A Handful of Sovereigns

by Anna King

  Theories abounded, but nothing came to light to explain the woman’s behaviour. Even if there had been a lover, why would the woman want to kill Joe Waite, a man she didn’t even know?

  When the judge had left the court, the spectators began to move towards the heavy, wooden door, their necks craning to catch sight of the Stewart family sitting high above them. If any were hoping for some signs of distress or anxiety they were disappointed. The faces of the well-dressed men and women remained dispassionate.

  ‘Come on, Mother, it’s time to go,’ Hugh said quietly, his hand resting gently on his mother’s elbow.

  Beatrice shook her head at him impatiently. ‘I’m well aware of that fact, Hugh, and I’ll thank you not to continue treating me like a child.’ Hugh dropped his hand, then stood awkwardly as his mother swept by him, her head held high.

  ‘Don’t take it personally, dear,’ Lotte said tenderly, ‘she’s very distraught, although one would never know to look at her. She’s a remarkable woman. I could never show such restraint if I were in her shoes.’

  Hugh nodded absently, his eyes resting on the two figures directly below him. Lotte followed his gaze, her blue eyes clouding over in pain.

  ‘Hugh, dear. Why don’t you speak with him? He is your brother after all. I know you want to see an end to this squabble. Harry’s done all he can to make peace, it’s up to you now. Please, darling, for my sake and that of your mother, bury the past and go to him before the breach becomes too wide to bridge.’

  Hugh swallowed nervously. Lotte was right, but as much as he wanted to talk to Harry, something deep inside him prevented him from doing so. They had reached their carriage when Harry’s voice called out to them.

  ‘Hey Lotte, Hugh, wait a moment,’ Harry came running to their side. Panting for breath he waited a minute before saying, ‘It doesn’t look too good, does it? Not that I’m surprised. The Queen herself wouldn’t get off with that much evidence against her.’

  He heard himself talking and winced with embarrassment. He’d been saying the same thing every day for weeks now in a desperate attempt to break the ice between himself and the brother he cared so deeply for.

  The stony look on Hugh’s face prevented him from saying anything further. God! It was infuriating. He’d never imagined Hugh could be so stubborn; bloody-minded would be a more apt name for the way his brother was behaving. They were both miserable with the situation that existed between them, but still the man refused to budge. Well, damn him. He’d done all he could, he wasn’t going to continue to humble himself day after day only to be met by a frosty silence. If Hugh wanted to end the argument, then he could make the next move, because he, Harry, had had enough.

  Lotte looked on exasperated. Lord, but she was strongly tempted to knock some sense into the man by her side. Didn’t they have enough trouble to contend with? If only Hugh would swallow his stupid pride. But no, he was too busy playing the martyr. Well she’d had enough of it. She’d been understanding at first, hiding her initial shock as the sordid story had tumbled from Hugh’s sobbing lips, but now her patience was fast running out.

  Glaring up at Hugh she turned to Harry, ‘Please forgive my husband’s rudeness, Harry. I for one am always pleased to see you.’

  The tension eased from Harry’s taut face. Taking Lotte’s hand he placed it to his lips.

  ‘And I you, Lotte. I count myself fortunate to have acquired such a delightful and compassionate sister-in-law. It is a great pity you can’t instil those attributes into your husband.’

  Lotte smiled, one hand tightening on Harry’s. ‘How is Maggie? I’d very much like to see her, but I’m not sure if my presence would be welcomed.’

  Harry lowered his eyes for a moment before answering gravely, ‘She’s still the same, quiet and withdrawn one minute, angry the next. Oh, not like she was after her sister died, she’s well aware of all that’s happened; too much aware, that is part of the trouble.’

  ‘It’s understandable, Harry, she’s been through a terrible ordeal. When I think of what Bella did…’ She shook her head sadly. ‘Do you think there’s any truth in the rumours, I mean about Bella having a lover that deserted her?’

