Sons and Daughters (26 page)

Seeing that he was not going to get beyond the stronger, fitter Edward, Osbert turned away. ‘Go on, then. Get out. Do your worst. See if I care. There’s plenty more to take your place. And you can take her with you – and welcome. I never wanted her in the first place.’

As the door swung to behind him, the three in the kitchen were left staring at it.

The following morning Charlotte rose with bleary eyes and a heavy heart. Whilst she’d never been really overwhelmingly happy, she’d never been sad. She’d never realized that her life should, and could, be very different. But now the misery lay like a heavy weight on her chest.

I’ll go and see Jackson, she thought. Maybe he’s well enough to talk to me. But it was Peggy who opened the door of their cottage and when Charlotte saw her face, her own worries were forgotten.

‘Whatever’s the matter, Peggy?’

The woman’s face was pale and drawn – no doubt from the illness. But the anguish it showed could have nothing to do with a bout of influenza. For a moment Peggy stared at her, almost as if she didn’t recognize her. The older woman was locked in some private grief that obliterated everything else.

‘Is it Joe?’

Mutely, Peggy shook her head.

‘One of the others, then? Are they worse? Have you called the doctor again? You must—’

‘No, miss.’ Peggy’s voice was husky with weariness following a sleepless night. Her eyes were dark hollows and her mouth quivered. She was close to tears. ‘Please, miss. I can’t say. Just leave us.’

‘No, I won’t. There’s something obviously very wrong. And I want to help.’

‘You can’t help. Nobody can.’ Peggy’s voice was flat, drained of emotion. For some reason her world was in tatters.

‘Don’t shut me out, Peggy.’ Charlotte touched her hand. ‘You’re like my family. You, Joe, the boys – ’ She forced a smile, trying to cheer Peggy somehow. ‘Even that little rapscallion, Tommy. And Lily, too.’

At the mention of her daughter’s name, Peggy’s mouth trembled. Tears welled in her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. ‘Oh, Miss Charlotte . . .’ She covered her face with her hands and as Charlotte stepped forward to put her arms round her, Peggy wept against her shoulder.

‘You can tell me,’ Charlotte murmured against her ear. ‘Whatever it is. You know it will go no further.’

Peggy sniffed, raised her head and scrubbed at her face with the corner of her apron. ‘It’ll get round eventually, miss. Bound to. You can’t keep summat like this secret for long. Everyone’ll know soon enough.’

‘Then—?’

‘But we’re so ashamed, miss. We never thought summat like this’d happen to our little family. We’ve tried to bring the bairns up proper. To know right from wrong. But this – it’s destroying my Joe. Lily was the apple of his eye and now she’s brought shame on all the family.’

Realization began to dawn in Charlotte’s mind. ‘She’s – she’s not – ?’

Peggy nodded. ‘She’s got ’ersen into trouble.’

‘Who’s the – the father?’

‘She won’t say. We thought it might be Eddie Norton. You know, the stable lad at the manor. Seems he’s always been sweet on our Lily. But Jackson went to see him. Gave him a bit of a leathering, I reckon, but the lad still denied it. When they’d both calmed down, Jackson says Eddie was genuinely shocked.’

‘She really won’t tell you? But – but surely – I mean, perhaps they could get married.’

‘She’s shut up like a clam and barricaded herself in her bedroom. Well, I say
her
bedroom. It’s Tommy’s room now, ’cept when she comes home for a night or two. Then he moves in with the boys. They’ve got Grandad’s old room.’ She sobbed afresh. ‘All Joe can say is, “Thank God me poor ol’ dad’s not here to see this.”’

Charlotte caught her breath. When Lily comes home, Peggy had said. Of course, the girl spent most of the time at the manor now as a live-in maid. A shudder ran through her as brief images flashed into her memory. Lily emerging from one of the outbuildings and Philip appearing moments later; Lily and Philip holding hands in the icy weather. Lily and Philip . . . Oh, surely not.

Charlotte hugged Peggy again, feeling tears stinging her own eyes too. Then she stood back and said briskly, ‘Now, come along, let’s see what we can do to sort this out. May I come in?’

