A Family For Christmas

by Linda Finlay

  ‘I reckons he likes you ’cos his eyes went all funny when he saw you,’ he grinned.

  Amos hit it off with Grandfa Sam and Nan immediately, and the atmosphere around the table that evening was convivial. He showered Nan with praise, saying he’d never tasted such delicious apple pie in his life before.

  ‘Get on with you, lad,’ Nan chided, her cheeks growing warm at the compliment. ‘Now come along, young Luke, it’s time you were in bed. No, you stay here, I’ll see to him,’ Nan added as Eliza got to her feet.

  ‘Are you sure?’ Eliza asked.

  ‘Sounds like you and Amos here have lots to catch up on. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll say goodnight, Amos. It’s been lovely meeting you and you’re welcome to call in whenever you’re passing.’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Cary, and thanks again for such a delicious meal,’ Amos said, standing politely and shaking her hand. ‘Goodnight, Luke.’

  ‘Night night, and do come again so we can have more pudding,’ he grinned, and they all laughed.

  ‘I was so touched when I found the perfume you made for me,’ Eliza said as the door shut behind them.

  ‘Did you like it? I remembered what you said and tried to make it smell like the fresh moors, woody heather and floral sweet peas,’ he said, eyes shining as he stared across the table at her.

  ‘It was better than I could ever have imagined, although I only got to smell it when Monsieur Farrant emptied it down the sink in a fit of temper. I managed to keep the little bottle, though, and have kept it safe along with Fay’s black one.’

  ‘Did you enjoy making perfume, Amos?’ Grandfa Sam asked.

  ‘Oh, yes, it was fascinating. Monsieur Farrant’s a fine teacher but …’ Amos shrugged.

  ‘It’s a shame both you and Eliza had your training cut short. Come and sit by the fire and tell me more about the distilling process,’ Sam invited. Much as she would have loved to join them, Eliza knew she should clear away the dishes. It wouldn’t be fair to leave everything to Nan.

  By the time she rejoined them, Amos was on the point of leaving.

  ‘Oh, must you go?’ she cried.

  ‘Regrettably, I have to be up before dawn to make my deliveries.’ He turned to Sam. ‘Thank you for your hospitality and kind advice, sir.’

  Sam held out his hand and, as Amos took it, Eliza saw him pass over an envelope. Knowing how generous the older man was even with the little they had, she assumed he was giving Amos the price of a bed for the night.

  37

  Eliza was woken the next morning by a strange scrabbling sound. Prising her eyes open, she saw Luke looking through her flower book. She watched through half-closed eyes as he eagerly turned the pages. Wouldn’t it be lovely if he shared her passion? But when he turned his attention to her treasure box she had to intervene.

  ‘Hey, minx, leave that alone,’ she admonished, getting out of bed and taking her pressed flowers and leaves from him.

  ‘Why do you keep funny things?’ he asked, wrinkling his nose as he took the top off the black bottle and sniffed. ‘That’s like that sea stuff,’ he muttered.

  ‘Pardon?’

  ‘It smells like that ooh zone you was talking about.’

  Then Nan called through that their food was waiting and Eliza’s attention was diverted.

  ‘Hurry up and get dressed or you won’t have time for breakfast,’ she said, knowing he wouldn’t risk missing a meal. Much as she loved him, she knew he was proving a handful for both Nan and her to look after. After a long discussion they’d decided he should be enrolled at the local school and, after yesterday’s escapade, she was hoping they’d agree to take him straight away.

  Nan had developed a headache and gone upstairs to lie down. Knowing the smell of bluebells would help her, Eliza had taken Luke up to the wood to gather some. Being early summer, there was a profusion of different blooms and she’d intended picking some to distil.

  While she’d been busy selecting her flowers, Luke had run off. Worried he’d get lost she’d gone in search, only to find him happily scrabbling around in the rock pools on the beach. When they went home, Grandfa had read him the riot act, pointing out the dangers of the sea and forbidding him to play on the beach unaccompanied until he could swim. Luke had stuck out his jaw, looked mutinous, and played up for the rest of the day. He certainly needed the discipline and routine that school life would bring.

