The Constant Heart (37 page)

Reluctantly, Rosina went out into the yard. As she worked the handle, pumping water into a wooden bucket, she glanced up at the house where she had lived for most of her life. Harry's threat to call in the loan on the property was uppermost in her mind now. With Papa so ill, and the
Ellie May
out of commission for at least another fortnight, things looked bleak. The Gostellows could have them all thrown out on the street, and there would be nowhere to go. She shuddered and jumped backwards as the bucket overflowed and water splashed over the hem of her skirt. She brushed back a stray lock of hair with her hand. What would become of them all?

'Rosie, come inside,' Bertha called to her from the scullery. 'The doctor wants to see you.'

Rosina picked up the bucket and carried it into the house, slopping water over the flagstones. The doctor was in the kitchen, and one look at his set expression made her heart contract with fear. 'What is it, doctor? Is Pa going to die?'

Bertha took the bucket from her hands. 'I'll make a pot of tea.'

The doctor set his medical bag down on the kitchen table. 'I won't take tea, thank you, Miss Spinks. I've got to visit the workhouse next, so I'll be brief.' He turned to Rosina with a tired smile. 'I warned your father, Miss May. The last time he had one of these attacks, I told him that he must not work where there was hay, particularly if it was contaminated with mould.'

'He had no choice, doctor.'

'Unfortunately, I hear that all the time. But the truth is, my dear, unless your father keeps well away from the cause of his illness, his lungs will become so congested that he is quite likely to succumb to respiratory failure.'

'You mean he will die?' Rosina held her breath.

He nodded. 'To put it bluntly, yes. His heart won't stand the strain of prolonged bouts of the disease. He needs to get away from the heat and dust of the city. He must have peace and quiet, and good nourishing food. Ideally, he should go somewhere where the air is clean and bracing, to the seaside if possible, and he should stay there until he is well enough to return to London. He must never be exposed to hay, or the same thing will happen again and again, until it proves fatal.'

'I have a cousin who lives in Burnham-on-Crouch,' Bertha said, half to herself. 'She's a widow woman now, but I ain't seen her for years.'

'Well, then, Miss Spinks. Maybe the captain could convalesce there? I believe the air is very bracing on the Essex coast.'

Rosina opened her mouth to tell him that what he suggested was impossible, but Bertha shot her a warning glance. 'Are you sure you won't have a cup of tea, doctor?'

'Thank you, Miss Spinks, but I really must be on my way.' He cleared his throat, and his thin cheeks flushed a dull red. 'I'm afraid I must request my usual fee, Miss May.'

'Of course, doctor. And thank you for coming so promptly.' Rosina hurried to the door. 'I'll go and get the money from Pa's clerk. He handles our finances.' She found Walter sitting by her father's bedside. He rose to his feet as she entered the room.

'What did he say, Rosie?'

'That Papa needs to go away, preferably to the seaside. That he must never work with hay again. And I have to pay him, Walter. Have you any money left?'

He delved into his pocket and produced a half-crown. 'This is all I have. Pay him that on account and I'll try to raise whatever is outstanding.'

She took the coin from him with a sinking feeling. She had spent their last penny on laudanum and now she had taken all that was left of Walter's money. She hesitated in the doorway. 'Thank you for everything, Walter. You've been so good about it all, and I didn't give a thought to your personal circumstances. Will Captain Juggins take you back on the coal barge?'

He shook his head.

'I'm so sorry that I put you in this position.'

Walter gave her a reassuring smile. 'You and the captain are more important to me than making money for Barnum.'

'So now you are out of work. Isn't it ironic, Walter? We'll all be out on the street together if Harry has his way.' She laughed, but there was no mirth in the sound, and her voice broke on a sob as she hurried from the room without giving Walter a chance to reply.

The doctor was waiting in the hallway and she gave him the half-crown. 'If that is not enough, you must tell me, doctor. I will pay you the remainder as soon as I can.'

He stared down at the shining silver coin in his palm. 'It is enough, my dear. I've known your father for many years, and he's a good man. I hope you will be able to find a way to get him away from London before it is too late.' He doffed his hat and went out onto the wharf. Rosina stood in the doorway watching him walk briskly in the direction of the workhouse in Old Gravel Lane. She was about to close the door when she saw Roland hurrying towards her. He was waving to her and calling her name.

'Miss May.'

'What now, Mr Rivers?' She had not meant to speak so sharply, but her nerves were stretched to breaking point and a creeping tiredness was slowly overtaking her.

'I came to enquire about your father's health. What did the doctor say?'

'That he is very poorly and needs to go away to the seaside to convalesce.'

'I am truly sorry, Miss May. Our foolish jaunt caused him to be in this sorry state. Is there anything more that I can do?'

She relented a little, touched by his obvious sincerity. 'You've already repaid us. You need not feel obligated.'

'You're too kind. I only wish that Mrs Barnum had been so generous.'

'What did you expect? You would have seduced her daughter and ruined her reputation with no qualms if your plans hadn't been thwarted.'

He pulled a face. 'I know, and now I find that I am engaged to be married.'

