by Iris Gower
‘No, Mam, I’ve got a bit of a headache, that’s all.’
‘Oh, that’s all right then.’ Pearl sounded relieved. She crept towards the door and paused there; in the half-light she looked gaunt, ghost-like. Rosie felt a qualm of fear.
‘Mam, you are better, aren’t you?’ she asked. Pearl smiled but her teeth seemed overlarge for her face.
‘Of course I am, why else would I be working again? Now go to sleep, you’ve got enough to think of without worrying about me.’
The door closed and Rosie undressed quickly and quenched the flames of the candles, wanting to lose herself in the soft darkness. Her mother was all right, as she said, she would not be going back to work if she was still ill. And Rosie could not deal with anyone else’s pain just now, she had enough of her own.
Rosie was on the edge of sleep when Watt crept into the bedroom. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting to talk to him. She was tired and disheartened. He did not love her; the thought was like a chant running through her mind.
He climbed into bed beside her and put his arm around her waist, drawing her back against him. His breath smelled of beer as he put his face close to hers; his hand crept round to rest on her breast.
‘You’re beautiful, Rosie,’ he said. She could tell he was aroused but she was unmoved. If it took a bellyful of ale to make him want her then she did not want him.
She sat up, anger running through her like wine. ‘How dare you come to me like this?’ She was whispering; the last thing she wanted to do was wake Mam and the boys. ‘You tell me you don’t love me, that I have to take the crumbs you offer and then you want to make love to me.’ Her voice rose in spite of herself.
‘Don’t start!’ Watt said.
‘Don’t start?’ she repeated. ‘Am I supposed to fall into your arms like a whore then?’
‘At least a whore would know how to please a man!’ Watt said. Rosie felt as though she were shrinking into herself.
‘So I am a disappointment to you in every way then, is that it? Well don’t worry, you’ll be free of me soon.’
‘Don’t talk rubbish!’ Watt turned over and pulled the bedclothes up to his chin. ‘Go to sleep, there’s a good girl.’
She wanted to kill him right then. She sat staring into the darkness, pain searing her. She could not even cry. She became aware that Watt was breathing deeply and she knew he was asleep. How dare he sleep when her world was in ruins?
She lay awake for a long time, her head spinning with thoughts, but by the morning she had made up her mind. She would find another job where she could live in. At least when she worked as a maid she had some free time as well as the company of girls her own age. Now she was just a drudge. She would not be leaving her mother in the lurch, between them Mam and Watt brought in enough wages to pay for someone else to wait on them.
Rosie had had a restless night, tossing and turning, trying to come to terms with the humiliating knowledge that Watt did not love her. She got out of bed in the grey light of early morning and lit the fires as usual and made the breakfast, acting as though nothing was wrong.
Watt kissed her cheek before leaving for work and Pearl stood with him in the doorway.
‘Come on, Dom lad,’ she said, ‘don’t make us all late.’ She glanced at Rosie but said no more about taking time off. ‘You’ll see our Fred off to school, won’t you, Rosie?’ she said.
‘Don’t I always?’ Rosie said but the door closing drowned out her words. She sent her brother on his way with a packed sandwich for his dinner and then cleared the dishes away. She stood for a moment in the warmth of the kitchen and looked around her. It would be hard to leave her home and even harder to say goodbye to Watt and their marriage. But then it was not a marriage at all, it was a sham.
She swallowed her tears and ran up the stairs. It took her only a few minutes to get dressed for outdoors. She threw some clothes into a bag and took all the money from the housekeeping jar. Out in the street, she looked back at the house where she had hoped for so much happiness and then, after a moment, she began to walk briskly towards the town.
Alice Sparks was beginning to despair of ever finding a suitable lady’s maid. She had put a notice in the local paper but so far without any response. She was stretched out on her chair, relaxing after breakfast, when Cook knocked on the door.
‘Excuse me, Mrs Sparks, but there’s a girl here looking for a position.’ Alice roused herself and sat up in her chair. ‘What does she look like? Is she respectable?’
