He kissed her once more, then whispered, lovingly, ‘thank you Ellie. I can’t say how much this has meant to me. I love you with all my heart and we will find a way to be together’.
She dressed quickly and, with a parting kiss, hurriedly left the room and made her way to her bed, where she closed her eyes and dreamed of Maggie, wagging her finger in her face.
In the early hours, she awoke with a start but failed to remember the dream. What she did remember was Richard and the wonderful experience of the night before and her heart rejoiced.
Ellie awoke early, as Kate was about to go down for breakfast.
‘I’ll see you downstairs, Ellie. Don’t be too long or I will have started work and I’d like to chat to you before then’, she said, as she went through the door.
‘I’ll be along in five minutes Kate’, Ellie called, slipping her arms through the sleeves of her best dress. She would wait in the garden and catch Richard before he went to the mill. He usually left alone, at seven thirty, his father and James leaving the house at eight.
Thinking about him, she could almost feel, again, his body, heavy upon her, and she sighed with joy. She also felt a little guilty, as she had been brought up to respect herself and to save her virginity for ‘that special man’ who would come along one day. She had no excuse. She had been at a low ebb but had welcomed Richard’s advances willingly. Last night she had a need to be loved and Richard had filled that need.
She loved him with all her heart and she knew, without doubt, that he was that special someone. Somehow she had always known, since the day she had served him breakfast and he had been so horrible to her.
In spite of her recent bereavement, Ellie felt a kind of happiness on this spring day. She ate breakfast of toast and honey, somehow, more appropriate than her usual bowl of porridge.
She had a chat to cook and William and assured them that a good sleep was all that she had needed to put her to rights. Kate chatted to her until she started work and was her usual happy self. The world was still turning and Ellie felt better about the future.
Having lived here at the Residence, for the past four years, the grief she felt, at the loss of her mother, was cushioned in some way. She had seen her mother, only briefly, in that time, so did not miss her in the same way, that her brothers would. She was saddened that her mother’s life had been cut short, while still so young, and she would miss her sense of humour and even her moments of anger. Yet Ellie could not help but feel enthusiastic for her future here, in this house.
Doris came downstairs with her orders for breakfast. She was giggling to herself as she arranged the hot trays.
Missus Blunt looked up from her cooking and reprimanded her.
‘Doris. I hope you were not giggling up there, in the dining room? It gives a bad impression’.
‘No Cook, but how I managed to keep my face straight, I’ll never know. You’d never believe the ‘to do’ upstairs this morning’, once more bursting into laughter.
Cook was slightly annoyed, ‘well, are you going to tell me or not? She snapped.
‘Well’, whispered Doris, as if she feared she would be overheard by ‘them upstairs’. ‘It’s Master Richard’. Ellie was, at once, alert.
Doris continued, ‘it seems that, first thing this morning, the Master went to his study for some papers, and found the young master fast asleep on the carpet. The Master was most annoyed with him and shouted that ‘he ought to be ashamed of himself'. The Mistress came to see what the fuss was about, and it turns out that Master Richard had been entertaining his friends and had drank so much liquor that he had slept there all night, cause he was incapable of getting to bed’. She paused, for a moment, to catch her breath before going on.
‘Oh there’s been a ‘to do’ all right. I heard him talking to Master James and he said he wasn’t going to the mill today because his head felt like ‘it didn’t belong to him’. Said he was so drunk he couldn't remember a thing about last night. He finished by laughing and saying, ‘I expect it was a damned good night though’. He’s a caution, is that one and no mistake’.
Doris was quite out of breath after conveying this piece of gossip. Ellie thought her heart was going to choke her. She could feel the pulse high in her throat. He could remember nothing?
She wanted to cry out but remained silent, an unbelievable dread overtaking her. The most beautiful experience of her life, and Richard had no recollection of it?
