Briar Patch (20 page)

‘Tom doesn't care,' Mary Jane said. ‘He married me because he needed a strong girl to work in the yard. He won't care that I've lost the baby.'

‘You don't know that yet. Lie down and it might be all right. The doctor can take a look at you when he's done with Carrie.'

Mary Jane left the kitchen without looking at her. She'd been so happy tending Carrie's baby and thinking of her own child but now it was all spoiled. She wished she'd never met Tom that morning in the meadow. If he hadn't taken her to the dance she would've asked someone else – someone who wanted her for herself and not as a scullery maid.

‘I'm sorry, Mary Jane,' Tom said as he entered the bedchamber they shared and found her curled up in bed. She'd been crying and her eyes were red. ‘I shouldn't have shouted at you like that, lass. I was upset over Carrie but it wasn't your fault. According to the doctor, she was already dead by the time I came in for my supper last night. He can't be exact but he thinks probably yesterday afternoon.'

‘
He
must have killed her when she went there,' Mary Jane said but didn't look at him. ‘I've lost the baby, Tom. The doctor took him away. We would've had a son if . . .' She choked on a sob. ‘Our little boy but he wasn't finished . . . he was only a little bit of a baby.'

Tom sat on the edge of the bed and reached for her hand. ‘Please don't cry, Mary Jane. I'm more sorry than I know how to say. I've been neglecting you recently. If I'd noticed I would've got a lad to help with the milking. Forgive me for not realizing you weren't right.' A wave of guilt went over him because if he'd spent less time thinking of Roz he'd have noticed she was carrying his child.

‘Ma said I should've told you sooner, but I wasn't sure. Besides, I thought I could work for a bit yet. Ma always works until the last few weeks.'

‘You're not your ma and you had a shock – and then I shook you. If I'd known . . .' He put a hand to his eyes. ‘I feel awful, Mary, lass. As if I killed him . . .'

‘It wasn't your fault. The doctor said it could've happened even if I'd sat around and done nothing. He says it's like that sometimes. The babe – he wasn't right or something.' She sat up, wiping her cheeks with her fingers. ‘What did he say about Carrie?'

‘He thinks she might have hit her head on something and the force of the blow broke her neck. It would've been instant. He says she didn't suffer – but he thinks someone must have knocked her down.'

‘I'd know that horse again if I saw it, Tom. It had a white bit on its left back leg.'

‘A lot of horses have white bits on their hocks,' Tom said. ‘The doctor says he's going to have the body examined by the coroner and then perhaps we'll know if it was murder or an accident.'

‘Will the constable come and ask us questions?'

‘Yes, I expect so. They may blame me for bringing her home instead of fetching someone to her – but I couldn't leave her there.'

‘No, of course you couldn't, Tom.' Mary Jane reached for his hand and held it. ‘Will you go to the cottage?'

‘I went as soon as the doctor had been but there was nothing to see. The cottage is still furnished and it has been used recently, because the dust covers are off and someone had a fire there, but not as recent as yesterday.'

‘Do you think that's where Carrie used to go? She often came home dry when it'd been raining.'

‘We shall never be certain. I ought to have followed her like you did, Mary Jane. We wouldn't even have known she met someone at Thornton's cottage if it wasn't for you. At least I have something to go on.'

‘You won't do what Dick did? I don't want you to die too.'

‘I was angry enough to do it when I found her, but I've calmed down now. I don't know who was at the cottage, Mary, lass. If I ever discover the truth I might thrash him, but it would be best left to the law.'

‘There's no proof, is there? You looked in the cottage but didn't see anything.'

‘It didn't look as if there was a fight and I couldn't see any blood, but she didn't bleed much. A few drops could easily have been wiped up when he moved her – if that's what happened. We can't be sure it happened there. Someone might've attacked her on her way home.'

‘Yes, perhaps a stranger. She could've have been killed in the struggle and left where she lay.'

‘It didn't look that way. Her legs had been covered so that she was decent, and her head was turned to one side. She looked odd, unnatural, as if she'd been put there – but respectfully.'

‘Perhaps whoever killed her liked her. He might not have meant to do it, Tom. An accident . . .'

