The Bonbon Girl

by Linda Finlay

  ‘Yer grandmother used to hum a tune if a person she didn’t like got too near. She said it cast a ring of protection round her.’

  ‘You’re right, she did,’ Colenso exclaimed, remembering how she used to do that when Father was pontificating. ‘I’ll try it. My singing’s that bad it will send anyone fleeing to the moors anyway,’ she grinned.

  ‘Well, there yer are, then,’ Emily chuckled.

  ‘Would it be all right if I finish early this afternoon? I promise to come in again tomorrow. Kitto didn’t turn up for our meeting the other evening and then Father banned me from leaving the cottage. I need to tell him about yesterday before he hears it from someone else. You know what Father’s like once he’s had a drink. He’ll have exaggerated everything out of proportion and I don’t want Kitto getting the wrong idea.’ Emily nodded.

  ‘Be sure he understands yer his girl. He’s a good ’un, is young Kitto, and yer’ll do well together. Yer’ll need to finish that skirt for Mrs Tallis before yer leaves, mind. Can’t afford to have my reputation ruined, young love or not.’

  ✳

  And love was the crux of the matter, Colenso mused as she hurried down the lane later that afternoon. Kitto was her beloved. He was young and attractive, but most of all he set her pulses racing whilst the Ferret was ancient and repulsed her. If only she’d stuck up for herself more forcefully when he accused her of theft she wouldn’t feel like a fly trapped in a web with the silken thread tightening around her.

  Whilst it was heartening that the evenings were beginning to draw out, she didn’t want her father to see her. As soon as she heard the ring of scutes on the rocky path and the workers began appearing, weary and dirty after their long day’s work, she slipped into the shadows of the hedges. She frowned as they passed by, for some were arguing whilst others earnestly voiced their opinions. What could have upset these equable workers, she wondered. Usually they’d be keen to get home to their supper. Her musings were interrupted by a piercing whistle and she stared around in surprise. Then it came again and she saw Kitto beckoning to her from behind a large elm tree.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she whispered, slipping over to join him.

  ‘Coming to see you but I daren’t risk bumping into your father.’ He fell silent as the next huddle of men noisily passed by. ‘He’s been trying to cause trouble with Fenton,’ he continued, his voice low.

  Chapter 9

  ‘What do you mean?’ Colenso asked, staring at Kitto in dismay.

  ‘I think he was hoping to stab me in the back and get me fired, but you could say his plan backfired,’ he chuckled, then became serious. ‘I’ve missed you, Cali.’ He pulled her closer and she snuggled against him, revelling in the warmth of his body.

  ‘I waited ages by Mammwynn’s seat,’ she told him.

  ‘Sorry, but Fenton called me into his office just as I was leaving. Said your father had told him it was me who’d turned those things for you. Thought I’d had it, I can tell you.’ Colenso shuddered as she pictured the scene. ‘Come on,’ he murmured. ‘Let’s go somewhere warmer. Jim’s not back with the horse bus yet, so let’s avail ourselves of his nice warm stables.’ They waited while another row of dissenting workers tramped past then, like a couple of naughty children, ran to the shelter of the stalls.

  ‘Sit down and make yourself comfortable,’ he invited, mischief lighting up his eyes as he gestured to a nearby bale.

  ‘Honestly, Kitto Rowse, you do know how to spoil a girl,’ she quipped, wrinkling her nose at the ripe smell emanating from piles of dung and goodness knows what else. Still, paupers couldn’t be pickers, she thought, easing herself down on the straw.

  ‘Soon as I’m qualified I’ll take you to the finest hotel where you will sit on a velvet-cushioned chair and feast on the finest food to celebrate our betrothal,’ he promised. Remembering her outing with Fenton the previous day, Colenso shook her head.

  ‘There’s no need for that, Kitto. A picnic on the beach with you beside me will suffice.’

  ‘You are funny, Cali. Most maids would jump at the chance,’ he replied, leaning over and kissing the tip of her nose.

  ‘Well, I’m not most maids,’ she replied, wiping a dusting of powdered marble from her face. She was about to explain why she’d prefer a picnic with him, when he took her hand, emotion turning his eyes to molten treacle.

  ‘And that’s why I love you, Cali,’ he murmured, staring at her intently. She returned his gaze and for one long moment they were lost in their own world. How she wished they could stay like this, but already he was pulling away.

