Sea Mistress (15 page)

He swiftly unbuttoned his trousers and then he was above her, poised for a moment before thrusting downwards. She cried out at his roughness but as his hands found her naked breasts, she began to moan softly. Matthew paused and Rosie's eyes flew open questioningly.

‘Who is ruled by what?' he laughed, his teeth white, his head bent towards her. ‘I could resist you, my dear Rosie but I don't think you would like that one little bit.' He thrust into her so deeply that she squirmed beneath him. And then Matthew paused once more, a restraint that in his present frame of mind was easy to achieve, besides, he needed to teach Rosie a lesson.

‘Please, Mat, don't tease, come on, I need you, I really need you right now.'

‘Beg,' he ordered, still holding back.

‘All right, I beg you, Mat, make love to me, I want you so badly I'll die if you stop now.' Rosie was gasping, she arched herself upwards to accommodate him and he took her then with an almost disdainful lack of passion, watching her writhe, failing to climax until he closed his eyes and imagined it was Ellie with her enticing fortune who was lying beneath him.

Later, he sat in the Ship Inn enjoying a pint of ale, and slowly his thoughts crystallized into a workable plan. He would stop harassing Ellie for shares in the fortune that Jubilee had left, he would work his way into her life, into her heart, he would eventually marry her and then all of it would be his.

He wiped the froth of ale from his mouth with the back of his hand. It would be no hardship, Ellie was a delectable creature, a little too thin perhaps and lacking the full-breasted beauty that Rosie possessed but, all the same, a brood of kids around her skirts would take care of that. She would doubtless fill out in time.

She would see he would be good to her, he wouldn't allow her to work in the tannery, he'd want his wife in the home, waiting on his needs. He would be doing her a favour really, she didn't know how lucky she was to have him but she would learn, in time she would learn.

Ellie sat in the coolness of the chapel and bowed her head for a moment in respectful prayer. The sun spilled in through the windows, falling onto the lectern and the young man who stood there, waiting to preach his message to the expectant congregation.

Evan Roberts had, over the past months, made an impact on both the church-going population and those who never bowed the knee in prayer. The name of Evan Roberts had become synonymous with the joy of the renewed spirituality that was sweeping through the country and reaching far out beyond the borders of Wales.

Seated beside Ellie was her new friend. Martha Greenacre had come to Ellie's door several weeks before in response to the advertisement in
The Swansea Times
. She was a plump motherly woman who was seeking a post as companion in some respectable house and even though she held a spotless handkerchief to her nose, offended at the smell of the tannery, she had liked Ellie on sight and had been delighted when the liking was reciprocated.

‘He's a fine man, all right,' Martha whispered, her Bible clutched in her gloved hands. ‘I think the Lord has truly blessed him that he can bring such joy to the faces of his congregation even before he begins to speak.'

Ellie was aware of someone taking the seat at her other side and as she glanced around, her face lit up in welcome.

‘Mr Bennett how nice to see you,' she whispered. He took her hand and shook it awkwardly. ‘Please, call me Daniel won't you?' he whispered back. ‘I spotted the empty seat when I came in, there aren't many left.' He smiled and a dimple creased his cheek. ‘I was doubly pleased when I saw who it was I'd be sitting next to.'

Ellie felt her colour rise, it was clear that the young reporter was paying her a compliment, something she had been unused to. Jubilee's love had been solid and reliable but hardly romantic. She suppressed the thought as unworthy and bowed her head once more.

‘I'm here for the paper,' Daniel whispered, bending close to Ellie, ‘seems the
Cardiff Western Mail
carried an article headed, “Great crowds of people drawn to Loughor”.' He smiled a little ruefully. ‘Arian Smale is a fine editor, she's already published one article about the great man but she feels I should follow it up.'

Someone hushed him from behind and Ellie saw that Evan Roberts was about to begin.

‘Let us pray.' The muted sound of conversation was stilled, the sunlit motes of dust caught in falling patterns from high windows to floor. Ellie felt herself tense, as though awaiting the opening of a great play.

‘Lord Jesus, help us now through the Holy Spirit to come face to face with the cross. Whatever the hindrances may be, we commit the service to thee.'

