by Iris Gower
‘Gentry?’ Rhiannon said sharply. ‘What gentry ever lived in a hut with tiny rooms, cheap curtains and a door that was coming off its hinges?’ She warmed to her subject. ‘And when you stepped outside you were sometimes knee-deep in mud.’
‘Well, that’s what you’ll go back to if you don’t shape up, girl.’ Cook sniffed. ‘Perhaps that’s all you’re good for – cos you’re not good at anything else.’
Rhiannon was silent. Perhaps the woman was right. Surely her old life was better than the constant grind of fetching coal for all the fires in the house and carrying heavy jugs of water up three flights of stairs? But, then, she would never find another man like Bull: he had treated her with respect, protected her from the other men. She had been so happy with him.
‘Don’t just stand there, girl. Go to town and get me some yeast – do something useful for a change.’
‘I thought Katie usually did the errands, Cook,’ she said. ‘I don’t know why you send her, though, she always spends half the day roaming around Swansea.’
‘Katie’s busy upstairs,’ Cook said, ‘and, in any case, if I say you must go then I expect you to obey me.’
‘All right, Cook, I’ll go and willingly.’ Come to think of it, an hour or two out of the house would do her good.
Later, as she walked downhill towards Swansea, Rhiannon’s anger drained away. It was a clear, sunny day and a warm breeze was blowing in from the sea. This was the weather the camp women liked, when the sun shone and they could sit outside to cook the food for their men and spend the time in idle gossip. Rhiannon missed the camaraderie of the other women. But she ached for Bull at night when she lay in her narrow bed; in the dark hours she longed for the times she had spent curled up against her man, content and warm, happy with her lot. Now, because of Katie Cullen, she had lost everything.
There was an air of festivity about the town. Along some of the streets flags were being strung between the houses, and windows had been cleaned until they sparkled like diamonds in the sun.
Perhaps she could go to see the new station, which was going to open shortly – she might even catch a glimpse of Bull. Her heartbeat quickened. If he saw her again he might realize what he was missing. Bull was finding no comfort in Katie’s arms: she was a maiden and would remain so until the wedding ring was placed on her finger.
Rhiannon walked along the high street and here the road teemed with people. Horse-drawn carriages vied for position and street peddlers shouted their wares. And then she saw him. For a moment she was breathless with love for him. He stood head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd and the sight of his dear face brought tears to her eyes. ‘Bull.’ She hurried forward and stumbled against him in her haste. He caught her arm to steady her. ‘Bull, how are you keeping?’ She tried to sound casual but every instinct was telling her to throw herself on his mercy and beg him to take her back.
Suddenly she realized the engineer was standing alongside him and she drew back, but Mr Cookson was smiling at her approvingly. ‘This is your lovely lady, then, Bull, is it?’
‘This is Rhiannon,’ Bull said, ‘but we are not together any longer. Rhiannon works as a maidservant these days.’ He smiled as he held her away from him. ‘How are you doing up at the Big House, Rhiannon? Is Mr Morton-Edwards a kind master?’
‘Yes, very kind.’ Rhiannon swallowed hard. ‘But it’s not the life for me, Bull. I feel cooped up, smothered by the other women there, all of them thinking they’re better than me.’
‘You’ll get used to it, Rhiannon,’ Bull said. ‘I’m sure it’s nice for you to have clean sheets to lie on and good food to put in your belly.’ He glanced at the engineer. ‘Hadn’t we better get along, sir?’ He distanced himself from Rhiannon, and she felt bitterly hurt.
‘Just a minute, Bull,’ Cookson said, ‘I could do with a housekeeper – that’s if you are interested.’ He smiled at Rhiannon. ‘You will be the only young lady in a bachelor’s residence. My cook is old as the hills and will be glad of a pair of hands to help her out. Mind,’ he continued, ‘I can’t offer you the luxury that you find in Mr Morton-Edwards’ household but you should be comfortable enough all the same.’
‘That’s very kind of you, sir.’ Rhiannon glanced at Bull, wondering how he felt about the engineer’s offer. There was no doubt that Mr Cookson and he were becoming good friends so if she took up a position with him she would see Bull more often. ‘If you really mean it, sir, I would like to work for you very much.’
