The Workhouse Girl (43 page)

‘Of course,' George said firmly. ‘I am the legal owner, and I've sent my agent to evict those who have no right to be in my property.'

‘Does that include the smugglers?' The words tumbled from her lips before Sarah could stop herself.

George leapt to his feet. ‘Get out of my house. I won't have you making such preposterous accusations against me. Martin, you're my lawyer, I want to sue her for slander.'

‘I gave up that onerous task some time ago as you will recall, Mr Fitch,' Moorcroft said calmly. ‘There are witnesses who will testify in court that Blackwood House has been used to store contraband for many years, and that there is a secret passage leading to the crypt of the village church.'

‘Utter nonsense,' George spluttered. ‘And if anyone has been using the house in my absence then it's Parker who is to blame. I don't know anything about it.'

‘But you've just told us that Mrs Trigg is your agent,' Sarah said smoothly. ‘And she organises the collection of the smuggled goods and their transport to your warehouse in London.'

‘Then she is the criminal. I trusted that woman to do my business for me and this is how she repays me. My depot is filled with Spitalfields silk, ready for export to the Americas. I don't deal in contraband.' George began pacing the floor in an agitated manner that was not lost on Sarah.

‘Then it won't worry you that the revenue men are at this moment on their way to examine the contents of your warehouse,' Moorcroft said, rising to his feet. ‘I notified them before I came here this morning. They will also search Blackwood House and its cellars, but if you have nothing to hide then you need not worry.'

George's face reddened and his eyes bulged. ‘Get out of here and take that little trollop with you. You shouldn't believe a word she says. She's a little whore who thought she could get her hands on the estate by sleeping with my nephew because he told her that he would inherit Blackwood when Elsie died. I wouldn't be surprised if they murdered my sister so that they could get their hands on her money.'

Sarah flew at him, fingers clawed. Taking him by surprise, she raked her nails down his cheek. Uttering an oath, he gave her a mighty shove that sent her tumbling to the floor. He clutched his hand to his bleeding face. ‘Get her out of here, Moorcroft, or I'll send for a constable to arrest her for assault on my person.'

Moorcroft helped Sarah to rise. ‘You deserved that, Fitch. And I don't think you'll press charges because you won't want the police involved. You're already in a great deal of trouble. I suggest you hire a solicitor who is less particular in his choice of clients than I am.' He took Sarah by the arm. ‘We're leaving.'

Outside in the square Moorcroft hailed a hansom cab. ‘We've started something now,' he said as he climbed in after Sarah. ‘I've known George for many years and he'll stop at nothing to get his own way.'

‘But he's guilty. He's been dealing in contraband for years, and there's something else.' She stared straight ahead, unable to look him in the face. ‘It's something that Grey told me with his dying breath.'

‘What is it, Sarah? You can tell me anything.'

‘I know I can, sir. But this affects you personally, or I think it does.'

‘Go on.'

‘He told me that Elsie's baby was a girl and that she didn't die at birth. George Fitch had her taken to the St Giles workhouse and abandoned her there.' She shot him a sideways glance and was alarmed to see his jaw muscle tighten and the glint of tears in his eyes. ‘I'm sorry, but it might be good news, sir. She might still be living in London.'

‘I can't believe that even George would give up his own flesh and blood to be reared in such appalling circumstances,' he said dazedly. ‘It would have broken Elsie's heart had she ever discovered the truth.'

‘Grey told her on her deathbed, but I'm certain that she would have been happy to know that her child lived,' Sarah said softly. ‘It's possible that you might have a daughter.'

He took a large white cotton handkerchief from his pocket and blew his nose. ‘It's not very likely, Sarah, and even if she survived the workhouse she could be anywhere in the country.' He stowed his hanky away, adopting a brisk attitude. ‘Now we must work quickly. George can't afford to let matters lie. We should go to Blackwood House immediately.'

‘I agree. That man has a lot to answer for.'

‘Indeed he does. I've already notified the police in London, but if George gets there first he'll destroy all the physical evidence, and Mrs Trigg will back him up because she stands to lose everything including her freedom.'

‘I'm afraid for the children.'

