by Iris Gower
‘I’m only teasing, Jayne. I congratulate you on your efforts with these girls. They both need a bit of good fortune and I’m proud that you are providing it.’ He smiled wickedly. ‘You don’t usually keep your servants for long – perhaps this time will be different.’ He looked around. ‘Where is Buchan? Has he gone away again? He seems to spend more time travelling than he does at home.’
‘He’s got a lot of business in London these days, you know that, Father, and I’ll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself.’
‘Oh, Jayne,’ Llinos said quickly, ‘have you seen the new gallery that’s opened in the Mumbles? It’s full of the most beautiful paintings and some exquisite sculptures. Perhaps we could drive down there together some time?’
Jayne smiled and nodded but did not commit herself: the last thing she wanted was a day out with Llinos Mainwaring. Still, it was good of her to change what had been a tricky subject.
‘These pastries are delicious,’ Llinos said. ‘You must give my compliments to your cook.’
‘And mine.’ Guy looked into her eyes as if he could read her thoughts. ‘Would you be kind enough to show me your plants, Jayne?’
‘I would love to.’ Jayne put down her plate, and stood up. ‘Father, please pour yourself and Llinos more tea while I show Guy around.’
Side by side, they walked into the centre of the conservatory where the rare plants grew in an exotic mix of foliage. ‘Don’t take too much notice of my father,’ she said quietly. ‘He likes to tease. The way he talks, you’d think I was the most ill-tempered woman in the country.’
Emboldened by the fact that they were hidden from view, Guy took her hand and smoothed her palm with his thumb. ‘You must be a delight to all who come in contact with you, Jayne. Forgive me if I seem forward but the more I’m in your company the more I want to be with you.’ He hesitated. ‘I know I shouldn’t say this but I’m very attracted to you.’
Jayne’s heart pounded. She glanced into Guy’s face and saw that he meant every word he said. She knew she should take her hand away, rebuke him for his impertinence, but she was longing to draw his head down to hers, feel his lips on her own. ‘Guy!’ She was breathless with emotion. ‘Oh, Guy, I feel the same.’ He bent so swiftly that she had no time to move away, even if she’d wanted to. He kissed her, a gentle butterfly kiss, then drew her to him. For as long as she dared, she remained in his arms. The blood was racing in her veins and her heart felt as though it would burst.
Then, he drew away. ‘I can’t apologize for kissing you, Jayne. I’ve wanted to do that ever since I met you.’ He was close to her, looking intently into her eyes, and Jayne felt as if she would drown in the joy he roused in her.
She put her hand over his lips. ‘Don’t say any more, Guy. Let’s go back to the others before they grow suspicious.’ They walked around the central area of plants and by the time her father and Llinos were in view Jayne had composed herself.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a haze of happiness for Jayne. Now and again she caught Llinos looking at her curiously for a sudden silence had fallen on the gathering. Jayne searched her mind for something to say. ‘I hear you were thinking of buying the Paradise Park, Father,’ she said.
‘I wanted to make it into a good railway hotel, a decent place for people to stay when they have to break their journey.’
‘Well,’ Jayne said, ‘the last thing you’d call the Paradise Park is decent!’
‘People’s perceptions can change, Jayne, as you’ve proved, and the hotel could be turned into a fine establishment if someone was prepared to put in the work.’
‘Why didn’t you take it on, then?’
Eynon shrugged. ‘I just felt it wasn’t for me. It needs someone young, someone like you, Jayne, with lots of time and energy.’
There was a knock on the door and Sal bobbed a curtsy as she came into the room. ‘Shall I clear away the tea-things, Mrs Buchan?’
‘See, Father? This is Sal. Doesn’t she look lovely?’ Jayne patted Sal’s arm. ‘And don’t you think I’ve taken on enough with two fallen women without taking on a hotel full of them?’
‘I suppose you’re right,’ Eynon agreed.
At last it was time for her guests to leave. Jayne stood at the window and watched as Guy swung easily on to his horse. He was a fine figure of a man, anyone could see that, and she was thrilled that he’d held her in his arms and kissed her.
