The Street Orphans

by Mary Wood

  She saw Frederick’s hesitation. It rekindled the fear in her, as she thought he might not listen to her.

  ‘I know you are a man with a conscience and a strong sense of honour. I know you feel you must be truthful, but that can only harm the fragile link we have. Nothing is worth that. We have a lifetime together. It can be a happy one, if we go forward now. We shouldn’t taint that prospect with confessions – neither yours nor mine . . .’

  ‘You have some, too?’

  She didn’t get to answer that, as the sound of a door clicking shut, coming from Frederick’s room, got them both sitting up.

  ‘What the bloody hell? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to swear, but did you hear that?’

  ‘I did.’ Anxiety trickled through Katrina. Marcia? Has Marcia been listening in again, as she did on my wedding night? Only this time has she dared go into Frederick’s room? Oh God, no. Don’t let that have happened. Don’t let Marcia have heard all that has passed between me and Frederick, please.

  These thoughts trembled through Katrina as she knew what Marcia’s jealous revenge might cause.

  26

  Frederick & Katrina

  A Shattered Illusion

  Before dinner, Frederick asked that Amy be sent to him. Waiting for her in an anteroom just off the housekeeper’s office, where in the past his mother had instructed the staff and where he now assumed Katrina did so, he thought about the last two hours. He knew there was a passion between himself and Katrina that they could not understand, something that gripped them both and cemented their feelings for one another. He knew, too, that the feeling didn’t come near what he felt for Ruth, but it would be enough. That’s what Katrina had said. They should go forward from it, and he intended to. Somewhere inside him he did hold a love for Katrina, as she was proving to be a superb wife and was running his house to perfection – even managing his mother, who, to his shock and surprise, had stepped aside in the most gracious manner. How Katrina had managed that, he’d never know.

  The sound of someone leaving his room had been a strange twist to the amazing encounter he’d shared with Katrina. Had one of the servants taken to listening in on them? For what reason? Was one of them a pervert? One thing he knew: none of them would have gone in there on legitimate business, when he had left strict instructions not to disturb him. Pondering the mystery made it become even stranger, as he discounted this and that as the possible reason. There just didn’t seem to be any answers.

  Amy’s arrival with the housekeeper, and her bobbing a curtsy to him, brought him out of his reverie. ‘You may leave us together.’ He nodded his head towards the housekeeper, as he couldn’t for the life of him remember her name. Her ‘Humph!’ at this request angered his already-fragile temper. Fuelled by the sneak in the bedroom and by his extreme tiredness, he acted out of character and did what on other occasions he would have avoided, and bawled her out in front of Amy, a lower-standing member of staff. ‘Madam, do not show disdain at any order I give you. Never. You will carry out my orders to the letter, no matter what you think of them!’

  ‘I beg your pardon, M’Lord. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.’

  ‘Very well, but please do not act in such a way again.’

  As she went to reply, he raised his hand. ‘That will be all.’ He didn’t have the time or the inclination to banter with her. At last the housekeeper left, and he could turn his attention to Amy. ‘Well now, Amy, how are you faring?’

  ‘I’m doing reet well, M’Lord. I passed me test a few days back and I’m in for another one next week, Me test were on adding and subtraction, and this one is on fractions. I find meself dividing everything into portions – fifths and sixths – then taking pieces of them and adding them to other pieces. I think I have it mastered now.’

  ‘Good, good. Yes, there was an excellent report on your progress in that field. But are you happy?’

  ‘To speak honestly, M’Lord, part of me ain’t. At least one-third of me.’ Though this concerned him, he couldn’t help but smile. Amy seemed to be applying fractions to everything, and this became more apparent as she continued, ‘And whilst half of the other two-thirds is muddling along, the other half is still deep in the doldrums over everything that has happened.’

  ‘That is understandable – the last half, that is: feeling in the doldrums.’ He was doing it himself now! ‘But why is it that the other two parts, the half of the two-thirds and the third, are unhappy and just muddling along?’ Good Lord, I’m confused now!

