Читать книгу Man Behind the Façade - June Francis, June Francis - Страница 7

‘Will you be in the audience this evening?’ asked Phillip, passing a sleeping James up to Rebecca. They had reached Oxford, the wagon coming to a halt on one of the vacant plots just inside the city walls, close to the North Gate, the other side of which was St Giles Street.

‘I shouldn’t think so, although I would like to watch another of your performances. I assume you’ll still be here on the morrow if you’re visiting the property in which the Raventons are interested?’ she said, carefully settling the boy into the crook of her arm.

‘Aye, but I won’t be putting on another play. I must make for Greenwich soon.’ He noted her softened expression as she gazed down at the slumbering child and wondered how she felt about not having a child of her own when she had the task of caring for her nephew. For the first time ever, he wondered what it would be like to have a son.

Rebecca glanced at him and the expression in his eyes caused her to feel slightly breathless. ‘What is it? Is there something else you wished to say to me?’

‘Will you mention Tabitha’s situation to your sister-in-law?’

‘Aye. I am certain I can persuade her to meet her,’ said Rebecca, an idea occurring to her which she decided to keep to herself.

‘Thank you.’ He suddenly appeared to feel awkward. ‘I don’t have your direction and I will need it if I am to visit you with news of Nicholas.’

‘Of course, your brother,’ she said, her voice subdued, ‘I do hope you have good tidings of him soon.’ She gave Phillip directions to the Caldwells’ house and added, ‘I must have a word with Tabitha before I go. If I don’t see you again, I pray that you have a safe journey and I thank you again for your escort.’

‘It was my pleasure,’ he said, placing a hand over hers and pressing it gently, before turning away and going to speak to Frederick.

For a moment she stared after him with an odd little ache inside her and then she called over to Tabitha, who was speaking to the girls. She hastened over to her. ‘Is there aught else you wish me to do for you, Mistress Clifton?’ she asked eagerly.

Rebecca smiled and removed Giles’s wedding ring and held it out to Tabitha. ‘I no longer have need of this and I would like you to have it.’

The other woman stared at the silver ring with a mixture of emotions warring on her pretty features. ‘I can’t take it. It’s far too precious!’

‘Please, do have it!’ urged Rebecca. ‘I only wish it were gold.’

Tabitha reached out and gingerly took the ring. ‘I don’t know what Ned will say but I confess I’m hoping it will fit.’

‘You can always wrap some thread round the back of the ring if it is too big,’ said Rebecca, ‘and that will make it a better fit.’

But Tabitha did not need to take such a precaution as the ring fitted securely enough not to slip from her finger. ‘I do thank you, Mistress Clifton!’ she said, beaming up at her. ‘It’s truly generous of you. As I’ve said, I don’t know what Ned’ll say as he’s a proud man, but this ring is staying put until he can buy me one himself,’ she said firmly, ‘then I will return it to you.’

Rebecca smiled down at her, delighted by her reaction. ‘I pray that all goes well with the performance this evening.’ She delayed no longer, but called to the girls and told the horse to walk on. Margaret asked if she and Elizabeth could run on ahead and Rebecca gave her permission. Despite it being a fine evening, she doubted that Phillip and his troupe would get the size of audience that they had in Witney. Oxford had lost some of its status. In the past it had thrived as a manufacturing and market town, as well as playing an important role in government. Then the spinners and weavers had migrated to the countryside as more colleges of learning had been founded, increasing at least the town’s reputation as a place of scholarship. The latest colleges were Brasenose and Corpus Christi, founded in the last fifteen years.

Rebecca kept the horse to a walk along Broad Street and past Balliol College before turning into a street near the opening to Lincoln College and thence into High Street, where the university church of St Mary the Virgin was situated. She thought of Simon and the alterations he was to oversee inside the building before too long. Thinking of him, she pondered on what Phillip had told her about her father’s so-called ghost and of the kiss he had pressed upon her at Draymore Manor. She was obviously more desperate than she would have believed for that physical contact that she had missed since Giles’s death. The remembrance of that kiss sent a pleasurable warmth through her and also a yearning to be held in Phillip’s arms again and for them to take up where they had left off and go much further.

She sighed. How could she contemplate such activity when she had believed him capable of having more than one mistress? She might have misjudged him, but she had seen with her own eyes how attractive he was to the women of Henry’s court. She felt a stab of jealousy and knew she must not obsess about him. She glanced about her, thinking she might catch sight of Jane amongst those who had come into town for the fair. In two months she would be confined to the house, preparing herself for the birth of her child, but there was no sign of her now.

