by Dilly Court
‘I don’t know how you engineered their meeting, but it was the worst thing you could have done,’ Phineas said angrily. ‘The whole sorry, sordid story will be made public once again, especially if the newspapers get hold of it. Where are they, Caroline? What have you done with them?’
Chapter Twelve
‘I’m not telling you,’ Caroline said firmly. ‘They’ve been through enough.’
‘This is serious.’ Phineas caught Caroline by the hand, his fingers holding hers in a vice-like grip. ‘Don’t play games with me. I need to see my aunt and cousin. This is my family business, not yours.’
‘And it must remain so,’ Alice added sternly. ‘You mustn’t get involved. Heaven knows your mother has had enough to bear these past months, if what you tell us is true, Carrie. She’s lost everything, including her home.’
Caroline snatched her hand free, but she could still feel the imprint of Phin’s cool fingers on her flesh. She turned her back on him, addressing herself to Alice. ‘At least Uncle George is safe and Mama has a half-share in the Esther Manning, so she won’t be destitute. I’ll look after her.’
‘I’m sure you will.’ Lady Alice moderated her tone. ‘And Mr Colville needs to take care of his family. You must understand that.’
‘I think there’s something you aren’t telling me,’ Caroline said, glancing from one to the other.
‘I suggest you talk it over later.’ Phineas made a move towards the doorway. ‘I’ve outstayed my welcome, but I’m not leaving without you, Miss Manning. I need you to take me to my aunt.’
‘I don’t think she wants anything to do with you.’
‘That may be how she feels at the moment, but I need to see her and make sure she is all right. I visited the farm late yesterday afternoon, so I know what went on. Or, at least, I heard Quick’s version of events and now I want to see what Aunt Grace has to say.’
‘Caroline?’ Alice raised an eyebrow. ‘What is your part in all this?’
‘Maria was desperate to find her mother. Surely you can both understand that?’ Caroline glared at Phineas. ‘Even you could not wish Grace to remain with that brute.’
‘I admit that I didn’t take to the fellow,’ Phineas said slowly. ‘Go on. I’m listening.’
‘We went to the farm and found Mrs Quick in a terrible state. She looked half-starved and ill, and her clothes were little more than rags. Despite what her husband might have told you, she has suffered abuse and brutality at his hands for the past twenty years. That man is evil and he should be locked up.’
‘How awful,’ Alice said, shuddering. ‘Whatever she has done in the past, she didn’t deserve to be treated like that.’
‘No,’ Caroline agreed. ‘She was terrified of him, and Maria and I rescued her.’
‘So where are they now?’ Phineas asked in a more conciliatory tone. ‘I want to see them, Miss Manning. I need to make sure that my aunt is all right and to offer any help she wishes to accept.’
‘Do you?’ Caroline faced him angrily. ‘Or do you merely want to keep her out of sight so that she doesn’t upset your grandmother?’
‘My grandmother is an old woman. She’s set in her ways, and although I often disagree with the manner in which she does things I have to respect her as the head of our family.’
‘Mr Colville has a point, Carrie,’ Alice said softly. ‘You can’t save every lame dog you come across. I see shades of your mother in you, although you probably won’t recognise her good qualities yourself. I think you should allow him to see his aunt and cousin. After all, what harm could it do?’
‘I’ll take you to them,’ Caroline said reluctantly. ‘But only if you promise not to coerce them into anything.’
‘Despite what you may think of me, I’m a reasonable man and I only want what’s best for both of them.’
Caroline looked him in the eye and decided that he was speaking the truth. Perhaps she had misjudged him so far as his own family were concerned, but it would be impossible to forgive him for the way in which he had treated her father. Perhaps it was time for a truce.
‘All right. I’ll take you to them.’ Caroline turned to Alice with a weary smile. ‘We’re staying with Uncle Freddie at Starcross Abbey.’
‘I might have guessed it,’ Alice said, chuckling. ‘I’m sure Freddie is thoroughly enjoying your company. He always had a weakness for pretty women.’
‘I rode here with Dickon,’ Caroline added. ‘He’s waiting in your stables.’
