The Summer Maiden

‘I have to wait in case there are others more suitable for the position.’

Maria’s lips trembled and her eyes filled with tears. ‘I was afraid of that. I don’t want a middle-aged widow bossing me about, or an ageing spinster who’s forgotten what it’s like to be young.’ Her voice rose an octave and she clamped her hand over her mouth. ‘I’m sorry. It’s not your problem, Miss Manley.’

‘I would love to help you, but it’s up to your grandmother. She wanted me to leave my address with your maid, so that I can be contacted should she decide to employ me.’

‘I don’t trust Gilroy. She sneaks to Grandmama behind my back. I know she does because I get punished for the slightest thing.’

‘Punished?’ Caroline stared at her in astonishment. ‘But you’re a grown woman, Maria Colville, not a child.’

‘You don’t understand,’ Maria said in a low voice. ‘I’ve brought disgrace on the family and Grandmama cannot forgive me.’ She took a deep breath, holding up her hand as Caroline was about to speak. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, but if you give me your address I’ll make sure that Grandmama has it to hand.’ She turned with a start at the sound of someone hammering on the front door. ‘That might be Phin. He’s the only one who can stand up to our grandmother.’ She raced across the marble-tiled floor to wrench the door open, leaving Gilroy coming to a halt, open-mouthed.

The tall well-dressed man who marched into the house looked startlingly familiar. He took off his top hat and handed it to Gilroy together with his gloves and cane.

‘Phin, I need your help.’ Maria grabbed him by the hand. ‘Please speak to Grandmama. Tell her that Miss Manley is the best person for the job.’

‘What is the matter, Maria? Why the panic?’

Caroline did not recognise the tall stranger by his looks, although he was undoubtedly handsome in a cold classical way, with fair hair waved back from a high forehead, straight features and a firm chin, but his voice was unforgettable. He was the man who had intervened when the mudlarks were attacking her brothers on the foreshore.

‘Miss Manley has answered Grandmama’s advertisement in the newspaper, Phin. She’s supplied a good reference but Grandmama is waiting to see if anyone else applies for the position.’

Caroline stood very still, saying nothing and hoping he would not remember her, but he was staring at her with a puzzled frown.

‘That seems eminently sensible to me,’ he said slowly. ‘Do I know you, Miss Manley?’

Caroline shook her head. ‘No, sir.’

His slate-grey eyes rested on her for an uncomfortable heartbeat and then he turned away. ‘I don’t know why you’re making a fuss, Maria. Allow Grandmama to do her best for you.’

‘Oh, please, do something. I really like Miss Manley, and I don’t want just anybody watching over me all the time.’

‘Do you really think that Grandmama would take any notice of what I said, Maria?’

‘Yes, I do. Please, Phin. I’ll never ask you for anything again if you just go into the drawing room and put in a good word for Miss Manley.’

He shot a sideways glance at Caroline, hesitated and then nodded. ‘All right. I can see that I won’t get any peace until you get your own way.’ He patted Maria on the shoulder and strolled off in the direction of the drawing room.

‘You may go, Gilroy,’ Maria said, turning to the maid, who had been standing to attention, staring into space, but obviously taking in every word that had been said. ‘Miss Manley isn’t leaving just yet.’

Gilroy curtseyed briefly and hurried off.

‘This will be all round the servants’ quarters the moment she reaches the kitchen,’ Maria said, sighing. ‘They spy on me constantly, Miss Manley. Everything I do is reported to Grandmama in detail. Sometimes I feel like a prisoner in my own home.’

‘That’s very sad,’ Caroline said sympathetically. ‘Are you sure they aren’t simply taking care of you?’

‘Does your idea of taking care of someone include beatings, being locked in your room and fed on bread and water for days?’

Horrified, Caroline shook her head. ‘Certainly not.’

‘Then let’s hope that Phineas can persuade Grandmama to take you on.’

‘At least you have a caring brother,’ Caroline said, grasping at anything that might bring a smile to Maria’s sad face.

‘Phin? He’s not my brother, he’s my cousin.’

‘Oh, I see.’

‘No, I don’t think you do, Miss Manley. It’s not as simple as that.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘My birth caused a scandal that has never been forgotten. My mother did something for which I have to atone, even if it takes the rest of my life.’

‘Good heavens!’ Caroline gazed at her, wondering what Maria’s mother might have done that would lead to such a dire statement. ‘Surely not.’

Maria opened her mouth to answer but was prevented from speaking by the sound of footsteps. Caroline turned her head to see Phineas Colville advancing on them, and she experienced a sudden and violent feeling of dislike. The man was arrogant and authoritarian. Surely he could see how his young cousin was suffering, and yet he did nothing to help her. The Colville family had a lot to answer for, and whatever the outcome of her interview she could not and would not leave Maria to endure such treatment.

