The Downstairs Maid (46 page)

The service was quite brief and when they followed the coffin from the church to the open grave, Lizzie went to stand by Emily, touching her arm in sympathy.

‘I’m so very sorry,’ she whispered. ‘If I can help at all …’

‘Thank you, but I’m not certain what I wish to do yet,’ Emily said. ‘Will you come back for tea afterwards?’

Lizzie hesitated, and then nodded as the vicar began the burial service. She watched as Emily went forward to throw a single flower into the grave. It was an early snowdrop and looked as if it had been plucked from a garden that morning. Emily looked tired and almost ill but she didn’t cry. When she heard the whisper behind her, Lizzie could hardly believe her ears.

‘She hasn’t shed one tear, the little hussy,’ a woman said spitefully. ‘She made my poor boy miserable and now she has everything he owned – I dare say it amounts to more than a hundred pounds. And all she gives him is a snowdrop from the garden. She should be ashamed of herself.’

‘Be quiet, Mother,’ Mr Johnson said sternly. ‘Now isn’t the time – and you’re being unfair to the girl. She did her best. It’s not her fault that the boy died.’

Emily came back to stand beside Lizzie. Feeling angry and protective of her, Lizzie reached for her hand and took it. She held on tightly as the older Mrs Johnson stepped up to the grave and threw in a bunch of shop-bought flowers.

Lizzie wanted to defend Emily but she couldn’t cause a scene at a funeral. Emily would never forgive her.

As they went out of the churchyard, she saw her brother Jonathan waiting for her. He asked her if she wanted him to take her home and she shook her head.

‘I’m going back to Emily’s for a while.’

Jonathan nodded. ‘Ask her if she would like a lift – but I suppose they have cars to take them.’

‘No, I don’t think so,’ Lizzie said. ‘Look, they are beginning to walk. I must go, Jon. I promised Emily I would go back.’

‘I’ll come and pick you up in an hour, all right?’

‘Yes, thank you …’

Glancing round, she saw someone she hadn’t imagined would be here. Her heart jolted as he looked at her and frowned. He was wearing a cheap dark suit and had been staring at Emily. Seeing Lizzie he looked angry, then turned and walked away.

What was he doing here, Lizzie wondered and then forgot about him as she ran to catch up with Emily and the small group of people walking just behind her. She took Emily’s hand again, giving her a shy smile.

‘I wanted to come before but Granny was still very unwell. She seemed a little better today and told me I should go to the funeral if I thought it right.’

‘I’m glad you’re here,’ Emily said and held on tightly. ‘It has been an ordeal and I need someone to talk to.’

‘I’m glad I came,’ Lizzie said. ‘I haven’t been anywhere much for ages, because of Granny. Mama blames me for what happened, though Granny says it could have happened at any time. Her heart is a bit weak and this attack was a warning to be careful. It was my fault that she was upset, though.’

Emily asked why and Lizzie explained. Emily frowned but made no comment, because they had reached the cottage. The door opened as they arrived and a young woman looked at Emily.

‘I hope everything is as you would wish, Mrs Johnson.’

‘I’m sure it will be. Sir Arthur was very good to send you down, Clarissa.’

‘He thought it best if someone was here to look after things for you.’

A tea of sandwiches, cakes and biscuits had been laid on the big scrubbed pine table. A pile of plates, cups and saucers were set ready for people to help themselves and a kettle was just about to boil. Only three people had followed them back to the house other than Christopher’s parents. Sir Arthur was one and the other two were a couple, the woman being the person who had comforted Mrs Johnson in church.

‘Please help yourself to the food,’ Emily said and made a pot of tea. She brought the pot to the table and Clarissa asked people whether they took milk and sugar, handing them the cups and then taking plates to each of the guests. The older Mrs Johnson accepted a cup of tea but refused the food, though Mr Johnson ate some sandwiches and a couple of buns. Lizzie guessed that Emily had made them herself, which was perhaps why her mother-in-law had refused them.

‘I was surprised but pleased to see you here, Miss Barton,’ Sir Arthur said as Lizzie stood by the window looking out at the aconites and snowdrops, which were blooming well. ‘How is your grandmother now?’

‘Better I think,’ Lizzie said, and lifted her head to look at him. ‘I’m sorry about what Amy did, running off like that. I know it must have hurt you.’

