Toby called the next morning and said he was going to ride into Hull. ‘Do you want to come? See some of your old haunts?’
She felt sick at the thought. What if she saw her bairns? How could she not rush to them and hug them? How could she explain to them why she had run away, and why she couldn’t come back? And what if she saw Mrs Morton, Francis’s mother, that scheming, blaspheming, rough and raucous woman, who would whistle for the law if she as much as set eyes on her?
‘No. No. I can’t. I told thee. If them folks should see me—’
‘I’d protect you Annie.’
‘Aye, I’m sure tha would and I’m grateful. But they’d mark thee, Toby, and tha doesn’t want trouble wi’ likes o’ them. Not when tha needs to keep tha head down over this other business.’
Toby pursed his lips and considered. ‘You’re right of course. Who knows, they might be in a similar line of business, and they might try to get back at you through me. Some of them wouldn’t think twice about tipping off the Customs about someone else, if it meant immunity for themselves.’
She nodded. She didn’t like to lie to him about these fictitious villains, but she dare not, could not even think of, going back into Hull. ‘There’s a good deal of smuggling going on,’ she said. ‘Ships is coming in all ’time with stuff. Aye and taking it out. I heard tell of a ship bound for Denmark getting caught wi’ three tons of wool on board. So tha’s best sticking wi’ folks tha can trust out here, Toby, not dealing wi’ riff-raff in Hull.’
To her relief he agreed and set off, telling her that he would be back before dark and that she should be ready to move off as soon as he arrived.
Mr Trott caught her as she was feeding the hens. ‘Tha can come wi’ me up to common if tha wants,’ he said. ‘I just want to check on ’sheep, make sure they’re not taffled up in ’hedge bottom.’
Fortunately Mrs Trott came out as he was talking, and before Annie could think of a suitable reason why she shouldn’t go – for she had no wish at all to look at his sheep or grunting pigs – Mrs Trott shouted to him not to be taking Mrs Hope anywhere.
‘I need her here wi’ me. She might as well earn her keep while she’s here, not wasting her time out on marsh and waste.’
Mr Trott moved off glumly. ‘I just thought she might like to have a chat with some of ’other folk on ’common,’ he said. ‘There’s nobody to talk to down here.’
Annie heaved a sigh and followed Mrs Trott into the house, another invitation and she couldn’t accept either of them.
‘It’s best that nobody knows tha’s here. Folks’ talk and they might wonder why tha’s hanging around.’
She’s only concerned about Toby, Annie thought. She’s not really bothered about me.
The day hung long and dreary. She helped Mrs Trott and then wandered outside and down to the river. She felt restless and uneasy. Tha’s a fool, Annie, she told herself. Why is tha hanging around here? Tha could have been halfway to York by now, or even over in Lincolnshire if tha’d been brave enough.
Onny I’m not brave enough. She sat down on the shingle and stared at the water. Long-legged waders, redshanks and curlews, searched in the shallows, dipping deep in the mud with their long pointed bills for crustaceans and insects. I’ve got caught up with a fellow, that’s ’trouble. Why is it that I have? Even though there’s nowt in it, no love or passion or owt, it’s just as if I can’t manage on me own. But I will. Just as soon as I’ve had enough of this caper, then I’ll be off.
She looked up into the sky as a large flock of widgeon flew over. I’ll be as free as them birds flying up there. I’ll be behodden to nobody. But as she defiantly thought the words, she knew in her soul that it wasn’t true. She knew that she needed the presence of others, that she hated being alone and that more than anything else, the things that she wanted most had always been denied her, to be loved and to be needed, and to belong.
When she put on the heavy cloak that night Mr Trott looked up curiously.
‘Where’s tha off to this time o’ night, Mrs Hope?’
‘I’m, – I’m just off to help Toby wi’ sorting his linens and stuff, so’s we’re ready for ’next trip. Don’t bother to wait up,’ she added. ‘I might be late.’
Mrs Trott nodded approvingly at the excuse and whispered that the door would be left unlocked for her return.
Her stomach churned with excitement and fear. I don’t know why I’m going. What use will I be? I wonder if I’ll meet Toby’s brother?
Toby was riding Sorrel and as Annie, this time, took only two attempts to clamber on the horse’s back, she mused that the bumpy ride would at least be preferable to walking all the way to the hidden creek.
‘We’ll make a horsewoman of you yet, Annie. Don’t you love the feel of it? The power and strength beneath you?’
