Trevallion

by Trevallion (retail) (epub)

  Rebecca was quiet for a moment, then she said, ‘I don’t know how I feel right now. I’m all numb inside. Let’s not talk about me. I’ll sort myself out. It’s you I’m more concerned about. You said that Captain Trevallion accused you of not bringing your men back with you. It sounded as though in your dream he was horrible to you, but you got on well with him, didn’t you?’

  ‘Always. We went to university together and kept in touch. Then after he was brought back from France and put in the home in Truro I came down to visit him at least three times a year. I was there when he died.’

  ‘That proves that whatever you think happened was just a nightmare. Captain Miles wasn’t horrible to anyone that I know of.’

  Alex gave a tiny laugh. ‘You’re such a comfort to me, Becca… I first saw you at Miles’s funeral. You’re easy to remember with your beautiful long black hair.’

  ‘I don’t remember seeing you there,’ Rebecca said, looking at him closely in the lamplight. ‘Or Mrs Fiennes.’

  ‘Abigail refused to go and I kept a low profile.’

  ‘Hidden by a big hat probably.’

  ‘Probably,’ he laughed softly. He hugged her to him. ‘I always feel so much better when you’re around.’

  ‘I’ll have to go,’ Rebecca said, crushed against his chest.

  ‘No, don’t do that. Turn out the lantern and let’s go to sleep… you can trust me.’

  ‘Major! Alex… How can you make such a suggestion? As it is I don’t know how I’ve had the nerve to stay here for so long.’ Rebecca was halfway off the bed but stopped when Alex gave an anguished groan.

  ‘Please, Becca,’ he begged. ‘I swear I won’t try to do anything. I just need you to be here.’

  She wavered between her outrage, although this was mostly for show because she did trust Alex Fiennes to keep his word, and the note of despair in his voice.

  ‘I’m sorry. I have no right to put you into such an impossible situation,’ he said in a small haunted tone and the sincerity in the apology made her decide to stay with him.

  All right, I’ll stay a bit longer but I’ll have to go long before daylight. If Loveday were to see me coming out of your room in this dressing gown she’d be rightly shocked.’

  They lay down, side by side, with the top bedcover over them. It was strange to Rebecca, being this close to a man. She’d imagined the only man she’d ever lie with in bed would be her future husband. But after today’s scene she felt her interest in Joe Carlyon waning.

  * * *

  Rebecca woke at dawn. Alex’s arms were about her and she was embarrassed that she had fallen asleep in the warmth of being close to him and had stayed so long. She pushed his arms away from her and slid off the bed.

  ‘Did you sleep well?’ he whispered.

  She was horrified he was awake. She didn’t look at him but edged towards the door. ‘Y-yes. Did you?’ Last night it had been dark, with only the lantern light to show her in her flimsy nightclothes. She hoped he wasn’t looking at her.

  ‘Not really but at least I had no more horrible dreams.’

  ‘That’s good. I really must go, before Loveday arrives. Good morning, Major.’

  ‘Becca,’ he said her name firmly and she hoped he wasn’t trying to detain her.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘It’s Alex, remember.’

  ‘Alex then,’ she said, reaching for the door handle. ‘But only when no one else is about.’ She didn’t want to provoke any gossip in the creek.

  Chapter 14

  Joe popped his head round the kitchen door and was met fully with Loveday’s disapproval.

  ‘Rebecca’s not here,’ she said tartly as she stoked up the range fire. ‘I daresay she’ll be here any moment to help me with the breakfasts. Come to say sorry, have you? I should think so too. Trease was cruel to Becca yesterday but there was no need for you to go fighting like that with him. That only upset the poor girl more.’

  ‘If you’ll only let me get a word in edgeways, Loveday, yes, I have come to tell her I’m sorry,’ Joe said, creasing up his face as he stood about uncomfortably. ‘I feel terrible about what happened yesterday. She’d been down to the shore to wave to us men a few moments before Trease attacked her and she looked so happy then.’

  ‘Poor maid.’ Loveday heaped tea into the teapot. ‘She was only trying to please Mrs Fiennes. Mrs Fiennes would be offended if she didn’t make the effort to dress herself up a bit and wear the clothes she’s been giving her. After all, Rebecca’s not just a farm girl now. She has a bit of a position and both the Major and Mrs Fiennes seem to like her. We ought to remember that. They won’t be so keen to stay on here if they think the Kennickers beat their womenfolk and two of their employees are always ready to fight. All our futures are riding on what the Major decides to do with the estate. Trease ought to remember that, and you, Joe.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Loveday. I won’t let anything like that happen again. How much longer do you think Becca’s going to be?’

