The Royal Lacemaker (15 page)

‘Lily, are you all right?'
She spun round to find Tom hurrying towards her. ‘I saw the squire galloping
off like the devil was after him. Gosh, girl, you're trembling. Did he upset
you, 'cos I'll have something to say to him if he did?'

She noticed he was bunching his fists as
he spoke, and quickly reassured him. ‘Heavens, no, he was three sheets to the
wind.'

Tom stared at her, opened his mouth to
say something, then shrugged.

She'd do her best to get her
testimonial, although goodness knew how, and then have nothing more to do with the
squire, she vowed.

‘Did you go and see Miss
Chicke?' Tom asked.

She nodded.

‘And was the room still
vacant?'

She nodded again, deciding she'd
had enough questions for one day. ‘Fancy a stroll along the shore?' she
asked.

Tom gave her a searching look.
‘Why not?' he said, and grinned.

But as they walked side by side along
the water's edge, the events of the past few days caught up with her and she
could feel her anger rising. Stopping to lean against a rock, she pulled off her
boots and stockings, hitched up her skirts and
stepped into the
water. Ignoring Tom's startled look, she paddled around, enjoying the feel of
the waves as they lapped over bare skin. As her feet cooled so did her temper.

She was damned if she going to let the
sordid squire and his empty threats spoil her evening. Turning towards Tom, she saw
he was frowning.

‘Is something wrong?' she
asked, climbing out of the water and shaking the drops from her feet.

‘Your aunt was going frantic this
morning. She said she hadn't seen you last even and that your bed hadn't
been slept in.'

‘When did you see her?' she
asked as she pulled on her boots.

‘First thing,' he said,
frowning as he remembered. ‘There I was walking past your cottage when out she
came like a whirling dervish, accusing me of spending the night with you.'

‘Oh, she didn't?' Lily
groaned.

‘Well, you can rest assured your
reputation is safe, for I put her right on that score. Couldn't tell her where
you were, though, 'cos I didn't know meself, did I?' he said,
giving her a searching look.

‘Come on, I'd best be
getting back. I'll tell you what's been happening as we walk.'

When she'd finished filling him
in, he was silent for a few moments.

‘Lily, I know you're a
kind-hearted girl but aren't you taking this all a bit seriously? You're
paid to make your own lace, not other people's, and as for sleeping in the
donkey-cart, well, anything could have happened. I've already warned you about
those owlers, haven't I?'

‘Well, nothing
did, and I wouldn't expect you to understand, Tom. Anyway, what were you doing
up at Coombe first thing?' she asked, as it struck her that it wasn't
the first time he'd visited whilst she was away in Bransbeer.

‘Ah, well now, happen that's
for me to know,' he said, tapping the side of his nose. ‘Let's
just say I have a surprise for you, my lovely Lily. If all goes to plan, it means we
can be wed as soon as you are out of mourning for your mother, God rest her
soul.'

‘That's wonderful, Tom, but
what is the surprise?' she asked, tugging at his arm.

‘Not telling you,' he
chuckled. ‘But as soon as you've settled into your new room, I'll
take you to dinner at the finest hostelry in Bransbeer to celebrate.'

‘Hmm, that'll give us lots
of choice then,' she teased. ‘Well, I suppose I better get back home and
face the music,' she said as they reached the stables.

‘Oh, so you've remembered
where your home is, albeit not for much longer.'

Lily looked up from unlacing her boots,
to see her aunt standing in front of her, hands on hips, two bright spots staining
her cheeks.

‘I'm sorry I didn't
make it home last night, Aunt Elizabeth, but I had to rework one of the lace
maker's pieces. By the time I'd finished, it was dark and I was too
scared to come home by the cliff path in case the owlers were out, especially with
all the sheep having been sheared. Tom told me they always move the wool on as soon
as they can.'

‘Spent the night
by yourself, did you?' Aunt Elizabeth asked sharply.

‘Yes,' Lily answered,
looking puzzled.

‘And I was born yesterday, was
I?'

‘If Lily says she was working,
then she was, Aunt. She's no liar,' Robert declared, coming into the
room. Lily shot him a grateful look.

‘It's the truth all right,
Aunt Elizabeth. I always tell the truth, remember? Besides, Tom said he spoke to you
this morning.'

‘It wasn't him I was
thinking of, young Lily. Word on the street says a certain merchant's taken a
shine to you. Spend the night with him, did you? Become his dolly mop, have
you?'

Lily's eyes widened as she stared
at her aunt in disbelief.

