Dilly Court - The River Maid

‘But you don’t?’

Lady Alice shook her head, holding out her empty glass. ‘I do not. Anyway, I shouldn’t be telling you all this. Pour me another drink and go home. Warn Raven that Sir Henry knows that he plans to appeal, although I doubt if Henry will do anything about it. Tell Raven I said bon voyage. I won’t see him again until he returns a free man, and I hope still to be a free woman.’

Essie added another small measure of brandy to the glass and placed it on a table by the sofa. ‘Will you be all right?’

‘Of course. I’m used to looking after myself, Essie. Get along home and thank you for everything you’ve done.’

Essie arrived home to find Raven and her father seated in the front parlour sharing a jug of ale. Raven looked up and smiled. ‘How did my cousin take the news?’

Baffled, Essie stared at him. ‘What news?’

‘I don’t suppose she would have shared it with you, come to that. Did she give you a message for me?’

‘She said to say bon voyage, whatever that means. She won’t be coming here and I’m not to return to Hill Street.’

‘Such goings-on,’ Jacob said crossly. ‘You should know your place, Esther. It’s here in White’s Rents with the rest of us. I need you to help me on the river, so don’t get ideas above your station.’

‘Hold on a minute, Jacob.’ Raven fixed Essie with a penetrating look. ‘Why the sudden change, Essie? Not that I think there will be any need for you to continue to work for Alice, but I can see you’re disturbed. What is it?’

‘Nonsense!’ Jacob reached for the jug and refilled his glass. ‘Girls like to make a fuss about things. That’s what they do, leaving it to us men to sort out the mess they make.’

‘I’m going to put the kettle on.’ Essie curbed her tongue with difficulty. Sometimes Pa was impossible to deal with, and this was one of them. She went into the kitchen and slipped off her shawl, placing it on the back of a chair before taking off her bonnet. She was hot and thirsty after walking the length of Fore Street and Lady Alice’s predicament was still fresh in her mind. She picked up a bucket and opened the back door, intent on visiting the communal pump, when Raven emerged from the parlour. He took in the situation with a single glance.

‘Give that to me and I’ll fetch the water for you.’

‘No, certainly not. You mustn’t be seen outside. You know that.’

He pulled up a chair and sat down at the table. ‘All right. Now tell me what’s happened to upset you? Have the servants been difficult? I can’t imagine that Alice would have said anything untoward.’

Essie was silent for a moment, wondering how much to tell him. ‘Do you know Sir Henry Bearwood?’

‘He’s not the sort of man I’d associate with normally, but how do you know him?’

‘I don’t. It’s just that he was trying to take advantage of Lady Alice and she was having none of it.’

‘The devil he was! But on the other hand I’d like to meet the man who could get the better of my cousin.’ Raven’s smile faded. ‘What are you trying to tell me?’

‘I’m not supposed to say anything,’ Essie said slowly.

‘But you’re dying to tell me, so out with it.’

‘Lady Alice wants you to leave the country as soon as possible and you’re not to try to see her.’

‘That wasn’t what you were going to say. You’re hiding something. What is it?’

Essie noted his set expression and the hard lines of his jaw and she knew that he was not about to give up until he knew the truth. ‘Sir Henry was making a nuisance of himself, if you know what I mean. He wants to marry Lady Alice and she isn’t interested, but he saw the document you sent her.’

Raven stood up abruptly, pushing back the chair so that it almost toppled over. ‘I’ll soon sort him out.’

‘No, you mustn’t,’ Essie cried anxiously. ‘I shouldn’t have told you about him. Lady Alice will be furious with me, and you’ll only get yourself into trouble. She doesn’t think he’ll let on that you’re here.’ She clutched Raven’s arm and she could feel his muscles tensed beneath the sleeve of his well-cut jacket. ‘Please sit down. I’ll go and fetch some water and make a pot of tea.’

His grim laughter echoed round the small kitchen. ‘Tea – the panacea for all ills.’

‘I think Lady Alice can take care of herself,’ Essie said firmly. ‘She was clear about one thing, and that was for you to keep away from Hill Street. You’ve only got another day and then you’ll be on your way back to Australia.’

‘I came home to make things better for my family and I don’t intend to leave Alice in a fix. She’s risked a lot helping me and I’m going to sort out Bearwood for once and all.’ He stood up and made for the back door, pushing past Essie as he stepped outside into the back yard.

Essie hurried after him. ‘Please stop. You’ll only make more trouble this way.’

He shook off her restraining hand. ‘Don’t interfere, Essie. You’ve done your bit, now go indoors and look after your father.’

Essie knew that nothing she could say or do would prevent him from seeking out Sir Henry Bearwood, and she wished with all her heart that she had said nothing. Lady Alice must have known that this was how Raven would react, and now Raven was heading for trouble. Essie clenched her hands at her sides, inwardly fuming at her own stupidity. Nothing good could come of this. She toyed with the idea of rushing over to Hill Street to warn Lady Alice, but that was not the answer. She bent down to pick up the bucket and headed out of the yard to the pump. A cup of tea would not solve her problems, but making it would give her something to do.

Time seemed to have stood still as Essie waited for Raven to return. She occupied herself as best she could with household chores. She made her father a simple supper of bread and cheese, but the ale he had drunk combined with a dose of laudanum sent him to sleep soon afterwards and Essie was left to wait and worry on her own. Outside the business of the street went on as usual with the constant sound of raised voices, hurried footsteps and the ever-present background noise of the river traffic. Hoots, sirens, bells and the grinding of cranes still at work unloading vessels moored alongside the wharfs went on all day and for most of the night.

The light faded and Essie paced the floor, accompanied by the rhythmic snores emanating from her father’s slack lips. He had drunk a copious amount of ale and had taken a hefty dose of laudanum before falling into a stupor. She lit a candle and placed it in the window, but still there was no word from Raven. In an attempt to calm her nerves she opened the front door and stood on the step, but retreated quickly. Late at night it was not a good idea to loiter in the street and she went to sit in the kitchen and wait.

The candle had burned down and Essie was about to go to her room when she heard a scrabbling sound on the front door. ‘Who’s there?’ she demanded nervously.

Essie wrenched the door open and stepped aside as Raven practically fell into the room supported on either side by Lady Alice and Sadie.

‘What happened?’ Essie demanded, closing the door and bolting it. There did not seem to be anyone following them, but she was taking no chances. ‘What happened?’ She picked up the candlestick and in its flickering light she saw a dark stain that look suspiciously like blood on Raven’s jacket. ‘Take him through to the kitchen,’ she said, glancing anxiously at her father, who had slept through everything so far; disturbing him was the last thing she wanted.

‘I’m all right,’ Raven whispered. ‘I can make it on my own.’