Briar Patch (23 page)

‘More fool her then. We don't know anything for sure, Roz – but I shan't let this rest. If Philip attacked his own sister he's more than capable of killing that girl.'

‘Yes, I know.' Roz shuddered and closed her eyes for a moment. ‘Do you still want to go this evening?'

Harry took a moment to answer. ‘I think I should, but if you would rather not you can stay home and have an early night.'

‘No, I'll come with you. If anyone asks about the bruise I'll say I fell when out riding. You promise you won't do anything foolish?'

‘I've told you I'll bide my time,' Harry said and smiled at her. ‘If you'd told me he'd hit you before I would have sorted him out. He won't do it again, Roz.'

Fourteen

Tom caught his breath as he saw her come in with Harry Rushden. When Mary Jane asked him if he would bring her to the dance he hadn't given a thought as to who else might be here. He certainly hadn't expected to see Roz this evening. She was wearing what was for her a simple evening gown in grey silk with lace ruffles at the neck but she made every other woman in the room look dowdy. His throat tightened and he experienced a fierce desire to go to her and take her in his arms.

‘Why are you looking so cross, Tom?'

Mary Jane's petulant tone made him look at her. ‘I'm not cross. Do you want to dance? I think they've just announced a barn dance.'

‘Yes, please.' She took his hand as they joined the other dancers on the floor for the progressive. ‘Did you see Roz Thornton? I wonder what she paid for that dress?'

‘More than I pay for a year's feed for the stock I should think,' Tom said harshly. ‘Don't envy her, Mary Jane. She doesn't look particularly happy.'

‘I'd rather have you than her husband,' she said and pressed herself close as the music started. ‘And I like my dress better than hers, even if hers cost more.'

‘Just as well, because you're not likely to get a dress like that – not yet, anyway.'

‘You'll be rich one day,' she said, smiling up at him. ‘You're going places, Tom Blake. I knew that when I set my cap at you that day in the meadow.'

‘You're a bold one, lass.' Tom laughed, because it was nearly Christmas and he had a pretty wife who pleased him in bed and he ought to thank his lucky stars rather than hanker after a woman he couldn't have.

‘We'll sit this one out,' Harry said as he steered Roz to one of the empty seats at the far end of the large room. The wives of the wealthier farmers had gathered together, most of them watching the younger people dancing. Like him, their husbands had come to see and be seen, and to talk business. The married women were satisfied with a glass of cordial and the chance to gossip. ‘Would you like a drink, Roz?'

‘Not sweet sherry,' she said. ‘I wouldn't mind wine – or just a fruit cordial if that's all they have.'

‘It probably will be at an affair of this kind,' Harry said. ‘Sit next to Bristow's wife. Her father was a parson and she's a nice enough woman.'

‘Yes, I think we've met at church,' Roz said and sat down next to the elderly lady. ‘Good evening, Mrs Bristow. It is crowded this evening, isn't it?'

‘Mrs Rushden,' the lady said and glanced at her cheek. Roz knew she'd noticed the bruise despite her efforts to hide it. ‘These things are a little noisy. It's the children running around, but it's meant to be a family affair.'

‘Yes, I know. I always wanted to come when I was a little girl but my mother wouldn't allow it.'

‘Your father came on his own – and with your brother at times. How is his wife? I heard the doctor had been to see her today.'

‘Yes. I haven't heard anything so I suppose it was nothing serious.'

‘I am glad about that,' Mrs Bristow said. ‘She is a lovely lady and comes to church regularly. She was supposed to help with the Christmas bazaar but cried off last week because she felt she ought to rest.'

‘Julia wouldn't do anything that might harm the baby.'

‘She is very excited about starting a family.' Mrs Bristow's eyes seemed to hold a question.

Roz knew that she was wondering if there was any similar news from the Rushden house but she just smiled and then looked at Harry as he brought her lemonade.

‘Are you all right for the moment if I speak to a few people, Roz?'

‘Yes, perfectly,' Roz said. ‘Do whatever you wish, Harry. I'm happy to watch the dancing.'