  ‘Well, M’Lord, I don’t like the work in service, and I don’t get no pay, though they put a good deal on me. I don’t think they like me, as I am different to them in how you’re educating me. That’s the third. And the half of the third, one-sixth, is because I don’t feel I am following what I am meant to do.’

  ‘Oh? That is disappointing, as I had you down as an excellent nanny in the future, when I hope our need for one becomes a reality. And I have had good reports on your progress in that field, too. What do you feel you should be doing?’

  Listening to her tale brought to mind Ruth and her extraordinary quest to learn music. Now, it appeared, Amy had plans that he would not have expected, either. Something or someone – maybe their mother? – had instilled in these girls the idea that they could achieve whatever they wanted to, though it seemed that Amy’s desire to help others, and her plan to start to give to the homeless, once she was earning, had been influenced by the vision she’d had whilst in a coma brought on by illness. ‘So, this little lady who spoke to you, you think she was the Mother of God? Well, now, she may well get her wish to have you better others’ lives and make a difference. I have much the same desire. And just maybe, if you continue to improve in your education, you might be the person to help me with it. But to do so, you will need the skills my ex-nanny can teach you about the health of children, and you will need the level of intelligence of a tutor, which is what your schooling is aimed at . . .’

  Frederick went on to tell her of his plans, and Amy seemed captivated – excited even – and showed great eagerness to be involved in his scheme to help the homeless. ‘But as I said, that is for the future. I have too much on at the moment to do anything other than donate to those who are already trying to help. And, I am sorry to say, this is not what I have called you in for, Amy. I have some bad news for you.’

  Her face turned ashen, and for a moment she looked as though she might sink to the floor.

  ‘Sit down, Amy. There, that’s right. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly all right to do so, as I have suggested it to you.’

  ‘What – what is it, M’Lord? Has sommat happened to Ruth? I thought as she were safe in the cell? Or is it the lads? I don’t know as I can take—’

  ‘Look, it isn’t the boys. It is Ruth, but I promise everything will be all right.’

  Tears were tumbling down Amy’s cheeks by the time he’d finished telling her what he knew.

  ‘It will be fine. I will see to it. There is no burning of witches, or even hanging them now. At most, she will get a longer term in prison.’ His heart split with pain as he said this. He couldn’t bear it, he couldn’t. He had to prove her innocence. She must be innocent. ‘Amy, dry your eyes. I will have a man go and find out if these lawyers are any good. My man will come up with something; and if the lawyers are not right for the job, we will hire better ones. Do you understand?’

  ‘Aye, I does.’

  The weak nodding of Amy’s head told him that she didn’t altogether, but for now he could do nothing about that. He himself only had a few newsletter lines to go on. ‘Now, about the boys. They will still be travelling to Australia. They only set off a week ago and it will take them eight to ten weeks to get there – probably more. I had news from the Governor on the Isle of Wight to say they had behaved themselves and caused no problems, so that bodes well for them. Once they land, I will contact the Governor of Australia and ask him to send me regular reports. I know him; we went to school together. A good chap
who won’t let us down.’

  ‘Thank you, M’Lord.’

  ‘Before you go, Amy, if I can arrange it, would you be willing to go to the trial and report back to me what happens? If Ruth comes out of this unblemished, she could be out of there in three months.’

  ‘Aye, I would. I’d be scared, but I’d like our Ruth to see someone there for her who loves her. But if . . . when she gets out, where will she go then, M’Lord?’

  At his telling of Ruth’s plans, Amy showed no surprise. ‘She’s allus loved music. Not that we heard much, unless the fair came to our town, and then Ruth would be so happy. She’d stand for hours listening, and nothing bothered her. Not the pain in her back, nor her not being able to walk proper – nothing. Ma used to have to send me to fetch her home for her tea.’

  This little snippet of information had Frederick longing to right all the wrongs in Ruth’s life, and in Amy’s – not just now, but in the past. And it made him more determined than ever to try to do something for others in the same plight.

