The Barefoot Child, page 24
‘Wouldn’t you rather be somewhere you are fed and there’s a bed to lie in every night?’
‘The spike is worse than the streets, that’s what Dodger says,’ Jem said. ‘I never want ter go back ter the workhouse – and if I can’t find a job wiv ’orses I’d rather be on the streets. We’ve got a safe place, and we’ve got blankets and straw to lie on – live like kings, we do.’
Lucy looked at him doubtfully. She knew how resourceful he was, because Kitty had told her, but Jem was growing up and would not be a lad for much longer. The constables might be tolerant of the street kids, but one day the magistrate would send Jem to prison and Lucy didn’t want that to happen to the young man who had helped her sister.
‘If I could find you a place at a gentleman’s stables – would you take it?’
‘Would I?’ Jem grinned. ‘’Course I would, Lucy – but pigs ’ull fly afore that ’appens …’
‘You never know.’ Lucy smiled and leaned closer to kiss his cheek. ‘Thank you for lookin’ after Kitty when she ran away. I shall need to contact Miss Hetty for she may know …’
‘She’s from the refuge for women and kids, ain’t she?’
‘Yes, she knows my father’s cousin and will have news of Miss Katharine,’ Lucy said. ‘If I need you, I’ll hang a scarf from the window. Thank you, Jem.’
‘If you go there, Miss Hetty has some money for you for taking me there, Jem,’ Kitty said, her head coming up at the last moment. She’d stopped crying but still looked unhappy. ‘She said you’d earned it even though I went with the Reverend Mr Joseph.’
‘I’ll ask her for news and come and tell you,’ Jem promised. ‘I’d better go now.’
‘Thank you for everythin’, Jem.’
Jem nodded and left, pausing to look over his shoulder at her. There was a mixture of regret and longing on his face as he left the warm room and shut the door behind him.
‘What are we goin’ to do now, Lucy?’ Kitty asked after he’d gone. ‘I know where Miss Katharine’s house is, but I’m not sure I can find it. We could ask a cab to take us there but we haven’t any money.’
‘You will stay here for the moment,’ Lucy said. ‘I know it’s not what you wish for, but you won’t be wanted while Miss Katharine is very ill. They will know you’re here, Kitty, and Mr Stoneham knows where I live – when they’re ready.’
A knock at the door stopped her and she frowned. ‘Is that Jem come back?’ She approached the door just as it opened and a man stood on the doorstep. Lucy stared in disbelief, but from behind her a small whirlwind rushed by her and Kitty hurled herself at him, crying and screaming his name.
‘Pa! Pa! Is it really you?’ Lucy asked and now the tears were again streaming down her cheeks. ‘Oh, Pa! Have you come home to us?’
CHAPTER 24
It was late and the shaded room was warm and as comfortable as it could be made for the woman who was so still and pale in the bed. Arthur stood looking down at her. The blood had been washed from her skin and hair by the time he entered the room and the doctor had wound a white bandage around Katharine’s head, covering her terrible wounds. He had sighed deeply, given dire warnings, and left her to Hetty’s tender nursing. She was sleeping in another room now; at least, Arthur hoped she was sleeping. He’d sent her away, promising to wake her if there was a change in Katharine.
‘Oh, my dearest love,’ Arthur murmured sitting on the edge of the bed and reaching for her hand. ‘Please do not leave me. I do not know how I shall live if you die …’
Could she hear him? Arthur doubted it, for she had not moved since he’d begun his vigil at her bedside. He was in despair as he watched her minute after minute, hour after hour. Surely it couldn’t end this way? He loved Katharine so very much. She was gentle, generous and lovely, and he needed her in his life, which would be empty without her. Restless, he stood and walked to the window looking out; he was unable to think or rest, his mind reeling from the horror of what had happened to Katharine.
He had been pacing for nearly an hour when the door opened and someone entered. ‘I told you to go to bed and rest,’ Arthur said but when he turned he saw it was the old woman, Nana, that Katharine had loved. He’d sent one of his servants to tell her what had happened, but he hadn’t expected her to come until the next morning. Blinking wearily, he asked, ‘Have you brought Kitty with you?’
