Hope for Tomorrow (19 page)

“
Do you think that I can trust him?” Martha asked, unsure if she wanted a positive or negative reaction.

“
I believe so. He is still headstrong and wilful but he has grown into a fine young man. He runs the estate well, he's hard but fair with his staff and tenants and I know he's sorry about the hardship that the estate, not to mention the town, are suffering.”

“
Is there nothing he can do to help matters?”

“
He has lots of ideas,” she said. “I've heard him talk of investing in the woollen mill so that it can expand and trying to tempt new businesses to the area. He even had the hills on the estate surveyed to see if there might be metals or coal that could be mined. They didn't find anything, I'm sorry to say.”

“
I thought he didn't have the capital to invest in the mill?”

“
I don't believe he does but he would very much like to so that they don't move away, as the canning factory did. If the mill closes also, we will become little more than a ghost town. Many have already left for the cities, hoping to find work there instead.”

“
That's very civic minded of him.”

“
Or practical. There is no point in being the Earl of an area that has no people.”

“
I suppose. And what about you?” Martha asked. “Is life treating you well?”

“
I can't complain. The house is rather sombre at the moment with the Earl being unwell but he and his wife will depart for the seaside soon; the doctor says that salt air is better for his lungs. I'm sure that once they have departed things will get back to normal.”

“
Is the Earl very ill?”

“
Very,” she confirmed. “I did not expect him to last this long, truth be told, but he's a tenacious gentleman.”

“
Yes,” Martha remembered and smiled slightly as she recalled her days in the big house.

“
Master Lucien said to tell you that he has some things to take care of today but he will come and see you tomorrow, he hopes.”

“
Nothing serious, I hope?”

“
Just estate business I expect, and a desire to give you your space.”

“
That's very thoughtful of him.” She frowned.

“
Don't look so serious, he is still head over heels, he simply knows that he mustn't crowd you.”

“
No, I wasn't-”

“
You don't have to explain anything to me, my dear.”

Martha was about to protest again but decided against it. Yes, a part of her was disappointed that he wasn't here. Another part of her was grateful that he hadn't come because she wasn't certain for how much longer she could resist his charms.

She and Mrs Lassiter chatted easily for a while until the doctor came through, having finished his examination of the children. Martha looked up expectantly.

“
They are all in need of feeding up but the damage is reversible, I believe. The twins and youngest two have signs of rickets for which I recommend daily rations of milk, good wholesome food and lots of fresh air. All the children show signs of scurvy for which they need lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.”

“
Thank you, Doctor. Is there anything else I should know?”

“
Yes, I recommend giving them a dose of sulphur powder each. I have some in my carriage which I'll get for you before I leave. I wouldn't give any to to your mother at this time but if she is slowing putting on weight, I would give her a dose once she is feeling a little stronger.”

“
Thank you, Doctor. I have another matter which I hope you might be able to help me with. I'm looking for a woman with a strong personality to, well I suppose to act as a nanny come governess to the children and a nurse to my mother. She wouldn't have to stay overnight but she must be able to take this rabble in hand.”

“
I know a few women in the area who act as a nurses from time to time. I will put my thinking-cap on to see if any of them are up to the challenge that you have presented.”

“
Thank you. The wage will be generous and I am willing to be flexible in most areas.”

“
Understood. Where shall I send the bill?”

“
Please send it to Lord Beaumont, he can pass it onto me.”

“
Very good.” He went to his carriage to get the sulphur powder for her and then he left.

Mrs Lassiter stayed for a few more hours, helping Martha and Mary to organise the kitchen and make up the beds. When she had gone, Martha got the bolts of material out and began showing Mary who only had a few rudimentary sewing skills, how to make an outfit. It would take a while but that first day she cut and pinned a skirt for Mary and left her to begin sewing the seams while Martha prepared another stew. Mary was making fair progress for a novice and after the family had eaten, Martha returned to the hotel.

John hadn't returned home by the time she had left and she was worried about him. He had a chance to turn his life around now, to make something of himself but she wondered if he had the will to do so. The simple fact was that some people always preferred the easy option, no matter how many rewards the harder path might have.

She wrote a quick letter to Hope then settled by the fire with her sketching paper and a pencil. She had been inspired by the dressmaking earlier and rather than just sketching gloves as she usually did, she found herself drawing whole outfits for both men and women.

Many were far too fancy for her siblings, for too much intricacy in a design could be detrimental to both a working man and woman's ability to get things done. Flounces and frills on a skirt could be caught in all sorts of things from doors to machinery, while men's clothing benefited from reinforced elbows and knees rather than the latest French  lapels and a buttonhole for a flower.

Suddenly, while sketching a ladies cloak, she put her pencil down and made her way over to the writing desk and began penning a second letter, this time to Gus.

