The River Maid

by Dilly Court

  ‘Tell her the truth. I’ve decided to stay in Australia. I’ve bought a licence to start up in Bendigo and I’ve purchased a plot of land where I intend to build a house.’

  ‘But you’re the Earl of Starcross. Surely you can’t give that up? And what about your responsibility to your tenants and servants?’

  ‘Titles mean nothing here.’ Raven dropped his spoon into the empty bowl. ‘I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I’ve decided to sign everything over to Freddie. He’s always loved Starcross far more than I ever did and he’ll settle down. He’ll be as good a master and landlord as any man, and I’ll see that he has enough money to rebuild the east wing. One day, when he’s ready, he’ll marry and fill the old place with heirs.’

  ‘But you might marry and have children of your own.’

  He met her gaze with a steady look. ‘There was only one woman for me and she’s dead.’

  Essie looked away, unable to bear the pain in his eyes. ‘I know, and I’m sorry.’

  ‘I apologise if I led you to believe that there could be anything between us, but you’re so much like her it took my breath away.’ He paused, gazing into the distance as if seeing a vision of his lost love. ‘For a while I thought I could love you as I loved her, but then I realised it would have been a cruel deception. It would have brought us nothing but pain and unhappiness.’

  The temptation to deny the feelings that she had harboured for him was almost too great, but his candour deserved an honest answer and she nodded.

  ‘I might have thought I was in love with you in the beginning, Raven. You are a very attractive man, and I find it hard to believe that you’ll never marry, but you’ll always have a special place in my heart.’

  He reached across the table and clasped her hands in his. ‘It would have been very easy to convince myself that we were meant for each other, but that would have been unfair. Cordelia’s memory is etched into my soul and it was bound to come between us.’

  Essie stared down at his hands, tanned and work worn as they rested on hers, which were now white and smooth like those of a lady. ‘I hope that’s not the reason why you’re staying in Australia,’ she said slowly. ‘I wouldn’t want that on my conscience.’

  He shook his head. ‘No – well, maybe a little, but I genuinely love this wild country. I want to make my way here on my own merit. To me my inheritance was always a burden because I knew that I had done nothing to deserve such wealth and privilege, other than being born to the right parents. Can you understand that?’

  ‘I think I can. I was born to poverty because of an accident of birth and I had a stroke of good fortune, which I didn’t earn, but I intend to put it to good use.’

  His eyes twinkled and his lips curved into a smile. ‘How are you going to do that? I hope you’re not thinking of investing in a gold mine.’

  ‘Are you afraid of the competition, Raven?’

  ‘Yes, if you were a business rival I think I might be very worried.’

  ‘Rest easy, because I intend to buy shares in the Santa Gabriella. I’m already involved in a business venture with my brother and his partner, Jack Manning. This trip has convinced me that steam is going to take over from sail. Maybe we’ll concentrate on trade with Australia and New Zealand. I believe these young countries are the future.’

  He raised her hands to his lips. ‘And so do I.’

  ‘I’ll be sorry to say goodbye, Raven.’

  ‘You’ll do well in London, Essie. That’s where you belong.’ He met her gaze with a wry smile. ‘I’ve a feeling that there’s someone waiting for you at home.’

  She looked away. ‘I don’t know. Maybe.’

  ‘He’s a fool, whoever he is, if he lets you slip through his fingers.’ Raven rose to his feet. ‘I have work to do, if you’ll forgive me for abandoning you, but I’ll see you this evening.’

  ‘Yes, of course, and I need to tell Leah that I’ll be leaving again soon.’

  ‘Don’t worry about the Halfpenny family.’ Raven reached for his hat. ‘I’ve a mind to take them with me when I leave for Bendigo. Noah is an experienced miner and so are his sons. I need men like that.’

  ‘Leah is a good woman, but she’s overworked and I fear for her health.’

  ‘I’ll need a housekeeper, and a maid or two. I’ll make sure that Leah is all right.’

  ‘And she’ll take care of you, so I won’t have any qualms about going home.’ Essie rose to her feet. ‘I’ll walk with you, Raven. Falco will be relieved to hear that we’re returning to England, and Freddie will, too. But I have a feeling that Pa would like to try his hand at prospecting.’

