The Beggar Maid (46 page)

‘No. Well, maybe. I don't know, Charity. Anyway, now that Harry is here everything will be settled and they'll leave me alone.' He looked round as Fitzroy arrived, leading his horse. ‘Thanks, old man. I'll return the favour.'

‘You'd better.' Fitzroy held the horse while Daniel mounted.

‘I'll take good care of him,' Daniel promised as he took the reins. He turned to Charity with a roguish smile. ‘I'll race you to the crossroads.'

They arrived at the rectory to find Mrs Simms and Jennet in a state of near hysteria. ‘Oh, thank goodness it's you, sir,' Mrs Simms cried, clutching Daniel's arm. ‘We are so frightened. The rector, Sir Harry and Master Gideon left over an hour ago, soon after the policeman arrived to tell them that the villain had escaped. He got out of the window and climbed down the tree while it was still dark. He could be outside right now, lurking in the bushes.'

Charity's hand flew to her throat in an involuntary gesture. ‘Where are the girls?'

‘Hiding in the old nursery at the top of the house,' Jennet said, looking round nervously as if she expected to see the house surrounded by a dozen Bert Chapmans. ‘That man is like Spring-heeled Jack. I read about him in a penny dreadful, and he was seen again in Aldershot Barracks ten years ago. My mum said there was an account of it in the
News of the World
, so it must be true.'

‘Don't be silly, Jennet,' Mrs Simms said crossly.

‘But it was near London and that man come from there.' Jennet crossed her arms beneath her large bosom, nodding her head wisely. ‘Who's to say that Chapman ain't a reincarnation of the devil?'

Charity laid a comforting hand on Jennet's arm. ‘I don't think that Bert Chapman is anything other than a very wicked man, but that doesn't mean we should take chances. Daniel will stay with you and I'll go upstairs to see Violet and Dorrie, if that's all right with you, Mrs Simms?'

‘Certainly, miss. Of course, you must do that.' She turned to Daniel with a motherly smile. ‘May I get you some refreshment, sir?'

Charity did not wait to hear Dan's answer. She raced up two flights of stairs to the nursery and knocked on the door. ‘Violet, it's me, Charity. Let me in.'

Moments later after hugs and tears, Charity sat on a threadbare nursing chair with Dorrie at her feet while Violet huddled on the bed with Alice sleeping peacefully in her arms. ‘I can't believe that me dad was mixed up with the gangs,' she said sadly. ‘If he goes to prison it'll be the workhouse for Ma and the little 'uns.'

‘I'm sure we can do something to help her.' Charity stroked Dorrie's hair. ‘We'll survive this, as we've survived everything else You mustn't worry.'

‘You won't leave us, will you, Charity?' Dorrie clutched her hand, holding it to her cheek. ‘I'm not scared when you're here.'

Charity was about to answer when a commotion from the front garden made her leap to her feet and run to the tiny dormer window. She looked out and saw Bert standing in the middle of the road, shouting and storming at the village men who had surrounded him. She opened the window. ‘I know they're here somewhere,' Bert roared. ‘My daughter has been abducted by the parson. He's going to ruin her and I want her returned to the bosom of her loving family.'

Violet slid off the bed, clutching Alice to her bosom. ‘What's he doing out there? What lies is he spreading?'

‘I'll go down,' Charity said, closing the window. ‘Stay here, both of you. Let me and Daniel handle this until the police arrive. Harry should be with them so they can't be far off.'

She let herself out of the room and ran downstairs to find Daniel in the entrance hall. ‘Don't go out there,' she pleaded. ‘Wait for the police.'

Mrs Simms clutched her hand to her heart. ‘I can feel my palpitations coming on. If only the rector had stayed at home instead of rushing off to the cottage with Master Gideon and Sir Harry.'

Jennet peered out of the window. ‘That man is saying terrible things about Master Gideon. I'm going out there to give him a piece of my mind.'

Charity caught Jennet by the apron strings as she was about to open the front door. ‘Don't. You'll just play into his hands. No one in the village will believe his lies. We have to wait and hope that Harry and the police come quickly.'

‘I'll go out and tell them he's a wanted criminal.' Daniel reached for the door handle, but Charity barred his way.

