Dilly Court - The Summer Maiden

‘I think I’ll go to my room and read for a while,’ Caroline said, yawning. ‘Do you mind seeing to the boys, Sadie?’

‘Of course not,’ Sadie said smiling happily. ‘If Laurence goes ahead with fee-paying boarders I’ll need the practice mothering small boys. I think it would be a wonderful thing to do.’

Laurence rose to his feet. ‘I wouldn’t do anything that you didn’t feel was right, Caroline.’

‘I think it’s a splendid idea. You two could manage it beautifully.’ She escaped from the room, but instead of going upstairs she let herself out through the front door and negotiated the steps down to the wharf.

Despite the noxious odours from the factory chimneys and the gasworks, it was a beautiful evening – the sort of warm, feathery dusk that seemed to wrap itself around a body like a silk shawl. The sun was a fiery golden ball plummeting below the horizon, leaving the sky streaked with blood-red and purple bruise-like clouds. The river boiled like molten copper and the smelly mud had a silvery sheen. It was a night for lovers, but that thought made her feel even lonelier than before.

A shriek from the foreshore made her turn with a start and, looking down from the wharf, she could see her brothers being attacked by a gang of ragged youths. She made for the nearest watermen’s stairs and raced down them, risking a fall, but her feet barely touched the slimy treads, and she landed on the shingle with a dull thud.

‘Stop that,’ she cried angrily. ‘Leave those boys alone, you bullies.’ More fearful for her brothers than for herself, she raced over the stones and broken spars, waving her fists at the youths, who turned to stare at her. But their surprised expressions were replaced by surly grins and the tallest of them advanced on Caroline with his ham-like fists raised.

‘Leave us be, lady. You’ll come off worst.’

Max took a running jump and landed on the boy’s back. ‘Run for it, Carrie.’

She stood her ground. ‘I will not. I’m not afraid of you big louts. Leave my brothers alone.’

James had his arms pinned behind his back and his captor was laughing wildly. ‘Shall I break his arms, Crusher?’

The tall youth shook his head. ‘Nah. Let’s have some fun with the toffs first. Let’s show ’em how us Wapping boys treat them as venture into these parts.’

‘Why don’t you take on someone your own size?’ A cultured voice rang out behind them, causing the gang to take several steps backwards as a tall figure emerged from the shadow of the wharf. ‘Let the boys go and if you touch the young lady you’ll have me to deal with.’

Caroline leaped forward to grab James by the hand, dragging him free from the boy who had momentarily released his grip.

The leader of the gang shook Max off as if he were an annoying insect, but his attitude changed subtly. ‘We was only larking around, guv.’

‘Get away from here before I thrash each one of you.’ The man grabbed Max by the collar and marched him across the muddy foreshore to join Caroline and James. ‘Are you hurt, young lady?’

Caroline shook her head. ‘No, sir. I don’t know how to thank you …’

‘No need for that. Just keep away from here. This isn’t a playground.’

His patronising tone annoyed Caroline, despite her intense feeling of relief. Even in the fading light it was obvious that their rescuer was a gentleman. His frock coat was well cut and his checked trousers gave him a slightly dandified appearance. He was clean-shaven, but the brim of his silky top hat cast a shadow on his upper face and she could not see his eyes.

‘My brothers are new to this area of London, sir,’ Caroline said with as much dignity as she could muster, considering the fact that her slippers were sinking into the cold mud and her silk skirts were wet and probably ruined.

‘Then I suggest you take them home and don’t venture out after sunset. This is a rough area.’ He tipped his hat and marched off in the direction of the stone steps.

‘Are you going to let him talk to you like that?’ Max demanded crossly. ‘That fellow treated you like an idiot, Carrie.’

‘Maybe I was a fool for bringing you boys here,’ Caroline said ruefully. ‘I’ve no idea who that person is, but he did us a favour, and we should follow him as quickly as possible. Those louts might return if they think he’s gone.’

James dashed his hand across his eyes. ‘I was scared, Carrie. I don’t think I like it here.’

She tightened her grasp on his hand and started walking towards the stone steps. ‘We’ll get used to it, Jimmy. We just need to learn how to cope with living in such a different place. After all, our parents once lived here and they survived.’ She held her free hand out to Max. ‘We’re in this together, and we just have to make the best of it.’

‘I could have thrashed the one called Crusher.’ Despite his brave words, Max held her hand as they crossed the mud, making their way to the steps.

Later, when her brothers were in bed, Caroline sat on the window seat in her bedchamber, sipping a mug of cocoa as she gazed out into the moonlit night. Lights from passing river traffic bobbed and danced above the water like tiny fireflies, and the streetlamps cast golden pools on the cobblestones, but the deep shadows held menace and fights broke out as drunks spilled out of the pubs. Blood mingled with the detritus in the gutters and the sound of police whistles and the thunder of booted feet added to the cacophony of hooters from steamships. Caroline finished her cocoa and drew the curtains before climbing into bed. She might never know the identity of the gentleman who had come to their aid, but one thing was certain – tomorrow she would start looking for paid employment. Her life of luxury and leisure had ended and it was time she started earning her living.

Next morning, at breakfast, Laurence was allowing his tea to get cold while he studied a copy of The Times. With his steel-rimmed reading spectacles perched on the end of his nose he looked every inch a scholar, but his brow was wrinkled in a frown and he did not seem too happy. Caroline had finished her slice of toast, thinly spread with butter, and was sipping her tea in an attempt to make it last until she could have a proper look at the newspaper. She had been attempting to read the ‘Positions Vacant’ column over Laurence’s shoulder, but it was almost impossible as he kept moving his head and obscuring her view.

‘Where are those boys?’ Sadie demanded as she filled the sink with water from the kettle. ‘Max should be helping with the washing up. It’s his turn today.’

‘They’re not used to rising early when they’re on holiday,’ Caroline said hastily. She had not mentioned the scuffle on the foreshore the previous evening, and she did not intend to tell Laurence or Sadie. The boys, she hoped, had learned their lesson.

‘But they’re not on holiday,’ Sadie said firmly. ‘They’ll be starting their lessons again as soon as Laurence has unpacked his books.’

Laurence looked up at the mention of his name, peering at Sadie over the rim of his spectacles. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.’

‘I was speaking about the boys beginning their studies with you,’ Sadie said patiently. ‘The sooner the better, in my opinion.’ She refilled the kettle from the pump at the sink and replaced it on the hob. ‘Is there anything of interest in the paper?’

Laurence shook his head. ‘No, not today, but there’s always tomorrow.’

‘Might I borrow the newspaper?’ Caroline asked, holding out her hand. ‘I like to keep abreast with what’s going on in the world.’

Laurence handed it to her with a gentle smile, but Sadie chortled with laughter.