The Lady's Maid (10 page)

‘I think I’d like to go home too.’ Kate made a move to go but Sam caught her by the hand.

‘No. Not yet. If you leave now everyone will think you’re to blame in some way. We’ll stay on and dance. It was them from the big house that caused the ruckus, and not you, Kate.’

Molly had abandoned the young man who partnered her in the polka and she came hurrying towards them. ‘Who was that man, Kate? Why didn’t you dance with him?’

‘It’s a long story,’ Kate said tiredly. ‘I’ll tell you all about it on the way home.’

‘Your pa’s coming,’ Sam said urgently. ‘He’s given the Stamp woman the slip for a moment and he don’t look too happy. Dance with me, Kate, and then we’ll head for home. It’ll all be forgotten in the morning.’

Kate was in the dairy churning butter when she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She looked up, frowning. Whatever Josie had to say it had better start with an apology for her behaviour last evening. Kate had endured a long lecture from her father on the way home from the harvest supper, and Sam had been in a bad mood ever since.

Josie hurried towards her, holding out her hands.
‘Sorry
, sorry, sorry. I was a vixen from hell last night and I apologise a million times.’

‘Well, I’m glad you realise it was none of my doing.’ Kate could never be angry with Josie for long and she clasped her hand. ‘But I’m sorry that Mr Challenor’s behaviour upset you.’

‘Let’s forget the whole thing.’ Josie took the churn handle from Kate. ‘It’s ages since I did this, but I haven’t forgotten how.’

‘I thought you were too grand for the likes of us now you’ve decided to join the smart set.’

‘Oh, that! It’s amusing to act like one of them, but I’m still the same old Josie.’

‘You didn’t seem so last night.’

‘It’s all a charade. They’re all pretending to be something they’re not. All except Harry, that is.’

‘You’ve changed your mind about him then?’

‘Papa invited him and his friends for a shooting party, and much to my surprise I found them quite entertaining and charming, as well as being rich and well connected.’ Josie shrugged her shoulders and continued churning. ‘I’ve decided that I’ll marry him.’

‘Is it official?’

‘Not yet. He hasn’t proposed, but he will.’

‘Are you sure about that?’

Josie’s dimples deepened and a mischievous sparkle lit her eyes. ‘Papa thinks that Harry wishes to further his position in society by marrying a baronet’s daughter and I want to be mistress of Copperstone Castle. It’s a fair trade.’ She slipped her arm around Kate’s shoulders. ‘Come now, let’s do something together. Harry
and
his chums have gone out to join the shoot. The girls expressed a desire to see the sea and have gone for a carriage ride, and as I didn’t want to accompany them, I’ve got all day to myself. What better than to spend it with my best friend?’

‘I’d love to go with you, but I can’t. I must finish making the butter and then I’ve got to collect the eggs.’

‘All right, then. You finish making the butter and I’ll see to the eggs.’

‘You’ll get your hands mucky, my lady.’

‘It won’t be the first time.’ Snatching up a wicker basket, Josie posed with it resting on one hip. ‘I’d like to see the Honourable Sophronia de Vere and Miss Gwendoline Mortimer doing something like this.’

‘I’m sure the hens will appreciate being waited upon by a baronet’s daughter,’ Kate said, laughing. She continued churning the butter, and glancing through the open door she could see Josie picking her way across the dried mud in the farmyard as she headed for the hen house. She smiled. Last night it seemed that Josie was simply playing a part. It was a huge relief to have her old friend back.

She was patting the butter into a large block when Josie returned with a basketful of eggs.

‘Can’t you leave that for now? Surely the girl can finish it off for you?’

‘Molly has her work in the house. She’s got enough to do without taking on my chores.’

‘And Sam? Where is he today?’

‘Gone beating for your father’s shooting party. And my pa has taken the trap and driven over to the
Grange
. He said he had business with the squire, but I’m almost certain he went to see the housekeeper.’

‘Not the frightful Miss Stamp? Do you think he’s courting her?’

‘I’m afraid so, but I couldn’t stand to live in the same house as that woman.’

‘Maybe it won’t come to that. Perhaps he just wants a bit of female company.’

‘She’s set her cap at him. It sticks out a mile.’

