Read Three Round Towers Online
Authors: Beverley Elphick
âGentlemen, have you reached a verdict?'
âWe have, M'Lord.'
âWhat is your verdict?'
âNot guilty, your Honour.'
There was a great shout and hammering of feet on the floor.
âSilence, silence! I will have silence in court!' bellowed the judge.
Everyone settled back down into their chairs and those that had left were scrambling back in. The judge looked at me.
âPlease stand, Miss Coad.'
âYour peers, the men of the jury, have found you not guilty of Rebecca Franklin's murder and you may leave this court today with your reputation untarnished, but, before you do so I wish to say a few words. You may sit.'
I sat. The judge put his fingers together in the manner of a steeple. He looked round the courtroom his gaze finding every eye and silencing those who shifted or whispered, even the aristocratic ladies. He drew his cane towards his nose and inhaled deeply before speaking. âI find this case to be very disturbing. Why the case was brought in the first place appears to me to have been an act of malice. Mr Josiah Button, whilst I congratulate you on your thorough and effective work, I do not like such grandstanding in my court. Had you called the coroner and the bank clerk to the stand early on we could have dispensed with this case in better time, not to say spared Miss Coad the ordeal of sitting and listening to the evidence, much of which was distressing. However, for investigative clarity I commend you. As to whether there was ever a case to answer I require the justice's clerk and the constable to come to my chambers to explain themselves on this matter once today's business is done. I will recommend to the clerk of the courts that a summons be issued to the family who are at the heart of this dreadful story. Perjury is a crime that will be taken seriously by this court and I will personally see that this matter is investigated and punished fully within the scope of the law.
Finally, I would like to be assured that the financial welfare of the child is undertaken by the father. I would also like to be assured that the child is cared for by Miss Franklin's father, the child's grandfather and, if that is not practicable, then by whomsoever he directs. Is the grandfather present? Let him address the court.'
Becca's pa rose from his seat. He looked very frail. He was alone; his wife had not accompanied him.
âAre you able to care for the child Sir?'
âNo, M'lud. I am sorry to say that I have not the means and that my wife has not the inclination.'
The court erupted into a babble of voices.
âSilence.'
âAre you able to appoint someone to raise the child and who is willing?'
âAye, your honour. Esther would have been Becca's choice and she has been a fine mother to my granddaughter. I would like for that to be legal and above board, if it pleases you.'
âA sensible option. Miss Coad do you agree to raise the child until she be of age? I will appoint a sum of money to be paid to you from the father's income until such time as she is an adult. Do you agree to the terms?'
âI do my Lord, and thank you.'
âI wish you well young lady, you have suffered a despicable attack and you may be assured it will not go unpunished. Guard, remove the bindings. You are free to leave Miss Coad.'
As I held my hands out for the bindings to be removed he continued.
âGuard, arrest that family: all of them. Put them in the cells until such time as I have investigated their perjury and whatever other charges I can think of.'
I staggered towards my friends who all rushed forward to hug me. Farmer and Mrs Elwood had their carriage brought round to the door of the court and I was carried bodily into it. Hurried arrangements were made to meet at South Farm and there I was able to absorb all that had happened and thank my dear friends who had done so much to bring the evidence to court.
My thanks were also due of course, to Mr Josiah Button.
South Farm had become such a place of rescue to me I would like to tell you that I lived there forever and a day in peace and loving kindness. It was not to be, but I run ahead of myself and if I am to pick up the threads of my story I will return to the days following the court case.
When we returned to the farm Farmer Elwood and Cecilia broached a keg of their finest brandy to sup with all who came to offer their congratulations and friendship. I was quite taken aback with so many messages of support from people I thought had shunned me.
