CHAPTER 17

Next morning, Lily woke later than she’d planned and by the time she arrived in Bransbeer Tom’s boat, along with the rest of the fleet, was already heading for the deeper waters off Lyme Bay.

Promising herself she’d tell him about the flowers the next time they met, she stabled Doris and made her way to Mrs Bodney’s cottage. She had a lot of work to catch up on so the extra time would be well used. However, she hadn’t long been at her pillow when the maid popped her head round the door.

‘Mr Mountsford wonders if you could spare him a moment?’ she whispered.

‘Oh, Tilda,’ she groaned. ‘Can’t Mrs Bodney see him?’

But the girl shook her head. ‘Madam’s out this morning.’

‘Very well,’ she said, smothering a sigh as she smoothed down her skirts and hurried through to the parlour.

‘Mr Mountsford, what a pleasant surprise. How can I be of help?’ she asked briskly. He jumped up, smiling at her so brightly, she couldn’t help smiling back.

‘Rupert, please,’ he reminded, then nodded towards the mantel where the lilies were in full bloom. ‘I see you received my flowers. I trust they were acceptable?’

‘They are beautiful, Rupert, thank you,’ she said, still feeling awkward at using his personal name.

‘I felt I must ask because, to be honest, I’m puzzled to see them here in Mrs Bodney’s parlour,’ he said, frowning.

Remembering her employer’s instructions to keep him happy, Lily thought quickly.

‘My journey home from work entails riding in a donkey-cart. Alas, all that bumping would cause the petals to fall and I thought it would be a shame to ruin such beautiful flowers.’

‘I understand,’ he said, looking relieved. ‘And the card that accompanied them?’

‘I have it right here in my pocket,’ she said, slapping her apron.

Positively beaming now, he continued, ‘Then may I ask if you’ve had time to consider my invitation to join me for tea?’

‘Oh, yes. I’d be delighted to offer you tea here in the parlour,’ she said quickly and although he smiled politely, his eyes sparked with mischief.

‘That would be most agreeable. That is, if you’re sure I won’t be keeping you from your work.’

‘I’m sure Mrs Bodney won’t mind, as long as we are not too long,’ she said, ringing the little bell. Tilda appeared, seeming unusually flustered.

‘A tray of tea for two, please, Tilda,’ Lily said, frowning at the maid, who seemed to be studying the floor with unusual interest.

However, Rupert proved to be an entertaining visitor and she soon forgot Tilda’s curious behaviour as he regaled her with amusing tales of his travels between London and Devonshire. The moment he’d finished his tea, however, he jumped to his feet, declaring he had kept her from her work long enough.

‘Before I forget, please could you see that Mrs Bodney receives this?’ he said, handing her a small package.

‘Yes, of course,’ she said, setting it down on the table.

‘I’d be obliged if you’d hand it to her personally, Lily,’ Rupert said frowning.

‘Why, yes, of course,’ Lily said, surprised at his insistence. Picking up the package she popped it into her apron pocket.

‘It’s something she particularly likes and I’d hate for her not to receive it,’ Rupert explained, smiling. ‘Thank you for your kind hospitality, Lily. I hope you will let me return it by joining me for supper one evening.’ A knowing grin spread across his face and she knew that not for one moment had he been taken in by her ploy of entertaining him here in the parlour. However, Mrs Bodney’s instructions were to keep him happy, so she coaxed her lips into a smile.

‘Thank you, Rupert,’ she said, ringing the little bell. Relieved when Tilda appeared, she hardly noticed that once again, the little maid kept her eyes averted.

That evening, as soon as the ladies had left the workroom, Lily followed them out, bolted the door and hurried to the donkey-cart. She was concerned that Rupert might appear and she had no wish to make excuses to him or her aunt. As she began the descent into Coombe, it suddenly struck her that in her haste to avoid Rupert, she’d forgotten about seeing Tom.

