The Doorstep Girls

by Valerie Wood

  It had come more quickly than she had anticipated. Not Mr Newmarch, she pondered, but one of my own kind. Perhaps it was unintentional, but people will talk and it must have got back to the management.

  It was Martin Newmarch who was waiting to see her in his office, and through another door she saw Edward Newmarch look up from his desk and curiously survey her.

  ‘I’m sorry, Miss Sheppard.’ Martin Newmarch was formal, as she expected; there were others within hearing. ‘But I regret that we are no longer able to offer you further employment.’

  ‘May I ask why, sir?’ she asked, and wondered what the official reason would be.

  He gazed at her and there was no expression in his brown eyes. Then he replied, ‘We are cutting down on our workforce. The decline in the cotton industry, you know!’ There was just a hint of a glimmer in his passive expression as he repeated her own words of the day before.

  ‘The shareholders expect their dividends, of course,’ he murmured so that only she could hear, ‘so we must make cuts as appropriate.’

  She stared at him. Shareholders! Was that why the workers’ wages were so low? She longed to ask him, though she knew that she couldn’t. How ignorant I am. She swallowed hard. ‘Thank you for your explanation, Mr Newmarch. I’m grateful for that.’

  She turned away to go out of the office, but he called her back and said in a low voice, ‘If you are in any difficulties, Grace, do let me know. I will help if I can.’

  She put her chin up. ‘Thank you, Mr Newmarch. It’s kind of you. But I shan’t need any help.’

  Ruby was waiting outside for her. ‘What’s up, Grace? What’s happening?’

  Ruby had been quiet and tense that morning as they’d walked to work and had said nothing about Saturday night. Grace hadn’t seen fit to question her, but had described briefly her own Sunday morning at Dock Green. Now Ruby was jittery and clutched a piece of paper which she kept folding and unfolding.

  ‘I’ve been finished,’ Grace said. ‘Management have been told about me speaking at Dock Green. I expect they think I’m making trouble.’

  ‘I’ll go and plead for you, Grace. I will. I dare. I think.’

  Grace smiled. ‘No, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, I’ve seen ’management. Mr Newmarch told me that they’re cutting down on staff. Decline of ’cotton industry!’

  ‘Mr Newmarch!’ Ruby said nervously. ‘Which one?’

  ‘Mr Martin. He’s the one that does ’employing and sacking.’

  ‘Ah,’ Ruby said softly. ‘Yes! Grace,’ she muttered. ‘I’ve got summat to tell you.’

  She told of her meeting with Edward Newmarch on Saturday night, and of him wanting to see her again. ‘I thought he was mebbe saying that just to get away, seeing as I knew him. But he wasn’t.’ She held up the piece of paper. ‘He gave me this this morning. He’s arranged a time and place.’

  ‘When?’ Grace said. She was almost as apprehensive as Ruby appeared to be.

  ‘Tonight,’ she said. ‘Nine o’clock.’ She clutched Grace’s arm. ‘I’m frightened, Grace. What’s to become of us?’

  ‘Don’t be frightened, Ruby.’ Grace squeezed Ruby’s hand. ‘We’ll be all right, you and me. Let’s just think of it as if we’re both starting a new way of life.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Ruby again dressed in the red gown, only this time her mother buttoned her up instead of Grace. ‘I’m sorry, Ruby,’ she kept repeating. ‘I’ve been a bad mother, but I’ve allus cared about you, and Freddie too.’

  Ruby didn’t answer. She felt numb, beaten, and, she thought, if Ma had really cared about us I wouldn’t be doing this. Nor would I have taken on the responsibility of managing the household when I was little more than a child. She took a deep breath. No. Ma would have worked, just like Grace’s mother does. She wasn’t prepared to admit, even to herself, that if her mother hadn’t been addicted to opium, things would have been so different.

  There was a good fire burning in the hearth. Grace had brought some firewood and Ruby had bought a small sack of coal with the money she had left. Her mother shuffled closer to it. ‘It’s good to have a fire, Ruby,’ she said contentedly. ‘I’ve had a nice dinner. Things are looking up. Somebody’s smiling down on us at last.’

  Ruby gave an exasperated exclamation. She had bought her mother a meat pie with the money Mr Newmarch had given her, but already Bessie had forgotten how the money had been earned. Oh, what’s the use! She picked up the shawl which Grace had again loaned her. I might as well just get it over and done with.

