Dilly Court - The Summer Maiden

‘Well, go and ask her, or shall I do it for you?’

‘I have to wait until she sends for me. She doesn’t like it if I do otherwise.’

Caroline stared at her, hardly able to believe her ears. ‘But she’s your flesh and blood. She’s not the Queen of England.’

‘You’d think she was sometimes. I think Her Majesty would be easier to approach. Anyway, it’s half-past eleven and we have to be at table on the dot of midday.’

‘I suppose that’s another of your grandmother’s rules.’

‘Yes, of course. We have to be punctual for meals.’

‘Does your cousin obey the rules at all times?’

A slow smile curved Maria’s lips. ‘Phin does as he pleases because he’s a man, and he’s also the head of Colville Shipping. I expect you’ve heard of us.’

‘Oh, yes. Everyone has heard of Colville Shipping.’

‘Phin was quite young when Grandpapa passed away, leaving him in sole charge of the business,’ Maria said proudly.

‘Does your cousin live here?’

‘He stays sometimes to keep Grandmama happy, but he has a house in Princes Square.’ Maria lowered her voice in a conspiratorial whisper. ‘Grandmama doesn’t know about it.’

‘Doesn’t she wonder where he goes when he’s not here?’

‘He lets her think that he’s away on business, and she doesn’t think to question him. Phin is her darling and I’m just an embarrassment.’

Caroline patted the bed. ‘Sit down, Maria, and tell me why your grandmother treats you this way. I really need to know or I might not be able to help you.’

‘Well, it’s a sad story really. My mother was only fifteen when she fell in love with someone. I don’t know who he was, or why he couldn’t marry her. Maybe he was already married – I don’t know – but I was born out of wedlock and my mama was sent away. I’ve never met her, but I have a picture of her.’ Maria tugged at a gold chain hanging around her neck and drew out a gold locket, which she flicked open to reveal the portrait of a young girl.

‘That could be you,’ Caroline said slowly. ‘She is very pretty, Maria. Just like you.’

‘I’m not pretty. Grandmama always said I was behind the door when looks were given out. I’m very plain.’

‘Indeed you are not,’ Caroline said angrily. ‘Your grandmama is a cruel woman. She should have taken care of her daughter, and she should have been kind to you.’

‘But my birth disgraced the Colville family,’ Maria protested tearfully. ‘My mother was only sixteen when I was born, and I’m living proof of her wickedness.’

‘Nonsense. It’s not wicked to give love freely, even if it is ill-advised. Where was the father in all this? Why didn’t he stand up to Mrs Colville and spirit your mother away and marry her?’

‘I’ll probably never discover the truth. I wish I could meet my mother and get to know her, but that’s impossible.’

‘Have you told your cousin Phineas how you feel?’

‘Phin is quite sympathetic, but he told me that I should forget about her.’

‘And you can’t do that.’

‘No, of course not.’ Maria reached out to grasp Caroline’s hands. ‘I knew that you would understand. My dearest wish is to find my mother, but there’s no chance of that when I am never allowed to go anywhere unaccompanied.’

‘And you have no idea where she is?’ Caroline gave Maria’s fingers a gentle squeeze and withdrew her hands. ‘She might be living abroad.’

‘That’s true.’ Maria’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I’m never going to find her, am I?’

‘Don’t say that. There must be a way. After all, she’ll still be a relatively young woman. She must be somewhere, and I’ll do everything I can to help you.’ Caroline jumped to her feet at the sound of a bell clanging somewhere in the depths of the house. ‘What was that?’

‘That’s the first bell for luncheon. We have five minutes to tidy ourselves and go down to the dining room.’

Caroline stifled a chuckle. ‘A five-minute bell – that’s ridiculous. This isn’t the army.’

‘I wouldn’t know about that, but Grandmama is very fussy about punctuality. There is always a bell five minutes before each meal, and that means there’s no excuse to be late.’

‘I see. I’ll try to remember that.’ Caroline glanced at her reflection in the dressing-table mirror. ‘Am I presentable enough to grace the dining table, Maria?’

‘It’s no laughing matter. Grandmama takes it very seriously.’ Maria rose from the bed and peered in the mirror, patting her already immaculate dark hair into place.

‘So what happens if you are late?’

‘No food,’ she said tersely. ‘I get sent to my room and I have to remain there until the bell for the next meal. We’d better hurry.’

The midday meal was eaten in silence and, to Caroline’s intense relief, it was over quickly. Mrs Colville favoured small helpings of plain food, which left Caroline feeling almost as hungry as when she had taken her seat at the vast dining table. Maria sat with her head bowed and picked at her meal, earning a stern rebuke from her grandmother, and a sympathetic smile from Caroline.

‘Don’t encourage her, Miss Manley.’ Mrs Colville rose from her seat. ‘Maria will sit there until she has finished her meal. Good food is not to be wasted.’

Caroline had eaten the tasteless sago pudding in an attempt to stave off pangs of hunger, but it was obvious that Maria was struggling. Caroline was about to protest, but the steely look in Mrs Colville’s eye was enough to convince her that she would only make matters worse.

‘I am retiring to the drawing room, Maria,’ Mrs Colville said coldly. ‘Gilroy will clear the table in five minutes and I expect her to find a clean plate.’ She swept out of the dining room, leaving the maid standing guard by the door.

‘I can’t eat it,’ Maria whispered. ‘I’ll be sick if I do.’

‘It’s not so bad.’ Caroline hoped she sounded more convincing than she was feeling. ‘Sprinkle some sugar on it.’

Maria shook her head. ‘Nanny Robbins used to say that sago pudding was good for me and that there were thousands of starving children in London who would be grateful for such a treat, but she kept a jar of raspberry jam hidden in one of the cupboards and she allowed me to have some to make the dish more palatable.’

Caroline glanced at Gilroy’s set expression and she had a feeling that anything they said would be repeated to Mrs Colville. She snatched Maria’s spoon and shovelled the rest of the dessert into her mouth, gulping it down with difficulty as it was cold and glutinous. She stood up, waving the empty plate in front of Gilroy. ‘It’s all gone. You can tell tales to your mistress if you like, but I’m taking Miss Maria out for a walk in the sunshine.’

Maria rose hastily from the table. ‘I’ll fetch my bonnet and parasol.’ She scuttled past Gilroy as if afraid that the affronted servant might try to prevent her leaving.

Caroline fixed the maid with a hard stare as she left the room. Whatever happened, she would not allow the servants to bully Maria – it was bad enough having to stand by and watch the poor girl being browbeaten by someone who was supposed to love and care for her.

Minutes later they were walking beneath the trees on the pier head.

‘I feel quite guilty,’ Maria said shyly. ‘I should have asked Grandmama’s permission.’

‘Nonsense. You’re not a prisoner and we’re only going for a short walk on a sunny afternoon. I told Gilroy to inform Mrs Colville where we were going, that should be quite sufficient. You aren’t a child, Maria.’

‘I know, but Grandmama is accustomed to ruling my life.’

‘Then it’s high time she learned that you are grown up, and in a year or so you’ll reach your majority.’