Abel shrugged.
‘Summer. He didn’t expect it to suffer heavy weather.’
‘And the fire? Tell me again how it broke out.’
‘No one knows.’ Abel took another long draught. ‘There’s a lot of tar on a ship, Sir Lawrence. Fires ’appen.’
‘So everyone says. I’ve read the crew’s accounts—those that could be collected. It took some time to gather them, with the crew scattered far and wide. Some have even set sail again.’ Lawrence paused. ‘Seems strange to me that Morris should sign up his crew in Bristol. He usually finds his crews locally, does he not? From Barnstaple or Minehead.’ Another shrug.
‘So how did you and your brother come to sign up?’
‘Cap’n Morris told Ruben about it. Ruben told me.’
‘So Morris would not have taken you if your brother had not mentioned it?’
Abel said quickly, ‘I never said that.’
Lawrence refilled the tankards.
‘Some of the crew’s accounts say the fire was the bosun’s fault.’ He saw the flash of anger in the other man’s eyes, but it faded again and he merely shrugged.
‘It’s easy to blame the dead. They can’t defend themselves.’
‘But the fire could have been started deliberately.’
‘To what end?’
‘To scuttle the ship,’ said Lawrence. ‘After the cargo had been safely unloaded.’ He paused, watching Abel closely. ‘There would be a reward, you know, if the cargo was to be recovered.’
‘You think if you get me drunk I will confess everything to you?’ Abel’s slow grin appeared. He shook his head. ‘It will not happen. There’s nothing to confess.’
‘But you must admit it looks suspicious: Emsleigh has debts to pay, takes out a large insurance on his cargo—’
‘Sir Lawrence, you are a gentleman, we’ve done business together. More than that, our Jem has taken a shine to ’ee, and you’ve paid for these drinks. All those things stop me from punching your daylights out for suggesting I might not be telling the truth!’ Abel glowered at him. ‘I have already signed to say we did all we could to save the ship. What would happen to me if I was to change my mind? My word against my fellows—that would do no good. Besides, if—and I’m not saying it was deliberate—if it was discovered that the Sealark was scuttled, then Jem would not get the money that was promised to his dad. I couldn’t do that to the boy.’
Lawrence was about to argue more when a soft, distressed voice called from the doorway.
‘Abel—Abel, are you there? Have you seen Jem?’
Both men swung round. Maggie Wooler was hurrying across the taproom with Rose close behind her. One look at Rose’s face and Lawrence was on his feet.
‘It’s Jem,’ said Maggie. ‘He’s not been to school.’
‘Sam is missing, too,’ added Rose. ‘When they did not arrive at school I thought they had gone back to the farm. Mrs Reed was with me, so I left her in charge of the children and walked up to fetch them.’
‘But they wasn’t with me,’ cried Maggie, wringing her hands. ‘They’ve run away somewhere.’
Lawrence turned to Rose.
‘What about the pony?’
She shook her head, eyes shadowed with worry.
‘I checked the stables; Evans has not seen them.’
‘Gone—?’ Abel stopped. He slowly shook his head. ‘Nay, he wouldn’t.’
‘What is it?’ cried Maggie. ‘What are you thinking, Abel?’
He rubbed his chin.
‘Well, you know what today is, Maggie.’
‘Aye, it’s Ruben’s birthday.’
‘An’ I remember, last time young Sam was up at the farm with us, he was telling Jem how on his father’s birthday he and Mrs Westerhill went off to lay flowers on the grave in Exford.’
‘But Ruben has no grave,’ said Maggie.
‘No,’ muttered Abel. ‘Just his initials carved at Sealham Point.’
Rose looked aghast. ‘But they cannot have gone there. The tide…’
‘Jem knows the tides; he’d reckon they could walk there and back before the tide came in and cut them off,’ said Abel. ‘But I’d wager it will have taken ’em longer than they thought to get to Sealham Point. The tide will have turned. They’ll be stuck there now.’
‘If they haven’t been washed out to sea!’ cried Mrs Wooler, lifting her apron to cover her face.
‘Nonsense, Maggie, our Jem has more sense than that. He’ll have seen that they can’t get back and will be sitting it out on the rocks.’
