The Orphans of Ardwick Read online

Caroline followed obediently. After some moments, Pip and the others did likewise.

  Inside Bracken House, they found that the master had carried Lucy into the drawing room. Weeping softly, she lay shivering on the thick rug before the fire. While Tabby rushed to collect extra blankets, Cook and Josephine knelt beside the girl, cooing broken reassurances to her and stroking her wet hair. Budd hurried in to join them.

  ‘Take your wife upstairs.’ Addressing his son in the hall, the master’s voice was steely. ‘We’ll deal with her later. Right now, Lucy is our main concern.’

  ‘Has the doctor been sent for?’

  Albert nodded. ‘I instructed the housemaid to fetch him. Now,’ he added through gritted teeth, his gaze flicking to Caroline, ‘get her out of my sight.’

  As the master turned back into the drawing room, Pip made to follow but was pulled up short by Simon. Tugging her back, he glared down at her with ravaged eyes.

  ‘How? How the bleedin’ hell do you know him?’

  Mind dizzy with recent events, Pip was confused. ‘What? Who?’

  ‘My father, who d’you bloody well think? I’d have never believed … not from thee. How could you do this to me?’

  She glanced around but Mack was the only other person present. ‘Where is Peter?’

  ‘Gone. I sent him packing.’

  ‘But Simon, why?’

  ‘Why?’ He shook his head slowly. ‘Have you forgot what I told youse, how he let his wife treat me all them years back?’

  She did remember. And she couldn’t comprehend that the two men could be one and the same. Peter, with his thoughtfulness, kindness … capable of neglecting a child in such a callous way? It just didn’t make sense.

  ‘What, he thinks he can start afresh with me because he finally saw her true colours? She let slip one day what she’d been about and, so says he, he walked from that house and never returned, reckons he’s been searching for me since. Huh! Aye well, his time were wasted, weren’t it, good and proper. I want nowt to do with him, nowt.’

  ‘Simon. I believe he’s changed. What I’ve seen of him … I think you ought to give him a chance—’

  ‘What?’

  ‘At least hear him out.’

  ‘I don’t believe I’m hearing this from you!’

  ‘Lad, please. All I’m saying is, well, I just think—’

  ‘Listen to me, for it’s the last I’ll speak on this.’ Though his stiff face showed his fury, his eyes glistened with tears. ‘That wastrel means nowt to me, less than. And if I ever see his face again, I’ll pummel it to a bloody pulp. Right?’

  Though her heart told her he was making the wrong decision, she had to respect his wishes. She nodded. ‘All right, lad. If it’s what you want. Tha must know, I never knew a thing about it, would have never imagined who he were. I’d not hurt thee for the world and am sorry I have. Truly.’

  Blinking fiercely, he looked away. ‘Me and Bread, we’d best be away back to the kitchen.’

  ‘I’ll join you shortly.’ Itching to get back to Lucy, after the lads disappeared from sight she hurried into the drawing room. The women were still with her. Along with the blankets, Tabby had collected warm flannels, and with these all were now vigorously rubbing the chilled body. From the window nearby, drawn-faced with worry, the master looked on. He motioned Pip forward when she hesitated.

  ‘Don’t be shy. Lucy will want to see you.’

  Holding back tears, she headed for the fire. However, the moment the young miss spotted her over the women’s heads, and her bottom lip trembled, Pip could quell her emotion no longer. She burst into quiet sobs.

  ‘Oh, Pip, Pip …’

  ‘Eeh, Miss Lucy.’ She gripped the small hand held out to her. ‘So sorry, so sorry … This is my fault, me giving thee my shawl, I should never—’

  ‘You are not to blame for a single iota of this,’ cut in Albert. ‘Do not harbour such thoughts, lass.’

  But I do, I must, for ain’t I the cause of this one way or another? she responded silently. Shawl or no, I planted that picture. I’ve helped to work the woman upstairs into the state she’s in. She somehow knew that I – who even to begin with she couldn’t stand the very sight of – was involved but was unable to prove it. She wanted revenge. Through me, this girl lying here almost paid the ultimate price. And maybe she will still.