  Her mother patted Ruby’s hair. ‘You look beautiful, Ruby.’ She smiled possessively. ‘You tek after me, of course. Once I was beautiful too. Now off you go. Be a good girl and be nice to your gentleman, if that’s what he is. And don’t mix with anybody rough,’ she added, ‘cos that could be your downfall.’

  Ruby sighed and shook her head and opened the door, letting in the cold night air. ‘I might be late, Ma. Don’t tell anybody where I’ve gone, especially not Jamie. Do you hear?’ she repeated. ‘Especially not Jamie.’

  ‘I’ll not tell Jamie owt,’ her mother replied. ‘I’ll keep ’door bolted. I’m sure it was Jamie what sold me that bad loddy ’other night.’

  Ruby put the shawl over her head as she scurried along the dark streets, skirting the old dock and heading towards St Mary’s church where Mr Newmarch had suggested they should meet. As she passed the top of Leadenhall Square, the notorious area of prostitutes and brothels, several men whistled to her and invited her to come and talk to them, but she kept her head down and hurried on. She was breathless by the time she reached the narrow street of Lowgate and saw the tower of the old church looming before her in the darkness.

  What if he’s not there? she worried. Why didn’t he arrange to meet in an inn? She stepped to one side as a chaise, followed by another, rattled by, and she pressed against the walls of the tower. But he was there. He stepped out of the shadows and said in a low voice, ‘Ruby? Is it you?’

  ‘Yes, sir,’ she whispered. ‘It’s me.’

  ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it would be so dark.’ He came close to her and touched his top hat. ‘I didn’t want to meet in an inn, my club is too close by.’ He gestured towards the High Street, which lay behind the church. ‘There may be people who know me.’

  ‘Yes, I understand.’ So where are we going? she wondered. We’re not staying here. Not by the church. I’ll not have that!

  ‘Come.’ He took her arm. ‘I have booked us a private room at an hotel near the pier. The Vittoria. Perhaps you know it? It’s a very respectable place.’

  ‘I know it,’ she said softly, and tears sprang to her eyes. It’s where I spent the best birthday of my life. It’s where I shared a glass of ale with Daniel and Grace. She stifled a sob. Daniel! What would you think of me now?

  It was bitterly cold as they walked on, going by the towering Holy Trinity Church, the Market Place and its empty stalls, past the King William statue which glimmered beneath the lamplight, and crossing into Queen Street towards the river Humber. The tide was in and dashed against the wooden jetty and landing slip, throwing up spumes of spray.

  Ruby shivered and wrapped her shawl more closely about her. Edward Newmarch looked down at her. ‘You’re cold! Have you no coat or cloak?’

  She gave a small laugh. ‘No, sir, I haven’t.’

  ‘Then we must get you something to warm you up, a brandy perhaps?’

  ‘That’d be very nice, sir,’ Ruby agreed as they walked through the doors of the hotel. And perhaps it will help to ease my nerves, she thought, as she shivered with fright as well as the cold.

  A uniformed pageboy took them upstairs and opened a door to a room. ‘Supper will be served presently, sir,’ he said, as he accepted a coin from Edward and took his coat and hat and hung them up on a coat stand. ‘Is there anything else I can bring you?’

  ‘Yes. Two large brandies, some sugar and hot water.’

  ‘For a toddy, sir? I’ll do that
for you. Yes indeed. It’s a very cold night.’

  Ruby glanced around the room. There was a blazing fire and two armchairs beside it, several rugs, and a sort of bed, she supposed, or perhaps it was a sofa, half hidden behind a lace curtain. There were flowers on a table and a bottle of red wine and two glasses. She was overawed. It was very grand. So much more so than the rooming house Jamie had taken her to.

  ‘Let me take your shawl,’ he said quietly, ‘or are you still cold?’

  She couldn’t stop shivering. ‘I’m cold, sir.’ She looked up at him. ‘And I’m frightened.’

  ‘Still frightened?’ His heart began to pound. He wanted her, but he didn’t want her to be nervous and tense. If only the boy would hurry up with the brandy. ‘Come and sit here by the fire.’

