The Price of Beauty

by McCabe, Helen

  And Caleb must have understood for, next moment, he bent his head and, taking her hand in his, kissed it tenderly.

  Lydia flamed inside, closing her eyes briefly. When she opened the lids, she met his steadfast gaze.

  “Then we are friends, Miss Liddy? I have wished it for so long.” He did not release her hand and she could feel fire in his touch.

  “Friends, Caleb? Always!” she replied, hoping for more protestations of his concern. “And, thank you for saving me.”

  “If you had drowned, then - I would have not wanted to live on without you!” Caleb had risked all to say it, not knowing if she truly felt for him what he felt for her.

  Lydia’s heart was singing. She wanted to hear more. And she was remembering again the sweet things he’d murmured as he brought her back to life.

  “If you had left me,” he continued, seeing her loving look, “my world would have been an even darker place.” She put up her other hand and stroked his hair.

  “I have misjudged you, Caleb. Can you ever forgive me for my foolishness?”

  “With all my heart.” His voice was muffled with emotion. “From the moment, I saw you on the train, I was --” he raised his head, looked into her eyes, “-- in love with you.”

  “Ah,” said Lydia, knowing that was all she needed to hear.

  “And I have some hope?”

  “Yes, Caleb. But - will you still go away after? From me and Raven’s Mill?” The thought of that made her tremble.

  “I never wished to go, but there seemed nothing for me. Now I have the greatest reason to remain.” She knew well what he meant by the look in his eyes. “Grandfather was determined to sell off Stretton but --” Caleb looked anxiously at Lydia, who was holding his hand tightly, “-- the day before yesterday when he took the seizure I knew I had to stay. And, just this morning, Dr May says he may not recover or, if he does, be more of an invalid than he is already. He can neither speak nor hear.”

  “Oh, Caleb,” said Lydia, “how terrible. So many sad things have happened to you.”

  “My grandfather has never cared for me, Liddy, but when he goes I shall be master of Stretton!” His words were forceful now. “Many years ago, he didn’t want my mother to marry a Vyne. He had someone else in mind.” His dark eyes roved over her face.

  “My father,” said Lydia. “Aunt Elizabeth told me the story. It had been the only chance for Annesley and Stretton!” Her eyes were shining, thinking of what was to come.

  “But now, matters have come full circle,” said Caleb, and there was no mistaking his meaning. He kissed her hand again and, rising from the chair, dropped down beside the bed onto his knees so he could be close to her. “It is time to resolve that feud - if you are willing? Are you, Lydia?”

  “Yes, Caleb, I am.” She had never been surer of anything in her life.

  “Then you will marry me, Miss Annesley?”

  “Yes, Caleb.” She lifted her face to his and he bent and kissed her. In that sweet moment, she thought of the day she had left London for Upwych wondering if she would find romance there. Afterwards, she clung to him breathlessly until he said:

  “Now I must tell your aunt. She’s seated outside for the sake of propriety.” He smiled. “And I don’t think our news will be received with surprise. But, certainly, with alacrity!” Caleb got up from beside the bed and, taking her hand again, kissed it. “I must linger no longer,” he said, “but tear myself from you to enlighten Miss Annesley.” He had a look of utter love in his eyes as he prised himself away.

  As Caleb’s strong, tall figure, disappeared around the door, Lydia lay back against her pillows, thinking of the first day she had come to Upwych and seen Caleb Vyne. Even then she must have loved him and didn’t know it. She was also imagining something equally exciting. That Caleb Vyne was hers alone and that, soon, Lydia would not only be heiress of Annesley, but also his bride - and mistress of Raven’s Mill.

  CHAPTER 15

  Maria Shrike looked up from raking the salt. She knew she couldn’t last much longer. She was getting too old to toil in the intense heat and the wage she received for such punishing work was quite inadequate to feed the family.

  Now Sally was near her time and there’d be another mouth to feed. If it hadn’t been for Mr Vyne’s kindness, they would have surely starved or ended up in the workhouse at Worcester. But it was justice. The young master had promised Sally he would provide for the baby; why should he not provide for them all as it was of his blood?

