The Summer Maiden

by Dilly Court

  ‘I said I don’t want to go, but Mama pointed out that I’m under age and I have to do what I’m told. It took me by surprise.’

  ‘I must admit I’d never given it a thought, but I’ll have to discuss it with Laurence.’

  Caroline sat down on the edge of the nearest bed. ‘Are you seriously considering such a move?’

  ‘I’ve been there before, so I know what it’s like. I think it could be a good life and Laurence would have a school built for him. That couldn’t happen here.’

  ‘Put like that it does sound as though it might be good for you.’

  ‘But you don’t want to leave London.’ Sadie folded the last garment and placed it in the already bulging valise. ‘Is there a special reason for you to stay here?’

  ‘It’s my home, and Maria is here. I’ve only just found my sister.’

  ‘I don’t suppose your decision would have anything to do with Phineas Colville, would it?’

  ‘What makes you say that?’

  ‘He’s rich and handsome, the king of the river, as you called him. He’s kind to his employees, if you think about what he’s doing for Ted and his little girl. Who in their right mind would not fancy a man like that?’

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Maria was engaged to be married and Sadie was planning her wedding, which was to take place on the Monday following the last reading of the banns. Then, as if to eclipse Sadie’s wedding arrangements, Maria announced that Theo had obtained a Special Licence and they were to be married at the end of that week. This meant that there would be two weddings, separated only by a few days and, as Caroline’s help was needed on both occasions, she found herself in a flurry of dressmaking appointments for both brides. These had to be fitted in between other arrangements, including the sending of telegrams to Starcross Abbey to inform the family of the forthcoming nuptials. Fortunately both brides had decided to hold their weddings at the Church of St-George-in-the-East, which made life easier for Caroline, who was also responsible for ordering flowers from Covent Garden, and finding somewhere to celebrate the two wedding breakfasts. Added to all this excitement, Sadie and Laurence had decided to pack up and start afresh in Bendigo, and, as Ted was going to be spending as much time in Australia as he was in London, they had agreed to take Rose with them.

  Caroline concentrated all her efforts on the brides-to-be, which relieved her of making any decisions about her own future, although it was becoming clear that to remain on her own in London would present problems. She was still living in the Captain’s House but Sadie had put it up for sale, insisting that they needed the money to keep them going until Laurence’s school in Bendigo was up and running. Caroline tried every argument she could think of to make Sadie change her mind, but it was no use. She came home from market the next day to find a ‘For Sale’ sign on the wall – the Captain’s House was to be sold. The old building held so many precious childhood memories that it hurt Caroline to think of strangers living in the house her father had occupied in his bachelor days, and where he and her mother as newlyweds had set up home together. She had been born in the master bedroom, and her earliest memories were the sounds and smells of the river. She remembered cosy teas, seated around a roaring fire on cold winter days, eating buns baked by Pa’s cook-housekeeper, Mrs Cooper, before she had retired and gone to live in the country. Then there were the warm summer evenings when she used to sit on the balcony with her mother, watching the river traffic and listening to the flapping of sails and the soft sucking noise of the water caressing the stony foreshore at low tide. But when they moved to the grand house in Finsbury Circus everything had changed, and although some things were better it had meant seeing less and less of her busy parents, and, despite the luxury, Caroline had often wished herself back in the warm hug of the Captain’s House.

  Upset and angry, Caroline decided to leave the shopping basket for Sadie to deal with and she left for Princes Square. Mrs Morecroft met her with a worried frown and seemed oblivious to anything other than the forthcoming wedding arrangements.

  ‘I don’t see why Mrs Colville couldn’t unbend for once and allow Miss Maria to have her wedding breakfast at Pier House,’ she said crossly. ‘That would have been the kindly thing to do, but she’s a hard-hearted woman, even if I say so as shouldn’t.’

  ‘I agree,’ Caroline said vaguely. ‘Is Miss Maria at home?’

  ‘She’s in her room.’

  Caroline headed for the stairs before Mrs Morecroft had a chance to detain her further, but when she entered the bedroom Maria gave her a searching look.

  ‘What’s the matter, Carrie? Are you unwell?’

  Caroline shook her head. ‘No, it’s not that.’

  ‘Then what’s wrong?’

