He nodded towards the west and Juliana’s heart sank. On the far hills was a wall of low cloud and it was rolling towards them, enveloping the moors in a thick, grey blanket.
‘How far can we go before it reaches us?’ she asked, trying to stay calm.
‘Not far enough. Our route back is not a well-defined one, we could be stranded on the moors all night if it does not lift. You and Minna have no surcoats, and your gowns are too thin to offer much protection from the damp and cold.’
She looked around her desperately.
‘Look,’ she pointed. ‘There is a cart track; hopefully it leads to a farm of some sort. If we can reach the track before we are caught in the mist, we should be able to follow it, don’t you think?’
‘It is certainly a possibility,’ he said, shifting Minna more comfortably into his arms. ‘Come along, and stay close to me.’
They set off down the hill and were only yards from the cart track when the grey mist rolled around them. The air was cold and d& Damon pulled his coat around Minna to protect her, but the mist clung to them, leaving droplets like tiny diamonds on their hair and clothes. Juliana shivered in the unearthly light, and moved closer to the Major.
‘Hold on to my coat,’ he said to her. ‘I do not want to lose you in this fog. And watch your footing, the stones are very uneven.’
‘But at least the track looks well used, sir. Let us pray it leads to a house.’
They walked on, and Juliana uttered up a silent prayer of thanks when they reached a gate. The stony lane was replaced by a cobbled yard. The sounds and smells of a farm greeted them, and Damon walked forward, shouting for the farmer.
A tall, shambling figure in a ragged coat emerged from the mist, a pitchfork clutched in one large, bony hand.
‘Good day to you,’ said Damon. ‘Is this your farm?’
‘Aye.’
‘Is there somewhere we can shelter until the mist clears?’ Damon persisted. ‘We have come from Rushton Spencer.’
The farmer turned his shaggy head and spat. ‘No ways you’re gettin’ back there, then.’
‘No, so we require somewhere to stay for the night. We would, of course, pay you for the inconvenience.’
A sly look came over the man’s features. ‘You’d pay?’
‘Of course,’ said Damon. ‘Handsomely.’
‘You’d best come in, then.’
They followed the figure across the yard until a large, stone farmhouse loomed out of the mist before them. He pushed open the door and led the way into a long, low room. A sullen fire smouldered in the hearth and beneath their feet the floor was little more than hard-packed earth. He picked up a lamp that was burning on a side table and held it aloft. Juliana took the opportunity to observe the man. She was not encouraged. He was as tall as the Major, but thin and stooping, with an unkempt appearance. His sandy hair hung in a shaggy bush about his head, while an equally unkempt beard covered most of his face. A pair of curiously light eyes peered at them from beneath thick brows. She thought he had a sly, calculating look about him.
‘You’ll pay, you say?’
Damon patted his pocket, and a faint jingle of coins could be heard. ‘Aye, for a room, and a little food.’
The farmer nodded. ‘Then I can let you have a room, and one for the woman—’
‘My wife and I will share with the child, thank you,’ cut in Damon. ‘One room will suffice. We would not put you and your wife to too much trouble.’
The old man spat again. ‘Ain’t got no wife, see, but I can find you a bite to eat and a bed, like,’ he added quickly. ‘If you’ve the money to pay for it. Foller me.’
He led them through a maze of small rooms, up a creaky staircase and along a dark passage to a large chamber. Juliana guessed it was directly above the room she had seen below. It was of similar proportions, with a wide stone hearth at the far end. In the dim light of the lamp it could be seen that the room was sparsely furnished with an ancient tester bed, a wooden settle beside the fire and a small table under the window. The bed hangings were missing, and there were no curtains at the window, but a once-handsome rug was stretched out before the hearth.
‘Ye can have this room, then, and welcome to it. There’s the bench that will do for the bairn, and you and your missus can get cosy on the bed.’ He leered at them. ‘Payment in advance.’
Damon handed Minna to Juliana and reached into his pocket.
‘Ten shillings on account,’ he said, fixing the man with his hard stare. ‘We will settle up the rest in the morning.’
