CHAPTER 21

As Lily entered the parlour on Monday morning, Mrs Bodney signalled for her to be seated.

‘Whilst we break our fast, I have several things to acquaint you with.’ Lily sat looking at her employer expectantly. Mrs Bodney, however, calmly poured their tea before continuing.

‘Unsurprisingly, Mr Pike has agreed to let me rent his premises for the sum I originally offered,’ she said. ‘Conveniently for us, it seems he has an important deal to broker further west. He is leaving this morning and will be away for some time. Whilst I’ve already engaged the best lace makers in Devonshire, I feel it would be prudent to have a few extra standing by in case of sickness or incapacity. I myself do not have the time available to test the quality of their lace making, so this job will now fall to you, Lily.’

‘Yes, Mrs Bodney,’ Lily said, carefully cutting her toast into four, then biting into it daintily. Really this preserve was so delicious, she thought, savouring every mouthful.

‘… so Mr Mountsford has offered his services. Is that not kind of him?’

Quickly looking up, Lily saw the other woman waiting for an answer.

‘Lily, dear, whilst there is no doubt as to the quality of your work I rather think you need to improve your listening skills,’ her employer rebuked.

‘Sorry, Mrs Bodney,’ she said, looking down at her cup.

‘I was saying that Mr Mountsford has gallantly offered his services. He is calling for you in his carriage at 10 of the clock. You can direct him to Coombe and he will be happy to transport your belongings from there to Pike’s place.’

‘But I … the agent’s premises?’ she said, surprised.

‘There is a room in the attic there, which will afford you comfortable accommodation. In return, you’ll have responsibility for ensuring the work gets completed on time and that it is up to standard. Of course, if you encounter any problems you can and must come to me. Now do I take it you are agreeable?’ Stunned, Lily could only nod, quite forgetting Tom had already arranged to have her belongings moved.

‘Oh, and, Lily, it would serve you well to be an entertaining companion, for I rather think Mr Mountsford has taken a shine to you.’

Promptly at 10 o’clock, Rupert Mountsford drew up outside Mrs Bodney’s cottage. As Lily clambered inside the carriage and settled back onto the squabs, she became aware of an unfamiliar smell. It was rather pleasant, vaguely reminding her of Christmas. She turned to ask Rupert what it was, but he was calling to the driver. Then, they pulled away and her attention was diverted by what was passing by the window.

‘Goodness, this must be how the Queen feels,’ Lily said, leaning forward and waving to her friend Sally, who’d just emerged from the dairy and was staring at her incredulously. Rupert smiled indulgently, but a few minutes later he wrinkled his nose as a noxious stench pervaded his nostrils.

‘What on earth is that disgusting smell? And what are all those people doing?’ he asked, pointing to the huddle of women hunched over the brook.

‘Village folk draw their water from there and do their washing. It’s a kind of meeting place where they catch up on the gossip at the same time as doing their chores.’

‘But there are ducks and geese swimming in it,’ he said, shaking his head.

‘That’s why the canny go up the top of the village, Rupert. By the time the water reaches here it’s full of slops and whatnots,’ Lily informed him, laughing as he shuddered. ‘It’s clearly a different way of life where you come from.’

‘Indeed it is,’ he agreed with feeling.

At that moment the carriage tilted as it turned sharply into the lane and she clung on tightly, watching as the steeply pitched roofs of the almshouses flashed by the window. Then they turned again and she shook her head. This carriage was already travelling much faster than Doris ever did.

‘I wish Tom could see me,’ she said, looking down at the sea shimmering beneath the cliffs. Gulls screeched and wheeled on the breeze. ‘There’s his lugger pulled up by the fish hut.’ Rupert stared in the direction of her pointing finger. ‘That one with the white spars. He painted them so they’d show in the dark and no smugglers would want to use his boat,’ she said proudly.

Rupert looked quickly across at her but she was busy staring out of the window.

‘He’ll be going out to bait the pots soon,’ she added, and Rupert duly looked down at the boats drawn up on the beach.

