Mrs Bradshaw found her still standing there in the middle of the room ten minutes later, and at a glance she guessed what had happened. Even she felt the sting of tears as she saw how upset Maria was.
‘Give him to me, lass,’ she whispered. ‘There’s nothing more you can do for this one now, but the rest of the babies need you. Go on, go and see to them. I’ll make sure that little Johnny is properly buried.’
For a moment, Maria resisted as Mrs Bradshaw tried to take the child from her arms, but then she relented and handed him over. As the woman had said, Johnny was beyond help now. The thought of his tiny body being buried in the earth would haunt her for the rest of her days, and she would always wonder if there was anything more she might have done to save him.
As if she could read her thoughts Mrs Bradshaw told her, ‘Don’t go whipping yourself over this. You couldn’t have done any more than you did. Between you and me, I didn’t think he’d make it. I’ve seen this happen too many times before.’ She turned to leave then, the chatelaine containing the many keys clanking about her waist. Maria heard the key turn in the lock and suddenly her hands clenched into fists as she shouted, ‘I can’t bear it! It’s not fair! He was just a baby!’
The infants’ whimpers progressed to wails, so after pulling herself together with a great effort she swiped the tears away with the back of her hand and quickly tipped some more milk into the pan then placed it back on the fire. Deep inside she was thinking, I have to get out of here! Now more than ever, she knew that if she didn’t, she would end up as insane as some of the residents.
*
‘Right, Mother, now just leave the talking up to me,’ Josh warned Helena as they stood outside the door of the day room. She nodded mutely and after a glance at Henry, Josh pushed the door open and strode into the room with the other two following close on his heels.
A fire was burning brightly in the grate and by the light of the oil lamps they saw that Lennie was standing in front of the fire warming his backside as if he owned the place.
He flashed a smarmy smile at them as Josh said curtly, ‘I believe you wanted to see us?’
Lennie had been hoping to see Helena alone, but deciding to brazen it out he said, ‘Actually, I reckon it’s you as might want to see me. I’ve got some news yer might be interested in, see, regardin’ the missin’ babby an’ the maid.’
‘Oh yes, and what would that be then?’ Josh was outwardly calm but inside he was battling to stop himself from crossing to this lowlife and throttling him.
‘Ah, now that’s the problem, see. Information the likes o’ what I ’ave don’t come cheap.’ Lennie smirked and Helena laid a restraining hand on her son’s arm as she saw him bristle. ‘The thing is, I ’appen to know where they are, an’ that’s got to be worth sommat, ain’t it?’
‘And where are they?’
‘First things first. What’s this information worth to yer?’
‘Name your price,’ Josh said through gritted teeth and Lennie cocked his head to one side as if he was considering it.
‘Well, I reckon it’s gotta be in the ’undreds, don’t you?’
‘Yes I do,’ Helena said quickly, terrified that Josh might erupt at any minute. ‘How about two hundred pounds?’
‘Is that all a granddaughter is worth to yer?’ Lennie jeered. ‘Double it an’ we might ’ave a deal.’
‘May I just remind you that on your last visit you told us that the baby wasn’t my granddaughter,’ Helena reminded him.
Lennie shrugged. ‘We can all make mistakes, can’t we?’
‘Very well, you can have the money. But I’m afraid we don’t keep that sort of cash in the house,’ she told him now. ‘I shall probably have up to two hundred in the safe but you will have to come back for the rest of the money tomorrow.’
When he frowned doubtfully she told him icily, ‘I assure you, Mr Glover. My word is my bond. Now tell me where my granddaughter and Maria are.’
‘Not till I’ve seen the first lot o’ cash,’ he answered sulkily as he twisted his cap in his hands.
Helena turned abruptly and swept from the room in a swish of silken skirts, returning some minutes later with a bundle of notes in her hand.
‘Now tell me where they are,’ she demanded as she held the notes out to him and he licked his lips as he eyed the money greedily.
