Among the Darkness Stirs

by Nicola Italia

  Audrey had the sense that she was playing a part in a comedy and her sole purpose was to entertain Theodocia.

  “Perhaps you would like to see the gardens. It’s a particularly lovely time of day,” she asked her guest.

  Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and soon enough Henry joined them.

  “Mother.” He kissed her cheek and greeted Audrey. “Ms. Wakefield. I forgot today was your visit.”

  His mother rolled her eyes at the bold-faced lie.

  “Your mother has been a gracious host,” Audrey informed him.

  “And you a gracious guest. But I’m suddenly so tired I must rest. A headache has come upon me,” Theodocia said, wincing dramatically. “Henry, be a dear and show Audrey the gardens.”

  Henry looked at his mother, who looked back at him guilelessly. “Of course I will.”

  “It was a pleasure meeting you today, Ms. Wakefield. You must come again and keep an old woman company,” Theodocia told Audrey as she was leaving.

  “Heading to the music hall afterwards, Mother, for your next performance?” Henry whispered as she walked past him. Theodocia merely smiled before leaving the two alone.

  “Your mother is very entertaining.” Audrey said. “I like her very much.”

  “Entertaining is exactly what she is.”

  “And your house?” She looked about the conservatory. “It’s gorgeous!”

  “Do you think so?” he asked her.

  “How can you doubt it? It is everything a house should be. The wood-carved staircase, the attractive foyer. This conservatory. It’s stunning.” It was exactly as a house should be.

  “You haven’t seen the best part. The reason I bought the land. Come.” He led her outside through the hallway and the back parlor, down the brick steps, and into the sunken garden that led to the river.

  “How lovely.” She sighed at the sight of the green lawn spread before her and ended at the river’s edge.

  “It’s the reason I purchased this land. I wanted to build my little legacy here. Summons on Yare,” he said.

  She glanced over at him. “Summons on Yare?”

  “A play of words. Summons is a law term and yare the river.”

  “I like it.” She gazed back at the river. “You chose well. No, you chose perfectly.”

  “I thought so, too.”

  “Your mother really was kind to me,” she said, turning back to him. “I enjoyed meeting her.”

  “I’m glad. She can be quite overpowering.”

  “She was nothing of the sort.” Audrey hesitated, noticing how late it was getting. “I should go.”

  “Back to the workhouse?” he asked her.

  “Actually, no. I wanted to go into the city. Maybe see the library,” she said. “I haven’t had the chance to look at it properly.”

  He was quiet for a moment before speaking. “Would you like some company?”

  His offer surprised her. “You’ll be my guide?”

  “If you like,” he said softly.

  They walked back to the grand house, and there, he retrieved his gloves and hat. Together, they struck out.

  “If I’m to be the guide, I think I must recommend you first see Norwich Cathedral,” he said with certainty.

  She didn’t hesitate. “Norwich Cathedral? Lead the way.”

  Audrey smiled to herself as Henry hired a hansom cab. He took her hand and helped her inside. She hadn’t felt like this in a long time. She felt free of worries and the many heavy burdens that she now carried. She wasn’t worried about death or her family or the children in the workhouse. She was just a woman seeing the sights of the city she now called home.

  “Here we are,” he said as the cab slowed.

  After he helped her out, she looked up in disbelief at the stunning building with its beige façade and majestic spire soaring to touch heaven.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said, gazing up at the intricate stained glass. “What lovely stained glass!”

  He came to stand next to her, and she could feel the heat from his body against her side. “It’s from the eleventh century. It took forty-nine years to build. The spire there,” he pointed it out, “it’s three hundred and fifteen feet tall.”

  She bit her lip, excitement coursing through her. “Can we go inside?”

  “Certainly.” He motioned for her to lead the way.

  Chapter Nine

  They entered the cathedral with the Gothic vault of the Nave, and Audrey took it all in. It was a gorgeous building with intricate carvings. They sat together in the pew, and she sadly thought about how her father would have loved the beauty of the cathedral.

  They walked further into the cathedral into the pulpitum, where a screen represented the church’s symbol of the meeting of earth and heaven.

  “It’s seven hundred and forty years old. Imagine that,” Henry said quietly as they walked together, admiring the carvings.

  They passed the fifteenth-century oak stalls that contained misericords, leaning seats, to support the monks during long services. They showed a range of images, often humorous, from daily life. They made their way to the passageway, which led medieval pilgrims around the central worship space. Relics of saints were kept on display, and the wall and ceiling paintings dated back to the twelfth century.

  When they had completed their walk of the cathedral, they went outside to view the cloisters. The cloisters were passageways that linked different parts of the monastery. In the center of the cloisters was a patch of green, and they walked through it together. When they finally left the cathedral, the sun was setting.

  “I’m sorry. I think your books will have to wait,” Henry said suddenly.

  “It’s another day I’ll be able to see more of the city. I’ll have to see if my guide is available.” She glanced at him.

  “I’ll be available whenever you wish,” he said sincerely. “Let me see you back to the workhouse.”

  Warmth filled her. “Thank you.”

  After they had entered the cab, she sat back into the cushion. “I thought you’d like to know, things are better in the schoolroom. I’m trying to change a few things and see what works and what doesn’t.”

  “I’m glad. Originally, we spoke about a month but if you need more time…” he told her.

  “No. It’s not that. I think a month is good. If I can’t pick it up in a month, then I should move on. But if I can, then that gives me hope. And I can bring my family?”

  “Have you heard from your mother?” He leaned back in his seat and got more comfortable.

  “She wrote me once. I think she’s worried, but she shouldn’t be. If not the workhouse, I’ll find something else.”

  “I could always find you something else.” Before she could think to speak, he rushed ahead. “No, don’t worry. I’m not about to suggest my office.”

  The corners of her mouth twitched. “I’m not worried. This will work. You’ll see.” She was confident.

  When she exited the cab, she thanked him for the afternoon, and she meant it. She had had a lovely time seeing the cathedral and spending the day outdoors away from the workhouse and its troubles. As she walked down the long austere hallway, she could hear the noises of people in their rooms, and she realized it was past supper.

  When she unlocked the door to her room and entered, she was taken aback by the sight that greeted her. Matron was sitting in the chair next to her desk.

  “Matron,” she stuttered, stumbling to a halt. “I-I didn’t expect you here.”

  The Matron stared at her unblinkingly. “I wanted to speak with you, Ms. Wakefield.”

  “Certainly,” she said, pulling off her gloves and placing them and her hat aside.

  “I’ll be very candid with you,” she started, her tone brusque. “I think we can both agree that’s best. I wondered why you had come here and even more why you had been approved. With no experience, I thought perhaps someone owed your family a favor. It happens.”

  Wordlessly, Audrey eyed the older w
oman and sat upon her bed, facing her as she spoke.

  “When I first met you, I saw quite obviously what was at play here. I didn’t approve, and I don’t approve now. I want you to know that,” Matron said coldly.

  Audrey looked at the Matron. “I don’t understand.”

  The Matron crossed her arms over her heavy bosom and sighed. “You have a position here to teach young children. That includes young boys and young girls. They may be from the streets, but they are impressionable nonetheless.”

  Audrey tried desperately to follow the conversation. “I agree.”

  “As such, the schoolmistress has a duty to be an example. To lead by example,” Matron told her.

  Audrey sat quietly with her hands folded in her lap, waiting for the Matron to come to the point.

  “Lead by example. Do you understand what that means?” she asked Audrey.

  “I am sure I have some idea of what it means. Yes.” After all, she wasn’t ignorant.

  “Good. Then I will consider the matter closed. I bid you a good evening, Ms. Wakefield.”

  Audrey’s eyes followed the Matron as she left the room. Audrey frowned. She had no idea what the conversation had been about.

  After supper, Audrey returned to her classroom to place some exercises on the chalkboard. She didn’t want to return to her small little room at the end of the hall just yet, and she could get ahead of herself for the next day with her students.

  She thought again of her odd conversation with Matron and knew it must be her friendship with the male staff, Levi and Joseph, that she objected to. Both men had gone out of their way to be kind to her, but she could think of nothing she had done that warranted such a bizarre conversation.

  She thought again of the afternoon. She had enjoyed meeting Theodocia and sightseeing with Henry in Norwich. She rather liked his company, and she was lonely in Norwich, away from all she knew. She would maintain a discreet distance, but she saw no reason to avoid him or the other male staff simply because Matron didn’t approve.

  The next few days flew by, and the classroom became more manageable. Another female inmate replaced the first illiterate one, and the second one seemed very eager to help out. By the end of her second week in the workhouse, Audrey received two letters.

  The first letter was from her mother asking how she was doing in her new position and sending love from both her and Audrey’s sister to her. The second letter was from Theodocia Ryland asking her to come to the house the following week to speak at her society matron’s club. Audrey liked Henry’s mother and was eager to make a good impression. She wanted to do well at the workhouse, and she knew Theodocia Ryland was influential in the town.

  She had learned that much from Joseph, who spoke about Mrs. Ryland as if she were the Lord Mayor’s wife. She took up pen and paper and wrote back to Theodocia, accepting her gracious offer. In truth, she was pleased to be invited to speak. She wanted to speak about the plight of the workhouse people and help shed a light on it.

  When she was tidying up, she heard a light knock on the door. “Enter,” she called.

  A man with a balding head and a full beard entered her room. “Ms. Wakefield?”

  She stopped what she was doing and turned to face the stranger. “I am Audrey Wakefield.”

  “How do you do, my dear? I’m Dr. Samson Beesley, the medical officer here. I wanted to introduce myself to you,” he said.

  “Dr. Beesley, pleased to make your acquaintance.” They shook hands.

  “I heard from young Levi and Joseph we had a new schoolmistress on board. I believe the exact term Levi used was a looker,” he told her.

  Audrey smiled. “I’m not sure about that.”

  He smoothed his beard down, giving her a knowing look. “Well, my sight may be going as I grow older, but in this instance, I would say the young pup is correct.”

  “Would you like to take a seat?” She indicated one of the chairs near her.

  “I’m afraid I’m headed home so I’ve no time to chat. I alternate my time here at the workhouse, and as it happens, I’m expected home.” He turned to leave but paused in the doorway. “Perhaps next week we can meet again and discuss our lives over tea.”

  “I’d like that.” He seemed kind.

  “Good evening, Ms. Wakefield.” And with that, he was gone.

  Audrey finished her tidying and locked the room behind her. She walked down the long hallway filled with doors and people bustling behind them, passing the women’s ward. She was about to turn left when, at the end of the hallway, she heard someone humming a song. After a brief moment of hesitation, she took a step forward and looked inside the room to find an older woman dancing barefoot in her room.

  The woman appeared to be in her seventies. Her small bare feet delicately touched upon the concrete floor as she swayed to unheard music. Audrey watched her for a moment, her spirits lifting at the woman’s joy, and then she moved away from the door.

  “Don’t be shy, dearie. Come in if you like,” the woman’s voice called out to her.

  Audrey stopped and turned back around. “You saw me?”

  “One doesn’t forget a face like yours,” the woman said.

  The woman wore the workhouse garb of a grogram gown made of a coarse fabric of mohair and wool. Her apron and mop-cap had been tossed aside. Whereas most of the female inmates looked dowdy and grey, this woman had added a yellow silk ribbon to her long grey hair, adding a vibrant pop of color.

  “My name is Audrey Wakefield. I’m the new schoolmistress,” Audrey introduced herself.

  The woman adjusted her scarf. “Aye. I’ve heard the children speak of you in the yard.”

  “There’s some fine children here in the workhouse. I hope to be of use to them,” Audrey said.

  The woman studied her curiously. “Do you? That’s a different way of it. Most schoolmistresses who’ve been through here have been hard as nails.”

  “That way might work for some.” Audrey shrugged.

  “Perhaps. But those hard as nails ones didn’t fare well. Maybe you’ll do better.”

  “Maybe.” She looked about the small room that was smaller than hers by half. The woman appeared to have the room to herself, and Audrey wondered at it. That was unusual. Music hall pictures taken from magazines adorned the walls, and pictures of flowers were pasted all around her.

  “I like your ribbon,” Audrey told her.

  The woman touched her hair. “I love yellow. It’s always been my favorite color. It reminds me of the sun.”

  “What’s your name?” Audrey asked.

  The woman looked surprised. “Oh, didn’t I say? My name is Marguerite Shirley.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Shirley.”

  Marguerite immediately shook her head. “No, no! Don’t call me that. You must call me Marguerite.”

  “Marguerite,” Audrey repeated.

  She eyed Audrey. “I’ve been at the workhouse for so long, sometimes I forget the world passes me by.”

  “Yes, it does,” Audrey agreed. “What was the song you were humming earlier?”

  “Oh, that. It’s called ‘Rory O’ Moore.’ Have you heard of it?”

  “I don’t think so.” It didn’t seem familiar, at least.

  Marguerite chuckled. “Well, you wouldn’t have. I wager the song is older than you.”

  Audrey ventured further into the room. “How does it go?”

  Marguerite paused to think on it and then began to sing. Her voice was clear and high as she sang the words.

  “Young Rory O’More courted Kathleen Bawn

  He was bold as a hawk and she soft as the dawn

  He wished in his heart pretty Kathleen to please

  And he thought the best way to do that was to tease.

  ‘Now Rory be easy,’ sweet Kathleen would cry

  Reproof on her lip but a smile in her eye

  ‘With your tricks I don’t know in troth what I’m about

  Faith you’ve teased till I’ve put on my cl
oak inside out.’”

  Audrey laughed and clapped. “It’s wonderful.”

  Marguerite seemed pleased with the praise. “It’s a very long song so I think I’ll leave it for another day.”

  “Another day?” Audrey asked.

  “Yes. I tire easily now, but I would ask you to come and visit me another time. Would you?” The hopeful expression on her face told Audrey the woman was being sincere.

  “If you like.”

  “I would. What older woman doesn’t want to be cheered by the sight of a lovely young one?” she said.

  “Then I promise to return,” Audrey told her before she left the room.

  She hummed the song to herself as she moved along through the workhouse warren of hallways and out into the grounds beyond. It was dark, but she liked to walk when no one was around. She passed the vegetable garden, the stables, the bakery until she made it to the furthest part of the workhouse to see the orchards. Behind her were the male and female dormitories and to the far left was the infirmary for the sick inmates, the chapel, and the mortuary.

  She had discovered the orchards the previous day and liked to walk among the trees. She could let her mind wander as she looked up at the apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees set in perfect long lines.

  She touched the delicate trunks of the fruit trees as she moved through the orchards. After several minutes of soaking up the peace, she returned to the workhouse, passing by the stables. Levi and Joseph were sitting on two barrels, chatting, with a lantern in the dirt between them.

  “Audrey!” Levi called out to her, and she stopped to speak to them.

  “Good evening, Joseph, Levi. What brings you out here?” she asked them both.

  Joseph leaned forward, and his eyes twinkled in the lantern light. “A little chin wag. Nothing much. And you?”

  She walked closer to them. “I was taking a walk to clear my head.”

  “How are the little demons? Doing any better?” Joseph asked her, the corners of his mouth twitching.

  “A little. It takes time. Your advice helped,” she told him.