Читать книгу: «The Summer Maiden»

Chapter One

Wapping, London, Summer 1873

Caroline Manning stood a little apart from the rest of the mourners who were preparing to walk away from her father’s grave. The interment was over, the last words of farewell to a good man had been said, and his widow, Esther, had dropped a crimson rose onto the coffin. Her face was hidden behind the dark veil of widow’s weeds, but Caroline sensed that her mother was crying. Tears stung her own eyes, but she was determined to be brave. She had loved her father dearly, but she knew that Papa would have wanted her to support the rest of the family and help her mother through the trauma of such a great loss. Max and James, her younger brothers, had been away at boarding school when their father had fallen ill and died, and Esther had travelled to Rugby with Sadie, her friend and companion, to bring them home. The boys had been brave throughout the interment, but Jimmy had broken down and sobbed when the first handful of earth fell on the coffin, and he was clinging to their mother, who was now weeping openly. Caroline could see that fourteen-year-old Max was struggling and she placed her arm around his shoulders.

‘Papa didn’t suffer, Max. He just slipped away, so Mama told me.’

Max dashed his hand across his eyes. ‘Yes, that’s what she said, but I’m going to miss him.’

‘We all are.’ Caroline gave him a comforting hug. ‘We’d best follow the others, Max. We have to get the train back to London.’

‘We’re going now, Carrie, dear.’ Esther braced her slender shoulders and led Jimmy away from the yawning chasm of Jack Manning’s last resting place.

‘I won’t be long.’

‘The train will be here soon,’ Sadie said firmly. ‘Come on, Carrie, love. Best foot forward.’

‘I said I won’t be long.’ Caroline could not help a note of impatience creeping into her voice. She had so far kept herself composed, but she was in danger of losing the cast-iron self-control that had helped her to get through the carriage ride from their home in Finsbury Circus to Waterloo Bridge Station, and the journey on the Necropolis Railway to Brookwood Cemetery. Mama had her standards and would not travel any other way than first class, even though Aunt Sadie was quite happy to use the omnibus and had even braved the Metropolitan Railway, which ran underground.

‘Come with me, Max. We’ll let Carrie have a minute to herself.’ Sadie beckoned to Max and he allowed her to take him by the hand, something that he would never have done normally.

At any other time Caroline might have smiled to see her usually strong-willed brother acting so meekly, but this was not a normal day. Sadie was no relation, but she had been with the family ever since Caroline could remember, and had become a surrogate aunt with an enduring place in their affections.

The distant sound of a train’s whistle jolted Caroline back to the present and she raised the tea rose to her lips, inhaling the delicate perfume before allowing it to flutter through the air, landing on the coffin with a gentle thud. Papa had loved tea roses and she had picked several from the garden with the morning dew still upon them, choosing the biggest and the best to bring with her on Papa’s last, sad journey. She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, raising her face to the cloudless azure sky. She wondered if Papa and her two baby brothers, who had been taken by whooping cough, were looking down on her, but that was childish and, at seventeen years old, she knew better.

She picked up her black silk skirts and trudged across the scorched grass as she followed her family to the station platform. It was a fiery June day and the ground beneath her feet was baked hard. The return train journey promised to be hot and sticky and less than cheerful, and she had a sudden urge to cry out that it was not fair. Papa had been in his mid-forties when he contracted pneumonia during a business trip to the Continent. Her last sight of him had been when she had waved him off, thinking that he would return soon with news of a profitable deal. Caroline bit the inside of her lip to prevent herself from bursting into tears as she caught up with her mother, Sadie and the boys.

‘Are you all right?’ Sadie whispered.

‘Yes, of course.’ It was a lie, but Caroline held her head high as she took her mother’s mittened hand in hers. ‘We’ll be home soon, Mama.’

‘Home.’ Esther’s voice was harsh and thick with tears. ‘There is no future for me without Jack. My heart is broken and buried with him in that cold grave.’

Sadie sighed and shook her head. ‘It’s a sad time, but you’ll feel better when you’ve had a cup of tea and something to eat.’

