“Reuben, hold her head!” Nye bellowed and Mina saw the man with the ginger beard spring forward to seize one of the horses as Nye clambered down. She had scarcely re-tied her bonnet, when Nye appeared at her side of the carriage and was holding a hand up for her to descend. Mina took it and precariously started to descend from the perch at the front. She only managed the first step and then found herself swung down with his hands at her waist.
“Get up to bed,” he said. “I’ll join you later.”
Mina’s face flamed as she turned away from him to scurry into the inn. He’d join her later? She hung up her cloak and bonnet and took a hurried wash in the scullery before hurrying up the staircase. She nearly spilled the wax from her candleholder when Ivy knocked on her door as she was setting it down on the bedside table. “Oh Ivy,” she said looking up with relief. “You did make me jump.”
“Just wanted to thank you for my gifts, Mrs. Nye,” Ivy said beaming. “Love a nice bottle of scent, I do, but you didn’t have to.”
“You’re most welcome,” Mina said, waving this aside. “And I wanted to. Do you think you’ll use the lotion? I wasn’t sure which type you favor...”
“Ooh yes, it’s ever such a nice one,” Ivy interrupted her. “Besides, I always has a different one each time!”
Mina sat on the bed and started efficiently braiding her hair. “Are you not serving at bar tonight, Ivy?” she asked.
“Not till after hours tonight,” she said with a wink, coming into the room and closing the door softly behind her.
“After hours?” Mina frowned, motioning to a chair. “How can you serve at bar when it closed?”
Ivy giggled. “You are a sheltered one and no mistake.” She sat in the chair and revealed a bottle she had been carrying under her arm. “Care to take a glass with me, Mrs. Nye?”
Mina changed her mind about her automatic refusal. After all, she was in dire need of some Dutch courage. Instead, she nodded. “Call me Mina,” she answered
Ivy’s eyes widened. “I couldn’t do that, Mrs. Nye. Wouldn’t be right.”
“Not even when no-one else is around?” Mina asked with a frown. First Edna and now Ivy. She sighed, feeling a little forlorn.
“Well, I dunno about that,” Ivy replied warily and produced two wine glasses out of her apron. She set them on the side and uncorked the bottle.
“How is it that you can serve an empty bar?” Mina persisted as Ivy poured. “Do you mean you are to do a stock-take?”
Ivy laughed merrily. “Lord bless you, he don’t let me do no stock-take,” she said, passing a brimming glass of red wine to Mina. “Very jealous Nye is about the state of his cellars. The one time I suggested it, you’d have thought I was a Customs and Excise man.” She picked up her own glass and held it aloft. “Here’s to a pair of shining eyes,” she toasted. Mina hastily held her own glass to chink with Ivy’s. She wasn’t sure whose eyes they were toasting, or if they were simply expressing a hope for their own. “Chin-chin,” Ivy added and took a liberal swig.
Mina took a tentative sip and found the wine to be very sharp yet simultaneously unpleasantly furry on her tongue. She plunked it down. “Very nice,” she lied.
“What it means,” Ivy said, leaning forward confidentially. “Is that there’s to be a lock-in tonight.”
“A lock-in?” Mina echoed, reaching for her bed socks.
“It’s when your regular patrons leave,” Ivy explained. “But a privileged few are permitted to remain after the doors is locked. And they’re permitted to carry on drinking till the early hours.”
“I see,” said Mina, drawing on her socks. “And what events determine its occurrence?”
“You what?” Ivy asked with a frown, knocking back the last of her wine and reaching for the bottle to pour another.
“I mean, is it a regular thing?” Mina asked, hastily rephrasing her question. She remembered Nye’s comment earlier about her being somewhat verbose. “Occurring say, once a month?”
Ivy’s expression of confusion lifted. “Oh!” she said. “I take your meaning now.” Once she’d refilled her glass, she held the bottle up with a quirk of her eyebrows.
“No thank you,” Mina said hastily, taking another miniscule sip of her own drink.