‘I've no need to make extra
money like that, thank you very much,' she retorted, wondering why her aunt
was being so nasty. Crossing the room, she held her hands out in front of the fire
to warm them.

‘Are you all right?' Robert
asked, following her.

‘Just bone weary,' she said
stifling a yawn. ‘I can't say I'd recommend sleeping in the
donkey-cart, though.'

Robert grimaced. ‘Reckon
you'll not have spent a comfortable night.'

‘No, it took a while to get to
sleep,' she answered, shuddering as she recalled the scary noises and how
she'd cowered under her shawl. ‘But I was that tired, I nodded off
eventually …' Her voice tailed off as she sniffed the air
appreciatively.

‘Hungry? You'll not say no
to some pea soup then,' he said, smiling.

‘Well,
don't think I'm about to wait on you, young lady,' her aunt
shouted through from the scullery. ‘I'm away to Grace's and my
bed.'

‘Good night, Aunt
Elizabeth,' Lily called, but the only reply was the slamming of the back
door.

‘Don't fret, Lily,'
Rob soothed as she stood there open-mouthed. ‘Aunt Elizabeth was that worried
when you didn't come home that she stayed here last night. She'll have
calmed down by the morning.'

‘I hope so. I felt awful realizing
she'd worry, but there was no way I could let her know. I could hardly call to
her from Bransbeer, could I?'

‘You've got a loud enough
voice, our Lily, but happen even you couldn't shout that far.'

‘Cheek!' she said,
pretending to be outraged.

Chuckling, he leaned forward and ladled
out some soup from the pot hanging over the fire. ‘That used the last of the
dried peas from our stores, but I reckon we've just enough potatoes to last
until we move out,' he said, handing the cup to Lily. ‘Now, tell me, why
did you have to stay up half the night working on this lace? Couldn't the
woman redo it herself?'

‘Anna, that's her name, made
a right mess of it. She's having trouble with her eyes and may be going blind,
poor thing,' she said sighing. ‘With lace making putting such a strain
on the eyesight it's not an uncommon occurrence, but it would be a real
tragedy for Anna. She has a hard life as it is, with a drunkard for a husband and
six young kiddies to feed. If I hadn't reworked the lace she would have been
in trouble, we would have been behind schedule, and Mrs Bodney wouldn't have
been pleased.'

‘It's a
really important job, this one, then?'

‘Yes, it is. When it's
finished and you find out who we're making it for, you'll be amazed,
Rob.'

Gently easing himself up from the chair,
he patted her shoulder. ‘I'm sure. Now sup your soup and I'll
fetch some bread. I hid a heel in the cupboard in the scullery,' he said,
grinning as he hobbled from the room. She smiled and took a sip. As the liquid
slipped down her throat, warming her insides, she felt herself relaxing at last.
Then, when Rob returned with her bread, he sat quietly watching the fire whilst she
ate it. But as soon as she'd finished, she heard him clearing his throat. A
sure sign he had something on his mind.

‘Lily, this merchant Aunt
Elizabeth was talking about. Is there anything between you?'

‘Robert, what is all this? Mr
Mountsford is just a merchant who deals with Mrs Bodney.'

‘Did he send you flowers?'
he asked, watching her closely.

‘How do you know about
those?' she gasped.

‘Aunt Elizabeth took some clean
clothes down for Beth earlier. Apparently, when Mrs Goode went to Bransbeer to
collect her provisions, Molly thought it her duty to pass on what she'd
heard.'

‘Molly. I might have known.
Honestly, I swear I'll silence that tattle-tale permanently one of these
days,' she burst out, remembering the girl had delivered Mrs Bodney's
victuals the day before. Clearly, she'd taken advantage of the woman's
absence and snooped around. Robert stared at her in surprise and, shocked by her
outburst, Lily stared down at the floor.

Robert cleared his throat again.
‘Look, Lily, I don't
mean to pry, but I worry about
you. This Mr Mountsford is obviously a man of the world and you, well, you've
led quite a sheltered life here at the cottage.'

‘I know how many beans make what,
though, and I swear there's nothing between us. Yes, he did send me
flowers,' she said, ‘but only because he thought he might have offended
me.' Seeing the look of relief spreading across his face, she smiled. It was
nice having her big brother looking out for her. ‘Besides, you know
Tom's the one for me.'

‘Tom's a fine man and a good
friend, but he cares that much for you, Lily, he'd get mighty mad if he
thought anyone had eyes for his betrothed.'

‘Rob, you do worry so,' she
said, patting his arm.

‘As I said, people like to talk
and now with this Mountsford on the scene, well …'

‘Mr Mountsford is just a merchant
who deals with Mrs Bodney,' she repeated.