‘Don't. You'll only make matters worse. If anyone goes out there it should be me. I'll tell the men what he did to me and what he intends to do to his own flesh and blood.' She opened the door and slipped out before Daniel had a chance to argue. Unnoticed by the crowd she walked down the garden path and opened the gate. ‘Brave words, Bert Chapman, but they're all lies.'

A sudden silence fell and all heads turned to stare at her. She pushed her way through the throng until she came face to face with Bert. ‘This man is a gang leader from London. He's wanted for numerous crimes including abducting a young woman and keeping her prisoner. He plans to take his daughter's baby and sell her for the highest price he can get. Do you want to allow this villain to go free?'

‘Don't listen to her,' Bert roared. ‘She's a slut from the East End who sells her body to any man with a penny to spare. She wouldn't know the truth if it bit her on the bum.'

Someone in the crowd sniggered and was immediately shushed.

‘None of that is true.' Charity held her head high, projecting her voice so that it rang out loud and clear. ‘This man is a criminal. Your wives and daughters aren't safe when he's around.'

‘What Miss Crosse says is the truth.' Daniel had left the safety of the house to stand beside her. ‘You all know me, and I say arrest this man. Hold him until the officers of the law arrive.'

There was a sudden scuffle as Bert attempted to push his way to freedom but he was no match for men who earned their living by muscle power and brawn. He lay on the ground with one man's foot pressed on his back and another holding his feet. The sound of horses' hooves and police whistles shattered the sudden stillness and Harry arrived, followed by Gideon and the police with Philip Raines bringing up the rear.

Harry leapt from the saddle and rushed to Charity's side. ‘Are you all right, darling?'

‘I am now,' she said, smiling.

‘Albert Chapman, I'm arresting you in the name of the law.' The police sergeant from London dragged Bert to his feet. ‘You won't get away from us this time.'

Bert shot a malevolent look at Charity. ‘I'll make you pay for this, you bitch.'

‘Don't worry, miss,' the sergeant said, grinning. ‘He'll be going away for a long time.' He gave Bert a none too gentle shove, sending him into the arms of one of the constables who slapped handcuffs on him with obvious satisfaction. Bert was led away still proclaiming his innocence.

‘I've never come across such a slippery customer,' the sergeant said, mopping his brow. ‘The streets of London will be safer when he's locked up.'

Harry shook his hand. ‘Might I suggest that you and your men take some refreshment at the village inn before you set off for London? At my expense, of course.'

‘Thank you, sir. But with a character like Chapman I think it best to get him on the train as soon as we can. I want to see him locked in the guard's van with two of my most able constables.'

‘I quite understand.' Harry turned to Charity with a tender smile. ‘Let's get you home. I think we've all had enough excitement to last a lifetime.'

Charity shook her head. ‘I must go and tell the girls first, and the cottage needs some repairs before we can live in it again.'

‘Come inside, all of you,' Gideon said firmly. ‘We all need some sustenance after that experience.' He took his father by the arm. ‘I was never so proud of you as I was today, Father.'

‘I had a powerful ally.' Philip smiled and cast his eyes heavenward.

‘Tea is what you need, sir,' Mrs Simms said, seizing Jennet by the arm. ‘If you'll make yourselves comfortable in the drawing room we'll bring refreshments.' She hustled Jennet back into the house, and was met in the doorway by Dorrie and Violet. Dorrie flew at Charity and clung to her like a burr.

‘Has he gone? Has the bad man been taken away?'

‘He won't trouble any of us again,' Charity said gently. ‘Everything will be all right.'

Violet shook her head. ‘For us maybe, but not for Ma. I'll have to go home and help her look after the young 'uns.'

Dorrie uttered a muffled shriek. ‘You mustn't leave me, Violet.'

Violet rocked Alice in her arms as the baby opened her eyes and began to whimper. ‘What choice do I have? You can stay with Charity.'

Charity turned to Harry, who had remained at her side, holding her hand. ‘What can we do?'

He gave Violet an encouraging smile. ‘You mustn't worry. We'll think of something.'

Gideon paused in the doorway. ‘In the meantime Violet and Dorrie are more than welcome to stay here until the repairs are carried out at the cottage.' He lowered his voice. ‘It would give Mrs Simms something to think about other than fussing over Father's health. It drives him mad but he's too soft-hearted to tell her so.'

