Daughters of Rebecca

by Iris Gower

  ‘I’m embarrassed about that.’ Shanni pushed back her hair. ‘We had to pretend we were courting. I was only safe because they thought I was Pedr’s sweetheart. We didn’t do anything wrong, though. Can’t you believe me?’ She stared defiantly at Llinos. ‘Pedr thought it best if he brought me back here. Madame Isabelle would have been so angry if we’d gone to her house.’

  ‘So, in his wisdom, Pedr brought you home to me when day was breaking. It wasn’t very clever of him to let the whole of Pottery Row know you were out all night.’ Llinos got to her feet. ‘I still can’t believe you have been so stupid.’ She rubbed her temple. ‘As if I haven’t enough to worry about, without you causing me grief, too.’ She stood at the window gazing out at the morning. The air was still and clouds were gathering, threatening a storm. She believed the girl was telling the truth, that she had not slept with Pedr Morgan. Shanni was no liar and, in any case, it was Dafydd she wanted, not one of his workers.

  ‘Well,’ Llinos said at last, ‘there will be no more visits to Madame Isabelle’s house, do you understand? I am appalled that she allowed you to associate with such people.’

  ‘Those people included Dafydd Buchan.’ Shanni smiled as if she had scored a point. ‘In any case, Madame knew nothing about it.’

  Llinos swung round to face the girl. ‘Didn’t she? Well, I expect this is not the first time you have acted the wanton and gone out riding at night. No, Shanni, you will be kept indoors for a month until you learn some self-control.’

  Shanni did not reply. She stared down at her hands, twisting them in her lap, and Llinos wondered what she was thinking. Was it true that bad blood was carried through successive generations? If so, Shanni was liable to lose her head over a man just as her mother had.

  A dreadful thought struck her. Had Shanni stayed with Dafydd? Had Pedr brought her home to cover the truth? Llinos turned back to the window. The shimmer of heat that rose from the bottle kilns hung like a haze over the yard.

  Llinos glanced at Shanni and saw spots of red on the girl’s cheeks. Suddenly, Llinos felt like a monster. Shanni was beholden to her, but that did not give her the right to think the worst of her or to treat her so harshly. ‘Let’s forget all about last night,’ Llinos said. ‘I shall call for Graves to take us into town. We’ll get some dresses made for you, ready for when the fine weather comes.’ She smiled as Shanni looked up at her. ‘I’m sorry for venting my anger on you but the truth is that my own life is not running as smoothly as I would like. Come, let’s go and get ready. A trip out will do us both good.’

  Shanni nodded, but refused to meet Llinos’s eyes. She was still angry, her colour high. Shanni had an unforgiving streak in her, and who could blame her? Until Llinos had taken her in, Shanni’s life had been one of misery and poverty.

  Later, as the carriage rolled into Swansea, Llinos felt her spirits lift. The sun was breaking through the clouds and the Stryd Fawr was crowded with people. Vehicles jostled for space outside the large emporia and it seemed that the whole world had come shopping.

  Llinos stepped out of the carriage, catching the sense of excitement of the moment. She would buy some pretty dresses ready for summer, when she and Dafydd could lie in the sweet grass and make love under the skies. There were many problems to be sorted out but for now Llinos intended to enjoy herself.

  With Shanni following her, she went through the doors of Jefferson’s Emporium. She allowed Shanni to choose her own bolt of material in green satin for evenings, and soft muslin for the hot summer days. ‘We shall have to find time for fittings with the seamstress.’ Llinos was making an effort to be pleasant. ‘I should think the material you’ve chosen will make up very well, and the green will suit your lovely red hair.’

  Shanni did not reply. Llinos frowned: she was fast losing patience with the girl’s truculent attitude. ‘Very well, let’s forget the fittings,’ Llinos said. ‘I’ve had enough. I want to go home.’

  As she stepped out into the pale sunshine Llinos came face to face with Dafydd. She stopped, her heart thumping.

  ‘Mrs Mainwaring, this is indeed a pleasure.’ He took her hand and kissed it formally. ‘Are you keeping well?’ He did not even glance at Shanni, and Llinos knew her fears had been groundless.

  She clung to Dafydd’s hand longer than was necessary. ‘I am very well indeed,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Are you in town for anything in particular, Mr Buchan?’

