by Wendy Bayne
We adjourned to our rooms and within a few minutes we were called to congregate in my parents’ room. It was Robert who spoke after father nodded to him. He stepped forward rubbing the back of his neck. “I forgot Mr Turner’s shaving kid and went out to the stables to get it out of the carriage. I chatted for a bit with the grooms when I noticed that Lord Shellard’s coachman Greene was talking to two men and when I saw them step into the light I knew them at once.”
Uncle Samuel interrupted, “Who were they?”
Robert licked his lips and bit his thumb. “They were two of the men that came and went from the common room after one drink and giving us a thorough once over.”
Father looked around at all of us. “Robert, did you see where these men went?”
Robert swallowed. “Yes, sir, I watched them leave before I came to you. They rode out hell for leather down the road headed south in the direction we’ve been travelling.”
The Earl stepped toward the door. “Let me go speak to Greene.”
Robert called out. “No! I mean please don’t, my Lord, I don’t think that would be wise, a gentleman of your stature shouldn’t venture out to the stables at this time of night. I spoke to Mr Greene, but he didn’t give us away, but he does think something bad is afoot, my Lord, and I…we both agree that the Innkeeper has been paid to keep silent. When I came back through the kitchen he was right nervous. He was well into his cups when he grabbed my arm as I passed him, but he didn’t say anything to me, just shook his head then let me go.”
Father ran his hand across his brow. “I think we had better leave now. Michael, Jacob and Robert, just take what we need in the way of luggage out to the carriages, we’ll leave the rest here. Samuel, Lord Shellard I suggest that we carry our valuables on us.”
Mother spoke up. “No, Colin, give all the valuables to the women, we have deeper pockets and they’ll be safer with us in the short term.”
Father only nodded. “I’m going down to speak to the Inn Keeper.”
Uncle Samuel looked concerned. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
Father hefted a leather purse in his hand. “If his silence and cooperation can be bought then I believe we have the deeper pockets.” When he returned he still had the purse and handed it to my mother. “He’s already dead to the world on the kitchen hearth, his wife was covering him over when I walked in. She wouldn’t take the whole purse only enough to cover our expenses plus storage fees for what we leave behind. Now we need to move quickly, I’ll slip out and rouse Cripps and Greene they’ll have the carriages and horses ready. Remember, take just what you need and any valuables.” We all scrambled to our rooms banked the fires and grabbed our things then went out through the kitchen to the stables. Everything was quiet, and we left without being seen and made for the gypsy camp, Jacob had gone ahead to alert the gypsies.
Magda and Jibben were there waiting for us and insisted that it would be safer for everyone if we travelled as one of them. Jibben pointed over the hills. “There is an abandoned barn over that rise where, you can leave your equipage and ride the horses back. Then we will drink and think.” Several of Jibben’s people went with our men to hide the carriages. In the meantime Magda had us arrayed in gypsy clothing and James was sleeping soundly in a large wagon that had been vacated for my parents, our maids, Uncle Samuel, myself and James. The other men were assigned to different wagons within the camp.
The next days on the road were interesting but not uncomfortable which surprised me. Feather beds had been supplied for sleeping and the food while seemingly exotic was delicious. The community embraced us after Magda’s endorsement.
We all had chores to do like everyone else and it was funny to see Greene and the Earl’s grooms running around trying to finish their work as well as Lord Shellard’s. Finally, he assigned himself the duty of huntsman and went out with several men from the camp to bring back meat. One day he downed a nice buck that would feed the whole camp and then some, he was the hero of the day. The women immediately fell on it to clean and skin it, nothing would be thrown away. Gabriel and my father were very competent fishermen while the other men including my uncle were good with small game and traps. Allan settled in showing off his culinary skills which I had had no idea he possessed, he even impressed Magda who had been the most sceptical. Meg and Beth fit in quickly with mending and beading; mother and I seemed to pose a problem for Magda, she felt we were above being put to work. So instead she decided to take us under her wing and show us how to make her herbal medicines, one in particular that she gave my mother for her morning sickness that worked amazingly well.