‘He's a merchant who likes
you well enough to send you flowers. His kind lead a different life from ours, Lily.
He might try and tempt you with the finer things of life. But then he'll
expect you to—'

‘Oh, Robert, don't you
start,' she said, sighing. ‘Mrs Bodney was saying something similar
earlier. Fishing's an honest way to earn a living, and now Tom's baiting
up the pots as well he's bringing in more money for when we wed.' Eager
to change the subject, she asked, ‘Are you looking forward to going to
Ilminster?'

‘Oh, Lily, I can't wait to
feel useful again. I never dreamed I'd get the opportunity to learn a new
trade. Who knows, I might even make you and Tom a clock for your wedding
present.'

She smiled fondly at
him. ‘That would be something to treasure, Rob,' she said, stifling a
yawn. ‘Now, if you don't mind, I'll bid you good night. As you
reminded me earlier, it's less than three weeks till we flit, and I
haven't even begun packing my things.' She bent and kissed his cheek.
‘You will keep in touch when you move, won't you?'

‘Nothing will keep me away from
your wedding, little sister,' he said, his eyes bright with emotion.

When Lily was alone in the room she used
to share with her mother and Beth, the events of the day caught up with her.
Undressing quickly, she sank thankfully into bed. However, sleep eluded her and she
lay in the darkness thinking back over the past few days. Should she have told Tom
about the flowers? Surely, he would understand they were given as a peace offering?
There again, Molly was a troublemaker and might make it her business to tell Tom
before Lily next saw him. She would get up early and see him before he sailed. How
much easier it would be when she was living in Bransbeer and they could spend more
time together. But would the squire give her a testimonial? And if he did, would the
room still be available?

Finally, she fell into a restless doze,
only to be plagued by busy dreams where the squire was chasing her around the
cliffs, his slug-like fingers greedily reaching out to grab her. He was being chased
by Rupert Mountsford, who was being chased by Tom. Round and round the cliffs they
all ran, faster and faster, until she was so dizzy she spun off the edge and fell
into the sea.

Next morning, Lily woke later than
she'd planned and by the time she arrived in Bransbeer Tom's boat, along
with the rest of the fleet, was already heading for the deeper waters off Lyme
Bay.

Promising herself she'd tell him
about the flowers the next time they met, she stabled Doris and made her way to Mrs
Bodney's cottage. She had a lot of work to catch up on so the extra time would
be well used. However, she hadn't long been at her pillow when the maid popped
her head round the door.

‘Mr Mountsford wonders if you
could spare him a moment?' she whispered.

‘Oh, Tilda,' she groaned.
‘Can't Mrs Bodney see him?'

But the girl shook her head.
‘Madam's out this morning.'

‘Very well,' she said,
smothering a sigh as she smoothed down her skirts and hurried through to the
parlour.

‘Mr Mountsford, what a pleasant
surprise. How can I be of help?' she asked briskly. He jumped up, smiling at
her so brightly, she couldn't help smiling back.

‘Rupert, please,' he
reminded, then nodded towards the mantel where the lilies were in full bloom.
‘I see you received my flowers. I trust they were acceptable?'

‘They are beautiful, Rupert, thank
you,' she said, still feeling awkward at using his personal name.

‘I felt I must ask because, to be
honest, I'm puzzled
to see them here in Mrs Bodney's
parlour,' he said, frowning.

Remembering her employer's
instructions to keep him happy, Lily thought quickly.

‘My journey home from work entails
riding in a donkey-cart. Alas, all that bumping would cause the petals to fall and I
thought it would be a shame to ruin such beautiful flowers.'

‘I understand,' he said,
looking relieved. ‘And the card that accompanied them?'

‘I have it right here in my
pocket,' she said, slapping her apron.

Positively beaming now, he continued,
‘Then may I ask if you've had time to consider my invitation to join me
for tea?'

‘Oh, yes. I'd be delighted
to offer you tea here in the parlour,' she said quickly and although he smiled
politely, his eyes sparked with mischief.

‘That would be most agreeable.
That is, if you're sure I won't be keeping you from your
work.'

‘I'm sure Mrs Bodney
won't mind, as long as we are not too long,' she said, ringing the
little bell. Tilda appeared, seeming unusually flustered.

‘A tray of tea for two, please,
Tilda,' Lily said, frowning at the maid, who seemed to be studying the floor
with unusual interest.

However, Rupert proved to be an
entertaining visitor and she soon forgot Tilda's curious behaviour as he
regaled her with amusing tales of his travels between London and Devonshire. The
moment he'd finished his tea, however, he jumped to his feet, declaring he had
kept her from her work long enough.

