by Dilly Court
‘I could try, but Papa made it very clear that he wants nothing to do with me or my sister, let alone Billy. We’ve disappointed him and let him down. He won’t lie, nor will he dissemble. Pa will tell the absolute truth.’
‘That’s a pity, but try not to worry. I’ll stake my reputation on getting Billy acquitted.’
Rose and Cora sat with Vere and Jenifry in the public area of the courtroom. Bennett was appearing for Billy in place of the circuit barrister, for which Rose knew she would be eternally grateful. She trusted Bennett above all people, and seeing him for the first time in his wig and robes she was struck by the sheer weight of his presence and personality. She had admired him before, but seeing him in his professional role took her breath away.
Vere had volunteered to be a character witness, and Toby Wilkes and Edric Kenyon had travelled down from Oxford to fulfil their part in the trial. Rose had written to her father, begging him to stand by his son, but had received no reply. She was saddened, but not surprised. Polly had sent her best wishes, and now there was nothing that any of them could do other than sit, listen and hope that the outcome of the trial would be in Billy’s favour.
The Penneck brothers protested their innocence, and the solicitor who represented them did his best to convince the judge and jury that they had been cruelly maligned. But it was Bennett who dominated the courtroom, and his quick wit outpaced the prosecution, at times leaving the country lawyer floundering for words and temporarily speechless.
Gryffyn Penneck swore on oath that his sons had been at home when the murder took place, but under Bennett’s clever cross-examination he crumbled and admitted that he might have been mistaken. Toby and Edric were called to the witness box and each gave his testimony in a loud, clear voice. Rose kept a close eye on the jurors, watching their reactions and willing them to come to the right conclusion. They seemed impressed by the two young undergraduates, and Bennett was quick to note their reactions and press home his advantage.
In his summing up, the circuit judge criticised Billy and his friends for their drunken behaviour on that fatal night. ‘They are not,’ he said firmly, ‘the sort of young men whom I would expect to find in an ecclesiastical college of such repute. They let themselves and their families down very badly, but they are young men, and we have character witnesses to bear testimony to their previous good behaviour. It is,’ he said, peering round the courtroom, ‘a pity that the defendant’s father, who is a clergyman of some standing, has not chosen to support his son.’
‘I am here, Your Honour.’
Rose turned her head to see her father enter the courtroom accompanied by Joshua Hart.
‘Who are you, sir?’ the judge demanded angrily. ‘This is very irregular.’
‘I’ve travelled a long way to be here today.’ Seymour’s voice rang out as if he were preaching to his congregation. ‘But for the vagaries of the train timetable I would have been here at the correct hour.’
‘Very well.’ The judge inclined his bewigged head. ‘We are running late as it is. Say your piece, and be done with it, sir.’
The clerk of the court escorted Seymour to the witness stand, and swore him in.
‘My name is Seymour Perkins and I have come here today to tell the court that my son is a good man. His behaviour might have fallen short of that which might have been expected of him, but, given a second chance, William Perkins will make an upstanding citizen. He is honest and has a genuine desire to work for the good of mankind, whether or not he chooses to spread the Word of God. I can say no more than that, as I was not present when the tragic death took place, but I do know that Gawain Tressidick was my son’s best friend, and that William would not use violence against anyone.’
‘Thank you, Mr Perkins. You may stand down.’ The judge turned to the jury, and, after summing up the case, he sent them off to deliberate.
Rose followed her father outside to the waiting area. ‘I’m so glad you came, Pa.’
‘I wasn’t going to attend, but Joshua came to see me and persuaded me to change my mind.’ Seymour held up his hands as Rose made a move towards him. ‘That doesn’t mean that I have forgiven your behaviour, Rose.’ He glanced over her shoulder. ‘Or yours, Cora. You girls have shamed me more than Billy could ever do. The Sunshine Sisters, indeed. Prancing about on stage and exposing your bodies for men to leer at is almost as low as it is possible for a woman to sink.’
‘Don’t say that, Papa.’ Cora’s voice broke on a sob. ‘We only did it to raise money for Billy’s defence.’
