A Dorset Girl Page 8

  ‘Then you’ll have to live your life without her. You must put the proposition before her, as I did with my own sweet wife. My dearest Jane waited several years for me.’

  ‘Several years!’ The thought of waiting that long for Siana seemed a lifetime to Daniel.

  He spent the week deciding what to say and how to say it, then with everything straight in his head drew her aside after the church service and begged her to walk with him.

  She was wearing a new skirt and bodice in pale grey serge, one she’d been making under Mrs Leeman’s tutelage. It was decorated with a lace collar made by Mrs Leeman, and buttons embroidered to look like pink roses. Mrs Leeman had given her a bonnet, to which were added pink ribbons. She was a little self-conscious today, smoothing at the material and making sure her skirts were settled properly.

  She’d been preoccupied for the past week and her eyes were anxious. ‘Josh wasn’t in church. Do you think he could be ill?’

  ‘I’m slipping over to visit my mother later. I’ll make enquiries on your behalf.’

  ‘Thank you, Daniel,’ she said gratefully. ‘Daisy didn’t smile at me today, either. I think she’s forgotten me. Now Hannah’s been delivered of her baby, I worry about my baby sister. I promised my mother on her deathbed that I’d look after her.’

  ‘You’re doing the best you can, Siana. I just wish I was in a position to look after you all.’

  She gave him a shy, sideways glance. ‘Do you, Daniel?’

  Everything he’d rehearsed in his mind fled. ‘You must know how much I care for you.’

  The lane they trod was empty of people, except Mrs Leeman hurrying along in front to get back to her warm kitchen and the leg of lamb roasting in the oven. The hedges were winter-bare now, the long thorny twigs decorated with clusters of blood-bright berries.

  When Siana remained silent, he came to a stop and turned her to face him. ‘You do know, don’t you?’

  ‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘I think I feel the same way.’

  ‘Then I want you to wait for me. I’m moving into lodgings in town. In a few years I should be able to support both you and your brother and sister. Then we can wed.’

  She gazed up at him, her eyes shining. The adoration in them wasn’t hard to take. ‘Oh, Daniel. It will give me something to hope for in the future.’

  Gently, he took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. About to take advantage of her sweet mouth, he heard a horse approaching. ‘My godfather knows, but we must keep this a secret from everyone else,’ he said hastily.

  They sprang apart when the clip-clop of a horse’s hooves came from behind them, each moving to opposite sides of the lane to make room for the rider to pass. But he didn’t, instead, the horse slowed and was reined to a halt.

  The squire tipped his hat to Siana and smiled. ‘Miss Lewis.’

  ‘Sir.’ Eyes cast down, she stood there, not knowing what else to do.

  ‘You look very pretty today.’

  Her face turned pink and she became agitated. ‘Excuse me, sir . . . Daniel. I must catch Mrs Leeman up.’

  The squire dismounted. ‘Well met, Daniel. Running into you saves me coming up to the rectory.’

  ‘Sir.’ Daniel waited, his eyes narrowed, watching his father watch Siana as she hurried off. He could almost read his lecherous thoughts and was disgusted by him.

  The squire tapped his crop against his boot. ‘Don’t you find it odd that a peasant family can turn out a girl like her?’

  ‘In what way?’

  ‘Not only is she a fetching little piece, she has a good mind. Richard White is very taken with her.’

  Daniel stared at him. ‘What are you suggesting, sir?’

  ‘I’m suggesting nothing, lad. Richard is the soul of propriety. Don’t be so damned touchy.’ He flung a friendly arm across Daniel’s shoulder and they began to walk together along the lane. ‘I’ve been talking to Robert Cruikshank about you. He’s pleased with your progress and he’s decided to review your salary.’

  Daniel was pleased. ‘Thank you, sir. I need the money.’

  ‘Yes, I noticed you’re looking a little threadbare. I’ll leave word with my tailor. He can fit you out with a new suit of clothes at my expense.’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’

  ‘Think nothing of it, lad. You only have to ask.’ His father withdrew his arm and, remounting, stared down at him, his eyes thoughtful. Gruffly, he said. ‘For your own sake, don’t encourage that girl, Daniel. Messing with female servants is a bad policy, especially when they get a loaf in the oven. Have you bedded the wench, yet?’

  ‘Certainly not,’ he stammered, taken aback. ‘I wouldn’t dream of—’

  ‘Good, make sure you don’t. I have other plans for you, and they don’t include some opportunist little country bumpkin with children to support. You can do better than that for yourself.’

  His father touched his riding crop against his hat, wheeled the chestnut around and cantered away without a backward glance.

  The slur cast on Siana caused colour to mount to Daniel’s face. He wanted to call his father back, ask him to explain his last remark. But at the moment he was in no position to. He relied too much on his father’s largesse.

  Moodily he kicked at a tuft of grass, wishing life was a bit simpler.

  Dusk was falling when Daniel met his mother in the meadow behind the farmhouse. After he gave her a hug she glanced back at the house with its watchful windows. ‘He’s sleeping off his dinner, I can’t stay long.’

  She looked tired, he thought, the dark rings under her eyes mirroring her tension. There in her body too, her stance suggested she was constantly on her guard. But there was a resilience about her she didn’t have before, a resoluteness of expression, as if somehow she’d gained strength from her experiences.

  He gently touched her face. ‘How is he treating you now, Mother?’

  ‘Tolerably. I’m learning to handle him. It’s best if he’s allowed to think he’s the one in charge.’ She called to the mule who ambled over to investigate the carrot she held out. Slipping a halter over its head, she fondled its ears.

  ‘You seem stronger somehow, Mother.’

  ‘I am. It’s hard work being a farmer’s wife. The exercise has given me strength, I think. I’ve discovered I’m quite good at milking the cow, plucking and drawing the chickens and handling the animals.’ There was no self-pity in her voice, just a certain dryness. ‘Especially the swine. I feel very proud of myself.’

  ‘Siana’s worried about Josh.’

  A wry smile touched her lips. ‘Tom keeps him locked up in the barn when he’s not got him working. But he’s warm enough, I make sure of that. Tell Siana he’s had a bit of a cough lately. But he’s on the mend. I swear, that boy’s got nine lives. Tom’s going to the farmers’ meeting in Wareham next Wednesday. She’s welcome to come and see her brother then, if she can get an hour or so off. The morning is best.’

  His mother kept looking back towards the house. Secure behind the trunk of a hawthorn tree, Daniel had no qualms about being observed. Quickly, he gave her his news, omitting his arrangement with Siana. But he couldn’t help mentioning her beauty, her goodness and her quick mind.

  When he was about to leave, his mother said, ‘Why don’t you take Siana and the money I saved, and get away from here?’

  ‘Does what I feel for her show?’ he said with some alarm.

  Elizabeth smiled. ‘Only to your mother, who knows and loves you better than anyone. I saw her in church and can understand. But are you sure of your feelings? A girl so young and pretty is bound to attract men.’

  ‘As to that,’ Daniel shrugged, ‘how do I know what’s real and what isn’t? When I’m with her it just feels different to anything I’ve ever known.’

  ‘Tell me more about her.’

  So Daniel did, telling his mother about the way Siana’s eyes shone when she was happy, the way her head cocked to one side when she was listening and all the other little pleasures he f
ound in watching her.

  When he ran out of words, she kissed his cheek. ‘Ask her to come on Wednesday. I want to meet her. Take the money,’ she said again. ‘Be happy with her if you are certain, Daniel.’

  He was tempted, but the capital was such a small amount. Certainly not enough to set him up in business and secure decent accommodation. Better to do as Richard suggested and wait until his prospects improved. Perhaps a legacy would come his way? Not that he wanted his father to die, but the squire was getting on in years. If he died within the next year or so, Daniel could well inherit. He frowned slightly as doubt crept in. Would Siana cope as lady of the manor? No, his godfather was right. It was best not to rush into anything yet in case it was a passing fancy. Whilst he remained unwed, his options were still open.

  ‘No, Mother. I can’t afford to keep us all. When I can, we’ll go together. You, me, Siana, Josh and Daisy.’

  ‘Then, at least take that little amber ring of mine for her to wear. Have her name inscribed inside, so she has something tangible to hold on to. It’s important for a woman to have a love token if she is to wait.’

  ‘Thank you, Mother, I will.’

  ‘Lizzie!’

  ‘Coming, you oaf,’ she breathed, then, without her looking up from the mule, her mouth twitched into a smile. ‘This is Jasper. I tell him all my secrets and he keeps them.’

  ‘Nice to meet you, Jasper,’ Daniel said, tears coming to his eyes because he could do nothing to help ease her problems. God knew, he had enough of his own.

  Jasper’s ears pricked forward and he stared at Daniel through large, sad eyes. There were whip marks on his haunches. His mother’s fingers touched lightly against them. ‘Poor Jasper, he tries to bite his master sometimes. I’ve been rubbing salve on his wounds, the stuff I used to put on your grazed knees when you were a child.’

  Daniel had the urge to comfort her, but didn’t dare in case he was seen from the house.

  Her eyes flicked up to his. ‘It was nice to see you, my love. God willing, I’ll be here again next week.’ She gave a gentle tug on the halter, clicked her tongue and began to stroll towards the stable, the mule ambling along behind her, munching on the carrot.

  Daniel stayed where he was for a while. He saw Tom Skinner come out into the yard. After glancing up the slope he waited until his wife had taken the mule into the barn.

  When she went to the house, she walked past him, her skirt held against her body and with her head held high. She was the essence of dignity.

  Tom loosened his pants to urinate against a wall, then took another, careful look around the place before following her in. He slammed the door behind him.

  Daniel walked off into the darkness, grim-faced. He knew he’d never forgive his father for what he’d done to his mother. She deserved better than Tom Skinner.

  Edward Forbes had reached the same conclusion. Hands steepled under his chin, he gazed into the flickering firelight and pondered on the problem of Elizabeth and her son.

  ‘My son,’ he whispered, unable to keep the smile from creeping around his mouth. If only Daniel’s birth had been legitimized by marriage.

  But it wasn’t, and the offspring of Isabelle would inherit the estate. He frowned at the thought of Isabelle. Her lack of wit irritated him and he wondered if he’d been a bit hasty. Would she release him from the engagement she wondered. No, she was not the type to be cast aside lightly. Although she was civil to him, there was no warmth in her. She was young, but lacking the enthusiasm and fun of youth, as though a dowager was trapped inside her skin. There was also a strident note evident when she addressed people she considered beneath her. Damn it, he didn’t even like her!

  He’d acted from temper and in haste at the time he’d offered for her. Now, given the choice between Isabelle and Elizabeth, he realized he’d chosen unwisely. He shook his head, not wanting to think about the way he’d foisted his former mistress on to Skinner. He no longer loved Elizabeth but he missed her and she was now lost to him. The delectable and intriguing Siana Lewis was within his grasp, though.

  He frowned as he remembered the way the boy had looked at her. Puppy love, he told himself, yet that could quite easily grow into something more. First a smile, then a kiss, then the instincts took over. Daniel was a man and the Lewis girl was no fool. It was obvious she wanted more from life than her mother had. He’d be doing his son a favour by parting the pair before it went any further.

  The only solution was to make provision for Daniel in his will, just in case he died intestate. Then he’d get Daniel out of the way and move fast on Siana Lewis.

  Damn that Tom Skinner! He was a greedy swine and it was obvious that Edward would have to pay his price for the girl.

  But he wouldn’t hand over a penny piece until he had Siana Lewis in his bed and discovered for himself that she was still intact.

  It was Wednesday. Josh’s task was harvesting the swedes still remaining in the ground. The air was cold, the sky a sheet of drifting grey drizzle. Slippery with mud, the ground oozed over his boots.

  Alongside him, sacks protecting their heads and shoulders, Siana and Elizabeth bent their backs to the same task. The three of them worked with a grim concentration. Daniel had put in a word for her with the reverend, and Siana had been granted a whole day off from the rectory. She’d never worked harder in her life.

  At noon, Elizabeth straightened, her blistered hands going to her aching back. ‘This shouldn’t take us much longer.’

  Eventually, the cart piled high with swedes, the patient Jasper strained to drag his burden back to the barn. After rubbing the mud from the mule’s body with straw, Josh secured him in his stall, where he munched contentedly on some hay.

  Half an hour later, the three of them were cleaned up and sitting in the warmth of the farmhouse kitchen with a bowl of thick broth and a wedge of crusty bread in front of them. Josh wolfed his down with the hunger of youth, then attacked another bowl with slightly less urgency. When he’d finished, he fell asleep, his head cushioned on his folded arms.

  ‘So much for my visit,’ Siana said, exchanging a rueful smile with Elizabeth.

  The older woman cast a pitying eye over Josh. ‘Poor lad. Tom works him too hard, and he snatches a moment of sleep when he can. He’ll wake in a little while.’

  Siana gently ruffled her brother’s hair. ‘Thank you for looking after him.’

  ‘I can only do a little.’

  Siana touched the woman’s hand. ‘I’m grateful for what you can do. One day I hope to be in a position to support both him and my sister, Daisy.’

  ‘May that day come soon, for I’m frightened Josh might not survive. The lad is small for his age, and malnourished. Tom beats him. He also works him into exhaustion and keeps him tied up like a dog.’

  Fear sent Siana’s heart leaping into her throat.

  Elizabeth’s hand curled around hers in a comforting gesture. Across the table their glances met. ‘Tom is a man without conscience and Hannah is lacking in mothering skills. Make a home for Josh and Daisy as soon as possible.’

  ‘I . . . I’ll try.’

  Over the course of the day, Elizabeth’s instincts about Siana had been proved correct, and they’d become friends. ‘Daniel has told me you care for one another.’

  Siana lowered her eyes. ‘You must think me unworthy of him.’

  ‘No, my dear. I want my son to be happy and if he finds happiness with you, I’ll be contented.’ She wanted to warn Siana against Edward Forbes, but she didn’t know how to approach the subject. Still, she tried, picking her words with some delicacy. ‘The time might come where you’re forced to chose between Daniel and the welfare of your family.’

  Siana’s chin lifted a fraction. ‘That would be no choice, for I promised—’

  A rap at the door made them all jump before she could finish. Josh woke and jerked upright, his eyes wide with fear.

  ‘Hannah,’ Elizabeth whispered as the door opened.

  ‘So this is what goes on
when our Tom’s away,’ Hannah said, her gaze going from one to the other. ‘He’ll be interested to know our uppity stepsister visits his wife. No doubt he’ll think it be real friendly like, but he’ll wonder why.’

  Siana’s glance went to the child in Hannah’s arms. ‘I came to visit Josh.’

  ‘Josh has work to do. I knows for a fact he had swedes to dig up today.’

  ‘It’s done. I helped him with it so he could spend some time with me. Where’s our Daisy?’

  Hannah shrugged. ‘Last time I see’d her she was asleep.’

  ‘You’ve left her alone? She’s only a baby.’

  ‘Won’t be for long, will it?’

  Hands on hips, Siana stared at her. ‘I pay you to look after her.’

  ‘Can’t say the shilling doesn’t come in handy, but then looking after the brat is a lot of work. In fact, I’m thinking two shilling might buy better care for her.’ Hannah smiled. ‘Yes, from now on it’s two shilling or you can get someone else to wipe her nose and listen to her whinging.’

  Josh came to lay his face against Siana’s shoulder for comfort.

  ‘How can you be so mean?’ Elizabeth said coldly to her. ‘You know Siana doesn’t earn much, and Daisy is your sister, as well.’

  ‘Well, listen to missus bloody snout-in-the-air,’ Hannah said with a gloating smile. ‘One word from me about what’s goin’ on here and Tom will strangle you, and with his bare hands, and all.’

  Elizabeth smiled. ‘And one word from me about the silver teaspoons you’ve been stealing to sell to the pawnbroker, and not only will your man lose his job on the farm, you’ll never be welcome here again. It’ll be the workhouse for the pair of you.’

  Hannah paled. ‘You wicked, lying shrew. I never did no such thing.’

  ‘No doubt the pawnbroker will vouch for your honesty, then.’ Elizabeth opened the door. ‘Now, you go home and fetch Daisy back here, so Siana can see her. And make it quick. You can leave your baby with me. He won’t come to any harm.’

  ‘Cor,’ Josh said, smiling cheekily when Hannah marched off. ‘You didn’t ’alf tell her.’