by Diane Allen
‘You’re an early bird. I never usually see a soul up here at this time.’ Closing the gate behind him, he tied the horse to one of the crossbars. He pulled a packet of cigarettes out of his pocket and lit one, then leaned on the wall next to Alice.
‘I couldn’t resist. It was as if the sun was calling me. Besides, I needed to think things through before I go up to Stone House this morning.’
‘Aye, I reckon your lad’s taken on more than he can chew. He’ll not be happy with that one. She’s used to getting her own way, whereas he’s like me and you – bit of a free spirit. Wild birds die if you cage ’em; he should know that.’ Jack took a long drag on his cigarette.
‘I’ll remind him, but it’s too late now. He should have thought about that when he was busy plotting how to get his hands on Nancy’s money.’ Alice couldn’t help but confide in Jack that she knew Will had only married and got Nancy pregnant for her money.
‘I thought this baby was an accident. Has he got her in the family way on purpose? By ’eck, my father would kick my arse if I’d have done that.’
‘Now you know why there was such an unwelcoming feel about the wedding. He’ll be right with Nancy, but it’s her brass that he’s after. I don’t know what’s got into our Will. He’s changed since Mother and Father died.’ Alice picked up a pebble and threw it hard, watching it bounce and settle on the stony path.
‘Aye, well, I haven’t seen him much this last month or two – haven’t had much time for owt lately.’ He untied the horse and stamped out his cigarette with his boot.
Alice stood up, brushed her skirt and linked her arm with Jack’s. ‘I’ll walk with you. They’ll be waking up at the manor now. How’s that girlfriend of yours – Amy, is it? Must be serious if you’re thinking of settling down.’
‘Nay, I’ve given over taking her out. She was costing me a fortune and she couldn’t bake. What I need is a lass that’s good with money and can make something out of nowt. Amy was no good for me.’
Alice smiled. She’d had a narrow escape from thrifty Jack; she wanted a bit more from life than working and she’d had her fill of having to make something out of nowt.
Mrs Dowbiggin was busy lighting fires and getting the kitchen going for breakfast when Alice walked in.
‘What on earth are you doing up and about this hour of the day? I’ve only just got dressed myself!’ She pulled a new tablecloth out of the large oak drawer and shoved it into Faulks’s hands so that he could set the breakfast table in the dining room.
‘It’s such a beautiful morning, Mrs D, I couldn’t waste it lying in bed. I needed to get out while I have the chance. Once I’m up the dale, I’ll not have much time to myself.’ Alice helped herself to a glass of water, sipping it while she watched Mrs Dowbiggin stir the porridge.
‘Must be something in the water, because his lordship is up and about too. He’s just demanded a cup of tea in his study. I told him he’d have to wait until the kettle’s boiled and I’ve only one pair of hands.’ Wiping her fingers on her apron, she began getting the breakfast crockery out.
‘Leave that to me. I’ll take it through to him. I need a word with him anyway.’
Alice put a cup and saucer and teapot on a tray; then, while she waited for the kettle to boil, she ran outside and picked a small bunch of violets. Mrs Dowbiggin tutted as Alice arranged the violets in a small vase and put it on the tea tray before carrying it off to Gerald’s study.
As soon as Alice was out of earshot, the housekeeper shook her head and said, ‘I don’t know what’s going on in this family any more, Mr Faulks, I really don’t. Perhaps it’s best that we are where we are in life, ’cos I wouldn’t want to be young again.’
‘Morning. Isn’t it a beautiful day? It’ll be a nice ride up the dale this morning.’ Alice breezed into Gerald’s study, placing the tray of tea in front of him.
‘I suppose it is, but my head doesn’t think so.’ Gerald squinted at Alice. ‘I’m afraid I drank too much last night and now I’m suffering, hence the tea.’ He took a deep slurp of tea and eased into his chair. ‘Having drunk myself stupid and considered the matter from every angle, I’ve come to a decision. I will give them Nancy’s allowance – they’ll need it to bring the baby up. But I want your assurance that you will be there for her, no matter what. She trusts you and I know that she’s going to need all the help she can get in the next few months. No taking sides, Alice; you do right by me and mine, because you know your brother’s plotted his way into this family and I’ll not fall for any more schemes.’ He looked intently into Alice’s eyes, as if questioning her motives.