‘I don’t know how you have the nerve to look me in the face,’ Seymour continued angrily. ‘Don’t resort to tears, Cora. I know your tricks only too well. You always managed to evade punishment by weeping when you were a child. It worked with your mother, but I am of stronger stuff. I know that you ran away with that libertine Gerard Barclay.’
‘It wasn’t her fault, Papa,’ Rose protested. ‘Cora thought he was in love with her.’
‘That doesn’t make it better,’ Seymour raged. ‘In fact, it makes it worse. A decent man would have spoken to me first. He would have sought my permission to court and marry my daughter, and if Cora had had any sense she would have seen him for the philanderer he is. Now her reputation, such as it was, is in shreds and the family name is tarnished by her sins.’
Cora broke down in tears and Rose enveloped her in a hug. ‘How can you say such cruel things to her, Pa? She knows what she’s done and she’s deeply ashamed and sorry. What happened to love and forgiveness?’
Vere had been silent until this moment, but he stepped forward. ‘I think this has gone far enough, Mr Perkins.’
‘And who may you be, sir?’ Seymour glared at him.
‘This is Vere Tressidick, Papa,’ Rose said hastily. ‘It was his brother who was murdered. He’s been the soul of kindness and consideration since all this happened, and the defending barrister is Vere’s cousin, Bennett Sharpe.’
Seymour narrowed his eyes. ‘So you have chosen to throw yourselves at the mercy of men who have doubtless taken advantage of your youth and vulnerability.’
‘Mr Perkins, sir.’ Joshua tugged at Seymour’s sleeve. ‘This is neither the time nor the place. We are attracting unwanted attention.’
‘I agree,’ Vere said angrily. ‘You need to calm down, sir. I have every sympathy for your son and daughters, for now I can see where the blame lies.’
Seymour recoiled, staring at Vere in astonishment. ‘How dare you speak to me in that tone? I’m a man of God.’
‘Then act like one, sir.’ Vere took a large white handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to Cora. ‘This young woman has been through a terrible ordeal, and her health has suffered. These are your daughters; your own flesh and blood. Have you no compassion?’
Seymour stared at him, thunderstruck, and for once he seemed to have nothing to say.
‘Oh, Cora, I’m so sorry.’ Joshua touched her tentatively on the shoulder. ‘If there’s anything I can do to help, please tell me.’
‘Thank you.’ Cora’s voice was muffled by the folds of the hankie.
‘You’re very kind,’ Rose added. ‘You’re a good friend, Joshua.’
‘I think the jury is about to return,’ Vere said quietly. ‘We should take our seats for the verdict.’
Rose beckoned to Jenifry, who had been hovering in the background. ‘Come. I’m sure you of all people want to hear this.’
‘Am I to be ignored?’ Seymour demanded in a plaintive voice.
‘Yes, Papa. I believe you are.’ Rose turned to him, unsmiling. ‘You’ve made your opinions clear, so I don’t think there’s much good to be served by you remaining, unless, of course, you want to congratulate Billy when they find him not guilty.’
‘I’m staying.’ Joshua proffered his arm to Jenifry. ‘We haven’t been introduced, but I’m a friend of the family, and I can see that you are very much involved.’
‘I am, sir. Billy and me, we’re going to be wed.’
‘H
as the world gone mad?’ Seymour demanded. ‘Rose, speak to me. Tell me this young woman is not my son’s intended.’
‘Billy loves Jenifry and she has stood by him all through this, which is more than I can say for you, Papa. I’m sorry to be so bold, but you’ve made it perfectly clear that we are an embarrassment to you.’
‘Indeed you are.’ Seymour rammed his hat on his head. ‘I’m leaving now. I’ve done my duty, but from this day onwards I want nothing to do with any of you. I have no children.’ He stalked off, leaving Rose to stare after him.
Vere took her by the hand. ‘This is Billy’s moment, Rose. Your father will come round eventually.’
‘I doubt it,’ Rose said sadly. ‘He’s a proud man and we haven’t lived up to his expectations. He’ll never forgive us.’ She allowed Vere to lead her back to the gallery, where they took their seats just in time to hear the judge ask the foreman of the jury for their verdict.
