by Linda Finlay
‘Can’t stand wearing the blooming thing,’ Nell muttered to her friend Cora, but Lily noticed the girl quickly did as she’d been told.
Under her employer’s watchful eye, work resumed and the room was heavy with concentration as they carefully followed the new pattern. Finally, the sun began to sink behind the cottage and just when Lily thought she couldn’t concentrate a moment longer, there was a knock on the door. The maid stood there bearing a silver tray and Mrs Bodney snatched up the calling card.
‘Right, ladies,’ she said, turning back to them. ‘As this is your first day, you may leave early. From tomorrow, expect to be working on for another hour at least. Now I’ll bid you all a very good evening and expect to see you at sunrise. Please cover your work with the sheeting on the shelves behind you and leave by the back gate. Tilda will bolt the door behind you.’ Skirts rustling, she swept out of the room.
Quickly, the lace makers placed their bobbins tidily on their pillows, then duly covered their work. Relieved to be finished for the day, they clattered through the back gate, chattering away like excited children so that they didn’t notice the carriage that had pulled up alongside the cottage.
‘Goodbye,’ called Lily to the others.
‘Aren’t you staying to chat?’ Cora asked, looking surprised.
‘Not tonight, Cora. I’ve someone to see,’ she said, smiling.
‘Well, get you, Lily Rose,’ Cora sniffed, green eyes glittering. Lily shivered, wondering why the woman had taken umbrage.
Glad to be out in the fresh air, and knowing the tide meant Tom would be ashore, Lily hurried down to the harbour. Her heart flipped as she spotted his boat pulled up on the beach, only to sink when she could find no sign of him. She’d been longing to tell him about her first day in her new job.
Disappointed, she trudged back up Sea Hill and made her way to the stables. But a group of haulers and handlers were congregated outside the alehouse opposite, shouting and swearing. These men, who helped unload the fish and drag the boats up the steep shingle beach, were renowned for sinking copious amounts of beer. Remembering her father’s warning about men’s unpredictability when under the influence of intoxicating liquor, she made to give them a wide berth. As she hurried on her way a hand suddenly grabbed her arm and she cried out in fright.
CHAPTER 4
‘Well, if it isn’t my own sweet Lily.’
‘Tom Westlake, you fair made me jump,’ Lily cried. ‘Whatever are you doing here?’ She stared apprehensively at the rowdy group.
‘I was hoping to see you, of course. Why don’t I buy you a drink and you can tell me about your day?’ Ignoring the whistles and catcalls, he took her arm and led her towards the more salubrious surroundings of the hostelry.
Settling her at a bench overlooking the bay, he asked, ‘What do you fancy, my lovely?’
‘Barley water would be good. I’m dry as dust,’ she said, pulling her shawl tighter round her against the freshening breeze. Gazing out over the harbour, she saw the sun was dipping its orangey-red fingers into the sea and decided not to dally too long. She didn’t wish to impose upon her aunt any more than she had to.
‘Here you are then,’ said Tom, returning with two jugs and settling himself beside her. ‘Have I told you I can’t wait till we’re wed, Lily my love?’
‘Oh, you might have mentioned it,’ she said, glancing down at the third finger of her left hand, imagining a gold band gleaming there one day. Tom, following her gaze, frowned.
‘We must see about getting you a betrothal ring, Lily. I’d love to buy you one with a stone the colour of flames, to match that fiery nature of yours, but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until my boat comes in, as they say.’
Knowing he didn’t have money to spend on fripperies, she patted his hand. ‘I’ll be content to wear your wedding band, Tom Westlake. Now, aren’t you going to ask me about my day?’ she asked, grinning at him.
‘Well, let me see,’ he said, studying her face. ‘You’re looking mighty happy so I’m thinking it must be because you’ve met up with me.’
‘Of course,’ she said, laughing, ‘and it has nothing to do with the fact I started working for Mrs Bodney today.’
‘I was wondering about that,’ Tom said, furrowing his brow.
‘That’s the strange thing, Tom. When I arrived home yesterday, Aunt Elizabeth was there. It seems the children she’s been looking after are going away to school and her services are no longer needed. She decided to pay us a visit, and has offered to stay on and help. Isn’t that amazing?’ she told him, her eyes shining.