‘You’ll find ’em both in Hatter’s Hall where they were placed on your ’usband’s instructions.’ He reached out to snatch the money, but as he did so his jacket gaped partially open and Josh saw a flash of gold chain hanging against his grimy waistcoat.
‘What’s this then?’ he cried as he sprang forward, and before Lennie could stop him, he had pulled the gold watch that the chain was attached to from Lennie’s pocket. At the same time a small roll of string rolled out onto the carpet and Lennie paled to the colour of putty.
‘Why . . . this is my father’s watch,’ Josh gasped, and then as his eyes settled on the string he asked Henry, ‘And isn’t that the same sort of string that was tied across the path to trip my father’s horse?’
Henry pulled the string from the pocket of the clean trousers he had borrowed and they saw that the string was identical – and in that moment, everything became clear.
‘Why, it was you who caused my father’s accident,’ Josh cried with rage. ‘That must have been when you stole his watch before leaving the poor man for dead.’
‘I did no such thing,’ Lennie blustered as he inched towards the door.
‘So how do you explain this then?’ Josh shook the ball of string in his face. ‘And how do explain the fact that you have my father’s watch in your possession?’
Realising that the game was up, Lennie turned to run but Henry put his foot out and Lennie sprawled across the floor as panic enveloped him.
‘You murdering swine!’ Josh roared.
Henry hauled Lennie none too gently to his feet and shook him like a dog shakes a rat until his teeth rattled.
‘I didn’t kill no one,’ Lennie whined. ‘I just wanted to slow ’im down, like!’
‘Well, you did a bit more than that. My father passed away shortly after being carried home,’ Josh ground out. Hearing the commotion, some of the male staff had entered the room now, and Josh told them: ‘Get this murderer locked up in the cellar then tell one of the stable-lads to go for the Constable. This is the man who killed your master.’
‘But I never meant to!’ Lennie protested, as he looked longingly at the bundle of notes that were now scattered about the floor.
‘Perhaps you’ll remember that when you’re dangling at the end of a rope,’ Josh spat as the men hauled him away.
He then crossed to his mother, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and wrapping his arms about her they stood drawing comfort from each other as Henry stole from the room, leaving them to grieve in private.
Chapter Thirty-Five
‘I really don’t know what you are talking about. I assure you that Maria Mundy and the baby are not here, madam,’ Miss Belle informed Helena and Josh imperiously.
It was now fast approaching midnight and it had taken the carriage hours to reach Hatter’s Hall, with the men regularly having to climb down and shovel a way through the snow for the horses. Now that she was here, Helena had no intention of leaving without her granddaughter and Maria, for despite what Miss Belle had said, she truly believed that they were there. However, should the Housekeeper continue to deny it, Helena knew that it might take hours to locate them. Hatter’s Hall was an enormous place.
Her patience had already been stretched to the limit.
‘I happen to know that they are here, Miss Belle, so why don’t you just take me to them and save us all a lot of time and unpleasantness?’ she told the woman. ‘I am aware that you are probably afraid of repercussions from my husband, but you should know that he told me himself he had had them sent here earlier this evening just before he died, so from now on it will be me you are dealing with – and I should warn you,
should you cross me I shall make things very uncomfortable for you.’
‘Mr Montgomery is dead!’ Miss Belle’s hand flew to her mouth in shock.
‘I am afraid he is,’ Helena answered heavily, taking a deep breath to control her emotions. ‘And his murderer is now under lock and key at the police station, so as you can imagine I am in no mood for games.’
At that moment Mrs Bradshaw bore down on them like a large black crow, and ignoring the Housekeeper, she told Helena, ‘I know where they are, ma’am. Would you like to follow me and I’ll take you to them right away.’
‘Mrs Bradshaw, think what you are doing!’ Miss Belle appealed.