I clung to Mrs Makepiece and Beth who began to wail at all the noise and my ever-tightening grip. Billy-alone was welcomed into the drawing room with young Cilla and made to tell and retell his story over and over again. The young man from the bank was invited by Farmer Elwood to take a drink with the family and repeatedly thanked for his careful testimony. The jury â my peers the judge had called them â arrived singly and together during the course of the afternoon. All were thanked for their diligence in delivering such a welcome verdict. Mr Josiah Button did not call in but sent his clerk with his bill. I don't think a bill was ever paid with so much pleasure, and relief that the money wasn't wasted.
I was exhausted and felt myself drifting off into a haze of confusion. I felt unconnected to the clamour that surrounded me and I begged to be allowed to take to my room with just Beth for company. Once alone I discarded my outer clothes and sat at my dressing table. Cecila had placed Becca's comb on my table and I held it to my heart as I wept again for Becca and all that had happened. I began to pull the comb repeatedly through my hair, soothing myself with this repetition. Beth was dozing on my bed and gradually I calmed myself as I sought a sense of connection to Becca through her comb. As I touched my hair with her last gift to me I felt a presence and looked into the mirror and for just a moment I thought I saw a hazy form at my shoulder and a light touch. It is difficult to describe but it was there and it left me peaceful and comforted. I have never told anyone about this moment of otherworldliness but it is something I cling to: an understanding, love, belief in good over evil, belief in life after death, I don't know but I do know there was someone in my room with me that day and she comforted me.
Things settled down fairly quickly after the trial and for the first time I felt I could walk freely about the town. Mrs Makepiece accompanied Beth and me or, quite often, she looked after her whilst I roamed the passages and twittens that make up Lewes. One of these trips took me into the church of St Michael's opposite Bull House.
Since my moment of connection to Becca I felt drawn to places of worship, in spite of my previous lack of religion. However, the churches I went to disappointed me somehow and I rarely returned. St Michael's, however, was different. It had a round tower instead of the normal square ones and though dark inside I soon found a little door that led outside into a peaceful burial ground and I felt immediately uplifted. It was a quaint place with flint walls and aged trees. Among the graves were wild flowers and green grassy hillocks nestling between the higgledy-piggledy stones. A lone bird trilled a piping melody and I sank down on the grass to breathe in the warm sunshine in a place that felt to be my secret. I could see the mound of the castle beyond the walls and I spent many minutes there imagining past peoples and their stories. Apart from birdsong it was very quiet in the garden â I couldn't hear the noise and bustle of the town even though the high street was just a stone's throw away nor was anyone visiting the church at that time. Whilst I sat in peace and harmony with my surroundings I noticed a tiny plant struggling to escape the confines of the old flat stones. I probed the crevices with my fingers and freed up the straggling growth. I was curious about the flower, I had never seen such a one before and it had a pungent aroma. I felt it to be an herb but I was not sure of what type. I plucked a leaf and flower to take home and compare with my father's diagrams and notes.
The days were growing longer and Beth was changing daily. She chortled and crowed as we played in the warmth of the spring sunshine, her little limbs kicking and stretching as she tried to reach to pull herself upright. She had the most beautiful hair, bright of colour and with tumbling waves that fell about her pretty, tender neck. I loved her as if she were of my body and I could not have loved her any more. She brought such pleasure into South Farm â the only greater pleasure would be if Cecilia had a child of her own as well. I prayed nightly that she would be blessed soon.
South Farm was a delight in springtime with lambs everywhere. Farmer Elwood was greatly preoccupied with his breeding plans for a flock of special sheep. He worked with other landowners nearby to develop a breed that would bring credit and profits. His friend and colleague John Ellman of Glynde had worked hard to create a new type of sheep and Farmer Elwood was part of the plan to bring the Southdown breed into general use. Both Cecilia and I became expert in the finer points of animal husbandry and the general excitement of seeing the flocks mature and breed onward to improve the stock. The advantages of our flock were in the good meat, the sturdy limbs and the ability to thrive on the chalk downs.
In those few idyllic months there was only one incident locally that occasioned worry and that concerned Billy-alone whose ongoing courtship of Cilla was both funny and determined. He was so cheeky and chirpy that he had wormed his way into Cilla's heart, and in truth, mine as well. I never forgot that I owed him a huge debt.
