The Orphans of Ardwick Page 20

  ‘I’ll be here in this very room, Miss Josephine. I’m going nowhere, don’t fret. Now, off you go and enjoy your evening.’

  After some seconds and several deep breaths, the lady opened the door. Another lungful of air later, she was gone.

  As a protective mother might when her child is let loose without her, Pip distracted herself with tidying the large room, hanging up dresses discarded during the choosing period and putting back shoes. She was returning pairs of sparkling earrings to the jewellery box when the clop of hooves and crunch of iron-rimmed wheels carried through the partially opened window. She crossed to it and peeped around the curtain. A private carriage was just drawing away and midway up the steps to the front door was a tall, slim gentleman. Miss Josephine’s Alexander Sutton-Shaw. It had to be.

  From her vantage point, Pip caught only a glimpse of the round black crown of his tall hat and shiny shoes of the same colour. Moments later, he’d disappeared inside the house and, letting the curtain fall, she returned to her duties with a smile. It was obvious he was keen on the master’s daughter; kind and patient, too. And from the little she’d just seen of him, handsome to boot. Oh, but she hoped the evening would go well for Miss Josephine, for the pair of them. The couple had a promising future ahead, she just knew it. He seemed not only the one the lady wanted but what she needed. Perhaps he’d be the making of her.

  An hour or more had passed without incident when the door suddenly swung wide and Hardman entered the room, mouth pursed. She plonked a cup of tea down on a side table with a disgusted sniff.

  ‘Is that for me?’

  ‘Miss Josephine summoned me, instructed me to bring you up a sup. Fetching and carrying for the likes of you, I ask yer!’

  ‘Sorry. Ta, thanks.’

  ‘Aye well. Just don’t get used to it.’

  ‘I’ll not.’ Pip’s tone dropped. ‘Hardman?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘How’s she doing, like, Miss Josephine?’

  The housemaid shrugged. ‘All right, I s’pose.’

  ‘Oh, that is good.’

  Shrugging again, the woman turned to leave.

  ‘Hardman, wait.’ She did – Pip went to stand in front of her. ‘Yesterday, when I were banished from this house—’

  She cut her off with a mirthless snort. ‘Finch’s doing, my left eye.’

  Pip nodded. The queer realisation that this woman – who had never attempted to disguise her dislike of her, indeed resented her and the lads’ very presence beneath this roof – was her sole confidante in all this didn’t go unnoticed by her. Jess seemed to be the only one besides herself who knew how devious Caroline really was. ‘But afore I left, when we spoke …’

  Her eyes moved to Pip, then away. ‘If you were left waiting long outside the station, it can’t be helped. There weren’t no point keeping the meeting, was there, given that devilish bitch wriggled herself out from the finger of blame?’

  ‘Aye, I figured that’s why you never showed.’

  ‘Then what? Why you going on about it?’

  ‘What you said, about getting shot of Caroline—’ The last word rattled in Pip’s throat as the housemaid took her arm and pulled her away from the door.

  She drew her to a halt in the centre of the room with a rough shake, hissing, ‘Christ sake, keep your voice down.’

  ‘I’m sorry, I—’

  ‘Just you forget I said owt, right? You’re all fine and dandy, now, ain’t you, with yon feet back by Birdy’s hearth.’

  ‘Course I ain’t fine and dandy.’ Anger was rising in Pip; she disentangled herself from the housemaid’s hold. ‘Mrs Goldthorpe loathes the very sight of me, so it seems. Why, I don’t know, but she does. Aye, yes. She ain’t finished with me, you can be sure of that, won’t be happy till I’m gone from Bracken House for good.’

  ‘You mean …?’ Hardman’s hard stare intensified. ‘You still want to help me get shot of her?’

  ‘What? Nay, nay. I never did in the first place, was just upset when you first spoke on it, didn’t know what I were thinking.’

  The woman’s face turned puce. ‘You guttersnipe time-waster, yer! Get out of my way.’ She made to barge past and from the room but Pip hurried to block her path.

  ‘Wait, please. It needed airing, that’s all. I didn’t mean to give you false hope, I just …’ She scraped a hand through her hair. ‘Truth be told, Hardman, I hate that woman too for the hurt she’s caused me but …’

  ‘But what?’