Chapter Seventeen

The following morning Martha posted her letters first thing and wondered how long it would take to receive a reply. She then went about setting up accounts with the local businesses that her siblings would use regularly, such as the coal merchant, the butcher, the baker and the grocer. She asked for the bills to be sent to her care of Lucien. They all hesitated since in their eyes she was still the working class housemaid, despite her fine clothes and newly-acquired airs and graces.

Martha was certain that Lucien would guarantee the debt since he knew that she had the funds to pay, so she offered that as a compromise which the shopkeepers were happy with, providing that Lucien agreed, of course. She paid the coal merchant upfront to deliver a load to the house to keep them going.

Then she visited a toy shop, or what passed for a toy shop in this town. It was tacked onto the side of the joiner's workshop but he had a number of carved toys for sale and some other odds and ends. She bought marbles, building blocks, a spinning top, a set of tin soldiers and a skipping rope. The joiner explained that toy-making was a hobby of his. He used to have a toy shop but in recent times it had brought in precious little money and he had been forced to revert to joinery as a way to make a living.

Noting her interest, he took her into the workshop and pulled a sheet from a rocking horse that he was carving in his spare time. Although not yet finished, it was a thing of beauty and Martha immediately fell in love with it. She asked the cost, offered him a little more and asked for it to be sent to her care of Lucien when it was finished. Hope would adore it. 

She then drove the gig out to the house again and seeing that the girls had tried to clean the kitchen and done a rather poor job, she set about teaching them how to clean, scrub and polish, something that she hadn't properly learnt until she went into service.

John still hadn't returned home and she feared that he had made his decision.

With Maggie and Mary happily cleaning, Martha set Alf and the twins to turning over the soil in the vegetable patch in the back garden (the twins volunteered, though they were actually more of a hindrance than a help). She didn't know much about gardening but she was hopeful that once dug, she could find someone to teach them how to plant and care for vegetables.

When the work was finished, gave them the toys she had bought and left them to play whilst she prepared dinner.

She heard a horse outside and looked up to see a cart stopping outside. Lucien was sitting next to Barry, who was driving and a man she didn't recognise was in the back with John.

She rushed outside to see a dirty-looking John being restrained by a man as he struggled to run away.

“
What's going on?” she asked.

“
This is Smithers, my steward,” Lucien said, looking grave as he climbed down from the cart. “I'm sorry to have to tell you that John was caught poaching.”

Martha's hand went to her heart and she closed her eyes for a moment,.

“
You'd better come inside,” she said.

Barry stayed with the cart but the other three followed her in, though John was still struggling to escape. She directed them to sit at the table but Smithers preferred to stand behind John to make sure that he didn't bolt.

“
How serious is it?” she asked.

“
Very,” Lucien was sorry to tell her. “You probably know how seriously poaching is treated by the magistrates but in this case it appears that John is part of a poaching gang. We have already handed over the others who were caught to the authorities.”

“
Why haven't you done the same with John?”

Lucien's expression asked if she really needed to ask him that.

“
All right, what do you propose?” she asked.

“
None of the others who were caught will give up the name of the man behind this gang, who is our real target. If you could convince John to give up his name, I would be willing not to press charges against him.”

Well, at least now she knew where the animals Mary and Alf had poached had gone, because the family certainly hadn't looked as though they had been living well off of them.

Martha turned to John who looked mutinous.

“
John, what do you know about prison?”

“
Can't be worse than livin' with you!”

“
Trust me, it is worse,” she said. “You will be living in the most basic conditions with little in the way of comforts. Food is basic and scarce at best, disease is rife and as you are young, you will be preyed on by those bigger and stronger than you. Even once you are released, you will always be known as a convict. Please, John, save yourself that hardship and give them the name.”

“
I can't.”

“
Why not? He's no friend to you. He makes you do the dirty work and face the penalty while he gets off scot-free. Is that what a friend does?”

“
I can't tell you because I don't know.”

“
How can you not know?”

“
He doesn't use 'is name, everyone calls 'im Pig.”

“
Pig?” Lucien asked.

“
Aye.”

“
And where does this 'Pig' frequent?” Martha asked.

“
I don't know. He meets us in the market square. We hand over the catch and 'e gives us t'money.”

Lucien looked to his steward.

“
The square is busy every day, it would be impossible to find 'im.” Smithers answered his unasked question.

“
What if John pointed him out for you,” Martha asked.

“
No way!” Smithers had relaxed his stance somewhat as John began to talk so John made a bolt for the door.

Lucien caught him, though he kicked and squealed in protest.

“
John, John, it's all right. Calm down.” Martha could tell that he was frightened and that was why he was struggling so hard.

Finally John realised that it was hopeless and stopped fighting.

“
Will this 'Pig' hurt you if you point him out?”

John nodded.

“
Oh, John. Why would you choose someone like that over a family who loves you?” Needless to say, John didn't answer so Martha looked to Lucien. “Is there any way that John can pay off his debt to you?”

