The Lost And Found Girl (25 page)

She felt better and reminded him, ‘You said you’d dance with me.’

‘Well, we’ll have to hurry if you want a jig before the fiddlers stop for their supper.’

Daisy was breathless when they arrived at the barn just in time for an eightsome reel. As they approached Boyd pulled on her arm and said, ‘Listen. Don’t say anything about what you saw.’

‘I don’t see why not. Wouldn’t folk want to know his lordship was poorly?’

‘Good servants don’t gossip about their masters.’

Daisy agreed and shrugged. It made no difference to her as she danced because her thoughts were distracted by her encounter with Master James dressed up in his finery. She wondered how she would have to dress so he thought she looked pretty. Like a lady aristocrat, she realised, and she hadn’t ever seen one. Perhaps she might if she stayed at the Abbey.

His lordship’s family did not stay long at the festivities. Master James stood on the cart that the callers used and made a short speech of thanks, explaining that his lordship’s doctor had advised him to stay indoors now the autumn chill was upon us. Daisy stretched her neck to catch a glimpse of Master James and his party. But she was crowded out by others who were taller than she.

‘Can you see any ladies?’ she asked Boyd.

He shook his head. ‘There weren’t any in the carriage. Come to think of it, nobody ever mentions a Lady Redfern.’

Daisy didn’t think any more about it as she joined the throng in the barn to enjoy the harvest supper laid out on
long tables for everyone to help themselves. After the meats there were huge plum cakes and trays of ginger parkin washed down with more ale or cider. The music started again and Daisy was taken up as a partner by three different young men she had never seen before at the Abbey. One was a footman and the other two said they were gardeners so she did not sit out for a single dance after supper. She was so tired by the finish that she fell asleep on the cart ride back to the Abbey and when nudged awake by the other maids she could not recall their names.

They laughed and teased her for a while, then went on to prod someone else. She barely remembered climbing down from the cart and dragging herself into bed. But her earlier encounter still rankled and her last waking image was of Master James in the lamplight.

Well, I don’t think Master James would be quite so handsome either, she thought, without all his fancy clothes.

Daisy changed her mind at the harvest festival the following day. The church, although large, was filled with Abbey and village folk and the display of produce was a wonderful medley of autumn colours. A mixture of orchard fruit smells drifted out to the congregation. Every pew was packed apart from the front one reserved for his lordship so latecomers had to stand at the back. Daisy was squashed in next to the aisle and gave a little wave to Boyd on the other side.

When Lord Redfern was wheeled past her in his Bath chair she could have reached out and touched him. He was muffled up with woollen shawls and blankets and looked wizened and grey. His steward pushed the squeaky creaking wheeled chair, left it in the aisle by the front pew and went to sit in the second row. Master James walked behind him
and took his place alone in the front pew. His lordship remained in his Bath chair throughout the service. When the rector appeared he looked grand in his vestments, though he seemed to have difficulty climbing up to the lectern to give his sermon. He started off well but his voice dropped and trembled from time to time so that Daisy couldn’t hear what he said. She heard someone whisper, ‘Time they put the old reverend out to pasture,’ and the reply, ‘Not while there’s breath in his lordship.’

There weren’t any ladies in the front pew which was a huge disappointment for Daisy. She had looked forward to admiring their dress and hair. Daisy hadn’t thought of it before but she had not seen any pretty gowns in the front pew on the few times she had attended church. She guessed his lordship’s wife had died. Perhaps Master James’s mother and father had gone the same way and he did not even have a sister or aunt to grace their pew. She remembered the friendliness of the large brewery family in comparison. Rum lot, his lordship’s family, she thought but was fascinated by them nonetheless.

Daisy enjoyed singing all the harvest festival hymns. It was her favourite service. She was in a cheery mood when it was over and Lord Redfern’s steward wheeled him past her to the church door. Master James was cheerful too. He nodded and smiled to the left and right, gaining approving looks from his lordship’s servants and tenants.

As he neared her pew, he caught sight of her and his eyes lingered. She wanted to smile at him but dared not and looked down at the worn flags as he passed. She watched his boots hesitate and concentrated on them, aware that she was blushing. It was only for a few seconds but it seemed an age before he stepped forward again and moved on. The
most senior servants from the Abbey followed him and she hoped the butler or housekeeper had not noticed her discomfort.

The rest of the congregation filed out slowly and Boyd was waiting for her amongst the churchyard headstones. ‘I expect you saw Master James behind Lord Redfern,’ he said.

Daisy chewed on her lip and nodded.

‘He took quite an interest in you as he went by,’ Boyd added.

‘I didn’t look at him, honest, Boyd. I kept my eyes on the floor.’

‘Yes, I noticed. But he did take a good long look at you.’

‘I didn’t ask him too,’ she protested.

Boyd stared at her and heaved a sigh. ‘I know. Oh Daisy, I’m worried for you. You have to be careful with his sort. They think they can take liberties with servants. Were you honest with me about when he spoke to you last night?’

‘I told you! He just came over and asked about you and me. And he really did say I wasn’t pretty!’

Boyd appeared to relax. ‘Well, his interest may be more about me than you. Although I can’t fathom why Master James has to be involved.’

‘What do you mean? You don’t think Father has found out where we are and wants us back.’

‘No, it’s nothing to do with that.’ He seemed undecided about going on. Eventually he took her elbow and steered her away from the other servants. ‘It’s probably my fault. I had to tell the steward about us, well, about you really.’

‘What did you have to tell him?’ If the housekeeper asked too many questions she would get totally the wrong impression of her. She really didn’t want to tell anybody else about her whippings or her fever.

‘Don’t be upset, Daisy. I had to tell him I was responsible for you because – because – it was to do with – oh Daisy, I haven’t said anything because I don’t want to raise your hopes only to have to dash them later.’

‘What is it, Boyd? We ought not to have secrets from each other.’ She meant this and felt a pang of guilt as she said it. She had kept her whippings a secret from him.

He gave her a wry smile. ‘Mr Stanton, Lord Redfern’s steward, has noticed how I handle the horses and – and, well, he wants me to move to the Abbey stables for the foaling in the New Year.’

‘You mean you won’t have to leave when the ploughing is finished? Oh Boyd, you are so clever!’ Daisy’s eyes shone. She flung her arms round him and hugged him.

He took a firm hold of her hands and pushed her away. ‘Don’t do that, Daisy. I had to tell him that I couldn’t stay on in the New Year if you have to move on.’

‘But you have to stay! You mustn’t worry about me. I shall be eighteen next month. I can take care of myself.’

‘You don’t know what you are talking about. You can’t be on your own without a position and somewhere to live. You’ll be seen as a vagrant and they’ll send you to the workhouse. If I am to work in the stables, you have to be taken on too.’

‘But Annie told me there’d be nothing for me here once the Christmas festivities are over! You have to have proper learning in a special school to gain a position in the Abbey and that costs money. Oh Boyd, what shall I do?’

‘We’ll move on, both of us, and find somewhere else.’

‘No,’ she protested. ‘You can’t turn down a position here because of me. I’ll not let you.’

‘You can’t stop me,’ he pointed out.

‘We’re not leaving,’ she countered. ‘I’ll find something.’

‘Like what?’

‘I don’t know,’ Daisy answered and thought, I really have no idea. They parted and as Boyd moved away with other outdoor servants she wanted to call after him, ‘I’ll do anything. Say yes.’

She was a burden to him. If he didn’t have her in tow he’d be working with fine carriage horses and hunters in the New Year, instead of labouring with the heavy horses and oxen at the farm. She couldn’t be responsible for him turning down such an opportunity. She really must find a position elsewhere. Perhaps Annie would write her a testimonial and recommend her as a domestic servant in a smaller mansion? But where, how far away from Boyd would it be and dare she go there on her own?

A few weeks later, Edgar felt his age when he arrived at Milo’s vicarage on the far side of the Riding. He’d lived the life of a gentleman in Leeds for more than five and ten years and had grown tired of lodgings no matter how gracious they were. He’d always felt he’d deserved better and had at last achieved it with the lease on Ellis House. Not long now. A young maid took his riding coat and showed him into Milo’s small study.

‘Not disturbing you, am I? I thought I’d ride over myself with the news. It’s seems further than before.’

Milo put down his pen. ‘Come and sit down. You look quite flushed.’

‘When I remember the journeys we used to do together on horseback, I can’t think why I’m so exhausted.’

‘Brandy?’

‘Splendid.’

Milo got up to pour. ‘You’ve got a high colour, old boy. Have you seen a physician lately?’

‘I’m not ill,’ Edgar replied.

‘You’re heavier than you used to be.’

Edgar clicked his tongue. ‘Mrs Wortley’s housekeeping. She’s a fine woman, Mrs Wortley, exceptional I’d say.’ He grinned and took the brandy glass from his friend. ‘Your wife and family are well?’

‘They’re all in excellent health, thank you. And yours?’

‘James is turning out to be a fine young man. I see him from time to time, you know.’

‘I’m very pleased to hear that. Your great-uncle has relented after all.’

‘Oh, he doesn’t know. That’s my good news. Lord Redfern has taken a turn for the worse.’

‘That’s hardly good news for him, my friend.’

Edgar’s eyes roamed around the room. ‘Don’t tell me you want to stay here for ever. You want him dead as much as I do.’

‘Well, this house is too small now my family is growing.’

‘You see! We are all just waiting for the old man to depart this earth. Who ever dreamed he would have lasted this long? He’s overdue for the pearly gates. Folk in Redfern Village are saying he’ll be gone in a few months.’

Milo raised his eyebrows. ‘Do you visit the estate openly?’

‘Not on your life! The estate has a steward who runs the place exactly as the old tyrant decrees. He carries a shotgun and asked me to leave once! Would you credit it? Well, I shall be Lord Redfern soon and he’ll be the first to go.’ Edgar leaned forward and lowered his voice as though he were telling a secret. ‘I’m known at the Redfern Arms, and a very good inn it is too.’ He finished his brandy and held out the glass. ‘And it’ll all belong to me soon.’

Milo stretched for his decanter. ‘What will you do about the incumbent rector? You can’t turn him out.’

‘Oh he’s only hanging on until his lordship dies. He has some kind of loyalty to the family and all that.’

Milo refilled both their glasses. ‘Well, I can’t say I’m not looking forward to a better living. I want a good school for my boy.’

‘Why don’t you come over and stay with me for a few days? I’ve moved from Leeds to be nearer to Redfern Abbey and taken a lease on a country house about ten miles distant.’

Milo raised his eyebrows again but didn’t ask Edgar the obvious question of how he could afford it. Nonetheless, Edgar took pleasure in telling him. ‘The bank advanced the money. I can get anything I want from them.’

It was not strictly true. They gave him funds for anything that might have a resale value and a fixed quarterly sum for his living expenses. But it was never enough and he was always running out and having to go cap-in-hand for more. As if the Redfern coal field wasn’t the biggest in the Riding. Edgar didn’t care. Soon he would have all he could spend and more.

He raised his glass and added, ‘My blood is their security.’

‘We-ell,’ Milo inhaled, ‘I’d certainly like to show my wife and family where their future home will be.’

‘Ah,’ Edgar paused and then cautioned. ‘Family might be a bit difficult.’

‘Then your country house is really just a cottage?’

‘It’s big enough. I wanted something more fitting to my status.’ He felt uncomfortable about this but, damn it all, he wasn’t ashamed or anything, quite the opposite. ‘It’s your wife, you see,’ Edgar groaned. ‘Women folk are shocked by these things, and they gossip so much.’

‘What are you talking about?’ Milo pressed.

‘Mrs Wortley.’

‘Wasn’t she your housekeeper in Leeds?’

‘I’ve taken her with me to Ellis House.’

‘But she’s only your housekeeper. She does what you say, not the other way round.’

‘She’s – she’s not exactly my housekeeper any more.’

Milo gave him a level stare which he found unnerving. ‘Edgar,’ he sighed. ‘Please tell me she is not living with you as your mistress.’

‘The house is isolated, and the servants know only what they are told, so why not.’

‘You have a wife! That is why not!
I
can’t visit you under those circumstances, let alone with my family.’

‘Don’t say that, Milo. Who’s to know?’

‘I’m a vicar! I can’t take that risk.’ Milo got to his feet irritably. ‘It’s not the same as when we were young. Since this young queen came to the throne everyone has to be more discreet about how they behave. Even the bishops take Her Majesty seriously.’

‘Well, I’m not letting any woman, whether she’s the queen or not, tell me what to do.’

‘Don’t be foolish, you’ll cause an enormous scandal and ruin everything just as our plans are working out at last. I’ve waited a long time for this, Edgar, and you owe me.’ There was an awkward silence until Milo added, ‘How is your wife anyway?’