The Lady's Maid (18 page)

An hour later they left the shop with Kate wearing the sapphire-blue velvet creation trimmed with fur, and Josie having bought three new confections of straw, satin, feathers and flowers. Her extravagance
would
get her into trouble when her father received the bill, but she had learned long ago that a show of repentance and a few tears would make him end up by apologising to her for his parsimony. She would smile again and all would be well.

‘There,’ she said, eyeing Kate with genuine pleasure. ‘See how that bonnet has transformed your sad expression. You look quite enchanting in it, so admit that I was right.’

Kate stole a look at her reflection in the shop window. ‘It is very becoming. Thank you, Josie, although I know I should not have accepted such a generous gift.’

‘Nonsense. That’s what friends are for, and my papa can well afford such luxuries. Anyway, your bonnet cost nothing in comparison with mine, and Papa is not in the least bit stingy.’ She held up the bandbox containing her purchases as a demonstration of her extravagance. ‘I’m sure that he’s well aware that if I’m to be sold to the highest bidder in the marriage mart, I must always look my best.’

‘How can you even think such a dreadful thing? You make marriage sound like a cattle market.’

‘Well, isn’t it? My parents expect me to marry well. There is no room for love or sentiment when money and position are involved.’

‘You don’t mean that, do you, Josie?’

‘Of course I do. Why do you think I was so eager to see Copperstone Castle? I’m expected to make a good match and I think that Harry Challenor would suit me well enough.’

‘But you don’t love him.’

‘I love his castle and his wealth; that will have to be sufficient. Besides which, I’m not such a mercenary creature; I do like him and he’s a handsome rogue. I’m sure we’ll muddle along somehow.’ The conversation was becoming too personal and Josie walked on. In the past she had been able to convince herself that she was thoroughly selfish, but now everything had changed. She could no longer deny her feelings for Sam, but they must be crushed out of existence. It was the only way.

‘But have you never had a fondness for anyone? What happens if you meet someone and fall in love with him?’

‘I shall take a lover, of course. That’s what wealthy women do, isn’t it?’

‘I don’t believe you’re that shallow.’

Josie stopped outside the Antelope Hotel. ‘I am me, Kate. You know me better than anyone else and I will survive no matter what befalls me. But you’re the one in need of sympathy at this moment. Do we go inside and meet the squire? Or have you any other business in town today?’

‘No. I mean, I was going to change my book at the library after I’d taken the eggs to Biddy Madge’s stall, but the squire arrived just as we were leaving and invited me to ride in his new gig. I could hardly refuse without giving offence, and Sam promised to take the eggs to market. I was in such a state that I left my book on the kitchen table. Why, what’s the matter?’

Josie tugged playfully at the ribbons on Kate’s
bonnet
. ‘Nothing’s wrong with me. You’re the one who’s in a state.’

‘I was, but I’m calm now. I just feel rather silly for allowing myself to get upset when I should be happy that Pa has found someone to his liking.’

‘Come, then. I want to see the expression on the squire’s face when he sees you looking so ravishing in that new bonnet.’

‘Wait,’ Kate said, catching her by the elbow as Josie was about to enter the hotel. ‘This one is far too fine for everyday wear. I’ll put on my old bonnet.’

Josie twisted her round and gave her a gentle push. ‘Don’t be silly. Walk in as though you own the place.’

‘He’s only offered me a position in his household,’ Kate said in a low voice. ‘There has been no hint of anything else.’

‘He’s quite a catch, my dear. And it would be a slap in the face for Miss Stamp.’

As Josie followed Kate into the hotel lobby, she wrinkled her nose at the smell of stale beer, tobacco smoke and sweat emanating from the public bar. The sound of deep male voices and gusts of raucous laughter echoed round the wainscoted entrance hall.

Kate hesitated on the threshold. ‘This wasn’t a good idea. I’d rather walk home in a thunderstorm than do this.’

‘Too late,’ Josie whispered. ‘There’s the squire now. Give him your best smile, my dear.’

Edmund Westwood was advancing on them, his craggy features creased into a welcoming smile. ‘Miss Coggins, how charming you look in your new bonnet.
I
think that must have been chosen under your guidance, Miss Damerell.’

Josie shook her head. ‘No, Squire. It was entirely Kate’s choice. She has excellent taste.’

