by Dilly Court
‘What do you think he wants?’ Sadie whispered. ‘We all said goodbye on the ship.’
‘I don’t know. I suppose we’ll just have to wait for Alice to tell us.’ Essie hesitated, not knowing what to do next.
‘There’s a fire in the morning parlour.’ Betsy scurried past with Falco’s outer garments clutched in her arms. ‘You’d be more comfortable there, miss, if you don’t mind me saying so.’
‘Thank you,’ Essie said gratefully. ‘It’s Betsy, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, miss. But please don’t tell James or Mrs Yelland that I spoke first. I’ll be in for it if you do.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘That’s the way it is with servants, miss. I’d have thought a young lady like you would know how it is in big houses such as this.’
‘I’m learning,’ Essie said slowly. ‘Thank you, Betsy. We’ll be in the morning parlour if Lady Alice needs us.’ Essie was about to head in that direction when James reappeared.
‘Lady Alice requests your presence in the drawing room, miss.’ He turned on his heel and walked off at a measured pace, leaving Essie and Sadie little alternative but to follow him.
Alice greeted them with a wide smile. ‘I’ve invited Captain Falco to dine with us this evening, and he would like to see the grounds, so I thought you two might like to join us. Merrifield is sorting out some warm clothes for you, so perhaps you’d like to entertain the captain while I go and make myself ready to brave the chill of the English winter.’ Alice swept out of the room without waiting for their answer.
Essie met Falco’s twinkling eyes with a steady stare. ‘Did your engine really break down, Captain? Or was that an excuse to spend more time with Alice?’
‘My crew need a rest,’ he said casually. ‘We’ve been at sea for many months with very little time ashore.’
‘But I thought you were afraid you’d be arrested if you landed in England.’
‘I doubt if the police in this part of the country have ever heard of Enrico Falco, or the Santa Gabriella. But the matter is now settled. I made reparation to the person who was trying to sue me.’
‘What did you do wrong?’ Sadie asked bluntly.
Essie shot her a warning glance but Falco merely grinned. ‘I was what you English call a privateer.’
‘Are you a pirate?’
‘Hush, Sadie,’ Essie said hastily. ‘You don’t ask questions like that.’
‘It is quite true.’ Falco struck a pose. ‘Although perhaps “pirate” is too harsh a word. I was involved in privateering, and then my vessel was set on fire while it was in Brindisi harbour by a rival. We, in turn, took their ship and changed the name to the Santa Gabriella. It was, as you English say – tit for tat, but the owner did not see it that way.’
‘But if it was in Italy, why were you wanted in London?’ Essie was even more puzzled by his explanation.
Falco shrugged. ‘The owner was English, although not a good man. Anyway, the matter, as I said, is now resolved.’
‘Does Alice know you were a criminal?’ Essie asked.
‘I could not allow her to think I am a better man than is true. I told her everything.’
‘Will you be returning to Australia?’ Essie asked wistfully.
He shook his head. ‘I don’t know, mia cara. I have yet to decide what I will do next. For myself I would like to give up the sea and settle down on shore, but my crew depend upon me, and I have no money of my own. Who would want to marry a man like me?’
‘Who indeed?’ Alice breezed into the room, dressed in a fur-lined cape with a matching fur hat, Cossack-style on her head, and blonde curls escaped cheekily as if to taunt and tease her admirers. Behind her Merrifield appeared carrying cloaks and bonnets for Essie and Sadie.
‘Come along then, everyone,’ Alice said briskly. ‘Let’s take a walk round the estate and work up an appetite for dinner this evening. I’m afraid we dine early in the country, Falco, but then after the slop your cook serves up you’ll find the cuisine here unparalleled.’
That night, exhausted by the early start and the long walk, Essie was settling down in the luxurious feather bed when she heard someone tapping on the door. She snapped into a sitting position. ‘Who is it?’
‘It’s me, Sadie. Can I come in?’
‘Of course you can.’ The words had barely left her lips when Sadie burst into the room and leaped onto the bed. ‘What’s the matter?’
Sadie clung to her, shivering. ‘I’m scared in that big room all on my own. Can I sleep with you? I’ll lie on the carpet, I don’t mind.’
