‘Did you imagine Jonathon would marry you?’ I asked a little coldly, and she flushed.
‘No, I never expected that. But I thought he would set me up in a little home of my own, look after me and the child.’ Tears came to her eyes. ‘I didn’t know he was little more than a child himself, in his mind anyway.’
I came to a decision suddenly, persuaded that now, perhaps for the first time, she was telling the truth.
‘I’ll help you, Sarah,’ I said. ‘But it will take time for me to raise some money.’ I managed a smile. ‘At least Jonathan owes you that much.’
I moved to the door. ‘You go upstairs and wait in my room. It will take me an hour or two to get the money from Mr Sainsbury.’
She clutched her hands together. ‘Oh, what if my father comes looking for me? This is the first place he’ll look.’
‘Lock yourself in,’ I said practically. ‘Or come into town with me.’
She shook her head. ‘No, I couldn’t face all those nosy faces looking at me.’ She choked a little on the words. ‘I’ll be glad to get away from here, that I will.’ She looked at me.
‘You should think about going away for a while, too, miss. My father can be a very dangerous man.’
‘I believe you,’ I said. ‘But nothing can be gained by my running away.’
I led the way upstairs to my room. I saw Lucy stare in, but she said nothing until I returned to the hallway.
‘You are not going to trust her alone in your room, miss?’ she asked. ‘She would steal the clothes off your back, would that one.’
‘I know you don’t like her, Lucy,’ I said, trying to be calm. ‘But she is in trouble, after all.’
‘She’s a bad lot, Miss Catherine, and you are too trusting by far. I don’t trust any of the Perkins family, and that’s the truth.’
‘Why are you so bitter against them?’ I asked in surprise, and Lucy rubbed her hands on her apron.
‘All I know is that Mr Jonathon hasn’t been himself since he’s been mixed up with that bunch. He’s an evil man, is that Perkins, and I’ve no doubt his daughter’s the same.’
I pulled my cloak around me, trying to disregard the chill that suddenly went through me. ‘I have to go into town, Lucy. I won’t be very long.’
Her eyes widened. ‘But, miss, you shouldn’t go into town alone. You know Mr Garth said you were to stay here.’
I hesitated for a moment, biting my lip in an agony of indecision. I did not relish a repetition of the horrible business of the attack upon me by some of the thugs off the docks.
‘Give me a note, Miss Catherine,’ she said with determination. ‘It would be better for me to go.’ She saw my hesitation. ‘Don’t worry about me, miss. No one will bother me; why should they?’
Convinced, I hastily penned a note to Mr Sainsbury, asking him for some money, and Lucy tucked it into her pocket.
‘Here,’ I said, swinging my own cloak onto her shoulders, ‘and please be careful, Lucy.’
I watched her dumpy figure disappear down the road with some trepidation, returning to the sitting room with a feeling of loneliness and of impending doom that was hard to shake off.
Upstairs, I could hear Sarah walk across the landing, and it cheered me a little to know that she was in the house; not that she could be described as a pleasant companion by any stretch of the imagination.
I sat down before the fire and leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes with a sigh of weariness. I think I must have dozed for a moment, because I opened my eyes to find Sarah standing before me, a hard look on her face.
‘I thought you had gone into town to get me some money.’ Her voice was accusing, and I fought down the feeling of anger that rose within me.
‘You fool!’ she said, almost beside herself. ‘Go now before it grows too dark!’
‘Don’t you dare to use that tone to me,’ I said, striving to be calm. ‘You are up to something, my girl. What is it?’
She sank down onto a chair, pressing her hands to her lips. ‘I tried to help you, but you wouldn’t listen. Well, no one can blame me for anything that happens to you now!’
I caught her wrist in my hand. ‘What are you talking about? Is your father perhaps on his way here to finish off what he started the night he attacked me with a knife?’
Her eyes almost started out of her head. She jerked her hand away, almost pulling me off my feet. She was a big girl, much stronger than I was. She gave me a push, and I stumbled, caught off my guard. She ran to the door and flung it open and was running along the cliff road before I could do anything to stop her.
