The Orphans of Ardwick

by Emma Hornby

  As a means of placating the child, Albert patted her head. But his attention was on Pip. The lines on his brow deepened as he frowned. ‘Are you quite well, lass? Indeed, you look fit to drop. Mabel,’ he added, glancing to Pip’s side, ‘put the child to bed right away. She has been through the mill, poor mite, and shall require some time to recover from her ordeal. I insist,’ he continued to Pip firmly when she made to protest. ‘Rest is what you need and that is what you shall have. Now, go on. Mabel will see you right.’

  ‘I will that. You can ease up in my bed the night, lass.’

  Too sore of heart to argue, Pip, after returning Lucy’s sweet goodbyes, allowed herself to be led from the room. Outside, however, she drew back as they headed for the stairs. ‘Cook, I’m all right, really, honest.’ She inclined her head to Miss Josephine’s door. ‘Let me see the lady? Oh do, please?’

  ‘But Albert said—’

  ‘I’ll rest soon, honest I will, when I’ve seen that Miss Josephine’s well. Can I, Cook?’

  Surveying Pip properly, her face took on the expression that the master had worn a moment ago. She cocked her head. ‘Summat’s troubling thee still. What is it?’

  The temptation to spill her guts and cry out all that was going on – Caroline’s deception, the real truth – was crippling. But something, perhaps fear of Cook releasing her wrath on to the lady and creating a whole other level of trouble for her, made her hold back.

  ‘If there’s owt the matter, owt at all … You know, don’t yer, that you can depend on me?’

  ‘Aye, like last time?’ The words were out before Pip could bite them back. She blushed crimson. ‘Cook, I … didn’t mean that. I’m sorry, I am, honest—’

  ‘Tha talks truth, though,’ Cook interjected, averting her gaze. When she spoke again, her voice shook with stark regret. ‘I let thee down. I was wrong, aye, I say I was wrong. But know this: never shall I doubt you again.’ She brought her stare back and it took Pip’s breath away to see it shining with something she’d hungered for without realising it, that she hadn’t seen in another adult, another woman, for such a long time: love.

  She felt her chin wobble but was powerless to stop it, and the next moment she was enveloped in Cook’s arms and weeping softly into her snowy apron. ‘It were awful, Cook, awful. I don’t ever want to leave here, leave you, again.’

  ‘Nor shall a soul try and make thee, neither. Not again. Not on my watch. Wicked bugger, that Finch; I never did take to her. You know, she gave no reason as to why she made it all up. Miss Lucy told how she’d cornered her in the Green after playing with you, said as how she must seek out Mr Philip upon her return to the house and spew the untruth exactly as she’d told her, else it’d be the worst for her. Frickened the dear angel out of her wits, she did. You know the lass wouldn’t have bad-mouthed about you otherwise, don’t you? She’s taken to you, lovey, and it’s nice to see. You’ll try and forget all this, now, eh? Put it behind you, like?’

  So that’s how Caroline had done it. Of course, she should have guessed. She hadn’t persuaded her daughter to tell such lies; she’d have known she’d have been in hot water and unable to wriggle out of it had Lucy slipped up. No. She’d ordered the nursemaid to do her dirty work instead, had had no qualms about Finch threatening her child to do the deed. She was horrid, horrid. And quite clearly capable of anything. Just how did this bode for her? Dread snaked down her spine.

  With effort, she forced out the lie: ‘Aye Cook. I’ll dwell on it no more.’

  ‘There’s a good, bonny lass. Now, I’d best get back to my duties.’ Cook gave her a last squeeze. She sniffed twice, three times, then nudged Pip towards the door up ahead. ‘Go on with you, then, else you’ll have me bawling into the family’s soup and that’ll not go down reet well, will it? ’Ere and if the doctor’s still with her – though he really should have taken his leave by now – you show him your powers. Happen he could learn a thing or two from thee.’

  Pip grinned at Cook’s cheeky wink and when the woman had disappeared, hurried to Miss Josephine’s room. Pressing her ear to the door, she listened for signs of the doctor’s presence. After a moment, a strange grunting reached her, followed by what sounded like a strangled cry. Miss Josephine.

  Worry gripped Pip’s chest. With no thought in mind but her mistress’s well-being, she twisted the gold doorknob.

  Whatever she’d expected couldn’t have prepared her, in a thousand lifetimes, for what she was presented with.

