The Summer Maiden

by Dilly Court

  ‘I saw you slip outside,’ he said, smiling. ‘I was going to claim you for a dance.’

  ‘But Cordelia waylaid you. Yes, I saw.’

  He held out his arms as the music of a waltz wafted out of the open door. ‘May I?’

  She took a step towards him but came to a sudden halt as her mother appeared in the doorway. ‘Caroline, darling. Come here for a moment, please.’

  The moment was shattered and Caroline murmured an apology. ‘My mother wants me.’

  ‘Of course.’ Phineas stood aside.

  ‘I’m sorry, Carrie,’ Esther said, smiling. ‘I didn’t mean to interrupt, but Raven and I are just leaving with Alice and Cordelia, and I think you’d better take the children home.’

  With a last backward glance over her shoulder, Caroline followed her mother into the crowded room. A cloud of cigar smoke greeted them and the fiddler was being plied with food and drink. The babble of conversation was punctuated by gusts of laughter. Max was half asleep with a glass of wine clutched in his hand, while Rose and Jimmy were dancing a jig. The fiddler had wandered into the taproom but strains of his lively music floated through the open door. Jacob and Falco were singing a duet despite Freddie’s attempts to persuade them to leave, although they quietened down instantly when Grace spoke to them, and slunk off arm in arm.

  Grace turned to Caroline. ‘Maria and Barnaby are waiting for us in a cab. Can you manage the children on your own, Carrie?’

  Max opened his eyes, giving them a blurry smile. ‘I’m fine, thank you, ma’am.’

  ‘Of course you are,’ Caroline said briskly. ‘Get up, Max. We’re going home.’

  ‘I don’t feel well, Carrie,’ he whispered, clutching his stomach.

  ‘Oh, dear. He’s going to be sick,’ Grace said weakly. ‘I really have to go, dear.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll deal with this.’ Phineas had come in from the terrace unnoticed. He lifted Max from the settle, looped the boy’s arm around his shoulder and propelled him out through the open door.

  ‘I can see you’re in safe hands.’ Grace kissed Caroline on the cheek. ‘Coming, Freddie.’

  Caroline turned to the children, who were spinning round like Dervishes. She clapped her hands. ‘That’s enough, you two. We’re going home.’

  ‘Max has puked over the railings,’ Jimmy said, grinning.

  ‘He’s drunk,’ Rose added triumphantly. ‘He’ll be sorry in the morning. That’s what my pa says.’

  Phineas helped a pale-faced Max into the room. ‘He’ll be fine,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Let’s get him home. You as well, young lady,’ he added, nodding to Rose. ‘And you, young James, and if I hear that you’ve played Caroline up tonight you’ll be in trouble.’

  ‘Thank you, Phin. I can manage.’ Caroline seized Jimmy by the hand and made a grab for Rose, who was still twirling madly. ‘Calm down, or you’ll be the next one taken ill.’

  ‘My carriage is outside,’ Phineas said calmly. ‘I’ll take you home.’

  Caroline slipped her shawl around her shoulders. ‘It’s not very far to the Captain’s House. The fresh air will do Max good.’

  ‘It’s not safe for you to walk along the wharf at this time of night. I’ll see you to the door.’

  Caroline was too tired to argue and Max was too tall for her to manage on her own. ‘Thank you, Phin.’

  ‘Can’t we stay and listen to the fiddler?’ Jimmy asked, tugging at Caroline’s hand.

  Phineas fixed him with a cold stare. ‘If you play your sister up tonight you know what will happen.’

  Jimmy stared at him suspiciously. ‘What? I ain’t afraid.’

  ‘The old captain will be angry,’ Phineas said in a low voice. ‘You had better beware.’

  ‘I’ll be good,’ Rose promised, crossing her heart. ‘Can I sleep with you, Carrie?’

  ‘Of course.’ Caroline met Phineas’ amused gaze with a grateful smile. ‘Let’s go home. Don’t forget that we’ve got another wedding on Friday.’