  ‘I told you, any moment now,’ Loveday said a little impatiently. ‘But I think it’s better if you wait outside and let me tell her you want to speak to her.’

  Loveday was looking down over her nose at him and Joe knew he had no option but to retreat from her domain.

  A short time later Rebecca appeared in the kitchen wearing her own clothes.

  ‘Ah, Becca. Joe’s waiting outside to have a word with you,’ Loveday told her, smiling kindly.

  ‘I’m too busy,’ Rebecca said, tying an apron round her waist.

  ‘Oh, don’t be like that. He’s most anxious to see you. I’ve already given him a piece of my mind and he feels terrible about yesterday.’

  ‘I can’t, Loveday. Not yet, you tell him that.’

  Loveday could see Rebecca meant what she said. She patted her arm. ‘I understand how you must be feeling. That fight yesterday was absolutely disgusting and so was your father’s behaviour towards you before it. The creek folk were really worried about what the Major would think but he took it well. He’s a strange man in some ways. Oh, well, no good standing about like this. I’d better get on with the breakfasts. I’ll nip outside and tell Joe you don’t want to see him right now.’

  When she came back, Loveday asked Rebecca conversationally, ‘Did you hear the rain last night?’

  ‘Rain?’ Rebecca frowned, going to the larder to fetch the marmalade and sugar bowl.

  ‘Didn’t you hear it? Goodness me. You must have slept well.’

  Rebecca kept her face inside the larder, glad that Loveday hadn’t arrived early this morning.

  Tamsyn trotted into the kitchen. ‘Captain Redbeard wants to know when his breakfast is going to be ready. It’s too wet to play down in the creek and he wants to build a new track for the railway.’

  ‘Tell Master Stephen in about fifteen minutes,’ Loveday said, smiling as she cut the rind off rashers of bacon.

  Tamsyn ignored Rebecca, giving her an odd look before running off.

  ‘I’ll have to speak to that little madam,’ Loveday said crossly. ‘I’m not having her taking on Master Stephen’s ways.’

  ‘Leave it be,’ Rebecca said quickly.

  Rebecca’s worry that Stephen knew she had spent the night in his uncle’s bed and had told Tamsyn was horribly realised when the boy came up to her in the kitchen after breakfast and said loudly, ‘Did you enjoy sleeping with Uncle Alex last night?’

  Rebecca was getting a tray ready for Abigail and nearly dropped a cup and saucer but it was Loveday who exclaimed shrilly, ‘Master Stephen! I’ll thank you not to speak to Rebecca like that. How dare you say such a thing? I’ll tell your mother and I’m sure she’ll punish you for it.’

  Stephen made a smarmy face and pointed a finger at Rebecca who stood with her face burning. ‘She was in my uncle’s room last night. She can’t deny it.’

  Her eyes agog, Loveday switched her attention. ‘Rebecca?’

  ‘Master Stephen’s right. I was in Major Fiennes’ room last n
ight and so was Mrs Fiennes. The Major had a terrible nightmare and we both went in to him. That’s all there was to it.’

  ‘You see, Master Stephen,’ Loveday wagged a finger at him sternly. ‘You mustn’t jump to conclusions. You must apologise to Rebecca at once.’

  Stephen went over to Rebecca. She put the cup and saucer down on the tray, shakily. She looked him straight in the face and he could see she was furious.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ the boy said, with an unrepentant grin on his face. ‘It was beastly of me to think—’

  ‘Yes, it was,’ Rebecca said coldly, hating every inch of his fair face.

  ‘That’s that then,’ Loveday said, making to leave the kitchen. ‘The Major’s back from his ride. I’ll make sure the table’s laid up for him.’

  When she’d gone, Stephen grinned wickedly at Rebecca and took a hairgrip from his pocket and held it up in front of her eyes. ‘As soon as Uncle Alex had gone riding I went to his room. I found this in his bed. My mother has short hair and anyway she would never use anything so plain and ugly.’