‘Yes, perhaps. Carrie was a nuisance at times. She wouldn't take no for an answer. If she was bothering him and he thought . . .' Tom shook his head. ‘We can't know. Besides, I don't want you to lie here and worry about it, Mary Jane. You have to get well and strong again.'

‘So that I can help your ma with the chores?'

‘I know that's how it seems, lass, but it wasn't what I meant. I'm sorry if I've not treated you fair. I was going to get a lad in to help with the milking. I'll do it now rather than later. Once you feel like it you can look after Carrie's baby – unless that would upset you?'

‘No, of course it wouldn't. I love Milly. She's beautiful and now there's no baby . . .' Mary Jane caught her breath. ‘I'll soon be on my feet again. I can help with the baby and the cooking, but not the heavier chores for the moment.'

‘Don't worry about them. We've done most of the fieldwork until spring. It's just hedging and maintenance, and a new shed for the extra stock I'll be buying, but they'll mostly be bullocks, a few cows – and some pigs.'

‘I don't mind the milking when I'm strong enough. It's the butter churning that tires me.'

‘We'll just make enough for ourselves,' Tom said. ‘Once I've got things running smoothly I'll have more men and a girl to help in the house. It won't be hard work for ever, Mary Jane. I've got plans for the future. When there's more money we'll be taking a holiday at the sea every year, and not just Hunstanton either.'

Mary Jane smiled. ‘I thought you didn't care about me, Tom. I don't mind the work if I know you love me.'

‘I'm not much good with words,' he said and leaned down to kiss her on the mouth. ‘I'm truly sorry for all this and I'll make it up to you when I can.'

‘If I can help Ellen more in the house and not bother with so much in the yard, she will have things a bit easier. Your father is a tyrant, Tom. He pinches her when she tries to help him and throws things over her. He isn't as bad with me or you, but I'm sure he could use the commode. He makes out he's worse than he is because I've seen him sitting on the edge of the bed when he doesn't know I'm around.'

‘She didn't tell me how bad he was getting,' Tom said and frowned. ‘I'll fetch the doctor to him. If he's able to get out of bed, it would save the both of you fetching and carrying for him.'

Roz dismounted and gave the reins to the groom, lifting the skirt of her riding habit as she walked into the house. Julia was sitting in her favourite parlour, some sewing on her lap. She put it aside and stood up to greet Roz as she entered.

‘I was just wishing you would visit me. I didn't hear the carriage?'

‘I rode over. Are you making baby clothes?'

‘Yes. I was smocking this gown. Doctor Hughes confirmed my hopes when he visited this morning. I am carrying Philip's child. I'm so lucky . . .' Julia's smile faded. ‘Have you heard the terrible news, Roz? Carrie Blake was found with her neck broken yesterday morning.'

‘No, I hadn't heard.' Roz sank down into the chair opposite. ‘That is terrible. Did she have an accident?'

‘I was told that she has been taken away to have a post mortem – I think that's what Doctor Hughes called it, but I may have it wrong. Special medical people are examining the body to find out how she died, apparently.'

‘Surely they don't think it could be murder?'

‘Murder?' Julia looked upset. ‘Yes, I suppose that's what he must've meant. I didn't realize until you said – but they wouldn't go to all that trouble if they didn't think it was suspicious.'

‘Where was she found?'

‘Near the Blakes' hay barn, I think. Yes, I'm sure that's what I was told. Doctor Hughes told me he had been called to the farm – but I asked him because my housekeeper had heard rumours.' Julia frowned. ‘I know Dick Blake killed your father but you let his brother win that archery prize for her, didn't you? Philip said you had done it deliberately.'

‘Yes. I gave Carrie some clothes I didn't wear. I saw her daughter. She called her Milly.'

‘Oh, I didn't realize you knew her. Was she really an idiot?'

‘No, just dreamy and slow I would say.' Roz looked down at her hands. ‘She was proud of her baby and herself.'

‘That sounds a little odd – if she was raped. If it happened to me I don't think I could bear to look at the child.'

