An Inconvenient Companion
Page 3
She had left the room, almost slamming the door behind her, and Charles had been left to curse his lack of progress with the woman. He did not know what to do to make her see that he liked her, it was obvious that he had more ground to make up than he had first thought.
Three days after the incident with Miss Fairfield, Charles was offered the break from her company that he thought might do him good. He was becoming too focused on how he could make her see that he was not the person to be angry at all the time.
Lord Dunham had spoken to him after going through his morning post. “Charles, I have a journey I need you to make.”
“Yes my Lord?” Charles asked, putting down his pen and turning to face Lord Dunham. Both men worked together in Lord Dunham’s study during the morning. It was the time when they needed to be in each other’s company. Once their work was done, Charles would retire to a small office at the rear of the house, or be out on the land, while Lord Dunham usually spent some time outdoors with his wife.
The couple enjoyed the open air, and come rain or shine, could be seen striding or riding out over the fields before coming home for the evening. Lady Dunham had worked on the estate prior to the birth of her child, and although recently she had taken a less active role in actually carrying out the work, she still took a great interest in what was happening.
“I’ve received a letter from Lady Dunham’s property, Home Farm,” Lord Dunham started, indicating a letter on his desk. “Mr Lawson writes to say that he has not been in good health recently and although the work he is undertaking is light in comparison with other estate managers, he does not feel he is able to carry it on for much longer. He does not wish for the estate to fall into disrepair because of him.”
“Ah, I see.” Charles replied. Lady Dunham had purchased the estate in Yorkshire before marrying Lord Dunham. She had thought it was the place that she would spend the rest of her life, not being the typical woman that society wanted. Lord Dunham had fallen in love with her, but as her guardian had not acted on his feelings for a long time and had worked with his ward to secure the property.
Charles had been involved with the purchase of the estate in Yorkshire and the appointment of Mr Lawson. The elderly man had been cast off by Lady Dunham’s cousin, Herbert Rufford, when he had taken over Lady Dunham’s father’s estate. There had been a dispute between the cousins, in which Lady Dunham had been sent to her guardian. At that time no one was aware as to what lengths Herbert and his wife would go to in trying to obtain Lady Dunham’s pre-marriage fortune.
Lord Dunham had suggested that Mr Lawson work on the Yorkshire estate, as it was relatively small and he could enjoy a form of semi-retirement. It appeared now though, that even that was too much for the elderly man.
“If you go to Home Farm, you can spend some time there, making sure Mr Lawson is settled into the cottage he was promised and appoint a new manager at the same time,” Lord Dunham explained. “Elizabeth will need to be reassured that you have appointed someone capable, or she will be travelling across the country herself.” he finished with a smile.
“I will do my utmost,” Charles assured his master. “How soon do you want me to leave?”
“I need to go to London in a few days,” Lord Dunham said. “Please send a return letter to Mr Lawson, explaining that we accept what he is saying and that you will be with him in ten days.”
“I shall do it immediately, my Lord.” Charles responded, turning back to his work.
A break away from Dunham House would be worthwhile, especially if it made a certain housekeeper miss his company Charles thought, as he penned a letter.
Chapter 3
London, autumn 1816
Laura knew she was being followed, the man had been keeping track of her since she had left the warehouse at the side of the Thames. It was not a place she would ever want to return to, but if she did not get away from her pursuer, it was highly likely that she would meet the same fate that Clara had.
Laura had shared a room with Clara since Baron Kersal’s house of ill repute had been forced to close down. They had stuck together, trying to stay away from that kind of work again. For Laura, there was no chance of being a lady of the night in her current state, but she did not want to return to that line of work in the future either.
They had each made plans, both wanting to escape the grime of the London that they belonged to. Laura had money put aside, but Clara had delayed because she had thought one of her regular customers would offer her support. The foolish girl, Laura muttered to herself. She had not realised that she was nothing but a piece of meat to the men that had visited the house, to be used and thrown away. Just because one man asked for you each time he visited, it did not mean he held you in any affection.
Clara’s regular customer had not killed her, Laura was sure of that. Those type of men tended not to add murder to their bad habits, and she was convinced this had more to do with Baron Kersal. The Baron had extended his services into kidnapping and forced marriages and it was that extension into illegal activity that had brought his business to an end. Unfortunately for all who were involved, instead of hanging as he should have done, he had been supported by a Duke and the trial had collapsed.
Laura had thought, naively, that that would be the end of it, but it seemed not. Clara had come home one day to say that Sarah had disappeared. Sarah, was one of the girls who knew about the forced marriages. There had only been a small circle who had been involved. Clara was not worried about Sarah’s disappearance until Laura found out that another girl who knew about the activity, Veronica, had also mysteriously ‘gone to visit relatives’.
Laura knew for a fact that Veronica did not have any relatives and immediately was on the alert. Something was not right. She tried to persuade Clara to leave immediately, they could have got on the stage that very day, but Clara had asked for one more day. She was desperate to contact her gentleman friend, sure that if he knew her situation he would help.