Ellie recognized the power of the preacher, his words were ordinary but imbued with such feeling that tears rose to her eyes. Beside her, she heard Martha's slight sniff as she raised her spotless handkerchief to her eyes. On her left, she heard the scratch of Daniel's fountain pen, otherwise the silence was complete.

Evan Roberts was finishing his prayer. ‘Speak thy word in power for thy name's sake. Amen and amen!'

The silence was broken by murmurs of amen from the congregation and then, a deacon rose from the
Set Fawr
and began to sing. His tenor voice filled the church, echoing from the rafters, sweet and pure. He was joined by other singers, tenor and bass in harmony.

Ellie felt tears come to her eyes, how Jubilee would have loved the magic of the sound. Daniel put his hand over hers, in a gesture of understanding.

Later, outside in the soft summer sunshine, Ellie paused breathing in the sweetness of the day.

‘Wasn't he wonderful!' Martha was still drying her eyes, ‘such
hwyl
I've never heard before.'

Daniel leaned towards Ellie. ‘What's “
hwyl
” when it's at home?'

‘Enthusiasm, I suppose that's the nearest I can get to it in English,' Ellie said quietly. ‘One thing I know, he makes me ashamed of myself, I haven't lived a very worthy life.'

‘I can't believe that.' Daniel looked down at her, his eyes warm. ‘Someone as young and beautiful as you has surely enjoyed an exemplary past.'

‘We'd better get off home.' Ellie took Martha's arm. ‘Nice to see you, Mr Bennett.'

‘Daniel, please.' He fell into step beside her, ‘I have to get back to town, too, may I have the pleasure of your company on the journey?'

‘Yes, of course.' Ellie didn't know why she was reluctant to share her time with Daniel, perhaps it was because he was so young and innocent and knew nothing of her past. He believed her to be simply an old man's widow, she wouldn't like him to be disillusioned by the truth. If she gave him a wide berth there was no reason why he should find out that she had been a mistress once.

Martha took to the young reporter and it was she who kept up a running conversation with him during the journey. He walked at Ellie's side, keeping a respectful distance and she knew he was covertly watching her every move.

A sharp regret filled her for lost innocence. If she had never become Calvin's mistress she would never have born twins, never have suffered the anguish of losing them, never, in all probability, settled for the life of wife to an old man. Yet she had come to love Jubilee, to respect him. He had been wise and good and she missed him so much it hurt.

‘How sad you look,' Daniel spoke his thoughts aloud and then immediately apologized.

‘Forgive me for being rude,' his colour had risen. ‘I didn't mean to insult or hurt you, it's just that . . .' He stopped aware that if he continued speaking he would be digging himself further into indiscretions.

‘I suppose I feel sad,' Ellie replied. ‘I'm missing my husband, I wish he could have been with me to hear Evan Roberts today.' She paused, knowing she was building a wall between Daniel and herself. ‘He liked the preacher very much, respected him though Jubilee always stayed loyal to his own Church of England code, mind, nothing would have turned him from that.'

Daniel looked down at his feet, suitably subdued by Ellie's reminder that she had recently been widowed.

‘What did you make of Evan Roberts, Martha?'

Martha Greenacre placed a hand on Ellie's arm. ‘I thought him the finest man who ever walked on God's earth,' she said with heartfelt sincerity. ‘I would follow him to the ends of the world if that's what he wished, he's the most holy person I could hope to meet in this world.'

Daniel drew out his book and began to scan his notes, adding a little it seemed of what Martha had said. He put the cap on his pen and returned it to his pocket. ‘Do you mind if I quote you on that?' He looked at Martha and she flushed with pleasure.

‘I would be most flattered. Martha L. Greenacre is the name, shall I spell it for you?'

‘That's all right,' Daniel smiled. ‘I'm quite familiar with the name, aren't you from the Uplands, at least your family is?'

Martha's face warmed. ‘That's quite right, I was married to a pharmacist, Donald Greenacre, we had a fine big house high up on the hill.' She sighed, ‘But when Donald died, I found the house was not solely his, it belonged in part to his brother and he made my life quite uncomfortable until I moved out, I can tell you.'

