by Dilly Court
Chapter Nineteen
CHARITY WAS NOT afraid of horses. There were plenty of them in London, but riding one was another matter. With the aid of a mounting block and help from Gideon, she managed to settle herself on the side-saddle and found it surprisingly comfortable. The rector’s groom led the animal out of the stable yard at the back of the house and into the lane.
‘How does that feel?’ Gideon asked, drawing his mount alongside hers.
‘It’s a long way to fall,’ Charity murmured, clutching the pommel as she tried to adapt to the motion of the horse’s gait.
‘You won’t fall off,’ Gideon said confidently. ‘We start off slowly and when you feel more confident we’ll trot.’
Charity said little, staring between the horse’s ears and hoping desperately that she would not fall off and make a fool of herself, but after a while she began to feel less scared and was beginning to enjoy herself. It was wonderful to be able to see over the hedgerows and feel the cool breeze ruffling her hair. Her bonnet had slipped off and hung by its ribbons, but there was no one other than Gideon to see her dishevelled state and he was grinning widely.
‘You’re getting the hang of it. You’re a born horsewoman, Charity.’
She turned her head to look at him, thinking he was teasing her, but there was no hint of mockery in his grey eyes. ‘Do you really think so?’
‘I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. Would you like to go a bit faster?’
‘Yes. I think so.’
He urged both horses to a trot and Charity bumped up and down on the saddle, but gradually she accommodated to the motion and when Nellie broke into a canter she was not afraid.
‘Mama would have been proud of you,’ Gideon said as they entered the gates of Bligh Park. ‘She loved Nellie and she was an excellent rider.’ His voice broke and he turned his head away.
‘What happened?’ Charity hardly dared ask the question.
‘It was a hunting accident. She was riding an Irish hunter that belonged to Sir Hedley, and she was thrown at a particularly difficult fence. There was nothing that anyone could do to save her. Sir Hedley had the animal shot, and after that he rarely visited Bligh Park; hence the state of disrepair.’
‘He must have been very fond of your mother.’
‘Everyone loved her. Mama was a wonderful woman and I still miss her, and so does Father. It was ten years ago but the feelings are still as raw as the day it happened.’
‘I’m so sorry, Gideon.’
He shot her a sideways glance and she saw tears in his eyes. ‘She would say “well done” if she could see you now. Mama was sweet and gentle but she was also strong and she never gave up on anything or anyone. Father hasn’t been the same since her passing.’
There was nothing that Charity could say and they rode in silence until they reached the stable yard. Gideon dismounted and helped her from the saddle. He tossed the reins to the groom. ‘Good morning, Tapper. Is Master Daniel at home?’
Tapper deftly handled both horses. ‘I think so, sir. He hasn’t asked for the carriage or his horse.’
‘What about Mr Barton?’
‘Mr and Mrs Barton left for Devonshire yesterday, sir.’
‘Thank you, Tapper.’ Gideon turned to Charity with a relieved smile. ‘That’s one less thing to worry about. Let’s find Dan and see what he has to say.’ He slipped her hand through the crook of his arm and they walked towards the house.
‘Have you met Wilmot?’ Charity asked as they left the mews.
‘Never had the pleasure, but to tell the truth I never got on well with Daniel’s mother, although of course I wouldn’t dream of saying anything against her in his hearing.’
‘Wilmot is a snake. He pretends to be one thing to hide the real person lurking beneath a show of charm and good manners.’
‘We’ll go round to the kitchen,’ Gideon said thoughtfully. ‘If Dan’s at home I think that’s where he’s most likely to be. Mrs Diment always spoiled us as boys and I doubt if she’s changed despite the fact that we’re grown men.’
They skirted the house, following the gravel path, but as they reached the gardens Charity tugged at Gideon’s arm. ‘I can see him. He’s in the garden with the mermaid.’
‘Daniel.’ Gideon’s voice rang out loud and clear. ‘Dan.’ He waved his hand and Daniel looked up. His sombre expression was replaced by a grin and he strode towards them, stepping over the box hedges in his haste.
‘Gideon. This is a pleasant surprise. And Charity too?’ He held both her hands, looking into her eyes with a sheepish smile. ‘I’m sorry I was so rude to you when we last met. I had no right to speak to you like that.’