She had to admit that the sensation was quite exhilarating as the wind rushed through her hair and the cloak billowed out behind her like a black sail, but she felt hampered by her long skirt and petticoats, and her bare legs and thighs were still sore from the last ride.
‘It must be easier wearing breeches,’ she panted into Toby’s ear.
‘But not the thing for a lady,’ he laughed, turning his head towards her. ‘You should really be riding side-saddle wearing an elegant riding habit and a feather in your hat.’
When they were half a mile off the creek, they halted, tied Sorrel to a tree hidden from the road, and traversed the remaining distance on foot. Annie had again come barefoot. She felt more comfortable without her boots, even though the marshy ground squelched between her toes.
‘Hull was very lively today,’ Toby whispered as they walked. ‘The soldiers from the garrison were patrolling the town. It seems they were expecting trouble. The price of flour has gone up yet again and the townspeople are in a terrible mood.’
‘Aye, well, I daresay there’ll be trouble, but it won’t make price go down,’ Annie said, with the philosophical air of someone who had seen it before.
‘Oh, yes, and I was just in time to see them pull some poor soul out of the river.’
Annie stopped dead in her tracks and Toby turned in surprise.
‘Who was it?’ she asked in a barely audible whisper.
Toby shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Just some poor beggar.’
‘Was he—? Did tha see his body? Did he just drown, or tired of life, was he? Or was he killed or what? There’s been a lot o’ murders. Fights and that. I know, I’ve seen ’em. Fighting over women or a wager on dog fights. Drunks and that.’
She started to shake. ‘I’ve seen ’em fished out – all swollen they are. Had he been in ’river long – could tha tell?’ Her voice got tighter and tighter as she fought the fear inside her.
‘Annie! What morbid curiosity.’ Toby put his arms around her as if he feared she would take flight. ‘Annie! It was a woman. It was some poor old beggar woman that they pulled out of the water. She’d been there for days by the look of her. It wasn’t a man!’
She pulled away from him and retched violently onto the grass. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, straightening up and wiping her mouth. ‘It allus makes me sick when I hear of it. It makes me that afeard. I allus think that’s how I’ll end me days.’
She made her excuses but she knew he didn’t believe her. Still, she didn’t mind, for he took her arm solicitously as they walked on, and he didn’t question and he didn’t probe, and she was comforted for she knew that if he ever should find out, that it wouldn’t matter, he would still be her friend.
A low whistle and croak greeted their arrival at the creek and Toby responded with a similar cry. A dim light from a lantern showed and from out of the reeds appeared the short figure of the man they had met previously. He handed the lantern to Toby and then helped Annie down the bank and into the boat which was just below. She kept her head averted but she sensed his curiosity.
To her surprise he too climbed in after Toby and each took an oar as they cast off.
‘Take the lantern, but keep the light low until I tell you.’ Toby handed the light to Annie and she noticed that he didn’t speak her name. ‘Don’t let the light out, but keep it hidden.’
They came to the end of the creek and waited at the edge of the reed-bed, dipping softly on the gentle tide. Annie’s eyes adjusted to the darkness and as they waited she saw the dark shape of a ship coming silently up river, looming large against the backdrop of the sky.
She wanted to ask. Is this it? Is this thy brother’s ship? But she dare not risk Toby’s anger or let the unknown man hear her voice, not until Toby told her that she could.
Suddenly the ship was abreast of them, her sails trimmed as she was brought up.
‘Come on,’ Toby muttered. ‘Here she is.’
‘Nay, wait. Wait for ’signal,’ whispered the other man, and Toby stayed his hand, grasping the oar tightly.
‘There it is!’ A light flashed, then another.
‘Show a light, show a light,’ Toby uttered urgently and Annie held up the lantern and opened the shutter wide.
‘Now close it. Now open it.’
She did as she was bid, her heart hammering painfully against her ribs and her throat constricted with fright.
‘That’s it, come on.’ An answering light on the ship showed them that this was the vessel they were waiting for and Toby and his partner pulled hard towards it.
Annie turned her head as she heard sounds from the reed-bed, a lapping of water as wooden oars made contact with the water, and behind them she saw a fleet of small boats emerging from hidden anchorages along the side of the river.
‘Toby,’ she breathed. ‘Look. Behind us.’ She tried to keep her voice low. ‘Are they with us, or against us?’