‘Did no one tell you? My mistress took the girl with her and they never came back …’
Arthur’s tired brain attempted to remember something Hetty had told him. Something about Katharine being alone when the man pushed her and that Kitty was with Lucy. He hadn’t listened because all he could think of was his beloved Katharine.
‘I think Kitty is with her sister …’ He shook his head to clear it. Nana’s eyes were misty with tears as she bent over Katharine, stroking the hair back from her damp forehead. ‘She has a fever. We should send to the apothecary for a mixture to help her.’
‘I will have one of my servants go,’ Arthur said and moved back to the bed, a sob in his voice. ‘I can’t lose her … I love her …’
‘Aye, sir, she told me you were to be wed, and I was never happier. I knew my sweet girl would be safe and happy with you, sir.’ Nana’s wise old eyes rose to his face. ‘You should rest, sir. I’m here now and I will help Miss Hetty to nurse her.’
‘Hetty has her own work.’
‘I dare say she may be spared for a day or two,’ Nana said. ‘She must be, for she will never leave her friend in the lurch.’
‘It is awkward. Hetty is needed at the refuge.’ Arthur sighed and ran fingers through his hair in frustration. ‘I cannot send her away but …’
‘There was a gentleman downstairs, sir,’ Nana said. ‘He wished to speak with you and I do not know what he wants, but I was concerned about my sweet girl and your manservant showed me up.’
‘I shall go down and see what he wants, and then I will try to rest for an hour or so – but you will have me woken if there is the slightest change …’
‘Yes, of course, sir,’ Nana assured him. ‘I’ve nursed her many a time. You can safely leave Katharine to me.’
Arthur walked slowly along the landing with a heavy heart. Who was waiting to see him downstairs? He did not feel like speaking to anyone, even his friends.
His manservant came to him as he reached the hall below. ‘Mr Soames is here, sir. I asked him to wait in the library and gave him some of your brandy since he seems to be weary.’
‘You did very well,’ Arthur said, nodding as he walked to the back of the house to his library. Matthew was standing looking at the books, a glass of brandy in his hand, but he turned as Arthur entered, putting down the glass. ‘How is Miss Katharine?’
‘She is still unconscious,’ Arthur said. ‘You look dead on your feet – did you find Kitty at Lucy’s lodgings?’
‘Yes. I saw both my daughters and that is due to you, Arthur. I cannot thank you enough – and I pray Miss Ross will recover.’
‘Thank you,’ Arthur said but could not smile.
‘I am glad to relieve you of Lucy and Kitty’s care – and I’ve decided to take the house you offered us. I shall enjoy being your secretary and will join you on the board at the workhouse if they will accept me. You’ve done so much for me, Arthur, and I want to help you as much as I can, especially at this terrible time.’
‘That will relieve my mind, cousin. I fear that my charitable work must be put aside for the moment and I shall be glad to know that you stand in for me. Toby will help you find your feet.’
‘You have more than enough to cope with, cousin. I wish I might be of more comfort to you …’ Arthur waved his sympathy away, and Matthew continued: ‘My elder daughter was reluctant, but when I told her that Kitty and I would treat the house you’d offered her as our home until I could find a house of our own, she finally agreed.’ Matthew frowned. ‘She confessed that she believes she is to have a child and did not want to shame us, but I convinced her that there is no shame. She was raped and no blame lies with her.’
‘Your eldest daughter is very proud, Matthew.’
‘I fear she gets that from her mother. Even so, I have made her see the sense of it. Kitty needs an older sister to care for her and I shall engage a suitable woman to live with them. In fact, Lucy’s landlady may suit, for she and her husband have found things hard of late, Lucy says, though her husband will continue as a butcher on the market and continue to use his yard. Mrs Todd thinks she can let the house, which will bring her a steady income.’
‘Good, I see you have it all settled.’
‘I shall oversee Kitty’s education and their lives in general. We shall pay rent while we live in your house, Arthur – and once I can afford it the expense of Josh’s education will fall on me, though we shall be grateful if your uncle offers him a position in time, if he is worthy of it.’