‘You were upset, Dan. I didn’t take offence.’
He raised one hand to his lips. ‘Thank you.’ He turned to Gideon with a friendly smile. ‘I didn’t realise you two were acquainted until Mrs Diment told us what had been going on in London. She gave us a blow by blow account of your encounters with Chapman.’
‘You’d have done the same if you’d been there.’ Gideon slapped him on the back. ‘It’s good to see you again.’
Charity watched them with a smile hovering on her lips. ‘It was pure chance that we got to know each other, but Gideon’s been wonderful. I don’t know what we’d have done if he hadn’t come to our aid.’
‘Let’s go and sit by the mermaid,’ Daniel said eagerly. ‘We can talk without being overheard. With Mrs Trevett and Mrs Diment reunited it’s like listening to a couple of magpies chattering in the kitchen. Poor old Parkin has to flee to the butler’s pantry if he wants a bit of peace and quiet.’ He led the way between the low hedges to the centre of the garden, where the mermaid rested on the mountain of blackened slabs that were alleged to have been salvaged from a wrecked ship.
‘These are so strange,’ Charity said, sitting down and picking up one of the unexpectedly heavy brick-shaped objects.
‘It’s always been assumed this was a mixture of lead and some other metal used as ballast,’ Daniel said casually. ‘Or perhaps it was cargo to be sold and melted down to manufacture pots and pans or swords. I know nothing about metallurgy.’
Gideon sat down beside Charity. ‘We’ve come to ask for your help, Dan.’
‘I didn’t think it was a social visit.’ Daniel cocked his head on one side. ‘You’re welcome to come back here and work in the library, Charity. I won’t be able to pay you at first, but I’m still hoping to find the treasure. The dig is going well and we’ve found a tessellated pavement, which is exciting, but won’t make my fortune.’
Charity felt the metal taking on the warmth of her hand and she began rubbing it with her sleeve. ‘If this was cargo and not ballast it would have some monetary value. Has anyone tried to find out?’
Daniel shook his head. ‘Not to my knowledge. I don’t suppose it’s worth much.’
Charity continued to polish the smooth surface. ‘I’ve seen plenty of rusty iron railings in London. This is as smooth as silk and it’s beginning to shine.’
‘Must be lead then,’ Daniel said casually. ‘Hardly worth the trouble of taking the thing apart, besides which the mermaid is part of our family history. It’s supposed to be bad luck if we disturb her resting place.’
‘She’s just a statue, Dan.’ Clutching the metal brick in her hands, Charity rose to her feet. ‘I must go and see Mrs Diment and Mrs Trevett. They’ll be most offended if I neglect them.’ She had had an idea but she did not want to say anything until she was sure of her facts. She walked briskly in the direction of the kitchen, breaking into a run when she was out of sight. If what she suspected was true it would be the answer to Dan’s problems and they would be able to raise enough money to pay off Harry’s debts and bring him home. She entered the kitchen to find Mrs Diment and Mrs Trevett deep in conversation. They looked up and smiled when they saw her. Mrs Trevett leapt to her feet. ‘You look as though you could do with a cup of tea, my dear.’
‘Thank you, but I need your advice, ladies. T
his is something that only you will know.’
Mrs Diment angled her head. ‘You look excited, Charity. What’s that you’re holding in your hand?’
Charity placed it on the table. ‘Tell me how to clean silver.’
Mrs Trevett put the kettle on the hob and returned to the table, peering at the blackened brick. ‘Baking soda dissolved in hot water with a little soap, and I’ll add some vinegar to make the solution stronger.’ She looked up at Charity with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. ‘Do you really think this is silver?’
‘I started rubbing it and it began to shine. If the ship that sank was carrying a cargo of silver bullion then most of it is right here under our noses.’
‘The villagers use these as doorstops. You’ve seen them, haven’t you, Fanny?’
‘Yes, Polly.’ Mrs Diment nodded emphatically. ‘Ma and Pa had one for years. It’s probably still in the cottage.’
‘Which has been empty since they passed on,’ Mrs Trevett added knowingly. ‘The old place has gone to rack and ruin, and there’s been no one to take up the tenancy.’
