CHAPTER 18

As Tom and Lily made their way to the courtroom, they may have been walking side by side but the gap between them was wider than the brook. Suddenly she could stand it no longer.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the squire, Tom,’ she burst out, turning towards him. He stopped walking and looked at her so sadly her heart seemed to hit the cobbles.

‘So am I, Lily, love,’ he said, giving a deep sigh. ‘It pains me to think you didn’t trust me enough to confide in me.’

Hearing the anguish in his voice, her heart sank. Desperate to heal the breach, she smiled tentatively up at him.

‘Heaven help the squire if he pesters you again, that’s all I can say,’ he muttered, then gave her a wry grin. ‘Come on, let’s get this over with, eh?’

‘Oh, Tom, it will be all right, won’t it?’ she asked.

‘You’ll be fine, Lily,’ he said, trying not to think of what had happened to others who’d crossed the squire. ‘Come on, chin up,’ he urged.

Despite the sun being overhead, Lily shivered and when she saw the crowd gathered outside, her legs nearly buckled beneath her.

‘Steady, Lily,’ Tom whispered, taking her arm and leading her inside.

‘I bet they’re all hoping I’ll be found guilty so they’ll have something to gossip about later,’ she whispered.

A stern-faced official showed her to a seat at the front of the dingy room, but when Tom made to follow, he shook his head and pointed to the seats directly behind. Wondering how it was possible to feel so alone in a room packed with people, Lily stared down at her boots. The holes in the toes seemed to have grown even larger and the soles were coming away. She would see the cobbler as soon as she left here. Unless she was sent to gaol – the thought came unbidden, making her feel sick. Then Tom leaned forward and patted her shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

‘Good luck, my love,’ he whispered, and she nodded.

Nervously, she took a quick peek around and was disappointed not to see her aunt and Robert there to support her.

The voice of the court official boomed out, ‘Please be upstanding.’ Everyone rose to their feet as Squire Clinsden strutted regally into the room looking as if he owned the place, which, of course, he did.

‘Call Lily Rose,’ bellowed the official, which she thought unnecessary as she was sitting right in front of him. She stumbled to her feet and Tom leaned forward, whispering to her to be strong.

‘Do you, Lily Rose, swear solemnly to tell the truth?’ the official demanded importantly.

‘Of course, I do. I always have and always will,’ Lily retorted. The squire, pompous in his role as Justice of the Peace, glared at her and she made a supreme effort to stare him straight in the eye.

The court official read out the charge that she, Lily Rose, had stolen goods belonging to Lady Clinsden, namely a black veil and one single calfskin glove. Then he held up the items cited as evidence so that everyone could see.

‘I never stole anything from anyone, and I didn’t know these things belonged to Lady Clinsden. They were on my donkey-cart when I went to collect it,’ Lily said indignantly.

‘Silence,’ barked the squire, banging his gavel on the desk. ‘Miss Rose, you are required to speak only when spoken to. It is not your place to question the charge brought against you.’

She glared at him, thinking how ridiculous he looked in his lopsided wig and with his face powdered. But, even from where she was standing, she could see the jubilant look in his eyes and realized he was enjoying her discomfort. Refusing to be intimidated, she continued glaring at him.

‘Call my wi— Lady Clinsden,’ he barked.

As Lady Clinsden walked regally to the stand, she gave Lily a reassuring smile.

‘Can you identify these items, my dear?’ the squire asked, smiling benignly at her as the official held up the veil and glove.

Lady Clinsden took the veil and glove, studied them carefully, then shook her head.

‘I’ve never seen these items before in my life.’ There was a gasp from the room as the squire clattered to his feet and turned on his wife.

‘Of course you have, you stupid woman. They are yours,’ he snapped.

‘They most certainly are not. Besides, there is only one glove here and I would never be so careless as to mislay any of my clothing, especially when I have such a hard job getting it in the first place.’ She smiled sweetly at her husband, who was turning redder by the moment.

‘Of course they belong to you. I took them out of your dress—’ the squire stuttered to a halt. Then, making an effort to compose himself, he forced his lips into something resembling a smile. ‘My dear, clearly you are mistaken. Why, I remember purchasing these very items for you only recently.’

‘You purchased these for me, recently? No, I think not, for I would have remembered such a phenomenon, husband, dear,’ she said, shaking her head, ‘and, for the record, I feel I must state that my dear husband is not given to generosity.’ A titter rippled around the courtroom, for it was well known that the squire parted with as little money as he could get away with, unless it was for his own enjoyment. Lady Clinsden grimaced at her husband, eyes glinting like steel. ‘Husband dear, I think you are rather more concerned with what a lady does not wear rather than what she does.’

At this, the courtroom was rocked by gales of laughter. The folk of Bransbeer had never seen or heard anything like it. They were in their element, looking from squire to lady, eagerly lapping up all the personal details that were being revealed. They seemed to have forgotten it was Lily who was on trial.

‘Now, husband dear,’ continued Lady Clinsden, ‘if you observe the size of this glove, you will see that it fits my hand perfectly. However, it would never stretch over Miss Rose’s capable working hand, so I ask you, what possible use could it serve her?’

Lily looked from the glove Lady Clinsden was holding out to her own broader hand and shook her head. Why hadn’t she noticed that herself? The squire, realizing his wife was determined to outwit him, was almost beside himself with anger. His face was so suffused with colour Lily thought he would have apoplexy at any moment.

‘I feel in this case, dear, you have clearly been mistaken, and Lily Rose should be found innocent forthwith.’ Lady Clinsden smiled sweetly at her husband.

Seeing he had been bested by his wife and that further interrogation would only make him look more foolish, he banged his gavel, announced the case dismissed and stormed out of the court.

As Lily shook her head in bewilderment, she noticed Mrs Bodney following after him.

‘Well, my dear,’ Lady Clinsden said, appearing at Lily’s side, ‘that certainly showed him.’

‘So those things weren’t yours, then?’ Lily asked, bewildered.

‘Of course they were,’ Lady Clinsden replied, laughing. ‘As well the old bugger knows, and that makes it an even finer victory.’

‘Now I’m really confused.’

‘Well, don’t be. Let’s just say it’s retribution.’ Her tinkling laugh echoed around the courtroom, which was rapidly emptying now the drama was over.

‘Gosh, Lady Clinsden, if you don’t mind me saying, you seem too nice to be married to someone like him,’ Lily said, staring at the other woman, who sobered immediately.

‘I agree with that sentiment entirely. Regrettably, some of us have little choice whom we marry. However, my dear, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must take my leave. The squire is sure to be drowning his sorrows in the strongest liquor known to man, and I think it would be wise if I went to stay with my sister in Sidmouth until he gets over it.’ She swished her way elegantly out of the courtroom leaving Lily staring after her in admiration. She wasn’t sure about her skinning a cat, though. Surely she wouldn’t dirty her hands in such a manner?

‘Blimey, Lily, that was a right fine turn-up.’ Tom appeared at her side, a huge grin nearly splitting his handsome features. Then, heedless of the people still milling around, he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. Feeling dizzy from his affection and the realization she was free, she slumped against his shoulder.

‘I still don’t understand what that was all about.’ But, at that moment, Mrs Bodney reappeared, triumphantly brandishing a piece of paper.

‘Look, the squire has kindly furnished you with a testimonial, Lily,’ she said, laughing as she stressed the word ‘kindly’. ‘Now why don’t we all go back to the cottage, and I’ll get Tilda to provide some refreshment.’

Lily sat in Mrs Bodney’s parlour sipping her lemon drink, having declined anything stronger, for she felt quite giddy enough as it was. She couldn’t believe how the events of the past hour had turned out. Not only had she been acquitted, she had the vital testimonial to secure her a room. Slumping back in her chair, she watched Tom laughing at something Mrs Bodney was saying. It struck her then how lucky she was to have their support.

‘Are you all right, Lily?’ Mrs Bodney asked, looking up.

‘I’m fine, though still a bit puzzled by Lady Clinsden’s actions.’