When I could see there was no hope of her returning, I bolted the door carefully. I hurried downstairs to warn Cook that the back door should be locked, too. The room was empty. A fire glowed in the big hearth, and the hobs were covered with cooking pots, but there was no sign of Cook.
Shaking a little, I slid the heavy bolts of the back door into position and checked to see if the windows were securely closed. I was not going to take the chance of someone creeping in without me knowing about it.
I lit plenty of candles, my heart beating rather quickly as I looked round the empty, shadow-filled rooms. I tried to bolster my courage by telling myself that Lucy would be returning soon.
I sat near the window, watching as the shadows lengthened along the garden, making weird, frightening shapes on the grass. Soon it became too dark for me to see anything, and with a swift gesture of panic, I jerked the drapes shut.
The big clock in the hall chimed; the sound seemed to echo in the silence of the hallway. I prayed that Garth would return, that soon I would hear the ring of a horse’s hooves in the cobbled yard; anything to break the silence that was all around me.
I could not bear it any longer. I searched in a cupboard and found a lantern, and with its light as company, opened the door and set off across the grass.
I stumbled as I came to the cobbled yard leading to the stables. A frightening silence greeted me. There were none of the usual sounds of restless hooves against the straw or the soft, sleepy noises of animals bedded down for the night.
I held the lantern high and, as I had expected, the stalls were empty. It seemed clear someone had intended that I should be alone at the Hall with no means of escape.
I squared my shoulders. I would not be beaten; I would not remain there waiting to be murdered! I stepped out quickly, before my courage could desert me, in the direction of the cliff road.
Sixteen
There was a depth to the darkness that left me breathless with fear. The lantern gave very little light and yet had the disadvantage of leaving me an easy target for anyone who wished to harm me.
I tried to quicken my pace over the uneven ground and sank into marshy wetness, screaming a little with cold and shock as I scrambled onto firm soil again.
I seemed to be completely lost. I had started out with the intention of making my way to the dockside in an effort to find Garth. But now there was just one thought in my mind: to put as much ground as possible between Langland Hall and myself.
The wind was rising, and I shivered, wishing I’d had the sense to stop long enough to pull on a cloak. The material of my dress was thin and tore easily as I blundered into bushes. I did not even feel the pain as the brambles scratched my skin, so anxious was I to reach a place of safety.
Suddenly I missed my footing and was sprawled out on the hard earth, the breath knocked from my body.
Wincing with pain, I tried to rise, but it was no use. I had twisted my foot so severely that I could hardly move.
I sank down with a soft moan. The lantern had been broken in the fall, and now I was in complete darkness. I huddled into a hollow and wrapped my arms around myself in an effort to keep warm, but tears were very near the surface.
After a while, the cold and darkness began to play on my nerves. I imagined there were footsteps around me, faces peering at me with eyes shining yellow like a cat’s. I forced myself to my feet and hobbled a few st
eps, trying desperately to find the roadway.
I stopped for breath, leaning against a tree, the throbbing of my ankle forcing me to throw caution to the wind. I flung back my head and called at the top of my voice: ‘Help!’
The sound seemed to echo through the darkness, and I called again. ‘Is anyone there?’
After a few minutes I thought I heard a faint answering voice. In a frenzy of excitement I shouted again and again until my voice was almost gone.
There was perspiration on my face, in spite of the fact that I was shivering. I waited tensely, clinging to the rough bark of the tree, and then I heard a voice, nearer this time.
‘Miss Catherine, is that you?’ Almost faint with relief, I recognised Lucy’s familiar tones. Then, like a miracle, she was looming up out of the darkness, a lantern swinging from her hand.
‘Oh, miss, whatever are you doing here?’ She caught my arm, and I knew there were tears of relief on my cheeks.
‘Never mind that now, Lucy. Did you see Mr Sainsbury? Did you see Mr Garth?’
She shook her head. ‘I didn’t see anyone, miss; the town seems to be deserted. There was nothing to do but to return home.’