  ‘You may go now, Amy. I will let you know anything I find out. I am sorry dinner is to be served late, as that will mean you will all be working late, and you must be tired.’

  ‘Ta, and aye, there’s a few as are disgruntled, as they were planning on going to the “Free ’n’ Easy” tonight. Me friend Lettie has a beautiful voice and they were to show her off. It seems as she can get took on with one of them travelling shows, but I don’t want her to go.’

  Not wanting to continue this conversation, but amused that Amy had relaxed so much she felt entitled to chat to him as if he were one of her own, Frederick just nodded and indicated the door. As she curtsied and left, it occurred to him that although he would never have thought it, the lower classes did possess talent, just as those of his own standing did. And, like Amy, they could be taught and educated, and surely that would be the direction in which things should go, as education would show them how they could better their own prospects. What am I thinking? Radical thoughts like that will be frowned upon in most sections of the society I move in. Though I do know some who are of a like mind. Maybe I, with them, can make the difference that Amy’s ‘little lady’ was talking about?

  As he escorted Katrina into the dining room, Frederick felt a moment of pride in her, and a tingle of anticipation as he thought of their time together and the promise of more to come, which he read in her smile. She really was the most beautiful creature and, from his experience so far, a really lovely one, too. He was a very lucky man.

  After grace, Katrina looked towards him. Her eyes held a sparkle of mischief and he detected an air of excitement about her. ‘What is it, my dear?’

  ‘Oh, I can’t tell you, not yet. You have to wait until after dinner, then you will see for yourself!’

  Marcia sighed and shifted in her seat. ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, just tell him, or I will!’

  ‘Tell me what?’

  ‘Marcia, I don’t think it is your place to tell anyone anything!’ No one could mistake the warning in his mother’s voice as she said this. Alarm bells started up inside Frederick.

  ‘If there is something I should know, Ladies, then please be kind enough to tell me.’

  ‘It’s a surprise, my dear Frederick, a surprise – but a nice one, I promise. But if you cannot wait . . . ?’ Again, that sense of mischief, this time lighting up Katrina’s nervous smile.

  ‘Yes, I can wait, but I hope you haven’t done anything too elaborate. I haven’t brought anything back for you. I – I, well, there has been so much going on.’

  ‘As there has been here. You don’t know the half, dear brother-in-law.’

  ‘Marcia, please!’

  ‘I am sorry, Lady Eleonore, but this is all a farce – all of it. And you and Katrina know it!’

  ‘Marcia, no. No, don’t!’

  At this, from a now very distressed Katrina, Frederick turned to his butler. ‘Crowther, please leave the room and clear it of your staff. We will ring when we are ready to begin dinner.’

  Once the room emptied, he looked towards his wife. ‘Katrina, would you like to talk to me in private?’

  ‘It is not a private matter. She is in love with Lord Bellinger.’

  ‘Stop this at once, Marcia!’

  His mother’s voice would have halted him, but not so Marcia. ‘I won’t. Frederick should know. Your so-called wife slept with—’

  ‘Marcia. Please stop. Please.’ Katrina’s plea should have made him halt this at once, but he couldn’t. He had to hear it all.

  ‘I won’t stop. You don’t deserve Frederick, and you should never have married him. I LOVE HIM. I WANTED HIM, AND YOU STOLE HIM!’

  ‘Marcia! Oh, Frederick, bring this to an end, please!’

  ‘Of course, Mother. I am sorry. Katrina, kindly accompany me to my study.’ Rising, he shut his ears to Marcia’s sobbing and marched out of the room. Humiliation stung him. Something told him this was all true, and with that realization came a shattering of his illusions. He’d been hoodwinked. Katrina and Bellinger – my God! It made him sick to think of it.

  ‘Well?’

  Why did this hurt her so much? The betrayal of this good man – why did she care? There was nothing Frederick could do to her, was there? But as she glared back at him and held his violet eyes, Katrina knew why. She loved him. How that had happened, she did not know, but it had. Lord Bellinger was just a memory – nothing to her. Nothing but a filthy encounter she wished she could tear from her. As this revelation hit her, it felt as if she’d been struck hard in the stomach. Her insides folded; her head swam. Hitting the floor was the last thing she remembered.