  A feeling she’d never experienced before tied her guts into fiery knots. She wasn’t even completely sure what she was witnessing, but she knew without question it was wrong. That the man shouldn’t be doing that to her.

  Miss Josephine lay propped up in the bed against a mound of pillows. Her head was turned to the side, eyes closed. But though her cheeks blazed with obvious embarrassment, even shame, her expression wasn’t of horror or fear, nor dislike – quite the reverse. As the wispy squeaks of satisfaction proved, she appeared lost only in enjoyment.

  What pleasure she found in the act – cream nightgown pushed above her widely parted knees, Doctor Lawley, with a somewhat bored countenance, standing at the foot of the bed, one hand moving busily at the secret place between her legs – Pip couldn’t say. She knew little of medical practices, it was true, but he shouldn’t be behaving in this manner, surely? Forcing her he mightn’t be, but still … So engrossed was he in his task, it was only Pip’s gasp that brought his head around. Their eyes locked and for some seconds, they simply stared at each other in shock.

  No words were spoken and Miss Josephine still hadn’t noticed her presence as, shaking her head slowly, Pip backed away. When she found herself on the landing, she turned tail and ran down the stairs, dizzy with confusing emotions. She reached the broad hall and as she drew level with the study, the door suddenly opened and she almost careered into Mr Philip leaving the room. His surprise turned to anger, which then slipped from his face and he surveyed her in mild interest.

  ‘I was informed you had returned.’

  She hardly heard her response over the thumping of her heart: ‘Aye, Mr Philip, sir.’

  ‘Finch was the instigator in that vicious tale, so I’m told?’

  Nay, you’re wrong there. It was your own wife, though you’d not believe me in a week of Wednesdays and proving it is nigh on impossible, she said in her mind. ‘Aye,’ she murmured.

  ‘Then I … Well, perhaps my treatment of you … However, Lucy named you from her own lips, so naturally …’

  Aware this was as near to an apology as she was likely to receive, Pip nodded. ‘I understand, Mr Philip. You took your daughter’s word as truth, as would any sound father.’

  There was the slightest softening of his eyes. Then he cleared his throat and frowned. ‘It seems my father has made up his mind about you and those friends of yours staying, so here’s some advice you’d do well to heed: stay out of my way. One wrong move from any of you and, whatever my father’s views, I shall personally evict you from this house with my own two hands. Do you understand?’ he added, sterner still when she didn’t answer – her gaze had strayed once more towards the stairs.

  ‘Aye, yes … Course. Sorry, Mr Philip.’

  He followed her stare and his eyes narrowed. ‘What is it?’

  ‘Nowt, sir—’

  ‘Don’t tell me nothing. You’re shaking.’

  Should she spill all about what she’d seen concerning his sister? He’d be furious; happen he’d give the doctor a sound thrashing and he’d deserve nothing less, but then again, what if he grew angry with Miss Josephine, too? She didn’t want to get her into trouble, for Pip was certain none of this was of her doing. The old quack up there had surely turned her mind somehow, and yet … Would keeping her silence mean these sorts of goings-on continued? If she revealed what she’d seen, Mr Philip would put a stop to it right away. Surely that would be better for Miss Josephine …?

  ‘Speak, girl. That is an order.’

 
; Her stuttered recollections, made all the more difficult to spit out by her burning embarrassment, barely made sense; or so it seemed to her. Nevertheless, the man before her seemed to grasp her explanation without trouble – he cut her off with a sharp intake of breath.

  ‘Caroline.’

  His harsh murmur brought Pip’s head up sharply. He believed his wife was at the root of this? But how? Oh, was there no low to which that ghastly woman would not sink! ‘Sir?’

  Anger had flooded his face once more but again, albeit with clearly more effort this time, he replaced it; now with forced control. He glanced left and right, then up the staircase. ‘Take yourself to the kitchen and remain there until you’re sent for,’ he told her through gritted teeth. ‘Breathe not a word of this to a soul. Do you hear me?’

  She nodded timidly. She didn’t know what it was when he stared at her intently like this. It made her feel queer inside. He frightened her something awful when his temper was up, that’s what.