  ‘I need to finish telling you about my meeting,’ he sighed. ‘Fenton looked so serious I was expecting him to blow his stack. Instead, he told me he’s impressed with my work and wants me to turn some display pieces for the new showroom he’s having built.’ Colenso stared at him in astonishment. Then she frowned, suspicion snaking its way round her insides.

  ‘Really?’ she asked. ‘That’s somewhat surprising, isn’t it?’

  ‘I’ll have you know I’m good at my job,’ he protested, puffing out his chest.

  ‘I know you are,’ she assured him quickly. ‘But Fenton’s not someone who does things for other people’s benefit.’

  ‘It’s a great opportunity and will mean extra money for when we wed,’ he continued eagerly, waving aside her protest. ‘In fact, he asked me to work yesterday. Said he needed to begin building up stock, and the other turners are married so can’t be expected to give up their family time.’ Now Colenso was certain Fenton was pulling strings.

  ‘He called on me yesterday,’ she said, waiting for him to explode.

  ‘In his pony and trap. Yes, your father made sure I knew that,’ he shook his head. ‘Don’t know what he’s got against me, I’m sure. I mean, I know my father’s been transported but times were hard. Besides, I’m not like him.’

  ‘Of course you’re not,’ she agreed. ‘Father has this notion of bettering himself at the works.’

  ‘Well, can’t blame him for wanting to get on, I guess.’

  ‘But don’t you see, he’s using me to do it?’ she cried. He smiled and took her hand, running his thumb along her palm in the way she found comforting.

  ‘Don’t worry, Cali. Fenton knows you’re my girl. He explained it was your parents who proposed you show him the local sights.’ Before she could tell him that it had actually been Fenton who’d engineered the outing, he leaned closer and kissed her lightly on the lips. ‘I really have missed you,’ he murmured, kissing her again, harder this time. As his arms tightened around her, she stopped thinking and gave herself up to the moment. Then, work and Fenton forgotten, they settled back on the bales, enjoying the rarity of time spent together.

  ‘When you didn’t turn up the other evening, I called at your home but it was in darkness,’ Colenso told him once they’d regained their breath.

  ‘Mother was offered overtime at the inn,’ he explained. ‘The quarriers were celebrating their extra pay, lashing out on both food and drink. It’s causing bad feeling with the labourers at Poltesco, I can tell you.’

  ‘So that’s why they were looking so angry,’ she replied, the scene she’d witnessed earlier now making sense. He nodded.

  ‘Anyway, Mother took Alys, Wenna and Daveth along to help make up plates of bread and cheese. Said they’ve never been so busy and she even brought some home for supper. Looks like we can all benefit from the ambitions of this new manager.’

  ‘Not everyone,’ she reminded him. ‘The labourers at the works aren’t.’

  ‘And are planning to do something about it,’ Kitto told her. ‘Look, Cali, I love you and want us to be wed as soon as we can. That’s why when Fenton offered me this opportunity I grabbed it with both hands. Even if it does mean working some Sundays.’

  ‘But that’s when we usually see each other,’ Colenso cried.

  ‘I know but, as Fenton said, it’s only a temporary measure. Once the showroom is up and running, it will just be a case
of replacing what’s sold. This will help my career as well as setting us up for the future. I want better than a hovel when we set up home,’ he told her. Colenso frowned. Although what he said made sense, she just knew the Ferret was up to something.

  ‘I’ve to visit his house again on Sunday to give my suggestion for new furnishings and draperies,’ she told him. Now it was his turn to frown.

  ‘Not sure I like that, Cali.’

  ‘Mamm’s coming too, but it still feels wrong. If only I’d stood up for myself more when he accused me of pilfering his bloomin’ marble,’ she cried.

  ‘Thinking about it, Fenton did tell me I owed him for using the works’ lathe to turn your bits for the tourists,’ Kitto muttered. As the impact of their situation struck, they stared at each other in the gathering gloom. Colenso felt closer to Kitto than ever before, but she was also filled with anguish, because what they’d both admitted defined the situation they were now facing.

  ‘I’m thinking we’ll either have to elope or see this thing through,’ Kitto said. Elope? Her heart soared at the prospect, only to plummet as practicality set in.