  ‘I honestly don’t know, Lotte. It would explain a lot. If she had been planning to run away with a man and he let her down, she would have had to take her rage out on someone. Knowing how much Maggie means to me made her the obvious target. Poor Joe just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

  Hugh listened to the conversation, his heart pounding against his ribs. Why couldn’t he say something? He wanted to, so why couldn’t he speak? Then Harry was beside him, his strong hands resting on the open window as he said his farewells to their mother.

  ‘Goodbye, Mother. Tell Father I’ll call round one evening when this business is over. If either of you wish to get in contact with me, you have my address.’

  Beatrice nodded briefly, her mind too filled with concern for Bella to worry herself over the estrangement between her sons. There would be time for them later.

  ‘That goes for you too, Lotte. If ever you need me, you know where I am.’ Then doffing his hat he strode off, his footsteps taking him to where Charlie was patiently waiting by the corner. Hugh watched him go, his stomach churning with mixed emotions. Helping Lotte into the carriage he was about to follow her when he stopped. Slowly stepping back onto the pavement he hesitated for a few seconds, then he began to walk after Harry.

  ‘Harry, Harry, wait a minute.’

  Harry’s steps faltered as he heard the familiar voice. Turning on his heel he waited for Hugh to catch up with him.

  ‘Harry, I… I’d like very much if you… if you would care to visit us. Would tonight be convenient?’ His voice was stilted and unsure as if fearing a rebuff.

  Harry saw the red flush spreading over the thin cheeks and held out his hand. Hugh hesitated for only a second; then their hands joined together, and they were smiling inanely at each other.

  ‘I’d like that, Hugh. I’d like that very much. And look, if you and Lotte are thinking of buying a larger house, I know of a few that would suit you both perfectly.’

  The smile on Hugh’s face broadened. ‘Thank you, Harry, but that won’t be necessary. Lotte’s house will do us for now. Mother has asked us to move in with them, Lord knows there’s enough room, especially as you’re no longer there…’ His voice trailed off.

  Shuffling his feet he added shamefaced, ‘Harry, I’m sorry, sorry about everything. I think I must have gone mad that night. It was the guilt you see. Guilt and shame that made me act as I did. I’ve told Lotte everything. She’s been marvellous, I’m a very lucky man, Harry. And, Harry, I wish you and Maggie well. I’ve been all kinds of a fool. I don’t know what possessed me to go…’

  ‘Let’s forget the past, Hugh,’ Harry interrupted him quickly. ‘Once this trial is over, we can all start to rebuild our lives. It won’t be long now, the jury has already made its mind up. I think they decided Bella’s guilt before the trial started. It’s not every day they get the chance to send one of the upper class to the gallows.’

  Hugh’s head snapped back on his neck. ‘Don’t you feel any pity for her, Harry? She is still our sister when all’s said and done.’

  Harry gave a mirthless laugh. ‘No, I don’t. Nor do I believe in the preconceived notion that blood is thicker than water. Even as a child she was spiteful and malicious, those childhood traits turned to evil. She murdered a man in cold blood, without turning a hair, and if she’d had her way Maggie would be lying alongside him in the graveyard. So no, Hugh, I don’t feel any pity for her. She’s brought all this upon herself, and now she has to pay the price.’

  Hugh saw the steely glint in his brother’s eyes and quickly sought another topic of conversation.

  ‘She was very lucky, Maggie I mean. A fraction either side and the blade would have severed the jugular vein. It’s a miracle there wasn’t more damage. If the blade had been longer it would surely have sliced an arte
ry – it could even have permanently damaged the voicebox. All in all, Maggie was very fortunate.’

  ‘I doubt she would see it that way,’ Harry said dryly.

  ‘No no, of course not,’ Hugh answered hastily. ‘I’m afraid my professional interest sometimes clouds the personal issue.’

  ‘You’d better go, Mother is getting impatient. I will be seeing Maggie tonight, but I’ll come by later if that is all right.’

  ‘Oh, absolutely. And Harry, I’m glad we are friends again. I’ve been so miserable, you can’t imagine just how miserable I’ve been.’