‘Oh, well, Doris, it seems another early morning’s called for,’ she said. The donkey brayed, but whether it was in response to her statement or because she’d spied the cottage and knew supper was waiting, Lily couldn’t be sure.

Drawing up outside the cottage, Lily was surprised to see the squire’s bay tethered to the fence. Her heart sank. Was there no escaping the man? Then she saw Rob, looking grim, hobbling towards her.

‘Squire Clinsden’s inside. He’s in a right old temper and going through all your things,’ he cried.

‘What?’ Lily gasped. ‘Why?’ Looking up, she saw Aunt Elizabeth wringing her hands as she hurried towards her.

‘Oh, Lily, what have you done?’

‘What on earth’s the matter?’ Lily asked, rushing into the cottage. Her heart beat faster as she heard banging and cursing coming from her room. Then, the squire burst out, brandishing something aloft.

‘Thief!’ he hissed at Lily, but it was the look of pure malice in his eyes that made her blood go cold. He was almost beside himself as he marched right up to her. ‘Miss Rose, I came here to carry out the inventory prior to you and your miserable family leaving and what do I find? Stolen property, that’s what!’

Bewildered, Lily stuttered, ‘But you said you were going to send your agent.’

‘Isn’t it just as well I came myself then?’ he retorted. ‘Miss Rose, I order you to attend the courtroom at noon tomorrow where you will be tried and sentenced. You will then see what happens to common thieves.’

‘What?’ she gasped. It was then she noticed what it was he was holding. ‘Oh, those were on the donkey-cart when I came out of work one evening. I was going to find out who left them there but, with all that’s happened in the past week, I forgot.’

‘You forgot. How convenient,’ the squire sneered. ‘Well, you can explain that to the Justice of the Peace tomorrow.’

‘Now come on,’ Rob began, but the squire whirled around. ‘And as for you, you are to be off these premises by sundown tomorrow or I’ll set my dogs on you.’

‘But there’s still over two weeks until quarter-day. Where will we go?’ he gasped.

‘I neither know nor care about you or her,’ the squire snarled, pointing at Aunt Elizabeth. Turning to Lily he gave a mocking laugh. ‘However, you, Miss Rose, being a common thief, won’t have to worry for you will be housed in a secure cell,’ he declared. Then, before they could answer, he stalked from the room, his cruel laughter following after him.

They stood there in stunned silence for some moments before Lily finally found her voice.

‘A common thief, am I? Well, I’ll show that Justice of the Peace. You wait and see,’ she declared bravely, although she felt sick inside.

‘But, Lily, Squire Clinsden is the Justice of the Peace,’ her aunt cried.

‘Well, he’s lying and he won’t get away with it,’ she said. ‘The truth will out, isn’t that what they say?’

But Rob looked at her pityingly. ‘I remember when old Miss Keys upset him. He accused her of stealing from him and had her sentenced to sixty days …’ Aunt Elizabeth gave him a warning look and Rob stuttered to a halt.

Lily sank into the chair and buried her head in her hands. ‘You will be there to support me, won’t you?’ she whispered.

‘We’ll do what we can, Lily, but we’ve to clear this place of our things, remember?’ Rob said. Looking up, she saw the grim expression on his face and the full implication of the squire’s visit hit her. Suddenly she felt very afraid.

‘You do believe me, don’t you, Tom? I didn’t steal those things, really I didn’t. I was up all night worrying about it.’

Tom slumped back against his boat, shaking his head as if he couldn’t take in what she’d told him. Lily searched his face, anxiously waiting for him to say something.

‘Of course I believe you. There’s no one more honest than you, Lily,’ he said, squeezing her arm. Leaning against him, she willed his warmth to stop the shakes that had been racking her body since the previous evening. No matter how hard she blinked, the tears still coursed down her face. Gently, he took out his kerchief and wiped them away.

‘Hush, now, don’t go getting yourself into a state again. Your eyes are all red and puffy as it is, and fretting ain’t going to help none, is it?’