  ‘I’d love to run away with you but we don’t have any money,’ she sighed.

  ‘And if I leave Poltesco without my apprenticeship being signed off, I’ll have no prospect of earning any either,’ he said gloomily. ‘Then of course, there’s Mother, Alys and Wenna. They’d never be able to pay the rent without my money, and despite the men’s moans, the works pay the highest wages around,’ he groaned. Colenso nodded, for wasn’t Kitto’s sense of responsibility one of the things she loved about him? That didn’t stop her feeling as if the silken thread was growing ever tighter though.

  ✳

  ‘Mr Fenton is waiting for you in the parlour,’ Mrs Grim announced, her manner as hostile as it had previously been. Colenso nodded and, with the samples of fabric she had borrowed from Emily clutched tightly to her chest, followed the housekeeper down the hallway. Much to her parents’ chagrin, she’d insisted on wearing her usual Sunday gold blouse, her hair braided and coiled around her head. Now she felt more confident than she would dressed up to impress an old man. She was here to do a job and would both look and act like it.

  ‘Remember to act ladylike,’ Caja whispered, as if reading her mind. ‘Your father’s relying on you.’ Shouldn’t it be the daughter relying on her parent, Colenso wondered.

  ‘Good afternoon, ladies,’ Fenton smiled, turning from the window. ‘We’ll have tea in one hour exactly, please, Mrs Grim,’ he added. He waited until the door closed then stared at Colenso’s parcel. ‘I see you have given consideration to my furnishings, so take a seat and tell me your ideas.’

  ‘Our Colenso’s spoken of nothing else all week,’ Caja smiled as she settled herself happily on the faded couch. Colenso stared at her in surprise, for in truth she’d taken the swatches of material Emily had given her without even looking at them.

  ‘I’ve picked the most expensive and written the prices on the back. He can afford it and we can make som’at out of it,’ she’d chuckled.

  Anything would be an improvement on the present drab drapes, Colenso thought, glancing at the faded ones at the window.

  ‘Good, good,’ Fenton smiled at her. ‘Spread everything out on the table and we’ll take a look.’ Slowly Colenso did as he suggested, disconcerted to find him still staring at her and not the samples.

  ‘Of course, you can only tell how they’ll look by holding them up,’ she said, snatching up a square of plush cranberry velvet and hurrying over to the window.

  ‘That looks perfect, my dear,’ Fenton nodded, following her and standing so close she again caught the strong smell of his lemon cologne. Remembering Emily’s suggestion, she began to hum a tune that Mammwynn used to sing to her. Startled, Fenton took a step back.

  ‘Perhaps you would bring the other samples through to the dining hall, Mrs Carne,’ he said quickly.

  ‘You have a dining hall?’ Caja cried, stressing the word hall. ‘And it’s Caja, Mr Fenton,’ she gushed, smiling sweetly as she followed them through to the next room. ‘Why, it’s huge,’ she gasped, staring at the long, polished table adorned with silver candelabra, the matching sideboard set with cut-glass decanters of various drinks.

  ‘This is where I entertain important guests and clients,’ Fenton replied, clearly pleased he’d impressed her. ‘I believe it is usual to have the chair seats matching the drapes but I’m sure, being an accomplished seamstress, you will find that quite an easy task, my dear,’ he said, smiling at Colenso. She did a quick count, ten standard chairs and two carvers. That would take some doing, surely. Her mamm nudged her side impatiently.

  ‘Yes, of course,’ she agreed, realizing he was waiting for her to respond.

  ‘That is why I need help selecting the correct fabric. Appearance counts for everything, as I’m sure you’ll agree.’ As he stood there, nose twitching like a ferret catching the scent of a rabbit, Colenso shuddered. ‘Of course, I will also be needing a good woman by my side, but I won’t be requiring any assistance in my choice there,’ he continued, staring meaningfully at Colenso. Feeling uncomfortable, she looked down at the fabric in her hand. Her one aim was to get out of here as quickly as possible. The question was how could she do it without appearing rude? Then inspiration struck.

  ‘As the rooms lead into each other, perhaps you should keep the colours the same,’ she said, again holding up the velvet sample.

