind.’

  He touched her cheek with the tip of his forefinger. ‘You called Warren House “home”. Is that how you see it?’

  ‘Yes, I mean, no. Don’t put words in my mouth, Harry. And you’ve changed the subject very cleverly. I asked you what your plans were regarding Monks.’

  ‘I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to, my love. I’m working with the Metropolitan Police and they want to bring Monks in with as much evidence as they can gather. They need the case for the prosecution to be watertight.’

  ‘And Perry knows all about this, I suppose?’

  ‘He does.’

  ‘Well, he wouldn’t tell me anything. He’s allowed me to suffer since Christmas. I didn’t know if you were alive or dead.’

  He drew her to him and kissed her until her senses were reeling. He released her gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead with the tip of his finger. ‘I’m sorry, my darling girl. But it wasn’t safe for you to know the details and it still isn’t. I’m begging you to return to Finsbury Square, and if you can’t persuade your mother to return to Warren House, at least you must be aware of the danger you’re in.’

  The touch of his lips on hers had left her dizzy with desire for more, but his words sent cold shivers down her spine. ‘Why is that man so important to the police? He can’t be an ordinary gangster. There must be more to it than that.’

  ‘Monks is the head of an international gang who have stolen works of art and jewels worth thousands of pounds. His London thuggery was simply a cover to divert the police in this country into thinking just what you’ve called him: a local villain who might get away with a short prison sentence. Monks’ gang are ruthless killers and they’ll stop at nothing to keep themselves free from arrest.’

  ‘But why have you put yourself in danger, Harry? Haven’t you done enough? Can’t you leave it to others and come home to lead a normal life?’

  ‘I will, but only when this is finished. I have a personal score to settle with Monks. He shot and killed Annie’s father and her mother died of a broken heart.’

  ‘I was told it was a duel, fought over a gambling debt.’

  ‘George Blythe was my uncle and he was good to me when I was a boy, but he had a weakness for gambling and he became involved with Monks. He lost heavily and when Monks put pressure on him to pay back his debt of honour, it ended in a duel. Monks supplied the pistols and I’ve always suspected that the one George used had been tampered with, but it was a long time ago and impossible to prove.’

  ‘Are you certain? I mean it could have been that Monks was a better shot.’

  ‘Never. George was an army officer, trained in the use of firearms. One of the reasons why I started up the gaming clubs, apart from the obvious need to make money, was to keep Monks within my sights. If I couldn’t catch him any other way I had to make him think that I was a criminal, too.’

  ‘And the police knew about this?’

  ‘Not at first. I had to be very careful with my cover, but eventually I had to tell them what I was doing or face arrest. When I was sent to prison it was all arranged, as you know. Monks is no fool and he was getting suspicious.’

  ‘What are you going to do now? What is this trap you’re talking about?’

  He shook his head. ‘I can’t tell you, Kate. I want you to return to Finsbury Square and stay there until I tell you it’s safe to leave.’

  ‘But we’ll be prisoners in our own home.’

  ‘If you can’t persuade your mother to be careful then you should take her back to Warren House.’

  ‘For how long, Harry? This could go on for ever.’

  ‘No. I told you, Kate. I am working to bring a case against Monks that is watertight.’

  ‘You say he’s a jewel thief and he steals works of art.’

  ‘Yes, what of it?’

  ‘Well, the simplest way I can think of is to put temptation in his way that he simply can’t resist. If I wanted to trap a jewel thief I would bait a trap with a priceless item of jewellery or an art collection and wait. Sooner or later he would be bound to take the bait.’

  ‘There’s only one flaw in that theory, Kate. Precious jewels are hard to come by, as are great works of art. Monks isn’t a fool. He’d see through something like that in an instant.’

  Kate eyed him thoughtfully. ‘Not necessarily. We don’t need to possess the articles, Monks simply has to believe they are there for the taking. Where do you think he gets his information from?’

  ‘I’ve never thought about it like that.’

  ‘It must be someone who is quite high up in society. Perhaps that person travels abroad quite often and that would account for Monks knowing when and where to strike.’

  ‘It would take time to follow up that idea, Kate. It’s a good one, but I’ve managed to infiltrate the gang and I’m hoping to get the details of their plans very soon. I know how these people work and I don’t want you to get involved.’

  Kate could see that arguing was pointless. When it came to protecting those closest to him she knew that Harry would not be swayed. ‘I understand, but I’d better start walking back to Finsbury Square. It looks like rain and it might even snow.’

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. ‘Don’t do anything foolish, Kate. I’ll sort this out very soon now and we’ll be together again.’

  She allowed herself a few moments of respite, leaning against him and breathing in the scent of him, which was achingly sweet and so familiar. The months they had spent on board ship had been precious and she was not going to let their closeness s
lip away, but if Harry had a stubborn streak then she had one to match. She drew away reluctantly.

  ‘I must go now, Harry.’

  He grasped her by the hand. ‘I’m sending you home in a cab.’

  ‘I’m supposed to be incognito, Harry. Servant girls walk everywhere or take a bus.’

  ‘My future wife is not going to walk from Wapping to Finsbury Square, Kate Martin.’

  ‘Your wife? When did you propose to me? I think I might remember something like that.’

  ‘I thought we had an understanding, my love.’

  ‘All the more reason to get this done quickly, Harry. I think you’re placing yourself in great danger. I’m sure there is an easier way.’

  He proffered his arm. ‘Let’s get you home. The weather is taking a turn for the worst.’

  ‘You can avoid the truth as often as you like, but I think you need my help, Harry, and I’m not giving up.’

  He kissed her briefly on the lips. ‘That’s why I love you, but I won’t allow you to put yourself in danger. Leave it to me, Kate. It will be over soon and then we can get on with the rest of our lives, but please, if you love me at all, persuade your mother to return to Warren House. I’ll pay a call on my mother and see if I can make her see sense.’

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Mrs Marsh answered Kate’s knock on the door in Finsbury Square. She stood aside to allow Kate to enter, but her gaze was fixed on the garments that Kate had chosen to wear.

  ‘If I might be so bold, Miss Kate, why are you wearing my daughter’s old clothes?’

  Kate slipped off her rain-soaked cloak and handed it to her. ‘I had a private mission to undertake, Mrs Marsh. I didn’t want to be recognised.’

  ‘Something is still amiss. I know it’s not my place to question my betters, but closing the house and running off to Walthamstow was just the start. I’ve known you since you were a child, and you can’t pull the wool over my eyes. Something bad has happened or is going to happen. I’m glad my Jenny isn’t here.’

  Kate laid her hand on Mrs Marsh’s arm. ‘You are part of the family, Mrs Marsh. You’ve always been there to take care of me when my parents were too busy. I owe you an explanation, but it will have to wait until later.’ Kate paused, sniffing the air. ‘Can I smell cigar smoke?’