The farmer squinted at the coins for a long moment, then nodded. ‘Very well.’ He pulled a taper from his pocket and lit it from the lamp, then he went around the room, lighting the tallow candles in their holders. ‘I’ll have to fetch you up sheets and blankets. You’ll be wanting a fire as well, I suppose.’
‘And a hot brick for Minna, if it is possible,’ added Juliana.
The man dragged his sleeve across his nose. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’
‘I’ll come with you and help you,’ said the Major. He shrugged off his jacket and placed it around Wilhelmina, murmuring to Juliana as he did so, ‘Stay here; I will have a fire for you as soon as may be.’
The two men went out, and Juliana shivered in the gloomy chamber. The room smelled of old soot and dust and the dim light cast menacing shadows. Wilhelmina stirred and began to cry. Juliana sank down upon the settle and cuddled her, rocking her gently until she grew quiet again. She began to sing softly, as much to cheer herself as Wilhelmina. By the time she heard footsteps outside the door she had exhausted her store of nursery songs and her arms were aching from holding the child.
The farmer came in with an armful of wood, followed by Damon carrying a pile of sheets and blankets. Juliana noted idly that they looked as grey as everything else in the house. While their host proceeded to build a fire, the Major began to make up the bed. In a very short time there was a cheerful blaze in the hearth and the farmer withdrew, promising to bring up the hot brick as soon as it was ready. Juliana carried Wilhelmina to the rug in front of the fire.
‘Come along, my dear, we had best get you out of your damp clothes.’
Wilhelmina blinked and said querulously, ‘Where’s my nightgown?’
‘At the inn, Minna. Tonight you must sleep in your chemise.’
‘Why must I?’ Wilhelmina rubbed her eyes sleepily.
‘Because we are on an adventure,’ said Juliana as she stripped off Minna’s gown. ‘Good, the wet does not seem to have soaked through to your undergarments. Come along, Minna, up into the bed with you. You are very honoured,’ she continued as she tucked the girl up between the sheets. ‘I’d wager very few people have had your father make up a bed for them.’
‘True,’ agreed Damon, coming forward to lay a hand on his daughter’s head.
Minna gave a sleepy chuckle. ‘What a lot I shall have to tell Gwen and Amy tomorrow.’
‘Indeed you will.’
‘You will not leave me?’ Wilhelmina reached out to cling to Juliana’s hand.
‘No, Minna.’ Juliana squeezed her fingers. ‘I promise I shall not leave you, my dear.’
Damon stooped to plant a kiss on the child’s brow. ‘I am with you too, Minna. You will be quite safe.’
Wilhelmina smiled. ‘Yes,’ she said sleepily. ‘I shall be safe enough if you are both with me.’
Juliana sat on the edge of the bed, holding Minna’s hand. She looked up to find the Major watching her. She gave a faint smile.
‘She seems unharmed by her ordeal.’
‘I pray you are right,’ he murmured, walking over to stand before the hearth. ‘Our host’s name is Stopes, by the way. He has a farm lad who seems bright enough. I have sent him off to find Fewell and bring him back here in the morning. He seems to think he can find his way across to Rushton Spencer in any weather.’
‘I hope so; I would like to get Minna back to Nurse’s care as soon as possible.’
‘As wou
ld I. In the meantime, let us think about your health, Miss Wrenn. Your clothes must be as damp as Minna’s.’
She began to unbutton her short jacket. ‘My spencer is a little damp.’
‘But your muslin skirts are wet and muddy. Take off your gown and we will dry it before the fire.’ He observed her hesitation and added roughly, ‘Come now, Miss Wrenn, this is no time to be prudish. As you said to Minna, we are on an adventure.’ He picked up one of the spare blankets and shook it out. ‘You may wrap yourself in this, if you wish, but do not worry on my account—you will not shock me.’
‘No,’ she muttered, slipping out of her gown, ‘I have no doubt you have seen many women in a state of undress.’
‘Dozens,’ came the cheerful reply. He lifted two corners of the blanket so that it formed a triangle and placed it about her shoulders. ‘And you need not fear that I have any designs upon your virtue—tonight at least.’
They heard a shuffling step in the passage and the next moment the farmer came in. Juliana pulled her makeshift shawl about her.