One of the errand boys from the local hostelry had come banging on Laura’s door two days later, saying that Miss Clara had been found. Laura had followed him to the warehouse where her body was. She had been thrown in the Thames, whether dead or alive, Laura had no idea, but Clara’s body was an image that would remain with Laura for the rest of her life. For how long that was going to be, Laura was not sure as she hurried through the streets with the errand boy.
She had noticed the man watching her as she identified Clara’s body and watched it being taken away. Clara would have a pauper’s burial. It was only that Laura and Clara lived so close to the water’s edge that Laura had even found out that Clara was discovered. A body in the Thames was more commonly left unidentified.
The warehouse area was busy, so seeing a man there was nothing out of the ordinary, in fact seeing a body being dragged out of the water always had the effect of a small crowd gathering. Laura had noticed the man because of the fact that he did not want to be noticed and had hung back in the shadows.
Although upset at seeing her friend’s lifeless and slightly swollen body, Laura had enough survival instincts to be practical. She feigned the vapours and persuaded the errand boy to take her away from the area. If she had company, she might have a little protection, but not much. They walked quickly and Laura said quietly that she needed to visit a church.
They approached St Andrew’s church and Laura gave the boy a coin and sent him on his way. She entered the church and sat down in the front pew. The more on view she was, the safer she was. She knelt to pray, all the time surreptitiously watching the rear of the church. Her pursuer had followed her into the building and sat at the rear of the church.
For a long time, Laura sat in the pew, rather than kneeling as if in prayer, but she had no intention of moving. The building was not crowded, but there were people coming and going, enough to offer her some protection. She needed to seek help, but had to wait for the right moment. If she moved too early, her efforts to stay safe could be in vain.
“Yes, I am in trouble and have nowhere else to go. At least I am safe here, please don’t send me away.” Laura said quietly.
“I could never send someone away who seeks safety in the Lord’s house,” he responded kindly. “Can we help you? I can assure you that pews are not the most comfortable thing to sleep on, if you intend to stay indefinitely.”
Laura smiled slightly, but then paused before speaking. “You would not believe me if I told you.” she replied. She did not want to end up in Bedlam accused of being a lunatic.
“In my time I have seen and heard things I would not wish anyone to hear,” came the reassuring response. “All I want to do is help, but without knowing what you are facing, I am working on supposition.”
Laura sighed, accepting the reality, which was that this was the best chance she had. Not accustomed to trusting anyone, it was a huge step for her. “There is a man sat at the back of this church who is here to do me harm. The people I have worked with,” she flushed at the thought of speaking about such a profession in a church. “Have disappeared one by one, and I am convinced that he is here to inflict the same fate on me.”
The clergyman did not react or turn around. “Are you sure about this?” He asked calmly, his voice giving nothing away.
“I have just come from seeing my friend’s body which was dragged from the river, another two friends have disappeared, with one supposedly going to family that don’t exist. I can only think they have received the same fate as Clara.” Laura said worriedly.
“Why would anyone want to see you disappear?”
“We know about illegal activity,” Laura whispered. “There was going to be a trial, but one of the top nobs spoke up for the man involved and he got off. I can only think that he is making sure nothing can happen to threaten his safety in the future. Our lives our cheap, no one will notice when we disappear,” Laura said with a shudder. “That is what I am trying to escape from, but I understand if you don’t believe me, I could be a madwoman off the streets.”
“I have no reason to mistrust what you say,” the clergyman reassured her. He was fully aware of how cheap life was in these parts. He sat for a few moments before speaking again. “Will the father of your child not help?”
Laura flushed a deep red, she had hoped that her swelling stomach had not been noticed. “I need to reach him,” she replied honestly. “He does not know about the child, but he is my only chance of reaching safety.”
The clergyman presumed that the father was some kind of gentleman and doubted that the young woman sitting before him would receive any sort of help from such a man, but he was not about to turn his back on her. The story she had told could be lies, but he had believed her. There were no embellishments and he read the newspapers, and did remember something about a trial involving a member of the aristocracy collapsing.
“I have a suggestion that I think may work,” he said eventually. “You have a distinctive red cloak and your hair colouring is similar to my girl of all works. If we can get you into the vestry you can change places with Beth and she can return and sit in the pew for a time. I can’t promise to keep her here all day, I don’t want to put her in any danger, but I can give you enough time to get away.”
“Thank you,” Laura breathed. Her shoulders sagging in relief.
“Make sure you turn and face the back of the church fully as we make our way into the vestry,” the clergyman instructed.
“Why?” Laura asked, alarmed.
“I want it easily proven when Beth takes your cloak off that she is not you. Facially you are totally different and I want that made clear, to our unwelcome visitor. I don’t want Beth coming to any harm.” the clergyman explained.