  She did as he bid and took off her boots so that she wouldn’t dirty the rugs, and, as she sat, there came a discreet knock on the door. The boy entered with the brandies, followed by a maid with a trolley which was covered with a white cloth. The maid removed the covering and they both backed out of the room.

  Ruby lifted her head and stared, her eyes widening as she saw the slices of cold beef and ham, and was that chicken? There was a crusty loaf and a slab of rich yellow butter and something in little white dishes. Her stomach churned and she licked her lips. Her shivering eased. If she was to be fed as well as paid for her services, perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad life after all, though she was sure that this wasn’t what Jamie had in mind.

  Edward passed her the toddy. ‘Drink this,’ he said. ‘It will warm you. Then we’ll eat.’ He gave a small smile. ‘Then perhaps you won’t be so nervous.’

  She took a sip, and the liquid burned her throat. Brandy wasn’t something she was used to. ‘You’re very kind, sir,’ she murmured.

  His eyebrows shot up and he laughed. ‘No, I’m not! Not one of my acquaintances would ever describe me as kind.’

  ‘Well, I onny speak as I find, sir.’ She took another sip and then drained the glass in a gulp. ‘That’s better.’ She stood up from the chair. ‘Do you want me to –’ She lifted her hands. ‘Or –?’

  He laughed again. ‘You are funny, Ruby. Sit down. There’s no hurry. We have all night.’ He seemed more relaxed now that they were alone. As they had walked through the town he kept glancing about him as if afraid they might be seen. ‘Would you like to eat?’

  ‘Oh, yes, please.’ She stood up again and he led her to the table and pulled out a chair for her.

  He picked up one of the white dishes and passed it to her, asking, ‘Would you like to start with potted chicken? Or perhaps a slice of ballotine of pheasant?’

  Her eyes became large and luminous. What should she have first?

  ‘Please.’ He indicated that she should begin. ‘Have whatever you want.’ He poured two glasses of wine from the bottle which the boy had opened, placed one in front of Ruby, took a sip from his own and sat back in his chair with a little smile on his face.

  ‘Aren’t you going to eat?’ she asked as she tucked into the potted chicken which she had spread on a slice of bread, then she reached for a slice of beef. ‘It’s wonderful,’ she mumbled, her mouth half-full.

  ‘Ruby?’ He leaned towards her. ‘When did you last eat?’

  ‘Today,’ she nodded. ‘I had a slice of bread before I left for work. Oh, and I took a bite out of a pie I’d bought for my ma’s dinner.’

  And it’s now nine thirty, he pondered, and sighed. Looking at the way she was devouring the food they could be here until midnight, and he decided there and then that he would stay at his club and not go home.

  She sat back and gave a little belch, putting her fingers to her mouth. ‘If I eat any more I shan’t be able to – what I mean is – you’ll want to be getting home soon.’

  ‘I know what you mean, Ruby, and I’m not going home tonight.’ He stood up, and putting out his hand he pulled her to her feet. ‘You can eat again later if you wish,’ he said softly. ‘And we can have more wine and another table full of food if you are still hungry.’ He paused. ‘I’m hungry.’ He ran his fingers over her cheeks. ‘But not for food.’

  She moistened her lips with her tongue and his eyes went to her mouth. ‘Mr Newmarch,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t know what to do. I told you – I haven’t been with a man before.’

  He bent and kissed her on the mouth and unbuttoned his waistcoat. This must be savoured, he thought. I mustn’t rush her. She’s a virgin. Surely unusual in a woman like her. Her lips were soft and he could taste the wine on them. They parted and he gently touched them with his tongue. She gave a small gasp and drew back and he ran his fingers around her mouth, shaping her Cupid’s bow and her full lower lip.

  ‘I know what to do,’ he whispered. ‘You are so beautiful, Ruby. I have never known anyone as lovely as you.’ He felt himself slipping into a reverie of avid yearning. He was enamoured and captivated by her, eager and breathless to possess her, but he also wanted to cherish the moment, to savour the tantalizing seduction which was yet to come.

  ‘Take off your dress.’ His eyes didn’t leave her face as he unfastened his cravat and shirt buttons.

  ‘I can’t,’ she breathed.

  He blinked. ‘Why not?’

  ‘I can’t undo ’buttons,’ she said. ‘It’s fastened at ’back.’

