* * * *
Ben opened the door to find Penelope Merridene and her two maids standing there. He urged them quickly inside, but snowflakes still whirled in with them.
“We couldn’t wait any longer, not knowing what was happening,” Penelope said apologetically. “Is there any news?”
He shook his head.
“There must be some way we can help.”
“Your sister’s been organising Nan to feed the men helping me search, but at the moment everyone’s waiting for Daniel to come back. He’s gone to see some of his old friends from Brindley’s and will try to find out if they saw anything today.” He eased his shoulders and neck as if they were hurting him. “We don’t even know where to look, only I’m sure Georgie wouldn’t have planned to go for a walk on such a bleak day, let alone a sensible woman like Hepzibah going with her. I can only conclude that someone must have kidnapped them.”
“Can we stay? We might be able to help.”
For a moment or two a smile replaced the anxiety on his face and he said, “Of course. Your family is very kind.”
“Me and Meg will go to the kitchen,” Sally said firmly. “No need to show us the way, Mr Seaton.”
Ben hung up Penelope’s cloak and ushered her into the parlour.
Martha joined them shortly afterwards. “I’ve been turned out of the kitchen. Sally’s taken charge there and Nan seems relieved to have her. They’ve decided to make a big batch of scones in case more food is needed. I hope that’s all right Ben.”
Penelope noted the use of his first name but didn’t comment.
Someone else knocked on the front door and he went to open it, returning with Daniel who, since he was soaked to the skin and covered in melting snow, was protesting that he wasn’t fit to enter the parlour.
His teeth were chattering and his face was so white with cold that Penelope moved to his side instantly, pulling him closer to the fire before Ben could say anything else.
“S-sorry,” Daniel managed. “So cold out there.”
“Get that wet coat off before you do anything else,” Penelope ordered. “Mr Seaton, have you something dry that Daniel can wear? Martha, will you go and fetch him a hot drink?”
When they’d gone, she helped him remove his sodden outer garments, and when he tried to protest against baring his chest, she brushed that aside and pulled his sodden undervest from him. “I have no shame when it comes to looking after people I care about,” she teased softly.
“Eh, lass, I never know what you’re going to say or do next.”
Ben returned with a woollen dressing gown and an assortment of clothing. “They’ll be too big for you, but they’ll keep you warm at least.”
“I’ll leave you for a moment,” Penelope said hastily.
While she was out, Ben watched Daniel pull on the dry clothes, then asked, “Are you warm enough to talk now?”
Daniel nodded and as Martha came in with a big tin pint pot of tea and put it into his hands, he began sipping it as he started telling them what he’d found.
“One of the lads from Brindley’s had sneaked out to the privy. He saw a carriage drive into the mill yard and go round to the back of the house. He stayed hidden till everyone had gone inside because they fine ’em at Brindley’s for going to the privy except at lunch time, you see.”
“There couldn’t be two strange carriages in town on a day like this.” Ben let out a growl of anger. “That
must
mean Noll’s involved.”
“Who else could it be anyway?” Daniel said. “I was certain of that afore I even went asking.”
Martha joined in. “It might be his son. Peter Brindley seemed rather interested in Georgie.”
There was a pregnant silence then Daniel cleared his throat and offered his other news. “There’s more. One of the women at Brindley’s was taken ill a little later and had to go home, so I went to see her, which is why I was away so long. She saw the carriage come out of the mill and turn towards the town as she was walking home. That’d be about three o’clock.”
“Just before Georgie left school,” Penelope said thoughtfully.
“We’ll have to get up a search party and find out where they went when they left town,” Ben said.
Daniel shook his head. “You can’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never seen it snow so thickly. There’ll be no search parties going out across the moors tonight and I doubt if anyone will be able to get up there tomorrow, either. The snow’s settling and it’s hard enough to walk round the town. It’ll be impossible to move across the moors in safety.”
Ben stared at him as if transfixed, then let out a long, shuddering sigh. He turned instinctively to Martha as he asked, “What am I to do? I can’t leave things like this. There’s Hepzibah as well as Georgie, and I—” He swung round and went to stand by the window, too upset to continue.