‘Here, for the bairn,’ said Stopes, holding a hot brick wrapped in flannel cloth.
She thanked him and quickly pushed the brick into the bed, close to Wilhelmina’s feet. Stopes watched her for a moment, then nodded and shuffled out of the room. Juliana tucked the covers around Wilhelmina again and held her hand until she was sleeping soundly. Major Collingham collected up the damp dresses and spread them out over the back of the settle together with his jacket.
‘At least we have plenty of firewood; we shall keep the fire burning well tonight to dry out our clothes.’
Juliana smiled. ‘I am impressed, Major. Tending fires, making beds—I had not thought you so accomplished.’
‘Did you think me a gentleman of leisure, capable only of making pretty speeches?’
She laughed at that. ‘I have never yet heard you making pretty speeches, Major.’
‘No…’ He gave her a wry smile. ‘…I am more likely to snap your head off, am I not?’ She watched him piling more logs on the fire.
‘Why did you say we were married?’
‘At first glance I had little opinion of our host. If there was any other choice I would not stay here, but if we must do so I would rather we remain together overnight.’
She nodded. ‘I admit I shall feel happier if you are close by, but where will you sleep? I had considered the settle, but it is far too narrow even for me.’
‘You will share the bed with Wilhelmina,’ he replied. ‘I shall use the remaining blankets to make up a bed on the floor in front of the fire.’
‘Will that not be uncomfortable?’
‘Not half so uncomfortable as sleeping out on the moors.’
‘No, of course not.’
There was a knock at the door and Stopes entered with a supper tray.
After he had left them, Damon inspected the contents by the light of two of the tallow candles. ‘Hmm, rye bread, butter, cheese and meat—although I would not like to guess what sort—and small beer. A pity our host has no woman to keep house for him—there is no tea for you.’
‘No matter,’ said Juliana. ‘I shall share the beer, if you do not object. Mr Stopes has sent up a pan of gruel to heat up for Minna when she wakes. That was kind of him. Perhaps he is not as bad as we first thought.’
‘No? Did you not see the way he looked at you?’
‘Thankfully, no. I avoided looking at him.’ She shuddered. ‘How fortunate that you are with me.’ He looked at her, a faint smile lifting the corners of his mouth. She put her head on one side. ‘What is it, Major?’
‘You are a remarkable woman, Juliana Wrenn. You should be railing at me for embroiling you in this damned uncomfortable fix. Instead you make light of it.’
She shrugged.
‘A fit of the vapours would help no one at the moment. Now, perhaps you will help me bring the table closer to the fire, then we can enjoy our supper in comfort, although I vow I am so tired I have little appetite.’
‘That will never do.’ He smiled at her. ‘You cannot be a heroine on an empty stomach.’
‘Is that what you think me?’ she said, feeling her cheeks grow warm again. ‘How very foolish of you, Major Collingham. Pray now, stop your teasing and pour me a little of that small beer.’
Once they had finished their supper, Major Collingham collected up the dishes and carried the tray downstairs, saying he did not wish their host to have to come to their room again. He returned a few moments later to find Juliana trying to peer out of the window.
‘You will see nothing,’ he said to her. ‘The mist has not lifted, it is completely black outside.’
She came away from the window. ‘I hope the farm boy managed to reach Fewell.’
‘We shall not know that until the morning.’
‘Then I suppose we should try to get some sleep.’
A rueful smile lit his eyes. ‘I don’t think I shall have any difficulty there. I shall put the table across the door, in case our host should try to come in during the night.’
‘Do you think that is likely?’ asked Juliana, looking anxious.
‘No, but I would rather not be taken unawares. Come now, get you to bed.’
She watched him place the remaining bedding on the floor before the fire.
‘Here.’ She took the blanket from her shoulders and held it out to him. ‘I shall not need this now.’
‘Thank you.’ He caught her hand and held it. ‘Thank you for coming with me.’