  ‘Sadie has put the house up for sale. She won’t even consider allowing me to rent it.’

  ‘Would you really stay in the Captain’s House on your own? I mean, the ghost of the old man roaming around day and night would frighten me to death.’

  ‘I’m not scared of the captain, and living there would have solved all my problems.’ Caroline laid her bonnet and shawl on the bed.

  ‘Well, I’m glad you’ve come anyway. This gown doesn’t fit properly.’

  ‘Let me look. I might be able to do something about it.’ Caroline picked up Maria’s pincushion and set to work. ‘How does that feel?’ she asked, taking a step backwards and surveying her handiwork.

  Maria peered at her reflection in the fly-spotted cheval mirror. ‘That’s lovely, Carrie. I didn’t dare send it back to Miss Rafferty – the poor creature is so overworked and my wedding dress is absolutely beautiful. She’s created the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen.’

  ‘And she will be handsomely rewarded,’ Caroline said, laughing. ‘You’re lucky that Phineas is paying for everything.’

  ‘I know. He’s so generous, even though he didn’t really want me to marry on such a short acquaintance, but I’m determined to sail with Theo on his voyage to New Zealand. It will be a wonderful honeymoon.’ Maria clasped her hands together, her eyes wide and shining as she gazed into the mirror.

  ‘The Bendigo Queen is bound for Australia, so you’ll be following the same route as the Colville Star, at least part of the way.’

  ‘I’ll be able to wave to you when we pass you en route,’ Maria said, chuckling. ‘We’re the faster ship.’

  ‘Don’t let Raven hear you saying that.’ Caroline placed the pincushion on the dressing table. ‘Slip the dress off and I’ll take it home with me. I’ve got some other sewing to do anyway. Sadie wants me to take up the hem on the wedding dress she bought in Oxford Street, so that will keep me busy this evening.’

  Maria stepped out of the gown. ‘You’ve been wonderful, Carrie. I don’t know how I’d have managed without you.’

  ‘You’re my sister. Of course I’ll do anything I can for you.’ Caroline folded the gown neatly while Maria slipped on her blouse and skirt. ‘Have you seen your grandmother and spoken to her about the wedding?’

  ‘No. I didn’t have the courage to face her. I asked Phin to do it for me. He’s the only one who can handle Grandmama.’

  ‘Grace will be there. At least you’ll have your mother to support you, and Freddie, of course.’

  ‘She wrote to me, Carrie. It was such a lovely letter, and she said she’d agreed to marry Freddie as soon as her divorce comes through.’ Maria sat down suddenly. ‘It’s all been such a rush, but I’m glad she’ll be looked after, and she did sound happy.’

  ‘Let’s go downstairs. I could do with a cup of tea and some of Mrs Morecroft’s seed cake. I didn’t have time for luncheon and I missed breakfast because there was so much to be done.’

  Maria rose slowly to her feet. ‘What are you going to do? I know you want to stay in London, but with Sadie leaving as well as your family, I don’t see that you have much choice.’

  ‘I don’t. It hurts to admit it, and the last thing I wanted to do was to give up my father’s business, but Raven
has other ideas.’ Caroline turned with a start at the sound of someone rapping on the door. She skirted the bed and went to open it to see Mrs Morecroft outside on the landing.

  ‘Mr Phineas is in the parlour, miss. He wants to see you. Says it’s important.’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Morecroft. I’ll come right away.’ Caroline glanced over her shoulder. ‘Did you hear that, Maria?’

  ‘I’ll be down as soon as I’ve tidied myself up. Anyway, it’s you he wants to speak to. Perhaps it’s good news.’

  Phineas was standing by the window with his back to the door, apparently studying the view.

  ‘You wanted to see me?’

  He turned his head. ‘I went to the Captain’s House and Sadie told me you were here.’

  Mrs Morecroft appeared in the doorway, breathing heavily as if she had raced down the stairs. ‘Would you like some tea, Mr Phineas? Or something to eat?’

  ‘Not for me, Moffie. But what about you, Caroline?’

  She shook her head. ‘Maybe later.’ It was clear that Mrs Morecroft was bursting with curiosity, but Caroline was not going to give her the opportunity to barge in on their conversation, even though she was both hungry and thirsty.

