Читать книгу The Bonbon Girl - Linda Finlay - Страница 14

‘I hope you and your family have settled well on The Lizard, Mr Fenton,’ Caja enquired, breaking the ensuing silence. Knowing she was probing, Colenso shot her mamm a warning look.

‘Alas, I am a widower and not blessed with family. However, I’m gradually settling in, thank you. Though, as you can see, this house is sorely in need of a woman’s touch,’ he shrugged, his eyes sliding towards Colenso, who looked quickly away. He turned back to Caja.

‘Those threadbare drapes at the window, for example, were left by my predecessor and I really need to employ the services of a seamstress.’

‘Why, our Colenso’s also a dab with the needle. Helps Emily sew Her Ladyship’s attire, she do,’ Caja beamed.

‘Does she now? You are indeed useful with your hands, Miss Carne.’ As his speculative gaze sent shivers sliding down her back, the necklace stabbed at her chest. Despite her resolve, she’d found herself unable to remove Mammwynn’s gift but now, as the Ferret sat gawping at her, she wished she had. Pulling her shawl tighter around her, she jumped up and went over to the curtains. Then, as she studied the material, her eye was caught by the vista from the window.

‘Why, you can see virtually the whole of the works from here,’ she cried, staring down at the extent of the factory buildings, derricks and stream. The iron-framed overshot waterwheel with its wooden leat was supported on a huge timber framework that rose like a monster out of the basin of the pond. She could even see along the full length of the wooden jetty where the flat-bottomed barges were moored ready to transport the heavy stone out to the schooners. Being the Sabbath, nothing but the water was moving, but just how much the works had grown was evident.

‘Why, it’s enormous,’ she cried.

‘And I have plans to extend it further,’ Mr Fenton boasted, puffing out his chest. ‘There’ll be more buildings erected and something done to that stream, which I understand weakens in the summer and slows the wheel. Can’t allow production to fall.’

‘You can spy on us workers from up here, then,’ Peder exclaimed, having risen to join her.

‘I prefer the word oversee, Carne,’ Mr Fenton replied mildly. ‘As I’ve said before, I take my responsibilities as manager seriously, very seriously indeed.’

‘Of course, Mr Fenton, sir,’ Peder mumbled, returning to his chair. ‘And what other plans do you have?’ Colenso saw the spark in her father’s eyes and realized he was hoping to find out if there’d be anything in it for him. Although different in class, the two men clearly had similar objectives. However, the manager wouldn’t be drawn.

‘That’s enough talk of shop for one day,’ he said, seemingly amused by his own words. ‘You are here as my guests,’ he added, turning back to Caja. ‘In answer to your question, I have been made most welcome, thank you. Although I must confess that having spent most of my time sorting out the works, I’ve yet to see anything of the surrounding areas. Not being from around these parts, I wouldn’t know where to start. Perhaps, if I were fortunate to have the company of someone who knew the best places to visit, it would be different.’ He shrugged, letting his voice trail away as he took a sip of his tea.

‘Our Colenso here would be the perfect person to escort yer, Mr Carne, sir. She do know all the best spots,’ Peder said excitedly. ‘One turn deserves another, what with yer seeing me get on at the works, like.’

‘Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose,’ he demurred.

But you will, Colenso thought, a feeling of doom descending like a dark cloud.

‘She would be delighted to, wouldn’t you, Colenso?’

‘But I’m busy with my handfa …’ she began.

‘She’d love to, Mr Carne,’ Caja cut in. ‘There’s nothing you’d like better, is there?’ she added, shooting Colenso a pointed look.

‘And would you be chaperoning me, Mamm?’ she asked sweetly.

‘Goodness, maid. I’m sure there’s no need for that, Mr Fenton here being a respectable man, like,’ Peder said quickly.

‘Well, if that’s agreed, I will call upon you next Sunday, Miss Carne, and you can direct me to places you think will be of interest. I understand that the church towers around here are mostly constructed of blocks of unpolished serpentine rock – and of course, you are knowledgeable on that subject, are you not?’ he smiled, giving her a knowing look.

‘Indeed I am, Mr Fenton,’ she agreed, ignoring his obvious reference to the trinkets she fashioned from offcuts. ‘Both Grade and Ruan Church are built of the stone and the pulpit and lecterns are fine examples of polished serpentine workmanship.’ If she had to spend time with this pompous man, then she’d make sure she did it in public. There were always villagers in the churches on the Sabbath and she’d feel safer in the company of people she knew. It seemed Ferret Fenton had other ideas though.

‘Afterwards we could drive somewhere quieter, partake of afternoon tea, really get to know each other better,’ he suggested, grey eyes glinting silver as they roved over her body. Respectable indeed, Colenso thought, gritting her teeth and pulling her shawl even tighter. The twitch of his lips told her he knew exactly what she was doing but he rose to his feet, saying: ‘Well, it was good of you to come but I really mustn’t detain you any longer.’ Picking up a silver bell, he shook it and immediately the housekeeper appeared.