  But Maria had never wanted charity. If her son hadn’t died, they’d have survived on their own. Sam’s death had been such a blow. Husband and son killed as they worked. And all for salt!

  Maria hated the pure, white crystals which, like snow, hid darkness underneath. But there was now a way of escape which Maria had never had to consider before, but had been the way of poor women for many a year.

  She had no man any more, but she was thinking of taking another. She also had no adult son left to think ill of her and the little ones had no notion of wrong .

  She started to rake the salt again and, as she did so, pushed back her grey hair and smiled at the grizzled, middle-aged man, who worked and sweated beside her, stoking the pans.

  Her soft spot was for Albert, who had taken on the job when her husband, Joseph, had fallen.

  Though he worked a full six days and she had the nippers to care for, they’d snatched a few brief moments already down Gurney’s Lane. After that, she’d fetched him his snap a fair few times and Maria was now of a mind to place him in her affections.

  There was nothing he didn’t know about her; she worked bare-breasted beside him; and he had no wife.

  Where he’d come from seemed as far away as the moon in the sky. They had salt works too in Cheshire but they were miners there instead of pumping up the brine. He told her over a glass of gin that he’d been a bargeman on the canals before he’d taken to salt mining and thought it was a fair exchange.

  He’d had some woman up there, but she’d let him down badly, so he’d taken to bargework again and travelled to Upwych to work on the new canal, but then his employer had let him go and he went back into factory work.

  But Albert still missed up north and had told the nippers, who had taken to him too, all about Cheshire on a Sunday.

  His voice was broader than theirs, like his shoulders, and she couldn’t understand what he said sometimes, but when he took her in his arms, it was like having Joseph back again, although they weren’t man and wife!

  As she raked the salt near him, he winked:

  “What’s thinkin’ of, lass?”

  “Our Sal and the babby.”

  “Don’t fret. Tha’ll be all reet! And bread for ye, lass!” The idea had been forming in Maria’s head for some time. On Mr Caleb’s money, they could all up sticks and go back to the Cheshire mine with Albert.

  *

  The cradle was ready in the corner. It had been made back in the 1700s from Upwych elm and each of the Shrike babies had laid in it.

  Sally was proud of the polished wood. It was the only decent furniture they had, except for the dresser, which had belonged to her grandmother. But she hadn’t wanted to put a bastard into it.

  How she was going to love Charlie Sheridan’s baby she didn’t know. It had been put into her unwillingly, and unwillingly she was having it! It was not the nipper’s fault but how different things would have been with a lad she loved!

  But, after what had happened to her in the stable, she doubted she’d go with a man again. When her mother had brought Albert Younger to the house, she had almost died from shame. But he’d just smiled in his gap-toothed manner, and asked what Sally was going to call it. He didn’t seem to take any notice, nor think bad of her.

  But females whispered and pointed her out. She hated that and longed with all her might she could pack her few bits and never see Upwych again.

  Besides everyone knew it was Charlie Sheridan’s and had a felon for a father! Thinking of that and s
till mourning for Sam, Sally used to sit down every day and cry, which did her no good at all. How she was going to wait another month before it was born, she didn’t know!

  However, that particular summer morning she suddenly felt brighter. Although she was very heavy, the weight of carrying the child didn’t seem so much of a burden. The weather was warm and the cottage smelled foul. It needed a good clean-up.

  Sally looked round, sighing. The Shrikes were better off than salters in Upwych as they could draw pure spring water from the well at the bottom of the garden, but it was still very difficult keeping the house clean, living so near the coalyard.

  There always seemed to be a film of black dust over everything. And, today, she wasn’t alone. Usually, having one of her brothers and sisters around annoyed her because of her tiredness. But being in such a good mood made her smile at little Tommy, who was outside whittling wood with a knife and whom her mother had left at home in case Sally needed anything. Indeed, if the baby was coming he could run off for help.