“Well,” said Ivy, resting her glass lovingly against her bosom. “It ain’t as straightforward as all that. You see, sometimes they’ll have ones with the regulars. Now, I don’t usually have no part in them ones, I just retires at the usual time and Nye serves at bar. Then other times it’ll be when the prizefighters are here overnight. I’ll usually serve at those, cos they likes a pretty face and Nye’s usually down to fight.”
“The night I arrived was one such night,” Mina said aloud. “Though I believe Edna was serving at bar.”
“I was rushed off my feet that night,” Ivy agreed easily enough. “Oftentimes you need two behind bar on such a night.”
“How often are prizefights held here?” asked Mina, reaching for her blue woolen shawl and wrapping it around her shoulders. She seemed to remember she’d had the impression Ivy had been with one of the fighters in a bedroom on the second floor, but perhaps she’d had that wrong.
“Oh, fairly regular,” said Ivy vaguely. “Usually have at least one bout a month.”
Mina wetted her lips with the red wine thoughtfully. “So… tonight’s is just a local lock-in?” she said. “Why is Nye not hosting this one?”
“We sort of takes it in turns,” Ivy replied easily. “See, sometimes he sits with Gus and Reuben and a few others and they’ll be in deep discussion all night.”
Mina considered this and could not help but think it rather odd. “Reuben is the one with the ginger beard is he not?”
“Yes, that’s him,” agreed Ivy. “He’s odd job man and stable hand around here.”
From the brief interactions Mina had seen between him and Nye, they did not seem to be on such terms. She wondered what on earth they could find to discuss so intently. Then a thought occurred to her. “So, if you’re behind the bar tonight then Nye must be intending to confer with his friends,” she said with some relief.
“Friends?” Ivy’s eyebrows shot up. “I wouldn’t call them that exactly. If he has any, it’s that prizefighter crowd. Anyway,” she said. “I wanted to hear what happened this afternoon. What’s this about you some gentleman importuning you in the private parlor?”
Mina choked on her mouthful of wine. “A misunderstanding only.”
Ivy cast her a shrewd look. “Only Gus did say as Nye nearly choked the life out of him for his impertinence.”
“I think Gus might be prone to telling tall tales,” Mina said severely. “By the by, did there used to be a monastery around these parts?”
“Don’t know about that.” Ivy shrugged. “I’m not from ‘round here though. Not originally,” she sighed. “Moved here with my husband, I did.”
“Husband? I did not realize you were married, Ivy.”
Ivy nodded. “Leastways, I thought he was my husband. Before his actual wife turned up to claim him. Bigamist,” she said when Mina’s mouth fell open.
“No!”
“Apparently he was always doing it.”
“Oh Ivy, I am sorry.”
Ivy shrugged. “You lives and learns,” she said cheerfully rising from her chair with her bottle in one hand and her glass in the other. “Anyway, I’ll leave you to it,” she said. “I’m going for a little nap before I have to go down and take over at ten.”
“Goodnight,” Mina called after her. The wine had left an unpleasant taste in her mouth, so setting her still almost full glass down on her dresser, she reached for her jar of tooth powder and gave her mouth another scrub. It wasn’t, she told herself, that she was concerned that Nye might think her tongue tasted bad. Such a consideration had not even crossed her mind. Besides, she did not really expect him to come to her tonight. Not if he was expected to cozily sit with Gus and Reuben in a monthly tête-à-tête.
Retrieving her
new jar of bloom of roses, she moisturized her face and neck and then heaped her pillows up behind her back so settle with one of her periodicals. So well-thumbed was it that it fell open right away at her favorite articles and she had only run her eyes over the first three paragraphs when her head began to nod and she was forced to put it to one side and extinguish her candle.
11
When next Mina woke, she found herself lying on her side, somehow cocooned and warm as toast. She lay a moment, blinking at the unfamiliar sensation. Had she rolled herself around in her blankets, she wondered as she surfaced from sleep? Then she felt the weight of an arm around her middle and a heaviness pressed against her back and realized she had a bedmate. She caught her breath, spying first the brawny arm slung over her waist. His tanned skin stood out against the pale eiderdown. Then she noticed the rolled-up shirt sleeve and slowly turned her head. Will Nye was lay on top of the bed next to her, fully clothed except for the fact he’d removed his boots and waistcoat.
First light was streaming through the window, but it did not seem to disturb him one whit for his breathing was deep and regular. Despite the fact he’d once boasted he did not sleep; his eyes were closed and he seemed dead to the world. Hastily, Mina turned her head to face front again. When had he climbed the stairs to the attic room, she pondered? She had not heard him, though she had not shoved the chair under the door as was her usual practice either. In truth, she had half-expected him after his words to her in the courtyard. We’ll try that again later, he’d said. But he had not woken her for another half-suffocating embrace. He had let her sleep on. He had not even joined her under the covers.
A sharp rap on the door startled her out of her thoughts and she sat up, dislodging Nye’s hold on her. To her surprise, he did not stir, but slept steadily on.
“Mrs. Nye?” It was Edna’s voice.
“One moment, Edna.” Mina slid from the bed and pattered across the room in her bed-socks. Drawing the door open, she found Edna looking harassed. The servant was dressed but, her mob cap sat awry on her head and she had not yet donned her apron to start work. “What is it, Edna?”
“I can’t find the master,” Edna hissed. “Only there’s a pair of Riding Officers downstairs who’s asking for his whereabouts most particular.” She wrung her hands. “What am I to do?”
Mina cleared her throat. “He’s abed, I’ll rouse him now and send him down to deal with it.”
Edna fell back a step. She could not have looked more astonished if Mina had announced he was sat on the roof. “Oh,” she said lamely when she was able to form words again.
“Tell them he will be down directly,” Mina said, shutting the door and turning to face Nye. He looked like he had rolled into the spot she had vacated, but still lay fully stretched out and slumbering. “Nye!” she called. No reaction. She walked over to the bed. “Will Nye!” Nothing.
Reaching out, she placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Nye, you must wake up.” When he did not react to that, she felt a sudden alarm. “Was he in some kind of drunken stupor?” Kneeling on the bed next to him, she took a firm hold of both shoulders and shook him vigorously. Finally, his eyes flew open and he stared up at her. “Nye!” she practically yelled in his face.
“What is it?” he mumbled; his eyes drifting shut again. “Come back to bed.”
“There are two Riding Officers downstairs who wish to speak to you,” she insisted loudly.
Again, his eyes blinked open and he stared up at her a moment. “Mina,” he said distinctly and why that made her heart beat louder in her breast, she had no notion.
“Yes?” she asked and watched as comprehension stole into his eyes.
He sat up suddenly, causing her to practically fall backward off the bed. “What the hell happened?” he asked belligerently, gazing around the room as though for someone to blame.
“What do you mean?” Mina asked, mystified. “You fell asleep, that’s all.”
He gave a snort, clambering off the bed. “I don’t sleep,” he corrected her.
She slipped off the bed and plunked her hands on her hips. “Well you do rather a good impression!” she told him tartly.
He scowled and then cast about the room, looking bewildered. “Where are my boots?”
Mina glanced down at the floor beside the bed. “There they are,” she said and pointed helpfully. “And that must be your waistcoat over the chair.” She wondered at his confused, helpless manner. He genuinely seemed befuddled and she wondered if he’d spent a heavy night drinking.
After a moment, he sat abruptly in the chair and pulled on his boots.
“Why would there be officers here at The Merry Harlot?” she asked him and was pointedly ignored.
“Put some clothes on,” he said giving her a hard stare and Mina glanced down at her voluminous white cotton nightgown.
“I will, once you’ve gone,” she answered briskly. He could hardly expect her to start stripping off with him there.
He huffed at that, stood up, crossed the room and exited it with a slam of the door. Mina pursed her lips and started thoughtfully to dress. She lingered over arranging her hair into a tidy roll which she pinned at her nape. Then she descended the stairs and disappeared into the scullery for her wash. She fancied she heard voices as she crossed the hall, and on entering the kitchen, she found Edna there waiting for her with anxious eyes.
“I’ve made the tea tray up to bring in to you,” she said turning around. Mina opened her mouth to thank her, though she really did not think it necessary to take her morning beverage in the parlor, when she noticed four cups set out on the tray. “They’re in the parlor now,” Edna said, seeing the direction of her gaze.