‘I know, but if I’m found guilty, the squire could send me to gaol. Oh, Tom, I’m so scared. Why didn’t I take that veil and glove into the hostelry when I found them on the donkey-cart?’ she cried. ‘And if I’d begun packing my things for the move when I should have, I’d have come across them.’

‘Now, now, Lily, you’ve had more than enough to worry about recently. What I’d like to know is who put them in the cart in the first place?’ He glanced up and saw they were attracting attention from the other fishermen. ‘Come on,’ he said, taking her arm, ‘let’s get something hot inside you. I bet you’ve had nothing to eat or drink this morn?’

‘Oh, I couldn’t. I’d be sick,’ she grimaced but, ignoring her protests, he took her arm and led her up the beach.

‘What about your boat?’ she asked, glancing back at his lugger. With its red sails half hoisted, he’d obviously been preparing to put out to sea.

‘Bugger the boat, Lily, this is more important. First of all we’ll go and see Mrs Bodney and tell her what’s been going on. Then I’m taking you home, young lady. No, don’t look at me like that,’ he said as she opened her mouth to protest. ‘You can’t think on an empty stomach, and you’ll need your strength to defend yourself. Don’t worry, Mother’s out visiting so we won’t have to tell her anything.’

She let out a sigh of relief. Much as she liked Tom’s mother, she really didn’t have the strength for any more questions this morning. And what if she thought Lily really was a thief?

Tom called to a wizened man who was sitting atop a lobster pot, giving the impression of mending his nets, although Lily knew he’d been watching them keenly.

‘Hey, John, tell Michael to skipper the boat. Something’s come up.’

‘Right ye are, Tom,’ he answered. He was about to say something else but, seeing the scowl on Tom’s face, shrugged and turned back to his nets. Tom took Lily’s arm and together they trudged back up the beach.

Mrs Bodney took one look at Lily’s tear-stained face and ushered them straight into the parlour. Then, instead of ringing her bell as was her wont, she called through to Tilda to bring them cups of strong sweet tea immediately.

‘Do sit down and tell me what’s happened,’ she said, looking enquiringly at Tom.

‘Forgive our intrusion but Lily’s in a spot of bother.’

Mrs Bodney turned to Lily, smiling encouragingly, ‘Come along, my dear, it can’t be as bad as all that surely, unless you’ve spilled the beans on what we are making here?’ she said, only half joking.

‘Of course not, as if I would,’ Lily spluttered. ‘No, it’s the squire. He came to the cottage yesterday to take the inventory himself. He’s accused me of stealing.’

‘Surely, there must be some mistake. I’d stake my life that you are an honest person, Lily Rose.’

‘That’s what I said,’ Tom declared.

‘I am, really I am but …’ she stuttered to a halt as hot tears trickled down her cheeks once more. Tilda, appearing at that moment with the tray of tea, looked quite alarmed.

‘Thank you, Tilda, that will be all,’ Mrs Bodney said firmly, and the maid scuttled away.

‘Right, Tom, tell me exactly what this is about.’ Her calm manner encouraged him to repeat what Lily had told him earlier. When he finished, the room was silent apart from the tick of the clock on the mantel above the fireplace.

Then Mrs Bodney said, ‘Lily, I want you to think hard. Are you absolutely certain that you’d never seen this veil and glove before you found them on the donkey-cart?’

‘I swear it. Oh, why didn’t I take them straight into the hostelry?’ she wailed, dabbing at her eyes with Tom’s kerchief.

‘Introspection’s a wonderful thing,’ her employer replied. Then, seeing the puzzled look on both their faces, added, ‘It means that if we knew what the future was going to bring, it would save us a lot of trouble. The mystery is, who put these things on your donkey-cart and why?’

Mrs Bodney glanced in Tom’s direction before continuing. ‘Lily, may I ask you something delicate?’ Puzzled, Lily nodded. ‘Have you in any way upset the squire?’ Mrs Bodney’s eyes were boring into Lily. She felt her cheeks burn.

