A Place Called Home (37 page)

‘If you'll stop gabbling for a moment, I'll tell you everything,' he said, chuckling. ‘But first I need to stable the old nag I bought for twice his worth because the gypsy dealer could see that I was desperate.'

‘I'll show you where to take him.'

He glanced down at her bare feet. ‘I expect I can find the stables. Just point me in the right direction.'

‘The coach house and stable block are at the back of the house. I'll go through and open the scullery door. Come in that way.'

He brushed her cheek with a kiss. ‘I've missed you, Lucy.'

‘You wretch. You always know the right thing to say.' She stopped to light a candle, holding it high so that she could see his face. ‘You look tired. Have you ridden all night?'

‘Not quite, but I'll explain later. Anyway, I'm used to keeping odd hours. It's part of being a soldier.' He opened the door and disappeared into the grey light of early dawn.

Lucy's relief was so great that she felt as if she was floating and her feet barely touched the cold flagstones as she hurried to the kitchen. She unbolted the scullery door and set about riddling the ashes in the range and laying a fire. She had just put a match to the kindling when Bram strolled into the room. She sat back on her haunches. ‘Now you can tell me what's been happening at home.'

He pulled up a chair and sat down. ‘I had to wait for the chap who wanted my commission to pay up, and he took his time. I didn't get away from camp until several days ago, but I went straight to Goldspink and settled up with him. After that I went to Leman Street and Bedwin told me where to find you.'

‘How are they? Is Hester managing without me?'

‘Hester could have taught the Iron Duke a few things about military strategy. She's coping well and so is Bedwin.'

‘Thank goodness for that. I didn't like leaving them.' Lucy concentrated on getting the fire going. ‘What about Pearl?'

‘She's moved into the vicarage as housekeeper. She's a respected member of the community or so she'd have me believe, but Hester told me that she still slips out to the pub every now and then, and she goes into the back yard for a smoke when the parson isn't looking.'

‘How like Pearl.' Lucy eyed him curiously. ‘You managed to evade Linus, then?'

‘He didn't dare take me on personally, the coward, but he'd been pestering them in Leman Street, trying to discover your whereabouts. They sent him off with a flea in his ear, but he's not one to give up easily, especially when he's desperate for money.'

‘I've been so frustrated, but I couldn't do anything or go anywhere for fear of being seen. Linus would take great pleasure in evicting us if he discovered our whereabouts.' Lucy scrambled to her feet, brushing the ash from her skirt. ‘Did Mr Goldspink give you any idea when Granny might be released? It must be soon.'

‘I was coming to that, Lucy. His appeal was successful and she's a free woman.'

‘That's wonderful, but where is she? Who's looking after her?'

‘Don't panic, Lucy. Eva's with Froniga.'

Lucy sat down suddenly as her knees gave way beneath her. ‘I don't understand.'

‘Goldspink suggested that it might be best if he and I went to the prison to meet Eva. He said that in his experience newly released prisoners needed time to readjust to their changed circumstances.'

‘But it should have been me,' Lucy said, shaking her head. ‘I should have been there for her.'

‘Goldspink warned me that she might be in a bad way, and of course I knew you'd want to look after her, but you have the children to care for. Then I thought of the gypsy woman who'd helped you find her, so I took the train to Chelmsford and discovered that the circus had moved on to Colchester. Anyway, to cut a long story short I found Froniga and explained the situation. She agreed to accompany us to the prison, and it's just as well she did because Eva was in a bit of a state.'

‘At least she's free from that dreadful place.' Lucy's breath hitched on a sob of relief. ‘Where did Froniga take her?'

‘They're safe in Colchester. I didn't dare risk bringing her here because there was a chance that Linus might have tracked you down.'

Lucy jumped to her feet and flung her arms around his neck. ‘I can't believe you've done all this for me, Bram. I'll never be able to thank you enough.'

He held her close, smiling down at her. ‘It was what anyone would do for a dear friend.'

‘A dear friend, of course,' she said slowly. ‘That's what you are to me, and I to you.' She curved her lips into a smile. This was not how she had imagined their reunion would be. Bram seemed distant, despite his outward show of cheerfulness, and there was a wary look in his eyes. Something had changed between them, but she was at a loss to know why.