  ‘If my father was to discover …’ He ran a hand across his smooth, chiselled chin. ‘By God, you had better make sure he doesn’t! You just keep your mouth shut. Now go. Go,’ he growled, sending her on her way with a shove. Moments later, he’d returned to his study. The door slammed shut and she headed for the kitchen with a heavy hammer of dread in her breast.

  Just what would happen? Had she done the right thing?

  Chapter 14

  ‘MISS JOSEPHINE’S DISCOVERED you’re back and is asking for thee,’ announced Hardman not half an hour later. She’d been summoned to carry tea up to the lady and though Pip would have willingly taken on the task, Mr Philip’s instructions for her to remain here until sent for had deterred her from offering.

  Clearly, the doctor had finally taken his leave. Had Mr Philip confronted him about what she’d told him? she wondered, biting her lip. Was Miss Josephine even aware of what had occurred, what Pip had seen? Scraping back her chair, she took a deep breath. She was about to find out.

  She yearned to see the fragile woman. She felt the strongest urge to protect her and, Pip told herself resolutely, that’s what she was going to do, whether certain folk beneath this roof liked it or otherwise. First things first, she had to try her hardest to get rid of that doctor for good and proper. Hopefully, now she was back, Miss Josephine would uphold her decision that his visits were no longer required. She was determined to get to the bottom of this. He was up to no good, she was sure. And from the name Mr Philip had let slip, his low-bellied wife was once again at the root of the problem.

  Now, pausing outside her mistress’s door, she drew in air again to steady her nerves, unsure what the outcome of this summons would be. After smoothing down her apron, she knocked twice and entered.

  ‘My dear, dear girl.’

  ‘Eeh, Miss Josephine, I have missed thee.’ Crossing to the chaise longue, Pip took the slender hands held out to her.

  Sad and anxious eyes relaxed a little and some colour appeared in her pale cheeks as Pip sat beside her. She smiled with a sigh. ‘Oh, I cannot tell you how pleased I am that you’re back. When I heard what had happened – what they claimed happened – I just knew right away it was pure fabrication. If nothing else, I watched you with my niece and it’s clear to see you’re most fond of the girl. What possessed Finch to commit such a deed, I suppose we shall never know; but oh,’ she continued in the same breath, closing her eyes in relief, ‘none of that matters, not now, for you’re here with me again. I … had a terrible attack of the nerves earlier today.’

  Pip felt colour stain her cheeks. ‘Aye. Hardman said.’

  ‘Philip, he insisted Doctor Lawley be sent for.’ Now, it was the woman’s turn to blush to the roots of her hair. She dabbed at her mouth with a lace handkerchief. ‘Oh, thank the Lord you’re back,’ she whispered again with feeling.

  What did he do to thee? Why? she wanted to ask but knew she couldn’t. The woman’s embarrassment was tangible. How could Pip reveal she’d witnessed the sinful act? She couldn’t, she couldn’t; the shame of it really would be more than the delicate nerves could bear.

  ‘I’m that sorry I weren’t here. But I shan’t be leaving again. And Miss Josephine?’ Pip stared earnestly into her eyes. ‘You’ll not need that man again, nay never.’

  Something, perhaps in Pip’s passionate tone, made worrying suspicion crinkle the lady’s brow. ‘You … didn’t speak with the doctor today, did you, dear girl?’

  ‘Nay, Miss Josephine.’ It wasn’t an untruth. Not a word had passed between them. Nevertheless, her colour mounted.

  Josephine’s face relaxed. Averting her gaze, she lifted her china cup and sipped. Noticing her hands shaking slightly, Pip sought for words of a lighter nature to divert her attention before her growing anxiety could bring about another attack.

  ‘How’s Mr Sutton-Shaw, Miss Josephine? Well, I pray?’

  To her relief, this seemed to work; the woman lit up. She glanced up coyly from beneath her lashes. ‘Indeed, quite so. He’s calling in at Bracken House this evening. Hopefully, I’ll be well enough to see him for a short while.’

  ‘Oh, you shall!’ Pip nodded emphatically. ‘Oh, you must, Miss Josephine, for I see he makes you happy.’

  The woman’s enthusiasm grew. ‘He does, Pip. But what if I should, should begin to feel … you know, unwell again, and make a fool of myself—’

  ‘You must tell yourself you’ll not. And believe it. Go on, Miss Josephine, you can do it.’

  With a curt flick of her head, she took a determined breath and said, ‘I will not become unwell.’

  ‘Aye. Aye!’