‘Show my visitors out please, Mrs Grim.’

‘It will be my pleasure, sir,’ she said, turning on her heel and hurrying down the hallway.

‘Thank you for the tea, Mr Fenton, sir,’ Peder said, ushering the others out after the housekeeper.

‘Don’t know why you looks like you’re sucking on a lemon, maid. You’re just the same as us,’ Peder whispered, catching up with the housekeeper as she stood waiting with the door open.

‘I don’t see how you make that out,’ she sniffed.

‘’Tis easy, maid, we’re both workers for Mr Fenton, aren’t we?’

As she sniffed again and firmly pushed the door shut behind them, Peder turned to Colenso.

‘Play your cards right and you could be her boss one day.’ Bemused, Colenso could only stare at her father, but before she could think of a suitable reply, he’d climbed into the waiting trap, her mamm following after him.

The shadows were lengthening as they made their way back up the driveway and through the country lanes. Silhouettes of twisted trees rose out of the dimpsy light, their knots like evil eyes, reminding her of the way Ferret Fenton had gawped at her chest. Gently she fingered her necklace. ‘How I wish you were still here, Mammwynn,’ she whispered. Then her father’s raucous laugh rang out, rousing the roosting rooks and making her shudder. How she hated him for putting her in such an impossible situation. Drawing the ring from her pocket, she placed it firmly back on her finger where it belonged.

To her surprise, a light was flickering in the window when they arrived home. It must mean her brother was back, she thought, her spirits rising. Sure enough, he was hunched over the table studying some papers, a half-empty mug of cold tea beside him.

‘Oh Tomas, am I glad to see you,’ she cried.

‘Hey, little sis,’ he grinned, his dark eyes lighting up. ‘’Tis flatterin’ to get a greetin’ like that. You’re shaking – what’s up?’

‘You wouldn’t believe …’ she began.

‘Remembered where you live, then?’ Peder growled, striding into the room. ‘What’s that you’re reading?’

‘Evening to you too, Father,’ Tomas said, a wary look replacing his grin as he hastily folded the papers and put them in his pocket.

‘Tomas, you’ve come home,’ Caja whooped, throwing her arms around him. ‘’Tis good to see you son. I’ll make us a brew and we can have a nice old catch-up. You won’t believe where we’ve been.’ Letting go of her son, she hurried over to the range.

‘’Tis unusual to see you all dressed up of a Sunday evening. And was that a pony and trap I heard outside?’ he asked, staring at them curiously.

‘Yep. The Carnes is going places,’ Peder told him, unable to contain his excitement.

‘Sounds like you’ve already been,’ Tomas replied.

‘Ha son, very funny. Now listen up,’ he said, tossing his cap onto the nail and settling himself down at the table. ‘You’ll never guess what?’

‘Colenso’s walking out with the new works manager,’ Tomas quipped.

‘How do you know that?’ Peder exclaimed, his brows almost disappearing under the flop of greying hair that fell over his forehead.

‘I was jesting, Father,’ Tomas sighed, shaking his head.

‘But ’tis true,’ Peder boasted. ‘And if she plays her cards right, we’ll be out of this cot and into something bigger and better come Michaelmas.’

‘What?’ Tomas gasped, starring at Colenso in astonishment.

‘In fact, if your sister really turns on the charm, she could make that midsummer and save us the quarter’s rent,’ Peder carried on gleefully.

‘But I thought you and Kitto …’ Tomas began.

‘We are …’ she began, only to be interrupted once again as Peder jumped to his feet and stood glaring at her.

‘No daughter of mine’s wedding a foreigner Duck and that’s that. Geese we be, and proud of it.’

‘For heaven’s sake, Father, ’tis merely the stream that separates us Grade Geese from Ruan Ducks. Besides, Kitto only lives on the edge of the village,’ Tomas laughed.

‘In a down-and-out hovel,’ he snorted. ‘Anyhow, I ain’t having no interbreeding in the Carne family,’ he glared.

‘But you just said he was a foreigner, you can’t have it both ways,’ Colenso began. ‘Besides, Mammwynn was born on Ruan side.’

‘Yeah, and look at her with her herbs and potions. The woman was crackers. Or should that be quackers, being as how she were a Duck,’ Peder chortled.

‘That’s enough, Father. I’ll not have Mamm spoken about like that, God rest her soul,’ Caja cried, banging their mugs down hard on the table. ‘Besides, I use herbal remedies to heal my patients.’

‘Sorry,’ Peder mumbled, looking anything but. ‘Fenton’s a man of breeding. Come from up country, he has.’

‘Yes, and there’s rumours as to why he left,’ Tomas said, giving his father a sharp look. However, Peder was in his stride and even if he’d heard Tomas’s remark, he chose to ignore it.

‘Taken a shine to our Colenso, he has, and is calling on her next Sunday. Play our cards right and we could be rolling in it,’ he crowed, rubbing his hands together.

‘Is this true, our Col?’ Tomas frowned.

‘I don’t want to …’ she began.