Toby glanced over his shoulder and she saw him smile in the darkness. ‘They’re with us. It’s the rest of the team.’
Damn thee Toby Linton, she thought. Why didn’t tha tell me there’d be others. I’m nearly sick with fright. I thought it was ’customs after us.
She was still fuming when they lay alongside the ship and she heard the sound of a whispered greeting and soft laughter as a jack ladder was thrown over.
The other man in their boat scrambled up first and as Toby made the boat fast, he whispered to Annie. ‘Go on then, up you go.’
‘What! Tha must be mad. I can’t climb up there.’
‘Course you can. You’ve just learnt to ride a horse, haven’t you? Now you’re going to climb aboard a ship.’
‘But, I can’t!’ She looked up at the dark wall of the ship towering above her and the ladder swinging from side to side. ‘I’ll get stuck. It’s too high. If I fall, I’ll drown.’
Her voice started to rise in protest and Toby hushed her. ‘Get up that ladder or else I’ll put you over my shoulder and carry you up.’
‘Why can’t I stay here and look after ’boat?’ she began, but she saw an obstinate look on Toby’s face as he took a step towards her and she hurriedly turned away and reached her hand for the ladder.
She felt it sway as she put first one foot and then the other on the wooden rung and she clung desperately with both hands.
‘Move up a step, then I’ll steady it from the bottom,’ urged Toby. ‘Go on, you’ll find it easier as you get higher. Push your weight towards the hull.’
She was glad of the cloak which covered her as she climbed higher, for she was aware of her bare legs and the gaze of the men in the other boats staring upwards as she climbed. Mrs Trott never did this, she thought grimly. They’ll think you’re Mrs Trott, she mimicked, recalling Toby’s previous remark. I’ll give him Mrs Trott when I’m down from here.
Somehow she reached the top and hands reached out to pull her aboard. Hands which were more than willing as they made contact with her body and lingered as they felt the shape of a woman.
She lashed out with her hands and feet. ‘Don’t touch me,’ she hissed. ‘Keep tha hands to thyself,’ and they took her sharp words so literally that they dropped their hold of her and she fell in a heap onto the deck.
‘Who have we here?’ A lantern was held up above her and she squinted to see the face in shadow behind it. She caught a glimpse of a gold earring and a silk scarf knotted casually around a muscular neck.
‘A new team member, Matt,’ Toby came up the ladder behind her and jumped on board. He put his hands beneath her armpits and hauled her to her feet. ‘Let’s do the introductions below, shall we?’
He gave out instructions to the men who were following him on board and then turned to the stern, taking Annie’s arm, to follow his brother to his cabin below decks.
Annie looked on silently as she watched the brothers open their arms wide, and with a great guffaw, embrace each other with genuine affection. Curiously she gazed at Matthias Linton. He was taller and slimmer than his brother, his body hard and lean. His hair was as fair as Toby’s was dark, his beard short and curly, and even in the dim light of the timbered cabin she saw that his face was tanned and his eyes a brilliant blue, much bluer than hers and bigger and wider than Toby’s brown ones. But the facial differences ended there, for they both had a straight nose and Matt had the same gapped teeth, which smiled now as he looked at her.
He’s laughing at me. She ran her fingers through her tangled hair which had become windswept, despite the hood, as the breeze had run through it as she’d sat in the coggy boat and climbed the swaying ladder.
‘What waif have we here, Toby?’
‘No waif, Matt,’ Toby answered with a lazy smile. ‘This is my friend, Mrs Hope, though I think she might let you call her Annie, when we’re out of earshot of the men.’
‘Mrs Hope!’ Matt took hold of her hands, stretched her arms wide and perused her, turning her this way and that. ‘Annie! Are you sure she’s not a stray whom you found wandering along the river-bank? Though, indeed, – no, I can see by her borrowed finery, that she could well be a lady.’
She snatched her hands away, she was suddenly aware of her torn and tattered skirt which she still hadn’t mended. ‘Mrs Trott let me borrow her cloak. And I’m no waif or stray. I was on a journey until thy brother persuaded me to join him in this prank. And,’ she said, lifting her chin. ‘I’ll not allow thee to call me Annie, ’til it suits me.’
‘Well said, Annie.’ Toby was idly watching them spar. ‘Don’t let him bully you.’
‘I’ll not do that, sir.’ She gazed intently into Matt’s blue eyes and saw a mocking challenge. He put his hand to his heart and gave a taunting bow. ‘I’m used to bullies,’ she sneered. ‘They come in all shapes and sizes, and seemingly in every class, though I’m surprised to find thy brother’s one.’