‘I’ll be right with her, Gerald. I’ll be there when she needs me, and I promise neither Nancy nor the baby will come to any harm if I have a say in it.’
‘Right then, let’s wish them all the best this morning when we go to Stone House. I’ll drop you off at the cottage and then I’ll look around the works with Will. I’ve been going through the books and, to be honest, I don’t know what we are going to do. We can’t compete with these foreign imports. Bloody Italians – thanks to them, our marble’s worthless. For a month or two I thought we were doing well, but orders have dropped off. I need to discuss it with Will.’ He flicked through the accounts book and sighed.
‘Thank you, Gerald.’ Alice smiled at her new brother-in-law, glad that she’d secured her brother a decent living. ‘Don’t worry, things will come right in the end.’
‘Go on, go on, get your breakfast.’ He waved his hand at her. ‘And, Alice, I like the violets.’ He smiled, leaning back into his chair as he watched her leave his study, inspired by her determination. She wasn’t one for giving in; that he was sure of. His sister would be in good hands as long as Alice was with her.
The ride up to Stone House was pleasant, the team of horses trotting steadily while the early spring sun shone down on Alice and Gerald. There was little conversation between them; both were lost in their own thoughts. Alice had packed a small bag with a few possessions to take with her and then closed her bedroom door with a long backward glance, not wanting to leave the comfort of the manor for the spare room at Stone House. She had to go; that she knew. She owed it to Nancy and her baby; and her brother, who until now had had no idea how much his new wife was suffering from her nerves, was going to need her support.
She looked at Gerald, his eyes on the road ahead as he sat next to her at the reins. This was the man that she had been warned about, the man who ruled her life, and now he was her brother-in-law and she felt at ease with his charms. In fact, she could honestly say that there was not a minute in the day when she did not think about him. His dark hair, his dry smile and his smooth voice . . . Yet below the gentle side to him Alice could see there was a man of passion, the side that one day perhaps she would see more of. She gathered her thoughts as the trap went over the small arched stone bridge that had crossed the River Dee for centuries and up the short path to her new home. Gerald held her hand as he helped her to alight; then she hurried to the open kitchen door, where Nancy was standing with arms outstretched.
‘Will said you were coming, but I thought he was teasing. He’s even put some of Mrs Dowbiggin’s cakes out on a plate for us. I don’t know how to make cakes. Do you, Alice? I fear I’m not going to be a good wife and mother; I’ve so much to learn.’ Nancy sat down and fidgeted with her fingers, a look of hopelessness on her face.
Alice removed her hat and shawl and took Nancy’s hands in hers. ‘That’s why I’m here: to take care of you and the baby, to make sure you eat and get enough rest. All you have to do is take care of yourself and Will and be happy.’ She smiled reassuringly at her sister-in-law, who looked as if she had finally realized what she had let herself in for.
‘Aye, our Alice will look after you, lass. She can cook, so tha needn’t bother your head over that.’ Will put his hand on Nancy’s shoulder just as Gerald came into the room.
‘Will, you and I need to make a fresh start. You’re married to my sister now; I migh
t not agree with it, but as long as you promise to stand by her and care for her, then you’ll have my backing, along with the allowance that we originally talked about. You can thank your Alice for that.’ Gerald looked at Alice as she knelt on the floor next to Nancy. ‘She made me see sense last night. We’ve got to take care of this baby now it’s on its way.’
‘Well, that takes a weight off my mind.’ Will’s face lightened. ‘I can’t thank you enough for helping us out. I didn’t know how we were going to manage; the stone works is not doing much at the moment and the men are all grumbling. We need to find a better seam of marble soon if we are to keep working.’
