Dilly Court - The Summer Maiden

Mrs Colville’s eyes narrowed. ‘I would expect at least one reference.’

‘Of course.’ Caroline hoped she sounded confident, but it might be difficult with Lady Alice away in Devonshire, and with Cordelia staying with friends somewhere in the country.

An awkward silence filled the room, broken only by the steady ticking of the marble clock on the mantelshelf. Caroline did not like to sit down without being invited to do so, and Mrs Colville seemed to have forgotten her presence, as she picked up her embroidery hoop and concentrated on the intricate design, her needle stabbing the cloth as if it were her worst enemy. Caroline stood by the fireplace, wishing that Mrs Colville’s granddaughter would hurry up and make an appearance.

Minutes later the door opened and a tall, dark-haired young woman entered the room. ‘You wanted to see me, Grandmama?’ Her voice was little more than a whisper.

‘What kept you, Maria? We’ve been waiting for a good five minutes.’

‘I’m sorry, Grandmama.’

‘Don’t hover, girl. You know how it annoys me.’

‘I’m sorry, Grandmama.’ Maria Colville slumped down on the nearest chair, head bent, staring down at her tightly folded hands.

‘Stop apologising, you know it irritates me.’ Mrs Colville threw her embroidery hoop at her granddaughter, narrowly missing her head as it floated harmlessly to the floor. ‘For goodness’ sake sit up straight, Maria. Don’t slouch.’

By this time Caroline was heartily sorry for Maria, and would have protested at the unfairness of this treatment, but she realised that anything she said might make matters worse, and she held her tongue.

‘Miss Manley has applied for the position I advertised in The Times , Maria. If I were to employ her she would be your constant companion, and chaperone. I would expect her to teach you a few social graces, of which you, alas, have none. You are twenty, and it’s high time you were married and off my hands.’ Mrs Colville turned her fierce gaze on Caroline. ‘As she is at present I can’t imagine any man taking her on, even with a sizeable dowry. Can you dance, Miss Manley?’

Caroline recoiled, the question taking her by surprise. ‘Yes, of course I can.’

‘Don’t take that attitude with me, miss. I asked a civil question and I only expect a yes or a no. Maria does not know her left foot from her right. She has no sense of rhythm and no idea of style. She has as much charm and elegance as that poker in the fireplace, and if I take you into my household I expect you to turn her in a beautiful swan. Are you familiar with the Danish fellow’s story about the ugly duckling?’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘Then that is what you must do. Maria is the ugly duckling and you are Mr Andersen, the storyteller. That is, if I decide to employ you.’

Caroline stifled the urge to tell Mrs Colville exactly what she thought of her, and she wished with all her heart that she could give the poor downtrodden granddaughter a comforting hug. Even though Maria’s dark head was bent and her thin shoulders hunched, Caroline could see tears glistening on her eyelashes. The thought of working for such a termagant as Mrs Colville, one of the architects of Jack Manning’s financial disaster, was against everything that Caroline stood for – but Maria was another matter. If ever anyone needed a champion it was the ungainly girl, who was sobbing quietly.

Later, walking homeward with her basket clutched in her hand, Caroline went over the interview in her mind. In the end, when Mrs Colville had seemed to tire of humiliating her own flesh and blood, she had mentioned an allowance, which was adequate, although not overgenerous. However, Caroline would be required to live in and everything, including her clothes, would be provided by her employer. These, Caroline assumed, would be plain and dowdy, causing her to merge with her background. Mrs Colville’s strategy to marry off an unwanted relative was blindingly obvious. She needed someone to bring the best out of her granddaughter, but that person must not take the attention away from Maria. Caroline was so deep in thought that she almost forgot why she had been sent out in the first place, but luckily she remembered in time and she explored the back streets until she came upon a butcher’s shop and a costermonger selling fruit and vegetables.

When she reached home she found Sadie in the kitchen.

‘You took your time,’ Sadie said, examining the contents of the wicker basket. ‘Not bad, but I hope you weren’t cheated. Street vendors are up to all sorts of tricks, like putting foreign coins in with the change and adding a farthing or two if they think they can get away with it.’

Caroline handed over what was left of the money that Sadie had given her. ‘I had to walk miles before I found a butcher’s shop, and then another where I might buy the rest of the things on your list.’

‘Well, you’re home now. The boys are having their first lesson with Laurence, so let’s hope he gets some replies to his advertisement soon. I’d go out to work myself, but there’s nothing much I can do. It might end up that I have to take in washing. At least there’s a decent copper in the outhouse.’

‘It won’t come to that. I think I have found myself a suitable position.’

‘What?’ Sadie dropped the basket on the table and sat down, staring at Caroline open-mouthed. ‘But what can you do? You’ve been brought up to be a young lady. What will Essie say?’

‘Mama won’t know, and anyway, it’s a perfectly respectable job with a wealthy family. I just need a character reference, and it’s mine.’

‘Where is this job and what is it? Why didn’t you tell me you were going to do this?’

‘I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d try to stop me.’

‘I need to know exactly where you’re going and I want to know more about this family.’

‘You won’t like it, but it’s the Colvilles.’

‘ What? ’ Sadie’s voice rose to a screech and she clutched her hand to her bosom, breathing heavily. ‘You know they were partly responsible for the collapse of your father’s business. How could you be so insensitive? You’ll break your mother’s heart.’

‘I’ll be paid fifteen pounds a year.’

‘That seems a bit mean.’

‘I’ll get a uniform of sorts and all my meals. I’ll be off your hands, Sadie. It will give you and Laurence a chance to build up the school, and maybe then I can return.’

‘But the boys will miss you.’

‘And I’ll miss them, but I won’t be far away and I’ll get time off. We’re struggling, Sadie. Admit it.’

Sadie bowed her head. ‘We are, it’s true, but I keep hoping that George will bring his ship home safely with a profitable cargo. We don’t know anything to the contrary.’

‘When he returns I’ll be happy to quit. Anyway, I haven’t got the job yet. I need a reference so I’m going to visit Bearwood House.’

‘I thought they were all away.’

‘Yes, but they have headed writing paper. I know Aunt Alice would give me a glowing reference if I asked for one, so I’ll have no qualms about writing one for myself.’

‘That’s forgery, Carrie.’

‘Have you got any better ideas?’

Taking a cab to Piccadilly was sheer extravagance, but Caroline knew that Mrs Colville was not a patient woman, and any delay in obtaining a reference might jeopardise her chances of securing the position as Maria’s companion. There had been nothing more suitable in the advertisement column of The Times , and without qualifications of any kind it was always going to be difficult to find work.

Caroline alighted outside Bearwood House, paid the cabby, marched up to the front entrance with an outward show of confidence and rapped on the door. Of course the family were away from home, but when John, the head footman, reminded her of the fact she pretended that it had slipped her mind. She convinced him it was necessary for her to leave a note for Miss Cordelia. Perhaps it was her winning smile that won him over, but he accepted her explanation and showed her into the morning parlour.