‘Well, then, that’s settled. Now, you must give notice at the Big House and then Bull will show you where I live, won’t you, Bull?’
‘Yes, sir.’ Bull did not sound too pleased but there was nothing he could say without offending his boss.
‘I know where you live, Bull,’ Rhiannon said. ‘When I’ve worked out my notice I’ll come to your place, shall I?’
‘I suppose that will be all right,’ Bull said reluctantly, ‘though perhaps you could let me know about your plans through Katie.’
‘I’ll just come to your house. Thank you, Mr Cookson, for your generous offer. I’ll be very happy working for you, I’m sure.’ She glanced round. ‘I suppose I’d better get on, I’ve shopping to do.’
Before Bull could protest Rhiannon melted into the crowds. She was jubilant – she would have the chance to see Bull again, to be with him at his new house.
Perhaps when he saw her employed at the engineer’s home he would realize she was respectable now. It was with a happy smile and a light heart that Rhiannon did her shopping and set off for home. Just wait until she told Miss High and Mighty Katie Cullen that she was seeing Bull again. That would take the smile off her face.
‘You don’t mind me taking on the girl, do you?’ Cookson grinned at Bull, who shook his head.
‘Not a bit, sir. I’d like to see Rhiannon happy. She’s a good girl.’
‘And a good bedfellow too, by the look of her. Made for loving is that girl and I’ve been without a woman for too long.’
Bull was not sure that Rhiannon understood the terms of her employment but, he reasoned, she was better off with a man like Cookson than being passed around the navvies. It was clear that the job at the Big House was getting her down and soon, for one reason or another, she would be out of work. The only life she knew was keeping men happy. He felt a flash of guilt at the way he had left her: she was a loyal woman and she had loved him dearly. He had been more than a meal ticket to her, far more.
‘You’ll be good to her, sir?’ he said. ‘That goes without saying, I suppose.’
‘I’ll take care of her, don’t you worry, Bull. That’s the trouble with you – you’ve too much of a conscience. Get rid of it. It will hamper your progress up the ladder.’
‘I’ll try, sir,’ Bull said, but the enjoyment had gone out of the day and Bull felt sure that nothing good would come of this morning’s meeting with Rhiannon.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
As he stood outside in the sunshine, watching his coachman methodically grooming one of the horses, Eynon was in a furious mood. Yesterday Jayne had come to him in tears. ‘Papa,’ she’d said, ‘gossip has it that Dafydd has taken a mistress, some common woman called Serena. He’s flaunting her in public. It seems he no longer cares what anyone thinks of him. How could he insult me like that?’
The man had not only insulted his daughter, he had besmirched the fine name of Morton-Edwards and Eynon decided he had to be punished.
‘Jacob,’ he said to the coachman, ‘do you know any men who are handy with their fists?’
Jacob looked up at him in surprise. ‘Aye, sir, I do that.’
‘Will you sort something out for me, then?’
‘That goes without saying, sir.’
‘It’s Buchan. I want the man horse-whipped for what he’s done to my girl.’
Jacob nodded. ‘I understand, sir. If I was a younger man I’d see to it myself.’
Eynon handed him a bag of money. ‘I don’t want to know anything th
at would connect me with the beating, is that clear?’
‘Clear as daylight, sir.’
Eynon made his way back to the front of the house and paused, looking up at the blue bowl of the sky. ‘You are going to get what you deserve at last, Buchan!’
He could not pretend, even to himself, that Buchan’s latest infidelity was at the top of his list of grievances against the man. Rather, it was the last straw. Buchan treated women as if they were of no account. The man was a scoundrel: he had no sense of honour and must be punished.
Eynon sighed in satisfaction. Later he was to meet Llinos in town, they would sit in one of the coffee-houses and talk and laugh together as they always had. His love for her had grown ever stronger as the years progressed. Even her fall from grace had not destroyed it. He had been angry with her, but his devotion had not faltered. Now that Joe was home he had less opportunity to see Llinos but they met at least once a week, and with that Eynon had to be content. If some other man had to possess Llinos, there was no one better than Joe Mainwaring.
The front-door bell jangled insistently and presently Jayne came into the sitting room, skirts billowing, cheeks flushed.
