The Beggar Maid (43 page)

Feeling along the walls she found the cellar steps and made her way to the door at the top. It was locked, but she had expected that and she banged on it with her fists, calling for help, but still no one came. She returned to the cellar and dragged the table to the foot of the chute, climbed onto it and stood with her hands cupped around her mouth, calling for help. On one occasion the footsteps slowed down and she shouted even louder, but whoever it was walked on, and she could have cried with frustration. She was growing ever more desperate. A beating would be the least of the methods Bert might use to drag the information out of her when he returned and she refused to give him the information he demanded. She called out again, and this time she heard a familiar sound that made her heart race. Above her head the thin sliver of light was dimmed and she could hear snuffling and the scratching of claws on wood. ‘Bosun! I'm here!'

The scrambling grew louder, followed by the heavy tread of booted feet. With a creak and a groan of hinges the trapdoor was lifted and daylight flooded into the cellar. Charity shielded her eyes. ‘Jackson, is that you?'

He leaned over, peering down at her with Bosun at his side. ‘Hold on, miss. I'll have you out of there in two ticks.' He motioned the dog to sit. ‘On guard, Bosun.' He disappeared and Charity slumped down on the table, tears of relief pouring down her cheeks. She wiped them away on her sleeve at the sound of the cellar door being kicked until the lock shattered and it flew open. She leapt from the table and ran to the steps, meeting Jackson halfway. He grabbed her by the hand. ‘Come along, miss. There's no time to lose. Workmen are clearing the street and they're going to start knocking the place down.'

‘How did you know where to find me?' Charity held on to him as he led her out through the derelict building, stepping over clumps of fallen plaster and wall tiles.

‘You got Bosun to thank for that, miss.' Jackson lifted her over a fallen beam and set her on her feet the other side. ‘Are you all right?'

His words were echoed by Harry, who was standing outside on the pavement with Bert held in an arm lock. ‘Are you all right, Charity?' His voice shook with suppressed emotion and white lines etched the sides of his mouth. Dark shadows underlined his eyes and he looked like a man who had endured a sleepless night.

Her heart did a massive leap inside her chest, making her feel faint, but she managed to nod her head, and was suddenly conscious of the sight she must look. In broad daylight she could see that her skirts were bloodstained and filthy and her hair hung loose about her shoulders. ‘Harry,' she murmured. ‘You came.'

‘Very touching,' Bert sneered. ‘Don't tell me you got your eye on this cove, you slut. D'you think a gent like him would want you for anything other than a . . .' His words were lost as Harry spun him round and sent him hurtling down the chute.

‘He had it coming to him.' Gideon slapped Harry on the back.

Harry leaned over the open trap door. ‘I've a good mind to shut you in and let them bring the building down round your ears, you miserable bastard.'

Bert shook his fist. ‘You've broke me arm. I'll have you up before the beak for assault.'

‘Tell that to the police when they arrive,' Harry shouted above the noise of the workmen who were advancing on the building with picks and shovels. ‘I think kidnap and false imprisonment carry a longer sentence than a punch on the nose.' He turned to Charity, holding out his hand. ‘Are you really all right? If he's hurt you I'll go down there and beat him to a pulp.'

‘I'll help you,' Gideon added angrily. ‘You look very pale, Charity. We'd best get you home.'

Bosun licked her hand, and Charity stroked his head. ‘Thank you for finding me, Bosun.'

‘He's a good dog,' Jackson said proudly. ‘We've been out all night looking for you, miss. I'd never have thought of the Old Three Tuns if Bosun hadn't taken up the scent.'

Harry placed his arm protectively around her shoulders. ‘Are you able to walk, my love? We're not far from home.'

She met his concerned gaze with a tremulous smile. ‘Never mind me, Harry. You must go home to Bligh Park. The reason I came to London was to tell you that you're needed there.'

He nodded. ‘Gideon told me what's been going on, but you're more important at this minute. The rest can wait.'

‘I agree.' Gideon glanced into the cellar where Bert was making his way up the steps. ‘Chapman's trying to escape.' He beckoned to two burly workmen. ‘There's a villain in the cellar. Keep him here while I go for a constable, and be careful, he's extremely violent.'

The elder of the two rolled up his sleeves, exposing muscular forearms. ‘Leave it to me, vicar. I ain't one to stand by and see a woman beat up.' He cast a sympathetic glance in Charity's direction, confirming her suspicion that she was not looking her best.

She leaned on Harry's arm. ‘Take me home, please.'

The smell of something savoury wafted from the kitchen and Charity stopped, turning to Jackson with a questioning look. ‘I didn't know you could cook.'

He let Bosun off his lead and the dog bounded across the hall, gambolling joyfully around Mrs Diment as she came bustling towards them. ‘Get out of the way, you stupid animal,' she said, flapping her apron at him. ‘Are you all right, Charity? We've been out of our minds with worry.'

Harry stepped aside as Mrs Diment rushed over to embrace Charity. ‘It was good of you to come at such short notice.'

Dazed and weak, Charity looked from one to the other. ‘How long have I been away?'

‘Too long,' Harry said fondly. ‘I can't take credit for sending for Mrs Diment. You have Jackson to thank for that.'

Jackson took off his hat. ‘I took the liberty, miss. I sent a telegram to Bligh Court yesterday, and Fanny caught the next train to London.'

‘I'd had enough of playing second fiddle to Polly Trevett. She was always the bossy one when we were kitchen maids.' Mrs Diment tossed her head, very nearly dislodging her spotless white mobcap. ‘This is my home and it's where I hope I'll end my days.' She gave Harry a meaningful look. ‘Anyway, that's enough talking. You should go to your room and change out of those filthy rags, miss. I'll bring up a jug of hot water and a clean towel. I daresay everything has gone to rack and ruin since I've been away, and you can make yourself useful, Enoch. Fetch some coal for the range and fill a scuttle for the parlour in case the master wants a fire. It might be summer but that room always feels damp and cold.'

Jackson and Bosun slunk off towards the kitchen, followed by Mrs Diment, who seemed determined to make sure that both of them did as they were told.

Charity waited until they were out of earshot before turning to Harry. ‘Enoch? I never knew that was Jackson's first name.'

Harry took her in his arms, smiling. ‘Neither did I, come to that. But never mind them, I've got you safely home and that's all that matters.' He bent his head and kissed her on the lips. It was a sweet and gentle caress, devoid of passion but filled with longing. Charity felt herself floating as if she were weightless, but then he drew away with a worried look. ‘Are you really all right? If he harmed you in any way I'll see that he goes to prison for the rest of his life.'

‘A few bruises, that's all. I cut my hand while I was sawing through the ropes with a piece of broken glass.'

He held her closer. ‘He won't hurt you again. I'll make sure of that.' He was about to kiss her again, but she laid her finger on his lips.

‘Not now, Harry. I must go to my room before Mrs Diment catches me dawdling, but first I must beg you to go home as soon as possible.'

‘I will, my darling, but only when I'm satisfied that you are all right.'

‘I'm fine, but I'm worried for Dan's sake. I don't know how much he told you, but Wilmot is determined to get a share of the Bligh treasure, and your mother seems to think that Bligh Park is her rightful home. They arrived with a retinue of servants and enough luggage to last a year.'

He traced the frown lines on her forehead, wiping them away with a touch of his forefinger. ‘You mustn't worry, my darling. I can handle Wilmot and my mother. She's not a bad person, Charity. She's easily led and no doubt Wilmot is trading on her weaknesses, but I'll set her straight. You will be mistress of Bligh Park, not Mother.'

His words made Charity's heart sing and her head spin, but a small voice in her head advised caution. ‘I love you, Harry, but you know it's not that simple. I've only met your mother once but she made it very clear that I must keep my place. I can't help feeling that she's right. She's well versed in the ways of the world.'

‘And she's created more scandals than she cares to mention. Mama might act like a dowager duchess but she's a practical woman at heart. She'll come round eventually.'

‘She was just being realistic, and I agree with her. You're Sir Harry Bligh from now on, and you have a position to keep up.' She stepped away, indicating her dishevelled state. ‘This is what I am – a bruised apple fallen from a costermonger's barrow to end up in the gutter. I would drag you down to that level.' She backed towards the staircase. ‘I'm going to change my clothes but I can't change what I am.'

He frowned. ‘That's arrant nonsense, and I won't listen to such talk. You are the finest person I've ever met, and I love you with all my heart.' He was about to kiss her again but was interrupted by the appearance of Mrs Diment.

‘There's a fire in the parlour because that room always feels chilly, despite it being the middle of summer, and I filled a decanter with sherry wine, Sir Harry,' she said, emphasising his new title. ‘The old order is restored and we can resume our rightful place in the world.'

‘I'll go upstairs and make myself presentable,' Charity said, smiling. ‘I'll be as quick as I can.'

Washed, dressed in clean clothes and with her injuries tended to by Mrs Diment, Charity made her way downstairs to the parlour to find Harry seated by the fire with an untouched glass of sherry on the table at his side. He stood up and his smile enveloped her like a warm caress. ‘You look beautiful.'

She felt her resolve weakening, but she was determined to stand firm. ‘You must go home, Harry. You know very well that Dan isn't strong enough to stand up to your mother, let alone Wilmot. That man is a bully beneath all that outward show of charm.'

‘I can't leave London for a day or two. I still have some formalities to go through, but once my name is on the Official Roll no one can dispute my claim.'

‘Wilmot will find a way round that if he can. Don't underestimate him.'

‘Even so, I'm sure that Dan's birth certificate will state that his father was Sir Philip, even though it's untrue.'

‘So he couldn't inherit the land or the title?'

‘I suppose he could put in a claim if I were to die suddenly.' Harry reached out to take her hands in his. ‘But I think murder would be a step too far for Wilmot. He's greedy, but he's not stupid.'

She stared down at their intertwined fingers. ‘I think that Wilmot knows you'll be generous to your brother, and that he'll do his best to make Dan surrender whatever share of the fortune you decide to allow him. You know how easy-going and good-natured Dan is – he'll agree to anything for a quiet life and he wants to see your mother happy.'

‘You are wise beyond your years, my darling, and I love you more than ever. I'll go home as soon as possible, and in the meantime I'll do my best to persuade you to change your mind about us.' He kissed her on the forehead. ‘I'll propose to you properly when all this is settled. All I ask is that you don't let anyone or anything come between us. It's our future that counts and damn the rest of the world.'

She looked into his eyes. ‘I promise,' she murmured.

He released her hands and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close so that she could feel his heart beating in time with her own. She laid her head on his shoulders and breathed in the scent of him, which she knew she would carry in her memory for the rest of her life even if they were to part now and never meet again.

The sound of the doorbell made them move apart and seconds later Gideon burst into the room. ‘He got away,' he said breathlessly. ‘The workmen held Chapman captive until the police arrived. They arrested him but he gave them the slip.'

‘He's desperate to get hold of Vi's baby,' Charity said urgently. ‘He said he'd found a couple whose baby had died and they were prepared to pay him good money for . . .' she could not finish the sentence and she sat down suddenly as her knees gave way beneath her. ‘He'll be looking for Vi.'

Gideon sat down beside her. ‘She should be safe at Bligh Park.'

‘He's clever in his own way.' Charity knotted her fingers together in attempt to stop her hands shaking. ‘He found me here and he must know that you own a country estate.'

‘The police will be on the lookout for him, my love,' Harry said, frowning.

She shook her head. ‘He'll be on his way there now. He'll find Violet and take her baby. We have to stop him.'

HARRY LEAPT TO
his feet. ‘I'll go to the police station and tell them all we know. They won't let him get away.'

Charity shook her head. ‘Bert is too cunning to be caught. He'll bide his time and hide in the shadows until he thinks he's safe. He's a violent man and he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants.' She stood up, shaken but determined. ‘I'm going to catch the next train to Dorset. I have to warn Vi and get her to a place of safety.'

‘You're putting yourself in danger, and I won't allow that.' Harry seized her by the shoulders. ‘Let me do as I said and inform the police.'