Essie gave her a hug, trying not to laugh. ‘You are a silly, of course you can. This bed is big enough for both of us with space to spare, but if you kick me you’ll have to sleep on the floor.’
‘I don’t mind,’ Sadie said in a small voice. ‘And I don’t think I want to have lessons. I ain’t a lady and never will be.’
‘Don’t worry about it. We’ll give Miss Potts a fair trial, and if we don’t like her I’ll tell Alice to send her away. Does that satisfy you?’
A gentle snore from Sadie was her only answer. Essie had spoken confidently, but she too was worried. Her life, which had once seemed set in a pattern of working the river and marriage to Ben, had been upturned in the most cataclysmic manner. She was now a wealthy woman and she needed to learn how to live with her newfound wealth – but how would it affect those nearest and dearest to her? That was the burning question. It was a long time before sleep claimed her at last.
Chapter Fourteen
According to Alice, the schoolroom was apparently exactly the same as when she had taken lessons from Miss Potts. Alice strolled round the room, picking up small objects and putting them down again. ‘Goodness gracious, I’d completely forgotten these things,’ she said, smiling. ‘I haven’t been in this room for years.’ She turned to the tall, thin woman who had entered behind her. ‘You had a hard time trying to din mathematics and Latin into my head, Emmeline.’
Miss Potts nodded gravely. ‘You were not always the most attentive pupil, my lady.’
‘Sad but true.’ Alice turned to Essie and Sadie, who were standing to attention by the door. ‘This is Miss Potts, who will be your tutor for the next few weeks. She’ll assess how much or how little you know, but her main task will be to correct your grammar and to teach you etiquette, deportment and whatever social graces she thinks might be necessary. We’ve agreed that she will come here every morning from nine o’clock until midday. Does that sound reasonable to you, Essie?’
‘Yes, Alice.’ Essie’s initial reaction when Alice had broached the subject had been to refuse politely but firmly. However, since then she had given the matter a great deal of thought and she had to admit that it made sense. Her new fortune would only benefit her and those she loved if she knew how to handle it, and how to mix with people from all walks of life. She was no longer simply Essie Chapman, the boatman’s daughter, she was the wealthy Miss Esther Chapman, who had yet to decide how she would spend her money or where she would reside, but she also knew that there were plenty of people who would try to part her from her riches, and she must keep one step ahead of them.
‘I’ll leave you to your work, Emmeline,’ Alice said, smiling sweetly. ‘I’ll be out this morning, riding round the estate with Humphries, and I believe that Captain Falco has decided to accompany us. We’ll meet up at luncheon, Essie, and this afternoon I thought we’d take the carriage to Starcross Abbey. I’m sure you must be curious to see Raven’s ancestral home.’ She left the room, closing the door behind her.
‘Now then, ladies. Please be seated and we’ll make a start.’ Miss Potts took off her black bonnet and hung it on a peg together with her black cape. Essie noted her black bombazine dress that was threadbare in places and wondered how long the lady had been in mourning, but it was not the sort of question she could ask. She waited for Miss Potts to take her seat behind the large desk before sitting down next to Sadie.
‘I hope you don
’t use the cane too often if I gets things wrong, miss,’ Sadie said in a low voice, her eyes filling with tears. ‘I ain’t too quick at learning.’
Miss Potts folded her wrinkled hands together as if she were about to say a prayer. ‘I never use corporal punishment, Sadie. You are not in school now, but I am here to help you, so why don’t you tell me a little about yourselves. Let’s start with Esther, shall we?’
Stumbling at first, Essie told Miss Potts about her home in Limehouse and how she kept house for her father as well as helping him with his work on the river. Growing in confidence, she went on to talk about their time on board the Santa Gabriella, and how they had found Freddie living in the ruined monastery. Sadie seemed to forget her nerves and she added bits that Essie omitted. There was so much to relate, and although Essie spoke at length about their time in Ballarat, she did not choose to mention Beasley or the gold nugget that he had bequeathed to her. Sadie added graphic accounts of the hardships endured by the miners, adding vivid descriptions of the wildlife and the dangers they had faced daily from strange creatures, poisonous snakes and stinging insects. Miss Potts listened avidly, interrupting from time to time to correct their grammar, but apart from that she made no comment until they reached the end. She clapped her hands and rose to her feet.
