The following morning I rose early and despite being tired and not a little grubby I went straight to Cecilia and told her of our escapade to the coast and the successful gathering of Billy back to South Farm. She was amazed at our achievement until I reminded her that it was the smugglers who had brought about the release of probably thirty or so men and there had been bloodshed. Somehow, my story grew in the telling and it wasn’t long before we were both laughing at Billy’s clever ruse to escape and avoid future dealings with the press gang. We talked of Cilla’s delight at the return of Billy before she went on to say in all seriousness, ‘You are so lucky Esther, to have the freedom to just get up and go and be part of real life. That is one of the reasons I wanted to leave my mother’s household: I felt trapped by values and ridiculous social constraints just because I was a girl and high born. My poor mother despairs of me, I fear I am a great disappointment to the family.’
I had never considered myself lucky compared to the daughter of an Earl before and thought that Cecilia was seeing my freedom and adventure in a rosy light rather than the reality of fear, danger and, for some as we learned later, death. However, I didn’t want to spoil her enjoyment of our story so I said nothing.
It was a matter of just hours, before the whole district was talking about the smugglers’ raid and Billy’s method of escaping empressment. The other men who were released all melted into the background with some leaving for inland towns where they were less likely to be taken up again. Our part in the story was known to a few and gradually a few more until I became a figure of notoriety again. There were repercussions, as Wilf had predicted. A hardening of views against the methods used by the press gang; men became very cautious and a network of warnings established itself in and around the town. The justices, according to Farmer Elwood, huffed and puffed about the audacity of the smugglers in breaking out the men but as they were fathers and husbands and wage earners they soon realised that the cost to the town was less if the Lewes men were looking after their own families. This pragmatic view was not shared, however, by all and a large detachment of soldiers was soon seen parading along the coastline, impeding the smugglers in their efforts to bring the contraband in.
While waiting for the fuss to die down I made my visit to see Sarah, as much to take my mind off things as anything else.
The house of correction brought back terrible memories of my incarceration with Sarah and our fellow prisoners. I had been so frightened of the situation and of the women themselves but it was unwarranted. Once we got to speak to each other we found we were all women who were frightened and possibly misjudged, I certainly was. I didn’t care what Sarah might or might not have done.
I borrowed a heavy cloak from Cecilia – it had deep pockets sewn into the inner lining and I took some little comforts for her. I rapped at the door and was admitted to the outer hallway where I was met by the very same guard. He had not changed and when he tried to take my gifts of cheese and bread from me I resisted by telling him that Dr Grieve was aware that they were for Sarah and not him. He scowled but allowed me in, reluctantly, and with much swearing under his breath. He was a revolting man – slovenly and ill kempt – I averted my face from the disagreeable smells that accompanied him.
Sarah was in a cell on her own; her worn clothing did little to cover her sparse frame. How she would survive a long boat trip to Australia I couldn’t imagine. I pulled her to me and whispered that there was a gift in my inner pocket.
‘What is it?’
‘A bar of soap.’
‘Gor, love us, what do I want wi’ a bar a soap?’
‘It’s got a secret,’ I whispered before telling her that I had buried a coin inside it and tied a ribbon through it so she would not lose it.
She smiled, revealing a few blackened teeth. ‘I knew you was a good-un, despite what them others thought.’
I laughed as I gave her the gift and some bread and cheese as well. It was a bit hard for her gums but she tucked in.
We spent some time talking before I left her, both of us shedding some tears. She was in good spirits despite our tears and didn’t seem bothered by her upcoming trip halfway round the world. I gave her the warm jacket I was wearing under Cecilia’s cloak for I would not be needing it until the autumn and by then who knew what would happen
Meeting Sarah again had unsettled me and I went to see Mrs Makepiece on my way home. I sat down and told her all that had passed between Sarah and me and about my parting gift; I had brought a bar of the soap for my friend as well.
‘Oh, that smells lovely Esther, why don’t you make some more and sell it?’
‘Who would I sell it to? It’s not like when my pa had the shop.’
‘I’m sure we could find some way of getting it to people who have the money to buy. I’ll think on it.’
I changed the subject. ‘Cecilia’s brother is coming to stay tomorrow. He is a friend of the Prince Regent and they are all to go to the races together.’
‘I heard she were a proper lady but she don’t put on any airs nor graces do she?’
‘No, I can’t wait to meet him. She adores him and speaks constantly about what he is doing, what he thinks and what he says. She must love Farmer Elwood very much to live such a quiet life away from the society that he moves in even though she says she doesn’t like it for herself.’
‘John Elwood was once quite the man about town but when his father died he had to take care of the family fortunes and he turned gentleman farmer overnight. He’s a good man is he.’ She nodded to herself.
‘He asked me to tell him if Cecilia was with child. She isn’t, but I feel sure she would want him to be the first to know. I pray daily that they might be blessed soon.’
‘Aye, so do I. Will you take a drop of tea with me? I had a small delivery this week and it tastes so much better when shared.’
We laughed at the few leaves of guilty pleasure drunk at the expense of the government’s revenue.
‘I got a measure of salt too. The tax is so high I can’t normally afford it but my tea supplier friend do know that I needed something to salt the meat.’
‘Mrs Fisher never seems short of salt.’
‘No, I don’t suppose she is,’ she nodded knowingly.
I decided not to comment further. Clearly, smuggling was not seen as a bad thing even amongst people who upheld the law. Who was I to judge?
I told Mrs Makepiece about Billy’s near miss with the press gang and what Dr Grieve had said. She had heard the gossip around town and said she wasn’t at all surprised and that her sons were merchant seamen and knew when to stay out of range. ‘They take another passage from a foreign port rather than put into Britain and get caught up in the King’s navy.’
‘You must hardly ever see them,’ I said.
‘True, but they are safer on the merchant boats and get plenty of excitement without being shot at by the French as an act of war rather than just in passing and I am comforted that they are together.’
Strangely, I did not mention Wilf other than that he was my companion on our great adventure. I did not tell her how young and dashing he was nor how he had picked me up several times and how my heart had fluttered at his closeness.