  ‘I can, Hugh, indeed I can.’

  Charlie walked over to them, his face agitated. ‘I’ll ’ave ter go, Harry. I don’t like leaving Maggie fer too long.’

  ‘I’m coming now, Charlie. Good day, Hugh, I’ll see you later this evening.’

  Hugh shook his brother’s hand vigorously, then headed back to the carriage.

  * * *

  Half an hour later Beatrice was standing in the study, her hand twisting nervously as she waited for Edward to look up from the letter he was writing.

  ‘Edward, the jury is out. It won’t be long now. Won’t you change your mind and visit Bella? It may be the last… the last chance you get.’

  Edward laid down the pen and leaned back in his chair, his face impassive. ‘No madam, I have no intention of visiting our daughter. If she had killed someone by accident, that would be different. Then I would move heaven and earth to save her. But that isn’t the case. She knew exactly what she was doing and has so far shown not the slightest remorse for her actions.’

  Sighing heavily he stood up and took Beatrice in his arms. ‘She went bad, Beatrice, somewhere along the way her mind turned to evil. What we must never do is to blame ourselves. I consider myself to be a good judge of human character; Lord knows I’ve seen enough human deprivation and wickedness in my courtroom. I firmly believe that the traits of good and evil are born within us, and there is nothing anyone can do to alter that fact.’

  ‘But, Edward, she’s going to— going to ha— hang. You must do something, you must.’ Her body heaving with sobs, she leaned against his broad chest. Edward stared over her shoulder, his eyes bleak.

  ‘There is nothing I can do for her now, my dear. There’s nothing anyone can do for her now.’

  * * *

  ‘Maggie, Maggie, the jury’s out, it won’t be long now.’

  Charlie ran into the room eager to impart the news.

  ‘Calm down, Charlie. I keep telling you, they won’t hang her, no matter what she’s done. She’s one of them, isn’t she? One of the gentry. Her dad’s just biding his time, making it look as if he isn’t interfering, but you wait and see. He’ll step in at the last minute. The judge at the trial is probably a friend of his; they’ll cook something up between them, you mark my words.’ Maggie sat by the empty fireplace, her fingers busily sewing a three-inch frill collar onto a white blouse.

  ‘There, you are wrong, dear. My father has no intention of intervening. If he had he would have done so by now.’

  Maggie’s hand went automatically to her neck then relaxed. The blue dress she was wearing had a high neck, the starched cotton resting just below her ears. The blouse on her lap was the last item of clothing to be altered to hide the jagged scar on the left side of her neck.

  ‘You would say that, wouldn’t you? Well, I won’t believe it until she drops through the trap door.’ Aware of Harry and Charlie’s scrutiny her cheeks flamed. ‘I know that sounds vindictive, but I don’t care. She’s not safe to be let out onto the streets again. Even now, knowing she’s locked up, I’m still afraid of her. Afraid she’ll come into the dining room one day looking for me.’

  Maggie shuddered. ‘I’ll never forget those black eyes; there was no life in them. Beady, glittering black marbles of death, that’s what I’ll remember, it’s what I’ll always remember. That day I had to give evidence, I could feel those eyes boring into my skull, I thought I was going to pass out.’

  ‘It’s nearly over, Maggie. You mustn’t let it get to you, if you allow that to happen, then Bella will have won. Don’t you see, you have to return to normal, you mustn’t let what happened affect your life any more.’

  Maggie heard the earnest appeal in Harry’s voice and nodded grimly, ‘Oh, don’t you worry about me, I’ll be all right. I’ll never let anyone get close enough to hurt me, not any more.’

  The determination in her voice caused Harry to step backwards. Wetting his lips he tried to alleviate the tense atmosphere.

  ‘There is some good news. I met Hugh outside the court, he’s asked me to visit him and Lotte this evening. You know they were married last month, don’t you?’

