The Promise (6 page)

‘Do you build boats yourself?’

He nodded. ‘When I can spare the time from my carpentry business. Only small ones though, so far.’

‘Like this?’ Despite her earlier reaction to the little dinghy, she was impressed.

Chrissie was fascinated too by his confidence in handling the tiller, steering the small boat through eddies and currents, and away from sandbanks. Or more particularly by the power of his hands and arms, and the way the breeze plastered the open-necked shirt he wore against his broad chest and muscled shoulders. He was wearing shorts, and his legs too were pretty impressive. She averted her gaze, embarrassed by her own interest.

Ben beached the boat beneath an overhanging willow. When he switched off the engine the silence rolled in upon them. There wasn’t a sound save for that of a mallard as it quietly plopped into the water. Quite magical.

He handed her out and Chrissie was thankful to feel solid ground beneath her feet again, giving a little sigh of relief which brought forth a smile.

‘I haven’t drowned you yet, have I?’

‘I’m hoping you won’t.’ She found herself returning his smile, noting how blue his eyes were, how she liked the way his hair had been bleached by the sun, and fell untidily over a broad brow. She felt a small glow start up inside, a sensation she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

They picked their way over rocks and through bracken and furze. A bramble caught on her skirt and Ben helped her to untangle it. The touch of his fingers as they accidentally brushed against hers brought a sudden warmth to her cheeks with the awareness of how alone they were here, on the far side of the lake, the tension between them now of a very different hue.

Ben found a mossy patch for them to sit on, dry and cushioned. ‘I like to sit here sometimes, in the quiet of an evening. I’ll light a fire with driftwood and run out a line, catch some perch for my supper.’

The idea entranced her. ‘And is this where you bring your girlfriends?’ Now what on earth had possessed her to ask such a thing? Chrissie could have bitten off her tongue.

There was a short pause as Ben thought about his coming divorce, and Karen. He really didn’t want to spoil the moment by going in to all of that unpleasant stuff right now. Nor did he want this girl’s sympathy. Hadn’t he been embarrassed enough by his mother’s interfering and bossy organising? The last thing he wanted was for her to think he was seeking a replacement mother for his daughter. Yet neither did he wish to appear to lie or cover up his situation.

‘Actually, I’ve just come through the nasty process of disposing of my wife. Through the divorce courts, I hasten to add, not in any more macabre way. Though there were times …’

She didn’t laugh at his bad joke. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t be, it was the best decision I’d made in years. How about you?’

Chrissie wrapped her arms about her knees, rested her chin on them with a small sigh, and told him briefly about Tom. ‘It was probably the shortest marriage on record.’

‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘There’s no need for you to say anything. In fact, I prefer people to say nothing at all, rather than the wrong thing.’ She tried a smile, avoiding his gaze so as not to see the pity in his eyes.

‘I know what you mean. Divorce seems to disturb and shock people in some strange way too. Even my oldest friends have withdrawn slightly, as if it were a disease they might catch.’

She laughed. ‘You’re trying to get out of a bad marriage, while I’m trying to avoid being drawn into one.’

Ben was instantly alert. ‘Really? There is someone, then, back home?’

‘Not really … well, in a way. The thing is, I don’t want to marry just because Peter thinks I’d be an asset to him as a wife, or because I need—’ She stopped, unwilling to mention her demanding mother, not wishing to appear pathetic.

‘You’d be an asset to any man, but I know what you
mean. You want to be loved for yourself, not because he fancies having a wife to look after him, or to chat up his boss.’

‘Exactly!’ Chrissie turned to look at him then and saw only warmth, and something she couldn’t quite put a name to. Interest? Speculation? Those deep-blue eyes suddenly seemed as mystical and unfathomable as the waters of the lake. ‘Thank you for understanding,’ was all she could manage by way of response.

‘You’re welcome.’

There had been times recently when Chrissie had wondered if the grieving for Tom would ever pass. Sometimes she felt utterly bereft, a failure, less of a woman somehow, with no love in her life. Yet however frustrated and lonely she might feel, she was determined not to be pushed into something she wasn’t ready for. What if Peter turned out to be a bolter, like her father?

‘My mother tells me that men are all easy seduction, charming and romantic at first, full of kisses and sweet compliments. Then once the ring is on your finger, they lose interest and betray you without a second thought.’

‘Not all men. And some women are like that too.’