Will had been dreading seeing Gerald Frankland all morning. One night of being with Nancy had made him realize just how bad she was, but at least the money gave him some hope.
‘Right, let’s go and take a stroll up to the works so I can take a look around. How many men have we working for us at the moment? If you haven’t the work for them, perhaps you could get rid of one or two – that’s what I advise, anyway.’ Gerald danced around his words, remembering that he no longer actually owned the marble works.
‘Aye, well, any advice you can give, I’d be grateful. You’ll have seen by my accounts that we aren’t breaking even at the moment. The market’s just died.’ Will was clearly uncomfortable.
‘Nancy prompted me a while ago to secure you an order from the Tsar of Russia – I have contacts over there, as you know. However, there is turmoil in the country at the moment and I’m sure that ordering a fireplace from Dent would be the last thing on their minds. For the time being we will have to come up with another way of boosting profits.’
Alice was struck by the words ‘turmoil in Russia’. So things were not going well over there. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen any letters arriving with the delicate feminine handwriting on the envelope; perhaps that was one of the reasons Gerald had been so moody lately. She felt herself looking at him and blushing at the thoughts that were going through her head. Perhaps he was fair game after all. With his beloved Tatiana off the scene, she could woo him and keep his attention. How she hated the sound of that Russian woman’s name. If as a result of this turmoil she were to vanish from Gerald’s life, Alice would be a happy woman.
‘Do excuse us, ladies. We are going to take a stroll to the stone works so we can draw upon one another’s knowledge and see what can be done. Nancy, dear, I’ll have a talk with you later, but I’m sure you and Alice have plenty to catch up on in the meantime.’ Gerald put on his hat and stepped out, followed by Will, who turned to wink at them as he closed the door. There was a broad smile on his face; he felt much more comfortable not being at loggerheads with his brother-in-law.
Alice bustled around the kitchen, tidying up and sweeping the hearth, then filling the kettle before placing it over the fire to boil.
‘I’m so useless. I’m Will’s wife – I’m supposed to be doing this, but I don’t know what to do,’ Nancy wailed as she watched Alice scurrying around.
‘And as I said that’s precisely why I’m here: you and your baby will be wanting for nothing. Talking of babies, you need to stop wearing those corsets. The poor mite will be getting squashed in there.’ Alice nodded to Nancy’s cinched-in waistline. ‘You need some loose-fitting clothes. Tell our Will to put his hand in his pocket and take you to Kendal. You need to be comfortable, not make a fashion statement.’
Nancy’s face immediately clouded over. ‘I don’t want to lose my waist. It’ll have to be squashed – I’m not spoiling my figure for a baby.’ She pouted and launched into a tantrum that a ten-year-old would have been proud of, screaming, ‘I wish it was dead. It has spoilt everything!’
Alice did her best to calm her down. ‘You don’t mean that, Nancy. Why, only the other week you were saying how much you were looking forward to being a mother. In five months you’ll be wearing the tightest corsets you can find. Don’t wish the baby ill; it’ll bring a lot of joy to you both – a new baby always does.’ She could see that Nancy was struggling to come to terms with the course her life had taken and that she didn’t really wish any harm to the baby.
Nancy sobbed, ‘I’ve made a mess of my life. What am I doing here instead of at the manor? Look at it – a worker’s cottage – and me four months pregnant the day after a shotgun wedding. My life’s a mess, a horrible mess.’
Alice put a comforting arm around her. ‘We all make mistakes. I should know – I’ve done things that I’m really ashamed of. But you have so much to look forward to. You’ve got money, a good cottage, a man who loves you and a baby on the way – and when he or she is born, I’m sure you’ll love that baby with all your heart. Things will get better. You’ve just to get on with it. I’m here to do all the work and take care of you both and I’ll not let you down.’ She rocked Nancy’s trembling body, gazing over her shoulder at the beautiful spring day outside the kitchen window. It was going to be a long five months, and even then she didn’t know how things would be. She only hoped and prayed things would improve.