‘That was excellent. I can see that you need just a little polish, Essie, and Sadie will soon learn to speak correctly. That was a most enjoyable session and I look forward to seeing you both tomorrow morning at nine o’clock, sharp.’
Essie stared at her in astonishment. ‘We can’t have finished yet. Surely it’s not time.’
Miss Potts took a half-hunter watch from her reticule. ‘This belonged to my late father, the Reverend Marcus Potts, vicar of this parish. It keeps perfect time and it tells me that it’s twelve noon.’ She slipped the watch back into the velvet bag and stood up. ‘It’s been a most interesting and informative morning. I look forward to tomorrow.’
‘But we haven’t learned anything,’ Essie said, frowning.
‘I think you’ll find that you’ve learned a great deal.’ Miss Potts slipped on her cloak and bonnet. ‘But if you want to continue your education, I suggest that you visit Lady Alice’s library. Her father was a keen reader and you’ll find many wonderful books there. Now I really must go. I have some errands in the village.’ She hurried from the room, leaving a waft of lavender and peppermints in her wake.
Essie shook her head. ‘I don’t know what I’ve learned this morning, other than the fact that there is a library crammed with books somewhere in the house. Let’s explore, Sadie. It’s almost an hour until luncheon so we have plenty of time.’
Hand in hand like two schoolchildren who had escaped from class and were on the lookout for mischief, they went from room to room, marvelling at everything they saw. Essie lost count of the elegant bedchambers, which, without exception, were furnished in the height of luxury and good taste. The carpets, curtains and bed linen were of the finest quality, in colours and designs that Essie could barely have imagined. However, when they reached the attic rooms on the top floor it was another story. They had found the servants’ quarters which, although adequate, were a complete contrast. The Spartan accommodation was not designed to make the staff want to linger in bed or spend any more time than strictly necessary in their quarters. Feeling like an intruder, Essie hurried down the back stairs with Sadie close on her heels.
‘It’s very odd,’ she said breathlessly. ‘In fact it’s like two completely different worlds.’
‘I thought you knew that already. It was like that in Hill Street, so it don’t – I mean it doesn’t surprise me.’ Sadie cocked her leg over the balustrade and slid down the banisters, landing at the butler’s feet.
Garner did not look amused. He took a deep breath, as if struggling with self-control. ‘That’s not a good idea, miss. Perhaps you’d be more comfortable in your part of the house.’ He looked up as Essie hurried down the stairs. ‘This is the servants’ quarters, miss. It’s not the place for young ladies to play games.’
Essie drew herself up to her full height. ‘Thank you, Garner. It won’t happen again.’ She dragged Sadie to her feet. ‘Come along, it must be almost time for luncheon.’
Garner stood aside, nodding. ‘Her ladyship and the captain have just returned from their ride. Luncheon will be served in ten minutes.’ He stalked off, twitching his shoulders in an outward display of annoyance.
‘Now we’ve upset him,’ Essie said ruefully. ‘Oh, well, it can’t be helped. Let’s see if we can find our way to the dining room without offending any more servants.’ Taking Sadie by the hand she set off along the maze of corridors, and eventually they arrived at the green baize door that separated those above stairs from the people who looked after their every need. Essie was suddenly nervous. On which side of that dividing door did she really belong? She pushed her doubts to the back of her mind as James descended upon them.
‘Her ladyship and the captain are in the dining room, miss.’
Essie inclined her head. ‘Thank you, James. I think I can remember the way. Come, Sadie.’
Sadie ran after her as Essie quickened her pace, hurrying in what she hoped was the right direction. ‘What’s the matter? Why were you huffy with James? He was only trying to help.’
‘He’s a servant and we’re guests. We’re supposed to keep them in their place. I don’t like it, but it’s what they expect,’ Essie said sadly. ‘Maybe someday things might be different, but for now we have to do what everyone else does.’ She opened the door and entered the dining room, prepared to apologise for their lateness, but Alice and Falco were laughing at some shared joke and they did not seem to notice.