  ‘When all’s said and done, she’s a Goldthorpe. This is her home. She’s a right to be here, whether we like it or no. Besides …’ She hesitated but curiosity got the better of her and she added, ‘How were you planning on getting rid, anyroad? Whatever you’d a mind to think up, the family wouldn’t take your word over hers. Surely you’d be found out and what would the consequence be? You’d be out on your ear without a character reference.’

  ‘Words? A tall tale or some such against her? You think that’s my plans for her?’ Laughing quietly, Hardman shook her head. ‘My God, you are young after all. Oh no, when I do summat, I do it right. What I want is her gone from here for good and proper. Remember, like I said? No coming back, never to return.’

  She’d spoken in such a chilling tone, the hairs on Pip’s arms sprang to attention. She licked her lips. ‘You mean …?’

  ‘Just you keep your snotty nose out of my business, you hear? Forget words have even passed betwixt us, for should you speak of this to anyone, that vicious bitch downstairs won’t be the only one to make an enemy of me. The lads would follow, and I’m sure you don’t want that? Am I right?’

  The threat to her and the boys’ safety was clear – Pip shrank under the housemaid’s glare. She didn’t think it an idle warning neither, not if her plans for Caroline were anything to go by. The housemaid was no different from the woman she wished to destroy, Pip knew with rising dread. Not really, no, for both were hell bent on getting what they wanted and woe betide anyone who got in their way. They were as bad as each other and just as dangerous. Was this really where she and the lads should be? Living amongst such vindictiveness, looking over their shoulders all the while, afraid for their safety? She’d thought this a haven but it seemed those streets out there posed less of a threat than Bracken House. Dear God, dear God …

  ‘Remember, keep your trap shut, or else.’

  Pip was shaking as she watched Hardman walk away. Yet before she could stop herself, her tongue took over, forcing her to ask timidly, ‘Is he really worth it, Mr Philip?’

  Hardman ground to a halt. ‘Shut your mouth unless you want the feel of my hand across it. You know nowt.’

  ‘Nowt can come of it; he’s wed. He’s messed around with countless others afore thee—’

  ‘You what?’ Hardman spun around, face full of murder. ‘Liar!’

  ‘It’s true, Hardman, honest! Cook’s daughter, Lydia she were called, she fled after he got her with child and abandoned her. Her, the others, they didn’t deserve it. You don’t deserve to be treated this way, not by him nor anyone else. Please, don’t do owt daft concerning Mrs Goldthorpe, for you’ll suffer the consequences and it’ll be for nothing—’

  ‘Why, you poisonous young bitch. He wouldn’t … wouldn’t do that—’

  ‘He did! I’m sorry, I don’t want to hurt you, Hardman, but it’s the truth.’ Pip held out her hands in an open gesture towards the housemaid, who had stalked back and was now bearing down on her, eyes spitting steel. ‘Tabby heard it from Cook’s own lips.’

  ‘Well, Cook’s a damn liar as well!’ To Pip’s surprise, tears sprang to Hardman’s eyes. ‘He wouldn’t do that,’ she repeated on a whisper.

  Despite everything, Pip’s heart contracted for her; she reached out a hand in comfort but it never reached Hardman’s arm. A dull creak from beyond the partially opened door stilled her progress; she and Hardman stared at each other wide-eyed then whipped their heads towards the source of the noise. Someone was out there, on th
e landing – that had clearly been a floorboard they had heard. Lord above, what they had been discussing … Surely not! As one, they scurried to the door.

  The broad landing was deserted. Not a soul was about; they released a simultaneous sigh. Then what had caused the sound? Pip bit her thumbnail as Hardman inched towards the top of the stairs and peeped down them. Her frown, when clearly she’d seen that again there was no sign of anyone, brought another relieved sigh to Pip. Without a word, they returned to the bedroom, closing the door behind them. They stood staring at each other for a long moment.

  ‘You reckon …?’

  ‘Can’t have been. They couldn’t of scarpered from view that quick.’

  ‘But the noise … someone must have been out there—’

  ‘Just shut up about it, will you? It was no one, no one.’ Yet Hardman’s voice lacked conviction and her face had paled. ‘I must go.’ She jabbed a quivering finger at Pip’s nose. ‘Think on, you hear? You just keep that trap shut!’ She turned and hurried from the room.

  Pip stood rooted, gazing at the door for an age. She felt light-headed with dread and her legs were shaking. Had someone been eavesdropping out there? For how long? Just how much had they heard?