‘Carrie wanted her baby. I'm not sure she was raped. I think she knew what she was doing. She didn't understand the trouble she caused.' She couldn't tell Julia the whole truth now. It would hurt her too much.

Julia looked thoughtful. ‘Why would anyone want to kill a girl like that do you suppose?'

‘I've no idea,' Roz said. Surely Philip wouldn't kill the girl. He would have forgotten all about Carrie in pursuit of his new mistress. Roz was fairly certain her brother had been seeing Madeline but of course she had no proof. ‘Perhaps they'll discover that it was just an accident.'

‘Yes, perhaps they will,' Julia agreed. ‘They may not be able to prove anything. Doctor Hughes told me it is not an exact science, just informed guesswork that sometimes helps to decide how someone died.'

‘We may never know the truth,' Roz said. ‘May I see your work?' She took the garment from Julia and exclaimed over the stitching. ‘Very pretty. I'm no good at smocking but this is lovely, Julia.'

The talk turned to babies and Julia invited her to see the nursery, which had been made ready for the baby. There were piles of new blankets, clothes and trinkets.

‘I think it's bad luck to get all this stuff too soon,' Julia said. ‘Philip insisted and sent for most of it from an expensive shop in Cambridge. It is sweet of him, but we can't be sure I shall have a son.'

‘It doesn't matter, you can keep the blue things for another time and use just white. I prefer white for small babies anyway.'

‘Yes, I do too.' Julia smiled. ‘You will stop for luncheon, Roz?'

‘Yes, thank you. Where is Philip?'

‘I think he went to see someone on business. He says he wants to sell a piece of land and a cottage.'

‘I thought he wanted to buy more land?'

‘Yes, he does – but this land isn't much good, apparently. He wants John Blake's land, but I can't see the family accepting an offer from us – can you?'

‘I hope he has the decency to wait for a while,' Roz said. ‘They won't wish to deal with anything like that for a few months at least.'

‘No, of course not. It is very sad, even if she wasn't quite right in the head.'

Roz didn't answer. Carrie knew enough to make trouble for Philip if she wanted – but perhaps she was worrying for nothing.

Her death might have been an accident – or perhaps she'd had an affair with another man and he'd killed her because she was a nuisance. Or was Roz simply trying to hide from a truth she feared?

‘Can you arrange the sale quietly?' Philip asked his lawyer. ‘I would rather not let people know I'm selling. It isn't that I'm short of money, you understand. I want to buy better land and the cottage and that bit near the lane is right on the edge of my estate. I shan't miss it, because it's only good for sheep or a plot to keep chickens and pigs on. What I want is that wild meadow and the stream.'

‘That belongs to Tom Blake and I know he won't sell.'

‘John Blake wouldn't sell to me, but he might sell to you. He's ill and he might feel he could use the money to make his last years more comfortable. You need not say where the offer comes from.'

‘I know he won't sell whatever you offer,' lawyer Moss told him. ‘Mr Harold Rushden has made a generous offer to the family. He increased the offer twice – more than the land is worth in my opinion, but all offers were refused.'

‘Damn the stubborn fool,' Philip muttered. ‘Just sell that cottage for me. There was an offer last year but I refused it.'

‘I can contact the person who offered, but he may have purchased elsewhere. Did you say there's an acre with it?'

‘Yes, thereabouts. It would do for a young man wanting to marry. There's enough land to make it worthwhile, and I'll reduce the price if I have to.'

‘I'll do what I can for you, sir.'

‘Thank you.'

Philip walked out into the street. It was a frosty winter's day and the small town was busy because it was market day. He walked past the stalls in the direction of the hotel because his mouth tasted like ashes and he needed a drink.

As yet, he seemed to have gotten away with Carrie's murder. Philip had waited until dark before fetching Carrie. His heart thudding with fear, he'd thrown her over the saddle and led his horse up to the hay barn. Philip had arranged the girl's body on the ground to look as if her neck had broken as she'd fallen, but he'd pulled her skirt down to cover her bare legs and buttoned up her bodice. Somehow he'd wanted her to look decent, give her a little dignity. Perhaps he ought not to have done that; he'd thought afterwards that it looked artificial. How would her body look if she'd fallen? Was anyone suspicious?