“Oh, Master Nye! You’ll never believe it! That Ivy’s only gone and done a bunk and left us nicely in a stew!” she burst forth, two spots of red in her cheeks.
Mina thought Nye bit back a curse. “You’re sure?” he bit out.
Edna nodded; her lips tightly compressed. “All her things are gone, and the bed wasn’t even slept in last night.”
He swore filthily at that and Edna clapped her hands over her ears. “The lying jade said she had a headache,” he growled.
“Maybe she had her reasons,” Mina could not help but put in. Nye threw a scathing look her way, but Edna paid her no heed.
“What are we going to do?” Edna wailed.
“Well, we shall simply have to shift for ourselves,” Mina said calmly. “Cannot Reuben take a turn behind the bar?”
Nye looked up sharply at that. “What do you know of Reuben?” he demanded.
“He is the stable-hand with the ginger beard, is he not?”
He seethed a moment, though Mina could not imagine why he should be so cross she remembered the man’s name. “You just said yourself, he’s a stable-hand,” Nye pointed out tersely. “These events are the only time the stables are full. He’ll be needed out there.”
“Can you not hire anyone else from the village?” Mina asked reasonably.
Nye rolled his eyes. “I can’t find new staff when things are slow, let alone now at such short notice!”
“Well,” said Mina, drawing a deep breath. “Then we shall simply have to do the best we can. Edna and I have today and tomorrow to prepare. We can make those meat-filled pastries in advance—”
“Pasties,” Edna chimed in.
“Yes pasties,” Mina agreed. “We could cook up the mince and potatoes today in a great batch and then a large quantity of dough.”
Edna was tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Aye, that we could,” she agreed. “I’ll send Reuben down to the village for more flour and potatoes.”
“Are you on the roster to box?” she asked, turning to Nye.
“Not officially, but they’re bound to have a fighter or two fall through, when they realize they have to travel to the wilds of Cornwall,” he said dryly.
“I see, so you’ll be expected to step into the breach.”
He smiled grimly. “Exactly.”
“Edna, I’m afraid you will be needed to man the bar in that case, unless…”
“No,” said Nye. “You’ll not be setting foot in the public bar, Mina.” She couldn’t say she was disappointed, as in truth she would rather have dreaded it. Still, she had felt obligated to at least show willing. “You’re to stay behind the scenes,” Nye told her firmly.
Edna made a sound of agreement. “It won’t be the first time I’ve had to serve in the taproom,” she said sounding resigned to her fate. “We’ve kippers, a ham and a good quantity of salted pork in the larder for breakfast and supper.”
“On the Thursday, perhaps we could offer a roast lunch?” Mina suggested. “I’ve assisted you twice now on a Sunday and could very likely take over the cooking even if you still have to serve them, Edna.”
Edna nodded and looking a little reassured, wiped her hands on her apron and reached for her teacup. Feeling Nye’s gaze on her, Mina turned to him, but he looked away, clearing his throat.
“Well, then,” he said grudgingly. “We’ll just have to see how we go.”
After the two women had stripped the rooms on the second floor and made up the beds on the third, Edna dragged out the largest tub for laundering. Mina was given a sack of potatoes and a sack of onions to get started on the filling for all the pasties they would be serving over the next few days. She set to work with gusto and had filled three bowls with finely chopped onions when the door opened, and Gus appeared on the threshold.
“Well now Minnie,” he announced, setting his thumbs into his waistcoat and rocking back on his heels. “This is a very domesticated scene and no mistake!”
“Good morning, Gus.” She smiled. “How are you? I have not seen you this past week, I think.”
“You’re keeping much finer company than me, these days I fear,” he said, shaking his fluffy white head sadly. At Mina’s raised eyebrows, he added. “I hear you’ve been keeping company with the Faris’s at Vance Park and now there’s a fine gentleman waiting for you in your parlor room.”
“A fine gentleman?” Mina asked. “Do you mean Lord Faris?”
“I do not,” he said, stroking his moustaches. “It’s a fine tall gentleman who’s waiting on you.” He pursed his lips. “And said as his name was Carswell, I believe.” She looked up, startled to see Gus’s eyes fixed on her rather hard.
“Sir Matthew?” she asked, standing up from her seat. She clicked her tongue. “I wonder what he could want.” The timing could not be worse. “Is his ward with him?”
“His ward?” Gus cocked his head to one side.
It was funny how she had never noticed how shrewd his eyes could look, Mina thought distractedly, for all they were usually so blue and guileless. “A former pupil of mine named Cecily.”
“A former pupil, is that the tale?”
She looked around from the sink at his odd tone, but he smiled at her expansively, so she dried her hands and hurried to remove the cap which kept her hair out of the way. “It’s unfortunate timing now we’re so busy,” she muttered. “But I’d better go and see him if he has called out especially. Would you be so kind, Gus?” she said, moving toward him and angling her apron strings his way.
“Of course, dear lady,” he obliged. “Nothing could be simpler.”
“Thank you.” She shrugged off the apron and set it down on a bench. “I won’t be long. If you’re still here when I return, perhaps we could take a cup of tea together?”
Gus demurred, claiming he would not dream of distracting her when she was so busy and Mina hurried to the parlor, hoping she did not smell too strongly of onions.
She found Sir Matthew sat with one leg across the other in a seat by the window, his foot wagging irritably. He stood up when she entered the room and bowed. “Miss Walters,” he said formally.
Mina crossed the room to shake his hand. “It’s Mrs. Nye now,” she reminded him and politely gestured for him to be seated. “Will you take some refreshment or—”
“No, thank you.” He hastened to reassure her, and she noticed with relief he still wore his caped greatcoat as though he was intending a short visit only. “In truth,” he hesitated. “I was hoping perhaps you might accompany me for a short drive.” He gestured to the window where he had a curricle waiting. “Perhaps into St Ives.”
“I’m afraid that is out of the question, Sir Matthew,” Mina answered politely. “You find us at sixes and sevens this morning.” She sank gracefully into a chair facing him. “We are readying ourselves for the arrival of a large party imminently.”
He gave a harsh laugh. “I’m sure I would not like to hazard a guess at what sort of parties would descend on such a lonely spot,” he said with a moue of distaste. “Not a respectable one, I’ll warrant.”
Mina sat straighter in her chair, her gaze very level. “As to that sir, I am surprised you think it appropriate to say so, considering you must be aware I am married to the proprietor.”
Sir Matthew glared at her a moment, slapping his gloves across his shiny top boot. “Yes, I am aware. That is what I—” He broke off distractedly. “That is, after you left the other day, I made enquiry and I might add I have never been so shocked in all my life. To hear you now have ties to an establishment such as this by the bonds of matrimony—” He checked himself again, his icy blue eyes ablaze. “In short madam, I cannot think how such a thing came about. I had the utmost respect for your parents. You will have to pardon me, if you find my words unpalatable, but I have made it a habit in this lifetime to speak only the truth.”
Mina was silent a moment before answering him. She remembered how her father had held this man in such high esteem and how bitterly he had been disappoi
nted when Sir Matthew had failed to even reply to any of his letters this past year. “I’m afraid I would know nothing of such life choices, Sir Matthew. As a mere woman, I am seldom afforded such luxuries.”
He turned rather red at that and stood up from his chair, turning his back to her as he stared out of the window. He was silent a moment before speaking. “I will give you the benefit of the doubt and imagine you are unaware of the evil reputation of this establishment,” he said practically gnashing his teeth. “I cannot fathom how a gently raised woman could find herself in such a predicament. In short, madam, I am appalled that a person I once entrusted my charge’s welfare to, that someone who could claim themselves to be a connection, is in any way associated with such a place as The Merry Harlot.” His lip curled over the name of the inn and Mina felt herself inwardly seethe at the pomposity of the man.
“Can you not?” Mina answered, feeling her color rise. “Then allow me to enlighten you, Sir Matthew. My father placed me in my half-brother’s hands on his death. He had little other option after all our benefactors fell by the wayside and our school failed.” She let that barb sink before continuing. “My brother, Lord Faris arranged this match for me. And if he thought it a fit match, then I cannot see why you should question that.”
“Lord Faris?” Sir Matthew wheeled around from the window, an incredulous expression on his face.
“Jeremy Vance, fifth Viscount Faris is my half-brother,” Mina confirmed.
Sir Matthew was visibly stunned. “I never heard of any connection between your two families.”
“Why should you have?” Mina asked coolly. “My mother was divorced, perhaps you were unaware of the fact.”
His expression flickered. Clearly, he had not been aware. “I held your mother in the very highest esteem,” he said stiffly.
Mina remembered how her mother had presided so prettily over those gatherings their governors were invited to. “Yes, I expect you would,” she said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Sir Matthew,” she said rising to her feet. “I’m afraid I am terribly busy this morning—”
“Mrs. Nye, it is you who must excuse me,” he cut in, striding forward, and standing in front of her. “I’m afraid I let my natural feeling run away with me. It was not my intention to insult you and neither is it my place to upbraid you. I was not in full possession of the facts,” he said, frankly. “In truth, I came to thank you for your intercession the other day.” His lean cheeks flushed. “If you had not stepped in, my ward would have been ruined indeed.”
Mina inclined her head. “I was glad to do Cecily a good turn and I’m pleased if you were able to smooth that business over.”
“Only by following your advice,” he said with a bitter laugh. “My temper would have gotten the better of me on that occasion also if you had not intervened.”
“I am happy indeed, if I was able to offer advice that was beneficial for Cecily,” Mina answered colorlessly.
“It may be that I can see my way to offer you some respite from your current predicament,” he hesitated. “Cecily is at a difficult age, too old for a governess, yet far too naïve to let loose in society as I have recently learned to my cost. I have been thinking and it may be wise—”
“Sir Matthew, allow me to stop you there.” Mina cut across his words. “I am not in need of respite. I am a married woman. You mistake my situation.”
He fell silent at that. “Do I?” he muttered. “I do not think so, Mrs. Nye. Indeed, I fear there will come a time when you are desperately in need of rescuing from this… place.” Mina looked back at him, tight-lipped. When he realized she had no more to say on the subject, he sighed. “I am in your debt, Mrs. Nye,” he said tightly. “Something that does not sit easily with me, in light of your current company. But if you will not allow me to make reparation or alleviate your suffering—”
“Again, Sir Matthew, I must remind you that you mistake my situation.”
He shook his head. “You are a stubborn woman, Mrs. Nye.”
“I thank you for your concern,” she said, bobbing him a curtsey. “But I must now humbly beg your leave. Urgent business awaits me.”
Sir Matthew held out his hand and Mina shook it. He held it for a beat longer than necessary and Mina looked up at him in surprise. “I must then remain a debtor to you.”
Mina pulled her hand from his. “Pray do not give it another thought, Sir Matthew,” she said and turning on her heel, abruptly left the room. As she wrenched the door open, she came face to face with Reuben’s ginger beard as he straightened up guiltily from the door. “Reuben?” she addressed him in startled accents.
“Yes ma’am,” he stammered.
“Do you have some message for me?”
“No ma’am,” he said, his eyes avoiding hers shiftily. “I’m just going out back now, ma’am.” Mina stared after him as he shambled off, and then she made her way thoughtfully back to the kitchen.
She had just opened the sack of potatoes when the door burst open and Nye stood on the threshold, chest heaving. Mina dropped her paring knife and stared up at him. “Now what’s happened?” she demanded in exasperation as he slammed the door shut behind him. Really, was she to get no peace this morn!
“Care to tell me what that was all about?” he demanded, gesturing over his shoulder as Sir Matthew’s curricle bowled out of the yard.
Tamping down her irritation at having to rake over the whole thing, she forced herself instead to remain calm. “Sir Matthew Carswell called in,” she said. “To tell me he did not care for his ward to be associated with me anymore, but that he considered himself in my debt. Something he was most put out about.”
Nye continued to watch her narrowly. “So, he didn’t ask you to run away with him, then?”
Mina spluttered, retrieving her knife, and sitting in her chair. “Of course not! Where on earth did you get a preposterous idea like that?” He remained tight-lipped, but at the furious look in his eye, she realized something. “Reuben!” she gasped. “He was listening at the keyhole! Well of all the—”
“So, he did, then?” Nye burst out furiously.
“Of course not!” she seethed. “Reuben could not follow the conversation clearly if that’s what he thought. He asked me out for a drive to St Ives…” She paused at Nye’s fresh explosion of wrath. “Naturally I declined his invitation as I was far too busy.”
“Because your husband would damned well forbid it!” he corrected her hotly.
“Well, as I never entertained the notion for even an instant, I did not think it through that far,” she admitted.
“And that was it?” He shook his head. “I don’t believe it.”
Mina sat up indignantly. “What do you mean, you don’t believe me?”
“Reuben said you had to remind him you were a married woman. Even you wouldn’t be so outraged at the idea of a mere drive to St Ives!”
“Even I?” Mina fumed.
“Stop trying to distract me,” Nye thundered. “Why did you have to remind him you were married, tell me that!”
“I—because, you were right,” she told him helplessly, then saw his gaze ignite. “Not about that!” she said hastily. “But he did want to offer me a position as Cecily’s companion. You remember? You asked me if he had before, but at the time, I thought it extremely unlikely and—”
“That bastard,” Nye snarled.
“Nye!”
“Next time he comes calling, you do not see him without me being present, am I understood, Mina?”
“I highly doubt that he will ever—”
“Mina!”
“Oh, very well, you unreasonable beast!”
A footfall in the doorway, had them both spinning around and to Mina’s embarrassment, she found Jeremy leaning against the doorjamb with an amused look on his face. “Dear me,” he drawled. “Marital discord - this place is starting to feel like a real home from home!”
“What do you want?” Nye growled. “We’re busy.”
“So, I see. I j
ust wanted to see if it was true what I heard in the village.”
“What’s that?” Nye asked sharply.
Jeremy’s eyebrows rose. “That you’re hosting another fight here this week.”
“Wednesday,” Nye replied abruptly.
“Who’s appearing?”
Nye looked exasperated. “We’re in the middle of a discussion!” he said, gesturing between Mina and himself.
“We’re not sure yet,” Mina answered, glad to change the subject. “Some of the fighters might be scratched if they’re not willing to come to Cornwall.”
“Ah, I see.” Jeremy was eyeing her curiously.
“Did you bring my nephew with you?” she asked, looking out of the window, to where a bored-looking Colfax was stood waiting next to his carriage.
“Not today. Should you like that?”
“I would.”
“He talks about you a lot,” Jeremy conceded. “You were quite a hit with young Master Teddy.”
Nye turned from the window, frowning. “Has Colfax ever boxed?” he asked. “If we lose more than one fixture, I may need a substitute.”
Jeremy looked horrified. “I couldn’t have one of your louts rearranging his features,” he objected.
“He looks about the right build.”
“Absolutely not! I refuse.”
“Maybe I’ll just ask him myself,” said Nye, heading for the door.
“He’s impossible,” Jeremy sighed, sitting on the bench next to Mina. “By the way, there’s a most unpleasant stench in here. It’s making my eyes water.”
“It’s onions,” Mina told him. “I’ve still got half a sack to chop.”
“My God.” Jeremy shuddered. “Did I sell you into indentured labor?”
A smile tugged at Mina’s lips. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she told him sternly. “I’d offer you tea, but I know how you despise it.”
He gave her a grin and reached into his jacket, extracting a silver hip flask. “No need,” he brandished it aloft and took a swig. “Now we’re alone, tell me why did Nye fire up like that when I mentioned news from the village?”
A Bride for the Prizefighter: A Victorian Romance Page 22