‘That explains it then,’ Tom said, smiling. ‘Anyway, seeing as you’re bursting with excitement you can tell me more about your day.’
‘Mrs Bodney told us everything we’ll be making over the next few months and the lace makers seem friendly. It’s nice to have the company of others, but best of all, Tom, we’ll be getting all of our wages in cash.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘My, that will make a big difference, won’t it, Lily? You won’t have to worry about paying the bills.’
‘Yes, but we will only receive it at the end of each month,’ she explained.
‘Monthly?’ He was frowning again. ‘How will you manage till then?’
‘Aunt Elizabeth said she has savings put by and is happy to help us until I get paid.’
‘It’s all a bit strange maybe, isn’t it?’ he asked.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, from what you’ve told me, you don’t really know her.’
‘Tom, you’re such a worrier,’ Lily said, punching him lightly on the arm.
‘That’s as maybe, but it’s only because I care about you, Lily,’ he protested.
‘It’s kind of you to be concerned, Tom, but she is my mother’s sister and wants to help. She’s even lent me her donkey-cart until I can get my boots mended.’
‘Get you, our Lily. Riding into town like a lady, eh? You’ll be considering yourself too high and mighty to walk out with the likes of a mere fisherman soon,’ he said, grinning.
‘Oh, don’t be daft. Anyway, it’s only a donkey-cart. But I’d best be on my way. I mustn’t take advantage of my aunt’s kindness.’ Draining her jug, she rose reluctantly to her feet.
‘Allow me to walk you to your carriage, my lady,’ Tom said, jumping up, affecting a bow and then holding out his arm.
‘Why, thank you, my good man,’ she giggled. Linking her arm through his they made their way through the cobbled yard to the stable.
‘Up you go then, my lovely,’ he said, helping her into the cart. ‘Keep safe and, God willing, I’ll see you at the same time tomorrow.’
‘Oh, I’ll be an hour later, Tom,’ she said, frowning down at him. ‘Mrs Bodney let us off early as it was our first day.’
‘Doesn’t sound like Mrs Bodney to me; that one’s business through and through, so I’ve heard. More like she had something or someone to see to, I’ll be thinking,’ he added, patting the donkey’s withers.
Raising her eyebrows, Lily turned the cart for home. She was so busy reflecting on her first day at work that she passed by the clumps of violets without noticing them.
The days passed and Lily settled into her new job with enthusiasm.
Then to her surprise, on arriving back at the cottage a week after she’d started in Bransbeer, her mother was dressed and sitting by the fire. Rushing over, Lily bent to give her a kiss, but her joy quickly turned to concern when she saw the tears rolling down her cheeks.
‘Mother, whatever’s wrong?’ she asked, putting her arms around the woman’s shoulders. But her mother just stared at her with vacant eyes and Lily felt a shiver prickle her spine. It was almost as if she didn’t recognize her, she thought.
Just then, Aunt Elizabeth came into the room with Beth.
‘I’ve been to play with Harriet,’ the little girl said, running over to Lily and throwing her arms around her legs.
‘That’s nice, and what did you play?’ Lily
asked, smiling down at her. Then, she looked back at her mother, her brow creasing again.
‘You go outside and wash your hands, Beth,’ their aunt said, intercepting the look. ‘You can tell Lily about your day over supper.’ As Beth hurried out to the pump, Aunt Elizabeth turned to Lily.
‘Your mother had a visit from Squire Clinsden earlier and I’m afraid what he had to say saddened her something sorry. She’s been sitting like that since he left an hour ago,’ she said, shaking her head.
‘What did he say that upset her so much, Auntie?’ Lily asked.
‘He was here to serve us an eviction notice,’ growled Robert, hobbling into the room with an armful of logs. Angrily he threw them down by the fire.
‘What?’ Lily gasped. ‘That can’t be right. We’re not behind with the rent; I made sure it was paid on the last quarter-day.’