  ‘I was visiting one of the stores,’ he said. ‘Bagshaw’s, at the top of the high street.’ His smile widened. ‘I’m happy to say that the directors of the company have given me a repeat order for china ware.’

  ‘That’s excellent!’ Llinos said. ‘Oh, Dafydd, I’m so happy to see you making a success of your business.’

  ‘You are not angry with me for stealing a march on you, then?’

  ‘Of course not! Bagshaw’s is large enough to take supplies from both of us.’

  Llinos became aware of Shanni fidgeting at her side. ‘I suppose we’d better be going,’ she said reluctantly.

  ‘No, don’t go. What if I take you ladies for a cup of chocolate or perhaps some coffee? How about going to the Grand? I hear they provide excellent service.’ His eyes twinkled with laughter. The Grand was where they had first made love and was a special place to both of them.

  ‘What a good idea,’ she said. ‘Shanni, I’m sure you would enjoy a drink.’

  ‘If you like.’ The girl sounded sulky. She stared down at her feet, her hands twisting the folds of her skirt. Llinos knew it was mean to feel a moment of triumph but she was so happy that Dafydd had scarcely looked at Shanni. He was wishing they could be alone, and even Shanni knew it.

  ‘Right, then,’ Llinos said. ‘The Grand it is.’

  The coffee-room was filled with the sound of tinkling china and muted voices. The pale sun dappled the tables with patches of brightness.

  Dafydd held the chair for Llinos to sit down then turned to Shanni. ‘How wonderful it is to have two lovely ladies for company.’

  He sat as close to Llinos as he could, without being indiscreet. He had eyes for no-one but her, and Llinos marvelled again that at her age she had the love of a young, handsome man like Dafydd.

  ‘You are looking very beautiful today, Mrs Mainwaring,’ he said, as he made love to her with his eyes.

  ‘Thank you kindly.’ Llinos flirted with him, longing to touch him, to curl his dark hair around her fingers and draw his lips to hers. She was besotted with Dafydd and, in that moment, she did not care if the entire population of Swansea knew it.

  The coffee arrived and the waiter put the pot on the table with a flourish. From the tray, he deftly took the dainty china cups and saucers and placed them in front of Llinos.

  ‘Shall I pour?’ She did not wait for a reply, and as the coffee streamed hot and fragrant into the cups, she felt she had never been happier in her life. ‘There, Dafydd.’ She handed him the cup and as his fingers touched hers she smiled, staring into his eyes, offering him more than coffee, much more.

  ‘It smells delicious,’ he said, ‘and served by such a beautiful woman. I am a fortunate man.’

  Llinos coughed, deciding to move the conversation on to safer ground. ‘I have been designing new patterns for the china ware,’ she said. ‘I thought perhaps a dinner set decorated with the four seasons might be attractive.’

  ‘So,’ Dafydd said, leaning towards her, ‘you would have a winter set, then spring, summer and autumn. What an excellent idea. You would sell four sets of everything. Capital!’

  ‘Well,’ Llinos said doubtfully, ‘I had thought of putting all the seasons in one set of tableware but I suppose it makes sense to sell them separately.’

  ‘Of course it does!’ Dafydd touched her hand. ‘You would market much more china that way.’

  ‘That’s a very good idea. Thank you for suggesting it.’

  Dafydd laughed. ‘Well, I didn’t really suggest anything. It’s what I thought you had in mind. I think you need taking in han
d, my dear Llinos.’ He winked at her and a smile lit her face.

  ‘I think you’re right,’ she said, knowing exactly what was on his mind. She imagined them rolling naked on the softness of a bed, thought of Dafydd’s firm young body possessing hers, and a blush of desire spread over her neck and face.

  She sensed rather than saw a movement from Shanni. ‘Excuse me!’ the girl threw down her napkin and got abruptly to her feet. ‘I see I am playing the gooseberry here. I will leave you two alone.’

  Llinos watched open-mouthed as Shanni stormed across the room and disappeared through the wide doorway.

  ‘Oh dear!’ she said. ‘I do believe we’ve annoyed Shanni. I think she’s just a little jealous.’

  Dafydd caught her hand. ‘Nonsense! She’s taken by one of my potters. I believe they are betrothed to each other. In any case, I love you, Llinos, and I don’t care who knows it.’

