by Dilly Court
Josie stared at her in surprise. This was the longest sentence she had ever heard coming from Hermione’s lips. What was even more astonishing was the fact that she could love a toad like Uncle Joseph, and be so blind to his obvious faults. She turned her attention back to her mother. ‘Mama, you haven’t said anything.’
Marguerite raised a tear-stained face and her lips trembled. ‘I am so dreadfully distressed. Everyone will believe the worst, whether or not there is a grain of truth in it, which there isn’t, of course.’
‘Will you swear to that, Mama?’
‘You are my daughter, Josie. You are a Damerell through and through.’ Marguerite unsteadily rose to her feet. ‘This has all been too much for me. Hermione, will you see me to my room? I feel quite faint and I need to lie down.’
Hermione stood up, taking her by the arm. ‘Shall I ring for Hickson?’
‘Yes, but only when I am in my room. I don’t want to give the servants any more cause for gossip or speculation. This dreadful rumour will be all round the village as well as Dorchester, and might even get as far as Bedford Square. I don’t know how I will hold my head up in public from now on.’
‘Take her to her room, for God’s sake,’ Sir Joseph said, pouring a large tot of brandy from a decanter on a side table. He took a mouthful and his cheeks flushed wine-red, matching the tip of his bulbous nose. ‘And don’t mention any of this in front of that wretched servant, Hermione. I don’t trust her an inch.’
Marguerite muffled a sob in her handkerchief as Hermione led her from the room.
Josie turned on him in a fury. ‘Do you have to make things worse, Uncle?’
He gulped his drink, glaring at her with narrowed eyes. ‘You’ll keep a civil tongue in your head if you know what’s good for you, Josie. Just remember that you and the Dowager Lady Damerell are my dependants now. You are living off my charity and if I so choose I could turn you out of this house.’ He moved closer to her and his lips parted in a leering smile. ‘But if you are nice to me you will have everything that your heart desires.’
She drew away from him, sickened by the smell of drink on his breath and the rancid odour of his sweating body. ‘You are disgusting. You would not dare to speak to me like that if Harry were here.’
‘But Harry isn’t here, is he, my love? And I don’t believe that he ever will be.’
‘You’re wrong. The banns have been read. We’ll be married very soon.’
‘Then why does he keep putting off the evil day? Is it that he can see you for what you are: a scheming little trollop masquerading as a lady?’
Josie lifted her hand to strike him, but he caught her by the wrist, squeezing her flesh until she winced with pain. ‘Let me go, you brute.’
He twisted her arm so that it was bent behind her back. ‘I don’t admit anything, but if what the old hag said were true it would mean that you are part Damerell, part gypsy. If you are the result of my coupling with that harlot, then you have my blood coursing through your veins, and you are no better than I.’ He pushed her away so that she stumbled and had to catch hold of a chair to prevent herself from falling. He threw back his head and laughed. ‘That would be the final irony, wouldn’t it, my sweet? What would Mr Challenor think if he knew that you had encouraged the advances of your own father? And don’t think I wouldn’t tell him, because I would. Just you bear that thought in mind before you attempt to cross me.’
‘I’ve never encouraged you.’ Josie’s heart was racing and a red mist clouded her eyes. ‘You forced yourself on me. You are an unspeakable cad.’
Shrugging his shoulders, Sir Joseph topped up his drink. ‘I’ve been called worse.’ He poured brandy into a second glass and thrust it into her hands. ‘Here, drink this and stop play-acting. Face the truth, Josie Damerell. You are a hard-hearted little bitch hell-bent on marrying for money and position. Don’t think for a moment that I don’t know what is going on under my roof. I applaud your single-mindedness, but you have backed the wrong horse, so to speak, with Harry Challenor. I know him, and for all his reputation as a man about town, I suspect that deep down he has the heart and soul of a puritan. One word out of place, my love, and I will reveal all.’
‘You black-hearted bastard!’ Josie threw the brandy in his face. Hurling the empty glass into the hearth, she stormed out of the room. His mocking laughter followed her as she ran towards the staircase, heading for the relative safety of her own room.