‘So I see. I count myself a fortunate man to have the company of two such elegant young ladies. It would give me great pleasure if you were to join me for a light luncheon.’

‘Thank you, but I really ought to be going now.’ Kate shot a warning glance at Josie. ‘I came to tell you that Sam will take me home in the trap.’

In spite of herself, Josie could not resist the temptation to tease her. ‘But, Kate, you don’t know where to find him. I daresay he returned to the farm ages ago.’

‘And you would be wrong there.’ Sam strolled out of the public bar. ‘The trap is in the stable yard, Kate. If you’re ready to come with me now.’

He was addressing himself to Kate, but Josie was acutely aware that his gaze was fixed on her. She looked away, for once in her life lost for words.

‘It’s all right, Loveday. I’ll bring Miss Coggins home; you may go on your way.’ Edmund held his hand out to Kate. ‘I’ve booked a private parlour, away from the riffraff.’

Josie clenched her hands at her sides. She would have liked to slap the squire’s smug face for the implied insult to Sam. She sent him a warning glance, but she could see that he was ready for a fight. She forced herself to sound calm. ‘You heard the squire, Kate. Let’s go where we can enjoy our luncheon in private away from the common herd.’ It almost broke
her
heart to see the look on Sam’s face, but it was better that he turned his anger on her than on an important man like the squire. If he lost his temper with a magistrate he might well end the day in court, incurring a jail sentence, but try as she might she could not keep up the pretence for more than a few seconds. She turned to Kate, hoping that she at least had understood, but judging by her angry expression she had taken offence on Sam’s behalf.

‘I don’t see good, honest country folk in that way,’ Kate cried angrily. ‘I am one of the common herd as you put it, Josie. And I daresay I belong with the riffraff, Squire. So you’ll forgive me if I go home with Sam. Good day to you.’

‘Well said, girl. I didn’t know you had it in you.’ Sam glowered at Josie as he offered Kate his arm. ‘Good day to you, Miss Damerell, and to you, Squire.’

Josie could bear it no longer. Ignoring the squire’s protests she snatched up her packages and hurried from the room. She caught up with Kate and Sam in the stable yard. ‘I didn’t mean it, Sam.’

His eyes burned into hers with blind fury. ‘You said what you truly feel, Miss Damerell. You put me in my place.’

‘Yes, Josie,’ Kate said, shaking her head. ‘You’ve made it clear where we stand. I’m sorry if I allowed myself to think that we could ever be true friends.’ She allowed Sam to hand her up into the trap, and sat down, staring straight ahead.

‘No. You really don’t understand,’ Josie cried in
desperation
. ‘You mistook my motives, both of you.’ She stood back as Sam leapt onto the driver’s seat and took the reins, urging the old carthorse through the archway that led to the London road.

Josie blinked away angry tears. Why would neither of them listen to her? She had acted in Sam’s best interests. She loved him. Why would she do anything that would cause him pain? She walked slowly as her ankle had begun to ache miserably. In her confused state she only narrowly missed being run down by a cabriolet as it pulled into the stable yard. The horse between the shafts reared and whinnied in fright. ‘Look out there.’ The driver drew the startled animal to a halt before leaping to the ground. ‘Josie? By God, it is you.’

She gazed at him blindly. The voice was familiar but he was muffled in a caped greatcoat and had a felt hat pulled down low to protect him from the rain that had begun to fall in earnest. ‘Harry?’

He tossed the reins to a stable boy. ‘See to him and there’s a silver sixpence in it for you.’ Harry pulled off his hat, staring at Josie with a puzzled frown. ‘Why may I ask are you wandering about an inn yard unattended?’

‘It was all a mistake.’ She stared at him dazedly. ‘Why are you here, if it comes to that?’

‘You invited me to call on your father. Have you forgotten?’

‘No. I mean, I didn’t expect you to come.’

‘I’ve been attending to business matters in Weymouth and I came here for something to eat and drink before
travelling
on to Damerell Manor.’ He took her by the arm. ‘You’re obviously upset. Perhaps you’d better tell me about it over a cup of hot coffee or something stronger.’

‘No, thank you. I must go home.’

‘And I’ll take you in my carriage, but you’ll have to wait until my horse has been fed and watered. I can’t allow the poor animal to travel on again until he’s rested.’

