by Dilly Court
‘My grandmother has that effect on most people. She can be difficult at times.’
‘That’s one word for it,’ Caroline said drily. ‘Anyway, I didn’t come to talk about Mrs Colville. I came to find out if your offer to buy half-shares in Manning and Chapman still stands.’
‘Yes, of course. My solicitor is in the process of drawing up an agreement as we speak. I don’t make idle promises.’
‘I’ve received another offer.’
‘I assume it must be a better one, or you wouldn’t be here.’
She had to curb the desire to tell him everything. It would have been a relief to talk to someone about the sudden change in her circumstances, but she could not bring herself to admit that her recently widowed mother was in love with Raven Dorincourt. Perhaps it would be better for them all to try their luck in Australia and leave London for ever, but even as the thought entered her mind she knew that this was her home. Despite the dirt, the noxious odours and the huge social divide between almost obscene wealth and utter poverty, this was her part of the city, and, above all, she loved the river.
She met his intense gaze with an even look. ‘I haven’t come to bargain with you. I just wanted to be sure that our agreement still stands.’
‘Why wouldn’t it?’
She shrugged. ‘Your grandmother must have told you that she disapproved of me and my family.’
‘Grandmama doesn’t run the company. It’s sad to say, but she is an embittered old woman, and, no matter how hard I’ve tried to persuade her otherwise, she refuses to allow the world into that cold house.’
He looked so sad that Caroline wanted to give him a hug, but she managed to restrain herself. ‘I’m sure you’ve done your best.’
‘So we have a deal? I will buy half-shares in your mother’s company.’
‘That’s where there could be a problem,’ Caroline said nervously. ‘Raven wants to merge Manning and Chapman with his own shipping company, and I think my mother might be inclined to accept.’
‘But you don’t agree.’
‘No, I don’t. I think we need to have a measure of independence. After all, she hasn’t seen Raven for twenty years and she might find that they’ve both changed too much to make a life together.’ Caroline paused, trying to read his expression, but he was giving nothing away. ‘I just wanted you to know that I’ll do everything in my power to dissuade her. I think she will listen to me, but I can’t be certain of anything at the moment.’
‘Then I suggest we carry on as normal until your mother has reached a definite decision.’ Phineas reached for a sheaf of papers and spread them out on the desk. ‘As we agreed, my men have unloaded the Esther Manning and the goods are in your warehouse ready for sale. In your absence I’d already found a new cargo and it’s being stowed away as we speak.’
‘That’s very good of you.’ Caroline smothered a sigh of relief. She had given little thought to the business lately and she was genuinely grateful.
‘Gilbert will captain her again, if that’s agreeable to you.’
‘Yes, of course. But what about the Colville Star? Maria seemed to think that Gilbert would relieve Theo Barnaby.’
‘I don’t want Maria to make a terrible mistake, but she’s suffered enough and I won’t stand in her way if she really loves Barnaby. I’ve given him a month’s leave and another captain is taking the Colville Star on her next voyage.’
‘You sound like Captain Falco, Raven’s right-hand man,’ Caroline said, smiling. ‘He believes in romance above everything.’ She faltered, not knowing what to say next. ‘I’d better go now. I’ve taken up too much of your time and Sadie will be wondering what’s happened to me.’
‘Your brothers are well?’ Phineas was already on his feet. ‘They didn’t suffer any ill effects from the soaking they got when the boat capsized?’
‘I’m sorry,’ Caroline said hastily. ‘I should have thanked you for coming to our aid, but so much has happened in such a short time.’ She eyed him curiously. ‘How do you know they were found? I didn’t mention it.’
He opened the door for her. ‘I went back to see Munday and told him to keep looking, and to let me know when the boys were safe.’
‘You could have come to the Captain’s House.’
‘I didn’t want to intrude, and as it happened I remembered Ted Munday. He was a good seaman and I offered him a job on the Esther Manning, but he couldn’t accept because of his young daughter.’