‘Stop being so cheerful,’ Esther said wearily. ‘Leave me alone.’ She broke away from Caroline’s restraining hand and marched towards the station platform.

‘When Mama cries it makes me sad, too,’ Jimmy said, sniffing.

‘It’s all right to cry, Jimmy.’ Max slapped his brother on the shoulder. ‘Just don’t let them see you’re sad when we go back to school.’

‘Come on, boys,’ Sadie said briskly. ‘We’d better get a move on, or we’ll be left behind.’ She quickened her pace, the others falling into step beside her.

The rest of the mourners, most of whom were employees of the Manning and Chapman Shipping Company, travelled second class, but Esther and the family had a first-class carriage to themselves.

‘If only your Uncle George were here.’ Esther leaned back in her seat. ‘I don’t know if he received the cable I sent to the agent in New York, as there was no reply.’

‘He’ll be as upset as you are, Essie.’ Sadie turned her head away to stare out of the window. ‘It seems your family are only happy when they are sailing the seven seas.’

‘Our family.’ Esther took off her gloves and laid them on the seat beside her. ‘How many times do I have to stress that you’re as important to me as if we were related by blood?’

‘I know you believe that, Essie, but that doesn’t make it true.’ Sadie shot her a sideways glance. ‘Jack wouldn’t want you to wear yourself out with grief. He was a good man, and you’re a strong woman. You’ve seen hard times and you’ll come through this, as always.’

‘Yes, but I’m allowed to mourn in my own way.’ Esther brushed a tear from her cheek and her lips trembled ominously. ‘Besides which, I thought that Alice might have taken the trouble to attend the funeral.’

‘You know she sent her apologies,’ Sadie said sternly. ‘Sir Henry is taking part in an important debate in the Commons, and Lady Bearwood wanted to be there to support him.’

‘I know. I’m being unreasonable. It’s all too much. If Jack had remained in London he would still be alive today.’

Caroline glanced anxiously at her brothers, but Jimmy had fallen asleep in the corner seat and Max was gazing out of the window, seemingly in a world of his own. She moved closer to Sadie, lowering her voice to a whisper. ‘What’s going on, Aunt Sadie? I know that Mama is heartbroken, but there’s more, isn’t there? I’m not a child; I need to know.’

Sadie inclined her head so that the brims of their black bonnets were almost touching. ‘It’s business, Carrie. I don’t know the ins and outs, but the loss of the Mary Louise was a blow, and between you and me, I don’t think it was insured.’

‘That was nearly a year ago,’ Caroline said, frowning.

‘That’s right. All were lost as well as the cargo.’

‘I’m grieving, but I’m not deaf.’ Esther folded back her veil. Even in her tear-stained and emotional state, she was still a handsome woman. At thirty-nine she had kept her figure and her skin was smooth with only a few laughter lines crinkling the corners of her hazel eyes, and the hint of silver in her dark hair did nothing to detract from her good looks. ‘If you have questions, ask me, Caroline. Don’t mutter behind my back.’

Sadie leaned over to pat Esther’s clasped hands. ‘I’m sorry, but you shouldn’t bottle it all up, Essie. We’re here to help you, and Carrie and the boys have lost their pa.’

Esther’s eyes swam with unshed tears. ‘I know, and I’m trying to keep the worst from them. As if it isn’t bad enough to lose the husband and father that we love, it seems inevitable that we will lose our home as well.’

‘Surely it can’t be that bad, Mama?’ Caroline said dazedly. ‘We’ve always been well off.’

‘What happened to the fortune that you brought home from the goldfields in Australia?’ Sadie asked, frowning. ‘You must still have your investments, and the business seemed to be going well.’

‘That’s all you know.’ Esther’s full lips tightened into a pencil-thin line. ‘Jack did his best to keep it from us, and I’ve only just discovered the true state of affairs. My brother must have known that the business was in a bad way when he sailed off for the Americas, but he didn’t think to confide in me. It was only when I went to the office and demanded to see the books that I discovered the parlous state of our finances. George should have said something before he went away.’