‘Well, don’t be. She has a lot to contend with, putting up with the squire. She can certainly hold her own, though.’ She leaned forward, adding in a hushed voice, ‘Do you know every time she sees her dressmaker she instructs her to make two identical dresses but to bill them as one item? Then, when the squire checks the account he assumes his wife has done as he’s said and had only one made. As she always appears to be wearing the same dress, he has no reason to doubt her. A clever ruse, don’t you think?’

‘Yes,’ Lily giggled, ‘that’s quite the smartest thing I’ve heard.’

‘Well, you’d better not be getting ideas for after we’re wed, our Lily,’ said Tom, looking so affronted the two ladies laughed.

‘I’m sure having such a splendid fellow as you for a husband, Lily won’t have to resort to such trickery,’ said Mrs Bodney, and Lily watched in amazement as Tom, normally so unassuming, puffed up like a peacock at her words.

‘And I’m sure my husband will want me to do him proud when he takes me out, so he’ll always make sure I have a new dress to wear,’ she teased. Tom shook his head, understanding for the first time why, as his father had once told him, it was usually wisest for a man to remain silent.

‘Well, Lily, I’ve made out a testimonial for you so I suggest you take it, along with the one from the squire, up to the house at High Field and secure that room. In the meantime, I will go and check that our lace ladies have had a productive day.’

‘Oh, Mrs Bodney, I’ve not done any work at all today,’ she said. ‘I reckon you should be deducting my wages.’

But the other woman’s eyes twinkled mischievously. ‘That won’t be necessary, Lily. You’ll be pleased to hear the squire wouldn’t hear of my being out of pocket for today’s events.’ Winking at them, she put her hand in her reticule and drew out a handful of golden coins, which she laid in a neat pile on the table in front of them. As they gasped she added, ‘Let’s just say, he understood it would be prudent to make some recompense for the error of his ways.’

‘Oh,’ said Lily, her hand flying to her mouth. ‘You talking of pockets has reminded me, Mr Mountsford asked me to give you this when he called. I was going to leave it on your table but he said I was to hand it to you personally.’ Fumbling in her apron, she withdrew the package and handed it over.

‘Thank you, Lily,’ Mrs Bodney said, not meeting her eyes. ‘In future, should he have anything for me, I’d be obliged if you’d hand it over immediately.’

Lily opened her mouth to remind her she’d been away from the cottage but Mrs Bodney was waving them away.

‘Right, off you go and secure your room,’ she said, her composure restored.

‘Yes, Mrs Bodney, and thank you,’ Lily said as they took their leave.

This time their steps were lighter as they made their way through the village, but Lily’s head was spinning. In less than twenty-four hours she’d been both accused and acquitted of theft.

‘I can’t believe how kind Lady Clinsden and Mrs Bodney have been, can you, Tom?’

‘No, they’ve been right dandy. Though, you know, I have a feeling they were both getting their own back on that scoundrel today. Mrs Bodney seemed put out you hadn’t given her that package, Lily. What was in it?’

‘I’ve no idea. Rupert Mountsford didn’t tell me.’

‘Hmm, just you be careful, Lily,’ he said.

She was about to ask him what he meant, but they’d reached the lodging house. Clutching her precious testimonials, she took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

‘You’ll be fine, love,’ encouraged Tom. ‘Just think what fun we’ll have when you’ve got your own room.’ He winked suggestively at her, but before she could respond the door opened and Miss Chicke stood there glaring at them.

‘Good afternoon, Miss Chicke. I’ve brought the testimonials you requested,’ Lily said, but the woman’s eyes narrowed and, turning up her nose, she sniffed.

‘Oh, have you indeed?’ she said, putting her nose even higher into the air.

Lily glanced at Tom.

‘I believe you said Lily could have the room if she provided two testimonials, Miss Chicke,’ he said quietly but firmly.

‘Yes, but that was when I thought she was decent,’ Miss Chicke said, narrowing her eyes at Lily. ‘You can sling your hook, missy, I’ll not be having any criminals in my house, thank you very much,’ she spat and slammed the door in their faces.