  ‘I know, you told me. It’s the only good thing that’s come out of this whole rotten mess. I’m glad for Lotte’s sake, she’s a good woman. I wish we could have stayed friends, but that’s impossible now.’

  ‘No, it isn’t, she wants to see you, but is afraid she won’t be welcome. May I tell her to visit, she’d be so happy, and…’

  Maggie stood up quickly, ‘No, there’d be no point. As soon as the trial is over, me and Charlie are moving. I don’t know where yet, but it’ll be far away from this place and all the memories it holds.’

  Charlie was just coming from the kitchen, a tray of tea and cakes in his hands when he heard Maggie’s words. ‘What! Whayda mean we’re leaving? It’s the first I’ve ’eard of it.’

  Maggie turned her head towards him. ‘I’m sorry, love, I keep forgetting you’re nearly grown up now, I should have talked it over with you. But, Charlie, I can’t stay here, I have to get away, I have to. If you want to stay I’ll leave you enough money to see you all right until you can get another job. You’ll give him one, won’t you, Harry, and keep an eye on him?’

  Harry could only nod mutely, too stunned by the unexpected announcement to utter a word.

  ‘Now, ’old on, Maggie. Yer can’t just leave. What about the business and all our customers. They think the world of yer, yer can’t walk out on them, it ain’t fair.’

  ‘Look, I’ll leave you two to sort out your plans. I’ll come back tomorrow to hear your decision.’

  Raising his eyes in despair at Charlie he left the room, his mind whirling. She couldn’t go, he wouldn’t let her. Stopping on the stairs he pulled himself up straight. No, by God he wouldn’t. No matter what lengths he had to go to, he wasn’t going to lose her again.

  * * *

  Five days after Bella was sentenced to hang, a message came for Edward Stewart to attend the home of Jeffrey Bellingham, the High Court judge. He returned ashen-faced and trembling. Beatrice was waiting anxiously for him in the parlour.

  ‘What is it, dear? What did he want?’ she cried, her arms going out to him.

  Sinking into his chair he wiped Iris forehead with a large white handkerchief, then in a voice barely above a whisper, he said, ‘She is going to have a child, Bella is going to have a child.’

  Beatrice sank back in the chair, her face a mask of disbelief. Not daring to look at her, Edward fixed his gaze on his trembling hands.

  ‘That’s not all. When the doctor informed her of her condition she said nothing, just stared as if she hadn’t heard him. Then a few hours later the wardress heard her screaming. When she opened the cell door, Bella attacked her. It took three wardens to restrain her.’

  Wearily he lifted his head and swallowed deeply. ‘All this happened early this morning. In view of her condition and the obvious state of her mind, Jeffrey has decided to revoke the death penalty. Instead she will be committed to a mental institution for the criminally insane, to remain there for the rest of her days.’

  A tear trickled from the corner of Beatrice’s eye as she went to her husband. Kneeling down by his side she took his hand and put it against her cheek. So there had been a man. Her poor Bella had finally found a man – that was all she had ever wanted. Now she was doomed to spend the remainder of her days locked up in a cell, never
to see the light of day ever again. Beatrice shivered. Far better to have been hanged than to suffer the horrors of a lunatic asylum. And what of the child, their grandchild; what would become of it? Would Edward allow her to take it into their home and bring it up as their own? She shook her head. There would be plenty of time to consider what had to be done. For now, her duty was to comfort her husband.

  * * *

  The newspapers had a field day. Copies of the local paper trebled over the next few days. When the people of London read the news they shook their head wisely. Well, what had they expected? She was one of the gentry, wasn’t she? They stuck together, that lot. If it had been one of them they would have been dangling from the end of a rope by now. And as for that tale of being sent to a loony bin, that was a laugh. Some cushy hospital room more likely, being waited on hand and foot, and her bastard too when it arrived. Some people weren’t content to sit and speculate. A mob gathered outside the law court protesting at the verdict. Scuffles broke out, leading to the arrest of many men and women, decent people outraged at the revoking of the death penalty. It was two weeks before Harry went to see Maggie.