  Frederick’s voice, tender and caring, filtered through to her. ‘Drink this, Katrina. Take a sip. It will all be all right. I’m here for you.’

  Opening her eyes, she looked up into his. The hostility had gone. Back with her was the Frederick she knew, and knew she loved. ‘Oh, Frederick. Can you forgive me?’

  ‘Are you saying it is true?’

  His hostility was back.

  ‘I thought you had fainted because you were shocked at me challenging you. God, Katrina, how could you? When?’

  Nausea washed over her. Sweat stood out on her face and seeped from her every pore. ‘Frederick, I’m going to be sick!’

  ‘I’ll fetch Mother. God, this is a mess. I can’t believe it. Bellinger – Christ!’ The door slammed, only to be opened a few minutes later by Lady Eleonore.

  ‘My poor dear, that dreadful sister of yours deserves a good slap. How dare she bring you into disrepute? I’ve talked and talked to her. Your mother has committed many serious errors in your upbringing, but in not schooling you in discretion, she has left you both vulnerable. It is a paramount requirement of our class. Yes, we have affairs, but no one speaks of them. Marcia is a damned idiot! She could have played it so differently and got what she desires at a later date.’

  This shocked Katrina more than anything Lady Eleonore had said before, but there was something she needed to talk to someone about – something that had worried her since her wedding day: she hadn’t seen her monthly bleeding at all. ‘Lady Eleonore, I think I am pregnant. And, I – I don’t know whose it is. I – I want it to be Frederick’s. I love him. I love him more than life itself. I just took too long to realize it. Oh God, what have I done?’

  Rising slowly, Lady Eleonore, for the first time since recovering from the accident, looked the epitome of a dowager. In one split second she had lost the regal stance of her youthful appearance and had taken on the look of her true age. Her shoulders slumped; her eyes glazed in a confused expression and her lips quivered. ‘You mean, you had this affair after you married my son? Not at that cad Bellinger’s ball, when he tried to discredit you?’

  Scrunching up into the corner of the sofa in Lady Eleonore’s sitting room, where Frederick must have carried her, Katrina felt like a cornered animal. Fear dropped like a lead weight into her stomach, and this time she did vomit. Undignified though it was,
she could not stop the viletasting liquid spouting from her mouth.

  ‘My God, I don’t know what to say.’ This Lady Eleonore uttered in a whisper as she pulled the bell cord twice.

  Nothing could be resolved then. Everything was taken up with the cleaning, of both Katrina and the room. By a servant she knew as Mildred and the other one, whom she knew was part of that family. They helped her to her room.

  Annie fussed over her, preparing her a bath, washing her tenderly and swathing her in a warmed, fresh nightgown. She even put a hot jar into her bed. And all without speaking.

  ‘Thank you, Annie. Do – do you know?’

  ‘Aye, I does, Lady Katrina. That wicked sister of yours stood in the hall and screamed it out, after we brought you up here. But I told everyone – including the dowager – that it was a lie. That I had seen you to bed that night, and I seen Lord Frederick in your bed.’

  ‘But you didn’t. He was on the floor.’

  ‘I told them he was in your bed afore he got up and fainted. No one knows any different, nor will they.’

  ‘Thank you, Annie. I’ve made a dreadful mistake. I love Lord Frederick. I love him with everything that is in me. I found out too late.’

  ‘I know, M’Lady, I know. And I reckon as he loves you, and don’t know it yet! He was like a raging bull when you weren’t here earlier, after he came home. And then . . . well, he were with you a long time, once you came home.’

  ‘He was, and it was the best thing that has happened in my life. Surely my child will be his? It has to be. It was only the once with Lord Bellinger.’

  ‘Aye, well, me ma says it can only take the once.’

  ‘Oh, Annie, what am I going to do? I feel so miserable and I have brought it all down upon myself, and upon Lord Frederick and Lady Eleonore. Oh God!’