A Family For Christmas (36 page)

‘Oi, you just trod on me foot.'

But Eliza's attention was fixed on the
young man and Luke's protest didn't register. There was something familiar about his
movements, the shape of his head. It couldn't be? Then he looked up and she gasped. It
was.

‘Amos!' she shouted in surprise.
Hearing his name, he stared at her, then grinned.

‘Eliza! What are you doing here?' he
asked.

‘I was about to ask you the same,'
she said, her smile turning to a frown as she took in his ragged clothes, thin frame and the
sandy hair hanging around his shoulders. ‘I thought you'd be at your new place of
employment.'

‘I am,' Amos said. ‘Easy
boy,' he added, turning to Luke who was reaching up and vigorously patting the
horse's nose.

‘Gently with him, Luke,' she
admonished.

‘Horse is all right, it's the
lad's fingers I was worried about,' Amos said, giving Luke a smile.

‘This is Luke, my younger brother.
We're biding at the apothecary's over there,' she explained.

‘You're not with Farrant,
then?' he asked.

‘He really wanted to marry me, can you
believe?' she spluttered, shuddering at the memory.

‘Thought as much,' he muttered.
‘He flew into a jealous rage, accused me of becoming too familiar with you whilst he was
away and sent me packing.'

‘But he said you left to take up a new position.'

Amos snorted. ‘What position? Without a
testimonial I couldn't get another job, hence …' He gestured towards his horse
and cart.

‘But that's such a waste,'
Eliza cried. ‘Oh, Amos, that's terrible.'

‘What about you? Couldn't you have
finished your training before you left?'

‘Not when he insisted I wear his ring. As I
was leaving I found out what went on in that building in the garden. It was clear then he only
wanted to marry me to cover his own activities.'

‘Hey, driver, I pay you to deliver my
victuals, not stand there gossiping,' bellowed a sharp voice from the shop doorway.

‘Just coming, guv,' Amos called.
‘Sorry, Eliza. I'd love to hear more but I must go,' he said, hefting a sack
onto his shoulder.

‘Why don't you come for supper? Nan
always cooks masses,' she invited impulsively.

‘Yeah, go on, mister. If you come
it'll be a special ocas … occi … a special time and we has pudding
then,' Luke piped up.

Amos grinned at him. ‘How can I refuse such
a tempting offer? Are you sure it'll be all right?' he asked Eliza.

‘Of course, I'll go and tell Nan
right now,' she said, taking Luke's hand and leading him away.

‘Is he your fella, Eliza?' Luke asked
as they made their way into the shop.

She shook her head and laughed. ‘No, Amos
is someone I used to work with.'

‘I reckons he likes you 'cos his eyes went all funny
when he saw you,' he grinned.

Amos hit it off with Grandfa Sam and Nan
immediately, and the atmosphere around the table that evening was convivial. He showered Nan
with praise, saying he'd never tasted such delicious apple pie in his life before.

‘Get on with you, lad,' Nan chided,
her cheeks growing warm at the compliment. ‘Now come along, young Luke, it's time
you were in bed. No, you stay here, I'll see to him,' Nan added as Eliza got to her
feet.

‘Are you sure?' Eliza asked.

‘Sounds like you and Amos here have lots to
catch up on. If you'll excuse me, I'll say goodnight, Amos. It's been lovely
meeting you and you're welcome to call in whenever you're passing.'

‘Thank you, Mrs Cary, and thanks again for
such a delicious meal,' Amos said, standing politely and shaking her hand.
‘Goodnight, Luke.'

‘Night night, and do come again so we can
have more pudding,' he grinned, and they all laughed.

‘I was so touched when I found the perfume
you made for me,' Eliza said as the door shut behind them.

‘Did you like it? I remembered what you
said and tried to make it smell like the fresh moors, woody heather and floral sweet
peas,' he said, eyes shining as he stared across the table at her.

‘It was better than I could ever have
imagined, although I only got to smell it when Monsieur Farrant emptied it down the sink in a
fit of temper. I managed to keep the little bottle, though, and have kept it safe along with
Fay's black one.'