  Maria’s wedding was much quieter by comparison. Theo had no family, having been brought up in an orphanage, and Mrs Colville had refused to attend. Cordelia’s fiancé had invited the Bearwoods to his country estate for the grouse shoot, and Jacob and Falco were fully occupied getting the Bendigo Queen loaded and ready to sail. In the end it was just those closest to Maria who waited at the church for her arrival. Nanny Robbins and Mrs Morecroft sat side by side, chatting in low tones as if they had known each other for years, and Sadie, Laurence and Rose occupied the pew behind Esther, Raven, Grace and Freddie, while Caroline sat with her brothers on the groom’s side. Theo had chosen Gilbert as his best man and they waited at the altar steps for Maria to enter the church on Phineas’ arm.

  Caroline held her breath as the organist struck up the Bridal Chorus, but she need not have worried. The playing was faultless and it was obvious that Mr Wilby’s services were no longer needed. She glanced over her shoulder and her eyes filled with tears at the sight of Maria, looking ethereally beautiful in her white silk gown trimmed with Chantilly lace as she processed up the aisle. Caroline glanced at her mother, who was staring straight ahead, her hand clutching Raven’s as if for support. Caroline could only imagine how her mother must be feeling at this moment, but Grace was obviously deeply moved. Her handkerchief fluttered in front of her face like a ghostly white butterfly and Freddie slipped his arm around her shoulders.

  His part in the ceremony done, Phineas came to sit beside Caroline as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He gave her a sideways glance and an encouraging smile, and she experienced a sudden and almost overwhelming sense that all would be well, and an easing of the tension under which she had been labouring since Sadie announced the sale of her old home. The rest of the ceremony passed off without a hitch, although when the vicar asked if anyone objected to the marriage Caroline half expected Mrs Colville to make a dramatic appearance. Thankfully the moment passed and the couple were united as man and wife.

  Outside the church Maria rushed over to Caroline and hugged her. ‘Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Carrie. If you hadn’t come to work for Grandmama we might never have met, and I wouldn’t know that I have a sister.’

  ‘I wish I could stay in London,’ Caroline said tearfully.

  ‘You know that’s not possible, Carrie.’ Esther moved closer, taking Caroline’s hand. ‘We’ve been through all this, darling. You’re my daughter and I love you, so naturally I want you to come with us. There’s no question of you staying on your own in London, none at all.’

  ‘Don’t you think that’s up to Caroline?’ Phineas had come up behind them and they turned to stare at him.

  Esther recoiled angrily. ‘I’m sorry, Mr Colville, but what has this to do with you? It’s family business.’

  ‘And whether you like it or not I am connected to your family, even if it’s only in a roundabout way,’ Phineas said evenly.

  ‘What my late husband did before our marriage is no concern of mine.’

  ‘Really, Mama,’ Caroline protested, glancing anxiously at Maria. ‘This isn’t the time or place to bring this up.’

  ‘I agree entirely,’ Esther said firmly. She fixed Maria with an attempt at a smile. ‘I do wish you well, Maria. I know you are the innocent party in all this, and I’m sorry if I’ve appeared insensitive to your feelings, but you must understand how I feel.’

  Maria reached out to clasp Esther’s hands. ‘I do, Mrs Manning. And I’m truly sorry for any hurt you’ve suffered on my account.’

  Esther glanced at Raven, who was standing a few paces away, deep in conversation with Barnaby. ‘You’ll excuse us if we don’t attend your wedding breakfast, Maria, but Raven and I have an important appointment.’

  ‘What is more important than this, Mama?’ Caroline demanded crossly.

  Esther turned to Raven, beckoning. ‘We decided to get married quietly, because I’m officially still in mourning, but we wanted to do it here, in London, before we sail.’
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  ‘But this is Maria’s day, Mama.’

  ‘I know, which is why we didn’t tell you before. Go with your sister, Carrie. I really don’t mind.’

  Caroline looked to Raven for confirmation and he nodded.

  ‘It’s best this way, Carrie. We don’t want any fuss.’ He proffered his arm to Esther. ‘Are you ready, my love?’

  She slipped her hand through the crook of his arm. ‘I am.’

  ‘You’re getting married here? And you didn’t think to tell me?’