  After breakfast, having made sure Luke was looking clean and smart, Eliza ushered the protesting boy along the busy streets towards the distinctive red-brick almshouses with their adjoining charity school.

  ‘This lovely place is close to the sea, so if you’re good we can spend some time there after classes,’ she said, trying to placate him. But he just stared at the school and grimaced.

  Sister Maria listened sympathetically and then agreed, as they had a place, he could be enrolled immediately.

  ‘Thank you, Sister,’ Eliza cried with relief. ‘Behave yourself, Luke, and I’ll be back when school has finished,’ she instructed, trying to ignore the way he was glowering at her.

  Reminding herself it was for the best and that she had shopping to do, she made her way to the market. It was a beautiful day and as she scanned the stalls, selecting the vegetables Nan had asked for, she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Although she was fond of her little brother, he was proving to be a wilful and unruly child. She hoped school would occupy his mind and the Sisters would be able to instil some of the discipline he needed.

  Lost in thought, it was some moments before she became aware someone was watching her.

  ‘Hello, Eliza.’ The familiar voice sent shivers down her spine. She stared up at the gentle giant with his halo of curls and shook her head in disbelief.

  ‘Duncan, what are you doing here?’

  ‘I’ve been searching for you,’ he told her.

  She eyed him sceptically. Even though it was a hot day, he was wearing his old greatcoat and Fay’s satchel was slung over his shoulder. He looked as out of place amongst the loud traders as a goldfish in a rock pool.

  ‘Hey, you making a study of ’em ’ere veggies or are you buying ’em afore ’ey wilt?’ the stall holder shouted, jolting Eliza back to the present. Quickly, she paid for the carrots, put them with the potatoes in her basket and turned away.

  ‘How have you been?’ Duncan asked, falling into step alongside her.

  ‘As if you care,’ she burst out.

  ‘But I do,’ he said. ‘As I said …’

  Eyes blazing, she spun round. ‘If you cared for me you wouldn’t have disappeared when Fay made arrangements to send me away,’ she cried, the frustrations of the past months bursting out of her.

  ‘Eliza, I really need to speak to you about that, and other things as well,’ he said quietly, ignoring her outburst. ‘Is there somewhere quiet we can go and talk?’ He stared at her with those penetrating eyes the colour of darkest chestnuts and she felt some of her anger evaporate.

  ‘I must get back to the shop. Nan will be wondering where I am. Come with me and we’ll talk there,’ she said, leading the way down the broad street.

  Mr Cary, who was coming the other way, glared at her in disgust. ‘Didn’t take you long to find a replacement. Heard you had another one on the go. Women: can’t trust any of them,’ he muttered, shaking his fist at her.

  ‘But …’ she began. It was too late, though, the man was already stomping away. Duncan raised his eyebrows but she didn’t feel like explaining.

  As she showed him into the shop, Nan stared in surpris
e.

  ‘This is Duncan, Nan. He’s a friend of Fay. You remember I told you about her?’

  ‘Indeed I do. Welcome, Duncan. It’s good to meet you,’ Nan said, seemingly unaffected by his strange appearance.

  ‘You too, ma’am,’ Duncan said, bowing deferentially. He looked so incongruous that despite herself, Eliza almost giggled.

  ‘Duncan has something he wishes to explain to me,’ she said.

  ‘Go up to the parlour, then. The kettle’s on the fender if you want a hot drink. Go on,’ she urged, as Eliza hesitated. ‘The shop’s quiet this morning.’

  Not sure if she was upset with Duncan or Mr Cary’s outburst, she led the way up the stairs.

  ‘Well?’ she asked, as soon as he’d closed the door behind them. ‘This had better be good.’

  ‘Can we sit at the table?’ he asked mildly. ‘I have some things I wish to show you.’ She nodded and he took off the satchel and sank into the nearest chair, which looked ridiculously small under his large frame. He gestured to the seat beside him. Eliza remained standing and he shook his head. ‘It might help if you sit too, Eliza. What I have to tell you is going to come as a shock.’