‘That’s not fair, Essie,’ Sadie protested angrily. ‘George was only doing his job. When he’s offloaded the cargo he’ll find another one to bring home, doubling the profit. You know as well as I do that that’s how it goes in business.’

Esther held up her hand, tears seeping between her closed eyelids. ‘Please, that’s enough. I don’t want to hear any more. Just leave me alone. My head is pounding.’

Caroline sat back in her seat, staring out of the window at the sun-drenched fields and hedgerows as they flashed past. Dog roses, buttercups and dandelions made bright splashes of colour against the dark green of hawthorn leaves and the pale gold of ripening cornfields. Cows grazed on patches of grass beneath shady trees and woolly white sheep clustered together on the hillsides. It was all so serene and peaceful, but Caroline had a feeling that they were heading for trouble at home, and without the solid backing of her father the future loomed before her engraved with a huge question mark.

The house in Finsbury Circus was an impressive five-storey building fronted with iron railings and a columned portico. The servants, who had been allowed to attend the funeral, had gone on ahead to ensure that everything was ready for the mourners when they arrived home. A liveried footman hurried down the steps to open the carriage door, and Ingram, the butler, stood in the doorway, waiting to usher the family and friends into the vast cathedral-like entrance hall.

Caroline drew Max aside. ‘Take Jimmy to the schoolroom and I’ll send up some food. This is going to be deadly dull.’

Max nodded. ‘Thanks, Carrie. I’m starving, so don’t forget.’ He turned to his brother and whispered something in Jimmy’s ear that brought a smile to his sad eyes.

Caroline watched her brothers take the stairs two at a time. They were young and resilient, and would have to return to Rugby School very soon, where they would continue their education, but it was Mama who concerned her the most. At the moment Esther appeared pale but calm, and in control of her emotions as she greeted her guests. Caroline and Sadie stood at her side, acknowledging the hesitant commiserations, awkward silences and set smiles as friends and acquaintances filed past. Housemaids relieved the visitors of hats, parasols and tightly furled umbrellas, while Ingram directed them to the Chinese Room where refreshments had been laid out on sparkling-white tablecloths. Caroline had checked everything before they left for Brookwood, and she had personally supervised the flower arrangements, refusing to stick to the convention of funereal white lilies by the addition of bowls spilling over with tea roses and honeysuckle from the garden. She drew one of the maids aside and gave her instructions to take two generous plates of food upstairs to the schoolroom. Satisfied that her brothers would be looked after, Caroline went to join her mother and Sadie.

‘It will soon be over,’ Sadie said in a whisper.

‘That’s what I’m afraid of,’ Esther answered in an undertone. ‘Reality will set in, but I’m not sure how I can face life without Jack.’

Caroline squeezed her mother’s cold hand. ‘We’ll help you, Mama. There’s nothing so bad that we can’t overcome it if we’re together.’

Esther’s lips quivered into a semblance of a smile. ‘Thank you, darling girl. I know I can rely on you.’ She looked up at the sound of hurrying footsteps and her smile broadened. ‘Alice, you came.’

Caroline turned to see Lady Alice Bearwood, dressed in the latest Paris fashion. Her pert bonnet was decorated with silk roses and satin bows, and the frilled skirts of her gown were drawn back into a large bustle. She exuded an aroma of expensive French perfume as she embraced Caroline before turning to give Esther a hug.

‘My dear Essie, I am so sorry I wasn’t able to attend the funeral, but I had to support Bearwood, and I must say he addressed the House in the most impressive manner.’ She held Esther at arm’s length, gazing into her face. ‘Can you forgive me?’

‘Of course. I understand how important Sir Henry is now.’

Despite her mother’s brave smile, Caroline knew that she was close to breaking point, and she squeezed her hand. ‘It’s been a difficult day, Aunt Alice.’

‘I know, and I would have attended the funeral had I been able. Your father was a good man and will be much missed.’