  ‘You don’t realize, do you?’ Llinos said, happiness flooding through her. ‘Poor little Shanni is in love with you.’

  ‘No!’ Dafydd’s expression of surprise was almost laughable. ‘I knew she admired me but, then, she probably sees me as some sort of romantic hero.’

  ‘I’m telling you, she is in love with you,’ Llinos insisted. ‘I only hope she can keep her feelings under control.’

  ‘Never mind Shanni. Let’s just enjoy the moment,’ Dafydd said softly. ‘I can’t get enough of you, Llinos, you know that, don’t you?’

  ‘And your eyes have never strayed in Shanni’s direction? She’s young and beautiful, don’t you think?’

  ‘I have eyes only for you,’ he said, with conviction.

  Llinos believed him. It was wonderful how eager he was for her love. Dafydd was a man overwhelmed by his passions. His dedication to his cause and his unshakeable love for her was as much part of him as the colour of his hair and the darkness of his eyes.

  She swallowed a sudden feeling of fear. Was she too deeply enmeshed with Dafydd ever to extricate herself? Would it all end in disaster? The questions ran through her mind like a chill wind.

  ‘You’re far away, Llinos.’ His voice penetrated her thoughts and she forced a smile.

  ‘A goose just walked over my grave. It’s nothing,’ she said. ‘But, Dafydd, do you have to keep attacking the gates? It’s dangerous to flout the law. I want you to give up riding with the Rebeccarites.’

  Dafydd looked away across the sunlit tea-rooms and Llinos wondered if he was angry with her. He was an adult man: he did not have to sit there and have his actions questioned by a woman, however much he might love her.

  ‘I’m sorry!’ she said. ‘It really is none of my business. I shall stop Shanni visiting Isabelle’s house, though. There, she has too much freedom and is able to get into mischief.’

  ‘You have no real need to worry,’ Dafydd said. ‘These days, Isabelle is more engrossed in her lover than the cause. It will be worse when she marries.’

  In spite of herself, Llinos was intrigued: Isabelle, so stiff and upright, was human after all. ‘So Eynon has bedded her, then? In that case, does he really mean to marry her? I know it’s not nice of me to say so but he has had many women and was not serious about any of them.’

  ‘Oh, I think Morton-Edwards is serious because the wedding is being arranged even as we speak. He might be against the Beccas but he doesn’t realize how deeply Isabelle is involved in it all.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Our Isabelle has even killed a man in the name of justice. Thomas Carpenter was going to expose our plans to the constable and Isabelle shot him. We covered it up, of course, we had no choice.’

  Llinos sat back in her chair. ‘Oh, how awful! Eynon wouldn’t want anything to do with Isabelle if he heard what you’ve just told me.’

  ‘Well, he won’t know from me or from you, Llinos,’ Dafydd said firmly.

  ‘But Eynon and I, well, we’re old friends and if he means to go through with the marriage perhaps he should know the truth.’

  She poured more coffee. Somehow she just could not picture a marriage between Eynon and Isabelle: they were so different. Eynon was one of the richest men in the country and Isabelle, well, she had killed a man. It was all most disturbing. At best it showed Isabelle’s lack of breeding.

  ‘You are upset by this, aren’t you?’ Dafydd said. ‘Don’t worry about your friend. He and Isabelle are old enough to know their own minds, don’t you think?’

  ‘You’re right, of course.’ Llinos looked into Dafydd’s eyes and realized afresh how lucky she was to have a man like him as a lover. Then she became aware that she and Dafydd were holding hands openly and that people were staring. ‘I’d better go home,’ she said. ‘You know we shouldn’t be sitting here holding hands in public, don’t you?’

  ‘I think it’s a bit late to worry about that,’ Dafydd said. ‘Let me see you tonight, please. I know it wasn’t what we planned but being with you now I can’t wait to hold you in my arms, to make love to you and to make sure you still love me.’

  She heard the uncertainty in his voice with a feeling of awe. Dafydd, young, handsome, rich, was afraid of losing her.

  ‘I want to be alone with you as much as you want to be with me,’ she said. ‘I’ll come down to the house tonight as soon as I can get away.’