‘Rest easy, Maria,’ Phineas said calmly. ‘I’ve convinced Grandmama that it would be sensible to give Miss Manley a month’s trial, starting tomorrow.’ He headed for the graceful curving staircase, taking two steps at a time with the ease of an athlete.

‘Thank you, Phin.’ Maria clapped her hands, her eyes shining with delight. ‘I couldn’t be more pleased.’

‘I’d better go home and pack my things,’ Caroline said dazedly. She had not expected that Phineas would put in a good word for her, but then he had no idea of her true identity. She wondered if he would have acted so generously had he known that she was Jack Manning’s daughter.

‘I can’t wait for you to move in.’ Maria followed Caroline to the door. ‘You can’t imagine what this means to me. I’ve never had a close friend and I truly hope we will get on well together.’

Caroline turned to her with a wry smile. ‘I’m being paid to look after your best interests, Maria, but I would do so anyway,’ she added hastily, noting the sudden downturn of Maria’s mouth and the look of hurt in her eyes. ‘We will be like sisters, I promise you.’

‘Oh, I do hope so.’ Maria opened the front door. ‘You will come early, won’t you? Maybe we could go for a little walk. I’m not allowed out alone and I have to wait for Grandmama to take me in the barouche.’

‘I’m sure that could be arranged.’ Acting on impulse, Caroline leaned over to brush Maria’s thin cheek with a kiss. ‘We’ll do well together, Maria. I’ll see you in the morning.’

Caroline walked away, but when she glanced over her shoulder she could see Maria standing in the doorway, waving a hanky like a child saying goodbye to a loved one. She raised her hand in acknowledgement and hurried on. It was a relief to know she had employment, but as she walked back to the Captain’s House Caroline wondered if she had done the right thing in accepting the first situation that had come along. Throwing her lot in with the family whose business practices had all but bankrupted the Mannings might not be such a good idea after all. But Maria’s plight had touched her heart and she simply could not walk away and leave her in that beautiful but cold and austere setting. It seemed cruel and unjust to blame Maria for whatever it was that her mother had done to upset her family. Maria Colville was in desperate need of a champion, and now she had one.

Chapter Six (#ulink_087893ff-5642-5f12-850c-ee71b3d756eb)

Caroline’s first day in Pier House was not what she might have wished. Maria gave her a warm welcome, but Mrs Colville was as frosty as ever and spent a good fifteen minutes going through all the things that Caroline was not allowed to do. Having laid down the law in no uncertain terms, she rang for Gilroy and Caroline was taken below stairs to the housekeeper’s office.

Mrs Bury was a little less friendly than her mistress, and Gilroy had been downright rude. Caroline stood in front of the housekeeper, hands folded demurely in front of her, but the sudden change in her status was becoming more obvious with every passing minute. A short while ago she had been Miss Caroline Manning, daughter of a wealthy ship-owner and had had servants running round after her – now she was neither part of the family nor was she a servant.

‘You will be responsible only to Mrs Colville, but I assume that she will have told you that already.’ Mrs Bury looked Caroline up and down with a sceptical twist to her thin lips. ‘I will introduce you to the servants, and then I will show you your room.’ She rose from behind her desk with a rustle of starched petticoats. ‘Follow me, Miss Manley.’

Caroline had rarely ventured below stairs when living in Finsbury Circus, but she was familiar with the general layout of pantries, still rooms, boot rooms and kitchens. Mrs Bury allowed her a cursory glance into each area, ending up in the kitchen where Cook was busy preparing luncheon. Through the open door Caroline could see a young skivvy, who was standing on an upturned wooden box in order to reach the sink as she struggled to cope with the never-ending supply of dirty pots and pans. The smell of washing soda and grease wafted out in damp steamy clouds, but Mrs Bury hurried Caroline out of the kitchen and led her down a long dark corridor to a cupboard containing uniforms. She brought out a faded grey poplin gown with white collar and cuffs.

‘Mrs Colville wants you to wear this, although in my experience ladies’ companions usually wear their own clothes. This was last worn by Miss Maria’s governess and it’s quite serviceable, although it might be a bit large for you.’

‘I would prefer to wear my own clothes,’ Caroline said firmly. ‘As you say, Mrs Bury, it’s not the custom for a lady’s companion to wear a uniform, let alone one that has seen better days. I will tell Mrs Colville so.’

A fleeting look of admiration crossed Mrs Bury’s face. ‘Very well, Miss Manley. I’m sure you would like to see your room. Gilroy has taken your luggage upstairs for you.’