by Dilly Court
Sadie tugged at her sleeve. ‘Here comes the carriage. Are we going back to Bearwood House, Essie?’
‘I think not,’ Essie spotted a hansom cab that had just dropped a gentleman off outside one of the chambers. She raised her hand to hail it. ‘I want to see Jack. I need to let him know that we’ll be away for longer than I expected.’
Alice was about to climb into her carriage, but she hesitated. ‘You seem to be getting very close to that person, Essie. You could do better.’
‘That’s funny – I was just thinking the same thing about you.’ Essie had the satisfaction of leaving Alice speechless. ‘Wapping High Street, please, cabby.’
Jack was seated at his desk when Essie and Sadie walked into the office. He stood up, greeting them with a warm smile. ‘This is a pleasant surprise, Essie. I thought you were in Devonshire.’
‘We had to come to London on urgent business, but we’re returning this evening.’
‘I’d offer you a cup of tea, but, as you might guess by looking at my attire, I’ve been on board ship all afternoon going over the bill of lading with the first mate. Captain Kitchen has been taken ill, so I’m looking for another master to take command.’ Jack crossed the floor to pick up the poker and prod the dying embers of the fire. ‘I’m afraid it would take a long time to boil a kettle.’
‘It’s all right,’ Essie assured him. ‘We’re on our way to Curzon Street and then we’ll be leaving for Waterloo Bridge Station to meet Mr Gilfoyle at six. He’s the reason we came to London.’
Jack glanced at the white-faced clock on the wall above the fireplace. ‘It’s only three o’clock. I’m closing up early anyway, so why don’t you come to my house, and you can tell me everything over a nice hot cup of tea?’
‘And a jam tart?’ Essie said, smiling.
Jack nodded. ‘Of course, or maybe a slice of cake. Mrs Cooper has been baking today.’
‘Do you think the old sea captain will smoke his pipe while I’m there?’ Sadie asked excitedly. ‘Essie told me all about your house.’
‘I’m sure he’ll oblige for a young lady like you, Sadie.’ Jack opened the door and ushered them out onto the wharf, and by the time they reached the Old Captain’s House, Essie had given him a brief account of what had occurred at Starcross Abbey.
Mrs Cooper hurried out of the kitchen to greet Essie as if she were an old friend, and she enveloped Sadie in a warm hug.
‘My dear, you look as though you could do with a mug of my homemade lemonade. Come into the kitchen and you can help me to decorate the cake I’ve just made.’
Sadie glanced at Essie and she nodded her approval. ‘Of course, but remember to save a slice for me. Mrs Cooper is an excellent cook.’
Mrs Cooper shepherded Sadie towards the kitchen and Jack ushered Essie into the front parlour. ‘You’ll have a friend for life there,’ he said, chuckling. ‘Mrs Cooper loves cosseting people. I’m afraid she’s given up on me, but she will spoil young Sadie and take pleasure in doing so.’
Essie went straight to the window seat and sat down. ‘I could spend all day here, just watching the river,’ she said, sighing. ‘But there is so much to do at Starcross, and most importantly we have to get Smeaton to sign a document that will prove once and for all that Raven and Freddie were not involved with the smuggling gang.’
‘You’ve taken a lot on,’ Jack said seriously. ‘It should be up to Lady Alice to sort out her family’s affairs.’
‘You obviously aren’t very well acquainted with her ladyship. Alice does whatever she wants and I think that Sir Henry has met his match. They are totally unsuited and I’m sure there will be fireworks, but in an odd sort of way I think they will get along very well.’
Jack opened the door to admit Mrs Cooper, bearing a tray of tea, followed by Sadie with a plate of strawberry tarts and a chocolate cake studded with raspberries.
‘Thank you, Mrs Cooper,’ Essie said, smiling. ‘You’re very kind.’
‘Not at all, miss. It’s so nice to have company. I hope you and Sadie will come often.’
‘I will,’ Sadie said, swallowing a mouthful of the sweet-smelling drink. ‘I’ll come and see you every day if you’ll teach me how to make this lovely chocolate.’ She sniffed the air. ‘I can’t smell tobacco smoke. Do you think the old captain will come today?’
‘I’m sure he knows you’re here, Sadie,’ Mrs Cooper said, nodding. ‘But he’s reserving judgement. The captain was a bachelor and he didn’t have any children, so he’s not used to young ladies like you.’
‘I’m very well behaved.’ Sadie looked to Essie for confirmation. ‘I am, aren’t I, Essie?’
‘Indeed you are.’ Essie accepted a cup of tea from Jack, who winked at her. She smiled up at him. ‘Thank you, Jack. This is delightful, but we mustn’t get too comfortable. We have a train to catch at six.’
At ten to six that evening, Essie and Sadie were waiting on the platform at Waterloo Bridge Station. They had called in briefly at Curzon Street but it was of necessity a brief visit as they had spent far too much time in the Old Captain’s House with Jack and Mrs Cooper. Sadie had blossomed under the benign influence of the kindly housekeeper and had been reluctant to leave.
Essie glanced at the station clock.
‘I hope Mr Gilfoyle hasn’t changed his mind,’ she said anxiously. ‘It will ruin everything if he doesn’t turn up.’
Sadie stamped her feet. ‘I’m tired, Essie. I wish we could have stayed in the Old Captain’s House. I loved it there, and Mrs Cooper is so nice. If I had a grannie I would want her to be just like Mrs Cooper.’
‘Yes, she’s a kind lady and a very good cook. Jack is lucky to have her.’ Essie stood on tiptoe. She thought she had recognised a man pushing his way through the crowd. ‘There’s Gilfoyle. Thank goodness! I was beginning to think he wasn’t coming.’ She waved and he responded. She opened the carriage door and was about to climb in when she saw someone else hurrying toward them. ‘Sadie, look who’s come to see us off. It’s Jack.’
Sadie turned and uttered a cry of delight. She ran to meet him and returned, dragging him by the hand. Gilfoyle caught up with them just as the guard blew his whistle. He tossed his case into the carriage and proffered his hand to Essie.
‘After you, Mr Gilfoyle,’ Essie said hastily. She turned to Jack. ‘It was good of you to come, but, as you see, we have to leave now.’
Jack put down the packages and the small valise that he was carrying, and he lifted Sadie bodily into the carriage. ‘I couldn’t let you do this on your own, Essie. I’m coming, too.’
Too surprised to argue, Essie took her seat. She watched as Jack placed his luggage on the rack and the train slowly pulled away from the station with a loud burst of steam. ‘I don’t understand. I thought you had a lot of business on hand.’
‘Some things are more important, Essie.’ Jack sat down next to Sadie, so that he was facing Essie and Gilfoyle. I’ve taken a few days off, the first I’ve had in three years, so I think it’s well earned.’
Gilfoyle cleared his throat. ‘We haven’t met, sir. My name is Gilfoyle. I’m Miss Chapman’s lawyer.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ Essie said hastily. ‘I should have introduced you. Mr Gilfoyle, this is Jack Manning, my brother’s business partner.’
‘And close friend, it would seem.’ Gilfoyle sat back in his seat, folding his hands in his lap and turning his head to look out of the window.
Essie met Jack’s amused gaze with a wry smile. ‘What made you decide to join us? You won’t find much comfort at Starcross Abbey.’
‘I thought I might be able to help in some way. I’m quite handy when it comes to wielding a hammer, or even a mop.’
‘It will be fun,’ Sadie said excitedly. ‘We’ll be like a proper family.’
Gilfoyle cleared his throat. ‘This is a serious business, Miss Chapman. I’m only doing this as a favour to Lady Alice, but, whatever happens with the man Smeaton, I intend to return to London tomorrow afternoon.’
&
nbsp; ‘Yes, Mr Gilfoyle,’ Essie said hastily. ‘I fully understand.’
It was midnight when they arrived at Starcross Abbey. Sadie had fallen asleep during the uncomfortable ride in the only vehicle available, which happened to be a farm wagon. The farmer had been loading milk churns into the guard’s van when Essie alighted from the train, and he had grudgingly agreed to take them to Starcross. It meant going a couple of miles out of his way, but a generous tip from Jack had clinched the deal. Essie was cold, tired and cramped from sitting hunched up on the wooden seat as the vehicle jolted and lurched its way through the country lanes.
The house stood eerily silent in the moonlight, and the gravel crunched beneath her feet as she walked up to the front door and rapped on the knocker. For a moment she was afraid that everyone had gone to bed, but then she heard footsteps and the door opened. George held up a lantern.
‘I was beginning to think you’d stayed the night in London. Why are you so late?’
‘Answers later, George. Mr Gilfoyle has been kind enough to accompany us. Did Mrs Grimes make a room ready for him?’
Gilfoyle followed her into the hall and George shook his hand. ‘Good of you to come at such short notice, sir. I’ll show you the way.’ He glanced over his shoulder as Jack entered, carrying the luggage. ‘What are you doing here, Jack? This isn’t your problem.’
‘I thought I might be of assistance,’ Jack said cheerfully. ‘And I admit I was curious, too.’
Sadie pushed past him. ‘I’m hungry,’ she said, sniffing. ‘And I’m tired.’
‘Come with me.’ Essie took her by the hand. ‘We’ll see what we can find in the kitchen. Perhaps Mr Gilfoyle would like something to drink?’
‘Good idea, Essie. Why didn’t I think of that?’ George started off across the entrance hall, heading for Raven’s study. ‘I know where there’s a bottle of cognac. Will you join me in a nightcap, gentlemen?’
Essie watched Gilfoyle and Jack trail after George as if he were the Pied Piper. ‘I’m sure a cup of cocoa will go down well, Sadie. What do you say?’
Sadie yawned and rubbed her eyes. ‘Cocoa will be fine. Can we take it to bed? I don’t think I can stay awake much longer.’
‘Of course,’ Essie said, giving her a hug. ‘Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day.’
Sadie glanced at the huge grandfather clock. ‘It’s tomorrow now, Essie.’
‘So it is.’ Essie picked up a candlestick and led the way to the kitchen. ‘We need to get some sleep, because so much hangs on what happens with Smeaton. If he’s too unwell or unwilling to testify, all our efforts to free Raven and Freddie will have been in vain.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
Essie and Gilfoyle arrived at the infirmary early next morning, driven by the head groom from Starcross Abbey in the Dorincourts’ governess cart, which was not the most comfortable of conveyances. It was a fine morning with a clear azure sky and warm sunshine, which made up for any discomfort during the relatively short journey. Gilfoyle made enquiries at the desk and they were sent to a small waiting room where they sat in silence. Essie clasped and unclasped her hands as she stared at the bare grey walls. It was not the most cheerful of places and the hard seats did not encourage a long stay. The smell of carbolic had enveloped her the moment she stepped into the hospital, and she was convinced that the cloying odour would cling to her hair and clothes long after they had left.
‘I wonder what the delay is,’ she said in a low voice. ‘Surely he can’t have many visitors.’
Gilfoyle took the pocket watch from his waistcoat and examined it, frowning. ‘I need to leave before midday. Let’s hope the fellow doesn’t expire before I’ve had a chance to take down his statement.’
Essie subsided into silence. There was nothing she could say that would make up for the uncomfortable night that Gilfoyle had spent. He complained that the bed was damp and everything in the room had been tainted by soot and smoke. The porridge served to him that morning had been tepid and lumpy, and the coffee was cold. It was unfortunate that Mrs Grimes had developed a sick headache and had remained in bed, leaving everything to Jenifry and Beattie. Essie had attempted to help, as had Sadie, but the resultant chaos in the kitchen had caused the first lot of porridge to burn and the second attempt was little better. Jack had eaten his without complaint, but George had not come down to breakfast, having imbibed too much brandy before retiring to bed, and was suffering the aftereffects.
Just as Gilfoyle was growing even more restive the door opened and a police sergeant entered.
‘I demand to see the patient now, Officer.’
‘You may, of course, but I’m afraid you’d find him rather silent.’ The sergeant stood in the doorway, an uncompromising figure. ‘I’m afraid the prisoner, or perhaps I should call him the patient, passed away half an hour ago.’
Essie stared at him in dismay. ‘Oh, no. That’s terrible.’
The sergeant gave her an inscrutable look. ‘He had no chance of surviving, miss. That’s the doctor’s opinion.’
‘Then my time has been wasted,’ Gilfoyle said angrily. ‘There is nothing to be gained by remaining here.’
‘Begging your pardon, sir,’ the sergeant said smugly, ‘but Smeaton made a deathbed confession, which is admissible in court in some circumstances. The constable who was posted at the door overnight noted it down and Smeaton signed the document.’ The sergeant handed the slip of paper to Gilfoyle. ‘It will be in my report.’
Gilfoyle scanned the contents. ‘I suppose this will have to do.’
‘Do you think that’s enough to prove Raven and Freddie’s innocence, Mr Gilfoyle?’ Essie asked anxiously.
‘This, together with the statements I’ve already taken from the servants to whom Smeaton made his first confession, should be enough to convince a judge, but one can never take these things for granted.’ Gilfoyle tucked the sheet of paper into his briefcase and rose to his feet. ‘We must hope for the best, Miss Chapman. I’ll take the next train to London and start the proceedings at the first possible opportunity.’
‘Thank you, Sergeant.’ Essie left the room, following in Gilfoyle’s wake. She was disappointed, but she clung to the hope that a judge would consider Smeaton’s admission of guilt was enough to exonerate Raven and Freddie.
They returned to Starcross Abbey where Gilfoyle collected his valise, said his goodbyes and left for the station, promising to take up the Dorincourts’ case as a matter of urgency. He had been gone less than half an hour when Sadie burst into the kitchen where Essie was helping Jenifry to prepare luncheon. ‘You won’t believe this, but there’s a carriage drawn up outside and there’s a coat of arms on the door.’
Essie wiped her hands on her apron. ‘Run and tell George and Jack that we’ve got visitors. They’re in the east wing helping to shore up the damaged interior wall.’ Essie hurried through the house to open the front door, and was astonished to see Sir Henry helping Alice to alight from the carriage. She went to greet them.
‘This is an unexpected pleasure. What are you doing here, Alice?’
‘We’ve come to inspect the damage,’ Alice said, kissing her on the cheek.
Sir Henry’s flared nostrils quivered. ‘You can still smell the soot, and smoke damage is almost as bad as charring. Have you called in the experts, Esther?’
‘We can go into that later, Henry.’ Alice stepped across the threshold, turning to Essie with eyebrows raised. ‘Where are the housemaids?’ She held out her arms, waiting for someone to take her cape.
Essie took the garment and explained the servant situation, adding that Mrs Grimes was in bed. ‘Jenifry and Beattie are preparing luncheon because Mrs Grimes is lying down with a bad headache.’
‘No wonder she feels ill. It smells frightful in here.’ Alice shivered dramatically. ‘You were right, Henry. The house is uninhabitable in this state, but I want to see the east wing. Lead on, Essie.’ Alice snatched her cape back and wrapped it around her shoulders. ‘Even in summer this old house
is like an ice cave. We won’t be stopping and I don’t want to leave you here on your own.’
‘George is here with me,’ Essie said over her shoulder. ‘And Sadie, of course, and Jack came to help us put things straight.’ She opened the door to the east wing and Henry stepped into the ruin. He looked round, shaking his head. ‘You need builders to shore up that wall and make it safe.’ He nodded to Jack, who was helping the gamekeeper and several local men to nail boards to the damaged wall. ‘You people are wasting your time. This part of the house will have to be demolished. In fact, the old place should have been razed to the ground years ago.’
Jack stepped forward, wiping his grimy hands on a borrowed leather apron. ‘Even if you’re right, Sir Henry, this is someone’s home, and there are many years of history in these ancient walls.’
‘You have no right to speak to me in that tone,’ Sir Henry said angrily. ‘Servants should know their place.’
‘Jack is a good friend,’ Essie said hastily. ‘He’s come all the way from London to help save Starcross.’
‘If you want my opinion, it’s a hopeless case.’ Sir Henry glowered at Jack, who held his ground.
Essie could see that an argument was about to ensue. ‘I think we should leave them to carry on the good work,’ she suggested tactfully. ‘Alice, why don’t you take Sir Henry to the drawing room and I’ll ask Jenifry to bring refreshments?’
‘Come, Henry,’ Alice said imperiously. ‘Leave them to their labours. I can see there’s very little we can do here, and I suggest you collect your things and make ready to accompany us to Daumerle, Essie.’
‘Knock it down,’ Sir Henry muttered as he followed her into the house. ‘That’s all there is to it.’
‘Stay here,’ Essie whispered to Jack. ‘I’ll deal with them.’ She turned to Sadie. ‘Please will you ask Jenifry to bring a tea tray to the drawing room?’
‘I don’t want to go Daumerle, Essie,’ Sadie said urgently. ‘Lady Alice will probably send me back to the schoolroom. I want to stay here.’
Essie patted her on the cheek. ‘Don’t worry, poppet. We’re not going to Daumerle, but I’ll try to persuade Alice to take Sir Henry away before he upsets anyone else.’