‘Silver or no silver, that could be the answer for you and the girls,’ Mrs Diment said eagerly. ‘Master Daniel is in charge now and I’m sure he won’t object.’
Charity turned to Mrs Trevett. ‘Have you got baking soda and vinegar, Mrs Trevett? We need to clean this ugly piece of metal and make it beautiful.’
Mrs Trevett waddled over to the larder and went inside, re-emerging seconds later with a bottle of vinegar and a stone jar filled with white powder. ‘I haven’t done this for years. Fanny will remember the days when Sir Hedley and that woman he married threw parties for the local gentry. We spent hours cleaning the silver and polishing the crystal wine glasses, but all that went to auction bit by bit and now there’s only the library that’s untouched, and if Mr Wilmot has his way all the books will be sold and the house too.’
‘It’s true.’ Mrs Diment’s mouth turned down at the corners and her bottom lip wobbled ominously. ‘He wants to sell up and spend the money on Mrs Barton’s estate in Devonshire. The house in London will go too.’
Charity stared at them, horrified. ‘But it belongs to Harry. Daniel is only taking care of things until his brother returns.’
‘Master Daniel won’t stand up to his mother and Mr Wilmot.’ Mrs Trevett produced a large bowl and began mixing the ingredients, largely ignoring the advice given by Mrs Diment. Charity submerged the brick in the liquid and waited, hardly daring to breathe. Slowly, bubble by bubble, the black coating began to dissolve, leaving the ingot gleaming in the bottom of the bowl. ‘It is silver,’ Charity gasped. ‘Ladies, we’ve found the Bligh Park treasure.’
Daniel and Gideon stared at the shiny ingot in disbelief. ‘Silver,’ Daniel said slowly. ‘Do you mean to say that my family has been sitting on a fortune quite literally for a hundred or more years?’
‘Mrs Trevett tells me that the villagers have been using them for doorstops,’ Charity said with an excited laugh. ‘There’s one in the old keeper’s cottage where Mrs Diment grew up.’
Daniel took the ingot from her, cupping it in his hands as if it were the Holy Grail. ‘This is unbelievable. You’re a wonder, Charity.’
‘It seems like a miracle,’ Gideon murmured. ‘And I remember the keeper’s cottage. Mrs Diment’s mother used to bake gingerbread, and if we were lucky she’d give us a piece each. That cottage hasn’t been inhabited for years.’
Charity met his smiling gaze with a flash of understanding. ‘But it might be made habitable with a bit of elbow grease.’
‘My thinking exactly,’ Gideon said enthusiastically.
Daniel picked up as many of the heavy ingots as he could manage. ‘We’ll need a wheelbarrow to start collecting these and taking them into the kitchen. If they’re pure silver, we really have found the treasure of Bligh Park.’ He gave Charity a sheepish smile. ‘I should say that the credit goes to you. I would never have thought of cleaning one of these things in a million years.’
‘There is something you might be able to do for me, Dan.’ Charity studied his expression carefully; he was not good at masking his feeling and she would know instantly if the plan did not meet with his approval. ‘Do you think we could take a look at the keeper’s cottage? And if we can make it habitable would you allow us to live in it until I can find work elsewhere?’
Daniel stared at her as if she were speaking another language. ‘What are you talking about? I said you could have your job back sorting the library.’
‘You won’t have to sell all those beautiful books now, and Violet’s baby is due in a few weeks. The cottage might be the answer to our problems.’
‘Of course you can have it, if that’s what you really want, although you could live here and be much more comfortable.’
‘I don’t think Wilmot would approve.’
Daniel’s expression darkened. ‘Perhaps you’re right. Of course you can have the cottage, and instead of rent you can help clean all these hundreds of ingots. I’ll pay you a proper wage as soon as I’m able. We’ll be rich.’
Charity could have kissed him, but she did not want to embarrass him in front of Gideon. ‘Thank you, Dan. Might we have a look at the cottage before I leave today?’
‘I don’t see why not.’ Daniel glanced at Gideon. ‘It’s up to you, old chap.’
‘It’s fine with me. Let’s make a start on this.’ Gideon bent down to pick up more ingots.
Charity hesitated. ‘You won’t forget your brother, will you, Dan? You do want Harry to come home, don’t you?’
