by Mary Wood
‘Oh, naw, you won’t. Nor will you speak to me wife in that tone.’
‘I apologize, Father-in-law. I – and to you, Mother-in-law. I am very sorry. I should not have said what I did, or spoke disrespectfully to you. Marcia’s behaviour triggered a response I never thought myself capable of. But I will leave, because being in her company any longer is abhorrent to me. From now on, when she is in residence my wife and I will not be guests in your home. We would very much like to visit you at any other time, and of course I will continue with my work at the office.’
‘Naw, that is not going to happen. I will not stand by and see me family split. Marcia, if Lord Bellinger is planning what you have hinted at, then he will not become a member of this family.’
‘He isn’t, Daddy. They had me all wound up, between them. Katrina’s behaviour has caused all of this. Lord Bellinger loves me, and I love him. We just want to marry and live in peace. We don’t want all of this. Mama will tell you: it was Katrina’s nastiness that started all of this, not to mention her sleeping—’
‘That’s enough. My wife did not start all of this. I heard everything from the beginning.’
‘I will say when owt is enough or not, young man. Now, this is getting us nowhere. Feelings are running too high. Apologize to each other, Katrina and Marcia, and do it at once. Your poor mother is distraught.’ When none of them moved, he shouted, ‘Now!’
‘I apologize, Marcia. I shouldn’t have reacted to your engagement in the way I did. Please forgive me.’
It was a long moment before Marcia gave in. ‘I’m sorry for what I said, too, but you should not have reacted as you did. You made me say things I hadn’t intended to say.’
‘I accept your apology, and I am sorry if I have caused you hurt, Mama. I would wear sackcloth all my life if I thought it would undo everything I have done to you all.’
‘You have no need to wear it for me, Katrina. I understand and forgive.’ This, from Frederick, lifted her spirits. She could cope with anything if he forgave her.
‘Nor for me, my darling daughter. I overreacted to your response to your sister’s good news. Let us all forget it and begin again. Darling husband, would you see to it that drinks are served and that dinner is ready in fifteen minutes? Thank you, my love.’ Katrina watched her mother rise as she said this. She came over to her. Snuggling into her arms took away some of Katrina’s hurt.
The next few moments of polite conversation over drinks had a calm surface, but underneath a strong current raged inside Katrina. How will all of this end? What game is Bellinger playing? How could he drop Henrietta? But then she knew Bellinger would only do so if he thought there was a bigger fish for him to net. That bigger fish wasn’t in marrying a second child who wasn’t an heir, so he must have a wider scheme. What was it? Unless . . . Unless he thought to bide his time and eventually take everything from Frederick. No, now I’m being silly. How could he possibly do that?
The more Katrina thought of the possibilities, the more afraid she became. Summing it all up to herself didn’t help. Yes, I have Frederick’s love; and yes, I am willing to fight for our future, but how will Bellinger settle the scores that he feels are owed by us? This is all a devastating twist that I don’t know if I can cope with . . . I feel sick.
30
Katrina & Frederick
Something Settled, but Not Concluded
‘May I come in, Katrina?’ Frederick was wearing his dressing gown and looked vulnerable somehow. Fresh and innocent. He smelled of soap and the oils that he added to his bath. He’d told her once they were from India.
‘Yes. I – I . . . Oh, Frederick, that was awful – I’m so sorry I had to leave you. It seems babies in the womb can react to all sorts of things. I couldn’t stop being sick when I came to my room.’
‘I know, dear, your mother told me. I hope you don’t mind me visiting you, when you have taken to your bed?’
‘Of course not, and I haven’t “taken to my bed”. It was just more comfortable and stopped my queasiness when I lay down.’
‘I would have come earlier, as I didn’t feel like eating, but out of politeness . . . Anyway it was best that I stayed, as it turned out, because after a couple of glasses of wine everyone relaxed and something like a normal atmosphere prevailed.’
‘I’m glad. Marcia came up after dinner for a few minutes. I’m worried, Frederick. I think Bellinger means to hurt you, and I don’t think he will be a good husband to Marcia.’