  When she went to him and asked him to go and draw a bucket of water so she could wash the floor, Tommy groaned but obeyed with a fairly good will. He could stand Sal’s biddings more than the foreman’s.

  Sally was feeling quite energetic and even pitied the little man as he struggled up to her with the pail. Warming up the water was more difficult, but she and Tommy managed to get the big kettle full to the brim and, while she was waiting, she had a go at dusting the whole house while he got up on a chair and put the feather duster in the corners. Sally was very pleased with the effect and couldn’t wait to get started on the floor, which hadn’t been washed for ages!

  Later, when the water was ready and in the pail, she took the big bar of soap and placed it beside. Now she was nearly ready!

  Reaching down the scrubbing brush from the outside of the scullery wall was an ordeal, but she managed and, soon, the grateful Tommy was sent outside again and Sally was on her hands and knees, tackling the floor.

  She felt almost light-headed as her belly was relieved of the weight as she bent forward carefully. She mustn’t pull and push too much, but she was determined to have a proper clean-up before the baby came.

  When she’d accomplished about three feet of filthy floor, she found the sweat running down her face. Sitting back on her heels, she raised an arm and wiped her brow.

  Then the pain hit her, rising so cruelly that she screamed out.

  Tommy dropped the kitchen knife and ran inside. His sister was doubled up on the floor, the scrubbing brush and bucket beside her!

  “Sal, Sal, have you hurt yourself?” The little lad tugged at her arm. When she looked at him, it was from terrified eyes.

  “Tommy,” she whispered hoarsely. “Get off to Upwych and tell our Mam the babby’s on the way. And call into Minto’s and tell his wife I need her.” The frightened Tommy nodded and, with one last look at his sister, he scuttled out of the cottage and ran madly off along the towpath in the direction of Upwych.

  Caleb Vyne was returning from a visit to the coalyard when he saw young Tommy Shrike dashing like a rabbit down the path.

  “Hold on there, Tommy,” he said, reining in. “Is the cottage on fire?” The little boy’s face was red and it took him a few seconds to answer.

  “Can’t stop, master. Our Sal’s started wi’ the babby and I have to fetch me Mam and Mrs Minto.” Touching his cap respectfully, Tommy shot off. Caleb sat for a moment, controlling his restive bay.

  How would it look if he went to see Sally Shrike? He had no wish to offend anyone. And the girl was in this position on account of Charlie. And alone! She might need help until her mother came. Although it was no place for a man, he’d just look in for a moment.

  After all, he’d supported the Shrikes for a long time and, anyway, he owed it to Sam...

  Sally had never known it hurt so much. She knew all about having babies as she’d been there at her mother’s confinements. But when it came to oneself it was different.

  Besides, now her happiness had worn off and she was cursing Charlie Sheridan for making her suffer so much. Never had such dreadful words passed her lips!

  She was near to fainting as she lay down on the corded bed-stock. She was very frightened knowing the child was early, but glad too to think she’d soon be rid of it inside.

  How long before Tommy got to Minto’s? She needed the midwife quickly. Panic was setting in. What happened if no one got here in time? But then reason took its place, telling her it was the first and wouldn’t come quickly. She groaned as the contraction rose...

  Caleb was about to knock, then heard her scream. He was sweating as he opened the door. He’d never attended a birth before. It wasn’t seemly for a man. But he cared for Sally and couldn’t see her hurt.

  She would have no father to be overjoyed at the birth. And it was part of his blood and his mother’s. He stepped into the room, avoided the discarded bucket and scrubbing brush and over to her.

  When he saw the look in her eyes, he was glad he had.

  “Sir, you shouldn’t be here,” she cried, trying to make herself decent before him.

  “I met Tommy. I’ll stay until the midwife comes.”

  He pulled up the sacking and held her thin hand.

  “Bless you, Mr Caleb. Bless you, sir!” She was out of her mind when the pains came.

  What thoughts ran through his head as he partook of her pain! He was realising then how a woman suffered having children and he thought of his Lydia when Sal’s eyes were closed.