  ‘My dear Colenso, that is a marvellous idea. Brains as well as beauty,’ he beamed, his fingers touching hers as he went to take it. ‘Such soft skin,’ he murmured, a gleam sparking in his eyes. Quickly she snatched her hand away and hurried over to the French doors. Holding up the swatch, she nodded.

  ‘If you agree, Mr Fenton, I think this will be the perfect choice. Now, if that’s all …’

  ‘Ah, but it isn’t, my dear. There are other rooms to consider.’ Beaming widely, he turned to Caja. ‘Would you do me the greatest of favours and return to the parlour ready to receive our afternoon tea?’ Colenso watched as her mamm blushed prettily.

  ‘Why, of course, Mr Fenton,’ she purred and head held high left the room.

  ‘Now, my dear, we will take these through here,’ he said, opening another door. As that gleam glinted in his eyes once more, Colenso felt a prickle of unease.

  ‘But I thought you were going to have the same fabric in all your rooms,’ she mumbled.

  ‘Not all of them, Colenso. Chambers require the personal touch, do they not?’ he murmured, waving his hand towards the covers adorning the huge, carved bed that dominated the room. Quickly, Colenso averted her eyes, but he moved closer, reaching out with his paw-like hands. Her feet were rooted to the spot but just when she felt she would faint, the necklace began stabbing at her chest. Summoning her strength, she dashed over to the window, snatched the tape from her neck and began measuring. As he stood watching, his lips curled into a lustful smirk, she once again began to hum. Immediately, his demeanour changed.

  ‘Forgive me for saying, but I do not think music is your forte, my dear,’ he said, stealing up behind her. Reaching out, he spun her round to face him, that gleam lighting up his eyes.

  ‘Come now, my dear, you surely know how I feel about you,’ he murmured. His breath was coming in heavy gasps as his hands began folding back her shawl. Colenso opened her mouth to scream but it was his voice that roared. ‘Why you …’ he cried, his hand going to his cheek where, to her surprise, she saw blood spurting. ‘That thing jabbed me,’ he accused, pointing to her front.

  Staring down, Colenso saw the pentacle had somehow worked itself free from the neck of her blouse. Hurriedly, she pushed it back inside the material then knotted her shawl firmly around her shoulders. The Ferret watched her every movement, then taking his kerchief from his pocket carefully wiped his cheek.

  ‘Don’t worry, my dear, I like a bit of sport. The thrill of the chase and all that.’ His eyes alight with excitement, he took a step closer and
Colenso moved back until she felt the wall pressing into her back. ‘Come along, Colenso, one little kiss isn’t going to hurt,’ he murmured.

  Revulsion flooded through her as she realized she had nowhere to go. Then they heard a door opening and movement coming from the hallway. Muttering an oath, Fenton moved away from her. ‘Regretfully, our fun will have to wait, for I can hear Mrs Grim arriving with our refreshment.’

  Weak with relief, Colenso followed him back into the parlour where Caja, having affected a hoity-toity voice, was telling the housekeeper exactly how she liked her tea.

  ‘Of course, it’s really not proper to have cake and cheese on the same plate.’

  ‘’Tis the master’s wish,’ Mrs Grim replied tersely as she handed Colenso her cup. ‘Will there be anything else, Mr Fenton?’ she asked in a martyred voice.

  ‘No, thank you,’ he replied. ‘Where I come from, Caja, a slice of fruit cake and cheese is a speciality and go together like your scones and cream, but if you’d prefer something else …?’ he left the question hanging.

  ‘That’s quite all right, Mr Fenton. It’s unusual to have savoury and sweet on the same plate, but I suppose it will take time for you to adjust to our civilized ways.’ Oblivious to the fact she’d offended her host, she took a bite of the cake. ‘Not bad,’ she conceded. ‘But our Col here makes a much moister one.’

  ‘Does she indeed?’ he asked. ‘It would appear your daughter likes to keep her talents hidden, Mrs Carne,’ he added, eyeing Colenso speculatively. She almost choked on her tea, for this time there was no mistaking his meaning. Desperate to escape his appraising look, she hurriedly put down her cup and jumped to her feet.

  ‘I’ll just go and measure up for those curtains in the dining hall,’ she muttered, wishing to get away from him.

  ‘No need, my dear,’ he said, putting out a hand to detain her. ‘My housekeeper will write down all the measurements, and the driver can deliver them to your cottage along with the requisite materials.’