  At the prospect, a swell of panic built in her chest and she struggled to catch her breath. Freezing waters could be deadly. What if Lucy should develop a fever, pneumonia …? She gripped the hand she held tighter. It can’t happen, it can’t. Lucy couldn’t leave her. She’d not lose her, not now. You’re my sister and I love you.

  ‘The doctor, sir.’

  Albert turned to the doorway where Cally had appeared. He nodded in relief. ‘Doctor Lawley, thank you for coming so quickly. My granddaughter—’

  ‘Your housemaid explained on the way.’ His face was grim. ‘Your daughter-in-law …?’

  ‘Is under lock and key in her room.’

  He nodded. ‘Show me to the child, Mr Goldthorpe.’

  ‘Here is Lucy, by the fire. We thought it important to try to warm her up.’

  ‘A wise move.’ The doctor checked her over briefly, then rose. ‘The child needs to be in bed. She must be wrapped up – extra coverings are required. See that a good fire is lit in her room and that it is kept fed. Also,’ he added, addressing Cook, ‘a mustard poultice applied to her hands, the soles of her feet and insides of her legs, if you please.’

  The woman hurried to the door, saying, ‘Aye, I’ll make one up right away.’

  When Albert stooped to lift Lucy into his arms, she whimpered and squeezed Pip’s fingers tighter. ‘Stay with me, Pip. Don’t leave me.’

  ‘I’ll not, Miss Lucy, don’t fret.’

  As the master carried her out and up the stairs, Pip trotted close behind, her fingers entwined in his granddaughter’s. However, when they reached the nursery door, the doctor halted Pip by placing a hand on her shoulder. Given what she’d witnessed him do that day to Josephine, she flinched at his touch.

  ‘You may go, now. Miss Lucy must have complete rest—’

  ‘No! Pip is to remain with me.’

  ‘Please, let me go with her. I’ll be no bother,’ added Pip, tone desperate. The thought of being parted from the girl was every bit as painful to her.

  ‘If Miss Lucy feels up to it, you may pay her a short visit tomorrow.’ The doctor made to pull Pip away but, holding on tighter to the hand, she shook her head wildly. ‘Nay, nay please—!’

  ‘Away with you!’

  ‘I’ll not!’ She snatched her arm from him. ‘I must stay with her, I must! Nay, nay,’ she continued as he tried to draw her to the stairs once more, ‘Let go of me! I’ll not leave her. I’ll not leave my sister!’

  The world seemed to hold its breath.

  With a strangled gasp, Pip turned slowly to the master.

  His brow was creased slightly in a frown, his mouth open. He peered at her for an age and the colour visibly drained from his face. ‘Dear God in heaven …’

  She hadn’t the words to respond, could never have got them past her lips if she had. Horror had frozen her. When Albert’s gaze swivelled behind her, her heart seemed to cease its beating. She sensed without turning who was there.

  ‘What … did you say?’

  With every ounce of strength she possessed, she forced herself to face Philip. Molten tears blurred his image.

  ‘The child you planted in Lydia May’s belly is me. You’re my father.’

  Chapter 24

  ‘DRINK THIS.’

  Cook allowed the master to place a tumbler in her hand, but the amber liquid went untouched. With glazed eyes rooted to Pip’s face, her tears ran down her cheeks unchecked.

  Philip sat slumped in the chair opposite. He looked as if he’d aged several decades in the course of the hours.

  The master, too, was shaken to the core, moved now and then to refill their glasses with brandy as t
hough in a trance. Josephine was the only one who had marginally recovered from the mind-shattering news. She accepted it numbly now, as though she’d always known.

  ‘I need to leave. I should never have told. I’m sorry,’ croaked Pip for the dozenth time. However, she didn’t move, sat on, head bowed, her hands covering her face.

  She’d told them everything. First between uncontrollable sobs when the master, leaving Lucy in the safe hands of the stunned doctor and Budd, had ushered her and Philip into the study. Then again, flatly from sheer exhaustion, when Albert had fetched in Cook.

  The servant’s reaction had been heart-rending to witness. Disbelief followed by incredulous cries upon being assured it was true, then her wails of anguish when realising her daughter was gone for ever … Her white-hot fury at Philip and screamed accusations that his desertion had brought about the untimely death … Her crushing embrace and noisy weeping and declarations of everlasting love for Pip … Cook had emptied out every emotion. Now, as though to protect her from feeling anything more, shock appeared to have shut down body and mind. Life had gone out in her.

