Kingdom's Dream (32 page)

‘You'll be good to her, sir?' he said. ‘That goes without saying, I suppose.'

‘I'll take care of her, don't you worry, Bull. That's the trouble with you – you've too much of a conscience. Get rid of it. It will hamper your progress up the ladder.'

‘I'll try, sir,' Bull said, but the enjoyment had gone out of the day and Bull felt sure that nothing good would come of this morning's meeting with Rhiannon.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

As he stood outside in the sunshine, watching his coachman methodically grooming one of the horses, Eynon was in a furious mood. Yesterday Jayne had come to him in tears. ‘Papa,' she'd said, ‘gossip has it that Dafydd has taken a mistress, some common woman called Serena. He's flaunting her in public. It seems he no longer cares what anyone thinks of him. How could he insult me like that?'

The man had not only insulted his daughter, he had besmirched the fine name of Morton-Edwards and Eynon decided he had to be punished.

‘Jacob,' he said to the coachman, ‘do you know any men who are handy with their fists?'

Jacob looked up at him in surprise. ‘Aye, sir, I do that.'

‘Will you sort something out for me, then?'

‘That goes without saying, sir.'

‘It's Buchan. I want the man horse-whipped for what he's done to my girl.'

Jacob nodded. ‘I understand, sir. If I was a younger man I'd see to it myself.'

Eynon handed him a bag of money. ‘I don't want to know anything that would connect me with the beating, is that clear?'

‘Clear as daylight, sir.'

Eynon made his way back to the front of the house and paused, looking up at the blue bowl of the sky. ‘You are going to get what you deserve at last, Buchan!'

He could not pretend, even to himself, that Buchan's latest infidelity was at the top of his list of grievances against the man. Rather, it was the last straw. Buchan treated women as if they were of no account. The man was a scoundrel: he had no sense of honour and must be punished.

Eynon sighed in satisfaction. Later he was to meet Llinos in town, they would sit in one of the coffee-houses and talk and laugh together as they always had. His love for her had grown ever stronger as the years progressed. Even her fall from grace had not destroyed it. He had been angry with her, but his devotion had not faltered. Now that Joe was home he had less opportunity to see Llinos but they met at least once a week, and with that Eynon had to be content. If some other man had to possess Llinos, there was no one better than Joe Mainwaring.

The front-door bell jangled insistently and presently Jayne came into the sitting room, skirts billowing, cheeks flushed.

‘Dear heaven, it's so hot today! How are you bearing up, Papa?' She hugged him.

‘I'm all the better for seeing you, my darling. Come along, sit down, and I'll send for some cold cordial.' He rang the bell and Katie bobbed into the room, her face wary when she saw Jayne. Eynon concealed a smile. If only Katie knew the real Jayne: in her heart she was as gentle as a lamb. ‘Fetch us some cordial, there's a good girl,' he said, ‘and if Cook's made some of those fine Welsh cakes, bring those too.'

Katie dipped her head and vanished, and Eynon hugged his daughter again. He felt so glad that he was going to teach Buchan a lesson, but he would not mention it to Jayne, not now, perhaps never.

‘Have you heard the news?' Jayne did not wait for a reply. ‘That hussy Shanni Morgan has left Swansea, and just as well too.'

Eynon frowned. Shanni was another of Buchan's victims. ‘Poor girl,' he said. ‘She had such promise once.'

‘I don't know how you can feel sorry for her,' Jayne said sharply. ‘She lay with my husband, and goodness knows how many other marriages she has ruined. It seems her mother was just the same, a loose woman.'

‘Jayne, my love, learn a little tolerance. I understand your anger, but Shanni was duped by a clever man.'

‘So was I,' Jayne said, with uncharacteristic humility. ‘But my eyes are open now, Papa, and I won't ever let a man get the better of me again.'

‘That's my girl!' Eynon smiled at her. She looked so beautiful, so innocent, that his heart almost failed him. ‘If ever you want to come home you're more than welcome, you know that, don't you?'

‘Yes, Papa, I do and—' Jayne was interrupted by a knock.

Katie came in with a tray on her arm. ‘Cook says the Welsh cakes are freshly made, sir, and rich with fruit, just as you like them.'