‘Before I
forget, please could you see that Mrs Bodney receives this?' he said, handing
her a small package.

‘Yes, of course,' she said,
setting it down on the table.

‘I'd be obliged if
you'd hand it to her personally, Lily,' Rupert said frowning.

‘Why, yes, of course,' Lily
said, surprised at his insistence. Picking up the package she popped it into her
apron pocket.

‘It's something she
particularly likes and I'd hate for her not to receive it,' Rupert
explained, smiling. ‘Thank you for your kind hospitality, Lily. I hope you
will let me return it by joining me for supper one evening.' A knowing grin
spread across his face and she knew that not for one moment had he been taken in by
her ploy of entertaining him here in the parlour. However, Mrs Bodney's
instructions were to keep him happy, so she coaxed her lips into a smile.

‘Thank you, Rupert,' she
said, ringing the little bell. Relieved when Tilda appeared, she hardly noticed that
once again, the little maid kept her eyes averted.

That evening, as soon as the ladies had
left the workroom, Lily followed them out, bolted the door and hurried to the
donkey-cart. She was concerned that Rupert might appear and she had no wish to make
excuses to him or her aunt. As she began the descent into Coombe, it suddenly struck
her that in her haste to avoid Rupert, she'd forgotten about seeing Tom.

‘Oh, well, Doris, it seems another
early morning's called for,' she said. The donkey brayed, but whether it
was in response to her statement or because she'd spied the cottage and knew
supper was waiting, Lily couldn't be sure.

Drawing up outside the
cottage, Lily was surprised to see the squire's bay tethered to the fence. Her
heart sank. Was there no escaping the man? Then she saw Rob, looking grim, hobbling
towards her.

‘Squire Clinsden's inside.
He's in a right old temper and going through all your things,' he
cried.

‘What?' Lily gasped.
‘Why?' Looking up, she saw Aunt Elizabeth wringing her hands as she
hurried towards her.

‘Oh, Lily, what have you
done?'

‘What on earth's the
matter?' Lily asked, rushing into the cottage. Her heart beat faster as she
heard banging and cursing coming from her room. Then, the squire burst out,
brandishing something aloft.

‘Thief!' he hissed at Lily,
but it was the look of pure malice in his eyes that made her blood go cold. He was
almost beside himself as he marched right up to her. ‘Miss Rose, I came here
to carry out the inventory prior to you and your miserable family leaving and what
do I find? Stolen property, that's what!'

Bewildered, Lily stuttered, ‘But
you said you were going to send your agent.'

‘Isn't it just as well I
came myself then?' he retorted. ‘Miss Rose, I order you to attend the
courtroom at noon tomorrow where you will be tried and sentenced. You will then see
what happens to common thieves.'

‘What?' she gasped. It was
then she noticed what it was he was holding. ‘Oh, those were on the
donkey-cart when I came out of work one evening. I was going to find out who left
them there but, with all that's happened in the past week, I
forgot.'

‘You forgot. How
convenient,' the squire sneered.
‘Well, you can
explain that to the Justice of the Peace tomorrow.'

‘Now come on,' Rob began,
but the squire whirled around. ‘And as for you, you are to be off these
premises by sundown tomorrow or I'll set my dogs on you.'

‘But there's still over two
weeks until quarter-day. Where will we go?' he gasped.

‘I neither know nor care about you
or her,' the squire snarled, pointing at Aunt Elizabeth. Turning to Lily he
gave a mocking laugh. ‘However, you, Miss Rose, being a common thief,
won't have to worry for you will be housed in a secure cell,' he
declared. Then, before they could answer, he stalked from the room, his cruel
laughter following after him.

They stood there in stunned silence for
some moments before Lily finally found her voice.

‘A common thief, am I? Well,
I'll show that Justice of the Peace. You wait and see,' she declared
bravely, although she felt sick inside.

‘But, Lily, Squire Clinsden
is
the Justice of the Peace,' her aunt cried.

‘Well, he's lying and he
won't get away with it,' she said. ‘The truth will out,
isn't that what they say?'

But Rob looked at her pityingly.
‘I remember when old Miss Keys upset him. He accused her of stealing from him
and had her sentenced to sixty days …' Aunt Elizabeth gave him a warning
look and Rob stuttered to a halt.

Lily sank into the chair and buried her
head in her hands. ‘You will be there to support me, won't you?'
she whispered.