Eventually Rebecca caught up with the girls, a short distance from their home. The house was constructed of the yellowish stone of the Cotswolds and had been designed and built by Simon and his team of labourers. The front garden would soon be a mass of those purple daisies named for that leader of angels called Michael, whose feast day was at the end of September.

Rebecca called down to Margaret to take James. The boy woke as she passed him to her niece and instantly he struggled to get down. The front door opened as Rebecca dismounted and Jane made an appearance. Despite being six months’ pregnant, she lifted her son up into her arms and smothered his face in kisses, demanding to know how it was that they had arrived home earlier than she expected.

‘We came home in a covered wagon, Mama,’ said Margaret smugly.

‘And Tabitha allowed us to play with her manikins,’ said Elizabeth, dancing around her stepmother. ‘They had jointed wooden arms and legs that I could move.’

Jane glanced at Rebecca. ‘What is this all about? Where is Simon?’

‘He is still at Minster Draymore,’ replied Rebecca. ‘And you should not be lifting James. He is far too heavy for you in your condition.’ She reached out and took the boy from her sister-in-law and set him down. ‘Besides, it will be good for him to stretch his legs.’

Jane gazed at her from lively brown eyes. ‘I assume my husband has his reasons for packing you all off so soon and in a wagon.’

Rebecca pulled a face. ‘We proved to be a distraction and he is determined to complete his task there before winter sets in. As for the aforementioned wagon, that belongs to Master Hurst and his troupe.’

‘Master Hurst?’ enquired Jane.

‘The girls will tell you about him whilst I see to the horse.’

Jane fixed her with a hard stare. ‘I would rather hear it from you!’

Rebecca lifted a hand in acknowledgement as she led the animal away to the stable to the rear of the house. After she had unsaddled the horse, despite her aching back, she made certain there was fresh straw, water and hay for the animal before returning to the house. There she found Jane and the children sitting in front of a blazing fire in the kitchen, eating thick slices of bread and butter.

‘Where’s Maud?’ asked Rebecca, helping herself from the loaf on the table. ‘Is she as unreliable as ever when I’m not here to chase after her?’

‘At home with her mother,’ replied Jane, glancing up. ‘I hope you are not going to scold me in place of Simon. I really do not have need of her whilst I only have myself to care for. It has only been four days. I don’t know why he insists on hiring her when she does as little as she can and has a habit of vanishing just when I do need her.’

‘You know why,’ said Rebecca softly. ‘He doesn’t like you being alone in the house.’

Jane rolled her eyes. ‘He fusses too much. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Now tell me, is the Master Hurst you spoke of the same person who wrote the book from which you read to me a while ago?’

Rebecca shook her head. ‘No, that is Master Nicholas Hurst; this is his younger brother, Phillip. He will be appearing in a play here, in Oxford, this evening.’

Jane pulled a face. ‘A player!’

‘I know what that look means,’ said Rebecca, spreading butter on bread. ‘And you are mistaken. He is utterly respectable,’ she said blandly. ‘He and his troupe. Is there any ham?’

‘No, I ate the last of it at midday,’ murmured Jane, frowning as she watched her. ‘Where is your wedding ring?’

Rebecca had given no thought to what to tell Jane about giving away that precious piece of jewellery and knew that she had to be careful how she answered because Jane had dearly loved her brother, Giles, and she had it fixed in her mind that Rebecca had felt the same and would never want another man. ‘What would you do, Jane, if you met a young married woman with a child whose husband could not afford to buy her a wedding ring?’

Jane fixed her with a stare. ‘You haven’t!’

‘I thought it was what Giles would want me to do. He so wanted a child, as did I, but we were not as fortunate as you,’ said Rebecca, her voice uneven.

Jane’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I prayed earnestly that God would grant you the gift of a child, but it was not to be. Yet my brother loved all children and would want what was best for them.’

‘I so agree,’ said Rebecca. ‘How well you knew your brother’s generous spirit.’

‘So who is this woman you have gifted his ring to?’

‘Her name is Tabitha and I would like you to meet her,’ said Rebecca. ‘She is married to Ned, one of the travelling players.’

‘A travelling player’s wife!’

