The Lady's Maid (12 page)

Next morning, Josie’s attempts to see her father were foiled by Hickson, who had taken temporary charge of the sickroom. ‘Your mama is sleeping,’ Hickson said, folding her arms across her flat chest and barring the door as Josie attempted to push past her. ‘She was up all night and now she’s completely exhausted, but she made it clear that your father is to be left undisturbed.’

‘You can’t keep me out of the room,’ Josie cried angrily. ‘You’re not a nurse. I want to see my papa.’

‘I want doesn’t get,’ Hickson said primly. ‘You know that very well, Miss Josephine. Now be a good girl and go downstairs. I believe your guests are leaving for London this morning. You must see them off. It’s what my lady would want.’

Josie knew this was true, but it did not make it any easier to take orders from Hickson whom she heartily loathed. She could make a fuss, but then that might wake her father and she knew in her heart that Hickson was correct in stating that he needed rest and quiet. She turned on her heel and marched off with her head held erect. She would not let the hateful woman think that she had won.

The visitors had gone. Josie stood on the gravel carriage sweep gazing at the cloud of dust sent up by the horses’ hooves and the carriage wheels. Harry had been serious for once and had shown concern for her father’s state of health, but he had not given any indication that he would like to see her again. The invitation to stay at Copperstone Castle that her mother had eagerly anticipated had not materialised, and Josie could not help comparing Harry’s casual treatment of her with the concern he had shown for Kate the previous evening. She was suddenly desperate to find out what had passed between them. In all probability Harry had simply been amusing himself with a naïve country girl. She must see Kate immediately and make certain that she had not misconstrued his actions. She went back indoors and sent for the chaise.

Half an hour later Josie leapt nimbly from the vehicle, handing the reins to Molly who was in the farmyard feeding the hens. ‘Where is Kate?’

‘In the dairy, miss.’ Molly shot her a wary glance. ‘If you want Sam, he’s taken the cows back to ten-acre field.’

‘Why would I want to see your brother? I don’t associate with farm labourers.’ Picking up her skirts Josie strode across the yard in the direction of the dairy, irritation prickling like a burr. Why would the silly girl think that she wanted to see Sam? Their summer frolic had been a mere diversion. He was a yokel compared to the suave, sophisticated people she had mixed with in London. Both the Lovedays needed to be kept in their place, and she had more than a few words to say to Kate. She entered the dairy and found her cleaning the butter churn. Strands of fair hair had escaped from the mobcap she wore and her cheeks were flushed to a delicate pink. Adding to her annoyance, Josie had to admit that she presented a pretty picture with her milkmaid freshness and her air of innocence. She could imagine that such an image would excite and intrigue a sophisticated man liked Harry Challoner. Kate would present a challenge to such as he, but once conquered her artless charms would soon pall and she would be discarded, broken-hearted and dishonoured.

As if sensing her presence, Kate looked up. ‘Josie, what’s the matter? Is it Sir Hector? He’s not …’

‘He’s not dead, if that’s what you were going to say.
He
might never walk again, but he’s still alive, if you call being paralysed from the waist downwards living.’

‘Oh, Josie. I’m so sorry. No wonder you look so upset. I would be too if it was my pa.’

‘Yes, yes. It’s dreadful and I’m desolated, but that’s not why I’m angry. I’m furious with you, Kate.’

‘With me? What have I done?’

‘Don’t act the innocent with me. I saw you last night, throwing yourself at Harry.’

Kate paled visibly. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Of course you do. You’ve been flirting with him. And don’t put on that innocent face. You must have done something to fix his interest in you. Why else would he have paid so much attention to you at the harvest supper? And why did he go chasing after you last night, offering to take you home in his curricle? Why would a man like Harry bother about a servant girl like you unless you had given him some encouragement?’

Kate stared at her, eyes wide and her lips trembling. ‘How can you even think such a thing? I’ve only met him on a couple of occasions, and I’ve barely been civil to him.’

‘Are you so gullible, Kate? Harry is used to women falling at his feet. I doubt if any female has ever turned up her pretty little nose at him before. It would be enough to pique him and make him even more determined to win you over.’

‘I don’t want anything to do with Mr Challenor, and that’s the honest truth.’