Chrissie glanced at him, recognised the pain in his eyes. ‘So that’s how it was, eh? Then you were wise to call an end to the humiliation. You deserve better.’

His eyes kindled with warmth and humour. ‘Are you offering?’

She gave a little chuckle. ‘Cheeky! I’ve almost made up my mind not to risk marriage ever again. I’d found my soulmate in Tom. I think it very unlikely I could be so
fortunate a second time, and have no wish to ruin my life by making a bad mistake.’

‘Good for you, except that would be a sad loss to mankind. A beautiful girl such as yourself could surely take her pick of husbands.’

‘Flatterer.’ She was laughing at his teasing now, even as she furiously shook her head. But they were talking easily, like old friends. She could never talk to Peter this way. ‘I mean to be my own person, or at least try.’ Chrissie told herself she certainly wouldn’t allow herself to be beguiled by soft words and flirting, however delicious. Nevertheless her insides seemed to melt just looking at this man.

‘Is that why you’re here? The Lakes tend to be an escape route for many.’

She looked down at her hands, clamped firmly between her knees. ‘I felt the need for some time to think, to review my life and decide where I go from here. What a cliché. Everyone says that, I suppose.’

‘It’s still a good idea, to take your time over deciding, I mean.’ He gazed out over the rippling waters of the lake. ‘And this is as good a place as any in which to do it.’

‘That’s what I thought. This quiet solitude, the panoply of mountains, seem to offer peace, a sanctuary. So, how long have you lived in Windermere?’ She brightened her tone, suddenly desperate to change the subject.

‘All my life. My mother has worked for Mrs Cowper since she was a girl.’

‘They do seem very close.’ Chrissie paused, anxious to move away from her own personal troubles but worrying how to frame her next question without seeming too
inquisitive. ‘Does Mrs Cowper have much family of her own?’ Surely a perfectly reasonable question to ask.

Ben plucked a blade of grass and began to idly chew on it. ‘Her husband died some years ago, but her son comes from time to time, usually to issue lectures and tell her what she should be doing. Moving out, if he had his way, or at least retire to one of her cottages.’

So there was a son. Her uncle! Chrissie took a moment to absorb this detail.

‘Ryall didn’t approve of his mother’s decision to turn the family home into B&B and holiday lets. I think his wife has a fancy to be mistress of Rosegill Hall.’

‘I see.’ She was struggling to disguise the growing excitement she felt at these unexpected titbits. ‘And are there more … I mean … does Mrs Cowper have any grandchildren?’

He picked up a stone and skimmed it across the still water, counting the bounces. ‘Five, not bad.’ Then laughed. ‘No, not five children, Ryall has two. A boy and girl, I think. Then there are the twins.’

‘Oh, so he has four?’

Ben shook his head, laughing all the more. ‘Sorry, no, I’m explaining this very badly. I mean Jenna and Corin, Mrs Cowper’s twin daughters. They live in the Midlands, I think, and only come at Christmas and holidays. They were here in July, as usual, with their respective husbands and children. I rather like the twins. No-nonsense types, and very jolly. They are the only ones who can put their brother in his place.’

Chrissie was stunned into silence. So this was the
‘family’ Georgia had obliquely referred to, who came and went as they pleased. Not only did Chrissie have an uncle she hadn’t been aware of, but two aunts and goodness knows how many cousins. Now, why had her mother never thought to mention them? Surely her siblings could have kept in touch, even if Vanessa had been told never to darken her mother’s doors again. Or did they cast her off too? The fact that Vanessa had never even told her own daughter that these family members existed was distinctly odd, and clearly deliberate on her part. Was this one of the reasons Mum hadn’t wanted her to come? There was clearly more to this estrangement than she’d at first realised.

Everyone had a right to a secret, except when it affected other people. But Chrissie was beginning to wonder which of these two women, Georgia or Vanessa, was the one really responsible for this family rift.

‘Are you all right?’ Ben was leaning close, looking concerned. ‘You’ve gone all pale.’

‘I’m fine.’ She could smell the fresh mountain air on him, the sharpness of green grass, feel the warmth of his closeness. In that moment Chrissie experienced an overwhelming desire to rest her head on his shoulder and weep. No, not weep. Lean into his strength and kiss him perhaps, reaffirm that she was a person who mattered and not one to be either bullied into marriage by an overcontrolling boyfriend, or ignored by a selfish mother.

‘It’s very hot, fancy a swim?’