Caroline looked over her shoulder, frowning. ‘Is Cordelia with you, Aunt?’

‘No, I’m afraid not. She was at a ball last evening and she was still in bed when I left. I didn’t want to disturb her beauty sleep.’ Alice smiled and shook her head. ‘The season is quite exhausting, and Cordelia is much in demand.’

‘Essie, you should rest now.’ Sadie stepped forward, acknowledging Alice with a curt nod of her head. ‘It’s been a trying morning, Lady Alice.’

Esther opened her mouth to reply, but Alice slipped her arm around her friend’s shoulders. ‘Nonsense, Sadie. Essie will survive this terrible blow, but what she really needs is company and something to take her mind off things.’

‘Thank you, Alice, but I’m quite capable of speaking up for myself. I will do my duty. These people have come to pay their respects to Jack and I owe it to them to show my gratitude. It must be done.’ Esther started towards the Chinese Room, pausing to look over her shoulder. ‘I’m afraid I can’t face taking the boys back to school, Carrie. You will have to travel to Rugby with them.’

‘I will, Mama. We’ll leave first thing in the morning.’

‘I’d like you to go with her, Sadie,’ Esther said firmly. ‘They have only a short time before the term ends, and maybe you could persuade the headmaster to allow them to return home with you. I could simply keep them away, but that would be bad form.’ She continued across the hall to join the rest of the mourners with Alice at her side.

Caroline stopped outside the Chinese Room, barring Sadie’s way. ‘Just one thing, Aunt. I don’t think we should wear black tomorrow.’

‘Why ever not? It’s the custom, Carrie. We must observe the niceties.’

‘Well, I wasn’t suggesting you should wear your beloved red boots,’ Caroline said, chuckling. ‘I remember how you used to sport them on every occasion possible.’

Sadie pursed her lips. ‘I was younger then. I wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing now.’

‘You were more fun then, Aunt. Anyway, that’s not what I’m saying. I just think it’s hard enough for the boys without us looking like a pair of carrion crows. I’ll wear my grey poplin, and you have a pretty lavender silk, if I remember rightly. We can change back into mourning when we return home.’

‘I think you’re right, Carrie,’ Sadie said slowly. ‘Lavender silk it shall be. Now we’d better go and support your poor mother. She’s being very brave, but I’m afraid she might find it all too much.’

Next day at Rugby School, the headmaster’s study smelled of old books, beeswax polish and ink. Dust motes danced and twirled in the rays of sunlight streaming through the tall windows, and the sound of the school bell being rung enthusiastically by an overzealous pupil signalled the end of morning lessons. The boys had been spirited away by Matron as soon as they had arrived, and Caroline had asked to see the headmaster, but she had been told that he was too busy to see anyone. In the end she had had to demand to see him and they had been granted a brief interview.

He had listened sympathetically, although, with the boys’ best interests in mind, he had said he was reluctant to grant Caroline’s request for her brothers to be released early from their studies. She had stood her ground, insisting that it was their mother’s wish to have her sons with her at such a difficult time. It was a short battle of wills and Caroline thought she had been winning the conversation when the headmaster was called away on urgent business. She stood by the smoke-blackened fireplace, anxiously awaiting his return while Sadie paced the floor.

‘What’s keeping him?’ Sadie glared angrily at the clock on the mantelshelf. ‘I’ll be very cross if we’ve spent three hours on the train only to be fobbed off by some jumped-up pedagogue.’

Despite her anxiety, Caroline could not repress a chuckle. ‘That’s a big word, Aunt Sadie.’

Sadie tossed her head. ‘Just because I didn’t have much education it doesn’t mean that I’m ignorant, Miss Caroline.’

‘Don’t get on your high horse. I remember when you used to pull faces at my governess behind her back, and you used to sneak food into the nursery when Max and I were sent to bed without any supper for being naughty.’

Sadie pursed her lips, but her eyes were smiling. ‘Don’t remind me. I shouldn’t have gone behind your parents’ backs, but I thought they were a bit too strict with you at times.’