  ‘We thought it would save any embarrassment,’ Esther said anxiously. ‘I wish I hadn’t said anything now, but you can see that this talk of splitting up our family has hurt me.’

  Caroline threw up her hands. ‘This is madness. I can’t cope with this, Mama.’ She walked away, heading blindly into the churchyard.

  ‘Caroline, stop.’

  She came to a halt, turning to Phineas with an angry frown. ‘Did you know about any of this?’

  ‘No. On my honour it was just as much a surprise to me as it has been for you.’

  ‘I love my mother,’ Caroline said slowly. ‘But this was supposed to be Maria’s day, and I don’t want to go to Bendigo. My life is here, in London, or it would be if it hadn’t been made impossible.’

  Phineas took her hand in his. ‘Your mother thinks she’s doing the right thing, but you don’t have to go with them if you don’t want to.’

  ‘I can’t run the company on my own. I was stupid to think I could.’

  ‘I’ve offered you a partnership.’

  ‘But you sold out to Raven. He told me so.’

  ‘I sold my share in the Esther Manning to him, it’s true, but I’ve offered Sadie the asking price for the Captain’s House, because I know you love it.’

  ‘So what are you saying?’ Caroline looked him in the eye and suddenly she was as breathless as if she had just run a mile.

  ‘I’ve been trying to find a way of telling you this for weeks.’ He raised her hand to his lips, holding her gaze with a tender smile. ‘I want you to be my partner in everything, Carrie. I want you to stay here with me.’

  ‘You want me to be your business partner?’ she said warily.

  ‘I love you, Carrie. I’m asking you to marry me.’

  ‘Your grandmother would never agree.’

  ‘My grandmother will have to get used to it.’

  The ground seemed to be spinning beneath her feet. She could hear her mother calling to her and she was vaguely aware of the wedding party re-entering the church. Max and Jimmy were shouting her name, but nothing seemed real.

  Phineas swept her into his arms, kissing her until she responded with equal passion.

  ‘I knew it,’ he whispered, covering her face with kisses. ‘Say it, Carrie. Say that you love me.’

  ‘I do,’ she said dazedly. ‘I suppose I knew it from the start.’

  ‘We’ve wasted so much time, my darling girl. I’m asking you again,’ he released her and went down on one knee in the dusty churchyard. ‘Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll marry you, Phin.’

  He rose to his feet and kissed her again. ‘I think we’d better join the others. You don’t want to miss your mother’s wedding, do you?’

  She clutched his arm, leaning against him. ‘I suppose I could stop the proceedings and object to the wedding.’

  ‘You wouldn’t do that.’

  ‘No, of course not, but it would serve my mother right for trying to rule my life. I belong here, with you.’

  ‘That’s what I wanted to hear. You’ll never regret your decision, my darling. We’ll build Colville Shipping together and you’ll be able to visit your family whenever you wish. You’ll be queen of the river and you’re already queen of my heart.’

  Read on for an exclusive extract of the final book in the series

  Chapter One

  Royal Victoria Dock, London, October 1882

  Rose leaned over the railings, peering into the fog that had crept up on the steamship as it entered the Thames Estuary. It was even thicker when they arrived in Bow Creek, and as the vessel slid gracefully into the dock they were engulfed in a peasouper, making it impossible to distinguish the faces of the individuals waiting to greet the passengers.

  ‘Is he there, love?’

  Rose turned to give the small woman a weary smile. ‘I can’t see very far, Mrs Parker. But I’d know him anywhere, and I can’t spot anyone who looks remotely like him.’

  Adele Parker laid her gloved hand on Rose’s arm. ‘Don’t worry, dear. I’m sure your young man is there somewhere.’

  ‘Max promised to meet me.’ Rose could not quite keep a note of desperation from her voice. ‘We planned it all so carefully.’

  ‘Then I’m sure he’ll be here soon. It’ll take a while for the crew to put the gangplank in place and unload the luggage.’ Adele wrapped her shawl more tightly around her plump body. ‘It’s so cold and damp. We’ve been away for five years and I’ve almost forgotten what the English winter is like.’

  ‘I was only nine when we left for Australia,’ Rose said, sighing. ‘But there’s nothing to keep me in Bendigo now.’