‘We'll stop at my lodgings and I'll collect a change of linen, and then we'll go on to Elbow Lane and put Sophia in the picture. I don't want her worrying herself sick over what might happen to me. I mean us. She's very fond of you, Sarah.'

‘I'm coming with you.' Mrs Arbuthnot faced them with a martial glint in her eyes. ‘I'm not missing this for anything, Martin, so you can just wait while I pack a few things and then I'll be ready to leave.'

‘But my dear Sophia, this might prove to be dangerous. George isn't a man to toy with, and there is a lot at stake here.'

‘Do you think I'm afraid?' Mrs Arbuthnot drew herself up to her full height. ‘If George Fitch is involved with that dreadful Trigg woman I have a score to settle with them both. My poor James was ruined by her husband and I daresay she knew all about it and egged him on. I want them both punished.'

Sarah could see that Moorcroft was at a loss. ‘But things might turn nasty, Mrs Arbuthnot. The yew tree tunnel holds a terrible secret.'

DESPITE SARAH'S FOREBODINGS
all was quiet when they finally arrived at Blackwood House. ‘It's a fine place,' Moorcroft said as he helped Mrs Arbuthnot alight from the carriage that had transported them from Maldon station. ‘No wonder you speak so highly of it, Sarah.'

She smiled vaguely. ‘I hope everything is all right.'

‘Lead the way, my dear,' Mrs Arbuthnot said, shaking the creases from her wide skirts. ‘We'll follow on.'

Sarah left Moorcroft arguing about the fare with the driver who had apparently almost doubled the price he originally quoted. She picked up her skirts and walked briskly along the gravel path that ran alongside the yew tree tunnel. Her heart was racing as she peered into the thick branches, but if Trigg was still entwined within its deep green depths there was no outward sign of his presence. She quickened her pace at the sound of childish voices and ran into the stable yard to find the boys playing ball, and Mary pegging clothes on a makeshift washing line. It was a pleasing domestic scene utterly at odds with the mayhem she had been imagining all the way from London.

Mary dropped the small garment she was about to hang out and ran towards her with a cry of delight. ‘You're home. I'm so glad to see you.'

Jonah and Lemuel stopped in the middle of their game and crowded round them. ‘Did you bring us anything?' Jonah demanded with a cheeky grin.

‘Shame on you,' Mary said, giving him a playful slap. ‘Where are your manners?'

Sarah smiled. ‘I've brought a very kind lady and gentleman to see you, and Mrs Arbuthnot's cook sent a whole basket of nice things to eat, including cake.'

‘Cake?' Lemuel's eyes shone with expectation. ‘Where is it?'

‘What sort of cake?' Jonah demanded, licking his lips. ‘I can't remember the last time we had cake.'

‘Run as fast as you can to the carriage sweep and help them with their luggage,' Sarah said, laughing. ‘Show them to the drawing room and we'll be in directly.' They had run off before the last word left her lips. She turned to Mary, shaking her head. ‘What a pair of rogues.'

Mary's blue eyes darkened and her mouth drooped at the corners. ‘Davey told us what happened to Grey, and although I didn't really know him it made me cry a lot because he was your friend.'

Sarah gave her a hug. ‘Thank you, Mary. I'm glad you've forgiven me for putting Davey in danger. He was very brave and he saved Grey's life.'

‘But he died anyway.'

‘Yes, but we did everything we could for him.' She hesitated, not quite knowing how to broach the subject. ‘The undertakers were instructed to bring his coffin home . . .'

‘It's in the parlour,' Mary said hastily. ‘Me and the boys won't go in there, but Davey says he's spoken to the vicar about the funeral. I dunno what they arranged.' She put the final peg on a small shirt and picked up the empty basket. ‘Come inside and I'll make us a pot of tea. I expect you could do with one after travelling all the way from London.'

‘That sounds wonderful, and I'm sure our visitors would be most grateful.'

‘Who are they? It's not Mrs Trigg, that's for sure. I wouldn't describe her as a kind lady.'

‘No, it's not Mrs Trigg. It's a gentleman called Mr Moorcroft and Mrs Arbuthnot, the lady who looked after me when I left the workhouse.' Sarah followed Mary into the scullery. ‘They've come here to help us.'