She could not sleep. She tossed and turned as the events of the past evening were replayed over and over again in her mind’s eye. The safe and secure world that she had always known had crumbled about her head. She did not even know who she was. The idea that Joseph could be her father was making her feel physically sick. She would rather die than allow him to be intimate with her; the very thought of it was utterly disgusting. She rose from her bed and put on her robe, pacing the floor and wringing her hands. Rain was lashing at her bedroom windows and she could hear the wind soughing around the outside of the house like a wailing banshee intent on driving the occupants out of their minds. The fire had gone out and to ring for a servant at this hour in the morning would only spark off further tittle-tattle below stairs. She knew that everyone would be talking about what had happened at the hiring fair, but her main worry was that the gossip might reach as far as Copperstone Castle. Shivering and with tears running down her cheeks, she walked up and down until she was weak with exhaustion. Why did Harry keep postponing their wedding day? Something must have come between them and she knew who was to blame. She did not know how she had done it, but Kate had managed to wheedle her way into his affections, and Harry could not put her out of his mind.
Josie stopped pacing and leaned over the fireplace in the vain hope that there might be a little warmth left in the pile of grey ash. Thinking of Kate, she sighed and shook her head at her own folly; she knew in her heart that her friend was innocent and guileless. It was she, Josie Damerell, who had ruined Kate’s chances of happiness with Harry. When she had fabricated the story of Kate eloping with Sam it had been done out of jealousy. Sam. His name was forced from her lips in a cry of pain that was almost too much to bear. He was gone and she might never see him again. She crumpled to her knees, wrapping her arms around herself and rocking backwards and forwards. How long she remained in that position she did not know, but a spasm of cramp in her leg brought her back to the present. Her limbs were rigid with cold but somehow she managed to crawl back into bed, and she huddled down beneath the covers. If what the Romany woman had said was true, then both she and Kate stood to lose everything they held dear. Josie closed her eyes. She could not do anything to bring Sam back to her, but she might be able to make reparation to Kate for the wrong she had done her. She drifted into a troubled sleep.
It was light when she awakened and she reached out for her father’s old pocket watch, which her mother had given her soon after his death. It was a little after six o’clock, and suddenly she knew what she must do. She rose from her bed and dressed herself without the assistance of a maid, donning her riding habit and boots. Throwing a cape over her arm she left her room, treading softly so as not to draw attention to herself. A sleepy hall boy opened the door to let her out of the house and she went to the stables.
Lawson emerged from one of the loose boxes, touching his cap. ‘Good morning, Miss Josie. You’re up bright and early.’
‘Yes, good morning, Lawson. I fancied an early morning canter. Will you have Sheba saddled up for me, please?’
‘Do you want one of the grooms to accompany you, miss?’
‘That won’t be necessary.’ Josie eyed him warily as he went off to carry out her instructions. She couldn’t help wondering how much the servants already knew, but Lawson was too well trained to show any emotion. It was only a matter of minutes, but it seemed like longer as she waited for her horse to be brought to the mounting block. One of the under grooms held the mare while Josie settled herself on the side saddle. Sheba pawed the cobblestones, eager
to be off, and once they were clear of the stables, Josie rode her at a gallop across the parkland. The sun was struggling to come out from behind a bank of clouds and a brisk wind whipped her cheeks, tugging strands of hair from beneath her veiled top hat, but it was exhilarating and Josie’s spirits rose.
As she approached the cottage, she was aware of an unusual amount of activity. Blocking the lane, two vehicles were drawn up side by side. The cottage door was wide open and she could hear raised voices. Dismounting, Josie tethered her mount to the fence. As she hurried up the path she could see Squire Westwood and Farmer Coggins standing in the middle of the room. They appeared to be having a heated discussion. Molly was huddled in a chair by the empty grate and Kate was obviously trying to calm the situation.
Josie stepped inside. ‘What’s going on?’
Robert turned an angry face to her, scowling. ‘With all due respect, Miss Josie, this has nothing to do with you.’
‘You can’t speak to Josie like that, Father,’ Kate said angrily. ‘This isn’t her fault.’
‘Yes, Coggins,’ Squire Westwood said sternly. ‘Show a little respect.’