“The Riding Officers?” Mina asked with surprise.
Edna nodded her head. “Will I carry it in before you?” she asked unhappily.
Mina thought a moment. “I’ll open the door for you,” she said with decision.
She gave the parlor door a swift knock and flung it open for Edna to carry in the large tray which now had toasted muffins and tea cakes as well as butter. Then she paused by the door, until Enda had scurried back out again. The servant cast a look of gratitude her way before disappearing back toward the kitchen. Surmising this was an ordeal to get through from Edna’s frightened demeanor, Mina drew herself up, then shut the door resolutely behind her.
When she turned around to survey the room, she found two strangers in the room along with Nye. They both stood at her entrance, though she thought with some show of reluctance and she did not appreciate the insolent look one of them gave her, whose stare was very bold. Coolly holding his gaze until he lowered his own, she then glanced toward the other younger uniformed man whose manner was more respectful.
“These are a pair of Excisemen for her majesty, Mina,” Nye said clearing his throat. “Mr. Havilland,” he said, nodding toward the one Mina had taken an instant dislike to. “And Mr. Guthrie. They’re both Riding Officers based nearby at St Ives. Gentlemen, this is my wife, Mrs. Mina Nye.”
“Your servant, madam,” drawled the elder very insincerely, as the younger executed a punctilious bow. “I had not heard tell that Nye here had taken a wife.” He cast a sardonic look in Nye’s direction which was ignored.
Mina came into the room. “I am happy to make your acquaintance, gentlemen,” she said repressively and headed for a chair before the tea tray. “Can I offer you some refreshment?” she asked in her most colorless tone.
Looking up, she thought she saw a startled look on the one’s face and a frown on the other, before they both hurriedly assented. Having ascertained that the elder took lemon and the younger a spoonful of sugar, she poured and guessing that Nye would take his black, pushed a cup and saucer toward him also. Having ascertained that the elder took lemon and the younger a spoonful of sugar with their tea, she poured and guessing that Nye would take his black, she pushed a cup and saucer toward him also. He took it wordlessly and retreated to the window.
“My, how
civilized we are today,” said Havilland with a sneer. “You will scarcely believe it Guthrie, but in the five years since I’ve been posted in Cornwall, I’ve never been received in this establishment anywhere other than the taproom prior until today.”
Guthrie colored faintly but Mina took a sip of her tea. She glanced at Nye who was stood feet planted part by the window, looking supremely unconcerned. She wondered if his attitude was genuine or feigned. Certainly, Edna had seemed badly rattled by this visit.
“One can only suppose,” Havilland continued, not having drawn a response. “That a wife must have a civilizing effect even on an establishment such as this.” His lip curled. “You are from these parts, ma’am?” he shot suddenly at Mina.
“I am not,” she answered mildly. “I was raised all my life in the vicinity of Bath. You are familiar with that part of the country?”
Havilland seemingly surprised by the conversational turn, did not speak for a moment. While he paused, Guthrie leaned forward in his seat. “I am ma’am,” he answered. “I have spent many a pleasant stay in that city. Both my sisters took their schooling in Bath and I was accustomed to visiting them there.”
“Indeed?” Mina asked, turning to him with a smile. “May I enquire as to which school your sisters attended?”
“It was a school situated very near the center,” Guthrie responded. “The Alexander Seminary for Young Ladies.”
“I know it well. A particularly good school with a solid reputation,” she said approvingly.
“You know something of schooling, madam?” Havilland interrupted them skeptically. “Curious. I did not know publican’s wives were so interested in education,” he said with a short laugh.
Mina watched Guthrie color at his colleague’s rudeness. She placed her cup down carefully. “Perhaps you do not know many publican’s wives who were also schoolteachers for several years,” she suggested calmly. His eyebrows snapped together, and she smiled coldly at him. “My father ran a school in Bath for many years.” Delighted that she seemed to have taken the wind from his sails, she turned back to Guthrie. “I take it your sisters are no longer employed in lessons.”
A Bride for the Prizefighter: A Victorian Romance Page 14