The Royal Lacemaker (21 page)

Her heart flipped but
then she remembered that she'd spent the best part of the morning away from
her work.

‘Sorry, Tom, but like you said, I
must make up for the time I was in Coombe. I'll meet you by your boat after I
finish work tomorrow,' she promised. Then with a cheery wave, she hurried
inside the agent's house.

Tilda came out to greet her. She was
carrying a plate of bread and cheese.

‘Mrs Bodney says you can eat in
the workroom, as you're by yourself, but you're to be sure to wash your
hands before doing your work afterwards.'

‘Thank you, Tilda. I hadn't
realized I was hungry until now.'

Whilst she ate, she looked around her
new surroundings, noticing the big windows, which would afford them good light in
which to work, the wide wooden floorboards and the rest of the ladderbacked chairs
set out along the walls. It was a large room and would be perfect for them all, she
thought, getting up and rearranging the chairs ready for the following morning.
Then, heeding Mrs Bodney's orders, she went outside and washed her hands at
the pump. Staring around, she was pleased to see the enclosed yard was bigger than
the one at Mrs Bodney's cottage. No doubt, her employer would expect all the
ladies to partake of their nuncheon here and they would need the extra space.

She was just making her way back to the
workroom when Mrs Bodney came through to the hallway.

‘Did you see Albert and get sized
for new boots?' she asked, putting on her gloves.

‘Yes, but he said I might have to
wait a month for them.'

‘We'll see
about that,' said Mrs Bodney, frowning.

‘You should have seen these boots
he's made,' Lily burst out. ‘They're beautiful with fine
stitching the colour of cherries. I'd do anything to have a pair like
that.' Her employer looked at her for a long moment and then cleared her
throat.

‘You are now mixing with a
different class of man, some of whom like to treat a lady to little luxuries in
return for the delight of their company.'

‘Really?' Lily asked,
looking perplexed for a moment. ‘Oh, you mean like Mr Mountsford brings you
packets sometimes?' she asked.

Immediately her employer's
demeanour changed.

‘I'm sure you are anxious to
get back to your work, Lily,' she said brusquely, before opening the front
door and disappearing into the street.

Doing as she'd been bid, Lily
settled down to work. Her mind was spinning as she thought how much had happened
over the past few days. It had been sad saying goodbye to the family home, the only
one she'd known, and she hoped Aunt Elizabeth and Rob had arrived safely in
Ilminster. She thought of Beth and the lovely time they'd had on the beach.
Tom was going to make a really good father when they had their own children, and she
couldn't help grinning at the thought. It had been kind of him to arrange with
the carter to collect her things too. She hoped he hadn't been too offended
that she'd accepted Mr Mountsford's offer. After all, it was her
employer who'd arranged it.

Dusk descended into darkness, casting
eerie fingers of shadow around the room and Lily covered her work. Making her way up
the steep stairs to the attic, she stood
in the doorway looking
around the large, airy room. She couldn't believe she had all this space to
herself. There was a decent sized bed covered with a pretty yellow coverlet and a
little table and chair set beside it. She noticed her things had been placed neatly
beside a tin chest set under the eaves. Then she spotted the skylight and went over
to push it open. Standing on tiptoe, she found herself staring over the thatched
roofs, with plumes of smoke rising from the chimneys into the air, and could just
glimpse the silver of the bay beyond.

Quickly she stowed her things in the
chest, then, eyelids drooping with tiredness, she kicked off her boots and slipped
out of her dress. Sinking thankfully under the coverlet, she thought she'd
fall asleep straightaway, but the creaking of the house was unfamiliar and she could
hear the waves pounding the beach and the shooshing sound as the water was sucked
back out again. As she lay in the darkness her thoughts drifted back over the past
hours: the ride in Rupert's carriage, visiting her home for the last time,
collecting her things, those beautiful boots and the curious thing Mrs Bodney had
said.

Finally, she drifted off to sleep and
dreamed that she was dressed in a fine gown and wearing dainty boots with stitching
the colour of red cherries.

Lily woke with a start, her heart racing
as fast as a galloping stallion. Snatches of her dream were playing in her head.
She'd been in an elegant drawing room festooned with chandeliers.
There'd been soft music playing, arms holding her gently as she'd
danced. She shivered, remembering how she'd looked up into her partner's
face only to find it had no features, no expression. It had been as blank as a
ghoul's mask at Samhain. Shaking her head, she tried to dispel the disturbing
image. There was no time to dwell on its meaning, for already the soft grey of
morning was filtering through the skylight. Dressing quickly, she let herself out
into the freshness of the morning and, after drawing water from the pump, quickly
rinsed her face and hands.

Aware the ladies would shortly be
arriving for their first day's work on these premises, she hurried to their
new workroom. She hoped they'd all get on together and there would be no
problems. All these thoughts vanished, when she saw Mrs Bodney was already waiting
for her. Remembering their last meeting, she looked anxiously at her employer.

‘Ah, Lily, I trust you slept
well?' her employer asked.

Relieved that the woman seemed in a good
mood this morning, she nodded.