Caroline stared at him in surprise. ‘That’s funny. I did exactly the same, but he refused because of Rose. It must be hard for him bringing up a child on his own.’
‘He’s a good man. I’m going to see him again in the morning to try to work something out that will suit both of us.’
‘Be careful, Phineas,’ Caroline said, laughing. ‘I might begin to believe you have a heart after all.’
‘I learned at a very young age to keep my feelings to myself,’ he said with a rueful smile.
‘I hope that I can persuade my mother to accept your offer. Now I really must go. Goodbye, Phineas.’ She held out her hand and he raised it to his lips.
‘That sounds too final. I will see you again very soon. We’re business partners, for the time being at least.’
His words echoed in Caroline’s head next morning as she made her way home from the market, carrying a basket of groceries. In the last few months her whole world had seemed to be spinning round, quite out of control. As she entered the Captain’s House the sound of a familiar voice led her straight to the parlour to find her mother seated on the sofa, talking animatedly to Sadie.
Esther looked up and smiled. ‘I thought you would be here, Carrie. I came to see my boys but they’ve gone to see Munday to thank him for saving them.’
‘I’m surprised to see you here, Mama. I thought perhaps you were looking for a house to rent.’
‘Raven had business in the city. He brought me in the brougham he’s hired for the duration of his stay in London.’ Esther leaned back against the shabby cushions and sighed. ‘It’s so wonderful to have money again. I’d almost forgotten what it was like to have one’s own carriage.’
Sadie rose to her feet. ‘I’ll make a fresh pot of tea. I think you two need to talk.’
Caroline held out her hand in a vague attempt to stop her leaving the room, but Sadie was already out of the door and Caroline found herself alone with her mother.
‘Do sit down, darling,’ Esther said, smiling. ‘Things are looking up for us, Carrie. Isn’t it wonderful?’
‘Mama, there’s something we need to discuss.’
‘Oh, don’t spoil a lovely day talking about the business, Carrie. Can’t it wait?’
‘No, Mama. I saw Phineas Colville yesterday afternoon, and he’s taken care of everything, but I need to know what your intentions are regarding the business. You said you wanted me to run it for you. Is that so?’
‘I’ve had second thoughts, darling. You know that Raven has offered to put up the money to rescue Manning and Chapman, and so I think we should get a manager in to run things. It’s too much for a young woman to do on her own.’
‘That’s another thing, Mama.’ Caroline rose to her feet, taking a turn around the room as she struggled to find the right words. She came to a halt in front of her mother. ‘Aunt Alice seems to think that you’re in love with Raven, and you certainly gave that impression.’
Esther shrugged and smiled. ‘I was at one time. Maybe I still am, a little.’
‘But you’re in mourning for Pa. You loved him.’
‘Yes, it’s true. Even though I know he betrayed me, I did love your father, very much.’
‘You weren’t married to him then,’ Caroline said gently. ‘It was an act of madness, if you want to call it that. Pa was a good man, but he gave way to temptation.’
‘Jack was always so quick to condemn others when they misbehaved. I can hardly believe that he did something so out of character.’
Caroline sighed, sayi
ng nothing. She had run out of excuses for her father’s behaviour.
‘Did he know about the child?’ Esther asked after a moment’s silence.
‘Grace didn’t tell anyone. She was separated from her baby at birth, and forced to marry the man her father had chosen for her. She had the most terrible life with him and he almost killed her.’
‘For that I am sorry,’ Esther said slowly. ‘Does Maria know you are related?’
‘Yes, she does, and I know it must hurt you, but I’m very happy to call her my sister.’
‘You may do as you please, Carrie. Just don’t expect me to welcome her into the family.’
‘You’re taking this more calmly than I expected, Mama.’
‘It’s been a shock, but in a way it releases me from my own guilt. I was in love with Raven before I met your father, and I realise now that I never stopped loving him. This makes it easier for me to do what is right now.’
‘What are you saying?’
Sadie walked into the room at that moment. She put the teapot down on the small table next to the sofa. ‘What have I missed?’