  Mrs Morecroft withdrew, closing the door so slowly that Phineas put his fingers to his lips, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He waited until the latch clicked into place. ‘I am very fond of Moffie,’ he said, laughing, ‘but she does think she owns me.’

  Caroline sank down on the sofa. ‘What did you want to say to me? Don’t keep me in suspense.’

  ‘I had a letter from Lord Dorincourt’s solicitor this morning. It contains a very generous offer for my share in the Esther Manning. I thought you would want to know.’

  ‘I knew that my mother would get round him,’ Caroline said, sighing. ‘I don’t blame her for wanting to start afresh in another country, or for agreeing to marry so soon after my father’s death, but I wanted to prove that I could run the business successfully.’

  ‘I told you that you could have tenancy of the house in Great Hermitage Street if you wished to stay in London.’

  ‘I’m under age, Phineas. I have to follow my mother’s wishes and she wants me to go with them.’

  ‘And what do you want?’

  ‘Perhaps I should wait until I’m twenty-one and I’ve seen a bit more of the world before I decide what I really want out of life. Everything has been so confused since Papa died and it’s been one thing on top of another, and now Sadie has put the Captain’s House up for sale, that’s my last connection severed. I really don’t have a choice other than to follow my family to the other side of the world.’ Caroline rose hastily to her feet. Stating a simple fact had brought her close to tears and she did not want to embarrass herself or Phineas by breaking down and crying. ‘I’ll go and give Mrs Morecroft a hand with the tea. She never takes no for an answer.’ She hurried from the room, almost bumping into Maria.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Maria demanded. ‘What has Phin been saying to upset you?’

  ‘Nothing,’ Caroline said quickly. ‘I was going to fetch the tea to save Mrs Morecroft the trouble. Go and talk to him, Maria. I won’t be long.’

  In the kitchen Mrs Morecroft appeared to have dropped the milk jug and was attempting to pick up the shards of china without trailing her long skirt in the debris. She looked up, red-faced and perspiring. ‘I’m sorry, Miss Caroline. So clumsy of me.’

  ‘Let me help.’ Caroline bent down and retrieved the last tiny pieces, leaving Mrs Morecroft to fetch a mop. ‘There you are – no harm done, apart from a broken jug, and I’m sure Mr Phineas can afford to buy a new one.’

  If Caroline did not know her better, she would have thought that Mrs Morecroft giggled, although she turned it into a cough. ‘You are a one, Miss Caroline. I’ll miss you when you’re gone to the other side of the world. So will Mr Phineas, I’ve no doubt.’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll be far too busy to even give it a thought.’ Caroline took another jug from the china cupboard and filled it from a pitcher of milk. ‘I’ll take the tray into the parlour. I think you need to sit down for a while.’

  ‘Thank you, maybe I will.’

  Caroline stopped outside the parlour door, painting a smile on her face, which turned into a genuine chuckle as the old saying about there being no use in crying over spilled milk came to mind. She would miss London and she would miss her beloved river, but most of all she would miss …

  She pushed the thought to the back of her mind, balanced the tray on one arm and opened the door. ‘Sorry for the delay,’ she said brightly. ‘There was a small accident in the kitchen, but no one is hurt other than a china milk jug, which I’m afraid is no more.’

  Maria jumped up to help clear a small tea table. ‘I’ve told Phin how much you’ve done for me, Carrie. I’ll really miss you when you go to Australia.’

  Phineas gave Caroline a searching look. ‘Are you set on going?’

  She met his gaze with a determined lift of her chin. ‘My family means everything to me, Phin. I can’t go against my mother in this.’ She held her breath, waiting for his response, willing him to say something that would make it possible for her to follow her heart and not her head. There was a moment of silence that seemed to suck the air from her lungs.

  ‘Oh, bother!’ Maria cried as the lid of the teapot fell into the cup she had been filling, smashing it to smithereens. ‘How clumsy of me.’ She turned to Caroline with a stricken look. ‘That’s the second mishap this afternoon – there’s bound to be a third.’

  ‘Superstitious nonsense,’ Phineas said, chuckling.

  ‘I’ll go and get a cloth.’ Caroline sighed. The moment had gone and she would never know what Phineas had been about to say.

