by Dilly Court
‘It’s cold in here,’ Sadie said, shivering. ‘Shall I light the fire for you, George?’
He poked his head round the office door. ‘Later, nipper. The ship we’re going to look over has hauled into sight, and I’ve just seen Jack striding along the wharf. You’ll like him, Essie. He’s a good fellow. Anyway, step outside and take a look at our prize.’
Essie and Sadie followed him out onto the wharf. A chilly east wind tugged at their bonnets and slapped their cheeks. Essie gazed at the ship and her heart lurched against her tightly laced stays.
She clutched her brother’s arm. ‘George, is that the vessel you’re thinking of buying?’
He followed her gaze. ‘That’s the one, but Jack has put up most of the money. I’ll only have a small stake in it, but that’s better than nothing. Here he comes, now. I’ll introduce you.’
Essie nodded absently, but her attention was firmly focused on the familiar figure who stood on deck, waiting for the lighter to get close enough to allow him to board.
Chapter Eighteen
‘Falco.’ Essie and Sadie spoke in unison.
‘Who the devil is Falco?’ George stared at them as if they had gone mad.
‘He’s the captain of the Santa Gabriella,’ Essie said, smiling. ‘I can’t think why he would bring his ship upriver.’
‘Here’s someone who can explain everything.’ George turned to greet the man who strode up to them. ‘Jack, come and meet my sister. Essie, this is Jack Manning, my business partner.’
‘Good morning, Miss Chapman.’ Jack doffed his hat with a courtly bow.
‘Good morning, sir.’ Essie eyed him curiously, liking what she saw. He had a friendly smile and pleasant features, and, although she would not have described him as handsome, there was something attractive about him that she could not quite define. A little above medium height and solidly built, he gave the impression of being dependable and trustworthy, like an English oak tree.
‘What about me?’ Sadie demanded crossly. ‘I’m here, too.’
‘Shame on you, George,’ Jack said severely. ‘Where are you manners, sir? Won’t you introduce me to your lovely younger sister?’
Essie could see that her brother was at a loss and she stepped in quickly. ‘This is Sadie Dixon, Mr Manning. I suppose you might call her my ward, although I do think of her as my sister.’
‘How do you do, sir?’ Sadie took his hand and shook it, pumping Jack’s arm up and down enthusiastically.
‘How do you do, Sadie?’ Jack acknowledged her with a bow and a smile. ‘I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.’
‘Now the pleasantries are over, let’s get on with the important business,’ George said impatiently. ‘That is the vessel you’re thinking of purchasing, isn’t it?’ He pointed to the Santa Gabriella.
‘Yes, indeed. I gather that the owner wants a quick sale, so we might get a bargain.’
‘The captain is coming ashore in the lighter. It’s a strange coincidence but Essie knows him and his ship.’
Essie nodded. ‘It’s Captain Falco. We sailed to Australia and back in the Santa Gabriella, but when I last saw Falco he was intent on staying in Devonshire with Lady Alice. I’m surprised to see him here.’
‘There is Lady Alice,’ Sadie cried, pointing to a fashionably dressed figure standing on deck.
‘How lovely.’ Essie could hardly contain her delight. ‘I’ve missed them both. I can’t wait to see them again.’
‘You say you sailed halfway round the world in that tub, Miss Chapman?’ Jack said incredulously.
‘It’s not a tub,’ Essie said sharply. ‘It took us to Australia, crossing the Pacific and we rounded Cape Horn on the way back. It’s a good ship and Falco is an excellent captain, but I find it hard to believe that he’s selling the Santa Gabriella. I thought he loved that boat.’
‘Ship,’ George said sternly.
‘Boat or ship, it makes no difference to me. The Santa Gabriella might creak a bit and it could do with a lick of paint, but it took us across oceans and brought us home safely.’
‘That’s all I need to know.’ Jack moved to the top of Hermitage Stairs, gazing down at the lighter as it bobbed its way across the turbulent water. ‘Captain Falco looks like a reasonable man, George. Perhaps it’s providence that led him to us, especially with your sister’s experiences in mind.’
‘What would you say, Essie?’ George asked seriously. ‘Did the engine ever break down during your voyage?’
‘No, George. The accommodation could be made more comfortable, but we sailed through some bad weather and there was never any doubt as to our safety. I was never afraid on the Santa Gabriella.’
‘Neither was I,’ Sadie said proudly. ‘Captain Falco kept us safe.’
‘You will take us on board, won’t you, George?’ Essie asked eagerly. ‘I want to see Alice.’
‘Yes, if it’s all right with Jack.’
Jack turned his head and smiled. ‘Of course it is. I’d value your opinion, Miss Chapman.’
‘It’s Essie,’ she said firmly. ‘Thank you, Jack.’ She moved to his side and waited while the lighter ploughed its way towards them, fighting wind and tide until it reached the bottom of the steps.
Falco stepped ashore, his face wreathed in smiles as he reached the wharf, and he wrapped Essie in a warm embrace. ‘What a surprise. I looked up and thought I saw the face of an angel – then I realised it was you, Essie. But you’re the last person I was expecting to find waiting for me.’
‘I knew nothing about this, Falco. It’s as much a surprise to me as it is to you.’
‘I don’t understand,’ he said, frowning. ‘I thought I was to meet a prospective purchaser. It’s not you, is it?’
‘No, of course not.’
Jack cleared his throat. ‘Welcome ashore, Captain Falco.’ He shook Falco’s hand. ‘My name is Jack Manning, and I’m the party interested in purchasing your vessel, providing she meets my criteria and the terms are satisfactory, of course.’
George stepped forward. ‘And I’m Jack’s business partner, Captain. George Chapman.’
‘Chapman?’ Falco turned to Essie with a questioning look.
‘George is my long-lost brother,’ she said proudly. ‘He turned up out of the blue and it seemed like a miracle, and it was just this morning that I discovered he and his partner are interested in purchasing the Santa Gabriella. Why do you want to sell her?’
Falco shook his head. ‘Time for questions later – it’s too chilly to stand about here. Come on board. I know Alice would love to see you – she’s talked about nothing else since we set sail from Exmouth.’
‘A good idea.’ Jack proffered his hand to Sadie. ‘Allow me to help you down the steps, Miss Dixon. They’re slippery and I wouldn’t want you to fall into the filthy water.’
Sadie’s cheeks were rosy already but darkened to crimson in the radiance of his charming smile. Jack caught Essie’s eye and winked.
With an unusual display of emotion, Alice threw her arms around Essie and hugged her. ‘My dear, what a lovely surprise. How did you know that we were arriving today?’
‘I didn’t,’ Essie said breathlessly. ‘It’s one of a set of amazing coincidences.’ She turned to George, holding out her hand. ‘There’s someone I want you to meet, Alice. This is my brother, George.’
George left Falco and Jack, who were deep in conversation, and he bowed over Alice’s hand. ‘My lady, Essie has told me so much about you, I feel that I know you already.’
Alice stared at him, wide-eyed. ‘Good heavens! So you’re the errant brother, returned to the fold.’
‘I can’t tell you how much being reunited with Essie means to me. Leaving her all those years ago was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but now I intend to make up for lost time.’
‘I don’t suppose her good fortune has anything to do with your enthusiasm, does it, Mr Chapman?’
George recoiled as if Alice had slapped his face. ‘No, my lady. I d
idn’t know about the gold, and even if I had learned of her good fortune I’m not the sort of fellow who would live off a woman.’
‘I should hope not. Anyway, I expect we will get to know each other better now that I am back in London.’
‘That would be my pleasure, ma’am,’ George said gallantly.
‘Yes, maybe.’ Alice turned her back on him. ‘I’ve sent word to Fielding and Mrs Dent, Essie. The house in Hill Street should be ready for my return. I decided to spend some time in London with you, my dear.’ She treated Sadie to a brilliant smile. ‘And you, of course, Sadie. How grown-up you look in that delightful outfit.’
Essie glanced at George, sensing his chagrin. ‘You’ll want to inspect the ship. I hope you’ll find it to your liking.’
‘Of course. If you’ll excuse me, my lady?’ George gave Alice a curt bow and crossed the deck to rejoin Jack and Falco.
‘What did he say to upset you, Lady Alice?’ Sadie demanded crossly. ‘Essie’s brother is a nice kind man, and you were mean to him.’
‘Really, Sadie. You forget yourself.’ Alice wrapped her cloak tightly around her slender frame. ‘Mind your manners, my girl.’
‘Sadie meant no harm,’ Essie said sharply. ‘You were rather abrupt with my brother and he didn’t deserve such treatment.’
‘If I offended him, I’m sorry, but it does seem strange that a young man should disappear for years, only to return at the precise moment his sister inherits a fortune.’
‘It might seem so,’ Alice said stiffly, ‘if he had known about my good luck, but he didn’t. George was stunned when I showed him the gold nugget. He has money that he saved while he was at sea, which he’s invested in Jack’s business venture. Anyway, that’s by the by. Why is Falco selling up? I thought the Santa Gabriella was his life?’
Alice shrugged and turned away. ‘You’ll have to ask him that. Why do men do anything? Anyway, it might be spring but it’s still chilly and I’m getting cold. Let’s go below and wait until they’ve completed their transactions.’
‘You must come and see our new house, Lady Alice,’ Sadie suggested shyly. ‘It’s not as grand as the one you own, but it is very nice.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Essie added hastily. ‘I hope you will visit us, Alice. Mr Gilfoyle found me a splendid residence in Curzon Street, complete with servants. I feel as though I’ve lived there for years.’
‘Gilfoyle is a good man. I intend to visit him tomorrow. Did he say anything about Raven’s appeal?’
‘No, he didn’t, and it wasn’t my place to enquire.’
‘I thought you would want to know, as I do.’ Alice headed towards the companionway.
‘Of course, but I’m not a relative and I doubt if he would share such information with me.’
Alice glanced over her shoulder. ‘My goodness, you are so very proper, Essie. It puts me to shame. You must come with me to see Gilfoyle. We went through so much together on our travels that I think of you as part of the family. Come along, and that includes you, too, Sadie. Best foot forward, as Miss Potts would say.’
Essie and Sadie followed Lady Alice as she went below, and Falco, Jack and George joined them in the saloon. One look at her brother’s face was enough to convince Essie that the talks were floundering.
‘Well?’ Alice looked from one to the other. ‘Have you reached an agreement?’
Falco shrugged. ‘The gentlemen think the price is too high, but they don’t understand what the Santa Gabriella means to me.’ He clutched his hands to his heart. ‘Parting with her is like losing a loved one.’
‘Oh, come on, Falco,’ Jack said sharply. ‘There is a lot of work to be done before this vessel is seaworthy again.’
‘We have just sailed from Exmouth without mishap.’ Falco eyed him warily. ‘The weather was not good.’
‘You’re asking too much.’ George shook his head. ‘It won’t do, sir. I’ve sailed in old tubs like this, and I know what I’m talking about.’
Falco drew himself up to his full height. ‘The Santa Gabriella is not an old tub. I am insulted, sir. If you were not Essie’s brother I would call you out.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous, Falco,’ Alice said crossly. ‘Acting like a spoiled child is not the way to conduct a sale.’
Jack patted him on the shoulder. ‘You’re right, Falco, but the trouble is that our finances are limited. We would like to do a deal, but I can see that you do not wish to go ahead. I respect that.’
‘I cannot give my ship away,’ Falco said angrily.
‘But you want to sell her, Falco,’ Alice said firmly. ‘You promised me that you would give up the sea.’
He gave her a baleful look. ‘But it’s in my blood, mia cara.’
‘Go back to your old ways or return to Italy and face arrest. I really don’t care.’ Alice snatched up the cape she had discarded and wrapped it around her shoulders. ‘I, for one, wish to go ashore now.’
‘Then we’d best board the lighter,’ George said hastily. ‘I expect Essie and Sadie would like some luncheon and I’m pretty peckish, myself.’
Jack nodded. ‘Good idea, George. However, perhaps the captain would like to accompany me to a tavern. I think we might talk more easily over a bowl of punch. I can smell the hot rum and lemon peel as I speak.’
‘That sounds eminently sensible, sir.’ Falco picked up his hat and rammed it on his head. ‘Very civilised, if I might say so.’
‘As you wish.’ Alice marched out of the saloon. ‘Come along, Essie. We’ll leave the gentlemen to sort out their differences and get drunk, while we deal with the important things in life, as usual.’
George saw them safely ashore and found them a cab. Alice hesitated as he was about to hand her into the hackney carriage. ‘I’m sorry if I was a trifle curt with you, George. I’m very fond of Essie and I wouldn’t want anyone to take advantage of her good nature.’
‘My sentiments exactly, my lady.’
‘I expect we will be seeing more of each other, so you may call me Alice.’ She settled herself in the corner seat, holding a handkerchief to her nose. ‘This cab smells disgusting. The last passenger could not have bathed for a year or more. Hurry up, Essie, and you, too, Sadie. I can’t wait to get home.’
George helped Essie into the cab. ‘I’d better keep an eye on Jack and the captain. A bowl of hot rum punch might bring them closer to an agreement, or it could end in fisticuffs.’
Essie squeezed his hand. ‘Good luck. I think you might need it. Just don’t ask Falco to sing. He does so at the slightest excuse.’
‘I’ll remember that.’ George lifted Sadie into the cab. ‘There you go, dumpling. Look after Essie until I get home.’
‘Men!’ Alice drew her skirts around her as if afraid that there might be vermin lurking in the footwell. ‘They really do think they are indispensable.’
Essie sat back against the squabs as the vehicle lurched forward. ‘Why do you have such a poor opinion of men, Alice? You love Raven and Freddie, don’t you?’
‘I suppose so. But they’re my cousins; I have to love them.’
‘The Queen married her first cousin,’ Sadie said seriously. ‘Prince Albert is very good-looking, and Raven is handsome. At least,’ she added, blushing, ‘I think so.’
‘I have no intention of marrying my cousin or anyone else at the moment,’ Alice said firmly. ‘I gave my heart to someone a long time ago and that ended badly. I’m not going to make the same mistake again.’
Essie sat forward. ‘Tell us, Alice. Who was it and what did he do?’
‘I suppose there’s no harm in admitting it after all these years. He was one of our under footmen.’ Alice gazed into space as if conjuring up a vision of her lost love. ‘I was sixteen and he was seventeen. William was handsome and daring, and he made me laugh. We met in the rose garden every evening after dinner when the warmth of the sun lingered and the smell of roses was like the most expensive perfume. When he kissed me I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.’ Alice heaved
a sigh, closing her eyes and puckering her lips.
Essie stared at her in surprise. This was not the Lady Alice she had come to know and love like a sister. She was transformed into a lovelorn sixteen-year-old.
‘Go on,’ Essie said softly. ‘What happened then?’
‘We were discovered.’ Alice opened her eyes and her lips trembled. ‘One of the servants had been spying on us. William was dismissed without a character and I was sent to live with my aunt who owned the house in Hill Street.’
‘Didn’t you try to find William?’ Sadie asked innocently. ‘I know I would have done so.’
‘That would have been impossible. For one thing I didn’t know where he lived, and the servants who might have been able to help me had been threatened with dismissal if they divulged his whereabouts.’
‘How sad.’ Sadie’s eyes filled with tears.
‘It was tragic. I had to endure a season in London, when I was introduced to eligible bachelors, but none of them matched up to my William. Then, when eventually I was allowed to visit Daumerle, I learned that he had married a village girl and she was expecting their first child. I knew then that he was lost to me for ever. He had betrayed me with another and I couldn’t forgive him for the pain he caused me.’
‘But surely you can’t hate all men because of a failed romance?’ Essie said slowly. ‘You were so young then.’
‘What do you know about it?’ Alice snapped. ‘I’m sorry I told you.’
‘Falco must think a lot of you. He shows no sign of wanting to leave, and he’s willing to sell his ship. Don’t you think that proves something?’
Alice stared at her as if she had said something quite shocking. ‘What are you saying? Do you think I would want a man like him? My father—’