‘Marcia knows what she is doing. Whatever they are planning, she is fully aware of it. She’s not in love with Bellinger. We will just have to take care and watch them closely.’
‘Oh, I’ve brought so much down upon you, and you least deserve it.’
‘You haven’t. It isn’t all your fault. I was up for having drinks with my friends on our wedding night, I was that bloody nervous. I shouldn’t have done that. I should have spent the evening by your side, then no harm could have come to you.’
There seemed nothing more to say. What had happened would always mar their relationship – that, and Frederick’s love for Ruth. Katrina knew she had no weapons with which to fight the pain this caused her, or to stop his love for the girl. What could she do? If it was another woman in their own circle, she would have an even chance, but with Ruth – a beauty, yes, but crippled, poor, uneducated and still loved by Frederick – there was nothing she could do. And it hurt. It hurt so much. All she could hope for was that one day he would wake up and realize, as she did with the hateful Bellinger, that he wasn’t in love, it was merely a fascination. Please God, it doesn’t get as far as I allowed my relationship to go!
‘Well, dear, I’ll leave you to sleep. You’ve had a lot to cope with tonight. You did very well. The situation was appalling, but you remained the lady you are.’
‘Thank you. Will you stay awhile until I am asleep?’
‘Very well. Move over. I’ll lie on top of the bed.’
Acutely aware of him, Katrina lay stiff and unable to relax. But making an approach would be unfair. Lying on her side facing him, she saw that he was staring up at the ceiling. Watching him, she thought how dear he was, how kind and caring, and she wished she could cut out of her the ugliness of her unfaithfulness with Bellinger.
Unwanted thoughts visited Frederick as he lay beside Katrina. Thoughts of what they had enjoyed together. Thoughts of how that would be with Ruth, and of how he would fight Bellinger, if it was his intention to take everything away from him.
They would have to go home soon to Northallerton, maybe tomorrow. His work at the mill was at a stage where he could leave for a few days. In a week’s time he would meet their chief buyers; he would go back for that. And afterwards, when he had the experience of selling and haggling over prices that he intended to gain from the meetings, he would introduce some customers of his own. He had a lot of contacts abroad, and he thought export would be the next big step for Arkwright’s.
Feeling his eyes begin to close, Frederick glanced at Katrina, but instead of being asleep, she was looking at him, her dark eyes misted over, her look full of love for him. Against all he wished to do or to happen, as he held her gaze, familiar and not-to-be denied feelings crept into his groin. She was so beautiful, and passionate. She held in her a yearning for satisfaction. He wanted to give and take it, but could he? Was her look one of trust or I am available to you? Pulling himself together, he went to rise.
‘No. I mean, I – I . . .’
Looking down at her, there wasn’t a conscious moment when he intended to kiss her. It just happened. Katrina’s response drank him in, sucking all resistance from him. He needed her. She was like the completion of him. How that was, he didn’t know, but his whole being wanted to take all that Katrina had and drown in the ecstasy of her.
Their kisses deepened, his hands exploring her softness. Kneading her breasts, he played with her nipples. Katrina responded and her soft moans encouraged him. Caressing her, Frederick let his hand find the heart o
f her sexuality, played with her, brought her to orgasm, then knew an urgency he couldn’t deny.
He needed to enter her. He had to strengthen their future together as man and wife, from this day forward. Climbing onto her and plunging himself into her, he didn’t just take from her, but gave to her all that he was.
Lying with her in his arms, his whole self drained, Frederick knew this union with Katrina would be enough. It had to be. Soon he would go and see Ruth and say his goodbyes.
Into the silence Katrina’s soft, pretty voice came to him. ‘We will be all right, Frederick. The foundations are getting stronger.’
‘They are, my dear. I know that.’
‘Will it be enough?’
‘What we just did isn’t all that we have together. It is simply the cementing of the love we have for one another. I do love you, Katrina. And I like you. That’s important, too. Do you like me?’
