The Girl in the Mask (17 page)

‘It’s like this,’ she said. ‘I ain’t no better at hiding me money than you. Me dad caught me taking the horses back to the stable. I thought he was drunk and asleep. I couldn’t’ve guessed he’d be there. I hadn’t had no time to hide the ready. He got it off me and now he wants more.’

‘I’m so sorry he took your money from you,’ I said. I’d wanted it to benefit her, not her father. I pulled the purse out of its hiding place, dipped my hand into it and offered her a handful of guineas. Jenny pushed my hand away impatiently with a shake of her head. I saw her eyes flash white in the darkness as she rolled them. ‘Ain’t too bright, are you?’ she remarked. When I still remained silent, confused, she said, ‘Oh never mind! I got to get going now.’

‘Jenny, wait … ’ I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say, but I didn’t want her to go. I was lonely and I could tell she was unhappy. ‘What do you want?’ I asked.

Jenny paused and looked at me in the darkness. ‘You knows all the smart folks. You know when some of them’s coming and going. You could let me know.’

I was shocked. It was bad enough that I’d robbed my own father. But at least there was some justification in my own mind for what I’d done. To betray the movements of strangers to a couple of highwaymen was quite another thing. That would make me a criminal.

‘I don’t think … most of them are here for the season, you see,’ I said. ‘They won’t go outside the city walls until the end of the summer. Besides, I don’t know any of them. I’m a newcomer and not … not what you might call popular.’

‘So you won’t help, is that it?’ asked Jenny flatly.

‘I don’t see how I can,’ I said helplessly.

‘I’ll see you around then,’ said Jenny. When I said nothing more, she got up and disappeared into the darkness. I could hear the soft rattle of the roof tiles under her feet as she climbed and then she reached the drainpipe and the night fell silent.

I felt low after she’d gone. I couldn’t shake off the feeling I’d failed her. But I’d told her the truth. Even if I’d wanted to help, I really didn’t know anything about the comings and goings of the people of the Bath. I hugged my knees tighter to my body and shivered.

* * *

I slept badly and was up early, hoping to go and pay the chairmen and to see Mr Allen at the post office while my aunt was at the baths. At a quarter past six, I looked through my closet and discovered to my fury that my wrap-around gowns had both been removed. I rang for Dawes at once. She took an age to appear, heaving and puffing for breath, with all the bleary-eyed appearance of the recently and rudely awakened. ‘Where are my old gowns, Dawes?’ I asked, ignoring her red face and shortness of breath.

‘Your aunt ordered them … given to the scullery maid, Miss,’ gasped Dawes. ‘She said as how you wouldn’t need them any more.’

Shaking with fury, I hurled a scent bottle against the wall. It shattered in a satisfying explosion of glass. ‘How dared you remove my clothes without my say-so?’ I demanded in a voice that wasn’t steady.

Dawes stood rigid, her face disapproving. ‘It’s your father as pays me, Miss, and his and your aunt’s orders I’m under. Not yours.’

‘Get out,’ I said, clenching my fists.

Dawes withdrew at once, closing the door with a snap. I heard her heavy tread descending the staircase. I looked around for something else to throw. There were only my hairbrushes and having hurled them at the wall, I was left with no further vent for my rage. I resorted to pulling all my expensive gowns out of the closet and throwing them one by one onto the floor. They were none of them suitable for visiting the less fashionable parts of town. In my frustration, I kicked a ball gown across the room and sat down heavily on the bed.

I was trapped in the house by fashion; how ridiculous. Meanwhile, warty Sam would be waiting for me by the tavern, hoping for his fee, as arranged. He would be angry, and justifiably so. I considered he deserved to be paid after humiliating Sir Oswald so beautifully for me last night.

After allowing despair to overcome me for nearly half an hour, I finally pulled myself together. I extricated the plainest of my walking gowns from the tangled heap on the floor and pulled it on. I didn’t bother with the hoop at first, but the trouble was, without it the gown was too long and trailed along the ground. It would become soiled as soon as I stepped outside the front door. Sighing with exasperation, I pulled the gown back off and flung it on the bed while I fumbled with tapes and buckles. I was determined not to call the odious Dawes back up to help me. By the time I realized my flat shoes were still out on the roof, I was already caged in hoop and gown and had no hope of climbing through the window. Reluctantly, I picked out the least preposterous of my new shoes to wear.

It was some time later that I finally emerged from the house in high heels and swaying petticoats. I would need to hurry, at this rate, to make it back before my aunt returned for breakfast. I walked into the city, picking my way through the dirty streets, holding the petticoats of my blue gown as high as I dared. An elderly buck in velvet and lace paused in Cheap Street, to stare at me, openly inspecting my ankles. I hurriedly dropped the hem of my petticoats a little to hide them, cursing softly when the fabric skimmed a muddy puddle, picking up a dark stain.