  ‘Could you leave Pip and me?’

  All eyes went to Philip. It was the first time he’d uttered anything throughout.

  ‘Please. I wish to speak with her alone,’ he added in a dull murmur. His stare followed Cook across the room. As if feeling it at her back, she turned. Their ravaged eyes locked. ‘For everything …’ he told her thickly, ‘everything I have done … I am so very sorry.’

  His admission, remorse, finally, returned a flicker of life to the woman’s features. She’d railed at him something frightful earlier – at one point, Albert had had to hold her back from lunging at her daughter’s seducer – and now, Pip expected a repeat performance. It never came. Cook simply peered at him.

  ‘Please. I cannot bear … If I could only turn back the hands of time … Please say you can forgive me.’

  It was as though Cook saw now the boy she’d once known and loved; her face creased in something akin to remembrance. He’d stripped himself bare before her, shed the display and pomposity, leaving only the man. She swallowed hard. Then she turned and walked from the room. His shoulders sagged.

  ‘Time, lad. Give her time.’

  The door clicked shut on Albert’s words. Alone with Philip, Pip’s heart began to race. For a long moment, he said nothing. Just when she thought she could bear the stifling silence no longer, he lifted his head.

  ‘Lydia’s picture. Are you absolutely certain—?’

  ‘I’m certain.’

  ‘But, I mean, it is possible you could be mistaken, that you think that who you saw—’

  ‘I know my own mother.’

  Lifting his face to the ceiling, he heaved a tortured sigh. ‘I loved her, whatever people may believe.’

  ‘You abandoned her.’ Pip spat out the words. Her fear and anxiety were rapidly diminishing, leaving behind only burning fury.

  ‘You speak the truth. I was young, foolish, believed she wasn’t worthy of me. I was blind, too pig-ignorant to see it was the other way around. The memory of my actions …’ He released a shuddering breath. ‘It’s a regret I shall carry until my dying day.’

  ‘Good. I pray with all I am that you never know a second’s peace.’

  ‘Pip, I’m sorry. So very, very sorry …’

  To her surprise, he put his face in his hands and burst into tears. She blinked, the venom inside her melting. She was at a loss what to do, think. She’d never seen a man cry. She hadn’t expected this, never, and not from him. She bit her lip.

  ‘Tell me what to do.’ He came towards her and held out his hands helplessly. ‘What do I do, Pip? You’re my … my daughter.’ Again, gruff sobs ripped from him. ‘I’ve missed out on your whole life. I loathe my weak, disgusting self!’

  She rose. Tentatively, she stepped towards him. He’d buried his face again and she gazed at his bowed head. When eventually she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.

  ‘I loathe you, too. Least, I thought I did; I don’t know. I wanted to hurt you, bad like, as you did my mam, and me.’

  He lifted his eyes to look at her. ‘And now?’

  ‘I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m meant to … to feel … And you’re my father. Father,’ she repeated, throat thick. ‘We needed you. Me and Mam, we, we …’

  The next moment, they were in each other’s arms. Rough cheek against smooth, their tears mingling. Of their own accord, her arms tightened. She clung to him.

  ‘Forgive me. Forgive me.’

  Her tears fell harder. ‘Oh, Mr Philip.’

  ‘Father. Please.’

  A fast tide swam through her, warming her from head to toe. ‘Oh, Father,’ she whispered.

  ‘I don’t pretend to be a great husband, nor even a great man. I have wronged more people than I care to dwell upon. However, my child – my children – are my all. I vow to do everything in my power to make it up to you, Pip. If you’ll let me.’

  ‘There’s summat tha must know.’

  She had to tell him, must. If they were even to attempt to forge the semblance of a relationship, they had to enter into it with complete honesty. It would never work otherwise, would hang over her for ever like a dark cloud. How he chose to deal with the revelation would be the ultimate test. She pulled back to look at him and took a breath.

  ‘Earlier, when I told you all I’d found Mam’s picture on that there desk?’ At the time, Miss Josephine hadn’t yet been summoned to the drawing room and so the lie that had slipped from Pip’s tongue hadn’t been questioned. After all, the lady thought she’d discovered it in Cook’s possessions …

  ‘Yes, Pip?’