‘Tom – he is a special friend?’ he asked.

‘Oh, Rupert, you know full well he’s my betrothed.’

‘Indeed?’ he asked, furrowing his dark eyebrows as he glanced down at her left hand. ‘Well, Lily, I must say that I’m surprised. If I were lucky enough to have such an attractive young lady as my betrothed, I’d want everyone to know she belonged to me.’

‘How would you do that?’ she asked, puzzled.

‘I’d buy her a ring with a stone as big and bright as her speedwell eyes,’ he replied, looking at her meaningfully.

She felt her cheeks burn and, cursing inwardly, turned to stare back out of the window. Would she never grow out of this childish blushing? Then, sensing he was waiting for her to respond, she turned back towards him.

‘Well, Tom and I don’t need showy baubles to seal our relationship,’ she retorted.

‘Sorry, Lily, I always seem to be putting my foot in it with you. Let’s just enjoy the ride, shall we?’ he asked, smiling.

She nodded, relaxing back on the leather squabs once more. Truth to tell she’d have been delighted if Tom had gone down on one knee and proffered a ring, but that was the stuff of fairy tales, wasn’t it? There again, he had said he was saving up for one. She didn’t think Rupert would understand, though. If he wanted something, he could probably just go and buy it.

They were cresting the cliffs, the dark red soil from the adjoining fields showing through the bright green of the early summer crops. The warmth from the sun shining through the window, combined with the gentle swaying motion, restored her equilibrium. But as they began their descent into Coombe, the carriage started to rock precariously from side to side. It was going too quickly for the rutted ground and the driver appeared to be having difficulty keeping the horses to the track. She peered out of the window and saw that he was using his whip vigorously. Feeling compelled to say something, she looked across at Rupert, who, seemingly unaware, was staring at the tumbledown cottages they were passing.

‘Good grief, just look at those topsy-turvy huts clinging to the cliffs,’ he said, grimacing. ‘Don’t tell me people really live in them?’

‘Yes, Rupert, they do, and they call them cotts or cottages,’ she said, sighing. ‘I guess all the houses in London are grander.’ But before he could answer, the coach lurched again, sending her sliding towards the other side of the carriage. Unable to stand it any longer, she shouted, ‘Look, I really don’t like the way your driver is whipping the horses. It’s not necessary.’

Surprised at her outburst, he stared at her for a long moment.

‘You’re right, of course, Lily,’ he agreed, pulling down the window and shouting to the driver to desist. However, they were now passing alongside a pigsty and hastily he put a hand up to cover his nose before snapping the window shut. Collapsing back on the squabs, he looked so affronted she had to stifle a giggle.

‘Good healthy smell of the country, that, Rupert,’ she couldn’t resist saying.

‘Yes, I see,’ he said politely, clearly not realizing she was pulling his leg.

Feeling a pang of remorse, for he was loaning her his carriage, she smiled sweetly at him.

‘Not much further now,’ she said, as they passed the church. Excitement bubbled as she looked out at the familiar scenery. ‘We’re here,’ she announced as they reached the orchard. Peering around, she could see no sign of the new tenant and, as Rupert shouted to the driver to stop, she got ready to jump out. But Rupert was staring from the muddy path leading to the barn down to his grey flannel trousers and shiny shoes.

‘You stay here,’ Lily laughed. ‘It will only take a moment to collect my things and my boots are used to the muck.’ Before he could answer, she jumped down from the carriage.

‘Good job we don’t still have our pig or the ground by the barn would be a quagmire,’ she couldn’t help shouting over her shoulder.

Rupert, however, was gingerly climbing down after her and staring aghast at the cottage, the lean-to linny and then the pig pen.

‘Did you really live in this ramshackle building?’ he asked in disbelief.

‘This was our home, and very happy we were here too,’ Lily retorted, marching towards the barn. Carefully picking his way around the puddles, Rupert followed after her.

‘Mind the rats,’ she warned, smiling to herself as he visibly paled. That would teach him to be rude about their family home. The barn door creaked as she pulled it open, and to her relief she saw her things safely stacked on the clean straw.

‘Is this all you have?’ he asked, staring at the small bundle that constituted her worldly goods.

She nodded. ‘Don’t need much to live,’ she said, picking it up, but he reached out and took it from her.

‘Here, allow me.’

‘Thank you, Rupert.’ She peered around, surprised not to see signs of activity. ‘Could I just have a quick look inside the cottage? I’d like to say goodbye.’ Understanding – or maybe sympathy – flashed in his eyes and he nodded.

‘Take as long as you need, Lily. I’ll wait in the carriage.’

Making her way round to the back, she lifted the latch, giving the door the necessary shove to open it. Slowly, she wandered through the cold, empty rooms, hearing the echoes of her childhood, remembering happier times. The fuss their parents had made of them on their birthdays and Christmas, with specially made cakes, fruit pies and a feast of succulent roast chicken or pork. Their living room would smell fragrant with cooking for hours after the meals had been eaten. Then there were the egg hunts at Easter, each child desperate to be first to find the biggest, which their mother would have coloured with onion skins. She could almost see Rob chasing her from room to room, hear their squeals of laughter. That was before the accident, of course.

She sighed, remembering her grandmother saying that a life took an age to live, yet the memory could skip down through the years in moments. She hadn’t understood what she meant at the time but she did now. Her chest tightened painfully and she feared she might choke.

‘Goodbye, Father, goodbye, Mother,’ she whispered. Then, blinking back the tears, she hurried outside. As she pulled the door shut for the last time, a skylark flew up from the adjoining field, its joyous song floating on the breeze. Vowing not to cry, she bit down hard on her lip and hurried back to the carriage.

Rupert smiled as she settled on her seat.

‘Are you all right?’ he asked gently, concern clouding his eyes, but she felt too emotional to speak. Nodding briefly, she turned and stared out of the window.

They travelled back through Coombe in silence, passing the church with the graveyard where her parents and siblings were buried, the rickety forge, red sandstone inn and cob cottages with smoke rising in plumes from their chimneys. Lost in her memories, she forgot Rupert was sitting opposite, until he reached over and gently covered her hand with his. Looking up, she caught a waft of lemony citrus from his cologne. It was quite pleasant, she thought, but a different smell from the one she’d noticed when she’d first got into the carriage. There was something reassuring about the warmth of his touch and she found herself staring in fascination at his silky smooth skin and neatly manicured nails. Such a contrast to Tom’s work-roughened hands, she thought. Guiltily she snatched her hand away. What was she doing letting another man touch her?

Rupert just smiled and said nothing.

It could have been minutes or hours before he broke the silence; Lily had completely lost track of time.

‘We’re nearly there now,’ he said, pointing out of the window. To her surprise, she saw the carriage was making its way up the main street of Bransbeer.

‘Will you be all right?’ he asked, as they drew to a halt outside the agent’s imposing premises. ‘I’m sure Mrs Bodney will understand if you need to partake of a little refreshment before you resume your duties, and I’d be delighted to escort you to the hostelry.’ At the mention of her employer’s name, Lily snapped back to the present.

‘Thank you, Rupert, but I have missed almost a morning’s work as it is.’

‘That’s as maybe, but I’m sure Mrs Bodney would permit you time to recover from what has obviously been an upsetting experience for you.’

Lily smiled at his understanding. ‘You have been most kind but I dare not neglect my duties. I appreciate your assistance, though. Perhaps, I could offer you afternoon tea once we are settled in our new place of work.’

‘Thank you. I’d like that,’ he said, beaming, and despite her recent low mood she found herself smiling back.

She was still grinning as she jumped down and went to collect her things from the driver, only to find her way blocked.

‘You’re looking mighty pleased with yourself.’

‘Tom, what are you doing here?’ she asked, her smile growing wider.

‘I might well ask you the same question, Lily Rose.’ The sharpness of his voice wiped the smile from her face.

‘Whatever’s wrong, Tom?’ she asked, noticing now the set of his jaw, fists clenched by his side.