‘Well, you won’t get the chance, and neither will I. He’s gone now. They all left this morning, and I doubt if I shall ever see any of them again, least of all Harry. You’ve ruined my life, Kate Coggins. I want you to know that.’

Josie stormed out of the dairy, but Kate ran after her. ‘If anyone has ruined your life, it’s you. You told me that you only wanted to marry him for his money. You don’t even love him.’

‘And you don’t understand.’ Josie snatched the reins from Molly. ‘If my father dies we’ll lose everything. My uncle Joseph will inherit Damerell Manor and the house in London. My mother and I will be paupers unless I marry well, and it looks as though you’ve just ruined any chance I had with Harry Challenor. That’s why I’m angry, Kate. How could you be so selfish as well as stupid?’

Kate’s eyes flashed and her cheeks flushed. ‘Don’t take your temper out on me. I’ve done nothing wrong.’

Josie climbed up onto the driver’s seat, glaring down at her. ‘If my uncle inherits the estate he’ll almost certainly put a tenant of his choosing into the farm. Then we’ll all be out on the street.’

Chapter Seven

A WEEK LATER
, Kate and Molly were in the orchard picking apples. They had already filled several sacks with windfalls which were destined for the cider press, and now they were concentrating on filling baskets with ripe eating apples, some of which would be stored for the winter and the remainder taken to market. Molly had hitched her skirts up around her thighs and climbed high up into the branches, but Kate was concentrating on the fruit lower down. It was a busy time of the year, harvesting fruit and vegetables, making preserves and laying down stores for the winter, and Kate had had little time to brood over Josie’s unfair and unfounded accusations.

She had been hurt and angry, but she had long since grown accustomed to Josie’s tantrums, and she was confident that commonsense would prevail in the end. Pampered and spoiled from the cradle onwards, Josie had a habit of flying off like a badly put together firecracker, but she was always very sorry afterwards. And, when all was said and done, poor Josie had witnessed the dreadful accident that had almost killed her father. Kate suspected that she blamed herself for what happened, and to discover that Sir Hector was crippled for life must have been a terrible blow. She
felt
pity for Josie who must have been consumed with guilt and grief when she flew into such a rage, but even so it still rankled.

With all this on her mind, Kate had curbed her inclination to visit the big house and try to make amends, even though she was eager to have news of Sir Hector’s progress. She had instead to rely on gleaning bits of information from Molly whose friend Sal Cobb worked in the Damerells’ kitchens and was always ready to spread a juicy bit of gossip. It seemed that Sir Hector was out of danger now, but it had been confirmed that he would never walk again. The servants were sorry for the master, but more than relieved to know that Mr Joseph would not come into his inheritance for a while yet. Molly had said that things were getting back to normal now that the house guests had left, but the nurse that Dr Smith had put in charge of the sickroom was an old besom and expected to be waited upon like one of the gentry. She was even worse than Mrs Wardle, who had been dismissed much to the delight of everyone below stairs. The sooner this one was gone, the better.

Kate had filled several baskets with apples and she stopped, stretching her aching muscles. Molly’s bare legs dangled above her as she reached to the topmost branches, sending down a shower of leaves. ‘Be careful, Molly. We don’t want any more accidents.’

Molly threw an apple at her but it missed by several inches, and Kate shook the tree, causing her to screech with fright.

‘That looks like fun. Can anyone join in?’

Kate looked round and saw Josie standing a few yards away. ‘I didn’t hear you coming.’

‘No, you were too busy trying to shake the poor girl from the tree.’ Josie bent down to pick up a rosy-red windfall and she took a bite. ‘Delicious. Can you spare a basketful? Your apples always taste so much sweeter than the ones in our orchards.’

Kate smiled. She knew that this was tantamount to an apology and the most she could expect from her old friend. ‘Of course. You can have a sackful if you like.’

‘No, a basket will do. Perhaps a nice sweet apple will tempt Papa’s appetite.’

‘How is he?’

‘He is the worst patient that anyone could imagine. Dr Smith is pleased with his progress but Papa refuses to accept the fact that he is crippled. To tell the truth, Kate, I’m glad to be out of the house for a few hours.’

Molly shinned down from the tree, jumping from the last branch and landing on all fours. ‘Shall I fetch a trug for the apples, miss?’