‘Did you say Lucy gets her pride from her mother?’ Arthur’s mouth smiled though it did not reach his eyes. ‘You have lifted a burden from my shoulders, for I did not know what to do about Kitty if …’ He shook his head, because he would not say the words he dreaded to hear. ‘While Katharine is ill.’
‘Lucy will care for her sister.’ Matthew’s eyes were soft with compassion. ‘I loved my wife and it was a terrible blow when I realised she’d died believing me lost and she without a penny. I nearly despaired when I thought my children gone, but thanks to you I have found them. Josh’s future is taken care of and I will look after my daughters, but … I would do anything I could to serve you, Arthur. I can never thank you enough for what you’ve done for us. Tell me, is there anything you would have me do?’
‘You have already helped me a great deal,’ Arthur said. ‘Hetty told me that she believes the rogue who pushed Katharine was Sir Roger Beamish. He is the man who abducted your son, as I think Josh told you when you saw him earlier. I shall pass the news to a friend of mine – and I have hopes that Beamish will be brought to justice very soon.’
‘He certainly deserves it,’ Matthew said. ‘You offered me a bed for the night and I shall accept your hospitality until we can move into the house you offered us. In the morning, I shall, as your secretary, attend a meeting at the workhouse in your stead.’
‘And I should lie down before I fall down,’ Arthur said and offered his hand. ‘My thanks, cousin. Goodnight – and ask my servants for anything you need. My house is always open to you …’
Arthur felt as if he had ridden fifty miles on horseback, his body aching as if he’d been beaten. Grief had robbed him of the power to think clearly as he stumbled up to his own room, and sought his bed. All he could think of as he closed his eyes, was Katharine’s pale face as she lay unconscious in the room a few doors from his own. Arthur had seen terrible injuries before and he feared that the woman he loved might die.
‘You should rest now,’ Hetty said as she saw Nana dozing in the chair next to Katharine’s bed. ‘I have slept and I shall tend her for a while.’
‘Mr Stoneham said that you were needed at the refuge?’
‘I shall go in later and make certain all is well,’ Hetty said. ‘I have recently taken on an assistant. Lil has a young babe of her own and was ready to leave the workhouse. She seems sensible and honest, and she has Ruth to help her. They will see that the work is done if I am not there. I could not desert Katharine – I will not leave her until she shows signs of improvement.’
‘If she ever does,’ Nana said and her throat caught on a sob. ‘She is not the first I’ve nursed with such injuries. Before I was taken on by the Ross family, I was nursemaid in the house of a titled gentleman. He was thrown from his horse when out riding and kicked in the head; he died after lying unconscious for several weeks …’
‘God forbid!’ Hetty said and made the sign of the cross. ‘Pray for a happier outcome this time, Nana. Katharine has to get well – for her own sake and for Arthur’s. I do not think he could bear it if she dies.’
‘I shall pray for her,’ Nana said and bent down to kiss what she could see of her darling’s forehead, for the white bandages obscured much of her head and face. ‘She is the sweetest girl. Marianne was so beautiful but she was wilful and thought much of her own desires and needs – but Katharine was always ready to sacrifice herself for others. It is not right or fair that she should lie there like this!’
Nana walked quickly from the room. Hetty knew that she could no longer hold back her grief. Tears stung her own eyes as she bent down to bathe what she could of Katharine’s face, also her hands and arms. Her friend was burning up with a fever, her skin hot and damp, but she did not cry out or utter a sound, and that worried Hetty. Most people tossed and turned when ill of a fever, but Katharine had not moved or moaned since they carried her into the house and placed her in Arthur’s bed.
Hetty knew that, even if Katharine lived, her brain might be affected by the damage it had sustained. The driver of the horses that had trampled her had been distraught as he’d hovered while they carried Katharine into their cab, swearing that he’d stopped as swiftly as possible.
‘She just fell into the road in front of me, miss,’ he’d said. ‘I never ’ave accidents – it were just so sudden and my ’orses couldn’t help trampling her poor head and face!’