Martha went to stand beside him, her hand on his shoulder. “I doubt you have much choice, Ben. No one can do the impossible and it’d not help your sister to get yourself killed.”
For a moment they stood there looking out, then he said, “You’re right. I’d better send the men home.”
“Let’s send them with something in their bellies, at least. I’ll go and tell Sally.”
He nodded, looking upset and not seeming his usual confident self. He followed Martha out of the room, putting on his greatcoat and taking Hepzibah’s old shawl from the hook near the back door to wrap round his head. As he opened the door, wind screamed into the room and he paused to yell, “I’ll bring the men over here if they want a bite before they set off. And I’ll send the watchman home, too. He’ll freeze to death out there on a night like this and we can lock the gates. I doubt anyone will be breaking in.”
Martha helped Sally get food ready and the men stumbled inside, crowding into the kitchen covered in snow, which melted rapidly. She didn’t comment on the mess they made, but offered them tea and buttered scones. They didn’t waste time, eating these rapidly, drinking the hot tea and then going out again into the wind and snow with a chorus of thanks.
When she turned round, Ben was standing by the back door, still clad in his outdoor things. He looked so agonised she went across to him. “Let me help you out of these wet things now. You won’t be going out again, I’m sure.”
He let her do as she would then stood there staring at her, misery in every line of his face. “I’ve failed to look after her.”
“This wasn’t your fault. No one can keep another person totally safe, not even if they make them stay inside a house. Ah, Ben, don’t blame yourself like this!” And she was in his arms, hugging him close and letting him hug her.
“The minute it’s clear enough, I’ll be out searching for them,” he said in a muffled voice, his head close to hers.
“Of course you will.”
He moved back a little, then bent his head and took her lips in the gentlest of kisses, his own lips still feeling chill against the warmth of hers. She was so surprised she didn’t protest and then so caught up by the wonder of the kiss that she found herself kissing him back. When he pulled away again, she felt flustered, not knowing how to face him, and said quickly, “Er—we must get you warm again.”
He didn’t protest, had already guessed that she wasn’t used to being kissed or courted. He didn’t even know whether she was unmarried simply because she’d had no choice or whether she had chosen spinsterhood, as some women did. He wasn’t a ladies’ man, never had been, couldn’t frame fancy speeches.
But for all its gentleness, the kiss still burned on his lips like a promise. And if it hadn’t been for the worry about his sister, he’d have been proposing to Miss Martha Merridene, spinster of the parish, this very night.
* * * *
When they were alone together, Penelope went to sit beside Daniel. She saw him shivering and moved closer to him, taking his hands in hers. “You feel cold still?”
“Aye. It’s a white hell out there. Never seen the like of it. I nearly got lost, fell over a few times . . . ” He sighed and let his head rest on her shoulder.
“Your mother?”
“I sent her word I was helping Mr Seaton and that our Meg was staying here with me.”
For a few minutes they sat there then he turned and looked right into her eyes. Her expression was so filled with love that his heart melted within him and he couldn’t resist kissing her. She fitted into his arms as if made for him, giving her lips happily, her own arms going up around his neck.
“Don’t tell me we shouldn’t love one another,” she begged when the kiss ended.
“I’ve given over telling you that.”
He smiled, such a fond smile that she felt warmth curl through her, and as his hand tightened on hers, she raised it to her lips and pressed a kiss against it.
“Will you marry me, Penelope love?”
The question was asked so simply, she answered in the same way. “Yes, of course I will.”
“I don’t know how we’ll manage it, we may have to wait, but one day . . . ”
“One day it’ll be possible.”
They sat smiling at one another then moved closer for another kiss, this time one with passion and hunger in it.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing?”
Martha’s voice made them both jump in shock and pull apart, then Daniel stood up and Penelope joined him.
“I’m kissing the man I love,” she said calmly.
Ben moved into the room, ranging himself beside Martha, a grim expression on his face. “Porter! A word with you outside.”