‘But it will be dark by the time the tide goes out again.’ Rose tried to speak calmly, but could not prevent the quiver in her voice. ‘They will not be able to see their way back. Th-that means they will have to wait until the morning…’
Abel stood up. ‘I’ll row across the bay and collect them. There’ll be an onshore swell for an hour or so yet. It won’t be too hard.’
‘Let me come with you,’ said Rose immediately.
‘Nay, ma’am, I will not take thee, unless ye can row. An extra pair of oars would be useful, but everyone I know is already at sea, making the most of the daylight.’
‘I’ll go with you,’ said Lawrence. His lips quirked at the incredulous look his words received. ‘I suspect rowing on an English river is somewhat different to the open sea, but I’d like to help.’
Abel looked at him for a long moment, as if weighing him up.
‘Very well. I’ll be glad to have ’ee, sir.’
‘What should we do?’ asked Rose, following them to the door. ‘Should we come down to the jetty…?’
‘No,’ said Lawrence, ‘I suggest you both go to your homes. We could be wrong, you know, and the boys might already be home.’ He watched the play of emotion on Rose’s face. She wanted to argue, to do something more useful than sitting at home and waiting. He touched her arm. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll bring them back safely.’
She swallowed. ‘Very well.’ She laid a hand on his sleeve as he turned to follow Abel out of the inn. ‘Be careful.’
The soft words and the look that accompanied them cheered Lawrence as he followed Abel along the winding lane that led out of the village and through the fields to the shore. There were no signs of activity at the water’s edge, only a few beached boats and the fishing nets spread out to dry. Abel headed for an upturned rowboat and with Lawrence’s help it was soon on the water.
For a while they rowed in silence, the only sounds the scrape and splash of the oars, but Lawrence was aware that Abel’s eyes were upon his back.
‘Well,’ he said over his shoulder, ‘I am out of practice, but what do you think?’
He heard his companion chuckle.
‘Aye,’ said Abel in his deep, slow drawl, ‘you’ll do.’
They made good progress across the bay. Lawrence glanced over his shoulder at their destination, the ragged cliffs of Sealham Point, and his blood ran a little colder when he saw the white spume of the waves crashing against the rocks.
‘I can’t see them…’
‘Jem’ll know better than to stand on this side o’ the Point,’ said Abel. ‘You can scramble up away from the waves on t’ other side, and that’s where we’re going; we can bring the boat real close there.’
Lawrence put all his efforts into rowing as Abel guided them safely around the point to approach the shore from the south. At last his companion gave a grunt of satisfaction.
‘There they are.’
Looking round, Lawrence saw two small figures waving from a rocky shelf some way up the cliff. They began to scramble down as the boat nosed its way towards them. He tried not to think of the jagged rocks just below the surface. Abel concentrated on keeping the boat steady while Lawrence reached out a hand to help first Sam and then Jem jump across.
‘Little fools,’ said Abel once both boys were safely on board. ‘Forget the time, did you?’
‘We was late settin’ off,’ stammered Jem, his teeth chattering. ‘We never meant to—�
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‘We can discuss that later.’ Lawrence shrugged himself out of his greatcoat. ‘Put this around the both of you.’
‘What about you, sir, won’t you be c-cold?’ asked Sam, his face pinched and white. Lawrence grinned.
‘I don’t think so; I am working so hard at the rowing that it’s keeping me warm.’
‘Ah, an’ it’s time to be rowin’ again, sir, if we’re to get these nippers home!’
The two men pulled hard on the oars to bring the little boat away from the treacherous rocks and as they moved into clear water Lawrence had time to observe the rugged coastline with its towering cliffs. A little way south of Sealham Point was a cleft in the hills, a valley so deep and narrow that the shadowed woods looked almost black, save for a ragged clearing that ran like a scar along one side, a little way above the waterline.
‘What is that?’ He nodded towards the cliffs, his hands too busy with the oars to point.
‘What? Oh, that’s Hades Cove,’ offered Jem, looking back.
‘And the rocky outcrop? It does not look natural.’
‘Tedn’t natural,’ Jem affirmed. ‘It’s the old drift-mine. They used to bring out the iron ore and load it onto the ships. You can still see the small jetty there, in the cove. No one uses it any more.’