‘I like and love you.’
‘Well then, it is enough. And, yes, it is a strong enough love for us to build on. We’ll go forward, and any man who tries to put us asunder had better watch out. Even Bellinger!’
‘Don’t mention him tonight, or at any moments we share in the future. We will only talk of the good things at these times. We can discuss him and what he is up to, and that horrid sister of mine, at other times.’
‘I agree. Now I must leave you and get some rest. Goodnight, darling.’
Her little giggle told him this endearment pleased her. Now he must think of Katrina and of her alone, and he must not leave her, only to go to his bed and think of Ruth . . .
31
Ruth
A Shock Arrival
‘Nora, does you like this cottage? Are you happy?’
‘Aye, but it’s nowt like home, lass. I’d give what I have left of me front teeth to be back there.’
‘I would an’ all, and I don’t see why we can’t. It can be rebuilt. We’ll have the money between us, won’t we?’
‘Aye.’
‘Well, then? We could keep enough livestock and chickens for our own needs and rent off the bottom fields. And we could rent this cottage for an extra income.’
‘It sounds a good plan. But would you be safe, lass?’
‘I think I would. That judge said that anyone trying to harm me again will pay for it. And that lot at Pradley are scared. They still think I caused the devil to come to me that night when . . . Anyroad, I reckon as none of them will dare to come near.’
‘There’s one thing you’re forgetting, lass: your piano-playing. You’ll not get educated up there, as no one can get there.’
‘But I could come down. Twice a week, like Josh did.’
‘Naw, lass, I’ve other ideas. You’ve a long life ahead of you and I have been looking at ways of securing it. Making sure you’re safe. We’ve had a good offer for the farm and the market business. I want to put that money into the factories.’
‘What?’
‘Aye, I know it sounds mad, but them factories are growing in strength. Josh often read out bits about it to me. And he said as he was considering investing. Well, you know an owner, in that Earl bloke. We should ask him about it.’
Ruth listened in awe as Nora outlined what Josh had planned. He’d intended to put money into one of the smaller factories. Help it to become bigger and learn the trade. ‘He didn’t want to stay up there,’ Nora continued. ‘He always dreamed of a time when he could fetch me down here, and of him being a proper businessman. I think, if you get an education, you could do that for him. Make a better life for yourself, lass. Don’t go backwards. Leave behind you all that hiding from folk. You’re worth more than that. When you are somebody, nobody will dare harm you.’
‘But Josh allus said—’
‘What he said to you was done to protect you. While he had you, and you were in danger, he was allus going to stay up there, and he wanted you to think he wouldn’t have it any other way.’
The idea settled in her. Oh aye, she’d have a lot to learn. But she could. There was nothing that could stop her from learning. She’d start by getting a job in the mill. The Earl would see to it for her. It’d need to be in the mill that she and Nora invested in. She’d have to learn all of it, from the spinning to the weaving and where it was sold, and where the cotton came from to spin the yarn – everything. And at the same time she would get her education. She could do that at night.
‘Eeh, Nora, I feel that excited. It’s like a new life could open for me.’
‘Well, don’t tire yourself with it all. You’re still not well. Lie back and rest, while I get you some milk. And I’ve to dress that leg for you. It’s coming on nicely now. You’re on the mend, lass, you’re on the mend.’
Aye, and I have me plans to think about an’ all. Exciting plans – plans as will take all the space in me head, so as I can’t think on other things. And Amy’s visit to look forward to sometime soon. Eeh, life is good.
‘Eeh, our Amy, lass, it’s good to see you.’ The feel of Amy’s arms around her almost undid Ruth, but she pulled herself together to greet the girl who’d come with Amy. ‘And you’ll be Lettie? You’re welcome, Lettie. How long can you stay, our Amy?’
‘We’ve three days altogether, but one and a half of them are taken up with travelling. We’ve had to walk most of the way, then we picked up the mail carriage for the last leg. He told us he leaves tomorrow afternoon at two, so if we’re down bottom of the hill, he’ll pick us up there and take us as far as Threshfield, then we should be able to cadge a lift from there. We’ll make it. We’re not to be on duty till the next day.’