  ‘He told me last night that he’d like to try his luck in the mine. Would you mind if he stayed behind?’

  ‘If that’s what he wants then I won’t stand in his way, and if it doesn’t work out he will always be welcome in my house.’

  When Essie told them of her plans to leave next day, Freddie and Falco were eager to be off, but, as Raven had said, Jacob was keen to stay with him and move on to Bendigo.

  ‘I’ll make my fortune, Essie, love,’ he said, puffing out his chest. ‘Then I’ll return to London a wealthy man. I’ll show Diggory Tyce and Gaffer Wiggins what I’m made of. Riley will smile on the other side of his face when I turn up in the pub with a pocket full of readies.’

  ‘I’ll miss you, Pa,’ Essie said, sighing. ‘To be honest, I never thought I’d say that, but we’ve got to know each other better since we left London.’

  ‘I’ve seen the error of me ways, love. I ain’t the same man I was back in White’s Rents. It’s a pity I can’t make it up to your ma, but she’s in a better place.’

  Essie kissed his whiskery cheek. ‘I hope so, Pa. Which reminds me, I must tell Leah that we’ll be leaving very soon. She’s been like a mother to me and I want her to know that her future is secure. Raven said I might tell her about his plans.’

  ‘He’s a good man, Essie. You could do far worse, even if he ain’t taking up his title and all that goes with it.’

  She shook her head. ‘My future is in London, Pa. I’m going home.’

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Two months later the Santa Gabriella moored in the Upper Reach of the River Thames, and Essie stepped ashore on a wet March morning with the wind whipping at her bonnet and tugging at her skirts. She was so happy to be home that it was possible to ignore the greyness of the skies, with heavy feather-bed clouds threatening to spill rain on the turbulent River Thames. She barely noticed the putrid stench of the river mud and the foul-smelling smoke from the gasworks and the factories, and the mewling screech of the seagulls wheeling overhead was like a choir welcoming her home. The hoots of steam ships and the constant drumming of horses’ hoofs on cobblestones combined with the shouts of stevedores and cries of the street sellers. Some might think that the noise and smells of the city were unlovely, but they were achingly familiar to Essie, and she was glad to be back in the place she loved most in the world.

  ‘Essie.’ A cry of delight made Essie turn to see Sadie rushing towards her, Next moment she was enveloped in a hug that threatened to topple them both over the edge of the wharf.

  ‘Steady on.’ Jack had come up behind Sadie and his arm shot out to save them from pitching into the seething, coffee-coloured water. ‘Welcome home, Essie. You’ve been sorely missed.’

  Freddie took the steps two at a time, followed more slowly by Falco and a seaman laden with their luggage.

  ‘It’s wonderful to be back in London,’ Essie said, torn between tears and laughter. ‘I’ve missed you all so much.’

  ‘We haven’t met, sir.’ Freddie held out his hand. ‘Freddie Dorincourt.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Essie said hastily. ‘I was forgetting my manners. Freddie this is Jack Manning, my brother’s business partner, and mine too, I hope.’

  ‘I am?’ Jack eyed her speculatively. ‘That’s the first I’ve heard of it, Essie. Although it sounds good to me.’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, takin
g his proffered arm. ‘I’ve had months to think it over, Jack. I’ve got the money and I want to invest it wisely. Of course we’ll need to talk it over with George, but I think I know almost as much about running the company as either of you.’

  He patted her gloved hand as it lay on his sleeve. ‘I have a completely different proposition to put to you, but I think we ought to discuss this properly when we are alone.’

  Essie felt the blood rush to her cheeks and she dropped her gaze, suddenly shy. Her heart was thudding against her ribcage like a caged bird attempting to escape, but the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes held a promise for the future that took her breath away. Or perhaps she was imagining things. She withdrew her hand hastily and turned to Sadie, who was tugging at her sleeve.

  ‘You must come to the Old Captain’s House, Essie. I want you to take a look at my room. I’ve got new curtains and a matching coverlet – it’s ever so pretty. Mrs Cooper will be pleased to see you, and I’m sure the old captain will be delighted that you’ve come home at last.’