Juliana awoke to find sunlight streaming in through the dusty windows. For a moment she lay still while she remembered the events of the previous day. Minna was sleeping peacefully beside her and Juliana raised her head to look about her. The logs had burned away to a pile of grey ash, leaving the air sweet with woodsmoke. Damon was still asleep on the floor, his breathing deep and regular. Juliana slipped out of bed and padded across to the settle. Her dress was clean, but sadly muddied. Shaking it out, she slipped it on and was tying the sash when the Major’s deep voice made her jump.
‘So you would deny me the pleasure of watching you dress.’
She did not look at him. ‘I want to be ready when Fewell arrives.’
‘How practical you are, Miss Wrenn. How eminently sensible.’
‘Do not mock me, sir.’
‘I do not mock you, Ju, I mock myself, for wanting to prolong this interlude. We are about to go back to our real world, where you are the governess and I am your employer. We must behave the way our world demands, and I will no longer be able to talk with you, to eat with you and to…sleep with you in the same easy manner that we have enjoyed here. And, apart from the danger to Minna, I have enjoyed it, Juliana. Although I have not laid a finger on you I have revelled in your company.’
Juliana blinked rapidly. Her fingers trembled as she finished tying the ribbons on her gown. ‘You have said yourself sir, this is not real. We have to go back to our duties and responsibilities.’
‘Juliana—’
A whimper from Wilhelmina made him break off and they both hurried to the bed.
‘So you are awake now, Minna,’ said the Major. ‘How do you feel?’
‘Hungry,’ said Wilhelmina after a slight pause.
‘And the bruise on your head, does it hurt?’ he asked.
‘Only if I touch it.’
Juliana put a gentle hand on her brow and nodded at Damon. ‘She is quite cool. There is no fever.’
‘Good. I shall go and see what Mr Stopes has to offer.’
‘And while your papa is away we shall get you dressed,’ said Juliana, pulling aside the bedclothes. ‘Fewell should be here soon with the carriage to take us back to the George. What an adventure we shall have to tell the others!’
Damon looked at her, the ghost of a smile on his lips. ‘Are you never out of spirits, Miss Wrenn?’
Her lips curved involuntarily. ‘Never in front of the children, Major.’
Their arrival at the George brought t
he whole party out to meet them. Wilhelmina was handed down to Giles to be borne gently up to her room while the Major barked out his orders. A doctor and magistrate must be summoned, pens, paper and ink to be brought to his room immediately. Juliana climbed wearily down from the carriage and went indoors with Thomas and Amy, reassuring them that all was well. As she went upstairs to change out of her muddy gown, Gwendoline followed her.
‘Miss Wrenn, is Minna injured? What can I do?’
‘She was very frightened yesterday, Gwen, and was a little wet from the mist, but I think she has suffered no other hurt. Perhaps you should go and ask Nurse if you can help her, I am sure she would be glad of your assistance.’
‘Yes, yes, I will.’ Gwendoline brightened perceptibly and ran off to find Nurse.
The rest of the day passed in a bustle of activity. Once she had changed into a dry gown Juliana went to help Nurse. She was on hand to see the doctor and ordered lunch for the children, a meal which seemed to have been forgotten in all the excitement. The doctor was optimistic that, although distressed by her ordeal, Wilhelmina was suffering from nothing more than exhaustion, but upon hearing that she had banged her head he recommended that she should not be moved for a few days and that someone should sit with her throughout the night. Since Nurse was the obvious person to look after the invalid, it fell to Juliana to look after the other children until they went to bed.
At ten o’clock she relieved Nurse in the sickroom. Wilhelmina was sleeping soundly, and Juliana settled down in her chair to watch her. Half an hour into her vigil there was a light scratching on the door and the Major came in.
‘Oh, Miss Wrenn. I thought Nurse would be here.’
‘She has gone to lie down for a few hours. We are sharing the night watch.’
‘Of course. How is Minna?’
‘Peaceful, thank goodness. The doctor left a sleeping draught in case she grew restless, but I am hopeful that it will be a very tedious night, with little to do but watch her.’
‘May I join you?’
He pulled up a chair and sat down on the other side of the empty fireplace. A lamp on a table in the corner cast a warm glow over them, but left the bed and its occupant in semidarkness. In Farmer Stopes’s dusty chamber Juliana had been comforted by the Major’s presence—now it unsettled her. She sought for a topic of conversation.
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