‘Well, never mind, dear. I’ve already decided that when I’m married to Harry Challenor and mistress of Copperstone Castle, you shall come and live with us and be my companion. I mean to find you a suitable husband, my girl. One who will keep you in comfort and treat you like the lady you are, and not a dairymaid.’

‘Shall I tell you a secret, Josie?’

‘I love secrets. What is it?’

‘You must promise not to tell a soul. Cross your heart and hope to die.’

‘I do. Don’t keep me in suspense.’

‘Miss Morton is giving up her position as governess to his daughters and the squire has asked me to move into the Grange as paid companion to the girls.’

‘And you answered what exactly?’

‘I said no, of course. I couldn’t leave my pa, but on the other hand, if he marries Honoria, I might just reconsider.’

‘And you don’t think that the squire might have other plans in mind for you?’

‘I’m not stupid, Josie. At first I did think he might
be
suggesting something not quite proper, but he’s a gentleman and I realise that I was mistaken. I think he genuinely needs someone to keep an eye on his daughters now that they are too old for a governess.’

‘Well then, since you refused his offer, there’s no need to dwell on it. Let’s leave all this and go for a walk. We could gather some blackberries just as we used to do when we were children.’

‘And eat them as we picked, turning our lips purple and getting the juice on our clothes.’ Kate’s laughter trailed off as she looked at Josie’s gown. ‘But you would spoil your dress, and it must have cost a fortune.’

‘It’s already muddied and covered in something unspeakable from the hen house, which is a million times worse than berry juice, and I’ve plenty more gowns at home. Mama has had her dressmaker hard at work all summer in the hopes that I would change my mind, and now I have. I’m back in favour and I can do no wrong, so come along, Kate. I dare you.’

An hour later they had half filled two baskets with ripe berries and had eaten almost as many. As they worked their way steadily along the hedgerows that formed the boundary between Damerell Manor parkland and the home farm, they could hear the distant sound of the beaters in the wood, flushing out the game birds, and the ensuing blast of the shotguns. The carnage of the shoot seemed a million miles away as they waded through a lush meadow spiked with dandelions and daisies. Placid, brown-black Gloucester
cows
grazed, swishing their white tails and eyeing them benevolently as they headed for the periphery of the recently ploughed ten-acre field. Kate knew that the biggest berries were to be had there, although she had been worried that they were getting perilously close to the guns. Josie told her not to worry about small details like that, and, anyway, she was not about to turn back now when the best fruit was yet to be had. She was smiling as she reached even higher to get the ripest berries from the top of the bramble bush when a gunshot not too far away made them both jump. Judging by the nearness of the sound, they really had strayed too close to the shoot for comfort. Kate was suddenly aware of the beaters thrashing through the undergrowth at the edge of the wood just yards away from them. ‘I think we ought to turn back.’

Josie shook her head. ‘We’re safe enough here. Let’s stay and see if Harry is as good a shot as he claims.’

‘No, really, Josie. It’s too dangerous. We should leave now.’

‘Oh, all right then, but we can cut across the field. At least they’ll be able to see us and hold their fire.’

Josie dropped her basket and set off, leaving Kate little alternative but to follow her. Despite the blood pounding in her ears she could hear the shooting party getting closer by the second. They were more than halfway across when a loud shout from the lane made Kate stop. She turned to see her father standing in the well of the trap, waving frantically. ‘Come away, girls. Come to me.’

‘Do as he says, Josie.’ Kate grabbed her by the hand
and
they raced towards Robert, but his cry of warning had also alerted Sir Hector, who was the first of the party to emerge from the wood. He ran into the line of fire gesticulating frantically, but at that moment the pheasants were flushed from the undergrowth with a loud flapping of wings.

‘Papa, go back,’ Josie screamed at the top of her voice, but her warning was drowned by a fusillade of shots as the party broke cover. Sir Hector fell headlong to the ground.

Chapter Six

THERE WAS A
deathly hush and everyone seemed to freeze to the spot, even the gun dogs stood still. Josie was the first to move. She tore across the field, stumbling and tripping over her skirts in her haste to reach her father. She threw herself down on her knees beside him, sobbing, ‘Papa, speak to me.’ She tried to rouse him but he was lying face down and motionless. The back of his tweed jacket was shredded by lead shot and he was bleeding profusely. She attempted to lift his head, but someone was speaking to her, although she could not make sense of the words. Tears were running freely down her cheeks but she brushed them away with an impatient hand. ‘Papa, it’s me, Josie.’ Strong arms lifted her off the ground; she struggled, but she could not break free. ‘Let me go. I must help Papa.’