There was a moment of complete silence. The suspense was unbearable, and Rose held her breath.
Then the foreman cleared his throat. ‘Not guilty.’
‘Is that the verdict of you all?’ the judge demanded.
‘Yes, Your Honour.’
‘You may walk from this court a free man, William Perkins.’ The judge’s last words were drowned by boos from the Pennecks and their supporters.
As they left the gallery Rose realised that she was still holding Vere’s hand. She released it with a murmured apology.
He flexed his fingers. ‘Remind me not to get into an argument with you, Rose. You’re stronger than you look.’
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.’
‘I was joking,’ he said with a wry smile. ‘I seem to recall you used to think I was too serious.’
‘I didn’t know you then.’ She met his amused gaze with a tremulous smile. ‘We owe you so much. Without you and Bennett the outcome might have been quite different.’ She glanced over her shoulder at the sound of footsteps and saw Billy hurrying towards them.
‘I can’t believe it, Rose. I’m a free man.’ He gave her a hug. ‘I owe you so much.’
Halfway between laughter and tears, she returned the embrace. ‘I’m just so glad it’s over.’
Billy turned to Vere and shook his hand. ‘Thank you, sir. I owe you and Bennett my life.’
‘Justice has been done,’ Vere said calmly. ‘It’s Bennett you must thank, not I.’
‘I have already done so.’ Billy turned to Rose and gave her a hug. ‘You are the best sister a man could have. None of this would have been possible if you hadn’t gone to such lengths to save me.’
‘It was a joint effort.’ Rose nudged Cora, who had been deep in conversation with Joshua. ‘We are the Sunshine Sisters, aren’t we, Corrie?’
‘Never mind that now.’ Billy slipped his arm around Jenifry’s waist. ‘We should celebrate. My friends are staying at the George and Dragon, and they’ve invited us to share a meal with them. What do you say?’
Bennett had just joined them and he slapped Billy on the shoulder. ‘I say, yes, by all means. You’re a free man, without a stain on your character. If that doesn’t call for a celebration, I don’t know what would.’ He turned to Rose. ‘Congratulations, Miss Sunshine. Billy is right; without you and Cora none of this would have happened. We should toast your success in the best champagne, if they have such a thing in the local inn.’
Rose was about to reply when an all-too-familiar figure sidled towards them with his notebook at the ready.
Enoch Frayne doffed his bowler hat. ‘A satisfactory verdict, no doubt, ladies and gentlemen.’
‘Go away, Frayne,’ Vere said angrily. ‘There’s no story here for you.’
Frayne smiled and tipped his hat. ‘You think not, Mr Tressidick?’ His glance slid round the group, taking them in with a sly smile. ‘Ah, yes. I know the Tregony family of old. Miss Jenifry’s father was always in the newspaper for one transgression or another, and his sudden death in the mine was supposed to have been an accident.’
‘You mustn’t speak ill of my pa,’ Jenifry cried angrily. ‘He was a good man.’
‘I’m sure he was,’ Frayne said smoothly. ‘And now your name is linked with a man who might well have ended up dancing at the end of the hangman’s noose, were it not for the smart-talking Mr Sharpe.’
‘That’s enough.’ Bennett stepped forward, and grabbed Frayne by the lapels of his mustard-coloured jacket. ‘You’d better leave, or do I have to throw you out?’
‘Come, come, Mr Sharpe.’ Frayne pulled away and adjusted his crumpled clothing. ‘There’s no need to take that attitude. The readers of the West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser are very interested in the lives, loves and scandals associated with the local gentry.’
Billy pushed Bennett aside. ‘Leave Miss Tregony’s name out of this. Write what you like about me, but if you mention her you’ll find yourself facing a libel suit.’
‘Harsh words, sir.’ Frayne’s smile did not waver. ‘Your pa gave an interesting performance. I think my readers will enjoy the fact that a man of the cloth disowned his entire family.’
Bennett and Vere exchanged glances and without saying a word, they each took an arm and marched the protesting Frayne from the building.