‘I know exactly what you think about travelling players. I felt the same when Phillip Hurst first told me that was his dream. I thought he was quite mad wanting to write and act when he could earn a good living shipbuilding in his father’s yard. But now I have seen him disguised and acting out several parts, I admit I was wrong. I can assure you, Jane, his troupe is well worth watching.’ She bit into the bread and butter, chewed and swallowed. ‘Phillip has also performed before the king.’

Jane sighed. ‘I am not sure Giles would have approved of his ring being worn by a player’s wife. Did Simon know Master Hurst was a player and not a shipwright?’

Rebecca did not immediately reply, but took a larger bite out of the bread and chewed in a manner that suggested that she was thinking deeply about the question. In a way she was vexed that Jane should still refer to the ring as belonging to Giles when it was hers to do with as she wished. Yet she knew how difficult her sister-in-law had found it, accepting the loss of her beloved brother. ‘She is a mother just like you, Jane. Is that not more important? Phillip spoke to Simon and so it is likely that he mentioned his way of life whilst I was taking care of the children. They appeared quite easy in each other’s company.’ She dropped her voice. ‘So much so that your husband told Phillip that he had seen a ghost. Of my father, would you believe?’ Her throat felt suddenly tight, remembering her father’s bouts of anger when he would tell her to get out of his sight.

The children glanced up at her. ‘Papa didn’t mentioned a ghost to us,’ said Elizabeth, her eyes widening.

‘You weren’t supposed to hear, Big Ears!’ said Rebecca, having forgotten the children were there. ‘I deem your father is working too hard and his mind played tricks on him.’

Jane looked worried. ‘I’m sure you’re right. He won’t listen when I tell him that he should be taking life more easily now. I suppose having a young family makes him feel he must work as though he was in the first flush of youth. Still, it’s very odd that it should be at Minster Draymore that he sees a ghost of your father. I remember your brother telling me that your father was born there.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Anyway, we’ve digressed. Your wedding ring—’

‘You say Father was born there?’ interrupted Rebecca. ‘Davy never mentioned that to me. I wonder what else he hasn’t told me,’ she added crossly.

‘I think you would like Master Hurst, Mama,’ interrupted Margaret as she licked butter from her fingers. ‘He has a face like one of the statues that Papa sculptured and placed in the garden.’

Jane said sternly, ‘Are you saying he looks like a Greek god? I’ll never understand why your father should wish to sculpture such images. Anyway, you obviously believe I am impressed by outer appearances. Let me tell you both that too many young ladies have been misled by handsome men, believing they are as good on the inside as they are on the outside. I hope you are listening to this, too, Rebecca!’

Rebecca cut herself another slice of bread. ‘I’d have trouble not listening, Jane. But don’t you consider it a mistake to judge a man purely by his appearance? Anyway, you have yet to meet him. Why don’t you go and see him in the play this evening?’ she suggested as if this was a sudden thought.

‘Certainly not!’ said Jane, shaking her head.

‘Mama, you should go,’ said Margaret, resting an arm on her stepmother’s chair. ‘He was kind to us and so were the rest of the troupe, especially Tabitha. They don’t have much money and you could give them some for their performance.’

Jane looked surprised. ‘So you like this Tabitha?’

‘She takes care of the troupe, washing, cooking, sewing,’ said Rebecca, glad that her niece by marriage had brought up the subject. ‘But now that winter will soon be here, a wagon is hardly the best place for a baby; besides, there will be less work for the troupe. I was wondering…’ She paused and bit her lip.

Jane stared at her. ‘You wondered whether I would hire her in place of Maud?’

Rebecca smiled. ‘How clever of you to read my mind. I’m certain you would find her more than satisfactory. She’s good with children and you know how they tire you out at the moment.’

‘That might be so, Rebecca, but why should I have need of someone to look after the children when I have you living here? I thought you enjoyed their company.’

Rebecca knew that she shouldn’t feel annoyed by that comment. After all, she had a roof over her head and food in her belly and it wasn’t costing her a penny to live here. But she worked hard for that privilege and although she was thanked for what she did and received several gifts a year, there were times when she felt put upon and wanted to kick over the traces. Regardless of these feelings, she knew that she had to be careful how she worded her response to Jane’s question if she were to help Tabitha. ‘I was thinking that Tabitha could step into my shoes if I wanted to spend some time with my brother. Giles was truly dear to both of us, I know, so I am sure you understand my need to see Davy now and then.’

Jane’s brown eyes filled with tears again and she reached out and touched Rebecca’s arm. ‘Of course, I understand. I suppose the least I can do is to go and take a look at these players and Tabitha. But how will I recognise which one is Master Hurst when I have never met him?’