‘Did you enjoy making perfume, Amos?' Grandfa Sam
asked.

‘Oh, yes, it was fascinating. Monsieur
Farrant's a fine teacher but …' Amos shrugged.

‘It's a shame both you and Eliza had
your training cut short. Come and sit by the fire and tell me more about the distilling
process,' Sam invited. Much as she would have loved to join them, Eliza knew she should
clear away the dishes. It wouldn't be fair to leave everything to Nan.

By the time she rejoined them, Amos was on the
point of leaving.

‘Oh, must you go?' she cried.

‘Regrettably, I have to be up before dawn
to make my deliveries.' He turned to Sam. ‘Thank you for your hospitality and kind
advice, sir.'

Sam held out his hand and, as Amos took it, Eliza
saw him pass over an envelope. Knowing how generous the older man was even with the little they
had, she assumed he was giving Amos the price of a bed for the night.

Eliza was woken the next morning by a strange
scrabbling sound. Prising her eyes open, she saw Luke looking through her flower book. She
watched through half-closed eyes as he eagerly turned the pages. Wouldn't it be lovely if
he shared her passion? But when he turned his attention to her treasure box she had to
intervene.

‘Hey, minx, leave that alone,' she
admonished, getting out of bed and taking her pressed flowers and leaves from him.

‘Why do you keep funny things?' he
asked, wrinkling his nose as he took the top off the black bottle and sniffed.
‘That's like that sea stuff,' he muttered.

‘Pardon?'

‘It smells like that ooh zone you was
talking about.'

Then Nan called through that their food was
waiting and Eliza's attention was diverted.

‘Hurry up and get dressed or you
won't have time for breakfast,' she said, knowing he wouldn't risk missing a
meal. Much as she loved him, she knew he was proving a handful for both Nan and her to look
after. After a long discussion they'd decided he should be enrolled at the local school
and, after yesterday's escapade, she was hoping they'd agree to take him straight
away.

Nan had developed a headache and gone upstairs to
lie down. Knowing the smell of bluebells would help her,
Eliza had taken Luke up to the wood to gather some. Being early
summer, there was a profusion of different blooms and she'd intended picking some to
distil.

While she'd been busy selecting her
flowers, Luke had run off. Worried he'd get lost she'd gone in search, only to find
him happily scrabbling around in the rock pools on the beach. When they went home, Grandfa had
read him the riot act, pointing out the dangers of the sea and forbidding him to play on the
beach unaccompanied until he could swim. Luke had stuck out his jaw, looked mutinous, and played
up for the rest of the day. He certainly needed the discipline and routine that school life
would bring.

After breakfast, having made sure Luke was
looking clean and smart, Eliza ushered the protesting boy along the busy streets towards the
distinctive red-brick almshouses with their adjoining charity school.

‘This lovely place is close to the sea, so
if you're good we can spend some time there after classes,' she said, trying to
placate him. But he just stared at the school and grimaced.

Sister Maria listened sympathetically and then
agreed, as they had a place, he could be enrolled immediately.

‘Thank you, Sister,' Eliza cried with
relief. ‘Behave yourself, Luke, and I'll be back when school has finished,'
she instructed, trying to ignore the way he was glowering at her.

Reminding herself it was for the best and that
she had shopping to do, she made her way to the market. It was a beautiful day and as she
scanned the stalls, selecting the vegetables Nan had asked for, she felt as if a weight had been
lifted from her shoulders. Although she was fond of
her little brother, he was proving to be a wilful and unruly
child. She hoped school would occupy his mind and the Sisters would be able to instil some of
the discipline he needed.

Lost in thought, it was some moments before she
became aware someone was watching her.

‘Hello, Eliza.' The familiar voice
sent shivers down her spine. She stared up at the gentle giant with his halo of curls and shook
her head in disbelief.

‘Duncan, what are you doing
here?'

‘I've been searching for you,'
he told her.

She eyed him sceptically. Even though it was a
hot day, he was wearing his old greatcoat and Fay's satchel was slung over his shoulder.
He looked as out of place amongst the loud traders as a goldfish in a rock pool.