‘My horse is nearby. It won’t take me long to walk to the market place.’

‘It’s pouring with rain. I’ll take you home and we’ll collect your horse on the way.’

Josie remained unconvinced. The thought of facing the squire again so soon was enough to make a walk in the rain seem a much more attractive alternative, but Harry refused to listen to her arguments and eventually she agreed to accompany him into the hotel where he requested a private parlour. He might not be as well known as the squire, but she had to admit that he had a commanding presence, and was obviously used to getting his own way. They were immediately ushered into one of the best rooms, where there was a roaring log fire. She realised then that she was chilled to the marrow and she was glad to sit in a comfortable chair, warming herself and sipping a glass of hot toddy.

Harry took a seat opposite her. ‘Now then, perhaps you feel able to tell me what it was that upset you so much?’

She met his anxious gaze with a straight look.
She
was seeing a completely different side to Harry. There was no suggestion of the flirtatious man about town image that he liked to portray; he seemed genuinely concerned as to her welfare and was being almost unbearably kind. It did not sit with her earlier impression of him. She chose her words carefully. ‘It was something and nothing.’

‘A very large nothing then.’ He smiled but there was no hint of mockery in his eyes.

‘It’s complicated, but Squire Westwood wanted to be alone with Kate, and then Sam intervened and it all became very confused and I said some things I shouldn’t. I was upset, but I’m fine now.’

‘I’m glad, and I won’t ask any awkward questions.’ He rose to his feet as a maidservant entered carrying a tray of food. He gave her what appeared to be a generous tip, as the girl’s face creased into a huge grin. She bobbed a curtsey and scurried from the room.

‘What will you have?’ Harry asked, picking up a fork and surveying the spread. ‘There’s cold ham, meat pie, cheese, celery, pickles. It all looks splendid and I must admit that I’m ravenous. You will join me, won’t you, Josie?’

She was beginning to feel more like her old self and the food smelt good enough to tempt any jaded appetite. She accepted a plate of ham and a slice of pie with a generous helping of mustard pickle.

He watched her with a smile of approval. ‘I like to see a woman with a good appetite.’ He took a seat at the table opposite her. ‘So how did Kate come to be with Westwood and who is Sam?’

‘Sam Loveday. He and his sister were abandoned by their father and raised by Kate’s grandfather as his own children.’ Josie swallowed a mouthful of pie, and once she started to tell him what had happened she found that she could not stop. The only thing she omitted was her involvement with Sam, which was far too private to share with anyone, least of all the man she intended to marry.

Harry listened intently. ‘I remember Loveday. He’s the ferocious-looking young man who guards Kate like a faithful hound.’

‘We all grew up together. We were childhood friends.’

‘In that case you have no need to worry. They might have taken offence at something you said, but when they calm down it will all be forgotten.’ He cut himself a slice of cheese. ‘Can I tempt you to a piece of this excellent Cheddar?’

She shook her head, watching him curiously. ‘Were you really on your way to Damerell Manor?’

‘I received your note, but I would have come anyway. I was waiting until your father had recovered sufficiently to receive visitors.’

Josie was suddenly curious. ‘What is it you do exactly? I know you’re in trade, but no one talks about it. Why is it such a deep dark secret?’

‘It isn’t as far as I’m concerned. I’m proud that my family made their money honestly as merchants and ship owners, and I’ve carried on the tradition. It’s looked down upon by some, but I suspect that it doesn’t matter much to you.’

She met his quizzical gaze with a gurgle of laughter. ‘Not at all. I have to marry a rich man and you’re on the top of my list.’

His laughter echoed round the wainscoted parlour. ‘And you could overlook the fact that my fortune was made in such a vulgar manner?’

‘Possibly, if the rewards were sufficient.’

He almost choked on a mouthful of coffee. ‘Do you know, Josie Damerell, if I were in the marriage market, I think I would be hard pressed to find a woman who amused me as much as you do.’

‘So you’re not looking for a wife?’

‘When the right woman comes along I will hope to prove myself worthy of her.’

‘But you do want to marry someone from a good family?’

‘Birth and breeding don’t come into it.’

‘Mama will be so disappointed.’

He rose to his feet. ‘I think it’s high time I took you home, Josie, and I genuinely want to pay my respects to your father. He’s a good man and it was a terrible injury he sustained.’