Penelope grabbed Daniel’s hand and held tight. “No. I apologise for forgetting where we were, but Daniel wasn’t forcing himself on me.” She stared them both steadily in the eyes as she added, “And our love won’t go away just because you think it isn’t
suitable
.”
“I can speak for myself, love,” Daniel said mildly, looking dignified for all the odd collection of garments he was wearing. “Miss Merridene, I’ve fallen in love with your sister and if I can, I mean to marry her. I know I’m not good enough for her, but she doesn’t seem to mind about that, so I intend to work my hardest and prove myself worthy.”
Penelope gave them a rueful smile. “We didn’t mean to announce our feelings yet, especially at a time like this, but they can’t be ignored and I don’t really care what other people think. I’m lucky to have found love for a second time and I’m not going to give him up.”
Martha hesitated, then stepped forward to hug her sister before turning to Daniel. “I’ve no intention of being estranged from my only sister, so I’d better welcome you into the family. But I do hope you’ll wait until you’re in a position to support a wife properly.”
Ben watched them in astonishment. “Are you just going to—to accept it?” he asked Martha.
“Yes, I am. Penelope’s old enough to know her own mind.” She was both glad for her sister and envious. Why did Pen find it so easy to fall in love, not just fall, but admit it and do something about it? If Martha had ever had a real chance of such happiness she knew she’d have agonised about it, worried—and probably thrown it away. She’d always felt so responsible for her sister and father. And now, suddenly, she wasn’t responsible for anyone but herself. That felt so strange.
And she had her own future to worry about. She shouldn’t have let Ben kiss her like that, she really shouldn’t. It was for comfort, that was all it could be.
Ben looked at the couple standing hand in hand smiling at one another. How easy they made it all seem! He watched Penelope persuade Daniel to sit down again by the fire and suddenly, envy for his Assistant Engineer shot through him. He was quite sure his own path wouldn’t be nearly as smooth. Martha had kissed him, but afterwards she’d seemed flustered and embarrassed, withdrawing from him and finding an excuse to seek her sister’s company.
And now she was avoiding his eyes, speaking briskly, keeping her attention on her sister.
Something told him marrying Martha wasn’t going to be easy.
The door opened and Hobb came into the room carrying two dishes of stew with hunks of bread sitting on top of them.
Jack followed, his wicked-looking knife much in evidence. He watched Peter carefully as Hobb deposited the plates on a scarred chest of drawers to one side then they both backed out of the room.
Georgie was sitting on a rickety wooden chair in front of the fire, wrapped in a blanket but still embarrassed by her state of undress. When Peter brought her a dish across, she shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”
“You need to eat something or you’ll not keep warm.” He held out the plate again. “Please try.”
She took it from him and began to pick listlessly at the food with the spoon which was the only eating implement offered.
Feeling hungry he went to sit on the bed and was surprised to discover that the food was good. “I wonder who’s doing the cooking? I’m sure Hobb and Jack didn’t make this.”
“I expect they have a woman looking after this place for them.”
He looked at her thoughtfully. “I wonder if we could appeal to her for help? If she’d take pity on you and help us escape, we could promise her money.”
Georgie took another cautious spoonful, trying not to let the blanket slip and reveal her nightdress. I shouldn’t think she’d dare do anything to upset them.” She shuddered at the thought of that knife, so shiny and sharp-edged.
“You never know. Money can make a big difference.” He flushed. “I don’t have any or I’d give it all to see you freed, but surely your brother would pay well for your safety?”
She nodded. “He doesn’t know where I am, though.”
“I don’t where we are, either,” he confessed.
Half an hour later the two men came back. Hobb picked up the dishes, leaving their two half-empty glasses of water behind.
Jack stood in the doorway looking at the captives. “Can I just have a word with you in private, Mr Brindley?”
Peter was sure that if he left the room it would make Georgie less trusting. “You can say what you have to in front of Miss Seaton. I presume it’s another directive from my father?”
“It is indeed. He’s going to keep you two here, alone together, until Seaton agrees to you getting wed.”
Georgie began sobbing and Peter went over to her, laying one hand gently on her shoulder.