Mother insisted that Magda could make a fortune selling it, but she wasn’t interested in vast wealth. “I have all I need here and in Dorset. Family, that is everything, no man or woman is richer than the ones with a loving family and good friends.” You couldn’t argue with her logic, so mother worked at compiling a medicinal booklet, drawing the plants used and recording the recipe.
It would take us almost two days longer travelling in this fashion since we stopped in villages and towns along the way for the gypsies to ply their trades and wares, but they were amazing at hiding us amongst them without us being noticed. Once Gabriel and Jibben got close enough to the two men that Robert had seen to hear them talking, Burley’s name was mentioned at least twice to the effect that he was waiting in Cornwall at the house and expected to make his stand there and not on the open road.
What he hadn’t counted on was my father knowing the area and terrain so well or that Samuel was with us, they both knew the house and the people in the neighbourhood even better. Once we reached the outskirts of the village of Pulruan we made camp on the bluffs. My father and Samuel went to the public house under the cover of darkness to see if they could find additional allies or gather any information about what was happening at the house on the cliffs. Shortly after they left an agitated Jibben came to my mother and crouched down by our fire. “Gabriel and Robert are missing.”
Mother looked alarmed. “What do you mean missing?”
Jibben flung his arms out and motioned with his hands. “They are just gone. They took horses and…” he made a whistling noise “…they have gone…they left the camp.”
Mother was getting angry. “Where did they go?!”
Jibben sat back on its heels looking very perplexed. “I don’t know! They’re your people, I have my own people to worry about.”
I sucked in a breath. “Miles! Do you think they’ve gone to find Miles? Gabriel would know some of the same people that Dr Grimes does, they have both worked with the smugglers on this coast. Would he betray them…would Robert betray us?”
Mother looked shocked and Jibben ran his hand across the stubble of on his cheek making a rasping sound. “Robert didn’t leave with him… I think he is following him.”
Mother’s brow was furrowed in worry. “How do you know that?”
Jibben smiled. “It’s what I would have done, he’s very loyal to your family, Mrs Turner, and to Mr Johnson, he will not let anything bad happen to them if he can prevent it.”
I was afraid for Robert. “But what can he do against a man like Gabriel?”
Jibben slapped his chest. “He is Roma like me, Miss Turner. He’s been trained and knows how to walk with the shadows and quiet his horse. Bita and I have taught him well…he will be safe. Besides we don’t know that Gabriel has gone to betray anyone yet.”
Mother interjected. “So we just wait to see if Robert comes back?”
Jibben laughed. “NO…Magda and Bita would cook my bullocks and eat them in front of me. I have sent three men to follow Robert. He will return safe.”
We continued setting up camp and making supper, the Earl joined us along with Michael and Jacob and they all accepted bowls of stew and bread. The Earl cleared his throat. “Jibben just told us about Gabriel and Robert he assured us that Robert knows what he’s doing.”
Mother just sat there stirring the stew in the pot not making eye conta
ct with anyone. Suddenly she stood up, “I’m going to check on James.” I made to get up and go with her, I wasn’t hungry, but she pushed me back down. “No, you stay here, I won’t be gone long.” She rose and disappeared into the darkness.
I was worried about what was happening out there beyond our little camp; the Earl sensing my concern reached out to take my hand. “My dear, I know that telling you not to worry is an exercise in futility but try.” I smiled at him, then just sat there staring into the flames. Michael and Jacob went off to find Meg and Beth to take them to the big fire for the evening’s music and dancing. I had no heart to attend and excused myself as Jibben came to sit with the Earl.