‘I’d love one, sadly I didn’t bring my costume.’

He grinned at her. ‘I wouldn’t mind.’

Chrissie laughed. ‘I’m sure you wouldn’t, but I would.’

‘Next time, then? We could bring a picnic.’

So, he wanted there to be another boat trip, did he? One he’d arranged himself without his mother’s assistance. Still, she wasn’t against the idea. She rather liked Ben Gorran. Chrissie thought a girl could lose herself in those gorgeous blue eyes of his. ‘Just name the day and I’ll be ready.’

Addressing the barman, who looked in dire need of a shave and a clean waistcoat, I spoke in a voice loud enough to carry to the furthest corner of this grubby little bar, and to whoever may be listening beyond. ‘I believe my sister may have been brought in here and I’d be obliged, sir, if you would point me in the right direction where I might find her.’

He stared at me as if I were an alien who had fallen out of the sky. I’m quite sure the only women who ever entered his saloon were of the type whose morals were questionable to say the least. I might have appeared flustered, my hair awry and my skirt muddied, but I was undoubtedly recognisable as class. It radiated from my presence, was all too apparent in my crisp pronunciation, and must have shone out of my face like a ray of sunlight in hell, which was what this place was, near as made no difference.

‘I wouldn’t know nothing ’bout that,’ he mumbled. ‘Can’t help you, ma’am.’

‘Oh, I think you can, if you put your mind to it.’

I half turned in surprise at the sound of the voice at my elbow, startled to find my would-be assailant had come up quietly behind me. My young defender was casually dressed in brown jacket and trousers, a neat green silk cravat at his throat, and as he swept off his hat I noticed that his hair was a pale gold, almost as fair as mine was dark. Utterly entrancing.

Ignoring me completely, his attention was entirely focused upon the barman. ‘I’d do everything I could to help this lady, if I were you, unless you want your precious saloon torn apart and wrecked. I could easily arrange that, should I find it necessary, by calling on my mates from the SS
Kronus
, who are just outside. They’re handy chaps, and not too respectful of other folks’ property, or particularly sober right now. So, do you reckon I’ve jogged your mind about what might have befallen this lady’s sister?’

I rallied sufficiently from my surprise at the young man’s unexpected support to pitch in with my own two dimes’ worth. ‘And if you refuse to cooperate I shall inform my father, Mr Isaac Briscoe. As you may be aware, he is an important and influential employer in these parts, owning several of these warehouses. You might find a good many people suddenly out of work, businesses closed or buildings razed to the ground.’ It felt like an empty threat, as I hadn’t the first idea which warehouses Papa owned, but I had to say something, and this was all that came to mind off the top of my head.

The barman hurriedly disappeared into a back room, from where we heard the mumblings of a furious argument ensue. I was instantly concerned.

‘Where has he gone? If he runs off with her …’ I turned to my companion. ‘Could you really call on your friends? I didn’t see anyone outside.’

‘That’s because they weren’t there. I lied.’ He gave a flicker of a smile by way of apology. ‘It seemed worth the risk. I had to say something.’

My heart sank. ‘Then we’re on our own?’

‘Afraid so.’

Knowing me too well, Maura began to whimper. ‘Oh, please don’t you go in there, miss. Please!’

I muttered some oath under my breath which would have caused Mama apoplexy. Not that I had a single plan in my head how I was to effect a rescue, but I was determined to devise one somehow. Only the terrible fury I was experiencing held back my fear, and in desperation I began a rapid search of the area behind the bar, seeking inspiration.

‘What are you looking for?’ asked my stalwart companion, coming to join me.

‘Don’t worry, I’ve found it,’ I told him, and stormed into the room in pursuit of the barman.

The room was shrouded in gloom, so deep in shadow I at first found it well-nigh impossible to see what was happening. But it was the stink of the place which hit me the most, making me reel. It reeked of something overwhelmingly pungent and yet intensely sweet.

‘It’s opium,’ my companion whispered in my ear. ‘That’s Shanghai smoke or I’m a Dutchman.’

‘I’d rather gathered that,’ I caustically responded. Once my vision had adjusted to the dim light, I could see two men slumped in chairs, their eyes unfocused, fixed grins on their faces, their whole demeanour tantamount to the effect of the pall of smoke that hung about them. One was the stout man who had blocked our passage and taken Prudence; the other was small and thin, probably the driver of the brougham. The barman was remonstrating with them in furious whispers, talking and waving his arms about in great agitation, perhaps explaining whose daughter it was they’d abducted, and what would happen to his premises if they didn’t cooperate.