‘So you were the little monkey up the tree,’ Josie said, laughing. ‘Yes, Molly, if you please. And only the biggest and the ripest will do.’

Molly scuttled away, barefoot and with her skirts flying. Kate chuckled with sheer relief. The cloud that had hung over her head since Josie’s angry tirade seemed to dissipate into thin air. ‘You are a spoilt brat, Josie.’

‘I know it, but I’m here to make amends. What do you say to a carriage ride?’

‘I’d love to, but I’m too busy. Maybe another day.’

Josie’s smile faded into a frown. ‘No, I want to go now, and so will you when I tell you what I have in mind.’

‘I can’t, Josie. I have to help Molly pick the rest of the apples before the November gales bring them from the trees.’

‘Oh, is that all? I’ll send one of our men to do that.’ Josie took her by the arm. ‘Now, Kate, change into something a bit more respectable, for I won’t travel with a girl who looks as though she’s been dragged through a hedge backwards. Put on your best bonnet.’

‘But where are we going?’

‘To Copperstone Castle. I’m determined to see it for myself.’

Kate stopped in her tracks. ‘No, I don’t want to go there. I can’t abide Mr Challenor, and I certainly don’t want to visit his home.’

‘But he won’t be there, dear Kate. Harry and the rest of his party went back to London and he wasn’t planning to return to Dorset until Christmas, he told me so himself. So I want to inspect the castle, which will one day be my home.’

‘I thought you’d given up that idea.’

‘Certainly not. Oh, I was a little put out when Harry went away so suddenly, but I’ve had plenty of time to think about it, and I decided that he acted out of concern for my feelings and respect for my parents. He’ll return when he realises that his true destiny is to marry me. Besides which, he has business
dealings
with Papa, so I know he will come back sometime soon. Now, do as I say. Go and change your clothes. We must hurry if we’re to get there and back before dark.’

Kate knew that it was useless to argue. Once Josie had her mind set on something no power on earth would shake her from her purpose, and, although she was reluctant to admit it even to herself, she was immensely curious to see what sort of home had bred a man like Harry Challenor. Besides which, there could be no harm in such an excursion if he were in London, and she was certain that Pa would not mind if she took a little time off from her chores. He had gone to the Grange, ostensibly to discuss business with the squire, but she was afraid that his real purpose had been to call on Miss Stamp. He seemed to be spending far too much of his spare time with that woman.

She went to find Molly who was scrabbling about in one of the outhouses, looking for a trug, and left her with instructions to tell Pa where she had gone and to assure him that she would be back in time for the evening milking. There was rabbit stew simmering on the kitchen range and Molly would have to keep an eye on it, as there was nothing worse than the taste of burnt meat and potatoes. Satisfied that she had understood and would carry out her instructions to the letter, Kate went upstairs to her bedroom to change her clothes.

It was a glorious afternoon for tooling around the countryside in the chaise with Button, the frisky gelding, between the shafts. Josie was a skilled driver
but
rather too fond of speed for Kate’s peace of mind. She held on for dear life as Josie negotiated sharp bends, flicking the whip so that the horse kept up a brisk pace. Kate prayed that they would not meet a lumbering farm cart head on, but it seemed as though their luck was in and they arrived at the main gates of the Copperstone estate in little less than an hour. The gatekeeper hurried out of his cottage and Josie announced grandly that they were acquainted with the owner, who had invited them to view the castle and its grounds. Kate said nothing, but the man was obviously impressed by Josie’s self-assured manner. He let them into the grounds, advising them to seek out Mrs Trench, the housekeeper, who would be pleased to show them round the castle.

In spite of her somewhat ambivalent feelings towards Harry Challenor, Kate could not help being impressed as they drove along a wooded avenue, passing by the stable block and carriage house, and out into open parkland. The castle was a square four-storey building with a turret at each corner, and had, so Josie informed her, been built in the seventeenth century as a hunting lodge. In her imagination Kate had envisioned a forbidding granite fortress with a bloody history dating back to medieval times. In complete contrast, the mellow Purbeck stone walls of Copperstone Castle glowed in the late autumn sunlight, making it appear warm and welcoming. Its tall windows glinted like bright, laughing eyes, and the whole ambience was one of peace and serenity.