I made my way to our wagon and opened the door; inside sat Ruth, one of Magda’s many grandchildren. she was watching over James and beading an intricate design onto a shawl. I looked about for my mother, but she wasn’t there. Ruth looked at me with concern as she handed me a note from my mother. All it said was ‘I have gone to the village.’ My heart sank into my boots as I turned around and jumped down from the wagon and ran back to the fire with Jibben and the Earl. I waved the note under their eyes; the Earl took it to read out loud.
Afterwards Jibben waved his hands over his head and yelled, “Why can’t any of your people just stay put!”
Chapter 39
Surprises
Jibben was furious as he pointed at me, “YOU! You will stay here or I’ll—I will tie you to a tree.” There was a low throaty chuckle that was just audible coming from the darkness behind him. Jibben sighed and turned, “Grandmama, I assume that you have something to do with Mrs Turner’s disappearance?”
Magda came to our fire, stirred the pot of the stew then sniffed at the contents. She patted me on the back smiling as she sat down beside me. “Jibben, it is good that you and the army did not like each other, or you would be dead by now.” She took up a bowl and spoon then gestured at me to ladle some stew into her bowl. She took a mouthful, chewing thoughtfully, then swallowed. “This is good stew.” Her compliment made me smile and I felt privileged that she thought it was good. Then she regarded her grandson across the fire saying in her raspy voice, “Use your brain, Jibben! We have been followed! A trap has been set with the hope that you men will lead us into it. They expect us to come charging down on the house, but their plan will fail. I sent Irene to Old Jessica, she will know what to do.” She ate a few more spoonfuls as Jibben gawked at her in disbelief. Then using her spoon, she pointed at him. “Women are the secret to success…you men know nothing! Who cooks and cleans for those people in the big houses who can come and go and be treated like they don’t even exist…it’s the women!”
Jibben considered it then grinned, “That’s brilliant, we can dress the men like women!”
Magda looked at him like he was an imbecile. “Sit, Jibben! Dress a man like a woman, pah! Have you not been listening to me? Give a woman a weapon and we can out manoeuvre them without them even knowing it. Meanwhile those that were following us are now following Mr Turner and Mr Hughes.”
Jibben rubbed his hand over his face. “And when exactly where you going to talk to me about this plan of yours?”
Magda spit into the fire then took a drink from a flask that she pulled from her pocket. “Why should we talk to you? You might be a favoured son, but you are too English.”
Just then Michael and Jacob came back to our fire with Jacob asking, “Where’s everyone gone? None of the women are dancing tonight?”
Jibben crooked an eyebrow at Magda who shrugged, “We have better weapons than most of the village women and we know how to use them.”
Michael sat up and opened his mouth, he’d obviously caught on very quickly while Jacob was still puzzling it through. Michael punched him in the arm. “That’s what happened to the crossbows, Beth and Meg took them!”
Jacob looked sick when the Earl gave him a stern look, then he turned his attention to Magda to say, “And what do we do, ma’am? Just sit here!”
Magda was still eating stew but after she swallowed she looked at the Earl, “I think you should go to the village, William; your sons will be there by now.”
“My sons!”
“Yes, I sent Gabriel and Edward to find my Peter and your Miles.”
The Earl was flabbergasted. “Oh God, madam! Did you not realise that Edward cannot be trusted?”
Magda smiled. “Yes, you can, you will see.”
Magda finished her stew, stood up looking down at me. “You should go with these men to the village. I will watch over James; he is a sweet child…maybe he should come to us in the summers after he can ride a horse. I will talk to your mama about this.” Then she shuffled off towards our wagon.
I turned to the Earl, but he was grinning at the fire. “Well, gentlemen, Miss Turner, I think we have been set a task and I’d very much hate to disappoint the lady.”
Jibben ran both hands over his face and groaned then whispered loud enough to hear, “I hope I don’t live to regret this.” The Earl laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.
“Perhaps it’s time for you to find an English wife and settle down…that is if you live through this.” Jibben groaned again. The Earl laughed heartily, saying wistfully, “I think after this is over I’ll spend some time on my estate teaching William, John and Diana how to fish or maybe I’ll take them and Jane to Paris. Jane has never been abroad, I think she’d like the shopping.” He chuckled but I noticed that his fists were clenched, and his smile did not reach his eyes, he was worried, and I think more than a little afraid.