My hopes fell. ‘No one knows we are up here alone, then?’ I said a little desperately. ‘Sarah has run off. It’s possible that her father intends to come up to the Hall, and he’s not the person I most want to see at this moment!’
‘Well, miss, I think we should make our way back to the Hall. You’re shivering in that dress, and what have you done to your foot?’
I shrugged. ‘I’ve sprained my ankle, I think. You’re right, of course; we’d better go back. Do you think you can find the way?’
Lucy smiled. ‘Lord bless you, miss, I’ve known these hills and fields ever since I was a little girl. I know them like the back of my hand.’
It was a long, painful journey, but with Lucy supporting me on one side, we at last came to the arched doorways of the Hall.
‘Look, Lucy!’ I said excitedly. ‘There are fresh candles in the windows; Garth must be home.’
I pushed open the door and saw with a swift sense of disappointment that it was Jonathon standing there.
He took my arm, helping me into the sitting room. He was pale and seemed to be very nervous. He kept darting looks over his shoulder as if expecting someone to loom up behind him.
‘Where’s Garth?’ I asked hopefully. ‘Is he on his way home?’ Jonathon licked his lips, shaking his head.
‘I don’t know where he is,’ he said, going over to the brandy and pouring some for himself. He glanced at Lucy, and I nodded my head to her.
‘Make us a pot of tea, Lucy, and bring a cup in for yourself.’
When she left the room, I stared at Jonathon, waiting for him to say something. He gulped the brandy nervously, his eyes looking anywhere but at me.
‘Sarah has been here,’ I said, breaking the strained silence. ‘She told me a great deal.’
He closed his lips like a mutinous child and did not answer.
‘She said you were the father of her child,’ I persisted, ‘and that you would not help her in any way.’
‘Why should I help her!’ He almost spat the words out. ‘She thought she would bring the baby up as a Llewellyn, to share in our fortune, the scheming little hussy.’
I stared at him for a moment. He seemed more excitable than ever; his hands shook so that he could hardly hold his glass.
‘Sarah told me that Perkins was on his way up to the Hall. What does he want, Jonathon – to kill me to get me out of the way?’
He crumpled visibly at the mention of Perkins’ name, looking around as if expecting him to appear at any moment. I took his arm, drawing him toward me.
‘What hold has that man got over you? Can’t you tell me, Jonathon?’ In spite of myself, my voice shook.
He bent toward me suddenly, his eyes shining brightly, his hand feverishly hot as it rested on mine.
‘Get away from here now, Catherine, while you can!’ he said in an urgent whisper. ‘Grandmother should never have sent you here, never should have entrusted the money to you.’
I stared up at him. ‘You will have your share, Jonathon,’ I said, suddenly frightened by the odd way he was behaving. ‘If I should die, the money would go to Garth. I asked Mr Sainsbury about it.’
Lucy came in with the tray of tea, but Jonathon appeared not to see her.
‘No, that is where you are wrong, Catherine. Mr Sainsbury did not tell you the truth.’ He brushed his hand over his face. ‘I am the one who will inherit the money, Catherine. And if Perkins can manage it, I’ll have Garth’s share, too.’
Lucy put down the tray. ‘It’s true, miss,’ she said quietly. ‘I burned the paper myself in your own fireplace. Mr Jonathon does get the money to handle if you should die.’
‘Lucy,’ I said with sudden determination, ‘you must get out of this house. Warn Garth that he is in danger, and send someone up for me, if you can.’
She edged toward the door. But with a sudden lunge, Jonathon hit her in the face, and she dropped to the ground like a stone.
‘I can’t allow you to do that, Catherine.’ Jonathon’s eyes were no longer rational. I dropped to my knees, terrified that Lucy might be dead, but she was still breathing.
Jonathon leaned forward and dragged Lucy into the hallway. I heard a cupboard door open and then a thump as he pushed her inside. In any event, she would be safe there if she would only remain silent.
Jonathon came back and stood looking down at me regretfully. He was pale, with a fine beading of sweat on his forehead.
‘I’m sorry, Catherine!’ he said, and I watched in horror as he sank down onto his knees.