‘We were talking about Maria, and my feelings.’
‘I think you made it quite clear,’ Sadie said, sniffing. ‘Although I don’t blame you. I would probably feel the same.’
‘I’ve come through the worst, but now I feel free to follow my heart. Raven has asked me to marry him.’
Caroline stared at her in astonishment. ‘Are you sure about this, Mama?’
Sadie sat down on the nearest chair. ‘Well, I’m blowed. What did you say to him, Essie?’
‘I haven’t given him an answer. I wanted to talk to you about it, Carrie, but this piece of news has changed everything. I feel like my own woman again.’
‘So you will accept Raven’s proposal?’ Carrie asked breathlessly.
‘I will,’ Esther said, smiling. ‘We’ll live in Bendigo, and you will come with us, of course, Carrie.’
‘You want me to live in Australia?’
Esther threw back her head and laughed, looking so much like her old self that Caroline was astonished at the change in her.
‘Of course I do, darling. The boys will love it and they’ll have the chance to make their own fortunes in a young country.’ Esther reached out to lay her hand on Sadie’s arm. ‘I’m not ungrateful for what you’ve done for them, Sadie. And I’ll make certain that Raven pays you for their schooling as well as something for their board and keep.’
Sadie tossed her head. ‘What I’ve done for you and the boys has been done out of love, not for money, Esther. You should know that.’
‘Sadie’s been like a second mother to us all, Mama,’ Caroline said hastily. She could see that her mother’s careless offer of money had hurt Sadie’s feelings. ‘I don’t know what we would have done without her.’
‘Sadie can come too,’ Esther said brightly. ‘You and Laurence could sell the Captain’s House, and then you could use the money to buy a school in Bendigo. It would be wonderful if we all lived there.’
‘Hold on a minute, Essie.’ Sadie gave her a reproachful look. ‘Don’t let Raven’s title and wealth go to your head. You can’t order all our lives just to suit you, and this old house is mine. I’m a Londoner and I don’t want to go to the other side of the world again.’
‘Suit yourself, Sadie. It was just an idea.’ Esther turned to Caroline with a persuasive smile. ‘You will come with me, won’t you, Carrie? I need my beautiful daughter by my side.’
Carrie shook her head. ‘I don’t think so, Mama. I have our business here, in London. As I said just now, I was talking to Phineas—’
‘I don’t want you to have anything to do with the Colvilles,’ Esther said firmly. ‘Maria may be your half-sister, but there’s no need to pander to her whims. The Colvilles are and have always been our rivals, and Raven will do as I ask and buy back our share in Manning and Chapman.’
‘Are you planning to dissolve the company?’
‘It will merge with Raven’s business. Poor George is no longer with us and if I decide to accept Raven’s offer, I will no longer be a Manning.’
‘I’ll still bear the family name,’ Caroline protested.
‘I doubt if that will be the case for very long, my love. You are a very pretty girl and with a large dowry you will be the catch of the century. Young men will be queuing up to claim you for their own.’ Esther shot her a sideways glance. ‘And men in Australia far outnumber the women. You’ll have the pick of the bunch.’
Caroline and Sadie exchanged baffled glances. ‘I think all this has gone to your head, Mama,’ Caroline said, rising to her feet. ‘Shall I go and collect the boys? I’d like to see them and I’d like to thank Munday, too.’
‘I sent a plate of my gingerbread with Max,’ Sadie said, smiling. ‘That family deserves some help, although there’s very little I can do.’
Caroline picked up her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. ‘Phineas offered Ted Munday work on the Esther Manning, but he couldn’t take it because he has no one to care for Rose.’
‘We’ll have to rename the ship as well,’ Esther said thoughtfully. ‘The Lady Esther Dorincourt sounds rather splendid, don’t you think?’
‘It’s considered bad luck to change the name of a vessel,’ Sadie snapped. ‘I’m losing patience with you, Esther. You’re letting this business with Raven go to your head.’ She jumped to her feet and followed Caroline from the room, closing the door behind her. ‘I love your ma, but she seems to have taken leave of her senses.’