‘And we loved you for standing up for us.’ Caroline was suddenly alert. ‘Someone’s coming.’ She clasped her hands tightly, hardly daring to breathe as the door opened.

‘Good afternoon, ladies.’ A tall man entered the room, his black gown billowing round him, and he had to bend his head in order to prevent his mortarboard from catching on the lintel. He closed the door, turning to them with a rueful smile. ‘That is the disadvantage of being too tall.’

‘Maybe it’s the fault of the doorway being too low,’ Sadie said, smiling.

Caroline glanced at her in surprise. Was it possible that her spinster aunt, who always obeyed the rules of etiquette, was flirting with this gangly, copper-haired teacher?

‘I should introduce myself.’ He looked from one to the other, his smile broadening. ‘My name is Laurence Bromley, and I have the pleasure of teaching both Max and James. The headmaster asked me to fetch the boys, but I wanted to speak to you first.’

‘I am Miss Sadie Dixon, and this is Miss Caroline Manning, the boys’ sister.’ Sadie’s cheeks were suspiciously pink as she made the necessary introductions, and Mr Bromley was smiling foolishly.

‘Is anything wrong?’ Caroline demanded. ‘Why do you need to speak to me? I simply want to take my brothers home before the end of term. Our mother needs to have them with her at this sad time.’

‘Yes, so I was told, but the Head is unlikely to give his consent, and he’s very strict about this sort of thing. They’re in the anteroom waiting to say goodbye.’

‘That isn’t good enough,’ Caroline said firmly. ‘It would be better if I had the Head’s permission, but I should warn you that I intend to take them home, regardless.’

‘In your position, I would do the same thing. I’ll show them in.’ He ushered the boys into the room and left, closing the door softly behind him.

‘I’m the man of the house now,’ Max said in a choked voice. ‘I want to go home and take care of you and Mama.’

Jimmy nodded, forcing a smile. ‘And I’ll do my best to cheer Mama up.’

Caroline dropped a kiss on his curly head. ‘I know you will, Jimmy. It will be lovely having both of you at home for a while longer.’

‘Mr Bromley is leaving today,’ Max said eagerly. ‘He’s a good chap, Carrie. All the boys like him, but he’s had some rows with the Head.’

Sadie eyed him curiously. ‘Mr Bromley doesn’t give the impression of being a difficult man.’

‘Well, it’s none of our business.’ Caroline patted James on the back. ‘If you’re feeling better we’ll get going. I told the cabby to wait for us.’

‘What about our trunks and tuck boxes?’ Max said frowning. ‘If I know the fellows in my dorm they’ll take what’s left, although there’s not much.’

‘I’m sure we’ve got enough food at home to satisfy your appetite.’ Sadie ruffled his hair, but he moved away, gazing anxiously at his reflection in the glass-fronted bookcase and smoothing his dark-blond curls.

‘I’m too old for that sort of treatment, Aunt Sadie. I’m grown up now.’

‘I used to say much the same when I was your age,’ Sadie said with a rueful smile. ‘That was a long time ago.’

‘You’re not so very old,’ James said quickly.

‘I’m the most senior member of the family present, so I think we should do as your sister says, and make a move.’

James opened his mouth as if to comment, but at that moment the door opened to admit Laurence Bromley. He was not smiling.

‘I’m sorry, Miss Manning, but the Head is adamant that the boys should remain in school until the end of term.’

‘Really? That is unfortunate.’ Caroline grabbed James by the hand. ‘We’re leaving now whether the headmaster likes it or not. He can’t prevent me from taking my brothers home and, to be honest, I doubt very much whether they will return. Perhaps you would be kind enough to ensure that their belongings are sent on by carrier.’ She pushed past him, with James clinging to her hand. ‘Come along, Sadie.’

‘Miss Manning, please wait a moment …’

Caroline ignored his protest and quickened her pace. A vision of her mother’s tear-stained face was enough to spur her on. She was taking her brothers home.