‘Perkins will bleed me white!’ he said bitterly. ‘He intends to be rich, and the devil take me or anyone else who tries to stand in his way.’
There was a sound outside the window of heavy feet crunching against the cobbles. I froze into silence, and Jonathon stared as if in a trance at the door.
In horror, as if in a nightmare, I watched the handle turn. And then, as the door was flung wide, Perkins stepped into the room.
I looked at Jonathon imploringly. Surely he would not allow Perkins to harm me. He struggled to his feet and rushed across the room.
‘Give me the stuff, Perkins, I beg of you. I’ll go mad if I don’t have some soon.’
‘You will wait until I am ready,’ Perkins said arrogantly, and I longed to strike him. He looked at me and grinned evilly.
‘Do you know how it is I have the power to make your fool of a cousin dance like a puppet on a string?’ he asked, full of his own importance.
‘I think I can hazard a guess,’ I said with a feeling of horror. Jonathon attempted to pour himself another drink, but his hand was shaking so badly that the decanter slipped from his hand and the wine spilled like blood over the carpet.
I started to rise, but Perkins waved me back into my seat.
‘Oh, no you don’t, young lady; you just stay where you are so that I can keep my eye on you.’
He clicked his fingers at Jonathon. ‘Get more wine, and I will have some, too.’
While he was looking at my cousin, I picked up the heavy silver teapot and struck out with it. Unfortunately, Perkins must have spotted the gleam out of the corner of his eye and moved, receiving only a glancing blow.
With an oath, he snatched the teapot and flung it against the wall, where it shattered a mirror and fell to the ground with a terrible noise.
‘Take care!’ he said menacingly. ‘These are the last few moments of your life; why not enjoy them?’
‘If you are going to kill me, why not have it over and done with!’ I said, my voice rising hysterically. He leaned back in his chair and smiled at me.
‘When I’m ready,’ he said cruelly. ‘But first I want you to know how clever I am.’
Jonathon returned with a fresh bottle of wine and managed to pour two glasses without spilling it. Perkins looked at him with scorn.
‘Well, bring it here, and don’t be all night about it!’
‘Please,’ Jonathon begged, ‘give me the opium now.’
I looked at him with a mixture of horror and compassion. It was true, then, that my cousin was bringing about his own downfall.
‘It’s like this, Miss Llewellyn,’ Perkins said smoothly. ‘Your cousin has been doing business with me for some time now.’ He paused, his eyes on Jonathon. ‘It was a good arrangement. I would arrange for illicit cargo to be brought in on Garth Llewellyn’s ships and dispose of it to the highest bidder.’
He took a drink of his wine, and I sat in silence, more frightened than I had ever been in my life.
‘Things were going very smoothly,’ Perkins continued, ‘until your lily-livered cousin started doping himself up on opium.’ He grinned again. ‘It suited me down to the ground; we were bringing in more and more contraband cargo.’ He chuckled. ‘We almost had more of that than genuine shipments.’
I found my voice. ‘It was all right until Garth found you out, I suppose?’
‘Well,’ Perkins said, ‘he was suspicious, but he had to be careful because his precious brother was involved. Which was all to the good, I thought.’
‘You are not going to get away with this!’ I said in sudden anger. ‘Jonathon would be a fool to give you the money, even if you succeed in murdering me. He would be signing his own death warrant!’
Perkins took out a package from under his coat and held it up before Jonathon’s face.
‘He has already signed his death warrant himself,’ he said as Jonathon made a lunge for the package. Perkins pulled it away. ‘While I have this, your cousin will sign any papers I ask him to. Soon I will be rich, can’t you see?’
‘Jonathon!’ I said urgently. ‘Once you sign anything, Perkins will get rid of you, too, can’t you understand that? Please, Jonathon, try to see what is happening!’
‘That’s enough of that!’ Perkins said roughly, raising his hand as if to strike me. ‘You sorely tempt me to kill you now.’
‘Go ahead!’ I shouted, forgetting my fear for a moment. ‘Do your worst, and see what good it will do you! Garth will never give in to your demands!’
Sea Witch Page 12