  The look in his eyes sent a prickle of fear down her back and she perched primly on the edge of the chair furthest from him.

  ‘I can’t think I’ll be interested in anything you have to show me,’ she muttered. To her surprise, he reached across the table and caught hold of her hand.

  ‘Fay is dead, Eliza,’ he whispered.

  ‘What? But she can’t be. She was standing in the doorway when I left. She looked fine,’ she cried.

  ‘I’m afraid she knew she was dying even then,’ he said gently. ‘That was why she made arrangements for you to be apprenticed to Monsieur Farrant. She was very fond of you and wanted to secure your future.’

  ‘But all this time I thought she didn’t want me. I wrote a letter but tore it up, thinking she wouldn’t be interested. I would have stayed and looked after her if I’d known,’ she said, tears welling at the thought of the old lady, ill and alone.

  Duncan smiled sadly. ‘That’s exactly why she didn’t want you to know. She realized, you being kind-hearted, you’d insist on staying until she went. Not knowing how long she had, she didn’t want you watching her waste away. Don’t worry, I stayed until the end. It was all very peaceful, and afterwards I saw her buried on her beloved moor. I’m sure her spirit is skipping over them as we speak.’

  ‘Oh, Duncan,’ Eliza cried, gripping his hand tightly as hot tears rolled down her cheeks. He reached across the table and gently wiped them away with his kerchief. ‘But why did you leave me?’

  ‘I had to. I’d promised Fay I’d keep her secret and was worried I wouldn’t be able to hide the truth from you.’

  ‘But I thought you didn’t care about me,’ she burst out. He shook his head sadly.

  ‘Oh, I did. I still do, I just didn’t think it appropriate at the time to be too affectionate, little un,’ he said quietly. Then he became brisk, drawing out papers from the satchel and handing Eliza a thick envelope. ‘Go on, open it.’

  She did as he urged, then gasped.

  ‘But there’s a wodge of bank notes in here,’ she exclaimed, staring at him in amazement.

  He nodded, then handed her a roll of illustrations all signed by Fay. She looked from the pictures to him and shook her head. ‘They’re exquisite.’

  ‘Far from being a penniless recluse, Fay was born into a rich family who owned a mansion in Sussex by the sea. She proved to be a talented artist and was sent to train at the finest academies in London and Florence. During her travels she met and fell in love with a naval captain. Sadly, she’d just returned from the first exhibition of her paintings when she received word his ship had foundered in a violent storm.’

  ‘Oh, poor Fay. That’s a terrible thing to have happened,’ Eliza whispered, dabbing at her tears.

  ‘She was dreadfully hurt and completely went inside herself, shunned society and took off to live on the moors. To ensure her wellbeing, her father deposited an annuity at the local bank but she only ever used sufficient for her needs. The rest she hid, along with her prized pictures, in the antlered head on the wall of her hovel.’

  Eliza gasped. ‘That old stag’s head hid her treasures? Well, I never. But why me …?’ She pointed to the envelope and pictures.

  ‘She thought of you as the daughter she never had and wanted you to have them.’ Eliza stared at the detailed illustrations of wild flowers. How had she got things so wrong? Clearly Fay had cared for her and hadn’t just packed her off to Monsieur Farrant’s, as she’d thought. If only she’d sent that letter then Fay would have known she appreciated all she’d done for her.

  ‘But you were her closest friend so surely these should be yours?’

  ‘Fay left me her hovel and everything else in it. She talked of you often and was only sad she never heard how you were progressing.’

  ‘I started writing to her but thought she didn’t care. Oh, if only I’d known,’ Eliza cried. ‘Monsieur Farrant said he sent her notification of how I was doing,’ she added, remembering his promise.

  Duncan shrugged. ‘Perhaps his letter got lost. He never mentioned it when I visited the perfumery, asking to see you. In fact, he seemed upset about your disappearance and told me he couldn’t understand why you’d run off.’

  Eliza snorted. ‘More like he was upset I’d spoiled his plans. He wanted me to marry him, you know.’ Duncan raised his eyebrows but she shook her head. ‘It might sound ridiculous but I know his reasons weren’t honourable,’ she added, remembering what she’d seen the night she left.