  Adele gave her a searching look. ‘How old are you, Rose?’

  ‘I’m eighteen, ma’am.’

  ‘I do worry about you, dear. I sympathise with you and your young man, but you do know you can’t marry without your parents’ consent, don’t you?’

  ‘I’m an orphan. Ma died when I was very young and Pa was killed in a mining accident a year ago. He gave up the sea because he thought he could make more money in a gold mine. It was a bad move.’

  ‘You didn’t tell me that, you poor dear.’ Adela gave her a hug. ‘You’re a brave girl, Rose. I wish you all the luck in the world.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Rose returned the embrace. Adele had shown her nothing but kindness during their time at sea, and, despite the difference in their ages, they had become good friends.

  ‘We’ll be staying with my mother-in-law, who lives in Elder Street, Spitalfields,’ Adele said gently. ‘I forget the number of the house but it has a black door with a lion’s head knocker. Ma-in-law is very proud of that.’

  Rose smiled vaguely. ‘That sounds nice.’

  ‘If you need anything just come and see me.’ Adele craned her neck at the sound of the movement from a lower deck. ‘The gangplank is in place. I must find Mr Parker.’ She started off in the direction of the companionway, but she hesitated, glancing over her shoulder. ‘We’ll be catching the next train from Canning Town. You’re more than welcome to travel with us if your young man doesn’t put in an appearance.’

  Rose was acutely conscious of the need to watch the pennies, but she managed a smile. ‘Thank you, but Max will be here. He promised.’ She strained her eyes as she peered into the thick curtain of fog, hoping to catch sight of the man for whom she had given up her home and her adopted family. A feeling of near-panic made her clutch the wet railing until her knuckles turned white. If Max, for whatever reason, could not meet her, she would be in a terrible fix. The possibility had not occurred to her during the voyage from the Australian port of Geelong to London. She had lived in a haze of romantic visions of what her life would be like as the wife of a dashing cavalry officer, but something as simple as a London particular was in danger of shattering her hopes and dreams.

  Sadie, the woman who had become a second mother to Rose, had uttered dire warnings and these came flooding back to her now. Perhaps she ought to have listened, but she had ignored them and had allowed Max to purchase a berth for her on the Bendigo Queen. Sadie had been quick to notice the deepening affection between Rose and Max. He was five years Rose’s senior and she had been slightly in awe of him when they first arrived in the mining town of Bendigo, and it was Jimmy, his younger brother, who had been her particular friend. Two years later Max had been sent back to England to attend Sandhurst Military Academy, and it was on his first trip home that they had met again. R
ose closed her eyes, conjuring up a vision of Max, his gleaming blond hair waved back from a high forehead, his classic features, piercing blue eyes, and his newly acquired military bearing. It had been love at first sight when she had met him then, even though they had known each other since childhood, and, to her surprise, the feeling was mutual. What a handsome young man from a wealthy family had seen in a skinny green-eyed girl with wildly curling copper hair she had never been able to fathom, but Max loved her and she loved him. Unfortunately his mother and Raven Dorincourt, his aristocratic stepfather, disapproved, and Max was promptly packed off to England to finish his training, but his parents could not prevent them from corresponding. Rose had a bundle of Max’s letters tied with pink ribbon, stowed carefully in her luggage. Reading them at night before she went to sleep had kept her going through the long days of their separation and during the voyage home to England.

  ‘Rose, dear. We’re leaving now. Are you coming with us?’

  Adele’s voice brought Rose sharply to her senses, and she was left facing a wall of thick pea-green fog and an uncertain future. There was nothing she could do other than to follow Mr and Mrs Parker down the companionway to the lower deck. Everyone was pushing and jostling for position as the passengers disembarked. The level of sound from the dock grew in intensity as people called out to each other, whistling and shouting to attract the attention of those who had come to meet and greet them.

  Festus Parker disappeared into the crowd, telling his wife to stay where she was while he went to retrieve their baggage. Rose could only stand there, damp, cold and increasingly panic stricken as she searched the crowd for the young cavalry officer who had stolen her heart in such a dramatic way.