The party was subdued after the encounter with Frayne, but their spirits rose during the meal at the inn, aided by copious amounts of beer, wine and cider. Billy sat next to Jenifry, and Rose was quick to note that Joshua took a seat beside Cora, who seemed to be enjoying his company. It pleased Rose to see her sister looking happy again, and it gave her hope that Cora was coming to terms with her disastrous relationship with Gerard Barclay. Joshua was an old and trusted friend, and Rose suspected that he had harboured tender feelings for her sister for quite some time. Perhaps Cora would see him for the good, kind man he was, and would forget her childish dreams of marrying a wealthy man.
Edric and Toby kept the company amused with their accounts of student life, and it was hard for Rose to imagine either of them as sober minsters of the Church. She was seated on a wooden bench between Bennett and Vere, and she could see that the latter was shocked by some of the escapades described by Edric, but Bennett was laughing heartily. Almost without thinking she moved a little closer to him, but Vere also shifted his position and she found herself sandwiched between the cousins, with each of them vying for her attention. At first it was amusing and flattering, but she began to feel uncomfortable and was starting to lose patience when Vere announced that they had a long carriage drive ahead of them, and it was time to leave.
It was late evening when they arrived back at Portmorna House. Cora was in a state of complete exhaustion and retired to her room immediately, with Maisie clucking round her like a small hen. Joshua had taken a room at the inn, as had Toby and Edric, who intended to return to Oxford next day. They had made Billy promise to resume his studies as soon as he felt able, and he had agreed, although Rose thought it unlikely in the circumstances. She loved her brother dearly, but she was not sure whether he was cut out to follow their father into the ministry. She did not doubt that he would marry Jenifry, but how they would live was another matter. For the moment, she was simply grateful to have Billy returned to them.
‘Shall I take your bonnet and mantle, miss?’
Rose looked round to find Jenifry standing at her side. ‘Thank you.’ She handed them to her. ‘You won’t be a servant much longer, I think.’
Jenifry bobbed a curtsey. ‘I hope not, miss. But I don’t know what Billy intends.’
Rose waited until Jenifry was out of earshot before challenging her brother. ‘You can’t allow this to go on.’
He stared at her with a puzzled frown. ‘What’s that, Rose?’
‘You took Jenifry from her home; you must marry her. It’s as simple as that. That was your intention, wasn’t it?’
‘Of course, but give me a chance, Rosie. I might have ended up in the cells again, or worse. I haven’t had time to think about marri
age.’
‘It’s not right that she’s waiting on us, Billy. I think she should return home tomorrow, and you can make the necessary arrangements. If you don’t, she’ll have all the gossips making up stories about her, and blackening her name. You can’t allow that to happen.’
Billy leaned over to kiss her cheek. ‘You are a worrier, Rosie. I’ll do the right thing by Jenny. I just hope that you choose one of your suitors, and put them out of their misery.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘I’ve only spent one evening in their company, Rosie, but any fool can see that both Vere and Bennett are smitten by you. You’ll have to make one of them happy and the other miserable. Which one will you choose?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Rose said hastily. She stood on tiptoe to kiss her brother on the cheek. ‘It’s good to know that you’re a free man, Billy. Make the most of it and don’t allow Papa to browbeat you into taking up a career that isn’t of your choosing.’
‘You mustn’t worry about me. I can take care of myself, but I’ll always be grateful to you and Cora for what you’ve done for me.’ He enveloped her in a hug. ‘Good night, Rosie, and think about what I said earlier. I’m turning in now. They’ve put me in my old room as if nothing has changed, but of course it has. I still feel guilty for what happened to Gawain. If we hadn’t gone out drinking, none of this would have taken place.’ He hurried off without waiting for Rose to comment.
She was about to mount the stairs when she heard the sound of voices, and she turned to see Vere and Bennett enter the house. They had chosen to ride, and a gust of cool night air followed them in, laced with the smell of horseflesh and leather. Rose was about to speak when she realised that they were in the middle of a fierce argument.
Bennett was the first to see her and he came to a sudden halt. ‘We’ll leave it there, Vere. I’ve nothing more to say on the subject.’
‘You can offer her nothing,’ Vere said bitterly. ‘You have no home to speak of and a comparatively modest income. I can give her everything she could desire.’