‘I don’t know, miss, Joe won’t—’

‘Never mind Joe. I’ll deal with him.’

With a sigh Peggy gave way. She was obviously troubled about her husband’s reaction as she led Charlotte through the back scullery and into the kitchen, but Joe didn’t even look up. He was sitting hunched in front of the range, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. And, at this moment, Charlotte thought, no doubt it felt as if it did.

‘Joe?’ She sat down opposite him and reached across the hearth to touch his hand. ‘Joe, don’t be angry with Peggy. I want to help. What can I do?’

Slowly, he raised his head and stared at her for a moment. In a low, defeated tone, he said, ‘There’s nowt can be done, Miss Charlotte. If she won’t even tell us who the – the bastard is, who’s—’ For a brief moment he was roused out of lethargy by the anger surging through him.

Peggy stood between them, wringing her hands. ‘She – we ought to tell them at the manor. She – won’t be going back.’

‘Leave it!’ Joe snapped and then said more calmly, ‘leave it for now. They’ll think she’s still looking after us. It can wait a day or two. Till I’ve got me head round it.’ He paused and added heavily, ‘If I ever do.’ He covered his face with his hands. ‘Oh Lily. My Lily. My little girl,’ he moaned, his shoulders shaking, whilst Peggy looked helplessly at Charlotte.

Charlotte waited patiently, until Joe became calmer. ‘Joe, I promise I won’t do anything behind your back – without your permission, but I really believe I could help you. Will you trust me?’

Slowly, he raised his head. ‘Miss Charlotte, I’d trust you wi’ me life. I know you’d never knowingly do anything to hurt me and mine. But, I beg you, don’t tell anyone. Not yet.’

Charlotte bit her lip. ‘I understand how you feel, Joe, but I may not have much time.’

‘I don’t understand.’

Charlotte sighed. ‘There’s been trouble at home. My father’s more or less told me to leave. Mary and Edward too. At the moment, I don’t know if he was serious or whether it was just said in a fit of temper. All I know is my own future is uncertain.’ She took a deep breath. ‘It seems my father intends to leave all his worldly goods to someone else, leaving me penniless. Even I never thought his bitterness went quite so deep.’

She saw the glance that passed between husband and wife and a gasp of surprise escaped her lips. ‘You – you
knew
?’

Joe looked guilty and Peggy wouldn’t meet her eyes.

‘I’m sorry, miss. Mr Thornton told us in confidence.’

‘And did he tell you too,’ Charlotte added bitterly, ‘that my father tried to – to blackmail him into marrying me to ensure his son’s future?’

Joe nodded and Charlotte felt the flush of embarrassed shame creep into her face. But then she sighed. It wasn’t the fault of these good people. They’d been put in an invidious position. Again, she reached across and touched Joe’s hand. ‘It’s all right. I understand and respect you keeping the man’s confidence. But, Joe, I’m begging you to let me help you now. Lily’s – condition – is bound to be obvious very soon. What difference would a few weeks make when we may be able to sort something out?’

Joe sighed and glanced up at his wife. Peggy gave a little nod.

‘I suppose you’re right, miss. Do whatever you think best. I know you’ll have our best interests at heart. And Lily’s.’

‘You can be sure of that, Joe. Very sure.’ There was a moment’s silence before she asked gently, ‘So, do you want to know what I intend to do?’

Joe shook his head. ‘No, miss. I can’t take any more. Not just now. Just – leave me be. Leave me be.’ The last was said in a whisper as he buried his face in his hands again.

It took all Charlotte’s courage to saddle a horse and ride to the manor. Leaving her horse with the stable lad, she entered through the kitchen door. Mrs Beddows greeted her.

‘Am I glad to see you, Miss Charlotte. D’you know when we can expect Lily back? We’re run off our feet here. She’s such a good little worker. I never realized just how much work that lass gets through until she’s not here, if you know what I mean.’

Charlotte smiled weakly. ‘It – it might be a little while yet, Mrs Beddows.’