  Another, more horrifying prospect crashed through her, making her gasp. What if it had been Caroline? But surely she’d have stormed the room, demanding answers, would have flung them both out in an instant? Or maybe she was biding her time, awaiting just the right moment to pounce with her new-found knowledge; maybe had something else planned for them …?

  Stop it, stop it! Pip told herself, squeezing her eyes shut before her paranoia sent her raving mad with terror.

  God in heaven, why did problem follow problem beneath this roof? Oh, she didn’t know how much more worry she could bear. Covering her face, she dropped into a chair and let her tears flow.

  ‘Pip? Oh, dear girl, wake up!’

  Blinking in confusion, she shook the drowsiness from her head.

  ‘What a thoroughly perfect evening it’s been. And oh, you’ll never believe it! Guess. Guess what has happened!’

  By now, the sleep haze was fading – and realising she lay sprawled on the mistress’s chaise longue as though she were some fine lady herself, Pip sprang up, cheeks reddening and apologies falling from her lips. ‘I’m so sorry, Miss Josephine! Oh, I don’t know what came over me, forgive me, please, I—’

  ‘My my, don’t take on so. No harm done, no harm done. Rest on, dear girl.’

  Pip was struck by the woman’s lightness of tone. Not a trace of the nervousness she’d grown accustomed to lingered. It was then that she took in properly the glowing cheeks and eyes shimmering with joy. The sight made her young soul sing. ‘All went well, you say, Miss Josephine?’

  ‘The evening passed without incident, Pip. I can barely believe it.’ The lady clasped her hands together and sighed, smiling. ‘Your advice worked wonders. I believed I would be well and I was. That is to say, I did begin to feel somewhat light-headed at one point; however, I chanted to myself to remain calm and told myself that the feeling would pass, and the faintness gradually eased off without much trouble. You, young lady, are an angel sent to me from the heavens.’

  Pip laughed but Miss Josephine didn’t follow suit. The lady had been speaking earnestly, she realised. She truly believed her to be a saint or some such. Pip shook her head, saying softly, ‘I’ve said it afore, Miss Josephine, and I meant it: it’s been inside yourself all along. You hold the means to be well again, not me. I just helped guide your thinking in t’ right direction.’

  ‘Oh no. You’ve done so much more than that. You made me believe that I could, you know? I’m almost too afraid to say this out loud, but …’ The woman’s smile broke through the biting of her lip. ‘I think … I really think I may be cured, Pip! Oh, can you imagine it, after so long …? I’m back. I’m me again.’

  Pity stirred in her breast. However much she wanted to agree, despite how far Josephine seemed to have come, she was sceptical. Surely a miraculous recovery, and so soon, was wishful thinking? Though not for anything would she dash this woman’s hopes, she felt she had to err on the side of caution. ‘Aye, mebbe, Miss Josephine. Small steps, eh? You’re on your way, mind, there’s no doubt of that,’ she said with feeling. But Josephine didn’t appear to be listening. She was staring off into the distance with dancing eyes and Pip smiled curiously. ‘By, Miss Josephine, but you look fit to burst with excitement. Summat occurred the night, did you say?’

  The woman’s gaze swivelled around to meet hers, then as though she couldn’t contain it any longer, bubbling laughter left her. She hugged herself tight. ‘It’s Mr Sutton-Shaw. He asked to speak with my father earlier … and I knew, I just knew …’

  ‘Oh, oh!’ Springing to the edge of her seat, Pip held her breath.

  ‘Father gave his blessing – Alexander and I are to be married!’

  ‘Oh, Miss Josephine!’ On impulse, she threw her arms around the lady. ‘Congratulations, congratulations! Eeh, I’m that pleased for thee.’

  ‘Thank you, dear girl,’ she said, voice cracking, returning Pip’s hug. ‘We’re to announce it properly on Tuesday, the first day of the new year, with a grand dinner here at Bracken House. I cannot express how happy I am. I’d begun to think it wouldn’t happen for me and yet it has. And oh, I do love him so. More importantly, my feelings are reciprocated. I’m so very fortunate, Pip.’

  ‘He’s the lucky ’un, Miss Josephine, bagging someone as lovely as thee for a wife.’

  ‘Oh, Pip. What would I do without you?’ They held each other again. ‘You will of course come with us to the new place?’

  A frown touched her brow. She drew back slowly. ‘New place?’