The kettle was bubbling merrily on the hob and she moved away. ‘I'll make some tea,' she said, avoiding his gaze. ‘You must be hungry. There's bread in the crock. Bertie is very good at baking and I'm learning to cook, although it doesn't always turn out as I'd wish.' She was babbling and she knew it, but Bram was sitting at the table watching her in silence. ‘I can boil an egg for you. Lugg gives us eggs and flour in return for some of Bertie's bread.'

‘A cup of tea will be fine. I'll eat later.'

She filled two cups and placed one in front of him, taking a seat on the opposite side of the table. ‘Was Granny very upset and confused?'

‘Froniga thinks she'll recover in time.'

Lucy could stand it no longer. She looked him in the eye. ‘What aren't you telling me, Bram?'

‘I met some of your friends in the circus.'

‘I had quite a lot of acquaintances. I wouldn't say they were all friends.'

‘Monty wanted to know when you were going to return.'

‘I did say I'd go back when my arm healed, but I'm not a performer. It was just a way to earn some money. After all, I had to live, and I hoped to raise the money to pay Mr Goldspink.'

‘He's paid in full.'

She was suddenly angry. ‘What's the matter? Why are you looking at me like that?'

‘I also met Stella. She told me all about your affair with Monty.'

‘What?'

‘She said that you and he were lovers. I can't put it any plainer.'

‘And you believed her?' Lucy leapt to her feet. ‘That woman tried to kill me. She caused my accident, and it wasn't the first time she'd tried to get rid of me.'

‘She said you took her place in the ring as well as in his affections.'

‘You only have to ask Froniga and she'll tell you what really happened. As to Monty, I liked him well enough, and he was good to me, but there was never anything romantic between us.'

‘He's a good-looking fellow. I wouldn't blame you for taking the easy way out.'

‘I should slap your silly face for saying that.' Lucy glared at him, clenching her fists at her sides. ‘You are a stupid man, Bramwell Southwood. In fact, I think all men are equally idiotic.' She broke off as the door opened and Bertie strolled into the kitchen looking bleary-eyed and half asleep. He came to a halt, running his hand through his already tousled mop of hair as he stared at Bram in disbelief.

‘I heard voices and I thought it was Lugg.'

Bram stood up, holding out his arms. ‘It's me all right. Are you too grown-up to give your uncle a hug?'

Lucy moved away, choking back the tears that threatened to overcome her. It was not only the injustice of the accusations Stella had made against her; the fact that Bram had chosen to believe her was even more hurtful. She placed the kettle on the hob. ‘I want to see Granny,' she said when she could trust herself to speak. ‘As soon as the horse is rested I'll ride to Colchester.'

‘It's a good ten miles,' Bram said sharply. ‘You can't go alone.'

‘I'm quite capable of riding that far, and I want to see Granny. You should have brought her here. Never mind Linus. I'm past caring about him.'

‘You wouldn't say that if you'd seen him in a fit of temper,' Bertie said in a low voice. ‘Let Bram go with you.'

‘Someone must stay here with you children.' Lucy faced them angrily. ‘And from what I saw of that poor old nag he'd collapse under the weight of two people. I'm going and that's that.'

Bram's brow creased into furrows and he shook his head. ‘You can't go alone. I wouldn't put it past Linus to have had me followed. You wouldn't stand a chance of getting away on that poor creature.'

‘Let Pa try to take me and the girls and he'll have a fight on his hands,' Bertie said, drawing himself up to his full height. ‘I'm a man now and I'll look after my sisters.'

‘Of course you will.' Lucy patted him on the shoulder. ‘And I'm proud of you, Bertie.' She turned to Bram. ‘If you'd lend me the money to repay Linus the sixty guineas I could go home and take Granny and the children with me.'

He shook his head. ‘Sit down, Lucy. I wanted to give you the good news first, that Eva is safe and in good hands, but the real reason I took so long to get here is that Linus sent the bailiffs into the house in Leman Street soon after you'd left. He's taking you to court in an attempt to bankrupt you so that he can seize your assets. I gave Goldspink the money to repay him but he rejected the offer.'

