CHAPTER 16

‘Lily, are you all right?’ She spun round to find Tom hurrying towards her. ‘I saw the squire galloping off like the devil was after him. Gosh, girl, you’re trembling. Did he upset you, ’cos I’ll have something to say to him if he did?’

She noticed he was bunching his fists as he spoke, and quickly reassured him. ‘Heavens, no, he was three sheets to the wind.’

Tom stared at her, opened his mouth to say something, then shrugged.

She’d do her best to get her testimonial, although goodness knew how, and then have nothing more to do with the squire, she vowed.

‘Did you go and see Miss Chicke?’ Tom asked.

She nodded.

‘And was the room still vacant?’

She nodded again, deciding she’d had enough questions for one day. ‘Fancy a stroll along the shore?’ she asked.

Tom gave her a searching look. ‘Why not?’ he said, and grinned.

But as they walked side by side along the water’s edge, the events of the past few days caught up with her and she could feel her anger rising. Stopping to lean against a rock, she pulled off her boots and stockings, hitched up her skirts and stepped into the water. Ignoring Tom’s startled look, she paddled around, enjoying the feel of the waves as they lapped over bare skin. As her feet cooled so did her temper.

She was damned if she going to let the sordid squire and his empty threats spoil her evening. Turning towards Tom, she saw he was frowning.

‘Is something wrong?’ she asked, climbing out of the water and shaking the drops from her feet.

‘Your aunt was going frantic this morning. She said she hadn’t seen you last even and that your bed hadn’t been slept in.’

‘When did you see her?’ she asked as she pulled on her boots.

‘First thing,’ he said, frowning as he remembered. ‘There I was walking past your cottage when out she came like a whirling dervish, accusing me of spending the night with you.’

‘Oh, she didn’t?’ Lily groaned.

‘Well, you can rest assured your reputation is safe, for I put her right on that score. Couldn’t tell her where you were, though, ’cos I didn’t know meself, did I?’ he said, giving her a searching look.

‘Come on, I’d best be getting back. I’ll tell you what’s been happening as we walk.’

When she’d finished filling him in, he was silent for a few moments.

‘Lily, I know you’re a kind-hearted girl but aren’t you taking this all a bit seriously? You’re paid to make your own lace, not other people’s, and as for sleeping in the donkey-cart, well, anything could have happened. I’ve already warned you about those owlers, haven’t I?’

‘Well, nothing did, and I wouldn’t expect you to understand, Tom. Anyway, what were you doing up at Coombe first thing?’ she asked, as it struck her that it wasn’t the first time he’d visited whilst she was away in Bransbeer.

‘Ah, well now, happen that’s for me to know,’ he said, tapping the side of his nose. ‘Let’s just say I have a surprise for you, my lovely Lily. If all goes to plan, it means we can be wed as soon as you are out of mourning for your mother, God rest her soul.’

‘That’s wonderful, Tom, but what is the surprise?’ she asked, tugging at his arm.

‘Not telling you,’ he chuckled. ‘But as soon as you’ve settled into your new room, I’ll take you to dinner at the finest hostelry in Bransbeer to celebrate.’

‘Hmm, that’ll give us lots of choice then,’ she teased. ‘Well, I suppose I better get back home and face the music,’ she said as they reached the stables.

‘Oh, so you’ve remembered where your home is, albeit not for much longer.’

Lily looked up from unlacing her boots, to see her aunt standing in front of her, hands on hips, two bright spots staining her cheeks.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t make it home last night, Aunt Elizabeth, but I had to rework one of the lace maker’s pieces. By the time I’d finished, it was dark and I was too scared to come home by the cliff path in case the owlers were out, especially with all the sheep having been sheared. Tom told me they always move the wool on as soon as they can.’

‘Spent the night by yourself, did you?’ Aunt Elizabeth asked sharply.

‘Yes,’ Lily answered, looking puzzled.

‘And I was born yesterday, was I?’

‘If Lily says she was working, then she was, Aunt. She’s no liar,’ Robert declared, coming into the room. Lily shot him a grateful look.

‘It’s the truth all right, Aunt Elizabeth. I always tell the truth, remember? Besides, Tom said he spoke to you this morning.’

‘It wasn’t him I was thinking of, young Lily. Word on the street says a certain merchant’s taken a shine to you. Spend the night with him, did you? Become his dolly mop, have you?’

Lily’s eyes widened as she stared at her aunt in disbelief.

‘I’ve no need to make extra money like that, thank you very much,’ she retorted, wondering why her aunt was being so nasty. Crossing the room, she held her hands out in front of the fire to warm them.

‘Are you all right?’ Robert asked, following her.

‘Just bone weary,’ she said stifling a yawn. ‘I can’t say I’d recommend sleeping in the donkey-cart, though.’

Robert grimaced. ‘Reckon you’ll not have spent a comfortable night.’

‘No, it took a while to get to sleep,’ she answered, shuddering as she recalled the scary noises and how she’d cowered under her shawl. ‘But I was that tired, I nodded off eventually …’ Her voice tailed off as she sniffed the air appreciatively.

‘Hungry? You’ll not say no to some pea soup then,’ he said, smiling.

‘Well, don’t think I’m about to wait on you, young lady,’ her aunt shouted through from the scullery. ‘I’m away to Grace’s and my bed.’

‘Good night, Aunt Elizabeth,’ Lily called, but the only reply was the slamming of the back door.