I fervently hoped they would, as I really had no wish to carry through this crazy plan of mine, if that’s what you could call it, to bring about my sister’s rescue. And there darling Prue sat, eyes wide with fright, wrists tied to the arms of a chair, a filthy gag rammed into her pretty mouth. I couldn’t believe this was happening to us. Taking a breath I stepped quickly forward before I quite lost my courage.

‘If you imagine you can get away with this, you couldn’t be more wrong. I refuse to be intimidated by threats, so don’t waste your time trying. Release my sister at once, or I promise you’ll regret it.’

The silence following this reckless statement was profound as four pairs of eyes swivelled in my direction.

I was aware of Ellis Cowper watching me in open admiration. I hoped that my young sister’s abductors
were likewise impressed, despite themselves. This sort of thing happened regularly, of course. Pretty girls or young boys would be snatched off the street and sold to some ship or other as slave labour. For a girl the prospect was particularly disastrous. Even being here, in this hellhole, could ruin her reputation for life. I flicked my gaze about the room, sizing up possible escape routes, wondering whether these ruffians would be likely to own a gun. I’d heard that most preferred a knife or blunt implement in order to threaten their victims, as dead human merchandise were of no value to them.

My companion took a step forward to place himself firmly at my side, casting me a wry sideways glance, as if to say ‘I’m with you in this’. I was immensely grateful for his support, but, not wishing to reveal my fear, I shielded my eyes with those thickly fringed lashes that Prudence admired so much.

‘Well?’ I asked the two kidnappers, in the tone of voice a schoolmarm might use to a recalcitrant child. ‘Are you going to let her go or must we summon reinforcements?’

It was at this moment that the valiant Ellis Cowper suddenly noticed what I was holding in my hand, and I sensed his recoil. It was, of course, a gun, which was what I’d been looking for behind the bar. I guessed there’d be a weapon of some sort hidden there. I’m not sure what kind it was as I’m unfamiliar with weapons. Possibly the sort of pistol that would have been used in the American Civil War. A Colt, or a Smith & Wesson perhaps? I had no idea. No more than I knew how to fire it, but I didn’t worry about that. All that mattered was that these ruffians
recognised that I meant business. I pointed it straight at the two men, keeping my aim remarkably steady, considering how I was shaking inside like an aspen in a gale-force wind.

‘Hey, steady she goes. Let’s not be too hasty here.’

My sidekick reached out a hand as if to take the weapon from me and I swung it towards him instead, a wildness in my eyes and in my heart that gave him pause. Now he was the one staring down the barrel of a gun, and though he was evidently no coward, I saw how his blood ran cold. He certainly had no intention of tackling a gal with a gun, not one in such a state.

‘OK, OK.’ He backed off, hands held high. I prayed the thugs holding my sister would show similar wisdom.

Unfortunately, perhaps seeing an opportunity while I was thus distracted, the big man was rash enough to lurch drunkenly towards me.

‘Hold it, let’s all stay quite calm, shall we?’ my companion cried, and quick as a flash jerked forward to bar the fellow’s way. I’m not sure whether this was brave or foolhardy, but he obviously felt it incumbent upon himself to prevent any bloodshed. I saw how he braced himself in case the big man should hit him, but it was me who lashed out. Ellis Cowper had reckoned without my fury. Shoving my protector out of the way, I spun about, the gun wavering crazily for a second until I managed to steady one shaking hand with the grip of the other, and fixed my livid gaze upon the fat man along its sights.

‘One more step and I shall take out your kneecap. The choice is yours. Now, untie my sister or give up all hope
of walking out of here.’ I deliberately kept my voice calm, as if I were offering him milk or sugar with his tea, while aiming the pistol firmly at his legs.

The fat man obviously believed the threat, or else he was too drugged to counter it, for he at once staggered back and began to fiddle clumsily with the knots holding Prue’s wrists. Once she was free he grabbed her by the arm and flung her to the floor. ‘Take the girl, see if I care. There’s plenty more where she came from.’

Prudence scrambled to her feet and fell into my arms in a flood of tears. ‘Darling Georgia, I knew you’d come for me, I just knew it. Don’t you always save me when I get into a pickle?’