‘Thank you, Katie, and thank Cook for me,' Eynon said.

‘You spoil your servants, Papa. I don't know why Katie or Cook needs thanking – they get their money and their keep, don't they?' She touched his hand. ‘But your kindness is part of the reason I love you so much.'

‘Servants are human beings like us,' Eynon said, ‘and have feelings, believe it or not.'

‘I know that. There's no need to stoop to sarcasm.' She looked at him reprovingly. ‘Now let's talk business. The station is set to open in a few weeks' time, then? I'm really excited about it, aren't you?'

‘I suppose so, though I don't know what effect the iron monster will have on our countryside.'

‘Papa!' Jayne scolded. ‘You sound like one of the peasants who think the devil will come out of the train, along with the steam from the funnels.'

‘I'm not that bad.' Eynon eased himself into a more comfortable position in his chair. ‘Now tell me, how are the share prices doing today?'

He scarcely listened to her reply, though, because he was thinking about Buchan and how the man was going to get just what he deserved.

Katie was in the kitchen with Cook and Rhiannon. The other servants were still busy at their chores, and the rattle of crockery could be heard from the scullery. One glance at Rhiannon told her that the girl was bursting to tell her something. Somehow, Katie felt it would not be very pleasing to hear.

Cook broke the silence. ‘All right, Rhiannon, tell us what's on your mind.'

‘Well,' Rhiannon glanced at Katie, ‘I saw Bull when I was in town.' Katie's heart missed a beat.

‘Go on,' Cook said impatiently, ‘what about it?'

‘He's asked me to go and live with him in his fine house, that's what.'

‘It's not true! He would have told me that himself,' Katie stated.

‘Well, has he asked you to move in there with him, Miss Prissy Prissy?'

‘No, of course not!' Katie felt the colour rush into her cheeks. ‘He would never suggest anything improper like that.'

‘Not to you, perhaps,' Rhiannon said smugly, ‘but, then, you're the type who waits for the ring and the church and all that. It don't always pay, see?'

‘I don't believe Bull would ask you to live with him,' Katie said firmly. ‘If he felt that way why did he leave you alone in the hut at the side of the railway track?'

Rhiannon looked coy. ‘I think he's missing the love and comfort I always gave him,' she said. ‘Men get used to having a woman to warm the bed for them.'

‘No need for vulgarity!' Cook spoke sternly. She stared at Rhiannon, her eyes narrowed. ‘I don't believe you either, my girl. He wouldn't want you when he's got a smart girl like Katie, now, would he?'

‘Well, you'll all see. I'm going to give my notice in and you'll have to believe me, won't you?'

‘I won't be waiting until then,' Katie said. ‘I'll be going down to town first thing to see Bull. I'll soon prove that you are a liar.'

‘Go you,' Rhiannon said. ‘He'll only tell you what I've told you, that I'm going to move in with him.'

‘I think you're just making this up to hurt Katie,' Cook said. ‘Who'd want you after all the men you've been with?' She held up her hand as Rhiannon went to speak again. ‘Just keep your mouth shut, girl. You're getting too big for your boots, you are. I never liked you or approved of your loose ways and the sooner you go the better I'll be pleased.'

‘Right, then.' Rhiannon got up. ‘I'll go now. You'll see then if I'm a liar or not.'

‘You wouldn't dare leave without giving the master your notice, cos if you did you'd never get any decent job again.'

‘Get it into your head, Cook – you too, Katie – I don't need another job. I've got Bull to keep me now. I'm going to live in a fine house and sleep in a good bed and be with the man I love.' With that she rushed from the room.

Cook looked at Katie and shook her head. ‘I'll believe it when I see it,' she said. ‘The girl is playacting. She'd no more leave at this time of night than fly to the moon.'

Katie was not so sure. Rhiannon had seemed too certain of herself – and if she left the house where would she sleep if she was lying about Bull?

After a while Rhiannon came back into the room carrying her bag. ‘Well, I think you'll believe me now.' She stared at Katie triumphantly. ‘I'm going to Bull and you can't do a thing about it.'

She let herself out of the back door and Cook sat open-mouthed, staring at the door, as if waiting for Rhiannon to reappear.

‘Well, I'll be blowed!' she said. ‘She's actually gone.' She fanned her hot face. ‘I don't know where that girl's going to end up – murdered in some back alley, like as not.'

Katie felt numb. ‘Do you think she's really going back to Bull?'

‘Don't know, I'm sure,' Cook said. ‘But if I was you I wouldn't let things rest there.'

‘I won't.' Katie felt a surge of anger. ‘I'll be going to Bull's house first thing in the morning and I'll clear this up once and for all. If he thinks he can play me for a fool he's got another think coming!'

‘That's the way, girl.' Cook nodded. ‘When you see your man I'm sure everything will be sorted out once and for all.'

Rhiannon stared around her at the dark hillsides and strained to see the track leading down to the town. Her bag seemed to be growing heavier by the minute and she cursed herself for being a fool. She should have waited until morning, and even then she could not be sure of a welcome. It was true that Mr Cookson had asked her to work for him but he would not expect her so soon and certainly not at this time of night.

She sighed with relief when she saw the lamp-lit windows of the houses growing nearer: in the darkness she had felt as if she was alone in the world. She tried to gather her thoughts. The only thing she could do was go to Bull's house – surely he would not begrudge her a night's lodging.

Unsure of the way in the dark Rhiannon took several wrong turnings and found herself in unfamiliar territory. She was afraid to stop and ask directions in case someone thought she was plying her old trade.

At last she found the house and knocked at the door almost timidly.

After a long time it was opened. ‘Rhiannon!' Bull sounded none too pleased to see her. ‘What on earth are you doing here at this time of night?'

‘Can I come in, Bull?' she asked. ‘I've walked such a long way and this bag is so heavy.'

He hesitated, and she thought he was going to turn her away, but then he stepped back to allow her into the hallway. He was frowning, and Rhiannon could see that he did not want her there.

‘All right. Put down your bag at the bottom of the stairs and tell me what's going on.'

Rhiannon took off her coat and followed Bull into an elegant sitting room. A good fire burned in the grate and a glass of some golden liquor stood on the table. It was all very cosy, all ready for Katie to move in as Mrs Bull Beynon. The thought brought a bitter taste to Rhiannon's mouth.

‘Why are you here?' Bull sounded angry. ‘I am no longer responsible for you, Rhiannon. Please get that into your head.'

‘I know.' She held up her hand. ‘It's just that life up at the Big House is awful with the other servants picking on me.'

He stared at her for a long moment. ‘You're usually very good at holding your own, Rhiannon, so don't put on the helpless act now because I don't believe it.'

‘I'm sorry, Bull, I don't mean to put you out but please let me stay tonight. Tomorrow I'll go to Mr Cookson and get my job there and you'll be rid of me.'

‘How is it going to look, Rhiannon, you sleeping at my house and no one else here? I don't want to start off my life as manager with any scandal hanging over me.'

‘I'll get up early and go before it gets light, but I can't walk alone in the darkness, Bull, it frightens me.'

‘I know.' His voice was kinder. ‘All right, then, just for a few hours.'

‘Thank you, Bull, I knew you wouldn't turn me away. You're too good a man for that.'

‘You can take the back bedroom – and remember, no funny business. What we had together is over, finished. I'm going to marry Katie. I love her and I won't do anything to hurt her.'

‘I understand, Bull. Just show me the room and I'll be out of your sight.'

‘It's up the stairs at the back of the landing. You can't miss it.' His tone was sharp. ‘And, Rhiannon, if you ever do this again I'll turn you out into the night.'

‘I understand, Bull.' Rhiannon went upstairs and into the back bedroom, leaving the door ajar. The room was not lit and no fire burned in the grate, but the bed looked comfortable and inviting and, suddenly, Rhiannon realized how tired she was.

She undressed and crawled under the blankets. It was a warm night but she was shivering.

The next day Rhiannon was up early and she had lit the fire and put the bacon on to fry before Bull got out of bed. He came down to the kitchen and, without a word, went through into the yard. She heard him wash at the pump, and when he returned to the kitchen, his hair was damp and his skin shone. She ached with love for him, a hopeless love that would never be returned.