‘Well, Nora’ll be in soon. She’s made a lot of progress and can get down to the shop using her sticks. She’s taken great care of me. She does me dressings, washes me and does all the chores. I can’t wait to be well, so as I can help her. She’ll make you a brew when she’s back.’
‘We can do that, lass. And we can give Nora a break and do your leg an’ all. We were nurses back at that workhouse.’
‘Ta, Lettie. It’d be good to give Nora a rest. Eeh, our Amy, come here and give me another hug. I’ve so much to hear from you. By, love, we’ve been through the mill, and now we have to carry on without so many as we love . . .’ Her voice broke on a sob.
‘Naw, don’t go down that road, our Ruth.’
They clung together. Holding her sister once more brought everything they’d been through back into Ruth’s mind, and with the memory came the tears. Amy’s joined hers and together they sobbed.
‘Come on, me lasses. You’re through it all now. And you both have a good future ahead of you. Never look back. Look to the road ahead, eh?’
It took a few minutes for them to calm down, but when they did, they agreed with Lettie; and as Ruth told them how her future looked, they cheered up.
‘If you want to come here, our Amy, lass, you can. Are you happy where you are?’
‘I’m not altogether happy, our Ruth. I’m not for all the chores I have to do, but I’m looking forward to being in charge of babby when it arrives.’
‘Lady Katrina is having a babby!’ This news sent a pain through Ruth’s heart, but she suppressed it and made herself feel glad. She couldn’t have picked anyone nicer for her earl than Lady Katrina.
‘Aye, she’s only a few weeks off having it now. She’s been staying with her ma, here in Blackburn, but is coming home today. I’ve been trained . . .’ Amy told Ruth about the preparations she’d been through to become a nanny. ‘Lord Frederick’s old nanny trained me. Eeh, she’s a tartar! I won’t be doing half what she’s telling me to do. She used to swaddle the babbies up that tight, it’s a wonder they could breathe, poor mites. Anyroad, what I really want to do with me life is help them as are like us.’
As she listened to Amy’s plans to feed the poor and homeless with her wages, Ruth wasn’t surprised. Amy had always been a caring lass, and neither did it surprise her when Lettie chipped in that she wanted to help. Lettie was nice. She’d taken to the lass as so
on as she’d smiled, and was halfway to liking her even before she met Lettie, on account of knowing that she was looking out for Amy.
It was a good thing Amy did, to get the lass out of that workhouse; and it was a good thing they were planning to do together. ‘I’ll help you with that, our lass, as I’d like to help them who are suffering as we once did. As I’ve told you, I’ve money coming to me, and I’ve prospects.’
‘That’d be grand, Ruth. Eeh, you in business! I hadn’t taken that part in proper. By, I’d love to join you. It sounds a lot better than being a nanny and a governess.’
‘Aye, and I would like to join you an’ all, Ruth. I’m not for cooking and doing. I enjoyed me work in the workhouse more than what I do now. I loved looking after the old and the sick.’
‘Well, let’s bide our time, eh? We’ve all got settled for now. Let’s keep it that way and work towards what we really want to do. Maybe, Lettie, if the Earl does start sommat up, as Amy said his intention is, you could do your nursing of the sick then?’
‘That’d be grand, and in the meantime I’ll start with putting kettle on and making us all a brew.’
When Lettie left them, Amy said, ‘That’s not what she’d really like to do. She has a massive musical talent.’
‘Eeh, our Amy, that’s funny you should say that. I’m for having a talent along the lines as you’ll never guess of: I can play piano.’
‘I know – I heard it from the Earl, but it didn’t sound real until you just said it. The piano! You can play piano? Well, our Ruth, you’d not have surprised me more if you’d have told me you’d grown another leg.’ They both laughed at how ironic this was. ‘Anyroad, Lettie’s talent is her voice. You should hear it. It makes your hair stand up.’