‘Yes, but the cottage went with your father’s work as a labourer. Knowing the state of your mother’s health, the squire’s been kind enough to let you stay on these past few weeks. Now he’s had to take on someone new to work the farm. Goes by the name of Stanton, apparently. Anyhow, his lordship visited today. He could have just sent his land agent but had the decency to come himself,’ her aunt said.
‘But he can’t just evict us, surely?’ Lily asked, her eyes wide with shock.
Her aunt looked at her and sighed. ‘I’m afraid he can, Lily dear. As I said, this is a coupled cottage and Stanton’s moving in on the next quarter-day. However, the squire has generously said you can stay till then.’
‘But that’s no time at all. It’s May already. Where does he expect us to go?’ Lily asked, her voice rising in panic. Beth, who’d crept back into the room unnoticed, gave a whimper and Aunt Elizabeth scooped her up into her arms.
‘Now calm yourself, Lily. You’re frightening Beth. I suggest we have our broth. Things always look better when you’ve a full stomach.’
Lily nodded absent-mindedly as she went over to her mother, who hadn’t yet stirred.
‘Don’t worry, Mother, we’ll sort it out,’ she promised, patting the woman’s thin shoulders. But her mother didn’t answer. She just sat there staring blankly ahead of her.
Her aunt, meanwhile, was filling mugs with broth from the pot over the fire. Despite the savoury aroma, they had little appetite and it was only Beth who ate. Gloomily they sat there, lost in thought as they pondered the future. A sudden tug at her skirt brought Lily back to the present.
‘Will you tell me a story, Lily?’ Beth asked, clambering onto her lap. Forcing a smile, Lily nodded and put down her mug.
‘Rob, you clear away and I’ll see to your mother,’ Aunt Elizabeth said. ‘I’ll give her some valerian root to calm her, then settle her in bed.’
Lily looked over at her mother and, seeing she was still in a trancelike state, her heart sank. Will she ever recover from Father’s death? she wondered. And how will she cope with having to leave the home she’s lived in since she was married?
‘Come along, Sarah,’ Aunt Elizabeth said, gently leading her sister from the room.
Later, with her mother and Beth asleep, Lily crouched on the floor beside the fire while her aunt and Robert settled themselves in the chairs.
‘So I guess we’d better talk about where we’re going to live,’ she said, wondering how her aunt could seem so calm about it.
‘The squire said he was disappointed you weren’t here when he called as he was worried about your wellbeing.’
Lily snorted and her aunt frowned. ‘I told him you were working for Mrs Bodney. He’s a nice, caring man to take such an interest in you, Lily.’
‘So interested, he still intends making us homeless,’ she retorted.
‘Well, he did have a solution.’ Rob leaned forward in his seat. ‘He said to tell you there’s a job for you up at the manor house.’
‘Go into service for him? Never,’ she spat.
‘But, Lily, I don’t understand. Squire Clinsden owns the whole of the Coombe and Dean Valleys and he’s offering you a respectable position,’ said her aunt, looking bewildered.
‘Respectable?’ Lily retorted, her voice rising.
‘Yes, respectable, Lily. You’d get a roof over your head up in that fine house, as well as a living wage. Why, he even offered to help you move. And he said there’s a gamekeeper’s hut in the grounds that could house your mother, Robert and Beth. Now, it seems to me that would solve all of your problems.’
‘But it wouldn’t,’ Lily said, shaking her head.
‘Why wouldn’t it?’ Aunt Elizabeth asked, looking at her sharply.
Lily felt her insides wrench. If only she could tell her aunt the truth.
‘I like working for Mrs Bodney,’ she muttered, looking at Robert for support. However, the desperate appeal in his eyes made her heart sink. Obviously, he wanted her to take the job, but there was no way she could or would work for the squire.
‘I can’t pretend to understand you, Lily. You’ve been handed the answer to your problems so why won’t you take it?’
Not trusting herself to answer, Lily looked at the ground.
‘Well, perhaps you’d prefer to discuss it by yourselves. I’ll take myself back down to Grace’s,’ said their aunt, getting to her feet. ‘Grace and I have had such a good time reminiscing, she offered me a bed for as long as I want. While she’s busy with young Harriet and her lace making during the day, she gets lonely in the evenings now her husband’s gone. As her cottage is only a couple of minutes away it’s the obvious solution. I can continue to come up here first thing and be away when you get home. Now, I’ll bid you good night, but think hard, Lily. Make the right decision, you get a job and the family get somewhere to live.’