I was attracting notice. In my shabby gown and old shoes, no one had looked at me twice. Dressed as a fine lady, people stared to see me walking by myself. I was relieved to finally turn into Slippery Lane. Sam was lounging against a wall, picking his teeth while he waited for me. When he saw me approaching, he straightened up and threw the stick into the kennel. ‘You’re late,’ he growled by way of greeting.

‘My apologies,’ I responded. ‘I was unavoidably delayed. Your three guineas,’ I added as I handed him his fee. ‘And an extra guinea for the blow Sir Oswald gave you. His downfall was a spectacle to gladden the heart of his every enemy.’

Sam’s eyes gleamed as he palmed the money. ‘My pleasure. But there’s the question of my poor colleague.’

‘What of him?’

‘He’s in the hospital with a broken leg. Can’t walk, can’t work. And him with a missus and seven little ’uns to keep. And me with no partner for the chair. Not to mention repair to the chair what got broken.’ The man sighed deeply and held out his palm suggestively.

I felt a moment’s real shock. I’d been so sure they’d been faking the broken leg. It had been no part of my plan for anyone to be injured, not even the vile Sir Oswald. I looked closely at Sam. His eyes shifted. I decided he was lying. ‘I don’t believe you. That wasn’t your usual chair; I’ll bet it was an old one you found especially. I’ve already given you an extra guinea. There’s not a penny more,’ I told him. ‘You needed to take your expenses into account when you took on the job.’

I’d barely finished speaking before I was seized from behind. A hand was clamped over my mouth and I was held tightly. As I struggled, Sam swiftly searched my pockets and gown for money. I writhed furiously as his hands ran over my body. ‘She’s telling the truth,’ he said to his unseen companion, who swore angrily.

‘Let’s have her gown then,’ he growled in my ear. ‘That’ll be worth a fair bit.’

I was furious at myself for having been caught out. How had the man managed to sneak up on me without my noticing? And now the humiliation of being undressed and being forced to return home semi-naked stared me in the face. But the image had barely formed in my mind before there was a shout behind me.

I was released so abruptly that I staggered and nearly fell. I managed to catch hold of the wall just in time to save myself from a descent into the mire reminiscent of Sir Oswald’s. As I recovered my balance, I saw the man fleeing down the street was Sam’s fellow-chairman. His broken leg had made a remarkable recovery.

‘Are you hurt, madam?’ asked a concerned voice as my arm was taken in a strong, supportive hold. I looked up to see the kindly face of Mr Allen looking down into mine. ‘Why, Miss Williams!’ he cried, recognizing me.

‘Mr Allen!’ I exclaimed. ‘No, I’m not hurt. But I’m
very
glad to see you.’

Mr Allen’s companion was chasing the chairmen with greater agility than they showed in running away. I watched him leap over a pile of refuse after Sam, keeping his balance on the slippery cobbles in his elegant boots. He caught Sam by the collar of his coat, swung him round with considerable force, and pinned him up against the wall. Swiftly, the man drew his sword and held it to the chairman’s chest.

He turned briefly towards me and I saw it was Mr Charleton. I’d always thought of him as a fine dandy, and was surprised to see him so fierce. ‘What did he steal from you, Miss Williams?’ Mr Charleton demanded. Keeping the sword point levelled at Sam’s heart, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of gold guineas. ‘Are these yours?’ he asked.

‘No, no; they must belong to him! He stole nothing from me!’ I cried. The man had behaved despicably, but I couldn’t rob him of the money he’d earned fairly from me. ‘Indeed, he didn’t hurt me at all. Please let him go.’

‘Are you sure?’ Mr Charleton sounded taken aback.

‘Really,’ I assured him. ‘I’m truly grateful to you, but there’s no harm done.’

Mr Charleton lowered his sword but still glared at his captive. ‘You had better not approach this young lady ever again,’ he warned. ‘Or it’ll be the worse for you.’ He released him and Sam made off as fast as he could. His companion had already made himself scarce.

‘What are you doing in such a street?’ asked Mr Charleton returning to me. He took hold of my arm and shook it slightly, a look of black suspicion on his face. ‘What have you been about, Miss Williams?’

I stood silent, afraid he’d guessed the truth. What I’d done was bad indeed, I reflected, now I was faced with discovery. But Mr Allen interrupted: ‘Come, Charleton! Miss Williams has had a fright. Don’t upset her more!’ He turned to me and smiled kindly. ‘Did you get lost?’ he asked gently.