Hetty had been too upset to answer or notice him, but Matthew Soames had told him that it was not his fault. They all knew who was to blame – and Hetty felt the guilt of not warning her friends sufficiently. She ought to have told Arthur how vindictive Sir Roger Beamish could be – perhaps then he would have made more effort to warn him off. And yet she feared that it was the knowledge that they were to be married which had made the baronet strike; in his jealousy he had meant to rob both Katharine and Arthur of their happiness.
She was stroking Katharine’s head when she heard a little knock at the door and then it opened to admit Eliza. She was carrying a small bottle, which she brought to the bed and placed on the chest.
‘She looks very pale and still,’ Eliza said. ‘I made this mixture myself, the way Miss Edith taught me. It should help to cool her fever – but I fear that we do not know of anything to help bring her round or to repair the damage she may have suffered to her brain.’
‘Perhaps she will recover if we can cool this heat,’ Hetty said. ‘How much should I give her and how often?’
‘One teaspoon no more than every six hours,’ Eliza said and looked at Katherine’s bandages. ‘I pray she gets better. I will ask Miss Edith about a mixture to heal the scars on her face once she is conscious and free of the fever.’
‘Thank you,’ Hetty said and looked sad. ‘Her beauty has been marred, but scars heal and surely they do not matter if she comes back to us?’
‘You are right,’ Eliza agreed, ‘but I shall ask and now—’
What she was about to say was lost as the door opened and Arthur walked in. He still looked tired but he’d shaved and dressed in clean breeches and a plain shirt. His grim look softened as he saw Hetty and Eliza.
‘Thank you for bringing your healing mixtures, Eliza,’ he said. ‘I know they will help her fever – and Hetty’s nursing will do the rest.’
‘We were happy to help you, sir,’ Eliza said, inclining her head. ‘I will return with more herbs tomorrow.’
‘She is a sweet girl,’ Hetty said as the door closed softly behind her. ‘I am not surprised you hoped to claim her as your own, Arthur.’
‘Perhaps one day I’ll tell her but …’ He shook his head and looked down at Katharine. ‘There is no change that I can see.’
‘I think Eliza’s herbal remedy may help the fever, but that is not the worst of Katharine’s troubles.’
‘I know.’ Arthur’s face worked with pain and regret. ‘She was kicked hard in the side of the head and …’ He sighed and his hands made tight fists at his sides. ‘My uncle had a son who died of being kicked in the head by the horse that threw him. Ted had the beast shot, but I do not blame those dray horses, Hetty – it was the man that pushed her. You are certain that it was Beamish?’
‘I saw his face quite clearly, and I knew him – even though he was unkempt and looked wild – perhaps drunk or feverish. His eyes glittered and there was a look of glee as he saw what he’d done. His crime is known, Arthur – and he must be punished.’
‘I’ve sent my friend Toby a note,’ Arthur said. ‘He had been having Beamish watched and he will want to know about this, if his agents have not already told him. I feel sure that he will do all he can to bring that devil to justice.’
‘Yes, he should pay for his crimes,’ Hetty said softly. ‘But that does not help Katharine.’ She raised her eyes to his, because it must be faced. ‘I fear for her, Arthur. She shows no sign of regaining her senses …’ Seeing the flash of pain and fear in his eyes, Hetty wished she had not spoken, but it ought to be said. ‘Do you think another doctor could help? Is there anyone who would know what to do about Katharine’s injuries?’
‘Markwell told me that he held out little hope for her recovery – but there is another man I could call if …’ He looked at Katharine, who was still unmoving. ‘She can’t die! Hetty, she can’t die!’
‘I pray that she will not,’ Hetty said and her heart ached for him and for the beautiful young woman in the bed. ‘I shall not desert her while she needs me, Arthur. I will go to the refuge later while Nana sits with her but I shall return to sit with her tonight.’
‘You need not worry too much about your work,’ Arthur said. ‘My cousin is to work as my personal assistant and will help with all my charitable projects. He can very well cast an eye over the refuge, Hetty.’
‘Lil will help me, but your cousin will be a great help to you, Arthur.’ Hetty inclined her head. ‘Matthew Soames helped me to bring Katharine here and I liked him. He has a quiet manner but he is strong.’