‘I see you have already prepared
for the ladies' arrival,
so take yourself through to the
next room, which I have turned into my parlour. Tilda will bring you in some
refreshment to break your fast. I have urgent business to attend to but will be back
later to see how you are all getting on.'

‘Yes, Mrs Bodney,' Lily
replied, her spirits lifting at the thought of being amongst friendly faces again.
She must remember to ask Mary if she would read her the letter from Aunt
Elizabeth.

‘I hope you've thought about
what I said, Lily,' said Mrs Bodney, pausing in the doorway. ‘Mr
Mountsford will be visiting again shortly so remember to be good company for my best
merchant,' she said, winking as she hurried out of the door.

Before Lily could reply, her employer
disappeared from the room, leaving her more confused than ever.

As she entered the parlour, Tilda
appeared with her food and Mrs Bodney's comment went from her mind. She was
just devouring the last crumb of toast when she heard the clatter and chatter of the
ladies making their way into the building and hurried back to the workroom.

‘Morning, Lily. I see we're
going up in the world,' Mary puffed as she offloaded her pillow onto the table
with a thud and peered around the room.

‘I bet Picky Pike was none too
pleased to lose his domain,' giggled Cora, making Lily smile.

‘I heard the Revenue's after
him and he's got to lie low,' Nell whispered.

‘I understand he has business to
attend to further down the country,' Lily said hastily, not wishing to
encourage gossip. Hearing more hustle and bustle in the doorway,
she looked up and saw the ladies from High House crowding into the room with their
pillows and bundles.

‘Find yourselves places around the
tables, ladies, and unpack your work,' said Lily with a welcome smile. When
they had settled themselves, she introduced everyone. Then she noticed the two lace
makers she'd recruited the previous day were hovering nervously in the
doorway.

‘Come in and take a seat,'
she encouraged. ‘It's lovely to see you again and, of course, you will
all have time to get to know each other better at nuncheon. Meanwhile, I'm
sure we will enjoy the benefit of working together. Before we begin, there are a
couple of things I need to tell you. Those of you who have been working with me have
been making sprays of flowers, whilst those who have been with Mrs Bodney at High
House have been working on leaf patterns.' She paused, as a ripple of surprise
ran around the room. ‘This was to ensure the design was kept a secret, but Mrs
Bodney now feels it would be more convenient to have you all working under one roof.
As we are working to a strict timetable, for speed and efficiency you will continue
with the designs you have been making until sufficient have been made.'

‘Thank heavens,' Mary said.
‘Me poor brain couldn't take the pressure of learning any more
patterns.' There was a burst of laughter and Lily smiled.

‘Mrs Bodney is really pleased with
the progress you have made so far. Remember, though, we are already approaching the
third month of this commission so please work diligently whilst maintaining your
highest standards. Weave happy thoughts through your work, ladies,' she said
encouragingly, and then made her way
over to the two new recruits.
‘Now these are the patterns I want you to prick out,' she said.

‘Getting hoity-toity now and
speaking like Mrs Bodney, are we?'

Glancing up in surprise, she saw Molly
standing in the doorway, a large bag of groceries in her hand. ‘Guess
you'll be thinking you're above us now, riding out with that toff in his
fancy carriage.'

‘It wasn't like that,'
Lily protested, feeling the heat creeping up her cheeks.

‘Well, you must have let him have
something. A gentleman like that wouldn't give the likes of you a second look
else.'

‘Really, Molly, that's
downright nasty. It's a good job Mrs Bodney isn't here …'
Mary's voice tailed off.

‘Ah, but Mrs Bodney is
here.'

Molly spun round, her jaw dropping as
she saw the woman standing in the doorway. ‘And a dog knows its own tricks.
Kindly remove yourself from my premises.'

‘But—'

‘No buts. Get out this instant and
you can tell your father I'll be making other arrangements for my victuals in
future.' With that, she pushed the gaping Molly out onto the street, slamming
the door behind her. The lace makers looked at each other in amazement.

‘Right, ladies, it's nice to
see you all here, but the show is over, so back to work,' Mrs Bodney ordered.
‘Lily, I'd like a word, if you please.'

As the ladies bent their heads over
their pillows, Lily swallowed hard and followed Mrs Bodney into the adjoining
room.

‘Don't
look so worried, Lily. There will always be those who resent others getting on in
life. You mustn't ever let another person's jealousy get to
you.'

‘But I never did anything, you
know, improper,' she protested.

To her astonishment, Mrs Bodney burst
out laughing.

‘Oh, Lily, I never for one moment
thought you did. The secret of dealing with people like Molly is not to rise to
their bait. Just smile sweetly, then, when they see their taunts are having no
effect, they'll back off. Do you understand?'

Lily nodded.

‘Good. Now, as you know, Anna has
been waiting to see if anything can be done about her eyesight. Poor woman,
it's not good news, I'm afraid, and I can no longer employ her here. Oh,
don't worry,' she said, as Lily gasped in dismay. ‘Someone I know
requires domestic help, so she will still be earning a wage. We now need to think
about how we can protect our lace makers' eyesight in the future, Lily. I know
it's summer and we have the longer hours of daylight but we shall have to
encourage employers, myself included, to let the ladies light candles earlier in the
year.'