Jibben was silent and withdrawn as he left with Michael and Jacob to assemble our party and saddle the horses. I went to our wagon to change, Magda was there cooing to a happy James who squealed and called out to me with his arms up, “Issa!” I took him out of Magda’s arms, kissing his fat little cheeks. He puckered his lips then and gave me a very wet slobbery kiss in return. Then he laughed at the smacking noise he had made with the kiss. I smiled at him and he reached out to pull my lips up wider. “Mama, Issa? You tell me story?” He smiled and looked back over his shoulder at Magda. “Magda…story?” Magda nodded so I put him down and he went willingly to her, James never waited long for an answer to his questions, he was a happy child and ready to settle with anyone that would tell him a story.
I asked Magda if I could borrow a riding habit and she laughed, “You think I have room for English clothes in here? You wear what you have on.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I can’t ride astride in these.” I swung the full Gypsy skirts from side to side. “My legs will show; these skirts aren’t heavy enough to stay down when I ride!” She laughed and just waved me out the door. James was laughing with her and stomping around saying, “Legs, legs, legs.” There was nothing I could do but ruffle James’ hair, say goodbye and leave.
I found the Earl and our companions waiting with the horses, Michael gave me a foot up; my lower legs were uncovered immediately but none of the men said a word but Jibben smacked a couple of his younger cousins for gawking at me before they mounted up. I tucked my skirts under my legs as firmly as I could, then we were off. I had never been to Cornwall, but the sound of the sea was always with us even as we rode into the wind. We had not gone far when my skirts slipped even further up my legs. I chose to try and ignore it though my face was red for reasons other than just the wind. Nothing was said about my state of dishabille, but I would be much happier when we reached our destination.
We had arrived on the outskirts of the village, Jibben and his men wandered off in groups of two and three and the Earl and I followed Magda’s directions to the home of Old Jessica. We found my mother there along with about a dozen gypsy women, Meg and Beth. She was deep in conversation with a villager who was drawing a map for them in flour that was spilled across a table. She looked up at me smiled then continued talking. Some of the gypsy women were apparently already making their way towards the house on the cliff to gather information and lure away any sentries from their duties.
/> Mother looked shocked but the wizened old lady who had just informed her about it laughed, “Don’t worry, Elsa knows what she is doing, or Magda would not have sent her ahead. The rest of you will leave in in a few hours. The cook, Mrs Rook, insisted that she will be there which is good since the men there know her on sight. The other maids, scullery workers, washer women, and dairy maids have been promised compensation for a lost day’s wages while our gypsy friends take their place. I hope, Mrs Turner, that your husband is a man of honour; these people have a hard-enough life as it is without being cheated out of a day’s wages by the gentry.”
Mother reached out her hand covering the old woman’s. “Never fear, Miss Jessica, he will honour my promise.”
We sat waiting for it to be time to leave, some people dozed, and others spoke quietly. The Earl chatted for a time with my mother and Old Jessica, he was not happy being told that he was to remain behind. Then just before dawn Miss Jessica saw us out her back door two and three at a time all taking different routes to the house on the cliffs. Mother and I mounted our horses to ride along the cliffs. We were halfway there when four men reared up out of the bracken, Mother pulled her pistol and aimed. I yelled, “STOP!” before she shot. Standing there on the path were Miles, Dr Grimes and two other rough looking characters.
I rode up to Miles as he stepped forward smiling and calling my name, “Lissa!” he reached out touching my leg then quickly withdrew his hand like he had touched an open flame when he felt only skin. Dr Grimes and my mother both laughed at his reaction. The other men with them merely stood there with their mouths open until Miles collected himself and helped me dismount then held me tightly against him and whispered in my ear, “I have missed you so much, my love.”