‘A little but I always knew she didn’t love me. It was the money and the freedom she would have had as my wife that appealed. I assure you that I am over it now.’

‘She was a fool.’ Lizzie’s tone was fierce. Her heart beat very fast and she realised that he was still the man she liked best of all those she’d met, including her brother’s friends and the patients at the home. Captain Manning had not been worth the quarrel with her mother. She’d never stopped loving Sir Arthur, even though she’d tried to forget him. ‘
I
would never have let you walk away …’ She flushed suddenly as he smiled and she realised that she’d revealed more than intended. ‘Oh, I shouldn’t have said that …’

‘Please do not give it a second thought. I am flattered that you still find me a proper person to be seen talking to.’

‘Of course you are. Papa understands now that you were cheated of those leases. You lost as much as everyone else when the shares became worthless – and he regrets that Amy didn’t marry you. I heard him say that he wished he hadn’t made her give you up.’

‘I am sorry it turned out so badly for your family …’ Sir Arthur was thoughtful for a moment. ‘Do you imagine your father might see me if I called on him? I am interested in buying a piece of land that Lady Prior owns and I wasn’t sure if I should approach your father or Jonathan.’

‘Jonathan runs the estate but perhaps you should consult Father first. He would receive you I’m sure.’

‘Then I may call next week perhaps.’ He put down his cup and turned to Emily as she offered him cakes. ‘No thank you, Mrs Johnson. May I call in the morning to speak with you privately?’

‘Yes, of course, Sir Arthur.’ Emily looked a little anxious. ‘Is something wrong? The cottage …’

‘Nothing like that. I shall call at about ten tomorrow.’

After Emily had seen him to the door she returned to the kitchen. She looked at her mother-in-law. ‘You may say what you have to say now. I have no secrets from Miss Lizzie. She is my friend.’

‘What about Christopher’s things?’ Mrs Johnson said. ‘He had some gold cufflinks my father left him and a silver watch chain. I don’t see why you should have them. You’ve only been married a few months and you didn’t care about him.’

‘Now then, Mother,’ Mr Johnson said. ‘I’ve warned you over this. Emily is entitled to all Christopher had – she’s his wife and …’

‘If I find those items I shall give them to you,’ Emily cut across his words. ‘Christopher gave me some things he bought for me but everything Mr Johnson bought is yours once I leave the cottage.’

‘No need for that, they were a wedding gift and are now yours.’

‘I shan’t need them once I leave here, thank you, sir.’

‘Where will you go, lass?’ Mr Johnson asked. ‘Take no notice of Mother – she’s just upset and she doesn’t mean it.’

‘I think she does and she’s right,’ Emily said. ‘Christopher was my friend but I should never have married him. I thought I was doing the right thing but perhaps I didn’t make him happy, though I tried. I will return the family things to you, if I can find them.’

‘I doubt you will find them,’ Mr Johnson said. ‘I believe he sold them to buy something he wanted more.’

‘He wouldn’t do that – they were his grandfather’s things,’ Mrs Johnson snapped, annoyed with her husband.

‘Christopher wanted to buy a good ring for Emily. I think that’s where the money may have come from, though he didn’t want me to tell you.’

Mrs Johnson glared at Emily but said no more. She tapped her friend on the arm. She and the other woman left the house, the woman’s husband following them out. Mr Johnson lingered for a moment, looking uncomfortable.

‘Forgive her, Emily. Christopher loved you, and you did make him happy – as happy as he could be in the circumstances.’

Emily blinked back her tears but didn’t answer him.

Clarissa cleared away the used cups and plates, putting them into the sink. Lizzie moved closer to Emily, putting an arm about her shoulders.

‘I’d better go,’ said Mr Johnson. ‘I’ll come to see you another day, lass – but don’t go blaming yourself. Christopher died because the shrapnel moved, not because you weren’t here. You couldn’t have saved him had you been with him.’

‘No but I could have been with him. I wish I had been.’

Mr Johnson nodded, turned and went out, followed a moment or so later by an embarrassed Clarissa. Emily sat down, her head bowed.

‘She shouldn’t have said those wicked things to you, Emily,’ Lizzie said.

‘She loved her son and she hates me because she thinks I let him down – and perhaps I did. I should have been here when he needed me.’

‘You couldn’t have known. He didn’t want you to fuss over him – and you heard what his father said, you couldn’t have saved him.’