‘Dear heaven, it’s so hot today! How are you bearing up, Papa?’ She hugged him.
‘I’m all the better for seeing you, my darling. Come along, sit down, and I’ll send for some cold cordial.’ He rang the bell and Katie bobbed into the room, her face wary when she saw Jayne. Eynon concealed a smile. If only Katie knew the real Jayne: in her heart she was as gentle as a lamb. ‘Fetch us some cordial, there’s a good girl,’ he said, ‘and if Cook’s made some of those fine Welsh cakes, bring those too.’
Katie dipped her head and vanished, and Eynon hugged his daughter again. He felt so glad that he was going to teach Buchan a lesson, but he would not mention it to Jayne, not now, perhaps never.
‘Have you heard the news?’ Jayne did not wait for a reply. ‘That hussy Shanni Morgan has left Swansea, and just as well too.’
Eynon frowned. Shanni was another of Buchan’s victims. ‘Poor girl,’ he said. ‘She had such promise once.’
‘I don’t know how you can feel sorry for her,’ Jayne said sharply. ‘She lay with my husband, and goodness knows how many other marriages she has ruined. It seems her mother was just the same, a loose woman.’
‘Jayne, my love, learn a little tolerance. I understand your anger, but Shanni was duped by a clever man.’
‘So was I,’ Jayne said, with uncharacteristic humility. ‘But my eyes are open now, Papa, and I won’t ever let a man get the better of me again.’
‘That’s my girl!’ Eynon smiled at her. She looked so beautiful, so innocent, that his heart almost failed him. ‘If ever you want to come home you’re more than welcome, you know that, don’t you?’
‘Yes, Papa, I do and—’ Jayne was interrupted by a knock.
Katie came in with a tray on her arm. ‘Cook says the Welsh cakes are freshly made, sir, and rich with fruit, just as you like them.’
‘Thank you, Katie, and thank Cook for me,’ Eynon said.
‘You spoil your servants, Papa. I don’t know why Katie or Cook needs thanking – they get their money and their keep, don’t they?’ She touched his hand. ‘But your kindness is part of the reason I love you so much.’
‘Servants are human beings like us,’ Eynon said, ‘and have feelings, believe it or not.’
‘I know that. There’s no need to stoop to sarcasm.’ She looked at him reprovingly. ‘Now let’s talk business. The station is set to open in a few weeks’ time, then? I’m really excited about it, aren’t you?’
‘I suppose so, though I don’t know what effect the iron monster will have on our countryside.’
‘Papa!’ Jayne scolded. ‘You sound like one of the peasants who think the devil will come out of the train, along with the steam from the funnels.’
‘I’m not that bad.’ Eynon eased himself into a more comfortable position in his chair. ‘Now tell me, how are the share prices doing today?’
He scarcely listened to her reply, though, because he was thinking about Buchan and how the man was going to get just what he deserved.
Katie was in the kitchen with Cook and Rhiannon. The other servants were still busy at their chores, and the rattle of crockery could be heard from the scullery. One glance at Rhiannon told her that the girl was bursting to tell her something. Somehow, Katie felt it would not be very pleasing to hear.
Cook broke the silence. ‘All right, Rhiannon, tell us what’s on your mind.’
‘Well,’ Rhiannon glanced at Katie, ‘I saw Bull when I was in town.’ Katie’s heart missed a beat.
‘Go on,’ Cook said impatiently, ‘what about it?’
‘He’s asked me to go and live with him in his fine house, that’s what.’
‘It’s not true! He would have told me that himself,’ Katie stated.
‘Well, has he asked you to move in there with him, Miss Prissy Prissy?’
‘No, of course not!’ Katie felt the colour rush into her cheeks. ‘He would never suggest anything improper like that.’
‘Not to you, perhaps,’ Rhiannon said smugly, ‘but, then, you’re the type who waits for the ring and the church and all that. It don’t always pay, see?’
‘I don’t believe Bull would ask you to live with him,’ Katie said firmly. ‘If he felt that way why did he leave you alone in the hut at the side of the railway track?’
Rhiannon looked coy. ‘I think he’s missing the love and comfort I always gave him,’ she said. ‘Men get used to having a woman to warm the bed for them.’