‘I could go with you,’ said Elizabeth eagerly.

Jane glanced at Rebecca. ‘Well, what do you say to that?’

‘It is not a play for children.’

‘I see. Then you’d have to come with me and as there is no one to care for the children in your absence, it seems that is out of the question.’

Rebecca so wanted to see Phillip in the play again that she said swiftly, ‘I shall go and fetch Maud and I will pay her myself if necessary with the money that is over from that which Simon gave me.’ She did not wait for Jane to agree, but hurried from the house.

When Rebecca returned, she told Jane that Maud would be with them within the hour. ‘Just enough time to allow me to change out of my travelling clothes and wash away the dust of the journey,’ she said.

‘I can see you’re determined to have your way!’ Jane pushed herself up from the table. ‘You will have to carry a stool for me to sit upon, Becky,’ she warned. ‘And we will come away if there is aught of which I disapprove.’

‘Of course,’ said Rebecca, smiling warmly. ‘I would not expect you to stand about in your condition. But I swear, Jane, that you will enjoy the performance and you will like Tabitha and approve of what I have done.’ With a whisk of her skirts she hurried from the room and upstairs to her bedchamber. Despite her aches and pains and her impatience with her sister-in-law, her weariness had evaporated and she could not wait to see Phillip perform again.

A motley crowd had gathered on the open space where the wagon was parked and there was an excited buzz at the sound of a loud drumbeat and then another and another. The people hushed and the next moment a figure, unrecognisable as Phillip, stepped into the arena. Rebecca felt her pulse quicken as he began to speak.

As with most tales, this one had a moral and Rebecca, who had been too distracted last evening to consider fully what the play was about, now had time to think about its meaning as the story unfolded. She could not take her eyes from Phillip, who not only had the title role, but the difficult task of playing more than one part. He had to magically change himself from an old hag into a fair young woman with lightning speed.

The play came to an end and the cast took a bow to thunderous applause. Tabitha went round with the hat and beamed at Rebecca, who introduced her to Jane. Tabitha bobbed a curtsy as if she were a real lady. ‘It’s an honour to meet you, Mistress Caldwell.’

‘At least you have pretty manners,’ said Jane, her expression thawing. ‘Tell me, how long will you be staying in Oxford?’

‘That depends, mistress,’ replied Tabitha earnestly. ‘Master Hurst thinks we should stay for at least a sennight, I reckon. I have been told he has no need of me for that time.’

Jane gave her a nod and said no more and Tabitha continued taking round the hat. ‘No doubt her husband will also appreciate some work,’ said Jane, looking thoughtful as she stood up. ‘Maybe I could use him in the garden. Tell me, Rebecca, which one of the players was Master Hurst?’

‘I thought you would have asked before now,’ said Rebecca, picking up the stool on which her sister-in-law had been seated. ‘But I could see that you, too, were enraptured by the play. He had the title role, as well as that of the hag and the fair maiden.’

Jane’s jaw dropped. ‘Well, you do surprise me, Becky! It’s a mystery to me how he managed those changes so swiftly. Beneath that paint no doubt he is as handsome as my stepdaughter thinks.’ She took in a breath. ‘Still, what is of more importance is the moral of the story. How interesting that it should be don’t judge by outer appearances, beauty is to be found within. I’m sure you agree with me?’

‘I think you’ll find that the tale has several strands,’ said a voice from behind them.

Rebecca whirled round to see Phillip standing there. He had changed out of his costume and removed the paint from his face and he did look as Margaret and Elizabeth had described him, handsome as a Greek god. ‘May I introduce my sister-in-law, Jane Caldwell, Phillip. Jane, this is Master Phillip Hurst.’

Phillip inclined his flaxen head. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mistress Caldwell.’

Jane offered him her hand and he brushed it with his lips. She seemed a little flustered and cleared her throat before speaking. ‘You played your parts well, Master Hurst. You have a definite talent for such tomfoolery but can you really make a living from it?’

‘I have not yet starved and life is never dull,’ said Phillip, smiling into her eyes.

Her colour deepened and she touched the crucifix about her throat and then clasped her hands tightly together. ‘We were not put on this earth, Master Hurst, purely for our own pleasure.’

‘I do so agree,’ said Phillip, continuing to smile at her. ‘But that doesn’t mean that life cannot be interesting and amusing even when it might prove uncomfortable and dangerous.’