  ‘I will not become unwell!’

  ‘Eeh, that’s right, that’s it!’

  ‘I’m in charge of myself, not this wretched affliction!’

  Pip clapped her hands, grinning.

  ‘I shall meet Mr Sutton-Shaw, and I shall enjoy myself!’

  ‘Ay, Miss Josephine.’ Pip felt breathless with pride.

  ‘Oh, but what if …?’ she murmured suddenly, gnawing her lip. ‘What if it does return and—’

  ‘Nay, nay, don’t say it, for it gives it power over thee. Believe. You must.’

  ‘I decide what I do, when I do it, and with whom!’ Josephine burst out, the fire returning to her eyes. ‘It’s not the master of me!’

  ‘Nay, it ain’t.’ Pip’s choked words hung in the air. They smiled at one another tearfully. ‘Mebbe soon, when your strength’s grown, the two of you could take walks in the Green. The fresh air would do you good. It’s close by home so would give thee reassurance should you feel unwell.’

  ‘One step at a time, hm?’ The lady laughed. Taking her by the hand, she drew her across the room. ‘Come, Pip. Help me decide which evening dress I will wear. Shoes, too. And a necklace and earrings,’ she added on a giggle, as carefree as a woman half her age.

  Chest fluttery with happiness, Pip followed gladly.

  After a pleasant hour and much jollity, they had decided on a low-necked gown in sage-green silk that swished about the lady’s slim figure with each step like liquid. Matching slippers of a slightly lighter hue peeped from beneath the large crinoline skirt. Josephine had just sat down at her dressing table, a rosewood box opened out in front of her, jewels and pearls winking from the fire’s glow in the room’s fading light, when a knock sounded and the door opened.

  ‘Oh.’ Philip paused in the entrance. His surprised gaze took in his sister’s appearance. Though a frown accompanied it, he returned the smile she gave him over her shoulder then crossed the floor. ‘You’re well?’

  Josephine nodded. ‘Has Alexander arrived yet?’

  ‘Alex …? Josephine, are you sure—?’

  ‘Quite.’ She swivelled around and laid a hand lightly on her brother’s arm. ‘Please, I would so like to see him. I’m feeling much better, Philip.’

  His black brows drew together. ‘So you seem.’ He released air slowly. ‘Would that be due to the doctor’s visit?’ he forced out. ‘It is his … interve
ntion that has brought about this notable recovery—?’

  ‘No.’ Josephine’s neck and face blazed. ‘No,’ she repeated a little more calmly, though her breathing had quickened. ‘Pip. Here.’ She pointed to her. ‘This girl is the one who has, yet again, brought my fraught mind under control. She is the one, the only one, I need to help me through this. I do not wish to see that man ever again.’

  Philip’s stare flicked to Pip. With her eyes, she begged with him to let the matter drop; for now at least. Miss Josephine was feeling the best she had in a long while, it was clear to see. Please, sir, don’t ruin her hard work by upsetting her with memories of that tyrant’s touch. She needn’t know I saw what I did, for it’ll bring more harm to her than good. Please, please …

  As though he’d read her plea, he inclined his head a fraction. Returning his attention to Josephine, he stared at her for some seconds. ‘Alexander should be arriving any moment. If you’re certain you’re up to it, I’ll see you downstairs in ten minutes.’ He’d spoken almost softly; he finished his speech with a somewhat awkward pat of his sister’s shoulder.

  ‘Philip?’

  Having made to leave hastily, as though embarrassed by his show of kindness, he now paused by the door. ‘Yes?’ he asked without turning.

  ‘Thank you. I shan’t let you down.’

  He lowered his head. Then he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

  ‘How you fettling, Miss Josephine?’ asked Pip minutes later when, having helped put the final touches to her appearance, she stood looking up at her at the door.

  ‘All right, I think.’ The woman fiddled with the string of emeralds around her throat. ‘I will not become unwell.’ The mantra from earlier fell from her lips. She flashed a shaky smile. ‘Here goes. Wish me luck, Pip.’

  ‘I shan’t if you don’t mind, Miss Josephine, for luck’s not in it. It’s in you. It’s your strength, that’s what. I know you can do it.’

  ‘Oh, dear girl …’ Josephine’s gloved fingers brushed Pip’s cheek in a brief caress. ‘You will be close by, however, should I need you?’