  ‘Whatever do you mean?’ Duncan asked.

  ‘Don’t worry about it. I’m settled here now and, with Grandfa Sam’s help, am carrying on my perfume making. Luckily I learned enough from Monsieur Farrant to be able to work on the receipts Fay gave me.’ Then, as a memory struck, she burst out laughing. ‘She was canny and knew Farrant wasn’t to be trusted ’cos she gave him only half of the book she promised him.’

  ‘She must have been suspicious for it wasn’t like Fay to break her word.’

  ‘And how are Ben and Rose?’ she asked, remembering her dear friends.

  ‘Ah,’ he murmured, shaking his head. ‘Don’t see much of them now. Mother Evangaline in her wisdom insisted on having her own cottage built on the farm so she could see more of young Joshua. She also hired a full-time hand to help out on the farm. Still, Ben and I meet at Dulvester market each month, which gives him a chance to get things off his chest,’ he grinned.

  ‘Oh, poor Rose. Do give them my best wishes,’ Eliza said.

  Duncan nodded. ‘Look, I hate to leave you so soon after imparting the sad news about Fay but I must go. If you need me at any time, you’ll find the address of the hovel inside the envelope. Be happy, my little Dryad,’ he said getting to his feet.

  ‘But you can’t go. I love you,’ she cried, panic rising in her breast.

  He smiled sadly. ‘And I love you, Eliza, but you’re no longer the country bumpkin who lived on the moors. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman who suits this way of living. My home is the woods and I only ventured on that noisy staging coach because Fay made me promise to carry out her wishes. Although I wanted to see you again, of course.’ He shrugged. ‘But I can’t stay. All these buildings and hundreds of people milling around make me feel hemmed in.’

  ‘But I will see you again?’ she asked.

  ‘Be happy, Eliza Dryad,’ he whispered, bending down and kissing her cheek.
Then he put the old satchel over his shoulder and quietly left the room.

  It was only as the door shut behind him that she realized he hadn’t answered her question. She put her hand to her cheek. His kiss had left her feeling warm and cherished, but not tingling and on fire. In that instant, she realized the love and emotion she felt for Duncan was deep and gentle. She looked up to him as a daughter should her father. It was different to the overwhelming passion she felt for James.

  As tears welled again, she buried her head in the cushion, seeing his smiling face and bright blue eyes. How she wanted to be with him, needed to be by his side. The only way she could ever win him back was by convincing him she’d try to overcome her fear of the summons of the maroon. But could she?

  ‘Are you all right?’ Nan said, bustling into the room. ‘Only I saw your friend leave and when you didn’t reappear … oh,’ she gasped, staring at the pile of bank notes.

  ‘I think this is what they call a legacy,’ Eliza whispered, scrubbing her face with her hands.

  ‘Blimey O’Riley, no wonder you’re shocked,’ exclaimed the usually mild Nan, glancing at the little clock on the mantel. ‘It’s nearly noon and the shop was empty when I came up, so I’ll get Sam to lock the door and you can tell us all about it over luncheon. I’m sure you’ll feel better for a cup of tea.’

  As Eliza outlined the reason for Duncan’s visit, Grandfa Sam listened carefully.

  ‘Well, well,’ he chuckled. ‘We have our very own heiress under our roof, Nan.’ Then he became serious. ‘I’m sad for your loss. It sounds as though this Fay was a lovely woman who didn’t let her bitterness stand in the way of helping others. Have you counted that money?’

  ‘Well, no,’ Eliza admitted.

  He clicked his teeth. ‘First rule of business, Eliza, is know your assets, otherwise how can you plan effectively?’

  ‘Pardon?’

  ‘You’ve been talking about getting your perfume business off the ground and now you have the chance. That money will pay for rental of suitable premises and the equipment required in setting it up. I took the liberty of smelling your latest creation and it’s quite good, but if you want to go into production, you’ll need to make more than a pot. You’ll have to buy a decent-sized still.’