‘We will see to him, Josie.’ Harry’s voice was calm, but firm. He set her on her feet next to Kate. ‘Will you take care of her, Miss Coggins?’

‘I’m perfectly all right.’ Josie took a deep breath in an effort to control the bubble of hysteria that was threatening to overwhelm her. Suddenly she was calm. ‘My father needs a doctor urgently. Why are you just standing about doing nothing?’

Harry laid his hand on her arm. ‘Someone has gone to fetch the doctor, and the farmer is bringing the trap to the gate. I’ve sent some of the beaters to fetch a hurdle. Allow Kate to take you home, Josie. There’s nothing you can do here.’

‘I will not go home. I won’t leave my father.’

‘Mr Challenor is right, Josie,’ Kate said gently. ‘Everything possible is being done for Sir Hector, and someone must break the news to Lady Damerell.’

‘Stop interfering, Kate. You can run away if you want to, but I’m staying.’

‘That was uncalled for,’ Harry said sharply. ‘Stay if you must, but keep your voice down. You’re upsetting your father.’

A low moan from Sir Hector seemed to confirm his words, and Josie bit her lip. Harry was right, of course. This terrible accident was all her fault; it would never have happened if she had not insisted on venturing too near the shoot. She had ignored Kate’s warning and her father had risked his life in order to save her. He might die and all because she had wanted to pick the biggest and best blackberries. ‘I’m sorry, Kate,’ she murmured. ‘I didn’t mean it.’

‘It’s all right,’ Kate said softly. ‘I understand.’

Harry’s taut features relaxed into a smile. ‘That was well said. And now, if Josie doesn’t object, I suggest that Charlie takes you both to the far side of the wood, where we left the shooting brake.’ He laid his hand on Josie’s arm. ‘Will you go now? I promise that we’ll take the best possible care of your father.’

Josie glanced at the anxious faces of Harry’s friends.
Dudley
was kneeling down beside her father attempting to staunch the flow of blood with his previously pristine stock. Charlie, pale-faced and trembling, hovered nervously as if he could not wait to get away. In the distance she could see Sam and three of the beaters carrying a hurdle. Kate was at her side. Dear, faithful Kate. Once again Josie was overwhelmed with guilt for the way she had treated those closest to her. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to sound calmer than she was feeling. ‘All right. I’ll go now and warn them to be ready at the house.’

‘And I will ride your horse back to the stables after I’ve done the milking,’ Kate said with an attempt at a smile. ‘Hold on to me, Josie.’

‘We’ll have you home in two shakes of a lamb’s tail,’ Charlie said with the hint of a stammer. ‘I mean …’

‘Just take them to the brake, old man,’ Harry said, patting Charlie on the shoulder. He beckoned to Sam. ‘Over here, man. Be quick about it.’

‘Come on, Josie.’ Kate tugged at her arm. ‘There’s nothing you can do here.’

As they followed Charlie into the wood, Josie looked over her shoulder, and it was a grim tableau that met her eyes. She knew that she would never forget the sight of Harry and Dudley kneeling beside her father, with crows wheeling silently overhead like harbingers of death. She was choked with rage at the unfairness of it all; at her own inability to do anything more useful than to be the bearer of bad tidings, and the series of misjudgements that had led
to
what might prove to be a fatal accident. She looked down at her gown and saw that the skirts were stained dark red; she could not tell whether it was blackberry juice or her father’s blood, and her knees gave way beneath her.

It was late afternoon when Dr Smith finally entered the drawing room where Josie and her mother had been waiting anxiously for several hours. Lady Damerell rose to her feet. Her face was ashen and her lips trembled. ‘Doctor?’

Josie clasped her hands to her breast; she could feel her heart beating a tattoo against her ribs and she felt quite sick. The expression on the doctor’s face spoke volumes. He shook his head. ‘Sir Hector lives, ma’am. But I cannot be optimistic about the prognosis.’

‘I must go to him.’ Lady Damerell made a move towards the door but she faltered and would have fallen if Josie had not rushed to her side.

‘Sit down, Mama. Let’s hear what the doctor has to say.’ She helped her mother to a chair. ‘You can speak freely, Dr Smith. We would rather be told the truth.’