She waved goodbye to her father as he climbed into his carriage, and then she returned to her seat in the conservatory to dream about the most wonderful afternoon of her life.
CHAPTER EIGHT
‘RHIANNON, THERE’S LOVELY it is to see you!’ The room was filled with sunlight and Katie was holding her baby close to her breast, looking the picture of domestic bliss.
Rhiannon swallowed hard. In other circumstances this might have been her home and her baby, with Bull coming home to her at the end of the working day. ‘Aye, I’ve got time off at last. Mrs Buchan is good to me but she sometimes forgets I need a couple of hours to myself.’
‘Well, now you’re here sit down and talk to me. I’m going off my head, talking to myself all day.’
‘I don’t believe you,’ Rhiannon said. ‘You look like the happiest girl alive, and quite right too.’
‘I am happy, Rhiannon,’ Katie said softly. ‘Bull is a wonderful husband and we are so much in love, and sometimes I can’t believe that all this happiness will last.’ She paused to kiss the baby. ‘Now I’ll put him down for a nap and we can have a nice cup of tea.’ Katie giggled. ‘I’m still not used to being waited on. I feel guilty that I sit around like a lady of leisure while other people clean, cook and do the washing.’
‘You and Bull have done well, and you both deserve everything you’ve got.’
‘I won’t be a minute.’ Katie got to her feet. ‘I want to hear all your news.’
Listening to the sound of Katie’s light footsteps on the stairs, Rhiannon felt the peace of her surroundings seep into her. Occasionally, a horse and carriage drove past, the clip-clop of hoofs echoing pleasantly in the silence of the day. But for the most part there was only the singing of the birds and the shifting of coal in the grate to distract her from her thoughts of Bull, how he had come home to her each night ready for a meal and to make love to her. The difference between Bull and all the other men she’d slept with was that he had treated her like a lady.
‘There.’ Katie returned just as the maid brought in a tray of tea and some slices of lardy cake. She sat down opposite Rhiannon. ‘I want to hear about the high life you’re leading in that big house up on the hill.’
‘Well, I’ve been made up to housekeeper now,’ Rhiannon said. She was on safe ground, talking about her new life: there was no possibility of hurting Katie. ‘I wear sensible but well-made dresses, and when I’m working I have a bundle of keys hanging from my belt.’
‘I noticed your clothes were made of fine material,’ Katie said. ‘Mrs Buchan must think highly of you.’
Rhiannon leaned forward and spoke earnestly. ‘I’ve come a long way from the street-girl I used to be, and it’s all because of you, Katie. If you hadn’t suggested going to Mrs Buchan’s house I’d still be on the streets. I owe you a lot.’
‘You don’t owe me anything,’ Katie protested.
‘I’m second-in-command to Mrs Buchan herself,’ Rhiannon said, unaware of the pride in her voice. ‘I’m learning to keep the household accounts and to make sure everyone from the cook to the scullerymaids does their work properly.’
‘What about the menservants?’
Rhiannon smiled. ‘Mrs Buchan doesn’t get on with menservants. She has to have some, of course – any big house is judged on the number of men who work in it – but now that I’ve taken over as housekeeper I try to keep the peace.’
‘And they don’t try to take liberties?’ Katie put her hand over her mouth. ‘I’m sorry!’
‘All the staff know of my past life but none of them would r
isk their jobs by treating me with disrespect.’ Rhiannon smiled. ‘In any case, most of them would rather deal with me than with Mrs Buchan. She’s got a temper on her that would make anyone run for cover.’
‘So you’re happy, then?’ Katie asked anxiously. ‘I hope so, because I won’t feel so guilty then about taking Bull away from you.’
‘You didn’t take him away, Katie. He has a mind of his own and no one on this earth would make him do anything he didn’t want to. I’ve got a good job, it’s fulfilling and rewarding, and I’ve been able to take in Sal, a little friend of mine from the streets. Of course I’m happy. I think Mrs Buchan’s happy too because she’s helping us fallen women.’
‘Oh, I’ve heard all about Mrs Buchan and her ways.’ Katie chuckled. ‘Gossip of that kind runs through the gentry and their servants like a dose of the plague.’