‘No need for vulgarity!’ Cook spoke sternly. She stared at Rhiannon, her eyes narrowed. ‘I don’t believe you either, my girl. He wouldn’t want you when he’s got a smart girl like Katie, now, would he?’
‘Well, you’ll all see. I’m going to give my notice in and you’ll have to believe me, won’t you?’
‘I won’t be waiting until then,’ Katie said. ‘I’ll be going down to town first thing to see Bull. I’ll soon prove that you are a liar.’
‘Go you,’ Rhiannon said. ‘He’ll only tell you what I’ve told you, that I’m going to move in with him.’
‘I think you’re just making this up to hurt Katie,’ Cook said. ‘Who’d want you after all the men you’ve been with?’ She held up her hand as Rhiannon went to speak again. ‘Just keep your mouth shut, girl. You’re getting too big for your boots, you are. I never liked you or approved of your loose ways and the sooner you go the better I’ll be pleased.’
‘Right, then.’ Rhiannon got up. ‘I’ll go now. You’ll see then if I’m a liar or not.’
‘You wouldn’t dare leave without giving the master your notice, cos if you did you’d never get any decent job again.’
‘Get it into your head, Cook – you too, Katie – I don’t need another job. I’ve got Bull to keep me now. I’m going to live in a fine house and sleep in a good bed and be with the man I love.’ With that she rushed from the room.
Cook looked at Katie and shook her head. ‘I’ll believe it when I see it,’ she said. ‘The girl is playacting. She’d no more leave at this time of night than fly to the moon.’
Katie was not so sure. Rhiannon had seemed too certain of herself – and if she left the house where would she sleep if she was lying about Bull?
After a while Rhiannon came back into the room carrying her bag. ‘Well, I think you’ll believe me now.’ She stared at Katie triumphantly. ‘I’m going to Bull and you can’t do a thing about it.’
She let herself out of the back door and Cook sat open-mouthed, staring at the door, as if waiting for Rhiannon to reappear.
‘Well, I’ll be blowed!’ she said. ‘She’s actually gone.’ She fanned her hot face. ‘I don’t know where that girl’s going to end up – murdered in some back alley, like as not.’
Katie felt numb. ‘Do you think she’s really going back to Bull?’
‘Don’t know, I’m sure,’ Cook said. ‘But i
f I was you I wouldn’t let things rest there.’
‘I won’t.’ Katie felt a surge of anger. ‘I’ll be going to Bull’s house first thing in the morning and I’ll clear this up once and for all. If he thinks he can play me for a fool he’s got another think coming!’
‘That’s the way, girl.’ Cook nodded. ‘When you see your man I’m sure everything will be sorted out once and for all.’
Rhiannon stared around her at the dark hillsides and strained to see the track leading down to the town. Her bag seemed to be growing heavier by the minute and she cursed herself for being a fool. She should have waited until morning, and even then she could not be sure of a welcome. It was true that Mr Cookson had asked her to work for him but he would not expect her so soon and certainly not at this time of night.
She sighed with relief when she saw the lamp-lit windows of the houses growing nearer: in the darkness she had felt as if she was alone in the world. She tried to gather her thoughts. The only thing she could do was go to Bull’s house – surely he would not begrudge her a night’s lodging.
Unsure of the way in the dark Rhiannon took several wrong turnings and found herself in unfamiliar territory. She was afraid to stop and ask directions in case someone thought she was plying her old trade.
At last she found the house and knocked at the door almost timidly.
After a long time it was opened. ‘Rhiannon!’ Bull sounded none too pleased to see her. ‘What on earth are you doing here at this time of night?’
‘Can I come in, Bull?’ she asked. ‘I’ve walked such a long way and this bag is so heavy.’
He hesitated, and she thought he was going to turn her away, but then he stepped back to allow her into the hallway. He was frowning, and Rhiannon could see that he did not want her there.
‘All right. Put down your bag at the bottom of the stairs and tell me what’s going on.’
Rhiannon took off her coat and followed Bull into an elegant sitting room. A good fire burned in the grate and a glass of some golden liquor stood on the table. It was all very cosy, all ready for Katie to move in as Mrs Bull Beynon. The thought brought a bitter taste to Rhiannon’s mouth.