  Rebecca snatched the hairgrip out of his hand. ‘It must have fallen out of my hair when I shook your uncle to wake him. Why are you trying to make trouble for me?’

  ‘Only teasing,’ the boy said. ‘I knew you wouldn’t do anything wrong with Uncle Alex, he’s quite dead where women are concerned.’

  Rebecca clenched her hands, they were itching to smack his face. ‘You shouldn’t say things like that, Stephen Fiennes.’

  He was pleased with the reaction he’d got. He laughed. ‘I’m going to keep an eye on you.’

  Loveday came back and Stephen swept past out of the room, grinning broadly.

  ‘Are you all right, Becca? You look quite shaken,’ Loveday said.

  ‘How old is that boy?’ Rebecca demanded.

  ‘About thirteen. Why?’

  ‘Well, he’s a bit too grown-up in some of his ways,’ Rebecca said, banging things on the tea tray.

  ‘These rich folk have got no manners and a lot of them haven’t got any morals either.’ Loveday dropped her voice. ‘I don’t like to say it but the boy’s mother seems a bit… well, you know what I mean.’

  ‘The Major’s not like that,’ Rebecca said emphatically. ‘He’s a man of honour.’ And who knew that better than she.

  Abigail was sleeping when Rebecca entered her room with the breakfast tray. She woke up grumpily, sipped a cup of tea, refused to eat anything, complained of having a headache and ordered Rebecca to Stephen’s room to tell the children not to play so noisily. Rebecca did so and Stephen swore at her.

  ‘Captain Redbeard!’ Tamsyn exclaimed, clamping a hand over his mouth. ‘You shouldn’t use that word.’

  ‘I’ll say exactly what I like,’ Stephen scowled, thrusting Tamsyn’s hand away. He turned his back to Rebecca and continued to lay railway track against the skirting board under the window on the wooden floor.

  ‘Oh no you won’t, young man,’ Rebecca uttered with quiet deliberation. She stalked through the railway and caught the boy by the shoulders. ‘I will not be spoken to like that by anyone, particularly a tiresome little boy. Do you understand?’

  Stephen struggled and the track was sent scattering. Then he held his body stiffly, set his mouth in a hard twisted line and stared into Rebecca’s eyes. At his boarding school he could outstare anyone. It made him feel superior. He had even reduced other boys to tears doing it. He would show this menial her place.

  ‘Say you’re sorry, Stephen,’ Tamsyn shouted, jumping about.

  Rebecca did not waver under the boy’s contempt. He was tall for his age and she sensed he was strong, but she would not let him get the better of her. She wondered how long she would have to stay like this before he lowered his eyes when a harsh voice broke the spell.

  ‘You had better apologise to Miss Allen this instant, Stephen, or I shall see to it that you are punished severely.’ It was Alex. He stood in the doorway, the look in his gaunt dark eyes a lot more unnerving than the boy’s.

  Rebecca kept her eyes on Stephen and was satisfied to see him look guilty. He looked down and she took her hands from his shoulders. Stephen swung round to face his uncle and put on a contrite face.

  ‘I’m sorry, Uncle Alex. I’m afraid I forgot to be a gentleman and I swore in front of Miss Allen and Tamsyn.’

  Rebecca moved over to Alex. She might be a servant in this house but she was not going to be treated like some worthless lackey. She wasn’t surprised to see a look of blatant spite on the boy’s face.

  ‘Do forgive me, Miss Allen,’ he said sickeningly sweetly, and with practised ease. Then he repeated it to Tamsyn. ‘I’m really very sorry.’

  Tamsyn tittered but Rebecca couldn’t trust herself to speak.

  Alex cautioned his nephew. ‘You’d better not let me hear you be rude to anyone again while we’re here.’ He gave Rebecca a brief smile. ‘I’m off to the coast at Perranporth. The weather should clear up in an hour or so and I’m going to look over the property I found on the old map.’ He motioned her outside the room. ‘Your father will be bringing up the car for me. It might be a good time for you to speak to him.’

  Before Rebecca could reply, Stephen pushed his head round the door and asked meekly, ‘Can I come with you, Uncle Alex, to the coast? Please say I can. I promise to be good.’

  Alex was taken aback. He hesitated and found Tamsyn looking up at him round Stephen’s body, her face shining and hopeful.