‘What do people think of it all?’ Rhiannon asked curiously.
‘Some think it very good of Mrs Buchan, others say she’s only doing it to keep her mind off Mr Buchan’s mistresses. What do you think, Rhiannon?’
Rhiannon stroked her cheek thoughtfully. She knew Mrs Buchan did not love her husband but his indiscretions hurt her. Still, her duty was to her mistress; a housekeeper’s watchword must be loyalty. ‘I think Mrs Buchan’s a fine, honest lady, and as for her husband’s affairs, I don’t know anything about them and I don’t want to.’
It wasn’t true. Many a night Rhiannon had heard Mrs Buchan ordering her husband to be more discreet. He always replied that if a wife did not know her place in the bedchamber a man was entitled to do what he wished with other women.
‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be prying.’ Katie’s apologetic voice broke into her thoughts. ‘I know it’s not right to gossip, especially about those who pay your wages. It was silly of me to ask any questions at all.’
‘No harm done. Let’s change the subject.’ They talked then of mundane things, of the baby’s funny little ways, of the price of food and clothing, and Bull wasn’t mentioned once. At last Rhiannon looked at the clock. ‘I’d better be off, then. I’ll see you again soon, I expect.’ But Rhiannon doubted she would visit Katie again: to be in the house of the man she loved was far too painful. ‘I just wanted to make sure you were all right and to tell you how well I’m getting along.’
‘So that I don’t feel guilty about having all this happiness?’
‘To tell you that you needn’t feel guilty about anything,’ Rhiannon said firmly. She kissed Katie’s cheek. ‘I’ll say goodbye for now, then. Take care of yourself and that lovely baby.’
Outside, the sun was still shining through the trees, dappling the roadway with light and shade. Rhiannon turned once to wave to Katie then walked briskly towards town.
It was quite a long way and it would take her an hour or more to reach the Buchan household, but it was good to be out of doors, to enjoy the peace of the day, to be free for a time of the busy duties of housekeeper.
As she passed the notorious Paradise Park Rhiannon’s pace slowed. It was here that the women of the streets conducted most of their business. It was here that poor little Sal had plied her trade. She stared up at the façade and wondered why Mr Morton-Edwards had even considered buying it. True, it was near the railway station, but other than that it had nothing to recommend it. Or did it?
Looking at the building dispassionately, Rhiannon noticed its good square lines and the large windows with ornate mouldings around them, and saw that it must once have been beautiful. With a bit of work it could be so again. Surely, as a respectable hotel, it would bring in more money than it did as a bawdy-house? If only she had the money she would buy the Paradise Park and make it a thriving business. Well, there was no harm in dreaming. Rhiannon drew her cape around her shoulders and continued the long walk home.
‘How dare you come home smelling of cheap perfume!’ Jayne was furious.
Dafydd was usually more careful: he knew his wife was aware of his womanizing but until now he had never rubbed her nose in it. ‘What? Complaining about the company I keep? That’s rich coming from you, my dear wife,’ Dafydd said coldly.
‘I don’t know what you mean,’ Jayne said. ‘What are you insinuating?’
‘I have no need to insinuate anything. I’m telling you that I do not approve of your servants Rhiannon and Sal, whores the pair of them.’
‘But they are trying to better themselves and I’m helping them. That doesn’t mean I condone the way they lived before they came to me.’
‘Well, you’re such a shrew that I suppose we’re lucky to have any servants at all.’
Dafydd had a way of picking on her weak points: he was stating the truth but in a way that put her in the wrong. Jayne sighed but she said nothing. He was right, after all: her temper had cost her several good servants.
Dafydd sank into a chair and stared at her. His direct gaze was unnerving and Jayne forced herself to stay calm. ‘If you have something to say then say it,’ she said evenly. ‘Don’t look at me as though I was less than dirt beneath your feet.’
‘I was just wondering what Guy sees in you,’ he remarked.
Jayne’s heart began to pound.
‘He certainly admires you. He’s always talking about your beauty and your business acumen.’