‘I sometimes wish that Freddie had done the decent thing and married his housekeeper after she gave birth to his son,’ Alice said, sighing. ‘I don’t trust that young man, and I think he could cause trouble for my cousin.’
‘What makes you say that, Aunt Alice?’ Caroline asked, frowning. ‘Dickon seems reasonable enough.’
Alice shrugged and rose to her feet. ‘It’s just a feeling I have whenever I see that boy. There’s something about him that I find disturbing, and he’s sly.’ She held her hand out to Phineas. ‘I’m glad to have met you at last, Mr Colville. I think perhaps we have all done you a great injustice, and I hope we might become better acquainted in the future.’
‘I would hope so, my lady. Please forgive me for leaving so abruptly.’
‘Of course,’ Alice said graciously. ‘And I hope the rift between your family and Mrs Manning can be overcome in time.’
‘I promise to do all I can.’ Phineas turned to Caroline. ‘I hired a nag at the inn where I stayed last night, so we can ride together. Is it far?’
‘Four miles at the most.’ Caroline turned to Alice. ‘Will you make things right with my mother, please? I don’t understand why she was so upset, and I know she’s keeping something from me, but I’ll do my best to make it up to her.’
‘Don’t worry about Esther. She just needs more time to recover from the terrible blows that life has dealt her, but she’s a strong woman and she’ll come round.’
‘Perhaps then she’ll trust me enough to tell me everything.’
‘Give her time, that’s all I can say, and give my love to Freddie. Tell him I’ll see him soon.’
Caroline and Phineas stood at the top of the steps, waiting for Dickon to bring the horses to the front of the house. The sun was high in the sky and the air was filled with citrus scent from the huge creamy-white flowers of the magnolia standing tall at the side of the house, and an achingly sweet perfume floated on a gentle breeze from the rose garden. Deer grazed beneath shady oaks in the park that surrounded Daumerle, and Caroline was suddenly aware of birdsong so sweet that it touched her heart. The cheeping of sparrows and the chattering of starlings coming home to roost at night were the sounds she was most accustomed to hearing, but their country cousins’ songs were honeyed and soothing. This beautiful house was paradise, compared with Wapping and Limehouse, and yet those places were home and she missed the hustle and bustle, the noise, and even the stench of the city.
She shot a wary glance at Phineas. ‘You did promise that you wouldn’t force your aunt to return to her husband, didn’t you?’
‘I wouldn’t condemn an animal to live with that brute. I can’t imagine why my grandfather thought he was a suitable match for his only daughter.’
‘Why was she left to suffer for so many years? Didn’t anyone think to visit her and make sure she was all right?’
‘Apparently not. Don’t blame me, Miss Manning. I was only six years old when Aunt Grace married that man. Her name was never mentioned after that day, and I was sent away to school when I was eight, so I only saw my cousin Maria during the holidays.’
‘But you’re a man now. Didn’t you think it unfair the way your grandmother treated Maria?’
He turned to give her a steady look. ‘I was pitched into the shipping business the moment I graduated from Cambridge. I didn’t have time to think of anything other than building the company back to its former glory. My grandfather had let matters slide after the death of my father. I suppose I should have paid more att
ention to Maria, but I just accepted the situation, and for that I am sorry, but she was such a quiet little mouse that I barely noticed her.’
‘That’s no excuse.’ Caroline paused. She could hear the sound of the horses ambling towards them, although they were still out of sight, but there was one question that she had to ask. ‘Do you know the identity of Maria’s father?’
Phineas shook his head. ‘I don’t, and it’s really none of my business, or yours either, come to that. If my aunt wishes to keep it to herself, I think we must respect her right to privacy.’ He descended the steps ahead of her as Dickon and a groom came round the corner of the house leading their mounts.
During the ride to Starcross Abbey Caroline’s thoughts were occupied mainly with worries as to how Grace and Maria would react to coming face to face with Phineas, and she could find no easy solution. They rode mainly in silence with Dickon riding on ahead, but Caroline suspected that he was keen to eavesdrop on anything that was said, and she did not want to give him the satisfaction of discussing family matters within his hearing. The heat was intense at midday, but the narrow lanes were shaded by tall trees forming cool tunnels sheltered from the direct rays of the sun. The horses plodded on at little more than walking pace, as if they, too, found the excessive warmth oppressive.
When they arrived at Starcross Abbey they were greeted by Maria, whose face fell when she saw her cousin.
‘What are you doing here?’ she demanded anxiously. ‘I’m not going back to London with you, Phin. You can tell Grandmama that I’ve found my mother and we’re staying together.’
Phineas handed the reins to Dickon. ‘I only want to talk, Maria.’
‘Good, but I’m not sure that Mama wants to speak to you.’
Caroline mounted the steps to give Maria a hug. ‘Don’t worry. Phineas promised to listen to what you both have to say, or I wouldn’t have brought him here. Where is Grace?’
‘She’s sitting for her portrait,’ Maria said in a whisper. ‘He made her take her clothes off, Carrie. She’s lying on a chaise longue with a sheet draped around her body. I don’t think Phin ought to see her like that.’
Caroline glanced round to see Phineas standing behind her and it was obvious from his amused expression that he had overheard. ‘It sounds very artistic,’ he said mildly.
Maria blushed rosily. ‘I didn’t mean you to hear what I said about Mama posing for the painting. Mr Dorincourt is a very good artist, and it’s all very proper, Phin.’
‘I’m intrigued, and I’m not a monster, Maria. If I’ve neglected you in the past, I’m really sorry and I hope I can make up for it in the future.’
‘You won’t make me go back to Pier House, will you?’
He shook his head. ‘Of course not. We’ll sort something out for you and your mother.’
Caroline gave him a grateful smile. ‘Thank you.’
‘Don’t thank me, Caroline. I may call you Caroline, mayn’t I? It seems we’ve crossed the barrier of formality, and I’d appreciate it if you would call me Phin. It would make me feel less of a threat. There is no reason why we can’t be on more friendly terms.’
‘I agree.’ Caroline turned away, aware that she was blushing. ‘And now I’d better introduce you to Uncle Freddie. Let’s hope he’s finished the morning painting session.’
‘Shall I go on ahead and warn them?’ Maria asked anxiously.
‘No,’ Phineas said firmly. ‘I think I’d like to see how an artist works.’
Caroline shot him a wary glance, but he seemed more amused than shocked. This amenable person was not the man she had briefly known in London, and she was intrigued.
‘Lead on, Maria,’ she said hastily. ‘I think I’d like to see Uncle Freddie at work, too.’
Maria’s relief was palpable as she danced on ahead to the East Wing and flung open the studio door. Caroline followed her into the large room with its high vaulted ceiling and tall windows designed to let in the maximum amount of light. She came to a halt, staring at Grace, who was reclining on the chaise longue with a sheet draped artistically around her otherwise naked body, leaving one shoulder and both arms bare. Her feet and ankles peeped out from beneath the cloth in a decidedly provocative fashion, and her dark hair hung loose, framing her oval face. Despite her harsh existence, there was a look of innocence and faded beauty about her, and Caroline could see why Freddie had wanted to capture her on canvas.
At the sight of them Grace clutched the sheet to her throat and curled up in a ball. ‘Who are you?’ she demanded, staring at Phineas. ‘I’m not going back to Quick, if it was he who has sent you here?’
‘It’s all right, Grace,’ Caroline said hastily. ‘This is your nephew, Phineas Colville.’
‘He’s nice, Mama,’ Maria added. ‘Phin was always kind to me.’
‘I won’t look if it embarrasses you, Aunt Grace.’
Grace shrank even further down into the folds of the sheet. ‘You were a little boy when I last saw you.’
‘So I was, but I’m a grown man now, and I’ve come to help.’ Phineas turned to Freddie, holding out his hand. ‘I apologise for arriving uninvited, Mr Dorincourt.’
‘Delighted to meet you, sir. I’d shake your hand, but as you see, I’m covered in paint.’ Freddie wiped his hands on his stained smock. ‘Anyway, I’ve finished for now, so let’s go and celebrate your arrival with a glass or two of wine.’
‘Wouldn’t a cup of tea be more suitable at this hour of the day, Uncle?’ Caroline picked up a blanket and draped it over Grace, whose face was scarlet with embarrassment.
‘You women can coddle your innards with tea, but us men like something stronger. Come to my study, Phineas, my boy. I have a bottle of Madeira hidden from my housekeeper. She doesn’t approve of my drinking habits.’
‘Thank you, sir. That’s very kind of you, but first I would like to have a word with my aunt and cousin.’
‘Plenty of time for that later. I suggest the lady would be more comfortable if she were dressed, if you know what I mean. Caroline will look after her.’
‘Of course, Uncle,’ Caroline said, stifling the desire to giggle. She waited until they had left the studio. ‘Where are your clothes, Grace? I’ll fetch them for you.’
Grace struggled to her feet, her movements hampered by the voluminous folds of the sheet. ‘Behind the screen. It’s all right, I don’t need anyone’s help.’
‘That’s your trouble, Mama,’ Maria said, sighing. ‘I’m sure if you’d written to Grandmama and told her how that man was treating you, she would have done something about it.’
Grace paused, one hand holding the sheet, the other clutching the screen. ‘You’re wrong, Maria. My mother wouldn’t have lifted a finger to help me. She would have said it was God’s way of punishing me for my wickedness.’ She slipped behind the screen, leaving a heap of crumpled cotton sheeting on the floor.
‘Stay with her, Maria,’ Caroline whispered. ‘I’d better find Jenifry and tell her that we might have another guest for dinner this evening.’
Freddie, it seemed, was delighted to have male company, even though he loved being surrounded by women. He treated Phineas like a life-long friend, insisting that he stayed for dinner that evening, and when the meal was over and they had drunk copious amounts of wine, he suggested that Phineas might like to stay the night instead of riding back to the inn.
Grace and Maria exchanged wary glances, but Caroline nodded in agreement. ‘I think that’s an excellent idea, Uncle Freddie.’
Jenifry frowned, but said nothing, and Dickon looked on. He was grinning, but there was a calculating look in his dark eyes that sent a shiver down Caroline’s spine, and she decided that Lady Alice had been right – Dickon was not to be trusted.
Freddie rose from the table and leaned over to seize the bottle of claret that they had just opened. ‘Let’s go to my study, Phineas, my boy.’
Phineas turned to Grace with an apologetic smile. ‘You’ll excuse us for defying convention, I hope, Aunt?
’
‘Freddie is our host,’ she said softly. ‘This is his home and I’m grateful to him for giving me refuge.’
‘Say no more, dear lady.’ Freddie hooked two wine glasses in one hand. ‘I am only too pleased to oblige, and tomorrow morning we will have another sitting. I’ll bid you all good night.’ He staggered towards the door and Phineas leaped to his feet, but Dickon forestalled him and he was already at his father’s side.
‘I’m accustomed to this, sir.’ Dickon looped Freddie’s arm across his shoulders and helped him from the room.
‘Come on, Colville, don’t dawdle,’ Freddie called from the depths of the hall.
Jenifry had been watching with tight-lipped disapproval, but she rose from her seat at the far end of the table. ‘I’ll make some coffee. If you ladies would like to go to the drawing room it will be brought to you.’
‘I think Uncle Freddie needs it more,’ Caroline said, smiling.
Jenifry paused in the doorway. ‘He shouldn’t drink too much. The doctor was quite clear as to the dangers of overindulgence.’ She whisked out of the room, leaving Caroline, Grace and Maria still seated at the table.
‘I suppose we’d better go to the drawing room, although I am quite exhausted and I’d really like to go to bed.’ Grace glanced anxiously at her daughter. ‘I’d like to spend more time with you, Maria, but Frederick is not someone to be gainsaid.’
‘That’s all right, Mama,’ Maria said hastily. ‘I understand, and we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other when we return to London.’
‘No one has mentioned that to me.’ Grace had been about to rise but she subsided onto her seat. ‘Why would I want to go home? My mother made it clear that she wants nothing to do with me.’
‘That was a long time ago,’ Caroline said cautiously. ‘She might change her mind when she learns about your years of suffering.’
‘You don’t know my mother, Miss Manning. Clarissa Colville is the most stubborn woman in London, and the least forgiving. I can’t go home, ever.’