  He tore off his shirt and turned her around, and lifting her hair he bent to kiss the back of her neck and top of her shoulder, then with nervous fingers he started to unfasten the tiny buttons. ‘Damn and blast,’ he said in an undertone. ‘What foolish fashion.’ But at least she isn’t wearing a hoop as – as – He brushed aside his thoughts of May and concentrated on unfastening the buttons.

  ‘I can do it now,’ she said, as he unfastened the dress down to the waist.

  ‘No.’ He reached for her again. ‘I want to do it.’ His eyes were glazed and he ran his tongue around his lips. God! I can’t wait. I want her now. But he controlled himself, he knew not how, until all the buttons were undone. He slipped the dress off her shoulders and her arms free from the ruched sleeves, and watched fascinated as the gown fell in folds around her ankles onto the rug.

  He gave a deep gasping breath, and then another, and gazed at her with his lips parted. She was not wearing stockings or pantaloons, nor the layers of petticoats he had expected, but was covered only by a flimsy cotton sleeveless shift which came to her knees. Through the thin material he saw her rounded breasts and a dark shadow at the top of her slender thighs.

  ‘Oh, God!’ He sank to his knees and put his arms around her legs, feeling the touch of her flesh against his bare chest, whilst she took deep gulping breaths.

  ‘Mr Newmarch, sir –’

  ‘Edward,’ he muttered. ‘My name is Edward.’ He pulled her down towards him and lifted the shift above her head. ‘I want to look at you, Ruby. I want to feast my eyes on you.’

  She knelt beside him on the rug and he ran his hands around her throat and down to her breasts, touching her nipples, which stood out proud. ‘I feel very strange, Mr – Edward,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Very strange. As if I’m drunk. I think I’ve had too much wine.’

  ‘No, not too much wine.’ He stroked her belly down to the bush of dark hair and she gave little startled jumps and gasps. ‘It’s desire, Ruby, that you are feeling now.’ He pulled her down onto the rug and leaning over her, he murmured, ‘Tell me that is what it is, Ruby. Tell me that it is desire!’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Edward hired a cab to take her home. It was two in the morning and not a fit time, he declared, for her to be out on her own when footpads and ne’er-do-wells were about. He wanted to see her again and had booked the room at the hotel for the coming Friday.

  ‘If I can wait so long, Ruby,’ he murmured as he handed her into the cab and promised that next time would be better for her. She sat back against the cushions and although she had been deflowered and her body felt tender, she didn’t feel violated, but intoxicated and rather powerful.r />
  He had been tender, which she hadn’t expected, but also passionate and demanding, and as she’d cried out as he penetrated her, he had held her in his arms and shouted, ‘You’re mine now, Ruby. I am the first – there can never be another.’

  Before they left the room he had opened his sovereign case and taken out a coin and handed it to her. ‘I can’t take that, sir.’ She had reverted to respect, though she had called him Edward several times during their coupling. ‘Nobody would change it for me, they’d think it was stolen.’

  He’d emptied his pockets then, and his pocketbook, and given her a handful of coins, silver and bronze, and told her that he would make it up to her on Friday when next they met. She jingled the coins with glee. ‘I can pay ’rent now, agent’s sure to come,’ she murmured as the cab rattled down Lowgate, ‘and I shan’t want to eat for at least a week after that feast.’

  She had eaten a second supper and Edward had watched her in some amusement as she indulged herself, and then had pulled her away from the table and whispered that he found it most erotic to see her gourmandizing so voluptuously. She didn’t understand his coaxing blandishments very well.

  The cab slowed as it reached Mason Street and the cabbie called down to her. ‘Will you be all right from here, miss? I can’t get down these narrow streets.’

  ‘Yes, I can manage now. I know my way.’

  ‘I’ll wait for a bit if you like, then give me a shout when you’re nearly there.’

  Edward had given the driver a good tip and told him to see her safely home. He was going to walk down the High Street to his club and didn’t seem to be worried about his own safety.

  ‘No, I’ll be all right. You get off.’ She didn’t want to draw attention to herself. There would be some curious comments if she was seen alighting from a cab, especially from someone like Jamie who might be mooching about at this hour.

  She cut through several narrow streets until she came to the alley and scooted down it with her shawl wrapped around her head. Oh, suppose Ma’s bolted ’door! She had said that she would. I’ll have to knock her up and I’ll waken all of ’court, she sleeps that heavy.