‘Oh yes, Mrs Sparks,’ Cook said quickly. ‘It’s Rosie, she’s been working up at Pottery House for Mrs Mainwaring.’ Cook would say anything, she was tired of fetching and carrying for Alice.
‘All right bring her in, let’s have a look at her.’ Alice was tired; the heat of the fire had made her sleepy. The last thing she wanted to do was conduct an interview but she needed someone to tend to her personal needs and the sooner the better.
The girl was neatly dressed, her hair combed and pinned back from her face. She looked clean and neat and very capable.
‘Come in.’ Alice gestured for the girl to come closer. She studied her from head to foot and was pleased with the girl’s demeanour.
‘I see you wear a wedding ring, widowed are you?’ Alice was not really interested but it was better that the maid had no ties. The girl nodded briefly.
‘I’m looking to live in. I’m used to housework and I’m strong and healthy.’ She looked it. Her skin was radiant, her eyes clear. There were no wrinkles on the smooth face but then the girl had suffered no hardship, that much was clear.
‘How did you know I was looking for a maid?’ Alice asked. ‘Did you read it in the newspaper?’
‘Yes, miss.’
‘Madam, I prefer you to call me madam. And you worked for Llinos Mainwaring I understand?’ Alice said. ‘Would she give you a reference?’
‘I’m sure she would.’ The girl replied. ‘I left to get married, she was sorry to lose me.’
Alice wondered what she could prise out of the girl by way of information about Llinos Mainwaring. ‘Very well, I’ll give you a month’s trial.’ She waved her hand, dismissing the girl. ‘Cook will show you to your room.’
A thought struck her. ‘Oh, I’ll need you to help me dress for an outing this afternoon and I shall require you to come with me.’
The girl nodded. ‘Yes, madam.’ She was quick to learn, Alice gave her that much. Rosie could well prove to be an asset, that was if Alice could keep her temper in check. She had lost her last maid and Cook had threatened to walk out more than once and was only calmed down with the promise of an extra bonus in her wages.
‘Off you go then.’ When the door closed behind the girl, Alice got to her feet and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was looking well, a little on the plump side but that was only to be expected. She tweaked a curl into place, it was important that she looked her best as she was going to see Eynon.
The visit was not before time; the bills were mounting and the rest of the mortgage had to be paid by the end of the month. Still, she had a feeling that when he saw her he would take her word for it that the twins were his. He was vain like any other man and Alice knew exactly how to play on that vanity.
The afternoon was sunny, the road dappled with light. Alice sat in the cab feeling confident and happy. Rosie was at her side, demure in her coat and bonnet, her work-roughened hands folded in her lap. The girl had a pleasing way with her and Alice congratulated herself that at last she had found a good servant.
‘Once we are in the big house where Mr Morton-Edwards lives you must go to the kitchen with the other servants,’ Alice said quietly. ‘My visit is very private and I trust you will speak of it to no-one.’
‘You can depend on me, madam,’ Rosie said earnestly. Alice found herself warming to the girl; she was going to be good company as well as discreet, exactly the sort of maid that Alice needed.
Eynon was standing before the fire in the large, comfortable
drawing room. He looked more handsome than ever, his pale hair shining in the sunlight.
‘Good lord!’ he said when he saw her. ‘You have grown large! Come along, you’d better sit down.’ He helped her to a chair, placing a cushion behind her back. ‘Are you keeping well, Alice?’
‘I am very well,’ she said running her hands over her stomach. ‘I have your sons in here, Eynon, I’m having twins.’
‘Good Lord!’ he said again. He sat down opposite her and watched her carefully. ‘How can you be sure I am the father?’ he asked, his expression earnest.
Alice was encouraged by his manner; now he could see she was really pregnant he was at least prepared to listen to her. She leaned forward.
‘I did not sleep with Edward until I was almost two months late,’ she said. ‘Eynon, I’m telling you, hand on heart, these twins are yours. I swear it on my own life.’ She smiled at him. ‘Aren’t you proud? You could be the father of two fine sons in a few months’ time.’
‘Perhaps,’ Eynon said. ‘But I don’t know what to think and that’s the truth.’