“I understand and will make sure he has a clear view of my face.” Laura agreed. She may be afraid, but she would never put someone else at risk in her efforts to reach safety.
The clergyman stood and said in a clear voice. “You may follow me, but all I can offer is some water. I cannot be expected to feed you when you are not a regular parishioner.” His tone was stern, but his expression did not mirror the sound of his voice and he led the way out of the pew and towards the vestry.
Laura moved to the end of the pew and looked to the back of the church. The man that had followed her was staring at her intently, obviously working out whether or not to follow her. He looked away when she caught his eye. Laura continued into the vestry, content that her face had been clear.
Beth was already being spoken to by the clergyman and she listened intently to his instructions. Laura waited until she received a nod of agreement and then took off her cloak. Beth picked it up and wrapped it around herself.
“You can take my cloak in exchange,” Beth said to Laura. “Yours is better quality than mine, but I’m sure you won’t mind the swap.”
Laura nodded in agreement. “Thank you for this.” she said quietly.
“You’re welcome, it is the most excitement I’ve had for weeks.” Beth responded with an impish smile. Her features were sharper than Laura’s and although she had a similar hair colour, hers was straight, whereas Laura’s held a natural wave. Putting the two women together, a blind man could tell that they were nothing alike, Laura just hoped that the cloak would be enough to convince her pursuer for a little while.
The clergyman interrupted her thoughts. “There is a door here onto the side street. I suggest you take a hackney, but not directly from here. If questions are asked later, you don’t want to be easily traced. Good luck and may God be with you.” he said, opening the door quietly.
Laura thanked him and left the building as quickly as she could. She had no idea how much of a head start she had, but she had to make every moment count.
The clergyman helped Beth back into the church, pretending that she had become a little faint. “Sit here for a while,” he said, more gently than his tone had been previously. “I didn’t realise you were in such a poor state.”
He had noticed the man had moved forward from the pew he had previously sat on. He entered another pew at the sight of the clergyman and Beth. If there was any action to convince him that Laura was telling the truth, that was it.
The priest sat down near to Beth. He had not intended staying with the young girl, but the movement of the man made him wonder if he would approach her in a church and he did not want to put his staff in danger.
They sat for half an hour before the clergyman roused himself. “Right, Beth, I think you’ve had enough of a rest for today, don’t you? Time to get back to work I think.” he said loudly.
Beth stood and took off the cloak, shaking it out and looking all around the church, not focusing on anyone in particular. They both heard a curse and the sound of footsteps, followed by the banging of the church door as the man ran out into the street.
Chapter 4
Laura had run as fast as she was able to in the circumstances. She knew the streets well and took every twist and turn that would take her as far away as possible from the church. Eventually, she paused and caught her breath, before turning into a street, calmly walking up to a hackney and instructing it to take her to the Bow Street Offices.
She alighted from the hackney and paused. She could not walk into the offices, as much as she needed help. The fear of seeing him after all these months, even though he was a decent man, made her falter at the last moment. If he turned her away, she had nowhere left to go. He had every right to cast her off, he owed her nothing. In fact, he had given her money that could help her to get away, but she had been foolish and stayed in familiar surroundings and now she was running for her life.
The day passed with Laura being the person that hid in the shadows, watching the Bow Street Office. She was not sure what wo
uld give her the confidence to enter the building, but when she saw Alfred leaving the offices during the early evening, she followed him at a distance.
Alfred seemed relaxed as he walked through the streets towards his home. Laura had no idea where he lived, they had not had such revealing conversation, so she had no clue as to whether the walk would be long or short. She just kept walking, trying to maintain a distance that would keep him in sight, but that would not alert him to the fact that she was there.
He stuck to the main streets, but then Laura lost sight of him. She was no expert in following someone and cursed to herself, obviously the distance she had been keeping from him was too much. As she picked up her pace, an arm from the side of a building grabbed at her. Laura screamed and started to wriggle, panicking that her pursuer had caught up with her after all.
At the sound of her scream, she heard a familiar voice. “What the? Laura?” Alfred asked, letting her go.
“Oh thank God.” Laura breathed heavily, leaning against the wall for support. The thought that her escape had been in vain had made her feel weak.
“What on earth do you think you are doing trying to follow me? I could have hurt you.” Alfred snapped. He was having trouble gathering himself at the surprise at meeting Laura again in such a way, but he had also felt something else, it had been like a kick to his ribs. When he had dragged her to him, he had felt the swell of her middle.
“I need your help.” Laura said weakly.
“Yet you didn’t think to come into the offices?” Alfred said sharply.
“I couldn’t pluck up the courage,” Laura said. Alfred’s tone and the cold expression in his eyes did not bode well for him being willing to offer support. “Alfred, I’m sorry…..”Laura started, but then slid down the wall. The shock at being grabbed, in addition to not eating all day and the realisation that her potential saviour may not be willing to help her after all, was too much. She suddenly felt very faint and her legs no longer supported her.