Lily gasped. ‘Really? That would
be helpful and save many a headache too,' she said, speaking from experience.
‘I'm pleased you have been able to find a position for Anna, but having
her winding the thread onto the bobbins has made a huge difference to our daily
output.'

‘Yes, and that is why I've
engaged someone to take her place. When I left earlier, there was a girl waiting
outside. Although she failed the test yesterday, she pleaded with
me to find her work. I like a person who doesn't give up easily, so
I've engaged her to take over from Anna. Come in please, Emma,' she
called, and Lily looked up to see the curly-headed girl looking shyly at her.

‘Emma is prepared to work hard and
do anything asked of her, so please take her through to the workroom and explain
what her duties will be.'

By the time Lily had shown Emma what she
was to do and then checked everyone's work, it was well into the morning.
Drained from her restless night and setting up the new workroom, she sank onto her
chair. Being an overseer was certainly demanding, but she mustn't grumble. The
extra money she was earning would help swell her betrothal fund, she thought, before
remembering the new boots. One step forward, three back, as her mother used to say
when she was trying to eke out their meagre funds.

Picking up her bobbins, she resumed work
on the sprig she'd started the previous day and before long the rhythm of her
work restored her equilibrium. As often happened, she began daydreaming about the
lace she would make for her own wedding dress and how long it would be before she
and Tom were wed. Tom was right: they didn't spend enough time together. Now
she was living here, she would have more free time to see him and make plans for
their future. As he was baiting up the pots as well as fishing, they'd be able
to save more money to marry. Time was passing quickly and it was exciting to think
that soon they could look for their own place. She couldn't wait.

The lace makers worked through the long
days of high summer, only too aware of the deadline looming. Mrs
Bodney took to popping in for on the spot inspections but Lily's exacting
leadership meant their work was never found wanting. They adopted the mantra of
tongues still, bobbins moving and Lily used the resulting quiet of the workroom to
foster her happy daydreams.

‘Damn and blast.'

Rudely roused from her reverie, Lily was
about to rebuke Cora for her bad language when she noticed the girl was distressed.
Huge tears were rolling down her face and it was only Emma's swift
intervention with a scrap of material that saved them from landing on her
lacework.

‘It's ruined anyway,'
Cora wailed. ‘Oh, I hate it here,' and with that she fled from the room,
leaving the other lace makers speechless. Even when her friend Nell called after
her, she didn't stop.

‘All right, everyone, back to your
work,' Lily said, rushing to the door and peering out. But Cora had already
disappeared. Puzzled at the girl's unusual behaviour, she went over to
Dora.

‘Do you know what's up with
your sister?' Lily asked.

Two green eyes stared up at her and the
girl shrugged. ‘She never talks to me,' she muttered.

‘Oh?' Lily said, surprise
showing on her face.

‘We don't even like each
other. Closest we ever got was our names. Mother was having a right laugh, I reckon.
'Spect Cora's got man trouble. That's usually it with her,'
the girl added, then looked down at her pillow. Seeing the matter was closed as far
as Dora was concerned, Lily went over to look at Cora's lace.

It was in such a mess
that she could have cried herself. It would take an age to undo and then rework the
threads. For two bobbins she'd cast the wretched sprig aside and start on a
new one but, of course, that wasn't an option because all the thread had to be
accounted for.

Breaking Mrs Bodney's golden rule,
she didn't stop for her noon break but set about putting Cora's work to
rights. She hoped the girl would return once she'd calmed down. Although
they'd got off to a bad start, once Cora had accepted that Lily was overseer,
she'd proven to be a good worker.

However, the afternoon wore on and Cora
didn't reappear, leaving Lily no option but to carry on and finish the sprig.
If Cora didn't turn up on the morrow, she'd have to let Emma work the
lace, and employ another girl to replenish the bobbins and keep the workroom tidy.
It would mean watching Emma closely, but working to time was critical if all the
lace were to be ready for sewing up by November.

Although they had benefited from the
summer hours of daylight, they were past the longest day, and the shadows were
lengthening earlier in the evening. Before Lily realized it, Mary and the others
were covering their work. Despite there being so many more lace makers together now,
they'd been working so quietly she'd forgotten they were there. Smiling
her thanks as they filed out of the room, she returned to her own pillow.
She'd never make up the time lost, but at least she could finish the piece
she'd been working on.

It was twilight by the time she'd
caught up sufficiently to stop working. Letting herself out into evening air, she
lifted her skirts and hurried towards the harbour, hoping Tom
would be waiting, as he was each evening that the tide allowed. But he wasn't
there. Apart from the boats drawn up on the beach, the bay was unusually deserted.
Dejected, she trudged wearily back up the hill, pulling her shawl tighter around her
against the stiffening breeze. Then as she passed the grocer's store, a voice
called through the open door.