  Essie recovered sufficiently to smile and shake her head. ‘All in good time, poppet. First of all I need to go to Curzon Street, and then perhaps we can all meet up somewhere for supper. What do you say, Jack?’ She shot him a sideways glance and was rewarded by a smile.

  ‘You must all come to my house. Mrs Cooper will be most offended if we go elsewhere.’

  ‘We couldn’t put her to so much trouble,’ Essie said hastily.

  ‘Nonsense. Sadie will go and warn her to expect company and you’re all welcome.’ Jack included Freddie and Falco in a general sweep of his hand.

  ‘Freddie is going to stay with me while he’s in London,’ Essie said firmly. ‘But it seems unfair to burden Mrs Cooper with unexpected guests, and so little time to prepare.’

  ‘She won’t mind.’ Sadie backed away. ‘I’ll go and tell her now, and I’ll help her. I’m getting really good at cooking. Oh, do say yes, Essie. I want to hear about your travels. Did you see Leah and Big Joe? I want to know everything. Promise you’ll come – please.’ She hurried off in the direction of the Old Captain’s House without waiting for a response.

  ‘It seems as though it’s all arranged,’ Essie said dazedly. ‘But first we need a cab to take us to Curzon Street.’

  ‘I’ll go and find one,’ Freddie volunteered. ‘It’s wonderful to be free to do as I please without the fear of being arrested. You can’t imagine how good it feels to be back home.’

  ‘We’ve got business to discuss, Jack. I’ll go to the office and wait for you there.’ Falco doffed his hat to Essie and he and Freddie strolled off together.

  ‘I meant what I said, Jack.’ Essie fell into step beside him. ‘I want to be more involved in the business, and I can help financially. I’d like to be a full partner.’

  ‘I think it’s an excellent idea.’

  She came to a halt, staring at him in surprise. ‘You do? I thought you might object because I’m a woman, and we’re not supposed to interfere in business matters.’

  ‘I think having a woman on board is a definite advantage, and I have the greatest respect for you, Essie.’

  She met his gaze and realised that he was sincere, but that in itself was a worry. Perhaps, after all, he simply saw her as being a source of investment and valued her head for business above all. The brisk March wind suddenly felt like a blast of arctic air, laced with hailstones, and the sky seemed to darken, even though the sun was pushing its way through a bank of cloud. Bitterly disappointed and shocked by her own reaction she nodded. ‘Oh, look. Freddie has found a cab. I’d better hurry, but we can talk later.’

  The house in Curzon Street seemed even larger and more opulent than before. Parkinson was just as aloof and professional, but Mrs Jackson eyed Freddie suspiciously, although her attitude changed subtly when Essie introduced him using his title. Seemingly oblivious, Freddie was obviously charmed with everything he saw, but Essie felt even more uncomfortable and out of place than she had previously. The months spent on board ship had convinced her that a life of enforced idleness was not for her, and, oddly enough, there was only one person in whom she could confide. Alice had been her employer and had become her friend and mentor – they had shared the experience of living in a mining camp, and they both loved the Dorincourt brothers, each in her own way. Essie made up her mind to visit Bearwood House at the first possible opportunity.

  She was up early next morning, taking the servants by surprise. Mrs Jackson apologised profusely when Essie found that breakfast had not yet been served, but her tight-lipped expression gave her away and it was obvious that she was extremely put out.

  ‘Tea and toast will be fine,’ Essie said calmly. ‘I don’t need a large breakfast, Mrs Jackson. Save that for Mr Dorincourt – I’m sure he will do it justice.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’ Mrs Jackson sketched a curtsey and was about to leave the dining room when Essie called her back.

  ‘I’m going out as soon as I’ve eaten.’

  ‘Shall I send for the carriage, ma’am?’

  ‘No. I’ll walk.’

  ‘Then you’ll want your maid to accompany you, ma’am.’

  ‘No, thank you. I can look after myself, Mrs Jackson. I’ll need my outdoor things, that’s all.’

  Despite the overt disapproval of the servants, Essie set off for Piccadilly at a brisk pace. Her welcome at Bearwood House was as guarded as the one she had received from her own servants. The butler seemed slightly affronted that she had arrived unaccompanied and on foot, but she insisted that she must see Lady Alice and she refused to leave until he had announced her arrival. Essie moved closer to the elegant Carrara marble fireplace, where a coal fired blazed up the chimney, and she waited impatiently.