‘Look, Eynon,’ she said. ‘You can bring your friend Father Martin here and I’ll swear it on the Bible in his presence if you like.’
‘All right, suppose I accept the truth of what you say, what do you expect me to do about it?’ Eynon rose and stood in front of the fire, his hand resting on the mantelpiece. ‘Just tell me what it is you want.’
‘I want money to buy the house I’m living in,’ Alice said. ‘If you will put a little extra funds my way I will see you are not bothered again.’ She glanced up at him from under her lashes. ‘Unless you wish to be.’
He thought about it in silence and Alice watched his expression with a warm feeling that he was softening towards her.
‘At least give me the benefit of the doubt, Eynon,’ she said gently. ‘If the twins are yours you surely want them to have the security of a roof over their heads, don’t you?’
He sighed in resignation. ‘All right, Alice, I suppose I owe you that much. First thing in the morning I’ll go to the bank and see to it.’
‘Thank you, Eynon.’ Alice felt a surge of triumph. ‘I will take good care of the twins, you can be sure of that, and you can see them any time you like.’
‘What about Edward?’
‘Oh, him!’ Alice dismissed her husband with a wave of her hand. ‘Edward thinks I’m spending my time doing charitable works. But then he’s a fool.’ She laughed. ‘And he has not even the grace to be good in bed!’
Eynon smiled. ‘You are incorrigible, Alice, and you soon to be a mother.’ He rang the bell for the servants. ‘Now, you’ll take some tea with me?’
‘I’d be delighted.’ Alice relaxed now that she had won Eynon over. ‘Then I will have to go back home to face that miserable husband of mine. Why couldn’t I have married someone like you, Eynon?’
‘Because someone like me would have far too much sense to take you on!’ he replied crisply.
It was early evening when Alice returned home and it was to find Edward there before her. She handed her hat and coat to Rosie and the girl hurried upstairs to put them away. Alice thanked her lucky stars that she had found someone who did not need to be told every little thing.
‘You’re early, Edward,’ she said. ‘Didn’t you have much work today?’ She sank into a chair and watched as her husband closed the door and leaned against it.
‘Alice,’ he said, his voice full of doom, ‘you have to help me.’
‘Why, dearest, what’s wrong?’ Alice could afford to be magnanimous now that she had the promise of money from Eynon.
‘I’m in trouble with the bank,’ he said. ‘Deep trouble.’
Alice sighed, he really was a pathetic creature. ‘Do sit down, Edward. You worry too much. This very day my father has promised to pay off the mortgage for us. That’s where I’ve been now, Edward, sorting out our problems.’
He sank down in a chair, his hand over his eyes. ‘You don’t understand, the auditors have been called in and I’ve been taking money from customers’ accounts to fund your fancy lifestyle. I’m ruined Alice, ruined now, do you understand?’
For a moment she felt her stomach lurch with fright. ‘How did you let that happen, Edward?’ she said sharply.
She sank into a chair and thought carefully about the situation. Whatever happened to Edward, her own future would be secure, provided Eynon kept his word. She relaxed.
‘Don’t worry, Daddy won’t let anything dreadful happen,’ she said reassuringly. She sighed, wishing her husband would vanish into thin air. He was becoming a liability. In any case, she had always known she had married beneath her and this last little episode proved it.
‘You will get us out of this won’t you, Alice?’ He was like a child asking for reassurance. ‘Otherwise I could well end up in prison.’
‘Of course I’ll get us out of it,’ she said but her thoughts were already drifting. She was imagining a life without Edward and the prospect was such a pleasant one that she settled back in her chair and closed her eyes, effectively shutting Edward out of her sight. Yes, a husband in prison would arouse more sympathy than censure amongst the townspeople. The gossips would say how sad that poor Mrs Sparks married a man who betrayed the trust of his customers. All in all, matters were turning out very well, very well indeed.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Llinos sat in the carriage, staring out at the lovely Vale of Neath. The hills were verdant, the trees flourished everywhere along the river banks and the sun dappled the grass with gold. But her thoughts were not in tune with the brightness of the day. She felt a lump in her throat; Joe had chosen a beautiful place to bring his mistress.