I gave her a quick hug while keeping my eyes very firmly upon the group of men before me. ‘Don’t move a muscle, any of you, and don’t think to follow us. We have friends waiting outside, remember, who’ll make sure you stay put.’ The lie sounded so convincing no attempt was made to stop us as I quietly led my weeping sister from the room.

Once outside on the sidewalk, having thoroughly checked that no harm had befallen Prue, I thanked my partner in the rescue. Somewhere in the distance I could hear clanging bells and whistles, the clop of hooves and shouts of warehouse men going about their normal business, a comforting reminder that we were not in fact alone, and all was again right with my world. ‘I am most grateful for your assistance, Mr Cowper, even if our earlier meeting was somewhat unfortunate.’ I put out a hand to introduce
myself. ‘My name is Georgina Briscoe, and this is my sister, Prudence, and our maid, Maura Kerrigan.’

Prudence fluttered her lashes while Maura dipped a curtsey as Ellis acknowledged the introductions with a slight head bow. Taking the proffered hand, and holding it warmly between both his own, he kissed it. ‘I am truly thankful our intervention had such a good outcome. I hope you are not too shaken up by what happened.’

I hastily retrieved my hand, which suddenly seemed to have grown terribly hot. ‘I’m fine. I would never have forgiven myself if something had happened to my beloved sister.’

‘May I say that I thought you exhibited exemplary courage in there. I was most impressed.’

Prudence rushed to agree. ‘Oh, indeed, Georgia can be very fierce when she wishes. She is quite the bravest person I know, even if she is supposed to be the quiet one of the family.’

‘I can bear witness to your sister’s valour and dashing nature, Miss Prudence. But perhaps it would be wise if she were to hand me the gun now.’

I laughed, giving a careless shrug. ‘Oh, I tossed it back behind the counter as we ran through the bar. I don’t even know if it was loaded.’

‘I rather suspect it was, judging by the men’s reaction.’

‘I was certain sure we were all going to be shot dead,’ sniffed our frightened maid, dissolving into fresh tears.

‘I agree with you, Maura. For a moment in there things looked exceedingly dicey.’ He handed her a large white handkerchief, which Maura used to mop up her tears and
blow her nose upon before handing it back to him. He declined, telling her she could keep it. Then turning to me, he continued, ‘Had the big man known for certain that the gun wasn’t loaded, he could easily have wrested it from your hand, Miss Briscoe. How did you even know there would be a gun behind the bar?’

‘I assumed there would be, in case a drunken brawl should ever get out of hand. Seemed logical.’

Ellis acknowledged my quick thinking with an appreciative nod, then smilingly told Prudence, ‘As for your sister’s ability at running, she may wish to consider taking up the sport and entering the marathon in the next Olympics.’

We all fell to giggling then and Ellis crooked his arm. ‘Now, shall we proceed and get the dickens out of here while the going is good? I beg you to allow me to escort you all safely home, if only for the sake of my peace of mind. I want no more brutes attempting to accost and abduct either one of you. I shudder to think what might have happened to such a charming young girl as yourself, Miss Prudence, by falling into the hands of those criminals. You should, of course, report the incident to the police.’

I frowned, saying nothing as I privately considered the implications of this suggestion.

Maura bent close to whisper urgently in my ear. ‘
Your mama would not approve of this gentleman seeing you home. You don’t know him neither
.’

Ignoring her, I accepted the proffered arm. Normally I would have listened to such sound advice, not only because I liked and trusted Maura, but also because I tended to
veer towards caution myself in most things. However, there were times when it felt safe to take a risk, and this young man had surely proved he was trustworthy. ‘Thank you, we would be most grateful.’

Maura clicked her tongue disapprovingly. ‘What your dear mama will say when she hears the full story, I shudder to think.’

I whirled about and gave the silly girl a little shake. ‘Mama must
never
hear of this. Do you understand, Maura? Never! It must be our secret, for all time. Do you hear, Prudence? No weeping and wailing. Mama and Papa must never discover that not only did we dare to disobey her number one rule by speaking to a stranger, but the fellow took advantage by abducting poor Prudence. We would all be locked up for ever. You too, Maura. Kept within doors and never allowed to venture out alone ever again.’

There was a startled gasp from each of them as they acknowledged the truth of this, Ellis Cowper listening in respectful silence.

‘It must be our secret, then,’ Prudence softly agreed, beginning to shiver as reaction set in following her ordeal.