‘I like my life to be comfortable and secure, Master Hurst, as I am sure does Rebecca,’ said Jane, meeting his gaze squarely.

Phillip glanced at Rebecca. ‘Yet she enjoys reading of my brother’s adventures.’

‘I certainly see nothing wrong with that,’ said Rebecca, deciding it was time she took part in the conversation. ‘A woman would not be allowed to live such a life, alas, so I have to live it vicariously.’

‘Alas, Becky?’ said Phillip, raising an eyebrow. ‘You would have such adventures if you could?’

‘God forbid that she should ever do so,’ said Jane swiftly. ‘I think it is time we were going.’ She slipped her hand through Rebecca’s arm. ‘I enjoyed your play, Master Hurst, and wish you well. May the saints preserve you.’

Phillip thanked her for her kind words, but instead of moving away, he took the stool from Rebecca, saying, ‘Let me carry this for you and escort you home. There will be cutpurses and other rogues on the streets this even, no doubt, and you might have need of a protector.’

‘That is kind of you, Master Hurst,’ said Jane.

He nodded briefly and without a word, he set off through the throng. Rebecca would have had no difficulty in keeping up with him if it had not been for Jane, who could not in any way match either pace. Soon they fell behind.

‘Well, I have never met a man like him,’ said Jane, clinging to Rebecca’s arm. ‘Charming, but he is now proving a disappointment. What is he thinking of going so far ahead of us when he is supposed to be guarding us?’

‘It is odd, isn’t it? I wouldn’t have expected it of him,’ said Rebecca, disappointed herself. She watched as Phillip paused on the corner of the street. He was looking their way, so she waved to him. He responded by jerking a thumb and disappearing from her sight.

‘Now where has he gone?’ asked Jane, her flushed face exasperated. ‘I hope you aren’t smitten like the girls by his handsome face, because I am certain dear Giles would not have approved of him.’

Rebecca was tempted to say that dear Giles was dead but was much too sensible to do so. Instead she followed in what she hoped was Phillip’s wake. They turned the corner into High Street where she had last seen him.

‘I assume he knows our destination,’ panted Jane. ‘Please do not rush me, Becky. A fall at this stage in my pregnancy could prove serious.’

‘There he is now!’ cried Rebecca, recognising the back of Phillip’s head and the spread of his shoulders beneath the russet-coloured woollen doublet. She was more than a little vexed with him herself, and puzzled. Why was he in such a rush? He was now approaching the Mitre Inn and fortunately he had slowed down. She watched what he did and pointed him out to Jane. ‘He has put down your stool and is going into the inn!’

‘Why is he doing that? My stool could be stolen. You make haste and get it, Rebecca,’ said Jane, giving her a push.

Rebecca ran the few yards to the inn and picked up the stool. She deduced from the noise coming from within that there was a rowdy crowd inside. What should she do? Go in and find Phillip or simply wait here for Jane? Her sister-in-law made the decision for her by coming up and seizing her cloak. ‘We shall not hang around here outside a common inn, Rebecca. It isn’t seemly! We shall carry on home and if anyone should attempt to attack us, we have the stool to use in our defence. I am disappointed in Master Hurst. He looks fair, but his manners are foul. Obviously he likes to keep low company and is fond of strong drink.’

Rebecca did not believe that was the reason for Phillip entering the inn for one moment, but she was not going to argue with Jane in her condition. She must see her safely home before deciding what to do next. She was still annoyed with Phillip and hoped he had a good reason for his behaviour. She hoisted the stool high against her chest and set off with Jane in tow. It was with some relief that they arrived back at the house without mishap. Annoyingly there were no lights in the house and no sign of Maud.

‘Where is that girl?’ said Jane, collapsing in a chair.

‘Perhaps she is upstairs with the children,’ suggested Rebecca.

‘If she is not, I will have a bone to pick with her. There should be a lantern lit down here at the very least,’ said Jane, removing her gloves and peering at Rebecca through the gloom. ‘What if the house had caught fire and no one here to save the children?’

Rebecca lit a candle from the embers of the fire and hurried towards the stairs. Jane rose to her feet and followed her. ‘I will come with you.’

The children were sleeping, but there was no sign of Maud. Both women concluded that once they had fallen asleep, the unreliable Maud had decided to skip off home. ‘That girl,’ said Jane wrathfully. ‘It will be the last time I employ her. Now let us to bed. It’s been a long evening.’