Ellie hid a smile, it was obvious that Daniel hadn't known what he was letting himself in for when he'd started the conversation. She put her arm around Martha's shoulder and hugged her. ‘Well some good came out of it all,' she said encouragingly, ‘you came to me and I'm so glad you did.'

‘I wasn't sure at first, mind,' Martha admitted, ‘that awful stink of the tannery, I thought I'd never get used to it but now I hardly notice it at all.'

‘Perhaps later on we'll move house,' Ellie said pensively, ‘buy something near the seashore, I'd like that, would you, Martha?'

‘I'd love it,' Martha said decidedly. ‘But one day you'll marry again, you won't want old Martha then.'

Ellie shook her head. ‘No, I won't get married, I have no intention of tying myself to another man. I've learned to be wary of them,' she glanced quickly at Daniel, ‘present company excepted of course.'

‘Of course.' Daniel smiled. ‘I'm glad to hear it, I've a long way to go yet, I plan to make a fine career out of the newspaper business. When I do, I'll be in a position to take a wife.' His meaning was clear and Ellie sighed, she had not, as she hoped deterred him from thinking of her romantically, she had merely afforded him some hope that she would be waiting for him.

‘Ah, here we are, almost home, come along Martha, I want to get changed into my working clothes, do some cleaning in the house, it's like a tip in there.'

‘When are you going to get a housemaid?' Daniel sounded concerned. ‘It's not right you should work on such menial tasks as cleaning out the fire grate and washing clothes, it's not fitting for a well brought up lady like you.'

‘That's exactly what I keep telling her,' Martha said looking approvingly at Daniel.

‘All right, I will put an advertisement in
The Times
,' Ellie said, knowing she would have no peace until she did.

‘Perhaps you'll allow me to do that for you?' Daniel suggested. ‘Tell me what your requirements are and I'll scribble it down here.'

‘There now,' Martha's tone held an unmistakable degree of satisfaction, ‘you can't get out of it any longer, let the dear young man handle it for you, Ellie, he knows how to frame such an advertisement, I'm sure.'

‘Thank you, Daniel,' Ellie gave in, ‘it would be very kind of you. Have the bill sent to Glyn Hir, of course.'

Daniel allowed his hand to rest above her gloved fingers for a moment. ‘Don't you worry about a thing, it will be my pleasure to attend to it for you.'

He was almost like a young puppy in his displays of willingness and Ellie found it rather endearing. She was relieved when he turned and raised his hat in farewell and strode away in the direction of the offices of
The Times
. Martha coughed, Ellie turned to look at her questioningly.

‘He's a very kind young man that Mr Bennett. I'm pleased you are taking his advice to get in a maid to help you with the rough work.' She paused for breath. ‘Believe me, I'm not urging you to be a spendthrift, far from it. You miss having enough funds of your own, I can tell you that from experience. I only wish I'd been more careful with my income while my husband was alive.'

Ellie took her arm. ‘Well you're all right now, you coming to live at Glyn Hir has been the making of me, I feel much better able to cope with the men now you are there to keep them in order.'

Martha sniffed. ‘There's only one needs slapping down and that's Matthew Hewson, bad lot, him, seen his sort before, motivated by sheer greed, his is, mind.' Her eyes sparkled for a moment with humour. ‘He would quite like having you along with the Glyn Hir profits, I dare say but failing that, he'll settle for the money. Watch him, Ellie, that's all I'm saying.'

‘I know, you've no need to warn me.' Ellie looked with fresh eyes at the blue sky above the hills of Kilvey and the Town Hill. The valley formed between them ran into mostly flat lands with crowded streets filled with elegant stores side by side with tiny shops whose goods hung in doorways and sprawled onto the pavements. Towards the edge of town, small houses crouched close together, fringed by the five mile curve of the sand dunes rising above the waters of the bay. Beyond the hills to the east hung the smoke from the industries crowding the banks of the river Tawe, blotting out that section of the summer sky with green smoke. Ellie was so used to it, the beauty and the ugliness of Swansea, that it was only at times like this she really saw it.