‘Don’t fret, Lily,’ Rob soothed as she stood there open-mouthed. ‘Aunt Elizabeth was that worried when you didn’t come home that she stayed here last night. She’ll have calmed down by the morning.’

‘I hope so. I felt awful realizing she’d worry, but there was no way I could let her know. I could hardly call to her from Bransbeer, could I?’

‘You’ve got a loud enough voice, our Lily, but happen even you couldn’t shout that far.’

‘Cheek!’ she said, pretending to be outraged.

Chuckling, he leaned forward and ladled out some soup from the pot hanging over the fire. ‘That used the last of the dried peas from our stores, but I reckon we’ve just enough potatoes to last until we move out,’ he said, handing the cup to Lily. ‘Now, tell me, why did you have to stay up half the night working on this lace? Couldn’t the woman redo it herself?’

‘Anna, that’s her name, made a right mess of it. She’s having trouble with her eyes and may be going blind, poor thing,’ she said sighing. ‘With lace making putting such a strain on the eyesight it’s not an uncommon occurrence, but it would be a real tragedy for Anna. She has a hard life as it is, with a drunkard for a husband and six young kiddies to feed. If I hadn’t reworked the lace she would have been in trouble, we would have been behind schedule, and Mrs Bodney wouldn’t have been pleased.’

‘It’s a really important job, this one, then?’

‘Yes, it is. When it’s finished and you find out who we’re making it for, you’ll be amazed, Rob.’

Gently easing himself up from the chair, he patted her shoulder. ‘I’m sure. Now sup your soup and I’ll fetch some bread. I hid a heel in the cupboard in the scullery,’ he said, grinning as he hobbled from the room. She smiled and took a sip. As the liquid slipped down her throat, warming her insides, she felt herself relaxing at last. Then, when Rob returned with her bread, he sat quietly watching the fire whilst she ate it. But as soon as she’d finished, she heard him clearing his throat. A sure sign he had something on his mind.

‘Lily, this merchant Aunt Elizabeth was talking about. Is there anything between you?’

‘Robert, what is all this? Mr Mountsford is just a merchant who deals with Mrs Bodney.’

‘Did he send you flowers?’ he asked, watching her closely.

‘How do you know about those?’ she gasped.

‘Aunt Elizabeth took some clean clothes down for Beth earlier. Apparently, when Mrs Goode went to Bransbeer to collect her provisions, Molly thought it her duty to pass on what she’d heard.’

‘Molly. I might have known. Honestly, I swear I’ll silence that tattle-tale permanently one of these days,’ she burst out, remembering the girl had delivered Mrs Bodney’s victuals the day before. Clearly, she’d taken advantage of the woman’s absence and snooped around. Robert stared at her in surprise and, shocked by her outburst, Lily stared down at the floor.

Robert cleared his throat again. ‘Look, Lily, I don’t mean to pry, but I worry about you. This Mr Mountsford is obviously a man of the world and you, well, you’ve led quite a sheltered life here at the cottage.’

‘I know how many beans make what, though, and I swear there’s nothing between us. Yes, he did send me flowers,’ she said, ‘but only because he thought he might have offended me.’ Seeing the look of relief spreading across his face, she smiled. It was nice having her big brother looking out for her. ‘Besides, you know Tom’s the one for me.’

‘Tom’s a fine man and a good friend, but he cares that much for you, Lily, he’d get mighty mad if he thought anyone had eyes for his betrothed.’

‘Rob, you do worry so,’ she said, patting his arm.

‘As I said, people like to talk and now with this Mountsford on the scene, well …’

‘Mr Mountsford is just a merchant who deals with Mrs Bodney,’ she repeated.

‘He’s a merchant who likes you well enough to send you flowers. His kind lead a different life from ours, Lily. He might try and tempt you with the finer things of life. But then he’ll expect you to—’

‘Oh, Robert, don’t you start,’ she said, sighing. ‘Mrs Bodney was saying something similar earlier. Fishing’s an honest way to earn a living, and now Tom’s baiting up the pots as well he’s bringing in more money for when we wed.’ Eager to change the subject, she asked, ‘Are you looking forward to going to Ilminster?’

‘Oh, Lily, I can’t wait to feel useful again. I never dreamed I’d get the opportunity to learn a new trade. Who knows, I might even make you and Tom a clock for your wedding present.’

She smiled fondly at him. ‘That would be something to treasure, Rob,’ she said, stifling a yawn. ‘Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll bid you good night. As you reminded me earlier, it’s less than three weeks till we flit, and I haven’t even begun packing my things.’ She bent and kissed his cheek. ‘You will keep in touch when you move, won’t you?’

‘Nothing will keep me away from your wedding, little sister,’ he said, his eyes bright with emotion.

When Lily was alone in the room she used to share with her mother and Beth, the events of the day caught up with her. Undressing quickly, she sank thankfully into bed. However, sleep eluded her and she lay in the darkness thinking back over the past few days. Should she have told Tom about the flowers? Surely, he would understand they were given as a peace offering? There again, Molly was a troublemaker and might make it her business to tell Tom before Lily next saw him. She would get up early and see him before he sailed. How much easier it would be when she was living in Bransbeer and they could spend more time together. But would the squire give her a testimonial? And if he did, would the room still be available?

Finally, she fell into a restless doze, only to be plagued by busy dreams where the squire was chasing her around the cliffs, his slug-like fingers greedily reaching out to grab her. He was being chased by Rupert Mountsford, who was being chased by Tom. Round and round the cliffs they all ran, faster and faster, until she was so dizzy she spun off the edge and fell into the sea.