‘It’s just a game with him,’ Toby said, as if his brother wasn’t there, and sat down on a leather bench seat which ran around one side of the cabin. He put his arms behind his head and stretched out his legs. ‘Don’t take any notice of him.’
He’s not used to being answered back, Annie thought. That must come of being captain of his ship, of giving orders and being obeyed. Well, he’s not giving me orders, so he needn’t think he is. I don’t have to come on this lark if I don’t want to.
Matt turned away with a shrug and reaching into a locker, took out a glass decanter. With an exaggerated show of respect he invited Annie to sit down. He placed the decanter and three glasses on the table, pushing aside a pile of charts and nautical instruments and poured a measure of brandy in each.
‘To a successful run,’ he raised his glass, ‘and the good ship Breeze. God bless her.’
‘And those who sail her,’ Toby replied, clinking his glass against his brother’s. ‘You must take care though, Matt. The military are out this way, so I hear, and today I saw two strangers riding towards Hessle, they could well be customs men.’
‘If you get this run away safely, then if they board us they’ll only find an empty ship.’ Matt tossed his brandy back and poured another. ‘We got all the other stuff away off Spurn, the fishing smacks were waiting to trade and we slipped past the revenue cruiser without them even knowing.’
He threw his head back and laughed. By, he’s handsome, Annie thought begrudgingly as she saw his eyes light up in merriment.
‘They’ll be hopping mad when they realize we’ve gone and they have to wait until the next trip.’
Annie took a sip of brandy. The strength seared her throat. It was fiercer and more potent than any she had tried before and she coughed as it slid down her throat. Her eyes watered as she spluttered and caught her breath.
‘Mrs Hope! I do declare I had forgotten you were there.’ Matt leant to pat her back. ‘The liquor is stronger than a lady of your sensibilities is used to, I fear?’
‘No,’ she gasped, and took another sip. ‘It’s fine,’ she said. ‘But I generally take a drop o’ water with it.’
‘But of course, how forgetful of me. Do forgive me.’ Again he gave her a mock bow and she wanted to throw the brandy at him.
He moved across to an alcove lined with books and took a jug of water from the lower shelf and brought it to her.
She lifted her glass but abruptly drew it back and placed her hand over the rim. There was a dead fly floating in the water. ‘Beggin’ tha pardon, Captain Linton,’ she said, trying to sound squeamish. ‘But I onny ever drink fresh water.’ She had many times drunk muddy water from the Humber without ill effect, but she intended to score from this hectoring adventurer. ‘I fear thy jug of water has seen much company.’
He flushed and taking the jug, opened the cabin door and threw the water out onto the deck, calling as he did so for the cabin boy.
Annie rose to her feet. ‘Don’t bother on my account Captain Linton. If tha’ll excuse me, I’ll wait on deck ’till tha’s finished tha business. I’m in need of some fresh air.’ She gave him a small curtsey and passed in front of him looking defiantly into his eyes. A small shudder passed through her at the silent mettlesome response. He made her feel very strange. A deep piercing sensation stirred her blood; some kind of agitated passion stung her, as if she had been scorched by fire or touched by fever.
She shivered as she waited outside the door. Tha’s bitten off more than tha can chew, Annie. Tha’s meddling wi’ fire. Yet though she felt she was in dangerous waters by antagonizing Captain Linton, a small smile touched her lips. Here was an emotion she hadn’t tasted before, and she felt lightheaded and giddy as if she had drunk several bottles of wine and not just a few sips of stolen brandy.
She leant her head against the closed cabin door, ahead of her was the companionway leading to the upper deck, but she decided she would wait here for Toby rather than brave the winks and nods of the seamen above.
The sound of raised voices reached her from within the cabin. She heard Toby answering some question of Matt’s. ‘I want her to join us, Matt. She’ll be useful. She’s sharp and clear-headed, and,’ he added in an obstinate tone. ‘I like her.’
Then Matt’s voice came clear and strong.
‘I know I’ve trusted your judgement before. I’m not denying that. But this is not a game we’re playing, Toby, and you’re forever finding strays; so tell me, which scrap heap did you find this rag-bag on?’
She caught her breath. He’s talking about me. Anger flooded her. I’ll show thee, Captain bleedin’ Linton, just see if I don’t.