One day, in the late spring, I was walking in the orchard when I saw Billy running towards the farm. He was dodging in and out of trees and bushes as if he were being pursued by the hounds of hell. I called out to him and he burst through a hedgerow to come up alongside me. Beth looked at him, startled and burst into tears. His face was red and he was gasping for breath.
âWhat is it Billy, what's wrong?'
âThe press gang are in town and I saw them talking to the overseer at the poor house.' Billy gasped. âHe hates me since I moved in with Miss Wardle. He pointed to me and they started running after me. I can't go, I can't go to sea. I'd miss Sally too much and Cilla too!'
âAre they coming after you or did you get away from them?'
âI don't know,' he sobbed, collapsing in a heap at my feet. He was still terribly thin despite all the good food he now got at Miss Wardle's and here at South Farm. He was still just a child for all his bravado and my heart went out to him. âStay here Billy, I will go and see if anyone is coming. Hide under the bushes if it will make you feel safer.'
I hurried down to the farm entrance with Beth on my hip and looked towards Lewes. I couldn't see anyone but I had heard that these men were a terrible risk to anyone they caught and forced to accept the King's shilling. If the overseer of the poor house was being bribed to name names and, worse still, directions, then Billy was at huge risk. In my mind it was legalised kidnap. I hurried back to reassure him and found him in the kitchen gulping down a jug of small ale as if his life depended on it.
There was uproar round the table and we all talked over each other as we tried to come up with a plan to keep Billy from the gangers. Cecilia promised to speak to Farmer Elwood and Billy was persuaded to stay at South Farm overnight.
I returned home after a difficult day in the lambing fields. So many of my young ewes were presenting with difficulties I resolved to speak to John Ellman for his advice. My mind was intent on this plan of action and I would have ridden out this very evening to Glynde to call on him but my household was in uproar. Cecilia and Esther were wringing their hands and young Billy-alone was all but hiding under the table. My friend Dr Grieve arrived in the middle of the bedlam and I used his arrival to help restore order in the kitchen before asking my wife to come quietly to the dining room, with Esther, to sit with me and Dr Grieve. I gave orders to Mrs Fisher that a meal should be served within the hour and that I was hungry and I had the satisfaction of seeing everyone jump to their allotted tasks.
I deemed it a good idea to pour some brandy and gradually peace was restored though both the women were a little dishevelled and had tracks of tears on their faces. It amazes me how involved my lady becomes with the lives and problems, even minor, of our servants. Cecilia's family were all out of the top drawer and I couldn't imagine for one minute her mother being aware of her staff other than if they failed in their daily tasks. I suppose in many ways this trait and her kindness in general was what endeared her to me so I resolved to be patient and generous as well, despite my wish to be elsewhere.
âI am so sorry John, I didn't realise the time, we were all so upset about Billy I forgot my duties.'
âIt is Mrs Fisher who forgot her duties â here, take some brandy.'
âNo, I don't believe I will, I am all of a quiver.'
I saw Esther look at Cecilia as she said this and wondered whether she knew something that I didn't. I suggested that while we waited for dinner we would determine what was to be done, if anything, about Billy. It was as if I had opened the floodgates, both women outstripping each other with their opinions and methods of saving Billy â all equally far-fetched and downright silly. Esther proposed covering him in grease from pig fat so he would slip out of the hands of his captors. My dear wife wanted to dress him as a girl whilst he moved about town. Knowing I was not to get any sense from either of them I asked Dr Grieve to tell us what he knew of press gangs and what were the chances of outwitting them.
He was of the opinion that there was nothing to be done now that the war with France was going badly. He said, âThe Royal Navy needs every man it can get. Once upon a time it was only seafaring men they took â usually as a merchant boat came into port they boarded and collared anyone who was youngish and fit as well as experienced. No matter that the men might have been away from their families for two years or more and unpaid like as not.'
âThat's dreadful,' said Cecilia, wringing her hands with concern.