Robert shook his head. ‘Keep out of this, Squire, and you too, Miss Damerell. This matter is between me and this young woman.’
‘I’m still your daughter, Pa. I’m the same as I ever was.’
Robert shook his head and his expression softened as he looked at Kate. ‘I’ve done you an injustice, maidy. You are no kin to me and now the whole world knows it.’
‘No. I don’t believe you. The Romany woman must have made a mistake. I am your daughter. You loved me until Honoria came into the house. That woman has turned you against me.’
‘Have a heart, Coggins,’ Squire Westwood said, frowning. ‘You can’t expect me to believe this absurd tale.’
‘I should have known that the truth would out in the end.’ Robert’s face crumpled into lines of distress. ‘I am sorry, maidy. But it is true. My poor Bertha lost three babes soon after birth, and the last one was stillborn. Dr Smith said then that she would never bear another child, and, as if by a miracle, the Romany woman turned up at my door with an infant in her arms. She told me that the mother had died in childbirth and there was no one to care for the poor little mite.’ His lips trembled. ‘That baby was you, Kate. I laid you in my dead child’s crib and I never let on to Bertha. She believed you was her baby, and she loved you dearly.’
Josie made a move towards Kate, longing to comfort her, but Edmund edged her out of the way, placing his arm around Kate who burst into tears. ‘I l-loved her too. Now I have no one,’ she sobbed, leaning against his shoulder.
Molly covered her face with her apron and began to rock backwards and forwards in her chair, moaning softly.
Josie laid her hand on Kate’s arm. ‘You still have me, Kate.’
‘And I am here.’ Squire Westwood glared at Robert over the top of Kate’s head. ‘That was cruel, Coggins. I have known you for many years, but I always thought you to be a fair man.’
‘And I am, Squire. I do my best to be a good Christian, and I am still fond of the little maid, but I am married to a strong-willed woman, and she has pointed out the error of my ways. I have to atone for bringing a cuckoo into our nest. Kate has to leave and she must take young Molly with her, or I will never have peace in my home.’
Kate raised her head and her expression was bleak. ‘And you have a son now. You don’t need me.’
‘I have a son, and maybe another on the way, so my Honoria thinks, although I’d say it was too soon to be certain, but she assures me it is so. I have married a fertile woman and I have a new family to raise, Squire. You’ve offered for my girl, and I trust you to keep your word. I know if she goes with you that she will be well looked after.’
‘I will take her, Coggins. But you must understand that I cannot marry her now. I’ve given it a lot of thought since last night, and I realise that I can’t give the name of Westwood to someone whose origins are unknown. Even so, both Kate and Molly are welcome in my home. I’ll keep them in my employ and treat them well. You have my word on that.’
Kate drew away from him, dashing her tears away with the back of her hand. ‘And you said you loved me.’
‘I do care for you, Kate. But you must see my dilemma.’
‘Take his offer, maidy,’ Robert urged. ‘You won’t get a better one.’
Josie went to stand beside Kate. ‘Don’t listen to them. Men are all the same. They use us and then they discard us. I have no time for you, Farmer Coggins, nor you, Squire Westwood. If you really cared for this girl, nothing on earth would prevent you from honouring your proposal of marriage.’
Edmund’s bushy eyebrows drew together in a frown. ‘You are also involved in this scandal, Miss Damerell. I would be careful what I said if I were you. Your own position may be in doubt now.’
‘Aye, you’d best set your house in order, Miss Josie, afore you start acting high and mighty with honest working folk.’ Robert jammed his cap on his head. ‘I must be going. I’ve work to do.’
‘Don’t worry about me, Josie,’ Kate said, managing a smile. ‘I understand the squire’s concern, and even if he renewed his offer I wouldn’t accept.’
‘Come home with me, Kate. Whatever happens, I am still Miss Damerell of Damerell Manor. You will never be homeless while I have a roof over my head.’
‘If only Sam was here,’ Molly sobbed. ‘He wouldn’t let you men bully us poor girls. He’d stand up to you both.’