‘You said that Hester and Bedwin were coping well. Why did you lie to me?' Lucy gazed at him in horror. ‘But why would he do such a thing?'

‘They are managing well, and they're still in residence, but they're fully aware of what Linus intends. As I understand it his debts are crippling. I heard that he's already lost the house in Albemarle Street, and this one will be next. He's a desperate man who'll stop at nothing. Even if I gave him the money I received from selling my commission it wouldn't make a scrap of difference. He's virtually bankrupt and he won't be happy until he ruins the pair of us.'

Lucy sank down on the nearest chair. ‘I won't let him do this. Why should he take what's mine and rob you of the money that's rightfully yours?'

‘I'll knock his block off,' Bertie muttered, dancing about like a prize fighter. ‘I'll take him on man to man.'

‘I know you would, dear,' she said gently. ‘But it's gone beyond that. What did Mr Goldspink say, Bram?'

‘He said he'll do what he can. I think you should allow him to do his work, Lucy. He didn't think it wise for you to return to London just yet, given the fact that Linus will use the law to take the children from you. But I think we should leave this house before Linus's spies tell him you're here.'

Dazed, Lucy considered all the facts that had been thrust upon her. ‘What will happen to Hester and Bedwin and our lodgers? Surely they won't be evicted?'

‘We have to leave it to Goldspink. He might be a funny little chap, but he knows what he's doing.' Bram reached out to take her hand in his. ‘There's one place we can go where Linus will never think of looking.'

They left that night. Bram and Bertie had found an ancient dog cart in the coach house and with Lugg's help they had made it roadworthy. The horse had recovered and seemed accustomed to being put between the shafts, and with Lucy seated up front and the children huddled in the back of the vehicle, Bram climbed up on the driver's seat and they set off under cover of darkness.

It was a chilly, starlit night, but Lucy had taken coverlets from the beds so that the children would be warm and comfortable and they soon fell asleep. She herself was wide awake, struggling with the reality of Linus's fall from grace and his determination to take them with him on his spiralling descent into bankruptcy and disgrace. ‘You mustn't worry,' Bram said as if reading her thoughts. ‘You can trust Goldspink. He's a good man.'

‘But Linus isn't. He's cruel and he's devious, and for some reason he wants to ruin us all.'

‘Let's hope his creditors get him before he can do any more harm. In the meantime you and the nippers will be safe with the circus folk. Froniga will see to that, and you can look after Eva.' He shot her a sideways glance. ‘I'm sure Monty will be glad to have you back.'

‘I'll ignore that last comment,' Lucy said with dignity. ‘I didn't have much choice in the matter when I was with the circus, but I did enjoy the applause and the rush of excitement before the grand parade. Perhaps I take after my mother after all.'

‘Goldspink said you'd asked him if he could find out anything about her.'

‘She can't have disappeared without a trace. She must be somewhere.'

‘How old were you when she left?'

‘Two.'

‘A lot can happen in nineteen years.'

‘I know, but I can always hope.'

Their progress was slow and they had to stop several times to allow the horse to drink from a nearby pond or stream and rest his ageing bones. Lucy dozed a little, waking suddenly to find herself leaning against Bram's shoulder. He seemed tireless, but eventually as the sun rose in a cloudless sky they approached the field where the big top loomed above the caravans, tents and wagons. Already there were signs of life as wood smoke billowed upwards from newly lit camp fires. The animals were restive in their cages, waiting to be fed and watered, and sleepy-looking artistes, tenters and trainers were beginning to emerge and begin their daily routine.

Froniga's tent had been set up a short distance from the others: Lucy left Bram and the children to wait by the entrance as she hurried across the tussocky grass. She lifted the flap slowly. ‘Froniga? Can I come in?'

Froniga was already up and dressed. She emerged to give Lucy a warm embrace. ‘You've come. I knew you would.'

Lucy glanced anxiously over her shoulder. ‘How is she?'

‘Still sleeping. She sleeps a lot, but then that's to be expected. The poor soul is worn to the bone after her experiences in prison. She should never have been put there in the first place.'