Dilly Court - The Summer Maiden

‘Come on, boys,’ Sadie said briskly. ‘We’d better get a move on, or we’ll be left behind.’ She quickened her pace, the others falling into step beside her.

The rest of the mourners, most of whom were employees of the Manning and Chapman Shipping Company, travelled second class, but Esther and the family had a first-class carriage to themselves.

‘If only your Uncle George were here.’ Esther leaned back in her seat. ‘I don’t know if he received the cable I sent to the agent in New York, as there was no reply.’

‘He’ll be as upset as you are, Essie.’ Sadie turned her head away to stare out of the window. ‘It seems your family are only happy when they are sailing the seven seas.’

‘ Our family.’ Esther took off her gloves and laid them on the seat beside her. ‘How many times do I have to stress that you’re as important to me as if we were related by blood?’

‘I know you believe that, Essie, but that doesn’t make it true.’ Sadie shot her a sideways glance. ‘Jack wouldn’t want you to wear yourself out with grief. He was a good man, and you’re a strong woman. You’ve seen hard times and you’ll come through this, as always.’

‘Yes, but I’m allowed to mourn in my own way.’ Esther brushed a tear from her cheek and her lips trembled ominously. ‘Besides which, I thought that Alice might have taken the trouble to attend the funeral.’

‘You know she sent her apologies,’ Sadie said sternly. ‘Sir Henry is taking part in an important debate in the Commons, and Lady Bearwood wanted to be there to support him.’

‘I know. I’m being unreasonable. It’s all too much. If Jack had remained in London he would still be alive today.’

Caroline glanced anxiously at her brothers, but Jimmy had fallen asleep in the corner seat and Max was gazing out of the window, seemingly in a world of his own. She moved closer to Sadie, lowering her voice to a whisper. ‘What’s going on, Aunt Sadie? I know that Mama is heartbroken, but there’s more, isn’t there? I’m not a child; I need to know.’

Sadie inclined her head so that the brims of their black bonnets were almost touching. ‘It’s business, Carrie. I don’t know the ins and outs, but the loss of the Mary Louise was a blow, and between you and me, I don’t think it was insured.’

‘That was nearly a year ago,’ Caroline said, frowning.

‘That’s right. All were lost as well as the cargo.’

‘I’m grieving, but I’m not deaf.’ Esther folded back her veil. Even in her tear-stained and emotional state, she was still a handsome woman. At thirty-nine she had kept her figure and her skin was smooth with only a few laughter lines crinkling the corners of her hazel eyes, and the hint of silver in her dark hair did nothing to detract from her good looks. ‘If you have questions, ask me, Caroline. Don’t mutter behind my back.’

Sadie leaned over to pat Esther’s clasped hands. ‘I’m sorry, but you shouldn’t bottle it all up, Essie. We’re here to help you, and Carrie and the boys have lost their pa.’

Esther’s eyes swam with unshed tears. ‘I know, and I’m trying to keep the worst from them. As if it isn’t bad enough to lose the husband and father that we love, it seems inevitable that we will lose our home as well.’

‘Surely it can’t be that bad, Mama?’ Caroline said dazedly. ‘We’ve always been well off.’

‘What happened to the fortune that you brought home from the goldfields in Australia?’ Sadie asked, frowning. ‘You must still have your investments, and the business seemed to be going well.’

‘That’s all you know.’ Esther’s full lips tightened into a pencil-thin line. ‘Jack did his best to keep it from us, and I’ve only just discovered the true state of affairs. My brother must have known that the business was in a bad way when he sailed off for the Americas, but he didn’t think to confide in me. It was only when I went to the office and demanded to see the books that I discovered the parlous state of our finances. George should have said something before he went away.’

‘That’s not fair, Essie,’ Sadie protested angrily. ‘George was only doing his job. When he’s offloaded the cargo he’ll find another one to bring home, doubling the profit. You know as well as I do that that’s how it goes in business.’

Esther held up her hand, tears seeping between her closed eyelids. ‘Please, that’s enough. I don’t want to hear any more. Just leave me alone. My head is pounding.’

Caroline sat back in her seat, staring out of the window at the sun-drenched fields and hedgerows as they flashed past. Dog roses, buttercups and dandelions made bright splashes of colour against the dark green of hawthorn leaves and the pale gold of ripening cornfields. Cows grazed on patches of grass beneath shady trees and woolly white sheep clustered together on the hillsides. It was all so serene and peaceful, but Caroline had a feeling that they were heading for trouble at home, and without the solid backing of her father the future loomed before her engraved with a huge question mark.

The house in Finsbury Circus was an impressive five-storey building fronted with iron railings and a columned portico. The servants, who had been allowed to attend the funeral, had gone on ahead to ensure that everything was ready for the mourners when they arrived home. A liveried footman hurried down the steps to open the carriage door, and Ingram, the butler, stood in the doorway, waiting to usher the family and friends into the vast cathedral-like entrance hall.

Caroline drew Max aside. ‘Take Jimmy to the schoolroom and I’ll send up some food. This is going to be deadly dull.’

Max nodded. ‘Thanks, Carrie. I’m starving, so don’t forget.’ He turned to his brother and whispered something in Jimmy’s ear that brought a smile to his sad eyes.

Caroline watched her brothers take the stairs two at a time. They were young and resilient, and would have to return to Rugby School very soon, where they would continue their education, but it was Mama who concerned her the most. At the moment Esther appeared pale but calm, and in control of her emotions as she greeted her guests. Caroline and Sadie stood at her side, acknowledging the hesitant commiserations, awkward silences and set smiles as friends and acquaintances filed past. Housemaids relieved the visitors of hats, parasols and tightly furled umbrellas, while Ingram directed them to the Chinese Room where refreshments had been laid out on sparkling-white tablecloths. Caroline had checked everything before they left for Brookwood, and she had personally supervised the flower arrangements, refusing to stick to the convention of funereal white lilies by the addition of bowls spilling over with tea roses and honeysuckle from the garden. She drew one of the maids aside and gave her instructions to take two generous plates of food upstairs to the schoolroom. Satisfied that her brothers would be looked after, Caroline went to join her mother and Sadie.

‘It will soon be over,’ Sadie said in a whisper.

‘That’s what I’m afraid of,’ Esther answered in an undertone. ‘Reality will set in, but I’m not sure how I can face life without Jack.’

Caroline squeezed her mother’s cold hand. ‘We’ll help you, Mama. There’s nothing so bad that we can’t overcome it if we’re together.’

Esther’s lips quivered into a semblance of a smile. ‘Thank you, darling girl. I know I can rely on you.’ She looked up at the sound of hurrying footsteps and her smile broadened. ‘Alice, you came.’

Caroline turned to see Lady Alice Bearwood, dressed in the latest Paris fashion. Her pert bonnet was decorated with silk roses and satin bows, and the frilled skirts of her gown were drawn back into a large bustle. She exuded an aroma of expensive French perfume as she embraced Caroline before turning to give Esther a hug.