  The butler returned minutes later, poker-faced and so rigid with displeasure that Essie wanted to giggle. ‘Her ladyship is in her boudoir, miss. Follow me, if you please.’

  He headed for the grand staircase, which was flanked by two life-sized bronze figures clutching candelabra. The flickering glow of the firelight created the illusion that the statues of nubile young women were moving very slightly, as if waking from a long slumber. Essie hurried past them.

  Alice was still in bed, reclining against a mountain of pillows with a cup of chocolate balanced on her swollen belly. Her face lit up with a smile. ‘Essie, I’m so pleased to see you.’

  Essie crossed the floor to perch on the edge of the bed. She leaned over to kiss Alice’s cheek. ‘You’re looking blooming.’

  Alice placed the cup and saucer on a bedside table. ‘When people say that they mean I’m fat and blowsy.’

  ‘Nonsense. You look wonderful. When is the baby due?’

  ‘Any day now. In fact I think he has been waiting for you to bring Raven and Freddie home. Where are they? No, let me guess, they’re both still in bed sound asleep.’

  ‘Freddie is, but Raven chose to stay in Australia.’

  ‘No!’ Alice’s eyes widened. ‘Why? He’s a free man and he’s rich. He should have come home and taken up his responsibilities. How like him to be difficult.’

  ‘He’s signed everything over to Freddie,’ Essie said gently. ‘And he’s given Freddie the money to rebuild Starcross Abbey.’

  Alice pulled a face. ‘I suppose that’s better than nothing, but I’m very angry with Raven. After all we’ve been through to get him pardoned and he decides to live like a convict for ever.’

  ‘I don’t think that’s the case, Alice. He’s bought a licence to dig a mine in Bendigo and he’s planning to build a house there.’

  ‘I thought perhaps you and he might make a match of it, Essie. But it seems I was wrong, as I have been in so many things, including my first impressions of Bearwood. Anyway, there’s a much more suitable man for you, who’s been waiting patiently for your return.’

  Essie stared at her in surprise. ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘Are you blind, Essie? Surely you’ve realised that Jack Manning is head ove
r heels in love with you? It was obvious from the start, but you were too involved with my cousin to see it.’

  ‘It’s just business,’ Essie said dazedly. ‘I’m going there this morning to talk about becoming a full partner.’

  Alice patted her on the shoulder. ‘Follow your heart and not your head. I did, and I must say it’s working out really well. Bearwood is a much better husband than I could have hoped for. I fully admit that I misjudged him in the past, but then I saw sense.’

  ‘I’m confused,’ Essie said, frowning. ‘We had supper at his house last night – all of us, that is – and it was very jolly. Jack was an excellent host, but that was all. We’re just business associates, Alice. I think you’re wrong.’

  ‘And you’re happy to let things go on like that?’

  Essie rose to her feet. ‘I don’t know exactly how I feel, but you have enough to think about so don’t worry about me.’ She leaned over the bed and kissed Alice on the forehead. ‘I have to go now, but I’ll call on you tomorrow, if that’s all right.’

  ‘Yes, please do. I’m frankly bored with all this lying around and I can’t wait to have my figure back and be able to wear my proper clothes. I’m sure I’ll love my child, but the nursery is prepared and the wet nurse and nanny are ready and waiting.’

  Essie headed for the door. ‘You’ll made a wonderful mother, Alice.’

  ‘Wait.’ Stifling a groan, Alice clutched her belly, her face contorted with pain. ‘Essie, fetch Bearwood. Fetch the midwife. I think the baby’s coming.’

  Essie had wanted to stay until Alice’s baby was born, but Sir Henry was at his wife’s side and the house was suddenly filled with nurses, midwives and physicians. There was nothing that Essie could do, other than to extract a promise that someone would send a message to her when the baby arrived.

  A cab took Essie to Wapping and she arrived at the office to find Jack on his own. In the light of her conversation with Alice she was suddenly embarrassed and ill at ease. She could only hope he would put her heightened colour down to the chilly east wind.

  ‘Good morning, Jack.’