Lily watched her aunt go and then turned to Rob.
‘I have my reasons for not wanting to work for the squire, you do realize that, don’t you?’ she asked.
He shook his head. ‘All I know is that we’ve been served our eviction notice and the squire’s offered us a roof over our heads. The solution seems simple to me. But, of course, if this lace making job is more important to you than your family, then there’s nothing more to be said,’ he growled, getting up and hobbling from the room.
All night Lily tossed and turned, unwelcome dreams invading her sleep as lusting hazel eyes burned through her clothes and pudgy fingers slithered like slugs over the contours of her body. I want you and I shall have you, his voice echoed over and over, taunting her; haunting her.
CHAPTER 5
When Lily woke, she was trembling and drenched in perspiration. Clambering wearily out of bed, she dressed quietly, so as not to wake her mother and sister and then tiptoed out to the yard.
Quickly she splashed her face with water from the pail, hoping it would cool her fevered thoughts as well as her skin. Hurrying past the linney to the barn, she grabbed a handful of straw to quieten Doris whilst she hitched up the cart. Then, anxious to be away before anyone woke, she snatched up the reins and urged the reluctant donkey out into the cool air and onto the rutted track.
Although her conscience was troubling her, she needed to think things through before facing Aunt Elizabeth and Robert. She knew they expected her to put family duty before her own wishes. But then, like most of the county, they believed Squire Clinsden to be an honourable man. And he could be charming when he got his own way, which he usually did as few people dared to cross him for fear of losing their livelihoods and the homes that went with them.
Preoccupied with her thoughts, she’d just reached the narrowest part of the track, when a chestnut stallion came galloping straight towards her. Tugging on the leather straps to avoid a collision, she glared at the rider as he thundered by. But just as she opened her mouth to shout after him, he reined in his horse and trotted back towards her. As soon as she saw those hazel eyes glinting, her stomach dipped to her toes and the words died on her lips. It was as if her dream had conjured him up.
‘Well, what a surprise. If it isn’t young Lily
,’ the squire said, tipping his hand to his hat in salute, while his mocking smile sent shivers of revulsion sliding down her spine.
‘Squire Clinsden,’ she acknowledged, gathering up the reins ready to urge the donkey on.
‘How opportune, Lily. I take it your mother has told you of my generous offer?’ he asked pleasantly, but she saw the hard set of his jaw and wasn’t fooled for one moment.
‘My mother’s in no fit state to deal with anything, let alone the shock of learning she’s to lose her home,’ Lily retorted. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be late for work if I don’t hurry.’
‘Ah, yes. That’ll be for Mrs Bodney,’ he stated. She stared at him in surprise. Then, remembering her aunt had told him about her job, she realized this was no accidental meeting at all.
To her dismay, he dismounted and moved closer until she could feel the heat emanating from his body. He smelled of sweat and stale liquor, and she shivered as he put one hand on the cart, preventing her from moving on.
‘Of course, your work there is only temporary whereas the position I’m offering could be permanent,’ he said, raising a wiry eyebrow suggestively. As his eyes dropped to her chest, her throat tightened like a wound bobbin. Hastily, she readjusted her shawl, which had slipped from her shoulders when she’d yanked the reins. ‘I’ve been impressed by the conscientious way you’ve cared for your family since the sad demise of your father.’
‘Sad demise?’ She heard her voice rising and took a deep breath. ‘Father never stood a chance. That building was on your land and had needed seeing to for years. He told your agent every time he called for the rent. It was an accident waiting to happen, everyone knows that.’
Ignoring her remark, the squire continued, ‘You’re a dutiful young woman, so I’m sure you’ll wish to ensure your family continue to have a roof over their heads. As I explained to them, the accommodation I’m offering is much better than the cottage they have at present.’ He paused, smirking at her with the air of a lion playing its prey. But she was no mouse and had no intention of rising to his bait.