âIndeed, one local cargo boat was left with only one crew member and not the manpower to bring her in. The owners had to ferry a few old salts out to where she was drifting to capture and bring her in safely otherwise they would have lost the boat and her cargo.'
âBut surely the sailors didn't
have
to go?' cried Esther.
âThey did, unfortunately for them. What's more they had no recourse to the law and probably lost all their rights to the wages and rewards they had accrued with the Merchant Navy. Seafarers can often make large sums of money over and above their cargo value by capturing enemy boats or other craft and turning them into cash. Every sailor on board would get a share of the value whereas in the Royal Navy they earn a pittance, have rotten conditions and probably lose their lives into the bargain.'
Esther and Cecilia both protested that Billy was a landsman and had never even been in a craft larger than a rowing boat.
âThe best thing Billy can do is hide out whenever the gangers are about and avoid going into public places and definitely not accept any hospitality from strangers. One trick they use is to drop a shilling into a beer jug and when the unlucky man drinks the beer he finds the shilling at the bottom. Apprentices used to be safe but even they are a target now. I am sorry ladies but if they catch him then he has no way of escaping his patriotic duty to fight the King's cause. His best legal hope is that they take lifers out of the prisons and make up their quotas that way. At least they get more or less willing men like that.'
âSurely there must be something that can be done?' pleaded Esther.
âNot much, my dear, but I will have a word with the scoundrel in the poor house and remind him that his duties do not include harassing local people. I will enquire if the press gang officer will take some prisoners in lieu of unsuitable urchins who get caught up in their net.'
As we drank our brandy he told us of some men so desperate to escape the clutches of the press gang they deliberately maimed themselves. âIt is not something I would recommend,' he said seriously.
I was very pleased to see Mrs Fisher and Cilla come in with our supper, which put an end to the discussion, though I did agree that Billy could stay with my shepherds for the time being in the hope that the gangers would forget him. I thought this very unlikely, but I didn't want Cecilia any more upset, particularly as she was already distressed.
By the time we had all eaten it was too late for me to ride to Glynde but I managed to have a few words with Esther before she retired to her room.
âIs Cecilia well?' I enquired, âIf there is anything amiss I would require that you tell me â regardless if she swears you to secrecy.'
âI am sure she is fine, I am not aware of any cause to worry you and she has not said anything to me. The first I knew about her queasiness was tonight as you heard. I will keep an eye on her, I promise, and let you know if there is any cause for⦠concern.'
I went to my study and remained there until the house was quiet before allowing myself to think that perhaps Cecilia might be expecting again. It had been many months since the death of our baby and we all prayed for another, or indeed, many children, to complete our family. Cecilia's brother had been a dear friend of mine before I had taken over the inheritance of South Farm, which had put paid to my social jaunts. He had invited me to his family home on many occasions and it was through his good offices that I was able to offer marriage to Cecilia. She accepted, despite our age difference, saying that if her brother thought so well of me then she could too. I don't think her mother was keen on the match â she was a cold, difficult woman and it was surprising to me that her children were so kind. I won her over in time and our marriage eventually went ahead. Cecilia worked on her mother because she was anxious to get away from the tight constrictions of her society family. She said as much to me when she accepted my proposal. She wanted her own home, her own family and a âdifferent' way of doing things. I consider our marriage a success and acknowledge that it was down to Cecilia's generous and loving nature â certainly not characteristics learnt at her mother's table. I have to confess though, I do not understand women. I wish they would speak plain and not make it so difficult to understand their wants all hidden by hints and artifice. In many ways Esther has helped us all with her good sense and lack of guile.
I made the rounds of the house as I do every evening, snuffing candles, locking doors and generally checking that all was well before retiring to our bedroom. I was very glad that my wife did not aspire to the society lady's need of a separate bedroom. As I climbed into bed and drew the bed curtains round us I could hear her gentle breathing. I settled down into the small of her back with great content. I would ride to Glynde first thing tomorrow.