‘No, but I should have been with him. I sat talking too long … enjoying myself.’

‘Don’t feel guilty, Emily.’

‘No, it won’t help.’ She got up and began to put the things back on the dresser.

‘What will you do now?’

‘I’m not certain …’

‘I know Mrs Marsh would take you back. You’ve been missed.’

Emily gave a little shake of her head but didn’t comment. Lizzie sighed. Life was so difficult. She was in disgrace with her mother for sneaking off to meet a man and, if Lady Barton had her way, she would have been more of a prisoner than ever, but her grandmother had supported her and somehow she’d made Mama see that she must allow Lizzie some freedom. She was going to be allowed to return to her work at the convalescent home, though on a strict promise that she would never again slip out to meet a man without her mother’s permission.

Lizzie had given it freely. It had shocked her when Granny had that heart attack. She’d blamed herself, though both Jonathan and Papa told her it was not her fault. Lady Prior had been unwell for a while, but no one had told Lizzie how serious it might be if she were upset.

Lizzie had since realised that she didn’t particularly wish to see Captain Manning again. After meeting Sir Arthur at the funeral, she knew that the feelings she’d had for him were more than just infatuation. She liked him very much. She liked the way he’d behaved to Emily and his kindness spoke for itself. He was the man she would marry if he wanted her – but would he even look at her after the way Amy had treated him?

‘You should go home before it gets too dark,’ Emily said. ‘Thank you for being here this afternoon. I don’t think I could have stood it alone.’

‘I wasn’t much use.’

‘Just you being here meant a lot.’ Emily smiled and touched her hand. ‘I’ll come to the manor before I leave the district.’

Lizzie was shocked. ‘Where will you go? I thought you were going to open a shop in Ely?’

‘That was when Christopher was alive; I’m not sure I could manage it on my own. I think I might join one of the volunteer units – if they will take me. I want to do something useful. I might even train as a nurse.’

Lizzie sighed. She’d wanted to join one of the volunteer associations but her mother had refused her permission and there was no chance of it happening now. She glanced out of the window and saw how dark it was.

‘I’d better start walking back. Jonathan said he would call for me but he must have forgotten.’

‘Would you like me to walk a part of the way with you?’

‘No, I’ll be all right,’ Lizzie said and kissed her cheek. ‘Please come and see me when you can.’

‘Yes, I shall, and thank you for being my friend today.’

‘We are friends. If you need me let me know.’

Emily hugged her and Lizzie left the cottage. It was chilly out and she wished that her brother had come to fetch her as he’d said he would. Perhaps if she walked to the village she could catch a bus to Witchford. Otherwise she was going to have a long walk home.

She had taken a few steps when she became conscious that someone was following her and she stopped, looking back in case Emily had decided to come with her after all. As the shadow loomed out of the darkness towards her, she gasped. It was Derek. He’d seen her at the funeral and he’d come here, followed her. She dug her fingernails into her hands, feeling a rush of apprehension as she remembered that she’d never answered his letter.

‘I’ve been waiting for this opportunity,’ Derek said. ‘I hung around a lot at the old place, hoping to see you, but you never came.’

‘I couldn’t. I was working …’ Lizzie’s heart thumped as he came closer. She could see the anger glittering in his eyes and was suddenly afraid. She had all but forgotten him but he hadn’t forgotten her and he was determined to pay her back for what he saw as her humiliation of him. Her mouth was dry and she took a step backwards, feeling sick as he moved in closer. ‘Go away, Derek. If you try to touch me I shall scream.’

‘Go ahead and scream. I can’t see anyone around, can you? You’re an arrogant little bitch, leading a man on and then dropping him because he wasn’t good enough. I saw you with that army officer, laughing up at him the way you did with me – I bet you gave him plenty of what you denied me.’

‘No …’ Lizzie’s throat tightened with fear. ‘No. I’m not like that … really. I liked you but you went too far. I didn’t understand at first and then … I shouldn’t have met you or let you kiss me.’

‘Don’t pretend to be innocent. I know you for the sly bitch you are … just like the other one, but I showed her who was boss.’

Lizzie let out a desperate scream as he came closer. She tried to run but her feet seemed glued to the ground. As he grabbed her, she screamed again and again, trying to fight him off, her nails scraping his cheek, but he grabbed her by the throat, his eyes staring at her oddly as he said something she did not understand.