‘We'll do what we can, Lily,
but we've to clear this place
of our things,
remember?' Rob said. Looking up, she saw the grim expression on his face and
the full implication of the squire's visit hit her. Suddenly she felt very
afraid.

‘You do believe me, don't
you, Tom? I didn't steal those things, really I didn't. I was up all
night worrying about it.'

Tom slumped back against his boat,
shaking his head as if he couldn't take in what she'd told him. Lily
searched his face, anxiously waiting for him to say something.

‘Of course I believe you.
There's no one more honest than you, Lily,' he said, squeezing her arm.
Leaning against him, she willed his warmth to stop the shakes that had been racking
her body since the previous evening. No matter how hard she blinked, the tears still
coursed down her face. Gently, he took out his kerchief and wiped them away.

‘Hush, now, don't go getting
yourself into a state again. Your eyes are all red and puffy as it is, and fretting
ain't going to help none, is it?'

‘I know, but if I'm found
guilty, the squire could send me to gaol. Oh, Tom, I'm so scared. Why
didn't I take that veil and glove into the hostelry when I found them on the
donkey-cart?' she cried. ‘And if I'd begun packing my things for
the move when I should have, I'd have come across them.'

‘Now, now, Lily, you've had
more than enough to worry about recently. What I'd like to know is who put
them in the cart in the first place?' He glanced up and saw they were
attracting attention from the other fishermen. ‘Come on,' he said,
taking her arm, ‘let's get something hot inside you. I bet you've
had nothing to eat or drink this morn?'

‘Oh, I
couldn't. I'd be sick,' she grimaced but, ignoring her protests,
he took her arm and led her up the beach.

‘What about your boat?' she
asked, glancing back at his lugger. With its red sails half hoisted, he'd
obviously been preparing to put out to sea.

‘Bugger the boat, Lily, this is
more important. First of all we'll go and see Mrs Bodney and tell her
what's been going on. Then I'm taking you home, young lady. No,
don't look at me like that,' he said as she opened her mouth to protest.
‘You can't think on an empty stomach, and you'll need your
strength to defend yourself. Don't worry, Mother's out visiting so we
won't have to tell her anything.'

She let out a sigh of relief. Much as
she liked Tom's mother, she really didn't have the strength for any more
questions this morning. And what if she thought Lily really was a thief?

Tom called to a wizened man who was
sitting atop a lobster pot, giving the impression of mending his nets, although Lily
knew he'd been watching them keenly.

‘Hey, John, tell Michael to
skipper the boat. Something's come up.'

‘Right ye are, Tom,' he
answered. He was about to say something else but, seeing the scowl on Tom's
face, shrugged and turned back to his nets. Tom took Lily's arm and together
they trudged back up the beach.

Mrs Bodney took one look at Lily's
tear-stained face and ushered them straight into the parlour. Then, instead of
ringing her bell as was her wont, she called through to Tilda to bring them cups of
strong sweet tea immediately.

‘Do sit down and tell me
what's happened,' she said, looking enquiringly at Tom.

‘Forgive our
intrusion but Lily's in a spot of bother.'

Mrs Bodney turned to Lily, smiling
encouragingly, ‘Come along, my dear, it can't be as bad as all that
surely, unless you've spilled the beans on what we are making here?' she
said, only half joking.

‘Of course not, as if I
would,' Lily spluttered. ‘No, it's the squire. He came to the
cottage yesterday to take the inventory himself. He's accused me of
stealing.'

‘Surely, there must be some
mistake. I'd stake my life that you are an honest person, Lily
Rose.'

‘That's what I said,'
Tom declared.

‘I am, really I am
but …' she stuttered to a halt as hot tears trickled down her cheeks once
more. Tilda, appearing at that moment with the tray of tea, looked quite
alarmed.

‘Thank you, Tilda, that will be
all,' Mrs Bodney said firmly, and the maid scuttled away.

‘Right, Tom, tell me exactly what
this is about.' Her calm manner encouraged him to repeat what Lily had told
him earlier. When he finished, the room was silent apart from the tick of the clock
on the mantel above the fireplace.

Then Mrs Bodney said, ‘Lily, I
want you to think hard. Are you absolutely certain that you'd never seen this
veil and glove before you found them on the donkey-cart?'

‘I swear it. Oh, why didn't
I take them straight into the hostelry?' she wailed, dabbing at her eyes with
Tom's kerchief.

‘Introspection's a wonderful
thing,' her employer replied. Then, seeing the puzzled look on both their
faces, added, ‘It means that if we knew what the future was
going to bring, it would save us a lot of trouble. The mystery is, who put these
things on your donkey-cart and why?'