‘We don't need help now you're here.' Mary placed the empty washing basket on the draining board and went into the kitchen. 'Davey will be pleased to see you.'

‘Where is he?' Sarah asked eagerly. The memory of his kiss had never been far from her thoughts since they parted in Dover, and her pulses raced at the mere mention of his name.

‘He's gone shooting with Parker.' Mary bustled about, fetching cups and saucers from the dresser. ‘Not that he can do much with one good arm, but he's been fidgety ever since he arrived home. Something's up, I know it.'

‘It's nothing for you to worry about.' Sarah went to the larder to take the milk jug from the marble shelf. ‘I see that you've managed to get supplies from the farm.'

‘No, it's better than that. We've got a goat,' Mary said proudly. ‘Parker swapped it for a keg of rum or brandy, I don't know which. We've had all sorts of things since you've been gone. Parker goes off at night to do the business and one day he came back with a goat. I'm learning to milk it but it's not as easy as it looks.'

‘And you haven't had any visits from Trigg's men?'

Mary shook her head. ‘No, but Parker's expecting them soon. The cellar should be piled high with stuff but he said there's not a lot left now. I hope there won't be trouble.'

Sarah digested this in silence. Everything was calm and peaceful at the moment, but it would not be long before George Fitch descended upon them, and it was only a matter of time before Mrs Trigg came searching once again for her errant husband.

Her hand shook as she laid the cups and saucers on a tray together with the jug of milk. ‘I'll take this to the drawing room,' she said in an attempt to sound calm and matter of fact. ‘If you'd like to bring the teapot, Mary, I'll introduce you to our guests.'

‘Why do we need their help?' Mary demanded. ‘We're all right as we are. I could stay here forever, or at least until Davey is able to go back to sea. I suppose he'll have to crew for one of the other fishermen until he can save enough to buy another boat.'

‘Yes, I suppose so. Come along. You'll love Mrs Arbuthnot, she's the kindest person I've ever met.'

‘We don't need no one else,' Mary muttered as she followed Sarah from the room. ‘We're happy here and Parker's going to get some chickens next time he goes out trading. We'll have as many eggs as we can eat and maybe he'll get a pig as well.'

Sarah was sitting in the candlelit parlour keeping a vigil by the coffin when Davey entered the room. She rose swiftly to her feet. ‘Thank goodness you've come,' she whispered. ‘I've been waiting for you.'

‘I've just been speaking to Mr Moorcroft. He told me to expect a visit from Fitch.' He held her at arm's length, anxiously scanning her face. ‘Are you all right?'

‘Not really.' She laid her hand on the polished oak surface of the coffin. ‘I couldn't believe that Grey was gone at first, but now it's real and I know I'll never see him again.'

‘You told me you didn't care for him in that way.'

She met his puzzled gaze with a vague smile. ‘It's not as simple as that, Davey. He was my friend and protector. He has a special place in my heart.' She stroked the satiny patina of the wood. ‘It's hard to explain, but there was never anything romantic between us. He was a lot older than me for one thing, and if he had feelings for any woman it wasn't me. I think he fell in love with Miss Parfitt the moment he saw her. I sensed it even though I was just a nipper.'

‘He never mentioned her.'

‘She only had eyes for Franz Beckman, the master sugar baker. In fact they're to be married soon and I doubt if she ever suspected how Grey felt about her. At least he's spared that heartbreak now.' She looked up at him and smiled. ‘You almost gave your life to save him. I can't tell you how much that means to me.'

‘I'd do anything for you, Sarah. Just tell me what you want and I'll do it.'

She slid her arms around his waist, looking deeply into his eyes. ‘We'll need to be strong for everyone, Davey. All hell is going to break loose when Fitch arrives, especially if he brings Mrs Trigg with him. Mary told me that Parker has been selling off the contraband and we need to have the cellar filled with smuggled goods if we're to prove that Fitch is involved.'

He frowned. ‘I hadn't thought of that. I've been away a long time so I don't know when the next shipment will arrive.'

‘I think there's someone who might know – Moses, the wall-eyed fisherman who drinks at the Ferryboat Inn.'

‘You're right. I'll go there tonight and see what I can get out of him.' He bent his head and gave her a lingering kiss on the lips.