  ‘But of course. Once we’re married, we shall have to have a home of our own. Hopefully, it shan’t be too far away from here but that will be for Alexander to decide. Wherever it may be, I’d like to take you with me, as my personal maid.’

  The thought hadn’t crossed her mind that Miss Josephine would leave Bracken House but of course, once wed, she would. On the one hand, she felt honoured that the lady thought enough of her to ask. And she so wanted to stay with her. But leave here – Cook, Tabby, Miss Lucy? The boys. She swallowed hard. Never, never. She couldn’t – wouldn’t – leave Simon and Mack behind.

  ‘I’d fair love to, only …’

  The woman’s face fell. ‘What is it?’

  ‘The lads, Miss Josephine. They’re like brothers to me. I’m sorry, I can’t be parted from them.’

  ‘Then bring them along.’

  Pip’s heartbeat quickened. ‘You mean it?’

  ‘Of course. I’m sure Alexander won’t mind. We shall need to acquire staff for our new home in any case and he shan’t want the bother of all that. Yes, I’m sure we could find them something to do.’

  ‘Oh, oh, thank you. Much as I’ll carry gratitude in my heart for the master till my dying day for giving us a home at Bracken House, I’d hate to be parted from thee, will follow thee gladly.’ She laughed brokenly. ‘You’ll not regret this, Miss Josephine.’

  ‘I’m sure I shan’t, Pip.’

  ‘Eeh, wait till I tell the lads!’

  ‘Go on.’

  Pip leapt to her feet. ‘Aye? You sure you don’t need owt, you’ll be all right a while?’

  ‘Yes, yes. You go.’

  ‘Ta, thanks, Miss Josephine. I’ll not be long gone.’ Flashing a grin, she hurried from the room.

  Outside, she paused for a moment and closed her eyes. A fresh beginning. The thought flitted through her. Smiling softly, she nodded. Pray God, she and the lads would be welcome, by all, at the new house. Free from the open looks of dislike and resentment of their presence – Caroline, Hardman, the scheming and vicious games and all that went with them. They would feel wanted, safe. Calm. Aye, and it would be wonderful, that sense of security which here they had never really felt. Folk beneath this roof wanted them gone and were not afraid to show it. Hopefully,
the next place really would feel like home. A proper one, where they belonged completely.

  She glanced around the beautiful space wistfully. She’d miss this place. It had been kind to her. It had provided her with happiness, hope for life again. Her gaze rested on the master’s doors. Despite feeling a painful pang, again she smiled. God love him. He was a true gentleman, as good as they came. She hoped Alexander Sutton-Shaw would prove likewise.

  A sudden thought occurred to her; she tapped her lips agitatedly. The creaking she and Hardman had heard outside the door … Miss Josephine said he’d been up here earlier to see the master. Was Alexander lurking on the landing? But surely he’d have mentioned it to the others. What reason would he have for keeping silent? Nodding, she told herself she was wrong. As the housemaid said, it had been nothing. And the more she thought about it, the more convinced she became. This house was aged after all; the odd creak was to be expected, wasn’t it? With a lighter heart, she made her way downstairs.

  ‘Don’t try to deny it, Caroline. The orphan girl saw everything.’

  Pip caught the harsh voices coming from the study midway across the hall and, head down, planned to hurry past in case the occupants should emerge; now, hearing herself being referred to, she paused. Never would she dream of eavesdropping but surely, if she was the topic of conversation, she had a right to know what was being said? She glanced left and right then inched closer to the door.

  ‘This isn’t funny,’ Philip continued through what sounded like gritted teeth when his wife laughed. ‘What a thing for a child to witness – not to mention what this could do to Josephine’s already fractured nerves. It could traumatise her, turn her frigid, ruin her marriage before it begins. Anyway, I thought Lawley believed that hysteria is caused by the disturbances of a wandering womb? That it can roam around the body, obstructing passages, which stagnates the blood as it cannot circulate?’

  ‘Indeed. But alas, the use of leeches and even bloodletting in the area has not imparted strength to her body, nor lessened her unmanageable emotional excesses. Along with others, Doctor Lawley now suspects women are oftentimes affected by female semen. Stored in the body due to a lack of marital intimacy, it turns to poison and causes high-strung behaviour. He considers his method today to be the cure. It isn’t immoral, Philip. Penetration never occurs, thus ensuring the patient remains undamaged—’