He departed and Roz saw that he made for a group of farmers and businessmen who had gathered together and were laughing quite loudly in one corner of the room. Her gaze moved round the room. She smiled as she saw some children dancing with each other. Then she saw Tom Blake dancing; it was a progressive and he was partnering a young woman Roz didn't know by sight. A little further through the line of dancers Mary Jane was dancing with another young man. She was laughing up at him and Roz recognized him as one of her brother's grooms.

Roz sipped her lemonade. The room was very warm and her head had begun to ache. Her cheek was tender and she wished that she had taken Harry up on his offer and let him come alone.

Finishing her drink, she decided that she would go outside into the garden. The door was a short distance from where she was sitting. She could take a breath of air and return before Harry noticed she was missing.

‘I think I need a little air,' she told Mrs Bristow. ‘I shan't be long.'

‘Are you all right, my dear? Should I fetch your husband?'

‘No, no, I'm fine,' Roz said. ‘Just a little warm.'

She wove her way through the crowd, smiling as a young girl charged into her and then blushed as she apologized.

Outside, the light from the windows made it easy to find her way to a wooden bench. Roz sat down, breathing deeply. It was so foolish of her to feel hurt because there was no reason she should. Tom had every right to bring his wife to the dance and to look happy. She had no right to resent that or to feel regret. Harry cared for her, loved her: he had wanted to thrash Philip for hurting her.

Tears pricked her eyes but she refused to cry. What a selfish person she was to feel sorry for herself when she had so much. She heard a burst of loud music and laughter as the door to the hall opened and then closed. Roz didn't look round, hoping that whoever had come out wouldn't see her.

‘You'll get cold if you sit out here long.' Roz turned as she heard Tom's voice. He sat down on the wooden bench beside her. ‘I saw you come out and followed when the dance ended.'

‘I just wanted a little air. The room felt warm and my head started to ache.'

‘Are you unwell? Shall I call your husband?'

‘No, please do not. Harry came for a reason. He wants to talk to people. I shall come back inside in a few minutes. You should go in or your wife will look for you.'

‘Mary Jane is dancing with Jack Dawson. She won't notice I'm not there for a while.'

Roz turned to look at him. Tom was silent for a moment, then he reached out to touch her cheek. ‘Did your husband do this to you?'

‘Harry isn't a violent man. Philip hit me and then tried to strangle me.' Roz caught her breath as she saw the anger in his eyes. ‘Harry wanted to thrash him for me. I begged him not to.'

‘Why did he attack you?'

‘Because he thought I was accusing him of something.'

‘Were you?'

‘Yes and no.' Roz shook her head. ‘I think you are right to believe your sister was murdered, Tom – but I have no proof. Nothing has changed from the other day.'

‘Hasn't it? Philip lost his head for a reason, Roz. I'll be speaking to him myself one of these days. He needs to be taught a lesson.'

‘Not on my account. I told you how I feel the other day. If they arrested you for Philip's murder I don't think I could bear it.'

‘I love you, Roz. I know I told you to forget me but it's no use, I can't get you out of my head.'

‘What you said was right – we have to,' she said, tears on her cheeks now as she stood up. ‘I want to run away with you, Tom – but we both know it's too late.'

‘Roz . . . hush,' he said and leaned towards her, brushing his lips over hers. From behind them the sound of loud music told them someone had opened the door to the hall. Roz drew back sharply.

‘I have to go back,' she said and took a step forward, then gave a little gasp as the world around her suddenly went black and she fainted. Tom was there to catch her as she fell.

Roz moaned and opened her eyes, looking up into Harry's anxious face as he bent over her.

‘Where am I?'

‘Mr Blake said you fainted. He carried you in here – it's the ladies' rest room.'

Roz felt the coarse horse hair sofa beneath her and realized that several anxious eyes were watching her: Mary Jane, Harry, Mrs Bristow and Tom Blake amongst them.

‘I went out for a little air,' she said. ‘I think Mr Blake saved me from a fall. It was fortunate that you were there, sir. Thank you.'

‘Glad to be of help,' Tom said stiffly. He took hold of his wife's arm. ‘Come on, Mary Jane, we'll leave Mr and Mrs Rushden alone. They don't want us gawking at them.'