'You're engaged to Sukey?'

'I'm not even sure how it came about. But it was either that, or risk having my throat cut by Captain Barnum. His wife is a formidable woman too – I was lucky to escape from the house in one piece.'

'But you actually proposed marriage?' Rosina could hardly believe what she was hearing. 'How did that come about?'

'We were sitting in their parlour, taking tea. I was in a bit of a sweat, if you'll pardon the expression. Madam Barnum was eyeing me as if she wanted to disembowel me with a teaspoon, and, as I pulled my handkerchief from my pocket, your diamond ring shot out and landed in Sukey's cup of tea. The poor girl fished it out with a dazed expression, and her mama pounced upon me like a bird attacking a juicy worm. The next thing I knew, Miss Susan Barnum had put the ring on her finger and we were engaged.'

'You could have explained that the ring belonged to Harry.'

'I panicked. And if I tell the truth now I will have two angry matrons after my blood – Mrs Gostellow and Mrs Barnum. It's more than a man can stand.'

'And do you really intend to marry Sukey?'

'Certainly not! I have no doubt that she's an excellent girl, but not of my class. My father would cut me off without a penny if I were to marry beneath my station.'

'Your future outlook seems only a little less grim than mine, Mr Rivers.' Rosina was about to shut the door when he put his foot over the sill.

'I think I might leave the country for a year or two. Would you like to accompany me, Miss May?'

'You are the boldest rogue I have ever come across.'

He chuckled. 'But I am charming.'

'Go away, please. I have much more important things to worry about than what might befall you, especially since you have brought all your misfortunes on yourself.'

She pushed the door but it would not shut. She turned her head as she heard Walter's quick footsteps approaching along the hallway.

'What's wrong? Is that fellow bothering you, Rosie?'

Roland managed to stick his head round the door. 'Is that you, Walter? Let me in, old chap. I was offering my help, but Miss May seeks to punish me further.'

'Shall I shut his head in the door?' Walter asked, taking the handle from her and pushing against the door so that Roland went purple in the face.

Rosina stifled a slightly hysterical giggle. 'Best let him in. I'm afraid he will not leave us alone until he has had his say.'

'Be grateful to Miss May,' Walter said as he opened the door. 'I would have enjoyed severing your head, Rivers.'

Adjusting his collar and cravat, Roland strolled in with a nonchalant smile. 'Is there somewhere we can talk privately, old boy?'

Bertha was thumping around in the kitchen, and Rosina could hear the shrill voices of Caddie's little boys outside on the wharf. She suppressed a shiver; they had come to think of this house as their home, and now it looked as though they would have to move on yet again. Roland Rivers might think this was hugely entertaining, but what did he know of hardship and worry? He was so wealthy that he could not even begin to imagine what it was like to be poor. She was only just beginning to understand it herself. 'We can talk in the office, although I can't think what you would have to say to us, Mr Rivers.'

Roland took off his hat and followed them into the room. 'I really do want to make amends. As I said before, I feel in part responsible for Captain May's attack of ill health, and if there is anything I can do to help, then you only have to ask.'

Walter folded his arms across his chest, glaring at Roland in a none-too-friendly manner. 'Haven't you done enough, Rivers?'

'You resent me, Walter. I understand that, but my concern for Miss May and her father is genuine.'

Walter opened his mouth to reply, but Rosina held up her hand. 'Let him have his say. Please continue, Mr Rivers.'

'Thank you, Miss May. Before we became officially engaged, young Sukey told me a little about your predicament. I understand from the rather heated words last night that the Gostellows hold a mortgage on this property and that your sailing barge is out of commission. It don't take a genius to work out that you are in a fix.'

'We don't need your help,' Walter said, bridling.

Rosina patted his hand. 'It's all right, Walter. Let me handle this.' She turned to Roland. 'My father will die if he does not get out of London. The doctor says he needs sea air and Bertha has a cousin who lives on the coast at Burnham-on-Crouch, but we have not the funds to meet his travelling expenses.'

'And I have a sudden fancy to visit the Netherlands where we do a great deal of trade. My father's ships transport grain to Holland and on the return voyage they bring cargoes of gin and wine. It seems like the right moment for me to take a prolonged business trip. I will sail from Harwich to the Hook, and could easily make a small detour to Burnham.'

'What's in it for you, Rivers?' Walter eyed him suspiciously.

'A clear conscience, my dear fellow. I may be a bounder, but I don't prey on innocent young women. And to tell the truth, I never really liked Gostellow. New money and all that.' He raised Rosina's hand to his lips and kissed it. 'I need to leave London tomorrow morning at the very latest, before Captain Barnum realises that I have no intention of marrying his daughter. If you could have your father ready to travel, I will send my coachman to pick him up.'

'And Bertha too? She really must go with my father to look after him.'

'Naturally. I would not expect him to go without his nurse.' He gazed into her eyes. 'You know, you are a remarkably beautiful young woman, Miss May, and spirited too. Had things been different, I would have pursued you with the most honourable of intentions.'

'But you could not marry a girl who was so far beneath your station in life.' Rosina struggled to maintain a straight face.