“
You mean that you will pay off his debt,” Lucien answered. “I'm sorry but no. It might however, be possible for John to work his debt off. There is a lot of labour required to run an estate like ours and I'm certain that we can find ample tasks for him to do.”

Martha thought that sounded like an excellent idea.

“
All right, he will be with you bright and early tomorrow morning.”

“
Very well.” Lucien smiled at her but Martha noticed this his steward didn't look too happy. “I should add, however, that if he reneges on this agreement, I will press charges and make certain that he is punished to the full extent of the law.”

“
I understand,” Martha nodded. “John, do you accept?”

John didn't answer, clearly the idea of working off his debt wasn't appealing.

“
John? You either agree or the steward and Lord Beaumont will escort you to jail now.”

John mumbled.

“
Pardon?”

“
I said, all right!”

“
Good.” Martha smiled.

Lucien put John down and he immediately ran upstairs.

“
I'm so sorry,” Martha said to both of them.

“
No doubt a few days hard labour will put  him straight,” Lucien smiled.

“
Can I offer you gentlemen some tea?”

“
I've to get back to the estate,”  Smithers said. “Tell the boy to be at the back of the house for eight in the morning.”

“
I will,” Martha promised. “Thank you.”

Smithers grunted, clearly disagreeing with his masters decision.

“
I'll stay for tea,” Lucien said. “That is if you are still happy to have me.”

“
I am.”

Another tip she had learned whilst in service was to keep some water on the stove all the time so that it didn't take forever to heat up when needed. She quickly made a pot of tea for them and got out two mugs.

“
Where are the other children?” Lucien asked as she sat down at the table with him.

“
Playing in the garden,” she said. “I bought some toys in town today so after they had done their chores, I let them play. You should have seen their faces light up.”

“
I can imagine,” Lucien smiled warmly at her.

“
I should also tell you that I ordered a rocking horse from a local craftsman today which I asked to be delivered through you. Do you mind?”

“
Not at all.”

“
And I should probably mention that the local shop keepers would only give me a line of credit if you would guarantee it, all bills to be sent via you again.”

“
Of course,” he said. “I trust you.”

“
Thank you. I really am very sorry for what John did. Are you certain that I cannot reimburse you?”

“
I am. I know that his behaviour has nothing to do with you and I dare say that losing a few rabbits and pheasants won't be our undoing.”

“
I hope not,” she smiled. “Actually I have been wanting to talk to you about this house. I only intended to rent somewhere for them until I could buy a property but they seem to like it out here, especially the garden. It also has many advantages, like the water pump in the garden and it's far enough out of town that they are a little removed from any bad influences, so I was wondering if you would be prepared to rent the house to me, long term.”

“
I think that can be arranged,” he nodded.

“
Thank you.” She smiled at him but it faded as she noticed the dark circles under his eyes. “You look tired.”

“
Oh, I haven't been sleeping well. Nothing serious.”

“
How is your father?”

“
He seems a little better, actually. I believe he's looking forward to a holiday. It must be terribly tedious for a man such as him to be so confined.”

Martha knew that she shouldn't put this idea to him without hearing from Gus first but she felt so grateful to him that she wanted to gave him some hope too.

“
Actually, I had an idea last night that might help both you and the town,” she said. “Yesterday I taught Mary some of the basics of sewing and that night I found myself sketching dresses and suits rather than gloves and it occurred to me that we could branch out from gloves.”

Lucien listened with interest but he didn't see how this could help the town or him yet.

“
We make some matching scarves and some muffs at the moment but I got to thinking, what if we were to branch out into outerwear and men's coats?”

“
Why those?” he asked.

Martha smiled, realising that she'd missed out a rather important step. “Because whilst wool isn't a popular fabric for many garments, coats, cloaks and suits can be made from wool.”

“
So you're proposing to buy the fabric to make them from our woollen mill?”

“
Actually I was thinking more of a partnership with and expansion of the mill. I know you keep some sheep but if you were to buy a herd of Merino sheep, who produce the best quality wool, you can sell that to the  woollen factory for a much lower cost than importing it from elsewhere. We would then take the cloth they make and turn it into lovely garments. It would increase the prosperity of the town and keep the factory going until the railway arrives.”

“
Go on,” Lucien said, interested in her plan.

“
We could keep it separate as I described, with the mill buying from you and us buying from the mill but I was thinking that it would be better to go into partnership with the mill, buy into the business, which has the added bonus of giving the mill capital to expand or at the very least, remain in Marchwood rather than moving away.

“
I'm sorry, Martha.” Lucien sighed. “Whilst buying the sheep isn't out of the question, I just don't have the capital to fund that sort of investment in the mill.”

“
Could you not borrow it?”

Lucien looked even more tired, if that was possible.

“
I'm afraid the bank have already cut off our credit until we pay off some of our debt.”

Martha couldn't believe that he would confide that in her, especially knowing how well her business was going. She was silent for a while as she considered the options.