‘Of course I do. I never wanted to run the estate anyway, and if the silver fetches a high price it will enable me to do what I want. I’ll go to Egypt and join Petrie on his archaeological excavation.’
Gideon tapped him on the shoulder. ‘Where’s this wheelbarrow you were talking about?’
They invaded the kitchen to Mrs Trevett’s obvious annoyance, and after Daniel broke a mixing bowl, spilling the cleaning fluid on the floor, she shooed them all out of the room. ‘Leave the cleaning to those who know how to do it,’ she said crossly. ‘This is a job for experts, not clumsy boys.’
‘I’m sorry about the basin, Mrs Trevett,’ Daniel muttered, hanging his head.
‘You’ll have to send Tapper into town to fetch more baking soda and vinegar, Master Daniel,’ Mrs Trevett said crossly. ‘And a new mixing bowl to make up for the one you just broke.’
‘Yes, Mrs Trevett.’ Daniel made his escape, followed by Charity and Gideon.
Charity looked from one to the other, giggling. ‘You look like a pair of naughty schoolboys caught scrumping apples in the orchard. You’re supposed to be the master of Bligh Park, Dan. You should stand up to her.’
He shrugged his shoulders. ‘That’s easy for you to say. You weren’t brought up by a nanny who ruled you with the proverbial rod of iron. Mrs Trevett is a good sport just as long as you don’t get on the wrong side of her.’
‘Never mind, Dan,’ Gideon said with a sympathetic smile. ‘At least we’ve proved that we’re useless in the kitchen and that gets us out of cleaning the ingots. Let’s concentrate on collecting them up and bringing them into the house. If word gets round that they’re valuable you’ll have every rascal in the county looking for them.’
‘I’m sure there must be another wheelbarrow in the potting shed.’
‘I’ll help,’ Charity said eagerly. ‘And then we can go and take a look at the cottage.’
The keeper’s cottage was concealed beneath a cloak of dark green ivy, and the garden was a tangle of brambles and bindweed. Anyone unfamiliar with the area could be forgiven for driving past without realising that there was a dwelling place hidden beneath the encroaching woodland. Daniel had to force the gate open and the rusty hinges gave way, sending the rotting wood to rest on a bed of nettles. ‘I’m afraid the building itself might be in the same condition as that gate,’ he said as he made his way towards the front door. He produced a bunch of keys and began
trying each one in the lock until he found one that fitted, and the door opened with a groan of protest. He stepped inside, tugging at a frond of ivy that had somehow managed to squeeze through the gap between the lintel and the door. Charity could barely wait to see the interior, but the smell of damp and dry rot was not encouraging.
It was gloomy inside due to vegetation excluding most of the light, and the windows were grimed with an accumulation of dirt. There seemed to be one large room downstairs with a small lean-to at the rear of the cottage. Gideon opened the back door and a trickle of sunlight revealed a flagstone floor, a deal table and a stone sink beneath the window. Dead leaves blew in from the garden but the waft of fresh air dispelled some of the mustiness. ‘What’s out there, Gideon?’ Charity asked, peering over his shoulder.
‘Nothing much, other than a rusty old mangle and a pile of dead leaves. The roof leaks, but I’m sure it could be fixed without too much trouble.’ He turned his head to give her an encouraging smile. ‘I’ve seen worse in the back streets of Whitechapel.’
‘The place is uninhabitable,’ Daniel said, shaking his head. ‘I couldn’t allow you girls to live here. It wouldn’t do at all.’
Charity was not going to be put off. ‘I’ve slept in shop doorways and under railway arches in the middle of winter. This will be paradise compared to sleeping under the counter in Jethro’s shop.’
‘Better you than me,’ Daniel said, pulling a face. ‘Let’s check upstairs before we come to a decision. For all we know there might be a hole in the roof.’
They made their way up the narrow, twisting staircase to a narrow landing, off which were two bedrooms. The ceilings were festooned with cobwebs and there were a few damp patches where slates had fallen off the roof, but if they were replaced there was nothing that could not be sorted out by soap and a scrubbing brush. ‘It’s fine,’ Charity said firmly. ‘We can make ourselves very comfortable here.’ She glanced anxiously at Daniel. ‘You did say you wouldn’t charge us rent, didn’t you?’