The cook’s face fell. ‘I’m sorry to hear that. Mebbe I’d best get someone from the village in temporary, like. That’s if the master doesn’t mind.’

‘Perhaps it would be best, Mrs Beddows.’ She paused and then, trying to make her question sound casual, she asked, ‘Is Mr Thornton in?’

‘I think so. I’d get Lily to take you up if she was here, but—’

‘Don’t trouble, please. I can find my own way.’

‘But Wilkins should announce you, miss.’

Charlotte hid her smile. Mrs Beddows liked things to be done properly. ‘I’ll see if I can find Wilkins,’ she promised the cook.

But as she emerged from the door leading from the kitchens into the main hall, Charlotte saw Miles running down the stairs, heading for his study.

Hearing the sound of the door, he turned.

‘Charlotte,’ he said in surprise. Irrationally, her heart lifted as she noticed he’d dropped the ‘miss’ when addressing her. But her pleasure was lost in an instant as she thought about the reason for her unannounced visit. ‘Come in, come in. Shall we go into the morning room? I’ll ring for coffee.’

‘No, no, your study will be fine. I – I like your study.’

Miles laughed. ‘So do I. It’s my favourite room in the house.’

When they were comfortably seated and Wilkins had been summoned and instructed to bring coffee, Miles said, ‘I’m so relieved to see you. I was so worried after last night. We all were. Georgie couldn’t sleep. He came into my room twice in the night because he was so worried about you. Your aunt too – she said she’d be going to Buckthorn Farm first thing this morning. And Felix – he felt responsible.
Are
you all right?’ he ended, concern etched on his face.

Charlotte took a deep breath. ‘Well, there was some trouble at home. I’m not quite sure what will happen yet, but that’s not what I’ve come to see you about.’ She bit her lip.

Wilkins brought the coffee in and they were obliged to wait whilst he poured them both a cup. As the door closed behind him, Miles said gently, ‘You can tell me anything, you know.’

‘It’s – very difficult. It’s about Lily.’

‘Has she caught the flu too?’

Charlotte shook her head. ‘No – it’s worse than that.’

There was a pause but now Miles asked no more questions.

‘She – she’s in trouble.’

Miles frowned for a moment and then understood. ‘Lily?
Lily?
She’s pregnant?’

Charlotte nodded miserably.

‘Bless my soul. I can hardly believe it. Lily – of all people. She seemed such a good, sensible girl.’

‘She is – usually.’

‘Poor Joe – and Peggy. They must be devastated.’

‘They are.’

‘Is there anything I can do?’

‘Yes. Help me find the father of her child.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Lily is refusing to name him.’

He eyed her shrewdly. ‘But you think you have an idea who it might be?’

Charlotte set her cup down. This was where it got very difficult.

‘Had she any – ’ she almost smiled at the use of the old-fashioned term, but it seemed to sum up the situation – ‘any followers?’

‘Not that I know of, but then, I’m afraid I don’t know everything that goes on below stairs.’ His face clouded for a moment as he murmured, ‘Perhaps if Louisa was still here . . .’

‘I understand,’ Charlotte said gently. She paused a moment before adding, ‘Would you give me your permission to talk to the staff? They might know something.’

Miles ran his hand across his face. ‘Of course. Oh dear, I feel so responsible. She’s been in my care, so to speak, and now – this.’

‘It’s not your fault. It happens. But I did think,’ she added sadly, ‘that Lily had more sense.’

‘Do you think whoever is the father might marry her?’

Charlotte shrugged. ‘That rather depends on who it is.’ She avoided meeting his gaze. A suspicion had begun to grow and take root, but it was one which, until she knew more, she could not share with Miles. Especially not with Miles.

She finished her coffee, set the cup down and stood up. ‘If you’ll excuse me, the sooner I start, the sooner I can find out, and we might be able to – to arrange something.’ She was praying silently that her misgivings were not true. What trouble it would cause if they were.

Miles rose too. He took her hands in his and looked down into her face. ‘Promise me that you’ll come to me if there’s anything – anything at all – that I can do.’

Charlotte nodded, whilst hoping fervently that it had nothing at all to do with Miles Thornton and his family.