Maggie's Child (8 page)

Chapter 7

Maggie made her way along the lane. She told herself to get used to walking or driving past the bush where she had left Nathaniel. If she allowed the image of that day to stay with her, then it would drive her insane. She picked a few red Campion that brightened the hedgerows. Before she made her way home, she took a small detour. After a brief prayer, she laid the flowers on the small grave mounds beside the empty one she had made the previous day.

Thank you God for caring for my babies and for giving me another chance to hold my son. Amen.

Lizzie waved to her and called out as she entered the yard.

‘Did you cope, gal?’

 Maggie just nodded her head to reassure her friend she was well and had coped. She added a smile.

Knowing Jacob would have eaten several pies while he carried out his business transactions, Maggie prepared a cold meat platter, cut him a generous slice of apple pie and set it beside a pot of clotted cream. She covered it and left it upon the table.

Satisfied he could not complain she had neglected him, she went to the hen house and spent time clearing out the boxes. Her bantam chicks ran around like little bumblebees. She loved to watch them scuttle around their mothers. There was something satisfying about watching a broody hen cosy herself down into a nest.

The pigs’ swill trough needed scrubbing out and could not be put off any longer. Maggie had taken on the task after her marriage. She could not bear the smell and neglect. Jacob was more than happy and refused to encourage another member of staff to take on the task. His words were harsh.

‘It is a fitting job for the likes of you. No need to go adding to the jobs of others, you lazy mare.’

 Maggie carried a large bucket of water and a stiff yard brush out to the sty. She attacked the metal with vigour. If she gave it a good scrub it would last an extra day or two, again saving her time. Time she could spend at the Arlington house.

‘It went well today then?’ Lizzie made Maggie jump and nearly fell into the trough.

Both women burst out laughing.

‘Lizzie. Look what you did, making me jump like that. It went well, so it happens. The babe is beautiful, he was hungry and I gained comfort from the fact that I could help him.’

Lizzie found another broom and joined in with the scrubbing.

‘I think t’is a shame that Jacob has not eased off the chores a bit for you. Goodness, it was only twenty four hours ago, you lost your own child. Are you all well, you know, down below. Your belly? You look better than I thought you might. I am so glad you are not too sad by the feeding.’

‘I am fine my dear, dear friend. Stop worrying about me, please. I mean it, I am fine. If the baby wasn’t meant to live so be it. I have to face up to my loss. Right, if we both go now and clean the dairy room, it will leave you time for the milking. I am grateful you are helping me. Once I know my routine, I will take back the work.’

‘Why Jacob is so stubborn is beyond me, why he insists you do it alone I’ll never know. I asked once and am none the wiser. It just gained me a slap so I never asked again. Sometimes we are all free from our work, and you have to cope with twenty milkers.’

The chatter continued as the two friends worked together. Maggie set a pot of food onto the worker cottage fire, and left Lizzie to the milking. She went back home to wash out clothing. She hung it out to drip overnight and dry during the day. Determined to find her routine, she worked her way through little jobs. She had a strip wash down and changed back into the dress she had worn that morning. Finally it was time for her to eat. She was tired and knew she would need nourishment and rest.

 She placed the chestnuts onto the skillet and sat it on the fire. Her own meat platter satisfied the gnawing hunger she had begun to feel inside. And a treat of roasted chestnuts finished off her meal. They were tasty. She took advantage of a half hour’s rest and savoured each one. While she peeled them, she thought about Dukes. He looked around about his mid twenties, handsome and thoughtful. He made no mention of a wife, and appeared to be a bit of a ladies’ man with his banter. Fanciful in her thoughts, she noted he was of similar nature to Stephen, although she doubted he would be so deceiving in love. He seemed a genuine, caring character. He would be a good catch for Lizzie. She must introduce them sometime.

The clock in the parlour struck three-thirty and Maggie gathered her things. She did not want to miss her ride back into town. She had to walk back that evening and she knew her husband would never turn out to collect her, or think of sending one of the men. So a lift one way was a gift not to be missed.

True to his word, Dukes arrived and their journey back into the village was another pleasant one for Maggie.

‘I have a gift for you. They are wrapped well to keep warm.’ Maggie patted a small pail beside the seat. Dukes gave a grin.

‘You roasted me chestnuts?’

‘I did, while I roasted mine I thought you might enjoy a few. You will need to eat them quickly if you like them warm,’ Maggie said.

Dukes put the package into his pocket. Maggie noted his face was slightly flushed.

‘That’s the nicest gift I have been given for many a year, thank you,’ Dukes replied his smile wide and Maggie was pleased she had made the effort for him.

***

Mouth-watering smells from the kitchen greeted her again, as did the staff. She slipped up the back stairs and was about to climb the main ones when a voice called her name.

‘Mrs Sawbury, how timely.’ Maggie saw Felicity Arlington exiting one of the doors along the hallway.

‘Good afternoon, Mrs Arlington. I hope you are well.’ Maggie dropped her knee in respect. Not really sure of what to say next, she just smiled.

‘Come, I would like to speak with you,’ said Mrs Arlington and Maggie looked down at her shoes. ‘Do not worry about those; my husband has marched through here with his hunting boots on before now. My girls are used to more mud than you can ever imagine. Now come along, the boy will want his feed shortly.’

Maggie followed the woman and they entered a room twice the size of her own parlour. It was decorated in blues, reds and creams. Maggie wanted to touch the walls. They looked so pretty with flocked paper on them. Stiff brocade curtains hung at the bay windows and across the top were fringed pleated canopies with large tasselled tie backs. A large round table stacked with books had a glass dome sitting in the centre. Inside the dome was a stuffed bird. Maggie was not too impressed by it; it was not something she would like in her home.

How gruesome. Morbid.

 The white marble fireplace, with the black iron hearth, was something she coveted. It was a handsome feature and the ornaments across the mantle were of fine china. Carpets and tapestry decorated chairs had many beautiful colours in them. They complemented everything in the room.

‘My dear Mrs Sawbury, your husband told us of your sad news. Mr Arlington and I offer our condolences. However, your loss is a blessing to the young baby upstairs. Nanny Summers has told me you handled the whole situation perfectly well this morning, and he has been content ever since.’ Mrs Arlington sat on one of the seats by the window. She stared out, and then looked back at Maggie, who waited for the invitation to speak. ‘Nanny also told me you were clean and well presented. I thank you for considering personal hygiene. It is of the upmost importance Nathaniel is kept free from germs.’

 Maggie’s raised her head and frowned when the woman mentioned the name Nathaniel.

‘Yes, we have chosen to use the name you christened him with this morning. Nanny mentioned it, and the story behind it, and my husband is rather taken with the name. We are going to raise him as our own, and I think it suits him. I hope you are not offended. I like to think it will be an honour to your dear, departed son. Something you and I sadly have in common is our little ones never live to see day.’

Maggie took this as her cue to speak.

‘Thank you, madam. I am honoured you have chosen the name. He is a beautiful child, and to carry the name of my son pleases me very much. I too am sorry for your sad loss.’ She could not believe her ears. Nathaniel, she could say his name out loud and not be afraid.

‘It is good it pleases you. Now we have talked enough but before you go, Nanny has an outfit for you in the nursery. I would like to see you wear it while here at the house. You will change downstairs. I am certain your own clothes are perfectly clean, but I should worry if farm diseases are taken to the nursery. You do understand do you not-Maggie, isn’t it?’Mrs Arlington rose from the chair. At last it was time to leave for upstairs. Maggie couldn’t wait to see Nathaniel, and she was also curious about her uniform.

‘I do understand, madam, and yes, Maggie is my given name. I will ensure my clothes are washed daily, thank you.’

 ‘No need, just leave them for the laundry here. That way they will be ready each day. There are four sets. Time is ticking by and my son will need his feed, so off you go and see to his needs. Goodbye, Maggie, and thank you for your assistance.’

Maggie said her goodbyes and went to the nursery. The room was warm and candles had been lit. There was a pleasant glow from them and the fire. Nathaniel stirred in his crib. Nanny arranged cups on a tray and Maggie accepted a most welcome cup of tea.

‘He’s been dreaming the dreams of a contented angel. You did a grand job, and the top up settled him nicely. Although he did pull a few faces; I think yours is the preferred teat. Mrs Arlington has sent up a uniform for you to wear. She likes her staff to wear uniforms, even the poor boot cleaner has to wear stiff shirt and britches. The laundry maid screams blue murder if he gets the black waterproof liquid on his cuffs. The tallow and tar stain terribly. Here, you might as well change over there and take your outer wear downstairs. He will be ready for you when you are finished.’ She indicated across the room to a loose-fitting, navy-blue gown, white pinafore and sleeve cuffs. ‘Wear your own stockings and boots for the present. Madam has said to give you extra in your salary to purchase new ones purely for here and not the farm, you understand.’

All the time she spoke, Maggie watched her son sleeping.

‘I am glad he settled. I met Mrs Arlington on the way up. She told me about the clothes. It is very generous of her. I will slip it on and do as you say.’

She slipped behind a screen that stood in the corner. The gown was not a bad fit, and Maggie was pleased to wear something other than her dowdy brown one with frayed cuffs and hem. She re-tied her hair and stepped into the room.

‘My word, they are ideal for you. Now get your own downstairs and out of here, then all rules have been followed.’ Nanny gave a little giggle and Maggie knew she was going to like working alongside the older woman.

Maggie slipped into the kitchen. She asked a young maid where she could place her clothes and where she should change on her exit.

While she was talking, Dukes came into the kitchen. He gave a nod.

‘Mrs Sawbury. The youngster happy with his new nanny then?’He laughed at her puzzled face, and indicated to her new attire.

‘Oh, this. Yes, apparently I have to keep the farm bugs away.’ Maggie smiled and brushed the front of the pinafore with her hand. She felt self-conscious with so many eyes staring at her while she spoke. ‘Please excuse me, I have to go and attend to him.’

Back upstairs she could hear Nathaniel’s cries and felt the familiar tingle in her breasts. Mother and son were ready to be reunited for the second time that day.

His nanny excused herself, and said she would take advantage of the moment for some fresh air before the light went altogether.

Maggie settled into the chair and enjoyed another intimate moment.

‘Well, Nathaniel, what a turn up for the books, eh? Who would have thought? Me and you in this situation. That fool of a husband of mine has actually done something good for me, for a change. Lizzie was worried about me. I so wanted to tell her the good news. Of course, I couldn’t, we are a secret, aren’t we little man.’

On the nanny’s return she handed him over. ‘Behave for Nanny, young man, or I will not come back. Do you hear me?’ she tickled his nose.

‘Heaven forbid, you hear that Nathaniel? Best behaviour always, we want Mrs Sawbury to return, don’t we now? And tell her she can call me Alice when we are in private.’

‘Thank you, Alice. I will probably forget and continue to call you Nanny. So many refer to you by your title, I consider it your name.’ Maggie smiled at her new friend. She felt a close bond and wished her mother had the same nature.

The fact she knew she would be holding Nathaniel again every morning made the evening partings less painful. She changed her clothes and said her goodbyes.

The fresh air blew against her cheeks. The warmth from the fire had made her drowsy and the breeze was welcome. She had a walk home to get through and the daylight had given way to twilight. Shadows moved across her path, trees silhouetted against the skyline looked attractive, and elegant. She pulled her shawl around her shoulders and started her journey home.

‘You off then?’ The voice startled her. She looked around and saw Dukes standing by the gate.

‘Yes, that’s me finished until the morning. Well, finished here. I have a bigger baby to see to back home.’ No sooner she had said the words then she regretted them. She hadn’t meant to say them out aloud.

‘Your old man’s a bit of a task master, so I understand.’ Dukes leant back against the fencing. His legs crossed in a relaxed manner puffing on a white clay pipe.

Maggie was about to agree, then she thought against it. She hardly knew the man, and if it got back to Jacob she had bad mouthed him, she would suffer.

‘He is my husband,’ were the only words she offered.

‘Not a good one, I will measure.’ Dukes walked over to her. ‘I would never have done this too you. He cannot be short of a penny or two. Penny pincher, that’s what they say in the tavern. Tight fisted with the coins. His farm is run the old fashioned way. No, I would treat my wife with a bit more respect. Losing a bairn one day and feeding another the next with no choice in the matter. He did it for the love of money, not the child, I’ll wager. I was the one who looked for the family, so I know he said yes before you did. He bragged you wouldn’t dare refuse. Do not build him up in my eyes; I have my own opinion of Farmer Sawbury.’