‘You are a bad man, Enrico.’ Alice fanned herself with her hand. ‘Some of the things you say are quite outrageous, but very amusing.’ She turned to Essie with a bright smile. ‘And how was your morning? Did Miss Potts come up to scratch?’
‘I hardly know,’ Essie said honestly. ‘She seemed pleased with us, but Sadie and I did all the talking.’
‘This lady sounds very clever,’ Falco observed, raising his glass of wine in a toast, but his gaze was fixed on Alice and she blushed prettily.
Essie took her seat at the table. ‘Are we still going to Starcross Abbey this afternoon?’
‘Of course.’ Alice turned to Falco. ‘I was thinking, Enrico …’
‘A dangerous pastime, my lady.’
‘Joking aside,’ Alice continued seriously, ‘the last time I visited Raven’s home I was not entirely satisfied that it was being run properly. I had the feeling that the butler was taking advantage of his absence, and I had a quick look at the housekeeping accounts. There seemed to be rather a lot of food and wine consumed during his master’s absence, and I warned him that such behaviour had to stop or he would be seeking employment elsewhere.’
‘That’s awful,’ Essie said, shocked. ‘That’s stealing.’
‘Taking advantage of his master’s absence is wrong,’ Falco agreed, nodding. ‘How may I help you, my lady?’
‘I thought you might like to stay there for a while, Enrico. You would be in sole charge of the household and the estate. You would be doing Raven a great service.’
Falco stared at her, his smile fading. ‘But, my lady, I am a seafarer. I have my ship and my crew depend upon me.’
‘You said yourself that your vessel needs overhauling,’ Alice said tartly. ‘Now would seem to be a very good time to put the ship into dock and give your crew some well-deserved shore leave.’ She sat back as James proffered the tureen of watercress soup and she helped herself to a small portion.
‘That is so, and the offer is very tempting.’ Falco waited until James had left the room. ‘I hope you can trust your servants to be discreet, my lady. I wouldn’t want them to get the wrong idea.’
Essie almost choked on her soup. The relationship between Alice and Falco seemed to have deepened in a shockingly short space of time, but Alice remained impassive.
‘I can and I do,’ she said calmly. ‘But you haven’t answered my question.’
‘I used all the money I earned in Australia to pay off my debts,’ Falco said humbly. ‘I have been at sea since I was a boy. I know nothing else.’
‘Raven will fund the refit of the Santa Gabriella, and in return you can do him an invaluable service, Enrico,’ Alice insisted. ‘When you see Starcross Abbey you will fall under its spell, as everyone does. I’m not asking you to take up residence permanently, but you can’t stay here. As you inferred, it might cause tongues to wag, and damage my reputation.’
‘I cannot allow that, my beautiful lady.’
‘I am not your lady, Enrico. We are just friends.’
‘I would hope so, my lady.’
‘Then it’s settled,’ Alice said, nodding. ‘I’m sure that Raven would approve, and I think he owes you something in return for the risks you took on his behalf. You could have refused to bring him home.’
‘I was well paid for my trouble. Raven owes me nothing, my lady.’
‘Maybe, maybe not – but you brought us back to England, and for that I will be eternally in your debt.’ Alice fixed him with a persuasive smile. ‘Say you will stay a little longer, Captain, if only for my sake.’
‘Very well, my lady. I will give you my answer after I have seen this place.’ Falco dipped his spoon in his soup and sipped. ‘This is good. I like it.’
Wrapped up well against the cold, the temperature having taken a tumble and dark clouds threatening rain, they set off after luncheon. The carriage was luxurious and copper foot warmers filled with hot coals kept their feet warm during the journey to Starcross Abbey. Falco kept them amused with outrageous accounts of life on the high seas, which Essie did not believe for a moment, but they were entertaining and he was a good raconteur. Outside the carriage the skies grew darker and sleety rain began to lash the windows. The coachman slowed the four-horse team to a walk as they negotiated the narrow lanes and when descending the steep hills, but eventually they arrived at their destination.