‘Hey, you making a study of 'em
'ere veggies or are you buying 'em afore 'ey wilt?' the stall holder
shouted, jolting Eliza back to the present. Quickly, she paid for the carrots, put them with the
potatoes in her basket and turned away.

‘How have you been?' Duncan asked,
falling into step alongside her.

‘As if you care,' she burst out.

‘But I do,' he said. ‘As I said
…'

Eyes blazing, she spun round. ‘If you cared
for me you wouldn't have disappeared when Fay made arrangements to send me away,'
she cried, the frustrations of the past months bursting out of her.

‘Eliza, I really need to speak to you about
that, and other things as well,' he said quietly, ignoring her outburst. ‘Is there
somewhere quiet we can go and talk?' He stared
at her with those penetrating eyes the colour of darkest
chestnuts and she felt some of her anger evaporate.

‘I must get back to the shop. Nan will be
wondering where I am. Come with me and we'll talk there,' she said, leading the way
down the broad street.

Mr Cary, who was coming the other way, glared at
her in disgust. ‘Didn't take you long to find a replacement. Heard you had another
one on the go. Women: can't trust any of them,' he muttered, shaking his fist at
her.

‘But …' she began. It was too
late, though, the man was already stomping away. Duncan raised his eyebrows but she didn't
feel like explaining.

As she showed him into the shop, Nan stared in
surprise.

‘This is Duncan, Nan. He's a friend
of Fay. You remember I told you about her?'

‘Indeed I do. Welcome, Duncan. It's
good to meet you,' Nan said, seemingly unaffected by his strange appearance.

‘You too, ma'am,' Duncan said,
bowing deferentially. He looked so incongruous that despite herself, Eliza almost giggled.

‘Duncan has something he wishes to explain
to me,' she said.

‘Go up to the parlour, then. The
kettle's on the fender if you want a hot drink. Go on,' she urged, as Eliza
hesitated. ‘The shop's quiet this morning.'

Not sure if she was upset with Duncan or Mr
Cary's outburst, she led the way up the stairs.

‘Well?' she asked, as soon as
he'd closed the door behind them. ‘This had better be good.'

‘Can we sit at the table?' he asked
mildly. ‘I have some
things I wish to show
you.' She nodded and he took off the satchel and sank into the nearest chair, which looked
ridiculously small under his large frame. He gestured to the seat beside him. Eliza remained
standing and he shook his head. ‘It might help if you sit too, Eliza. What I have to tell
you is going to come as a shock.'

The look in his eyes sent a prickle of fear down
her back and she perched primly on the edge of the chair furthest from him.

‘I can't think I'll be
interested in anything you have to show me,' she muttered. To her surprise, he reached
across the table and caught hold of her hand.

‘Fay is dead, Eliza,' he
whispered.

‘What? But she can't be. She was
standing in the doorway when I left. She looked fine,' she cried.

‘I'm afraid she knew she was dying
even then,' he said gently. ‘That was why she made arrangements for you to be
apprenticed to Monsieur Farrant. She was very fond of you and wanted to secure your
future.'

‘But all this time I thought she
didn't want me. I wrote a letter but tore it up, thinking she wouldn't be
interested. I would have stayed and looked after her if I'd known,' she said, tears
welling at the thought of the old lady, ill and alone.

Duncan smiled sadly. ‘That's exactly
why she didn't want you to know. She realized, you being kind-hearted, you'd insist
on staying until she went. Not knowing how long she had, she didn't want you watching her
waste away. Don't worry, I stayed until the end. It was all very peaceful, and afterwards
I saw her buried on her beloved moor. I'm sure her spirit is skipping over them as we
speak.'

‘Oh, Duncan,' Eliza cried, gripping his hand tightly
as hot tears rolled down her cheeks. He reached across the table and gently wiped them away with
his kerchief. ‘But why did you leave me?'

‘I had to. I'd promised Fay I'd
keep her secret and was worried I wouldn't be able to hide the truth from you.'

‘But I thought you didn't care about
me,' she burst out. He shook his head sadly.

‘Oh, I did. I still do, I just didn't
think it appropriate at the time to be too affectionate, little un,' he said quietly. Then
he became brisk, drawing out papers from the satchel and handing Eliza a thick envelope.
‘Go on, open it.'