‘That’s right,’ I agreed, smiling at Mr Allen, relieved to have such a reasonable excuse. ‘I was on my way to the post office, Mr Allen,’ I explained earnestly. ‘But then I took a wrong turning and lost my way.’

‘I hope you’ll allow us to walk you home now,’ said Mr Allen at once. ‘You should avoid this part of the city, it’s no fit place for a lady.’

‘But what are
you
doing here?’ I asked. ‘How did you happen to come along just in time to rescue me?’ The two men exchanged a quick glance.

‘We had some … business here,’ said Mr Allen. Surprised, I opened my mouth to ask more, but Mr Charleton interrupted.

‘You’re a young lady and shouldn’t walk alone at all,’ he said. ‘I’m surprised your aunt allows it.’

‘You weren’t carrying a purse?’ asked Mr Allen offering me his arm. When I shook my head he added: ‘That was fortunate, for the rogues would quite likely have robbed you of it.’

‘Finding I had none, they planned to steal my gown instead,’ I admitted ruefully as we began to walk towards home. Mr Charleton frowned at me.

‘That would have taught you a sharp lesson,’ he said sternly. Then he seemed to shake off his severity and go for a lighter note: ‘And we would have had our chivalry far more rigorously tested in escorting you home, hey, Allen? There was a real danger we’d have made a run for it instead.’

‘No … no, indeed,’ stammered Allen, embarrassed. ‘I would never leave a lady to fend for herself in such circumstances.’

‘Then you’re a better man than I,’ said Charleton.

‘I do believe, Mr Charleton, that you would take escorting a scantily-clad female quite calmly,’ I remarked. ‘After all, there is nothing you like better than to play knight errant to damsels in distress.’

‘Only the one damsel, Miss Williams,’ he replied with great courtesy. I knew he was just teasing me, indeed only a moment ago he had seemed quite angry, but his words brought a little colour to my cheeks nonetheless.

It was most unfortunate that our arrival home coincided with my aunt’s descent from a sedan chair outside our front door. She was astonished to see me. ‘Allow us to restore your niece safely to you, madam,’ said Mr Charleton with a graceful bow.

‘Res … store? Safe … safely?’ gibbered my aunt, pulling out her vinaigrette and taking a fortifying sniff. ‘Wh-what … ?’

‘Oh it was nothing!’ I assured her, trying in vain to catch Mr Charleton’s eye to warn him not to say more. ‘I went for a short walk, and became a little lost. These kind gentlemen showed me the way home; that is all.’

Mr Charleton’s eyes twinkled a little. ‘That’s right, ma’am. She assures us she was neither hurt nor robbed.’

I felt a strong inclination to kick him in the shins. ‘You’ll take the greatest care of her, ma’am, I know,’ Mr Charleton continued, still ignoring me. ‘Perhaps Miss Williams might benefit from taking the waters with you in the mornings? You need to keep her close to keep her out of mischief, I believe.’

I gasped. ‘No, by God!’ I swore angrily.

‘
Sophia!
’ shrieked Aunt Amelia. ‘Sirs, I apologize for my niece. You are absolutely right. I shall not let her out of my sight again. Thank you for your kind assistance and advice, Mr Charleton. And … er … Mr … ?’ She looked reluctantly at my other rescuer.

‘This is Mr Allen,’ said Mr Charleton at once. ‘Our excellent postmaster.’

My aunt looked Mr Allen over, took in his plain, modest clothing and his neat tie wig both proclaiming the professional man, not the gentleman of leisure, and accorded him only the tiniest of curtsies and a stiff nod. Clearly she would not waste her civility on a mere postmaster. I felt ashamed of her, and turned to Mr Allen, offering him my hand, hoping to make up for her rudeness. ‘Thank you so much for escorting me home,’ I said warmly.

Mr Allen took my hand, bowed over it and murmured something polite. I then picked up my petticoats and swept into the house without giving Mr Charleton a second glance. I couldn’t help hearing him say, ‘That’ll teach me!’ and laugh softly. I gritted my teeth in annoyance and wished I could hear what he was saying to my aunt. I realized I’d made a strategic error in withdrawing from the scene without first getting rid of the enemy.

Sure enough, I had to endure a long telling off from my aunt as a consequence of the encounter. ‘Really, Sophia, I do not know what the matter is with you,’ she said crossly, seating herself on the settle and sniffing vigorously at her salts. ‘You go from one scrape to another! What were you thinking of, going out alone? You know you’re forbidden to do so! When I think what could have happened! You cannot be trusted to spend as much as five minutes alone. That much is clear. I shall take Mr Charleton’s advice. Tomorrow, you’ll accompany me to the baths!’