Cook’s face showed no signs of humour, ‘I think he is a disgrace, I really do. He drinks constantly, with his ‘so called’ friends, and shows no respect for his family. He should take a leaf out of Master James’s book, now there’s a nice considerate gentleman. You don’t see him drinking and going off to the ale house, looking to bed the poor wretches who charge money for such things. He should be horsewhipped’.
‘Eh!! Missus Blunt. I didn’t know you felt so bad about Master Richard. It’s not like you’, said Doris, sorry now that she had opened her mouth.
‘Well, I think it’s about time that young man sorted himself out and gave some thought to someone, other than, himself’.
‘Oh well, I don’t suppose the likes of us can do anything about him’, said Doris, ‘they all go their own way, in the end’.
She picked up the tray, set with hot food, and made her way back up the stairs.
Ellie was still sitting there, unable to collect her thoughts, her mind in turmoil.
Cook turned to speak to Ellie and noticed the pallor of her face. ‘Why don’t you go out for a walk Ellie? You’re still a little pale and it would do you good. I’ll make up a parcel of sandwiches if you like and then you don’t have to rush back’.
Ellie found her voice. ‘Thank you Missus Blunt, I think I will. Please don’t bother with sandwiches; I don’t suppose I will be too long before I’m back’.
She, calmly, picked up her cape and left the house.
Once outside the gate, she began to run, her skirt billowing out behind her, oblivious to stares from those around her, not caring if people should think her ‘insane’. She ran until she could run no more, collapsing into a heap at the edge of a field.
She lay there, sobbing as if her heart would break. She felt as if she wanted to die. She thought of her mother and wished, with all her heart that she could have her back.
Chapter Nineteen
Ellie did not know how long she lay there, but some time later, she saw someone approaching. It was a young man in working clothes. She started to get to her feet, not wanting questions asked of her.
When the man was within twenty yards of her, he called out.
‘Ellie? Yes it is you. You remember me?’ he said, ‘it’s Mark. Jenny’s husband’.
With great effort, Ellie regained her composure.
‘Mark! Yes, hello. I hope Jenny and the children are in good health?’
‘Oh they are all very well and little Sophie is almost eight months old, and a little beauty. I’ve been working a night shift and I’m on my way home. Why don’t you come with me? That is if you can spare the time. I know Jenny would be pleased to see you again, she often talks about you’.
He searched her face and could not help noticing how distraught she was, but he thought it better to say nothing. Ellie looked as if she needed someone to talk to. If she wanted to confide in him, or his wife, she would do so. He asked no questions of her. He did not want to frighten her away.
Ellie was grateful to Mark and was glad of the opportunity to take her mind off her problems.
‘Thank you Mark, it would be a pleasure to see them again and I have some free time today’.
Mark chatted to her all the way to the little street, which had mixed memories for her.
As she walked down the cobbled street, she remembered the day of Sophie’s birth, and her own frantic efforts. The houses there seemed much the same, women and children still in evidence outside the doors. Ellie wondered if they ever went inside to clean their homes.
Jenny�
��s house, so prominent there, with gleaming windows and painted sills, looked so welcoming.
Inside, Jenny greeted her with open arms.
‘Why Ellie, how lovely to see you. Why have you stayed away so long? Sit down, please. Oh, it is good to see you’.
Ellie was surprised to see Jenny looking so pink and healthy. She appeared quite different now, and very happy.
‘I’m told you are in fine health now Jenny and you look it too. But tell me? Tell me about the children?’
‘Oh Ellie, Peter is much stronger than he was and Sophie is so good. She is crawling around, onto everything she can reach, and she is so pretty. Wait until you see her’.
‘Where are they now?’
‘They are both still in bed but they will be calling for me at any time now, so let me make you a drink before they take up all my time’.
She put the kettle onto the fire hob, and smiled broadly at Ellie. ‘Tell me what’s been going on in your life’ I must say, you don’t look as robust as I remember you’.
A warning look, from Mark, stopped her delving deeper.