‘She’s been through a bad time, Sadie. I just want her to be happy.’
‘You’re a good girl, Carrie, and I’ll miss you very much if you decide to go to Australia with your family.’
‘You are part of that family, Sadie,’ Caroline said, smiling.
‘You’ll be leaving me one way or another, my duck. Some lucky man will snap you up sooner or later. Anyway, that’s what made me think of little Rose Munday. She reminds me of you when you were that age, and I took a real liking to her. I had a word with Laurence last night, and he said he would be prepared to let her share some of the boys’ lessons if we took her in. She could help me in the kitchen, too. I’d teach her to cook and sew, just as if she were my own daughter.’
‘And that would leave Ted free to join the crew of the Esther Manning. I think that’s an excellent idea.’
‘I knew you’d approve, and so will Esther when she comes down from that cloud she’s floating on. I’ve never seen her like this, Carrie. It must be true love.’ Sadie’s laughter was contagious and Caroline was still chuckling as she walked down the steps to the wharf. She paused, shielding her eyes from the sun as she focused on the deck of the Bendigo Queen. There was the usual activity of the seamen but no sign of either her grandfather or Falco. Her mother’s seemingly outrageous suggestion kept running through her mind and she was slowly coming round to the idea. After all, if her whole family were to migrate to Australia it would seem logical for her to go with them. The alternative would mean living permanently in the attic room at the Captain’s House and attempting to run the office virtually single-handed. Phineas might be willing to help, but she could not run to him every time there was a problem, especially if he was about to marry the heiress from Liverpool. She stared into the distance, biting her lip. If she left England she might never see him again, and that thought was unexpectedly disturbing.
She was brought back to earth by the sound of a familiar voice calling her name and she walked to the edge of the wharf.
Phineas smiled up at her. ‘Where are you headed, Caroline?’
‘I’m going to Chelsea to fetch my brothers.’
‘You’ll get there faster by boat. Come on board.’
Chapter Twenty-Five
Phineas handed her into the launch. ‘I mentioned yesterday that I was going to see Ted Munday.’
‘I’d forgotten.’
‘Really?’
Caroline sat down, folding
her hands primly in her lap. ‘I suppose you think I was waiting for you to come along.’
‘No such thing. But it’s a happy coincidence that I was passing at that particular moment.’
She sighed. ‘I’m not in the mood for banter, Phin. I’ve just had a talk with my mother.’
He returned to the helm and the launch chugged into motion. ‘What did she say about my offer, or is she leaving it to you to decide?’
‘She wants to merge our company with Raven’s and allow him to take over, although that’s so unlike her I can’t believe she was in earnest.’
‘Your mother is a remarkable woman. I remember my father saying so on many occasions when their paths crossed in business.’
‘My mother isn’t so complimentary about your family,’ Caroline said, smiling. ‘You are all evil, accordingly to Mama.’
‘Do you agree with her?’
‘No, of course not, although your grandmother is a difficult woman. I failed miserably there.’
‘Grandmama isn’t so bad when you get to know her. She has a softer side.’
‘She frightens Maria to death.’
‘My cousin is too sensitive for her own good. She is also very impressionable.’
‘I suppose you’re referring to Captain Barnaby. Has he returned to London?’
‘I believe he’s on his way. Maria was in quite a state when I last saw her. Perhaps you could find time to visit her this afternoon? I think she needs a little sisterly advice.’
‘I don’t want her to become too dependent on me,’ Caroline said slowly.
Phineas had been concentrating on the river ahead, but he turned to look at her, eyebrows raised. ‘Why is that?’
‘My mother is thinking about migrating to Australia. She wants me to accompany her.’
‘Is that what you want?’
‘I suppose it makes sense. It would be a big undertaking for me to manage the business on my own, and we have no permanent home in London. I can’t impose on Sadie and Laurence for ever.’
‘The house in Great Hermitage Street is still at your disposal. You could stay there indefinitely.’