She leaned back, feeling the cold of the leather seat through her thin coat. She shivered, wondering if she should turn back, go home; live for a little while longer in her dream world where one day Joe would come back to her and everything would be wonderful again.
She wished for a moment that she had asked Charlotte to go with her but her sister-in-law was getting old. In any case this was something she must face on her own. Llinos swayed as the driver turned the horses along a small track that led uphill towards the top of the valley. There, on the hill, stood the house where Joe lived with his mistress. It was an ugly house, squat and rambling, but it commanded a fine view of the valley and the river and the wild rolling countryside beyond.
‘Whoa there, lovely girls.’ Kenneth coaxed the horses to stop just short of the house as Llinos had instructed. She was scarcely aware of him helping her down onto the dusty path, her gaze was focused on the doorway which stood open, the sunlight spilling inside.
‘Wait here, I won’t be very long.’ She was surprised how normal her voice sounded. The driver touched his hat and mumbled into his beard.
‘I’ll take the girls to the soft ground over there, let them rest their feet for a bit.’ Another time, Llinos would have been amused at the way Kenneth treated the animals like human beings but now she was too tense to think of anything but what might lie ahead of her.
Her shoulders were erect, her head high as she walked towards the house but for a moment she hesitated, summoning all her courage, then she knocked on the old oak of the door and stood back, resisting the urge to run away.
A rosy-cheeked maid, her plump form wrapped in a spotless apron, came hurrying from the back of the house. She looked at Llinos in surprise.
‘Yes, miss?’ She brushed flour from her hands and stood waiting for Llinos to speak.
‘Mr Mainwaring, is he at home?’ Her voice was unbelievably pompous, her tone clipped, angry and the girl stepped back a pace. Perhaps she was aware that her master had a wife as well as a mistress.
‘No, miss, he’s not here just now, sorry.’ She looked behind her fearfully. ‘The lady of the house is here if you want to talk to her.’
‘Yes, thank you,’ Llinos said. ‘I want to talk to her.’
Sho Ka was sitting in the garden at the rear of the house.
She looked up as Llinos emerged from the back door and her eyes widened. The Indian girl was just as beautiful as she had been when Llinos first met her in America, long before she and Joe were married.
‘Yes, Sho Ka, it’s me, Joe’s wife.’ Llinos made an effort to keep her voice steady. ‘You look well.’
Sho Ka stood up; she was taller than Llinos by several inches and held herself like a queen. She looked more than well; she was beautiful in a sprigged muslin gown. The pale ivory shawl over her shoulders emphasized the golden colour of her skin and the dark sheen of her hair. Llinos felt her stomach contract. How could she blame Joe for wanting someone as lovely as Sho Ka?
‘Where is he?’
‘Joe?’
‘Of course.’ Llinos swallowed her anger. ‘Who else would I be asking for?’
‘He’s ridden over to one of the farms, he’s fetching us some butter and eggs.’ Sho Ka’s voice faded as Llinos winced. The ‘us’ had hurt, it confirmed that the two of them were a couple, that Joe and Sho Ka were lovers.
‘I’ll wait.’ Llinos looked round for somewhere to sit and finally chose a wooden bench standing in the shade of a huge oak. Sho Ka looked at her uneasily, her eyebrows raised in an unspoken question. Llinos remained silent. What she had to say she would say to her husband, not to the woman who was his concubine.
The little Welsh maid came to the back door. ‘Shall I fetch some tea, miss?’ she said in Welsh and Llinos was about to reply when she saw Sho Ka nodding.
‘Please do, Bronwen, and bring some of your Teison Lap cake as well.’
It was a double shock to Llinos to hear Sho Ka speak in the Welsh tongue and worse, to be speaking as mistress of the house.
‘I had forgotten that the Mandans had some Welsh,’ she said almost absently. She twisted her hands in her lap, staring at her fingers through a haze of tears. Every moment she sat with Sho Ka reinforced her belief that the Indian girl had usurped her position as Joe’s wife.
‘It comes in useful now I am in Wales,’ Sho Ka said. ‘Look, Llinos, things are not always what they seem.’