  Soon they’d be wed. And she was the loveliest woman he’d ever met. He would always be kind to her. And he never wanted to lose her!

  Then he thought of Sam. The salter had been his true friend and this was the least he could do for his sister. When the baby came, Caleb would go on helping the Shrikes for his sake.

  He smiled down at Sally, who was wakening again and she was still holding on to his strong hand gratefully.

  Caleb Vyne was the kindest master in the world and Miss Lydia was lucky to have him.

  His dark eyes bred confidence in her and Sally thought if the child had been his and not that devil, Charlie’s, she would have borne every pain with never a sound...

  *

  Lydia had learned that Sally Shrike had a son from gossip. She asked Caleb if he knew as she and her aunt entertained him to dinner together with Lord George, who was seated beside Elizabeth Annesley, looking positively. happy and as if it was his rightful place already.

  Caleb smiled. He could keep nothing from his bride-to-be.

  “Indeed I did. I was riding along the towpath on the day in question when I met the girl’s brother, who was running for the midwife.” Aunt Elizabeth looked shocked. The fashion for plain speech was coming in, but this conversation was not quite proper.

  “Dear Liddy, you think this discourse is fit for the dinner table?”

  “Please, aunt,” replied Lydia directly, her chin tilted. “The girl is one of our workers and I have them all at heart. Of course, Caleb must tell me. We are about to be married.” Aunt Elizabeth, with a brief glance at Lord George, who shrugged in return, wiped her mouth with her napkin and continued her dinner.

  Lydia’s eyes opened wide. “Now, tell me. Has the girl everything she needs?”

  “They lack everything in that cottage.” Caleb was thinking of the squalor. “But I have helped them before and I shall help them again. For Sam’s sake.”

  “The salter was a favourite of yours?” Lydia wanted to know everything about Caleb.

  “Not just that but a very good friend. We were boys together!”

  “Yes, I remember it,” added Lord George. “I used to meet you both sometimes fishing in the Salwarpe.” Caleb nodded continuing:

  “I stayed with Sally --” Elizabeth Annesley’s eyebrows were raised further. “-- until the midwife came.” He waited for the reaction, but he had complete trust in Lydia.

  She was looking particularly beautiful. Her deep lace collar fell
off the shoulders fashionably, showing off her beautiful neckline and arms. Simplicity and youth were qualities Caleb had hardly known in a woman before, but she personified it.

  Her wonderful auburn hair was caught in a chignon at the back of her neck and she was wearing the dainty posy of summer flowers he had brought her, pinned to her berthe.

  He had rarely seen her in white before, but her perfection put him in mind of an angel!

  “But that was very good of you, Caleb. Was the girl in much pain?” Lydia’s eyes showed anxiety now.

  “The child was premature, Liddy. And, it is said, came faster than expected!” Aunt Elizabeth tut-tutted at this and helped herself to more meat. Lord George busied himself with his dinner and then spluttered into his handkerchief.

  “Remember, I only stayed for a little while until Mrs Minto arrived.” He smiled. “I didn’t think it proper otherwise.” They laughed together glancing at their elders. “I have heard Sally and her boy are doing well. They say he’s a beautiful child.”

  There was a moment of silence as the quartet continued with their dinner. Each seemed lost in thought and Lydia, especially, was fighting back against remembrance of Charlie Sheridan and her ordeal.

  Caleb must have understood because he put out his hand and closed it over hers.

  “And what are you going to do for them now, Caleb?” asked Lydia. His hand on hers was bringing her those riotous and wonderful feelings she’d been experiencing ever since they had met!

  “Strange you should ask that, as an opportunity to do them good has just presented itself.” Aunt Elizabeth laid down her knife and fork to listen. He glanced at her. “Although it could mean losing one or two salters, I think that Sally Shrike’s happiness and well-being could be of importance to us.” His audience were agreeing in their hearts already.

  Elizabeth Annesley could see it would be difficult for the young couple with Caleb’s brother’s bastard growing up a salter and perhaps beside their own.