Ellie was glad to talk and told Jenny of her mother’s death.
‘It was such a shock Jenny and the children’s welfare was uppermost in my mind, but my Aunt has been very helpful. They are living with her and Uncle Albert, in Beeston, and I really have no need to worry about them, I’m sure’.
‘Oh, it’s very nice at Beeston, with the new park and the shops. But I expect the poor little mites are still very sad and missing their mother, as I’m sure you are?’
‘Yes indeed. However, the boys have new experiences now, to help take their minds off their sadness’.
‘You’re still at the Courtney Residence then? I see Rose, from time to time, and she was saying how fond she is, of you’.
‘I still work there, yes, but I have a new position now. I am personal maid to Missus Barnstable and its much nicer work. She has to spend her life in an invalid chair, so she can be a bit awkward, but I must say, I find her quite pleasant and I do enjoy the work’.
Jenny studied Ellie. She felt that she needed a friend. Aware that Ellie may reject her as a ‘busybody’, Jenny decided to see if she could discover the reason for her friend’s despondency, so at the risk of offending her, she went ahead.
‘Ellie, is there something you would like to ‘get off your chest’?’
Ellie was taken aback. Did it show so much? She hesitated, not knowing what to say.
Jenny put her arm around Ellie and gently patted her back, ‘come on now Ellie, who better to tell than me? I needed a friend, once, and you were there for me so if you have anything that’s worrying you, please let me help’.
Ellie’s eyes filled with tears, but she did not weep.
‘I don’t know where to begin, but yes Jenny, I could do to confide in someone. Some one who doesn’t live at the house; although, it’s so awful, I don’t know if I should’.
Jenny gave Ellie a steaming mug of tea and said, softly, ‘you can tell me love. You need to get it out’.
Just then they heard the children shouting. Mark knowing that the ladies would appreciate a little privacy, made for the stairs.
‘I’ll go up to them whilst you have a word with Ellie. Give me a call when you have had a chat, alright?’
‘Thanks love’, Jenny said, smiling at her husband. When he had gone she said, affectionately, ‘he’s such a good man, my Mark. Now Ellie, what is it that’s upsetting you so?’
Ellie let it all out. She told of her mother’s death and how she had arranged the funeral and cleaned the house. The worry she had about her brother’s welfare and how tired and weary she had been when she had returned to the Residence.
As she got to the part about Richard, she hesitated, but only for a moment, and then relayed all the events of that night. She stopped talking, only when she had told of this morning’s conversation between Doris and Missus Blunt.
Jenny was near to tears as the story unfolded, ‘you poor girl. How I feel for you. But I can see your predicament. You can hardly remind the man of what occurred between you, as it would be too embarrassing for both of you. However, I’m sure that he is a decent human person, from what you have told me. I am certain that his feelings for you are strong; otherwise he would not have caressed you in such a tender way. Had he not felt a fondness for you, he would have just taken you. Men do not utter words of endearment in such a brief encounter. But it’s the drink Ellie. Drink has a lot to answer for, I’m afraid’.
‘But, Jenny! What am I to do?’
‘I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do Ellie, unless he comes to you. You will have to put it behind you and see what the future brings. I am a great believer in fate. I believe it was fate that brought you to me, when Sophie was born, and I think it right that fate has brought you back here today. Although I fear I have been of little help to you’.
Ellie felt, somewhat, unburdened and smiled at her friend, ‘you have been more of a help than you think and I’m so pleased I came here. I will do as you say and leave it in the hands of fate, but I do not regret what happened. My only regret is that the memory of the joy is mine alone’.
She stayed with them for the rest of the day and was surprised to find she forgot her worries, for a short time, enjoyed the children’s play and the company of her new friends.
On her return home, James was sitting at the kitchen table chatting to Missus Blunt. His eyes lit up at the sight of Ellie, ‘ah, there you are Ellie, I was just enquiring, of Missus Blunt, as to your well-being. I hope you are feeling better now? As you know, the family are concerned that you look after yourself’.