‘It belongs to Mama,’ piped up Sam, buried deep in Lawrence’s greatcoat.
‘Really?’ Lawrence rested on his oars and stared at the cove. ‘But it’s not used now, you say?’
‘Tedn’t been used for years.’ Jem nodded. ‘The ore ran out.’
‘But ships could still get in there?’ asked Lawrence.
‘I suppose so.’ Jem shrugged. ‘As long as they had a pilot that knows the waters…’
‘Stop yer gabbin’, Jem!’ Abel ordered him roughly. He leaned forwards to address Lawrence. ‘I’d be obliged to ’ee, sir, if you’d give yer attention to getting us home. It’ll be a lot harder to make progress once the tide turns!’
Lawrence swung round, but Abel had his head down, concentrating on rowing. With a shrug Lawrence accepted the rebuke and applied himself once more to the oars.
Rose quickly returned to the schoolroom where she found Mrs Reed had everything under control.
‘You may safely leave me to finish up today,’ she said, giving Rose’s arm an understanding pat. ‘The children are no trouble and I am sure you would prefer to be at home until you have news of your son. And if you need me to come in tomorrow, you only have to send word to the vicarage.’
So Rose made her way to the cottage, where she joined her mother in pacing up and down and staring out of the window at the deserted lane, knowing all the time there could be no news for hours yet. The short winter’s day came to an end and Rose put a lighted lamp in the window. Janet prepared meals, but they were returned hardly touched.
‘Surely they should be back by now,’ she said, unable to settle. ‘What if they cannot find them?’ She shivered. ‘What if they have capsized…?’
‘Patience,’ said Mrs Molland. ‘The sea has not been particularly rough today and Abel Wooler is an experienced seaman. We will hear soon enough. The time would pass quicker for you if you had some occupation.’
An involuntary smile tugged at Rose’s mouth. ‘Like you, Mama? You have had your sewing on your lap for a good hour, but I have not seen you set a stitch. Besides, I have not been idle; I have built up the fire and brought down dry clothes and a blanket for Sam when he comes in. He is sure to be wet and cold.’ She glanced at the clock again and exclaimed, ‘Oh, what could have possessed them to go off like that? I shall give him such a scolding when he returns!’
Mrs Molland put up her hand, an expectant look upon her face. Voices could be heard in the hall and the next moment Sir Lawrence walked in with Sam in his arms.
‘Here he is.’ He handed the boy to Rose. ‘Wet, cold and tired, but unharmed, I think.’
With a little cry Rose hugged her son tightly.
‘It was as we thought,’ he added, easing his shoulders. ‘They had gone to Sealham Point to see where Jem’s father had carved his name on the rock. It was some sort of tribute to him on his birthday, but they misjudged the tide.’
Rose nodded, distracted. She carried Sam over to the fire, where Mrs Molland was waiting to help her undress him.
‘Thank heaven you are safe!’ Rose’s fingers trembled as she struggled with the buttons of his coat.
‘I do beg your pardon, Mama,’ muttered Sam. ‘I never meant to be away so long. Jem said we’d be there and back before school ended.’
‘And did you think I would not worry if you did not turn up at school?’ demanded Rose. ‘Naughty boy, I do not know what you deserve for such a trick—perhaps we should have left you on those horrid rocks all night!’
‘Hush now, he has learned his lesson,’ soothed Mrs Molland. ‘And you are making a sad mull of undressing him, Rose. Give him to me.’
Realising she was far too tearful and shaken to be helpful, Rose left Sam to his grandmother’s care. As she turned she saw Sir Lawrence heading for the door. ‘Don’t go!’
He stopped at her words. Rose went towards him, saying shyly, ‘Will you not stay? I am sure Sam will want to thank you.’
He glanced across to make sure the others were not attending.
‘I thought I was not a fit-and-proper person?’
She flushed. ‘Did I say that? I beg your pardon! Please, do not go just yet. I—we would like to hear what happened.’
It was not until he gave a little nod that she realised she had been holding her breath and, with some difficulty, she invited him to sit down.
Within the warm glow of the fire he briefly relayed the tale. Mrs Molland blanched as he described how Abel had guided the little boat into the shore, and Sam took her hand.