16
It was payday and the burly marble workers formed a line at the doorway of Stone House Cottage, collars turned up and caps pulled down to protect them from the fine drizzle. The grey skies matched their mood.
‘I’ve not had to carve anything for over a month now,’ said the oldest man in the group. ‘I can’t see us carrying on. There’s no work, and we can’t go on like this for ever.’
Josiah Middleton nodded in agreement and carried on trying to wind the men up. ‘If O’Hara had still been here, we’d have had full bellies and full pockets, but this arse-licker only looks after himself. I tell you, O’Hara might have been turning Frankland over, but he took care of his own. With this ’un we’ll get bloody nothing, ’cos he’s neither one thing nor t’other. The man’s a traitor to his own kind!’ Middleton shoved his hands in his pockets and spat on the clean step of the cottage. ‘Come on, you bugger, open up – we want our brass,’ he brayed at the kitchen door.
The green-painted door opened and Alice stepped out, wiping her hands on her pinny. She glared at the great hulk towering over her in the doorway. ‘Will you be quiet! Miss Nancy is resting and my brother’s trying to count out your wages. You’ll not get them any sooner by bellowing.’ There was no trace of fear in her voice, but inside she was quaking. The huge man could easily have picked her up off her feet, and well he knew it.
‘Oooh, lads, did you hear that? Miss Nancy’s resting. From what I hear, both these so-called ladies are at their best on their backs,’ Middleton roared at his workmates, who rewarded his wit with rumbling laughter.
‘Don’t you make fun of me, Mr Middleton, or you’ll live to regret it.’ Alice could feel her temper rising. Her face was flushing not with embarrassment but with fury. How dare he, the crude, vulgar man. ‘I’m warning you, mind who you are talking to.’
‘And who’s that, then? A lady’s maid – if you can call that wild thing a lady. As for the “maid”, why she’s no better than a prostitute, or so I’ve heard.’ Middleton continued playing to his admiring crowd, unaware of Will coming to the door.
‘Middleton, you’ve insulted my family enough – get yourself in here now, and close the door.’
Will was sharp and hard with his words; this troublemaker had riled him once too often. He went and sat behind the kitchen table, where the allocated wages and his accounts were all laid out, and began counting out a few extra shillings alongside Middleton’s wages. The man had taken his cap off and relaxed his stance in anticipation of receiving his week’s pay. Alice looked on, her eyes burning into Middleton’s back. Her hands were clenched into fists by her side; she was so angry she wanted to lash out at him for calling her those things.
Will counted the money out as he placed it in the big man’s outstretched palm, and carried on counting until the man was holding two weeks’ wages. Then he rose to his full height and looked the grinning man straight in the eye. ‘Middleton, you’re fired. I’ve had enou
gh of you and your troublemaking. I don’t need your sort round here. There’s an extra week’s wage in your hand. Now, I want you off my property by the end of the day.’
‘You dirty rotten bastard – you can’t run that works without me. You’re nothing, you jumped-up piece of shit.’ Middleton grabbed Will by the collar, pulling him halfway across the table and sending the rest of the wages scattering across the floor.
‘Oh, but I can,’ said Will, breaking free from his aggressor’s grasp. ‘There isn’t going to be a marble works any more – I’ve just closed the place down and now you’re all out of a job. So you can threaten me all you like but there’s nothing you can do about it.’
‘You bastard! You’ve sold us all out! Taken care of yourself, haven’t you? Made sure you’re all right, but you don’t give a damn about the rest of us – we’re nothing to you.’ He made a fist and was about to throw a punch at Will when he felt something poke him in the middle of his back.
‘I wouldn’t do that if I was you. Now you’d better calm down, walk out that door and keep on walking else I’ll pull this trigger – and believe me, my brother taught me how to handle a gun real well. I don’t just lie on my back, as you so quaintly put it.’ If Alice could have pulled the trigger without fear of being prosecuted for murder, she would have done it. She hated the ugly brute of a man.