Robert shook his head. ‘I’ve said what I came to say. I’m sorry, Kate. I honestly wish there was something I could do for you, but my hands are tied. You and Molly must be out of the cottage by noon.’ He tossed a small leather pouch onto the table. ‘There’s enough there to keep you both in food and lodging for a week or two, until you find work. I can do no more.’ He went outside, closing the door behind him.
Squire Westwood turned to Kate. ‘I beg you to reconsider, my dear. Come and work for me, as I suggested originally. You can be a companion to my wayward girls, and you will be treated like one of the family.’
‘And he’ll be creeping to your room in the middle of the night, no doubt,’ Josie said, curling her lip. ‘Come home with me.’
Kate shook her head. ‘I can’t do that, not now, Josie. You will soon be married and then I would have to find somewhere else to live.’
‘I would take you with me.’ Josie knew in her heart that this was a lie. Even when she had a wedding ring on her finger she would never allow Kate near her husband. But she could not abandon her old friend, and her main aim at this moment was to save Kate from the clutches of Squire Westwood. It was obvious that he still wanted her, and for all his fine words, he was just a man.
‘I couldn’t impose on you.’ Kate turned her head away and her voice broke on a sob.
‘Harry won’t mind,’ Josie said stoutly. ‘He is as fond of you as I am, my dear.’
‘I couldn’t bear it, Josie. You know very well why.’
Molly jumped to her feet. ‘What about me? You two are so bound up in your own problems that you don’t give a tinker’s cuss about me.’
Josie stared at her and her heart gave an uncomfortable jolt as she saw a passing likeness to Sam. It might have been the tilt of Molly’s head, or the stubborn set of her jaw, or perhaps it was the sudden flash of anger in eyes that were so painfully like Sam’s that it cut her to the quick. She dug her fingernails into her palms to prevent herself from crying out with pain and longing. A bitter taste flooded her mouth as she remembered their parting words, but she had sent him away, and now she must pay for her cruelty and ambition. ‘I care about you, Molly. I want you to come with me as well as Kate.’
‘I will look after Molly.’ Kate drew herself up to her full height. She was deathly pale, but composed. ‘We will find lodgings in the village and I’ll look for farm work. It will be no hardship to me.’
‘Kate, I beg of you, don’t do this.’ Squire Westwood took a step toward
s her, holding out his hands. ‘Miss Damerell is wrong, and she does me a great injustice. I wouldn’t dream of dishonouring you with unwanted attentions. I really do care about you, my dear, and I can’t bear to think of you working like a common peasant.’
‘Whatever the accident of my birth, Squire, I’ve lived in a squalid mews in London working my fingers to the bone as a housemaid, and I’ve laboured on the farm like a man. I’m not afraid of hard work. Molly and I will do well enough on our own.’
‘Is there nothing that I can say to make you change your mind?’
She shook her head. ‘Nothing, sir.’
‘Then come with me, Kate,’ Josie pleaded. ‘Let me help you and Molly.’
‘You have your own problems to solve, Josie.’
‘You are a stubborn girl,’ Josie cried, losing her patience. ‘I’d wash my hands of you if I didn’t love you so much, Kate Coggins.’
Kate gave her a watery smile. ‘I am not Kate Coggins now, Josie. I don’t know what my name is. I don’t know who I am. Harry was right – I am Miss Nobody.’
Josie enveloped her in a hug. ‘You are my dear Kate. Nothing else matters. I regret every nasty word I ever said to you. I didn’t mean any of them.’
‘I know you didn’t, Josie. I love you too.’ Kate hugged her back, and then she pushed her gently away. ‘You have much to do also. If you are having difficulties at home, then you should go straight to Harry and tell him everything. He will understand.’
Josie nodded wordlessly. She wished that she was so certain of her fiancé’s love and understanding. She moved towards the doorway, desperate to escape. ‘Goodbye then, Kate.’ She let herself out of the cottage, stepping into the early morning sunshine. It was a relief to be away from the turmoil of emotions inside the small cottage, and she could think more clearly now that she was alone. Farmer Coggins had confirmed her suspicions that there was truth in the Romany woman’s words. Her family might be in denial, but there was one person who would not lie to her. She knew exactly what she must do.