‘You’ll do as your darn well told. Just seventeen, you be. A child. Until you become an adult ’tis up to me to decide what’s best for you,’ he said, clamping his mouth around his pipe and tamping tobacco into the bowl.

‘So, I’m old enough to earn money for your drink, but only a child when it suits you,’ Colenso retorted. Seeing her father’s hand go to his belt, she jumped to her feet. ‘You kept me prisoner here all last week but I promised to help Emily with her sewing tomorrow and I intend to so.’

‘Of course you will,’ Peder replied, a smile replacing his scowl as he struck his tinderbox. He puffed on his pipe, sending spirals of smoke disappearing into the clothes on the pulley above. As Caja opened her mouth to protest, he leaned forward and stared hard at Colenso.

‘You’ll need som’at new to wear when you go out with Fenton, so be sure to get more of that quality material from her.’

‘But they were surplus offcuts. I can’t expect her to give me any more,’ Colenso told him.

‘Then take some,’ he snapped. ‘Used to pilfering, ain’t you?’ Unable to believe what she was hearing, Colenso stared at him in disgust. ‘And then you can spend the rest of the week making something more fetching than that effort you’re wearing now. A man likes to have something womanly to look at.’

‘Really, Father …’ Tomas began.

‘Who asked you to pipe up? You’re only a cutter but your sister has a chance to better herself,’ Peder glowered.

‘Well, thanks very much,’ Tomas replied but his father had already turned to Caja.

‘’Tis up to us to assist our dear daughter, Mother, so Colenso will spend her time keeping house and getting our meals.’

‘I already cook most of them, Father,’ she pointed out.

‘But you always does the same things. A man like Fenton needs a wife who can entertain, put something tempting on the table.’

‘I have no intention of doing things just to please old Fenton,’ Colenso cried.

‘Listen here, maid. That’s exactly what you’re going to do. If you let this chance slip through your fingers I’ll …’ He rose to his feet and towered over her. As he began unbuckling his belt, Colenso fled up the stairs to her room.

Cradling the serpentine heart to her chest, she threw herself down on her cover and stared at the grimy ceiling. Heedless of her father’s wiles and Fenton’s threats, it was Kitto she was going to wed. Her father’s moods were more changeable than the weather. As for her mamm, she’d always liked Kitto, and Colenso couldn’t believe she’d sided with her father.

As for bettering themselves, whilst they didn’t live in the best of cottages and there was always more week than wage, they’d always got by. Of course, if her father didn’t frequent the hostelry so often, life would be easier. But to make her walk out with that Ferret Fenton, whose eyes never got higher than her chest, was despicable even by his standards.

Shouting from below followed by thumping on the table woke her. As ever, it seemed her father and brother couldn’t be in the same room for long without coming to blows. Wearily she undressed and, tossing her clothes on the floor beside her, climbed under the cover. The weight of her necklace felt heavy but, as ever, something stopped her from removing it. If only she could remember exactly what Mammwynn had said when she’d given it to her.

‘Hey Col, you awake?’ Her eyes flew open to find Tomas lying on his bed beside her.

‘Must have dropped off,’ she murmured.

‘Before Mamm comes up, tell me what’s been going on.’

Briefly she filled him in about Kitto’s proposal, Fenton accusing her of theft, then insisting she go for tea before inveigling his way into calling upon her next Sunday.

‘He’s horrid, Tomas,’ she shuddered. ‘I can’t believe Mamm’s encouraging him.’

‘You know Father’s temper. She’ll do anything to avoid riling him. It’s why William left. Not sure I can put up with much more meself.’

‘I’m scared, Tom. Please promise you won’t leave?’ He stared at her closely for a moment then nodded.

‘I’ll not leave yet, sis,’ he promised. ‘I’m surprised at Kitto letting you go to Fenton’s though.’

‘He doesn’t know.’

‘Why not?’ She could feel his sharp look peering through the darkness. ‘He’d look out for you, thinks the world of you, he does.’

‘I didn’t get the chance to tell him. Besides, I couldn’t risk upsetting Fenton. He threatened to call the constabulary in.’

‘But you’re innocent.’

‘I know, but they’d start probing and … well, Kitto turned some of my trinkets on his lathe.’

‘Jeez. What a mess. Still, I don’t like the idea of you walking out with that man, Col. He already has a bad reputation. Word has it he’s got the quarry owners on side, started up some sort of alliance. I don’t know all the details but I intend to find out. Whatever it is, it’ll be bad news for us at the works, you can be sure of that.’

Hearing the scraping of chairs on the flagstones below, he jumped up and drew the dividing curtain.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll find out what’s going on, sis. Now, pretend to be asleep,’ he whispered as they heard their father’s tread on the stairs. He came to a halt outside their door and Colenso froze, but luckily he had other things on his mind.

‘Hurry up, Caja,’ he called. ‘A husband don’t like to be kept waiting for his rights.’

As his raucous laugh bounced off the walls, Colenso hid her head under her pillow and desperately tried to get back to sleep.