‘Didn’t believe it, did I, when Molly came down to the boat as soon as we landed, shouting she’d seen you riding through the village in a posh carriage sat alongside your fancy man? Ran here as fast as I could and what do I see? That she was telling the truth, that’s what,’ he shouted.

‘But, Tom, Mr Mountsford kindly escorted me back to Coombe in the carriage to collect my things,’ she said, bemused.

‘Oh, so my arranging for the carter to pick them up wasn’t good enough for you?’ he growled, his eyes narrowing.

Before she could reply Rupert appeared at her side, asking, ‘Is something wrong, Lily?’ Realizing they were now drawing curious stares from passers-by, she shook her head and forced a smile.

‘No, everything is fine, thank you, Mr Mountsford. I was just explaining to Tom how you kindly escorted me back to Coombe this morning so that I could collect my things.’ She turned to Tom.

‘Wasn’t that kind of Mr Mountsford, Tom?’

But he was too busy glaring at Rupert to respond.

At that moment, Mrs Bodney’s strident voice cut through the crowd that had gathered to see what the fuss was about.

‘Miss Rose, come inside immediately.’ Turning quickly, Lily saw the furious look on her employer’s face and groaned. Muttering to Tom that she’d see him later and nodding to Rupert, she grabbed her bundle from the driver and hurried after the irate woman. She was for it now.

‘Well, Lily, what excuse can you possibly have for making such an exhibition of yourself in public?’ As Lily looked into the formidable face of Mrs Bodney, her legs began to tremble and she was grateful for the cover her long dress afforded.

‘There was a slight misunderstanding, Mrs Bodney.’

‘It looked more than that to me. I’m a respectable businesswoman, Lily, and cannot – no, I will not – have my overseer causing such a disturbance in the street.’

‘But I …’ Lily was shaking all over now and was afraid if she didn’t soon sit down, she’d fall down.

‘There are no buts, Miss Rose,’ Mrs Bodney said, banging her fist on the table. Bobbins crashed to the floor and Lily watched helplessly as they scattered in all directions, their threads unravelling on the stone flags. She waited for Mrs Bodney to rant about them getting dirty, but intent on delivering her diatribe, her employer seemed not to notice. ‘As you are aware, Mr Mountsford is a reputable merchant with whom I conduct a considerable amount of business, and I distinctly remember instructing you to treat him with courtesy and respect.’

‘But I did, it’s just that Tom had already arranged—’

‘My dear Mrs Bodney, please forgive my intrusion,’ Rupert Mountsford said from the doorway. ‘It would appear that in my efforts to be of assistance to Miss Rose I neglected to consult with her betrothed. Regrettably, having already made arrangements himself, he jumped to the wrong conclusion. However, we now – how shall I put it? – understand each other perfectly.’ Although his voice was serious Lily could see his eyes twinkling with amusement.

‘I see,’ said Mrs Bodney, struggling to regain her composure. ‘Well, Miss Rose, I dare say it has been an unsettling morning for you. As long as you remember I have a reputation to uphold, we will say no more about it. There will be half a dozen ladies arriving shortly to sit the ability test. I suggest you go through to the room behind this one, which is to serve as the workroom. You can set out the requisite materials and when I have finished my business I’ll be through to check everything is in order. Rupert, perhaps you would care to take a seat? I have made a number of changes I need to acquaint you with.’

Before Mrs Bodney could change her mind, Lily hurried towards the door. However, in her haste to get away, she caught the toe of her boot on the corner of the step. Clutching at the doorpost for support, she watched in horror as a loose nail came away from the sole, spun across the floor, and came to rest by Mr Mountsford’s foot. Solemnly, he picked it up and held it out to her. As she moved to take it, he gave her such an outrageous wink she had to bite down on her lip to stop herself from bursting out laughing.

‘Do hurry up,’ Mrs Bodney commanded.

But Lily’s spirit had returned and, with head held high, she walked out of the room in what she hoped was a dignified manner. She only hoped Mrs Bodney hadn’t noticed the sole of her boot flapping as she went.