‘I know exactly what I am doing. And by the way, I shall be leaving this place just as soon as I can get my bags packed,’ the Matron answered, looking the other woman straight in the eye as she stood, hands on her hips. ‘I am sick and tired of seeing the unnecessary suffering that goes on in this place so I have decided to retire and go and live with my sister. But before I go, I want to see that young Maria Mundy is out of here too. She doesn’t deserve what’s happened to her.’ Then, turning towards Helena and Josh, she repeated courteously, ‘Would you care to follow me?’
Helena cast a scathing glance in Miss Belle’s direction before turning about and following Mrs Bradshaw through the lengthy corridors. Her emotions were in a whirl. She had just lost her husband and apprehended his murderer, and now she was about to meet her grandchild for the first time. It was certainly turning out to be a day she would never forget.
When they eventually reached the door to the nursery, Mrs Bradshaw paused to tell them, ‘You will find that Maria is very upset. One of the babies she has been caring for passed away today. Even so, I have no doubt she will be thrilled to see you and escape this place.’
She then selected a key from the heavy bunch swinging about her waist and unlocked the door. Throwing it open, she ushered them inside, telling them, ‘I shall leave you now to go and begin my packing, but I wish you all the best.’ Then before they could answer her, she was gone.
Helena and Josh looked at each other, then taking her elbow, Josh led his mother into the room.
The light from the candles was dim, but as his eyes adjusted to it, Josh saw Maria sleeping in the chair at the side of the fire and his heart soared.
‘Maria, Maria . . . wake up, darling,’ he said softly as he stroked her arm. ‘We’ve come to take you home.’
Her eyes fluttered open and as they settled on him she blinked, thinking that she must be dreaming. But no, he was really there – and for a moment she dared not allow herself to believe it. And then he was pulling her to her feet, and when his arms went about her she knew that her prayers had been answered. She was about to speak when she noticed Helena and she abruptly clamped her mouth shut as she self-consciously ran her hands down the sides of the faded grey dress. What would the woman think of her? Maria was only too well aware that she must look a complete mess. She didn’t smell very nice either if it came to that, but surprisingly the woman seemed almost as pleased to see her as Josh was.
‘I am so grateful that you are safe, dear,’ Helena told her and then, unable to contain herself for a moment longer, she asked, ‘Which of these babies is Isabelle’s daughter?’
Maria led her to the crib where Faith lay sleeping, and as Helena looked down on her, her eyes filled with tears. ‘She looks just like Isabelle did at that age,’ she whispered. Then, drawing herself upright, she told Maria, ‘Wrap her up as warmly as you can, my dear, and follow me. It’s time we got you both home. We have much to tell you.’
Slightly bewildered, Maria frowned. ‘But what will happen to the babies if I go? I have been caring for them.’
‘Don’t you get worrying about these little souls,’ Helena said firmly as she looked about. ‘I shall be the main benefactor of this establishment from now on, and I intend to see that some drastic changes for the better take place, with effect from today.’
Maria swaddled Faith in one of the thin blankets, then with Josh’s arm tight about her waist she left the room and followed Helena down to the foyer, where Miss Belle was still waiting for them.
‘A word, if you please,’ Helena ordered, and as Josh led Maria out to the waiting carriage Helena began to lay down the law. By the time she left some minutes later, Miss Belle was in no doubt where she stood, and she scuttled away to get one of the better maids to spend the rest of the night in the nursery. Helena had informed her that she personally would be coming to inspect the place the very next day – and that if she did not find the conditions vastly improved for the babies and the inmates, then Miss Belle would have to start looking for another job.
In the carriage on the way back to Willow Park, Josh braced himself to tell Maria of her father’s death. The news came as a shock, but she wasn’t distressed. Despite his Christian beliefs, Edward Mundy had never shown her, or her mother for that matter, an ounce of charity or kindness for as far back as she could remember; all she could feel was a deep sense of relief, tempered with guilt. Josh then went on to tell her of his own father’s death, and of Lennie’s part in it.
She could hardly take it all in. ‘Will he be locked away?’ she asked tremulously, and Josh’s lips set in a grim line.
‘More likely he’ll be hanged,’ he answered. ‘And good riddance to bad rubbish, that’s what I say. He will never bother you again now, Maria, so you have no need to fear him any longer.’
The carriage lurched across the snowy roads, until at last they arrived back at Willow Park, where the servants were still up, waiting for them. They were ushered into the drawing room, where a tray of hot chocolate shortly appeared, and as Helena took Faith from Maria’s arms, Josh passed her a cup. She sipped at it gratefully, still scarcely able to believe that she was free.
She was relieved to see that Helena seemed to be very taken with Faith, and although her heart ached at the thought of handing over the care of her, she knew that it was for the best. Faith belonged with her family; it was what Isabelle had hoped for.
After a time she said tentatively, ‘I could stay here and act as a nanny to Faith, if it would help, Mrs Montgomery, until you have time to appoint one. Faith knows me and it might be less upsetting for her.’
‘Thank you, my dear, that’s very thoughtful of you,’ Helena responded. ‘But I rather think Josh has another role in mind for you, as his wife.’
Acutely embarrassed, Maria answered, ‘Josh pays me a great compliment, ma’am. But I am more than aware that it would not be suitable for him to wed someone from my class.’
‘But Maria,’ Josh began to object. ‘You know how I feel—’
Maria raised her hand and stopped him mid-sentence. ‘And you know how I feel. We have had this conversation before and I am still of the same mind as I was then. You must marry someone more suitable.’
A maid knocked and entered the room then to tell Helena, ‘The nursery has been prepared for the baby, ma’am. Would you like me to take her up?’
‘Yes, Ruby, thank you. But Maria will stay in there with her for tonight. See that she has all she needs and then we will all talk some more in the morning. I’m afraid it has been a very long day.’
Helena’s face was drawn with the strain of the last few hours, but she kissed the baby gently before handing her to Ruby, and Maria rose to follow her.
‘Maria, I think we should talk,’ Josh said urgently and she paused to smile at him sadly.
‘I think I have said all that needs to be said,’ she answered, ‘and I will not change my mind. I shall stay here and care for Faith for the time being with your mother’s permission, but once a replacement for me has been found, I shall return home.’ Turning to Mrs Montgomery, she politely wished her goodnight and quietly followed Ruby from the room.
‘Eeh, what a day it’s been,’ the plump little maid commented as she carried Faith up the sweeping staircase. ‘First we lose the master then we find this little mite. They say births and deaths c
ome together, don’t they?’
Maria nodded as she tried to take in the luxurious surroundings. Oil paintings of previous Montgomerys were placed all the way up the staircase, and a huge, glittering chandelier dangled down into the stairwell. It was certainly a far cry from the austere rooms in Hatter’s Hall, but she told herself that she must put all this behind her now and get on with her life, even though her heart was aching. Once she left here she would probably never see Josh again – and the thought was almost more than she could bear.
The nursery turned out to be a delightful room with a huge fire roaring in the grate and thick curtains hanging at the windows.
‘I’m told Miss Isabelle, God rest her soul, and Master Josh slept here when they were nippers,’ Ruby informed Maria as she saw her looking around. ‘That were long before my time, but I reckon you’ll be comfy in ’ere.’
‘Thank you, Ruby. I’m sure we will,’ Maria said.
Ruby peeped at her from the corner of her eye. It was hard to believe that the young master actually wanted to wed this bedraggled-looking wench. But he did – Ruby had heard him say it with her own ears. The staff downstairs would be agog when she passed the gossip on, which Ruby had every intention of doing at the first opportunity. Maria spoke correctly enough, admittedly, but with her hair all rats’ tails and smelling none too sweet in the drab uniform of the workhouse, she couldn’t hold a candle to Miss Felicity Pettifer, whom everyone had expected him to wed. Still, as Ruby’s mother had always been fond of telling her, you could never tell where love might strike. It was just a shame this young woman didn’t feel the same for Master Josh from where Ruby was standing.
Once Faith was bathed and settled, Ruby led Maria to a bathroom further along the corridor where she found a steaming bath waiting for her.
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