‘Thank you, sir.' Violet bobbed a curtsey. ‘You're very kind.'

He shook his head. ‘Not at all. You would be doing me a favour, Violet. I have to return to London as soon as possible and I know that Father enjoys your company.'

Dorrie stared hard at Violet. ‘You're blushing, Vi.' She turned her attention to Gideon. ‘You should marry her, sir. Vi can cook a lovely rabbit stew and she's already got a baby, and I could be Alice's sister. You'd have a family ready and waiting for you.'

Violet stared at her in horror. ‘Hush, Dorrie. You don't say such things to a gent like the reverend.' She rocked Alice in her arms in a desperate attempt to silence the baby's howls.

Gideon threw back his head and laughed. ‘Thank you for the suggestion, Dorrie. I'll give it my earnest consideration.' He held his hand out to Violet. ‘Come indoors and allow Mrs Simms and Jennet to make much of the baby. Have you thought about having her christened?' He led Violet into the house and Alice immediately stopped crying.

‘See,' Dorrie said triumphantly. ‘They was made to go together, just like you two.' She skipped on ahead, leaving Charity and Harry to follow.

‘She's right,' Harry said, smiling. ‘We were destined to meet and fall in love. I'm never going to let you out of my sight again, Charity Crosse.'

‘Your mother won't approve. She hates me, Harry.'

‘Nonsense. Give her time and she'll grow to love you as I do.'

‘Over my dead body.' Myrtle Barton paced the floor, wringing her hands. ‘I won't allow it, Harry. You can't marry a girl from the slums. A pretty face won't help when she's ostracised by society. You'll bring the family name into disrepute.'

Harry threw back his head and laughed. ‘That's rich coming from you, Mama. Did you consider the Bligh name when you left my father for Sir Philip?'

‘That was different.' Myrtle stopped, facing him angrily. ‘I fell in love with Philip. My marriage to your father was arranged by our families. There was no love lost between us.'

‘And yet he never remarried, Mama. And he never said a word against you that I recall.'

Charity cleared her throat nervously. ‘I should go to my room. You ought to discuss this in private.'

‘No.' Harry's tone did not invite argument. ‘I am going to marry you, and my mother will have to get used to the idea.'

Wilmot moved swiftly to Myrtle's side. ‘You can't speak to your mother like that, Harry. You're the one who's dragged the family name through the mire. Marry the girl if you want to bed a slut, but give up your claim to the land and title. Allow your brother to inherit and accept an allowance from the estate, which you can fritter away at the gaming tables while your wife peddles books in the market or sells her body in order to make ends meet.'

Harry made a move towards Wilmot but Charity placed herself between them. ‘That's enough,' she said angrily. ‘You are a disgusting man, Wilmot. You were quick enough to proposition me when I was destitute and yet you accuse me of being a wanton.'

‘He did what?' Harry and his mother spoke in unison.

‘It's true,' Charity said hastily. ‘He'll deny it, of course, but it is true.'

Myrtle turned on her husband in a fury of flailing hands and bared teeth. ‘You brute. You utter cad.'

He grasped her by the wrists. ‘It was before I fell in love with you, my darling. I admit that I offered the girl a home, but she misunderstood my meaning. What can you expect from a child of the gutter?'

Harry seized him by the shoulders, twisted him round and pinned him against the oak panelling. ‘If you ever go near Charity again I won't be responsible for my actions.' He released him, wiping his hands together as he faced his mother. ‘You married a scoundrel, Mother. I hope you'll find some happiness with him, but I want you both out of this house by tomorrow morning at the latest, and that's being generous.'

‘You're throwing your own mother out of her rightful home?' Myrtle's lovely eyes welled with tears and her perfectly shaped mouth drooped at the corners. ‘How can you speak to me like that?'

‘Don't try that with me,' he retorted angrily. ‘I'm no longer a child, and I can see through your ruses. I love you, Mama, but I love Charity even more and she will be my wife, if she'll have me after all this.' He held his hand out to Charity. ‘You've seen the worst of the Bligh family; do you think you could bring yourself to make an honest man of me?'

She slipped her hand into his. ‘I do,' she said simply.