‘Do not be afraid, Grandmama, Jem and I were safe enough up on the rocks.’
Rose smiled.
‘You can see he has come to no harm, Mama. I have no doubt he will want to go out on his pony tomorrow, as usual.’ She tried hard to look severe. ‘Although I do not know whether we should allow him such a treat…’
‘Mama, you would not stop me riding, would you?’ Sam looked horrified. ‘Not when I have told you how very sorry I am for making you worry?’
‘No, not this time,’ she relented, unable to withstand the pleading look in his eyes and her heart still full of relief that he was safe.
She turned to Lawrence. ‘He is doing very well. Evans says he has a natural aptitude for riding.’
‘I never doubted it.’
After a slight hesitation Rose said, ‘You could come to the paddock tomorrow morning and watch him.’
‘Better than that,’ said Lawrence, ‘if it is a fine morning, why do we not go up on the moor?’
‘Ooh, yes, sir, if you please!’ cried Sam, clapping his hands.
Rose shook her head. ‘I do not think…’
‘Oh, please, Mama,’ Sam beseeched her, his eyes shining. He added, with a flash of inspiration, ‘It will be Sir Lawrence’s reward, for rescuing us!’
They all laughed at that.
Rose said slowly, ‘I should like to go riding, I have not been out for over a week and my poor mare will be growing horribly restive.’
‘You have not forgotten we attend the Emsleigh ball tomorrow night?’ put in Mrs Molland.
‘We shall be back in plenty of time for that,’ said Rose, throwing caution to the winds. ‘Very well, sir, Sam and I will ride out with you tomorrow!’
The assignation made, Sir Lawrence took his leave, but by the time the maid returned after showing him to the door Rose was having second thoughts about the morning. To ride out with him, even with Sam and Evans in attendance, would be sure to cause comment, and she was certain Magnus would not approve.
‘I must catch him,’ she muttered, snatching up her shawl. ‘I must tell him I have changed my mind.’
Rose rushed out onto the path, but there was no sign of Lawrence, only the
black outline of a lone rider clip-clopping up the lane towards her. She was about to make her way back indoors when she heard her name.
‘Magnus.’ She peered through the darkness at the rider.
‘I heard from Wilkins that Samuel had run away so I came to see if there was any news.’
‘He is here now, and safe.’ She could not prevent herself giving him a wide, relieved smile. Rose waited for him to tie his horse to the gatepost and accompany her inside. ‘He walked to Sealham Point with Jem Wooler and they found themselves stranded by the tide. Thankfully Jem’s uncle guessed where they would be and rowed out to rescue them.’
‘Indeed?’
He followed her into the sitting room. Sam was standing before the fire, concentrating on fastening the last buttons of his clean jacket.
‘Well, young man, what do you have to say for yourself?’ Sam jumped as Magnus addressed him sternly, but he was given no chance to speak as Magnus pressed on, hands clasped behind his back and glaring down at the little boy. ‘You have given your mama a great deal of anxiety. What were you thinking of, to run off without a by your leave, to miss your schooling and take off on such a foolish venture? I am surprised your mother has not spanked you for your disobedience. You would have been well served if you had been left to shiver on the rocks all night!’
Rose had said very much the same thing, but to hear Magnus utter the words roused her in defence of her son. She stepped forwards, as if to shield Sam.
‘Thank you, Magnus, he is well aware that he has done wrong and he has already begged my pardon.’ She glanced down at her son, noting the mutinous look about his mouth. ‘Mama, perhaps you will take Sam away. Janet can find him a little supper and then he should go to bed.’ She bent to kiss him, murmuring, ‘Run along. I will come up to tuck you in shortly.’
Rose waited until they had left the room and turned back to Magnus, who said heavily, ‘You are too soft with the boy, Rose. I would thrash any son of mine who was so disobedient.’
Rose fought down a sharp retort. Instead she said quietly, ‘In the main Sam minds me very well. He has had a fright, and that, I think, will do him good.’
‘He should be at school.’
‘And so he will be, when he is a little older.’ She put out her hand. ‘Please, Magnus, let us not fight. I have been in such a worry today. You cannot imagine how relieved I was when Sir Lawrence brought Sam back.’
Snowbound With the Notorious Rake Page 14