‘Well, isn’t it nice to be admired by someone?’ She tried to sound offhand but Dafydd had wrongfooted her again. ‘I certainly don’t get any admiration from my husband.’
Dafydd laughed. ‘Husband! That’s a fine word to use for a man you don’t sleep with and don’t even like.’
Jayne turned away from him, tired of the argument and of going over the same ground again and again. Their quarrels always followed the same pattern: he would goad her until she was almost incoherent with rage, then tear into her.
‘You should be ashamed to call yourself a married woman,’ he went on relentlessly. ‘You’re nothing more than a glorified housekeeper, except that some lucky men sleep with the housekeeper.’ He laughed. ‘And our Rhiannon is very beautiful and very experienced. Do you think I should take advantage of that?’
Jayne looked at him with disgust. ‘Whatever I say you’ll twist it to your own advantage so I’ll keep quiet.’
‘So you’re not going to defend your little whore’s honour?’
Jayne shook her head. ‘Do your worst but for what it’s worth I don’t think you’ll get very far with her. She has changed. She’s more of a lady than half the women you go out with.’
‘Fighting talk, eh? Well, I might just take up your challenge.’
‘It wasn’t a challenge, Dafydd. I was just stating the facts. Now, do you mind if we drop this? I have more important things to do than to listen to your vile talk.’
She got to her feet and left the room to the sound of Dafydd’s laughter. Sometimes she felt she could kill him. She walked for a time in the garden, trying to cool her temper. She hoped from the bottom of her heart that Rhiannon had changed, but she wasn’t sure how able the girl would be to resist the wiles of her master. Well, she would doubtless find out if Dafydd had meant what he said about seducing her.
At least Guy liked and admired her: he thought her beautiful and clever. What a pity she hadn’t met him before she married Dafydd. Everything might have been so different.
Dafydd poured himself some more port, and stared into the glass. Damn Jayne and damn her self-righteousness! She always left him feeling he’d been bested. Still he’d rattled her when he’d mentioned Rhiannon’s good looks; he’d been half joking when he said he’d like to seduce her but the more he thought about it, the more he realized that it would be an ideal way to get back at his wife. Not only would he be bedding a desirable woman but he would blow a hole right through Jayne’s attempt to rescue a fallen woman.
Rhiannon would present a challenge. These days, the girl went about her business quietly and with dignity. No one would ever guess she had once been a shanty-town woman living with any navvy who gave her bed and board in exchange f
or her favours.
He rang the bell for the maid and Sal came into the room, bobbing a curtsy. She was neatly dressed with a crisp white apron over her black dress. She had light golden hair and would be a beauty one day. He could not help feeling sorry for the child. If Jayne had achieved anything worthwhile it was in rescuing this little girl. ‘How are you getting on here, Sal?’ he asked. ‘Are you settling in?’
She seemed taken aback by his question and moved from one foot to the other nervously. ‘I like it very much, sir,’ she said, in a small voice.
‘And are you learning about the ways of a respectable household?’ he asked.
She looked around as though seeking escape.
‘It’s all right, Sal, I’m not going to harm you. I’m just interested in hearing your views. Do you get on with Mrs Buchan?’
Sal seemed to warm to him. Her eyes shone and she clasped her hands together. ‘Mrs Buchan’s that good to me, sir.’ Her voice had lost its nervousness. ‘She’s learned me so many things.’
‘Taught you, Sal, she’s taught you. Anyway, what sort of things?’
‘How to tell good linen from bad, how to lay a table properly, and she’s even got me learning to read a bit.’
‘Excellent. And what about Rhiannon, is she happy here too?’
‘Oh, yes, sir. She’s really clever, is Rhiannon, she can do anything Mrs Buchan asks her to do, even the household accounts. These days, we never run out of necessities.’
‘Good. Now, Sal, I want you to send Rhiannon to me. I’d like to make sure she’s doing everything properly.’
‘Oh, she is, sir, really she is.’
‘That will be all, Sal, and keep up the good work with the reading and writing. A bit of education will stand you in good stead in the future.’
He watched as the girl went towards the door. For a moment he felt nothing but admiration for Jayne and for what she was trying to achieve.