  As she left the tea-rooms, Llinos glanced back to where Dafydd was sitting. He was watching her, his eyes hungry. His naked expression of love was there for everyone to see. She left the hotel as if she was walking on air. Tonight she would lie in Dafydd’s arms, in their little love-nest, and all would be right with her world.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  ‘I HATE HER!’ Shanni was walking with Pedr near the river, which flowed swiftly past the pottery. ‘How could she behave like that, throwing herself at Dafydd like a harlot?’

  ‘Hey!’ Pedr took her hand. ‘Mrs Mainwaring has been good to you. Look how she let me visit you. And who can blame her for liking Dafydd? They are in the same business after all.’ He stared at her. ‘I won’t listen to a word against Dafydd. He fights for the rights of the poor and not many rich folks do that.’

  Shanni took a deep breath, intending to say more, but the expression on Pedr’s face stopped her. She walked to the edge of the water, hugging her warm shawl around her, and sat on the bank to watch the ever-increasing circles made by fish looking for food.

  Winter was almost over now but the weather was still chill. The riverbanks were dotted with the white of snowdrops. Once the winds of March came in, the daffodils would spread like a carpet of sunshine through the grass.

  Her eyes were full of dreams. Surely in spring, when she was wearing her new gowns, Dafydd would notice that she was a woman? He would see that she had matured in every way but until then she would not allow anyone to know her secret. It was one she would hug to herself for now.

  Then she thought of Llinos, the way she had flirted with Dafydd, eating him up with her eyes, and anger made a bitter taste in her mouth. Why did Llinos have to step in and take Dafydd’s attention? She had her own husband to love and care for. What sort of woman was she?

  ‘You’ve got a look on your face that bodes ill for someone,’ Pedr said quietly. ‘You don’t fancy our Dafydd yourself, do you?’

  Shanni swallowed her anger and made an attempt to smile. ‘Don’t be silly! Why would I want a man old enough to be my father?’

  Pedr shrugged, and Shanni realized her protest had not convinced him. She slipped her arm through his and drew him closer. ‘Would I be sitting by here with you if I wanted Dafydd? Tell me that, Pedr Morgan.’

  He turned to her at once and she saw the intent in his eyes. He was going to kiss her. She leaped to her feet and ran laughing downriver, her hair coming loose and flowing to her shoulders. He caught her easily. ‘Now, my girl, what are you going to do?’ He wrapped his arms around her, and before she could move, his lips were on hers.

  She tried to push him away but he held her fast. She relaxed. Perhaps it was wise to let Pedr believe she liked him. He might be use
ful to her. In any case, the feel of his lips parting hers was strangely exciting. It was only when his hand touched her breast that she jerked away from him. ‘No!’ she said, as he released her. ‘I am a lady, Pedr Morgan, and I will not allow anyone to take liberties with me.’

  ‘Sorry, Shanni.’ He looked anything but sorry. His eyes were bright, his breathing ragged, his strong mouth curved in a smile. ‘You’re so beautiful I can’t resist you.’

  ‘I’m sure you say that to all the girls in Swansea,’ Shanni said, ‘but I’m not easy. Just you remember that.’

  Her mother had been easy, foolishly giving herself to a married man, and she had been harshly punished for it. The thought of the Ceffyl Pren made Shanni shudder.

  ‘Shanni, what’s the matter?’

  ‘Nothing.’ She lifted her hair and twisted it into a knot behind her neck. She could still see her mother struggling to give birth to her poor dead baby, and Mrs Mainwaring at her bedside, ministering to her like an angel.

  Her conscience smote her. She had no right to be bitter against Llinos. If it were not for her Shanni would be living in poverty in the back-streets of Swansea. Still, her stomach churned as she thought of the love in Dafydd’s eyes, love for an older woman, a woman already married, and her anger returned.

  ‘We’d better get back home,’ she said at last. ‘I don’t want to be called a slut, do I, Pedr?’

  ‘You are a lady and no-one could say different.’ He smiled. ‘Mind, you’re a bit wilful. You would need taming if you were my wife.’

  She laughed, glancing up at him through her eyelashes. ‘And who says I would think of marrying you, Pedr Morgan? You’re just a potter. I want a rich man for a husband, someone who has plenty of money and a fine house and . . .’ she waved her hands ‘. . . well, everything.’

  ‘I’d get you all that if I could,’ Pedr said, but his eyes were merry. ‘I would climb mountains and sail the seven seas if I could have you for my wife.’

  ‘I’m sure!’