Mrs Bristow moved towards Roz and offered her a small bottle of lavender water. ‘Put a little of this on the back of your hand and sniff it,' she said. ‘I always carry it and it helps with the nausea in your condition, my dear.'

‘My condition?' Roz looked at her. ‘You think . . . perhaps. I hadn't thought about it, but that might be why . . .' Harry was frowning as she sat up. ‘Mrs Bristow is suggesting that I might be pregnant.'

‘I may be wrong, but I did think it might be the case earlier,' the elderly lady said and accepted her lavender water back, nodding as Roz inhaled the scent from the back of her hand. ‘Well, if you've recovered now, I'll leave you together.'

The other curious watchers had departed with Tom and his wife. Harry sat down beside Roz on the sofa. He reached for her hand, a tender and yet anxious expression in his eyes.

‘Did you have any idea? You didn't tell me, Roz.'

‘Because I hadn't thought about it. I suppose I should have noticed – I haven't had my courses for . . . it must be seven weeks.'

‘I'll fetch the doctor to you in the morning.' Harry kissed her hand. ‘You shouldn't have come this evening.'

‘Please don't blame yourself, Harry. I was enjoying watching the dancing and then I felt a little unwell so I went out for some air. It was fortunate that Mr Blake also wanted some air. He saved me from a fall.'

‘Yes, I must thank him properly,' Harry said. ‘I've been trying to buy some land from him for weeks but he wasn't interested. Baxter told me he bought some of his land; it was something I was after but now I've got another proposition for Blake. I'll speak to him on Monday, after we've got you sorted. I think you should have the doctor from Wisbech over. He's better than our local man.'

‘Doctor Hughes is very good,' Roz said and smiled at him. ‘I'm feeling better now. It was so foolish of me to faint like that – forgive me?'

‘I should be the one asking for forgiveness – and that brother of yours. If he's harmed you, I shall thrash him whatever the consequences.'

‘I'm sure he hasn't. Would you mind if I went home now, Harry? You can stay longer if you wish. The carriage can return for you in an hour or two.'

‘I'll come home with you. There's nothing more I need to do tonight.' His eyes glowed with pride. ‘A child, Roz. Until now I didn't know how much it would mean – but I'm thrilled.'

‘I'm so pleased.' She took his hand and he helped her to her feet. ‘Don't worry. I'm not faint now. I can walk to the carriage.'

‘Take my arm and lean on me if you feel faint,' Harry said. ‘There'll be no more riding about the countryside on a horse until you're over the baby, Roz. If you want to visit your mama you can take the carriage – or send it to fetch her. You must take care of yourself now.'

‘I'm not an invalid. I'm just having a baby – and we're not sure of that yet.' Roz smiled because his concern was touching. ‘Thank you so much for caring, Harry. I know I haven't always deserved your love.'

‘That's over and done,' he replied. ‘This is my child, Roz, and the rest is forgotten.'

‘Yes,' she said, but as she took his arm and walked from the room, she was wondering. If she was seven or eight weeks pregnant, it could be Tom Blake's child . . .

‘Why did you go outside?' Mary Jane asked. They were alone in their bedchamber and she was dressed in a white cotton nightdress sprigged with blue flowers. ‘Was it to meet her?'

Tom didn't look at her as he took off his breeches and then pulled on his nightshirt. ‘Don't talk daft, woman. Why should I want to meet Mrs Rushden?'

‘I don't know – unless she's the one you want.' Mary Jane's face was sullen. ‘I know there was someone else – someone you wanted more than me. You took me because you couldn't have her.'

‘That's ridiculous. When do I have time to be meeting another woman?'

‘I don't know. I know you don't love me the way you ought. You married me because I was willing and you needed someone to help your ma.'

‘Is this just because I was there when Roz fainted?' Tom sat on the edge of the bed. ‘You're being silly, Mary Jane. Come to bed and let's get some sleep. It will soon be morning and I've got work to do.'

‘All you think about is work.' She got into bed reluctantly and lay stiffly beside him as he slid between the sheets.