‘Ay, I’ve been wondering that,’ Tom said, staring at Lily as well.

‘Well, erm, er …’ Lily stuttered, wringing the kerchief between her fingers.

‘Look, Lily, if we’re to get you acquitted, we need to find a motive.’

‘We?’ she said, looking at Mrs Bodney in surprise.

‘Yes, Lily. I, for one, am anxious to get to the bottom of this and I’m sure Tom is too.’ He nodded vigorously. ‘But in order to do that, you need to answer my question. Now think carefully and then start at the beginning. It’s the best way, I always find.’

‘Yes, you’ve told me that before, Mrs Bodney,’ she said. ‘It was at the Harvest Supper. I’d been serving at table and the squire, he …’ she shuddered to a halt.

‘Yes, go on, Lily,’ Mrs Bodney encouraged.

‘He, well, he jumped out on me from the linen cupboard and tried to touch my—’

‘I knew it!’ Tom shot to his feet, fists clenched. ‘I’ll see that bast—’

‘Tom, please sit down,’ Mrs Bodney interrupted. ‘I can understand you being upset but we need to ascertain the facts. Now, Lily, did anything actually happen?’

‘No. Other than I had to keep dodging his blinking hands. Like an octopus, he was. I called him a few choice names, I can tell you.’

‘Did anyone see or hear you?’ Mrs Bodney asked, watching her closely.

‘No, I don’t think so,’ she said.

‘Well, I think Molly might have,’ Tom said. ‘She’s been insinuating about you and the squire for ages now. Goes on and on, she does; has a right thing about it.’

‘That’s ’cos she wants you back,’ Lily blurted out.

‘Wants me back where?’ he asked, looking puzzled.

‘She wants you to step out with her again, like you did before you met me.’

‘What?’ he spluttered. ‘Me and that fat, gossiping besom? Oh, Lily my love, you do have some weird ideas in that woolly head of yours. The only time Molly and me was together was when we attended lessons at the charity school. Even then I kept well away from her, I can tell you.’

‘But she said—’

‘Look, excuse me for interrupting, but I think this is something you two can sort out between yourselves later on,’ Mrs Bodney stated. ‘If we are to have our strategy worked out by noon we must stick to the matter in hand.’ She got to her feet and began pacing the room.‘You say you refused the squire’s advances, Lily. Has he made any since?’

Lily looked down at the floor and nodded. ‘He wanted me to accept a position at the manor when I leave the cottage.’

‘And you declined?’

‘Oh, yes, Mrs Bodney. I wanted to stay working here on the … well, you know. Anyway, the position he offered meant living in and that would mean … well, I’d be on hand, as it were, if he were to …’

‘Yes, quite,’ replied Mrs Bodney, sighing and sinking back into her chair. ‘I think we get the picture.’

‘Oh, Lily, my love, why ever didn’t you tell me?’ asked Tom. ‘I’d have had it out with him and made sure he didn’t bother you again. I said we was to have no secrets between us.’ He shook his head sadly, and sat there twisting his cap in his hands.

‘I know, Tom. But you know what they say about there being no smoke without spark, and I couldn’t take the risk that—’

‘Quite,’ said Mrs Bodney. ‘Does Lady Clinsden know about the squire’s behaviour towards you, Lily?’

‘I don’t know but he’s not exactly subtle. Poor woman, whatever made her marry a swine like that? She seems such a nice lady.’

‘She is, Lily, but things aren’t always straightforward for the upper classes. Surprising as it may seem, life can be more complicated for them. They have to satisfy parental requirements, especially where the matter of estates is concerned. Now,’ she said briskly, jumping to her feet, ‘I have some enquiries to make, so I suggest you go and get some fresh air. I shall see you at the courtroom at noon.’ And with that, she ushered them out of the door so quickly they didn’t see the worried look on her face. She knew only too well how the squire stopped at nothing to get his own back on anyone who crossed him.