She did as he urged, then gasped.

‘But there's a wodge of bank notes in
here,' she exclaimed, staring at him in amazement.

He nodded, then handed her a roll of
illustrations all signed by Fay. She looked from the pictures to him and shook her head.
‘They're exquisite.'

‘Far from being a penniless recluse, Fay
was born into a rich family who owned a mansion in Sussex by the sea. She proved to be a
talented artist and was sent to train at the finest academies in London and Florence. During her
travels she met and fell in love with a naval captain. Sadly, she'd just returned from the
first exhibition of her paintings when she received word his ship had foundered in a violent
storm.'

‘Oh, poor Fay. That's a terrible
thing to have happened,' Eliza whispered, dabbing at her tears.

‘She was dreadfully hurt and completely
went inside herself, shunned society and took off to live on the moors.
To ensure her wellbeing, her father deposited an annuity at the
local bank but she only ever used sufficient for her needs. The rest she hid, along with her
prized pictures, in the antlered head on the wall of her hovel.'

Eliza gasped. ‘That old stag's head
hid her treasures? Well, I never. But why me …?' She pointed to the envelope and
pictures.

‘She thought of you as the daughter she
never had and wanted you to have them.' Eliza stared at the detailed illustrations of wild
flowers. How had she got things so wrong? Clearly Fay had cared for her and hadn't just
packed her off to Monsieur Farrant's, as she'd thought. If only she'd sent
that letter then Fay would have known she appreciated all she'd done for her.

‘But you were her closest friend so surely
these should be yours?'

‘Fay left me her hovel and everything else
in it. She talked of you often and was only sad she never heard how you were
progressing.'

‘I started writing to her but thought she
didn't care. Oh, if only I'd known,' Eliza cried. ‘Monsieur Farrant said
he sent her notification of how I was doing,' she added, remembering his promise.

Duncan shrugged. ‘Perhaps his letter got
lost. He never mentioned it when I visited the perfumery, asking to see you. In fact, he seemed
upset about your disappearance and told me he couldn't understand why you'd run
off.'

Eliza snorted. ‘More like he was upset
I'd spoiled his plans. He wanted me to marry him, you know.' Duncan raised his
eyebrows but she shook her head. ‘It might
sound ridiculous but I know his reasons weren't
honourable,' she added, remembering what she'd seen the night she left.

‘Whatever do you mean?' Duncan
asked.

‘Don't worry about it. I'm
settled here now and, with Grandfa Sam's help, am carrying on my perfume making. Luckily I
learned enough from Monsieur Farrant to be able to work on the receipts Fay gave me.'
Then, as a memory struck, she burst out laughing. ‘She was canny and knew Farrant
wasn't to be trusted 'cos she gave him only half of the book she promised
him.'

‘She must have been suspicious for it
wasn't like Fay to break her word.'

‘And how are Ben and Rose?' she
asked, remembering her dear friends.

‘Ah,' he murmured, shaking his head.
‘Don't see much of them now. Mother Evangaline in her wisdom insisted on having her
own cottage built on the farm so she could see more of young Joshua. She also hired a full-time
hand to help out on the farm. Still, Ben and I meet at Dulvester market each month, which gives
him a chance to get things off his chest,' he grinned.

‘Oh, poor Rose. Do give them my best
wishes,' Eliza said.

Duncan nodded. ‘Look, I hate to leave you
so soon after imparting the sad news about Fay but I must go. If you need me at any time,
you'll find the address of the hovel inside the envelope. Be happy, my little
Dryad,' he said getting to his feet.

‘But you can't go. I love you,'
she cried, panic rising in her breast.

He
smiled sadly. ‘And I love you, Eliza, but you're no longer the country bumpkin who
lived on the moors. You've grown into a beautiful young woman who suits this way of
living. My home is the woods and I only ventured on that noisy staging coach because Fay made me
promise to carry out her wishes. Although I wanted to see you again, of course.' He
shrugged. ‘But I can't stay. All these buildings and hundreds of people milling
around make me feel hemmed in.'