  ‘I’ve been stuck on the estate ever since we arrived here,’ Stephen pleaded.

  Alex looked at Rebecca for help but she was too absorbed in thinking about Trease and what she would say to him.

  ‘Well, I, um, don’t know,’ he said helplessly.

  At that point Abigail charged out of her room in her negligée with a hand over her brow. ‘For goodness sake, Alex, take the boy with you! It won’t hurt you for once. All this noise! I can’t stand it. Really, Rebecca, you know I’ve got a bad headache and yet you allow the children to go on making a terrible racket.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Fiennes,’ Rebecca said, taking Tamsyn’s arm and pointing the child towards the stairs.

  ‘But I want to go to the coast with Master Stephen. I’ve never been to Perranporth before,’ the little girl wailed, pouting her disappointment.

  ‘Yes, I want her to go too,’ Stephen said softly, surprising Rebecca.

  ‘But I want to explore an old mine works and a dilapidated house. I can hardly do that with two children round my neck,’ Alex protested. ‘And I don’t know anything about children.’

  ‘Then take Rebecca with you!’ Abigail snapped. ‘Just get out of the house, all of you. Mrs Wright can look after me, not that I shall need her. All I want to do is sleep!’ She moaned and held her hand to her head. She really did look in pain, Rebecca thought.

  ‘Will you come?’ Alex asked Rebecca, glancing at his furious sister-in-law and the hopeful children uncertainly.

  ‘Gladly, Major,’ she replied, a little acidly. She would be grateful to get away from the estate and some of the people on it today.

  ‘Thank goodness that’s decided,’ Abigail said impatiently and flounced back into her room.

  As they walked side by side down the stairs, Rebecca noticed Alex rubbing his bandaged hand. She wrinkled her nose. ‘You ought to put a clean bandage on that. It smells terrible.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am,’ he grinned. He looked at his bandaged hand. ‘You haven’t mentioned it before. Abigail has and Mrs Wright. The district nurse was mortified because I refused to let her look at it.’

  ‘The way I see it is you’re a grown man, quite able to attend to things like that yourself. Anyway,’ she added sadly, ‘I learned long ago not to make a fuss with my father.’

  ‘I’m sure he is very sorry about what he did to you yesterday, Becca. Deep down he loves you, I’m sure.’

  ‘He was all right until the war. He came back so bitter. I don’t think he’s ever accepted that my mother left us. He used
to be handsome and proud. I loved him so much when I was a little girl.’

  ‘Every man came back different from the war,’ Alex said quietly. ‘Your father was angry because you’ve been wearing the things Abigail has been giving you. They’re not for you and you don’t need make-up to make yourself beautiful. I’m going to give you some money to buy new clothes for yourself, things more in keeping with the way you are.’ When she tried to protest, he added firmly, ‘You’ve done years of unpaid work on the estate. You’ve earned it.’

  They were at the bottom of the stairs. Before someone could come and see them enjoying their new friendship, she said, ‘Thank you, Major,’ and headed for the kitchen.

  In double-quick time Rebecca and Loveday packed a picnic hamper and carried it between them out to the Spyker, which Stephen and Tamsyn were already sitting in, Stephen in the front, Tamsyn in the back as befitted her status as Captain Redbeard’s sidekick. Trease was standing sheepishly at the rear of the car, his face cut and bruised from the beating Joe had given him and his complexion blotchy from a night’s drinking. He took the hamper from the two women and lashed it to the running board. Loveday gave him a full disapproving look with her nose tilted high. Then she kissed Tamsyn, warned her not to take off her sun bonnet and to behave herself, and went inside.

  ‘Becca.’

  ‘Yes, Dad,’ she replied tonelessly.

  ‘How are you?’

  ‘I’m going with the Major and the children to the coast.’

  ‘Aye, I know.’ He looked up at the sky, gradually casting away its rainclouds and turning from grey to a pale blue. ‘Be a nice day later on, do you good. Look… I… about yesterday. I don’t know what came over me… I…’

  Rebecca felt the hurt and shame coming over her again and Stephen was listening gleefully. ‘Let’s just forget it, Dad,’ she said briskly. ‘You won’t find me wearing make-up again. I’ll be down to the cottage later in the day.’

  Alex joined them, waited a moment to see if they had anything more to say, then said quietly to Rebecca, ‘Shall we go?’