  She returned moments later to find Phineas on his feet. ‘Going so soon?’

  He nodded. ‘I’ve just remembered a very important appointment. Would you tell Moffie I won’t be in for dinner this evening?’ He glanced over his shoulder. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, Maria. Don’t wait up for me.’ He hurried from the room.

  ‘I suppose that saves me getting another cup,’ Maria said, shrugging. ‘I can’t think where he could be going in such a rush – unless he has a lady friend we don’t know about. What do you think to that, Carrie?’

  ‘Ouch!’ Caroline yelped with pain as a fragment of china sliced into her finger. She stared at the scarlet stain mingling with the spilled tea, and she realised that she was crying.

  She did not see Phineas again until the day of Sadie and Laurence’s wedding. The family had travelled up from Devonshire, including Freddie and Grace, and they were joined by Falco and Jacob at the church. Maria and Mrs Morecroft were already there, escorted by Captain Barnaby. Caroline watched him covertly as he introduced himself to his future in-laws, and she was impressed by the way he dealt with what might have been a tricky situation, and her fears that Grace might disapprove of him proved groundless. Maria’s mother seemed to be as charmed by him as Maria had been at their first meeting, and it boded well for the future. Caroline tried not to dwell on the fact that she would be on the other side of the world, unable to share their joys and sorrows, but she forced such thoughts to the back of her mind and did her best to concentrate on the present.

  Lady Alice arrived late, as usual, accompanied by Cordelia, who was wearing her diamond engagement ring, which was large enough to be classified as vulgar, although she was obviously enjoying the sensation it caused. Sir Henry had been called away on business, but Caroline had seen the cheque he had sent as a wedding present, and whatever anyone said about Sir Henry Bearwood, he could never be accused of being mean.

  Raven had agreed to give Sadie away and Rosie was her only attendant as they entered the church and processed up the aisle to the accompaniment of an aged musician, who hit so many wrong notes on the organ that he seemed to be fighting with the mighty instrument. The vicar had told Caroline in a hushed voice that the resident organist had been taken ill at the last minute, and
Mr Wilby had stepped in to replace him. As she listened to the discordant thundering on the keys Caroline suspected that Mr Wilby only knew one tune despite his attempts to cover up his lack of expertise by playing as loudly as was possible. The glass in the church windows rattled and Caroline could feel the vibrations running along the wooden pew as she took her seat next to Phineas. Standing so close to him she found it hard to concentrate on the words in the hymnal, most of which she knew by heart anyway, but somehow memory seemed to fail her, and it was not simply due to the noisy accompaniment. At last the vicar pronounced the happy couple man and wife and they disappeared into the vestry to sign the register before processing down the aisle and out into the late summer sunshine.

  The party then made its way to the Prospect of Whitby where Caroline had hired a private room for the wedding breakfast. The food was plain, but excellent, and there was enough wine and champagne to keep everyone happy. Caroline was amused to see Max slightly tipsy, while Jimmy and Rose sat next to each other, whispering and giggling until a withering glance from Esther subdued them. Speeches were kept to a minimum and toasts were drunk to the happy couple. The cake was brought in and cut with due ceremony, and then Falco surprised those who did not know him by rising to his feet and singing, accompanied by a fiddler, who had been hired to entertain them. If the musician was surprised to end up as an accompanist to a slightly drunken Italian sea captain, he was too polite to refuse, or, perhaps it was the large tip that Raven had given him, unseen by anyone except Caroline.

  The bride and groom left to spend their wedding night at Brown’s Hotel in Albemarle Street, a wedding present from Raven and Esther, and the party went on until well into the evening. The tables had been pushed back and the fiddler struck up a jig. Maria and Theo took the floor and couples joined them. Caroline saw Phineas coming towards her but he was accosted by Cordelia, who pouted prettily and fluttered her long lashes, making it impossible for him to refuse to partner her. Caroline stepped outside onto the terrace. It was getting dark and gaslights were reflecting on the water. Lanterns on the small boats bobbed up and down as if floating independently above the surface of the oily black water as the Thames wound its way down to the sea. A cool breeze fanned Caroline’s hot cheeks and she was about to return to the party when Phineas joined her.