‘Yes sir and I am grateful for it. You can rest assured that I will be all right now’, said Ellie, smiling at James. She always felt comfortable in his presence and, now, considered him a friend.
Ellie asked him, ‘are you here for a chat or do you intend eating with us?’
Missus Blunt stared open mouthed, at Ellie and wondered at the confidence of the girl, in all her years as Cook, in this establishment, she had never taken such liberties. She waited for James’s rebuff and was most surprised to hear the civility of his reply to Ellie’s query.
‘My dear Ellie, if you should ask me to stay for dinner, how could I possibly refuse?’
Cook was astounded, but secretly pleased, to have Master James sit at her table.
William joined his wife and Ellie at the table and the four of them talked throughout the meal, leaving the rest of the kitchen staff chatting amongst themselves.
Kate, occasionally, looked in Ellie’s direction and was pleased to see that Ellie looked better, than she had, of late. Seeing her friend at the far end of the table, Ellie smiled at her and Kate waved her hand and mouthed, ‘see you upstairs’. Ellie nodded then returned to her ‘dinner talk’.
James found Ellie delightful, even though he knew she was not at her best.
‘I do admire you Ellie’, he said, softly.
He became aware of Missus Blunt’s scrutiny and modified his remark, ‘for your views on this particular subject, of course’.
This seemed to satisfy Cook and she beamed at him. This was a feather in her cap, and no mistake. The master’s son, eating here in her kitchen as if he was a real friend.
She was rather disappointed, therefore, when Master James asked Ellie if she would care to walk in the garden before she retired, seeing as it was her day off, ‘and did she not think it a fitting end to the evening?’
Ellie agreed to this with her natural ease, ‘that would be pleasant, thank you’.
He touched her elbows, in assistance, and they went out into the garden together.
William experienced a sudden feeling of alarm. Things like this did not happen in houses of this stature. Yes, it was well known that the Master, or his sons, would waylay a servant and have his way with her. The poor girl would not dare to complain, as this would mean her instant dismissal, often branded a liar and troublemaker. But William was
aware that this was different.
Master James had fallen in love with Ellie, he was certain of it, and it could only lead to complications for the girl.
He sipped his tea, thoughtfully, and glanced at his wife.
‘What do you make of all that, Missus Blunt; Master James and Ellie?’
‘Oh William, I don’t know what to think. He seems quite taken with her, doesn’t he? I do hope he doesn’t mislead the girl’.
‘I don’t think so my dear. Now if it were Master Richard, I would be more inclined to think the worst. But Master James is an honourable man; no, a gentleman. Yet I fear he may have honourable intentions that will cause disruption for everyone concerned’.
‘You mean he may want to marry Ellie? Oh William’! Such a thing had never been heard of, she felt sure.
‘She’s a beautiful girl, my dear, and I can understand that any gentleman, whatever his position, would want to possess such a lovely creature. However, should Master James want to wed her, I fear that it would not get serious consideration from the Master’.
‘Than let’s hope that he has not got marriage in mind, for all our sakes’.
‘But what of Ellie then, Missus Blunt? If not marriage then what eh!?’
‘Oh you don’t think he would just want to, ... er.. you know?
No not Master James’.
She shook her head. Poor little Ellie, as if she hadn’t had a bad enough time, without adding this situation to her worries.
William was in silent thought. He loved Ellie, as his own flesh and blood, and would do everything in his power to see that she came to no harm. If need be, he would speak to Master James himself.
He turned to his wife, ‘when you next speak to Ellie, will you please assure her of my best intentions, and should she ever need my help, in any way whatsoever, she must not hesitate to bring it to my attention. Will you do that for me Rose?’
‘I will, of course dear. And William, will you do something for me?’
‘And what is that’, he said, smiling fondly at her.
‘Will you continue to call me Rose? I really do like to hear you say my name’.
The Windsor Girl Page 16