  ‘I saw the look of regret in your eyes. You believed you’d been careless, didn’t yer, that you’d left the leather carrier out by mistake. You’d not. Nor when I discovered it had I just happened to be in here helping Cally dust because she were behind with her duties. It were the drawer I found it in, had stole the key from your jacket pocket. I sneaked to this room on purpose, had planned it all out.’ She paused to gauge his reaction but he simply stared back in silence. Her voice dropped. ‘I got the shock of my life when I saw Mam staring back at me from one of the pages. For you see, that weren’t the one I’d come seeking. The picture I wanted was the one of Jess Hardman.’

  Now, his eyes creased. He shook his head. ‘But how …? Why?’

  ‘Simon, my friend, he spied you looking at it one night when you were the worse for drink. We knew it were just what we needed, thought it would do the trick—’ She broke off with a guilty bite of her lip.

  Philip spoke grimly. ‘What on earth is going on? What have the two of you been doing?’

  ‘Getting our revenge on Mrs Goldthorpe.’

  ‘Revenge? Revenge for what?’

  ‘She murdered Hardman.’

  He jerked back as though she’d slapped him. ‘What?’

  ‘She pushed her down those stairs and threatened to pin the blame on me and Simon. We were angry, scared … We thought if we made her think the housemaid’s spirit were haunting her for what she’d done, her guilt would become too much, that she’d confess—’

  ‘Good God …’

  ‘We were wrong, we know, and we stopped it, all of it, when we saw we’d gone too far, that her mind weren’t right—!’

  ‘Jess was carrying my child.’

  Pip was stunned. She clapped a hand to her mouth in horror.

  ‘She informed me of the fact mere hours before she died.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Forgive me, I shouldn’t, shouldn’t be saying—’

  ‘That youse were lovers is no secret.’

  His cheeks reddened. He dropped into a chair. ‘I’m a man; weak, pathetic where women are concerned. When Jess told me … It was Lydia all over again. I was determined to do the right thing this time. Seeing it as an opportunity to make up for past mistakes, I resolved to find Jess a couple of decent rooms in another part of town …’

  He
’d planned to provide for her and their child by keeping her as his mistress. But surely the housemaid wouldn’t have been satisfied with that? After all, she’d wanted Caroline out of the way. And it was clear now it must have been Caroline herself on the landing that day who overheard that conversation. The question was, had she got wind of the fact that Hardman was carrying her husband’s child? If so, would she still have gone through with the attack? Knowing Caroline, probably so. Pip wouldn’t put anything past her – particularly after today’s events.

  ‘I’ve caused this,’ Philip said. ‘If it had not been for my actions, Jess would be alive today. I drove Caroline to this, it’s my doing, mine, as sure as if I had been the one to push her. It’s my fault—’

  Pip cut through his distress. ‘However wronged your wife felt, that’s no excuse for taking a life. You had a part in this, aye, there’s no denying it. But you weren’t to know she’d take the measures she did to exact revenge. The blood shall forever stain her hands, and hers alone.’

  ‘I tried my utmost in the beginning to make our marriage work,’ he muttered as though to himself, ‘to make her happy, but her shrewishness … She made it impossible. I used to think that surely, somewhere in that twisted head, there must be an ounce of human decency lurking. It appears I was mistaken. I feel I don’t know her at all, and that I never have. As for the incident at the lake today … The devil’s work. She once suspected Josephine, at the height of her illness, to be of demonic possession when all along … There can be no denying this to ourselves, nor concealing it any longer. The whole damn street witnessed the extent of her madness. Father was right.’ He nodded dully. ‘The time has come.’

  ‘Time?’

  Philip placed his hands on Pip’s shoulders. The softest smile caressed his mouth. ‘Don’t concern yourself with anything – not now. It’s over.’ He put his lips to her brow, and the tender feel brought a lump to her throat. ‘There are pressing matters that need my attention. Run along, now. We’ll speak more, shortly.’

  Whether things will be well betwixt us, develop into something resembling a relationship, remains to be seen. It will take time and lots of it, of course it will. But of one thing, Pip was certain as, after giving him a last, lingering look, she slipped from the room: