Ragged Rose

by Dilly Court

  Rose hesitated, undecided as to what to do next. She looked up and saw Vere making his way down the wide staircase.

  ‘What’s happened, Rose?’

  ‘The Penneck brothers broke out of the gaol, and Billy’s gone with them.’ She took a deep breath. The desire to cry had left her and was replaced by anger. ‘How could he be so stupid? He knew that Bennett would do everything in his power to secure his release.’

  Vere moved swiftly to her side. ‘Don’t upset yourself, Rose.’

  ‘This is a disaster. Everyone will assume that Billy is guilty.’

  ‘There’s little you can do, my dear. Come into the dining room and have some breakfast.’

  ‘No, really. I’ve no appetite.’

  ‘Starving yourself isn’t the answer.’ Vere took her by the arm. ‘Come along, Rose. I insist.’

  The last thing Rose wanted at that moment was to sit down to a formal breakfast with Vere, who at the best of times made her feel uncomfortable. Thoughts whirled around in her head like a swarm of angry wasps. Her main concern was for Billy, but she knew now that it would be almost impossible to keep the truth from her parents. They would have to know of their only son’s disgrace, and his failure to stand up in court and defend himself would only add to their distress. She allowed Vere to lead her to the dining room and took a seat at the table.

  He rang the bell and when no one came he rose to his feet and went to open the door. ‘James.’ His voice echoed eerily in the silent house. He returned to his place at the table. ‘Where is he? And where is Jenifry? Has the world gone mad?’

  ‘Bennett sent James to organise a search party in case Billy and the Penneck brothers are hiding somewhere on the estate. As to Jenifry, I fear that she has gone with the escapees. I suspected she had feelings for my brother, but I had no idea that they went so deep.’

  Vere returned to his seat, pouting like a small boy denied a treat. ‘I object to having my household turned upside down in this manner. I chose to believe the best of William, but now I see that I have been deceived. A guilt-free man would have fought to prove his innocence, and your brother has chosen to ally himself with criminals.’

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ Rose said softly. ‘But you are wrong about Billy. I know he didn’t do it, and had you seen him in gaol you might understand why he took such a desperate course.’

  ‘I don’t blame you, Rose. How could I? You have suffered too, and will have to bear the disgrace brought upon your good name.’

  ‘Again, I’m sorry to disagree with you, but I will stand by my brother no matter what. Billy has been weak and foolish, but that doesn’t make him a bad man. I’ll never believe ill of him.’

  Vere dismissed her argument with a wave of his hand. ‘Please say no more. I don’t want to hear William’s name mentioned again, but you are still a welcome guest in my house. All I want now is my breakfast.’ He picked up the bell and rang it vigorously.

  Rose leaped to her feet. ‘There doesn’t seem to be anyone to hear you, sir. I’ll go down to the kitchen and see what’s happening.’

  ‘No, you will not. I’ve never heard of such a thing.’ Vere’s offended tones followed Rose as she left the room, but she chose to ignore him.

  The heat in the kitchen almost took her breath away, and the savoury aroma of frying bacon and hot coffee filled the steamy atmosphere.

  Mrs Vennor looked up from the saucepan she was stirring and her mouth dropped open. She stepped away from the range and bobbed a curtsey. ‘What can I do for you, miss?’

  ‘Mr Tressidick would like his breakfast, but there doesn’t seem to be anyone to answer the bell.’

  ‘James should be in the dining room, miss. I’m afraid I don’t know where Jenifry is.’

  ‘You must be aware of what’s happened,’ Rose said, choosing her words with care. ‘None of us knows exactly what occurred last night, but Mr Bennett has sent James on a mission.’

  ‘Breakfast is ready, miss. I’ll send Tamsin to the dining room, if you’d be kind enough to take my sincere apologies to the master.’

  Rose picked up a salver filled with bacon and buttered eggs. ‘I will, of course, and I’ll take this. If Tamsin could bring the coffee and some toast I think that will be sufficient.’ She ignored Mrs Vennor’s protests and the startled looks from the young kitchen maid.

  Vere looked even more surprised when Rose entered the dining room and set the salver on the table in front of him.

  ‘I know this isn’t done,’ she said with a rueful smile, ‘but this is far from being a normal day, so I hope you’ll make allowances.’

  He sat back in his chair, eyeing her with interest. ‘What a surprising young woman you are, Rose.’ He served himself from the dish. ‘I insist that you eat something. It’s a crime to waste good food.’

  Somewhat reluctantly Rose took her seat at the table just as Tamsin arrived with the coffee and a rack of toast. She placed them on the table and scuttled out of the room before either of them had a chance to speak.

  Vere poured coffee for himself and for Rose. ‘Mrs Vennor had better see about hiring a maid to take Jenifry’s place. I have business to attend to, or I would stay and keep you company.’

  ‘I understand.’ Rose stared at the plate of food in front of her, but her thoughts were with Billy and she was growing more worried with each passing minute. If the fugitives had stolen a boat they could be in even more desperate trouble. A vision of them clinging to the hull of their craft after being capsized by stormy seas in the middle of the Channel brought her out in a cold sweat. She knew that her imagination was running away with her, and she made an effort to eat, but each mouthful tasted like sawdust and she was finding it difficult to swallow.

  ‘Tell me about yourself, Rose.’

  She looked up with a start. ‘I’m sorry, sir?’

  ‘I know nothing about you other than the fact that you are Billy’s sister and your father is a clergyman.’ Vere pushed his plate away, studying her with an intense look. ‘You will have had a sheltered upbringing and yet you were prepared to come amongst strangers unaccompanied, risking more than your reputation. Apart from that, you do not strike me as a woman of means, so how did you propose to pay for your brother’s defence?’

  Rose sipped her coffee. She had been tempted to make up a convincing story, but there seemed little point in lying. ‘Very well, since you ask, I’ll tell you the truth. As a child I longed to follow my aunt onto the London stage. She taught me and my sister to dance and gave us singing lessons, in secret of course, because our father is very strict and would have forbidden such a thing. Then, when Cora and I realised that we had to find the money to pay for our brother’s defence I saw a billboard inviting singers and dancers to audition at Fancello’s saloon.’

  Vere listened intently, his gaze never faltering from her face as she related the series of events that had brought her to Cornwall.

  ‘I’m shocked, but I’m also amazed,’ he said when she came to a halt. ‘You are a redoubtable young lady, and you deserve better than a feckless brother who thinks only of himself.’

  ‘That is very unfair, sir.’ She pushed back her chair and stood up. ‘You are entitled to your opinion, but I cannot remain here and listen to such talk. As soon as I know what has happened to my brother I’ll return to London. Until then I will have to trespass a little longer on your hospitality.’ She was about to leave when the door opened and Tamsin burst into the room. Her face was flushed and she hopped from one foot to the other.

  ‘Please, sir. There’s a gentleman at the door. He be from the newspaper and he says he won’t go until he’s spoken to you.’

  Vere rose to his feet. ‘I knew this would happen. Show him to my study, girl, and don’t tell him anything, or you will be sent away without a character. Do you understand?’

  ‘I do, sir.’ Tamsin raced from the room, slamming the door behind her.

  ‘Dealing with untrained servants makes me wish that I had a wife to sort out problems below st
airs,’ Vere said crossly. ‘Keep out of sight, please, Rose. The fellow will never leave if he spots you. I’ll deal with him.’ He walked to the door, hesitated and turned to her with a hint of a smile in his pale eyes. ‘You are more than welcome here. If I’ve said anything to make you feel uncomfortable I hope you will forgive me.’

  ‘We are all suffering in our own way,’ she said earnestly.

  He acknowledged her response with a nod and hurried from the room. Rose sank down on her chair. There seemed little that she could do other than to await Bennett’s return and hope that he would have some news of Billy. She jumped as the door opened again, but it was Tamsin who entered.

  ‘I’ve come to clear the table, miss. If that be all right with you, so Mrs Vennor told me to say, and I very near forgot.’ She attempted to curtsey and almost toppled over.

  Rose had a sudden urge to laugh, but she managed to control herself. ‘That’s all right, Tamsin. You may do your work. I think I might go for a walk as it’s such a lovely day.’

  ‘The newspaper man give me a penny,’ Tamsin said in a confidential whisper. ‘He asked me if you was still here, but I never told him nothing, miss. He give me the penny anyway, and I shall spend it on toffee. I’ll eat it all even if it do give I the bellyache.’

  Rose left the room wondering how she was going to fill in the time before Scully arrived. She was desperate to do something other than wander aimlessly round the garden. There were so many unanswered questions, and waiting patiently for news was simply not in her nature. She started off in the direction of the drawing room, where at least she would have a good view of the harbour, but found herself walking past Vere’s study. The temptation to stop and listen was too great and she bent down, placing her ear against the keyhole.

  ‘If you print this story I will sue your newspaper and put you out of business.’ Vere’s words rang out so loudly that she straightened up, glancing round anxiously in case anyone else was in the vicinity.

  ‘You cannot stop me, sir. You can either give me your version of the truth or I will write what I think to be an accurate story. By tomorrow the escape from Bodmin Gaol will be in the London papers, no matter what you say.’

  Rose clapped her hand to her mouth to stifle a cry of anguish. A vision of her father’s face as he read the account of Billy’s imprisonment for murder and subsequent escape flashed before her eyes, causing her physical pain. The sound of angry voices and the scrape of a chair on highly polished floorboards was followed by quick footsteps. She turned and ran. With no plan in mind she found herself outside on the carriage sweep. Her heart was pounding and she stopped to take deep breaths of clean country air perfumed with almond blossom and spring flowers. The faint sound of a horse’s hoofs made her shield her eyes from the sun as she peered into the distance. She could not make out who was approaching at a gallop, but her heart beat even faster in the hope that it was Bennett returning with news. She did not hear the footsteps behind her until too late, and she spun round as someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was something of a shock to find herself looking into the face of a small, thin man with oily brown hair slicked back from his forehead. He had a knowing, arrogant look that made her want to back away.

  ‘You must be the maid from London,’ he said with a satisfied grin. ‘My name is Enoch Frayne, of the West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser. I heard you were here, but Mr Tressidick denied all knowledge of you. I find that curious, don’t you, Miss Perkins?’

  ‘I have nothing to say to you.’ Rose held her head high. ‘Not a word.’

  ‘Don’t you want to defend your brother, Miss Perkins? Don’t you think that breaking out of prison and running away is an admission of guilt?’

  ‘My brother is innocent,’ Rose said breathlessly. ‘He is a good man.’

  ‘Do you know where he is now?’

  ‘Of course not.’ Rose glanced over her shoulder, hoping against hope that it was Bennett who had just brought his horse to a halt, but it was Scully who dismounted. Even so, she greeted him with a cry of relief. ‘Mr Scully, this man is a reporter from the local newspaper.’

  ‘Scully.’ Enoch Frayne took out his notebook and pencil. ‘What connection do you have with this case?’

  Without uttering a word, Scully seized Frayne by the scruff of his neck and marched him down the carriage sweep. Frayne’s protests startled a clamour of rooks and they rose from a stand of beech trees, squawking loudly. Rose watched in awe as Scully reached the wrought-iron gates and pitched the unfortunate reporter through them. Frayne landed in an undignified heap on the dusty road. She could not hear what he was saying as he scrambled to his feet, but he did not look happy.

  She ran to greet Scully. ‘Thank you for that. He was determined to get a story no matter what I said.’

  ‘He’ll go ahead anyway,’ Scully said, shrugging. ‘I need to speak to Sharpe. Is he at home?’

  Rose shook her head. ‘No, he went down to the village to make enquiries. Have you heard the news?’

  ‘It’s all over Bodmin.’

  ‘The estate workers are searching the woods in case Billy and the Penneck brothers are hiding there.’

  Scully took off his battered bowler hat and wiped his brow. ‘I travelled from Oxford last night, together with the two witnesses. They’re staying at the inn, but I hired this nag in Bodmin and rode here.’

  ‘You must be hungry and tired.’ Rose led the way into the house. She hesitated, not knowing whether to treat Scully as a guest or a servant, but she was saved from making the decision by the sudden appearance of Vere.

  ‘If you’re another reporter I’ll have you thrown out,’ he said angrily.

  ‘No, Vere, this is Todd Scully. You may remember Bennett mentioned him when we first arrived. He’s been making enquiries in Oxford and he needs to speak to Bennett,’ Rose explained hastily. ‘He’s just ridden all the way from Bodmin.’

  Vere gave Scully a cursory glance. ‘See to his needs, Rose. I’m going to the quarry.’

  ‘What shall I tell Bennett?’

  ‘I don’t have to explain my moves to my cousin. I’ll be back in time for dinner, but he knows where to find me.’ Vere picked up his top hat and cane as he left the house, heading in the direction of the stables.

  Scully met Rose’s worried look with a chuckle. ‘Don’t worry about me, miss. I’m used to all sorts. Just point me in the direction of the kitchen and I’ll wheedle some grub out of the cook. I’m used to taking care of meself.’

  ‘I can do better than that,’ Rose said firmly. ‘I’ll come with you and introduce you to Mrs Vennor. Then you can tell me everything you know. I’m so worried about Billy and I don’t know what to do.’

  Bennett returned at noon. Rose had been waiting and watching in the hope that someone would come bearing news of Billy. She hurried to meet him, but he shook his head.

  ‘I’ve been everywhere and asked all those who might be able to help, but none of them are admitting to any knowledge of what went on last night. Jenifry’s mother is quite distraught, the girl being her only surviving child, and it was impossible to comfort her. Gryffyn Penneck swears that he had nothing to do with the escape, and the police had already spoken to him, but he sticks to his story.’

  ‘Mr Scully is here. He’s having a nap in the morning parlour.’

  ‘Did he get anything out of Billy’s friends from Oxford?’

  Rose shook her head. ‘I don’t know. He won’t tell me anything, which is very frustrating. James returned an hour ago and said they’d combed the woods, finding nothing.’

  ‘I think James might have been right, and the Pennecks had a boat waiting in one of the coves. They’re probably safe in France by now.’

  ‘It does look bad for Billy,’ Rose said slowly. ‘Worse still, a reporter from the local newspaper came here this morning. He spoke to Vere and I overheard him say that the whole sorry story will be in the London papers by tomorrow.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Rose. I wish there was more I could do to h
elp.’

  ‘I have to return home. Cora and I tried so hard to keep Billy’s plight from our parents, and now this …’

  ‘I’d come with you, but I still have some business to attend to here. Scully will accompany you. He’ll see you safely home.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She hesitated, not knowing quite what to say. ‘I’ll find the money to pay you what we owe. You need not worry about that.’

  He held up his hand. ‘I wouldn’t hear of it. The case hasn’t gone ahead so I won’t claim a fee. It would be very unfair.’

  ‘But you’ve worked so hard to prove Billy’s innocence.’

  ‘Sometimes things don’t work out as they should, but I refuse to take a penny from you. Go home, Rose. Go back to the life you know, and I don’t mean dancing on stage in front of louche men, slumming in the East End.’

  ‘Things will never be the same,’ she said sadly. ‘I dread to think how my parents will react. I was hoping to go home with the news that Billy had been falsely accused and had been acquitted. Now it will be splashed all over the newspapers and everyone will know. My father might even lose his living because of it.’

  ‘Now you’re jumping to conclusions. Give your father credit for being an intelligent and forgiving man. I’m sure those to whom he answers in the Church will have more wisdom than to condemn him for the misdeeds of his son.’

  ‘I hope you’re right. Thank you for everything, Bennett.’ Rose’s emotions were raw, and she could feel her whole world teetering on its axis. ‘I doubt if I’ll ever see you again, but I’ll always be grateful for what you did for Billy.’ Her voice shook and she averted her gaze, unable to look him in the eye. She waited for him to speak, but he remained silent, and she walked away.

  The journey home next day was uneventful. Scully was not the most entertaining companion, and he fell asleep as soon as the train left the station, but he was an experienced traveller and knew exactly what to do and where to go when they changed from one train to another. He insisted on seeing Rose home, and they parted on the vicarage doorstep.

  ‘Good luck,’ he said tersely. ‘I think you’ll need it, girl.’ He tipped his hat and strolled off, whistling.