The Captain's Return. Elizabeth Bailey

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СКАЧАТЬ that, she looked coyly, and one small hand reached up to her mouth, slipping a finger inside.

      Before Hal could repeat his question, the gaunt woman who seemed to be Annabel’s only servant appeared in the doorway behind. Her gaze was anything but friendly, her tone sour.

      “Her name’s Rebecca.”

      The infant removed the finger from her mouth, and piped up. “Becca.”

      “She can’t say it right, so we call her Becky mostly.”

      Hal smiled at the child, and held out his hand. “How do you do, Becky?”

      His daughter looked at the hand, and back up to his face. Then she scrambled up, and ran to embrace the dour maid’s legs.

      “She’ll be shy of you to start with, sir,” volunteered the maid, leaning down to pick up the child.

      Hal rose. “No doubt.”

      The woman clearly knew his identity. And strongly disapproved of him, if he was any judge. He changed his tone to one of command.

      “I’ll be glad of some hot water, if it isn’t too much trouble.”

      Annabel’s clear voice spoke from the stairway to one side. “It is a great deal too much trouble. Janet has enough to do without fetching water. You’ll find a tin jug on the stove in the kitchen.”

      She came down the stairs. Without glancing at Hal, she went to Janet and took Rebecca. “I’ll see to her. Has she had breakfast?”

      “No, ma’am. There’s eggs on the boil. I’ll show the Captain his water, and then bring them in.”

      Hal thanked her, and followed her through the doorway, glancing once at the little girl as he went. A warm glow filled his breast. Hardly did he notice the reflection that passed through the back of his mind. That the resolve he had made in the night had been abruptly shattered.

      By the time Hal had performed his ablutions, there was no sign in the house of either Annabel or Rebecca. He was requested to sit at the table in the window where a cover had been set for him, and was regaled with eggs and ham by the grudging maid. She informed him, upon enquiry, that the mistress was gone out.

      “To church perhaps?”

      He received a look that would have been insolence in any subordinate of his. “It’ll be a while yet before she does that now, sir.”

      It was said with meaning, and Hal gritted his teeth. The implication was plain. Now that her alleged husband was home, it would be thought odd indeed if the “Letts’ did not attend church as a family. Hal guessed that the Reverend Mr Hartwell would assume Annabel to be yet too much overcome by his arrival to be at service today. It struck him—not without a degree of self-blame—that it would have been hard indeed for Annabel to confront the inevitable gossip.

      “Where is she then?” he asked of the maid.

      Was that thin smile one of satisfaction? Had the wretched woman fathomed his discomfiture?

      “She’ll be tilling the soil in the vegetable patch, sir.”

      “What?’

      “Or gathering up some produce. I’m not much for planting myself, but I think it’s too early for seeding.”

      Hal did not bother to hide his feelings. He guessed it had been said to taunt him, but he was too upset to care. To what was Annabel reduced? To what depths of drudgery had he condemned her? Had she so little money at her disposal that she must forage for food like a pauper?

      The meal abruptly turned his stomach, and he laid down his knife and fork with a clunk.

      The maid tutted. “Waste not, want not.”

      Hal gave her a look that had made strong men quail. “Don’t try me too far!”

      The woman was not flustered. She gave him back look for look, placing her arms akimbo. “I know what I know, but I’ve stood by her, Captain.” She nodded at his plate. “And it might be otherwise in the army, but we don’t waste food. Not in this house!”

      It was touch and go for an instant, but then Hal’s sense of humour came to the fore. He relaxed, smiling a little.

      “I see that Mrs Lett is lucky to have you. What is your name?”

      “Janet, sir. And you needn’t think you can worm your way around me!”

      “I don’t,” said Hal cheerfully. “But if we’re to be at outs, Janet, let it be in the open.” He took up his knife and fork again. “However, you need not imagine I intend to add to your burden of work. I can fend for myself, and I’ll do my share as long as I’m here.”

      It was plain that he had disconcerted the maid, but she eyed him suspiciously. “As long as when?”

      “That I don’t yet know.”

      For a moment or two, the woman was silent while Hal ate. Then she sniffed, losing some of her acerbity.

      “We’ve a boy comes in to do the heavy work. Lazy he is, if you don’t watch him. But there’s no need I can see for you to bestir yourself.”

      Hal gave her a grim look. “Think of me as you choose, Janet, but wait and learn.” He reached for the coffee-pot and filled his cup. “If you want to serve Mrs Lett, you can tell me just what the situation is as regards income.”

      Janet drew herself up. “The mistress can tell you all you need to know.”

      “But she won’t.”

      “Then I won’t neither,” asserted Janet, folding her arms. “But if you want my say-so, that there curmudgeon has behaved shabby to her, and no mistake!”

      Taking this to refer to old Mr Howes, Hal nodded as he dug a fork into a chunk of ham. “More shabbily than you are aware of, I suspect, Janet.”

      He received a disparaging snort in reply. “And you’re the one to say so, Captain!”

      Hal glanced up, his mouth full. “If you mean by that to imply that I have behaved shabbily, you’re telling me nothing I don’t already know.”

      This was subjected to an even more comprehensive snort. “And I don’t doubt you’ll use the same means of turning her up sweet an’ all!”

      With which, the woman turned towards the kitchen. Retreating upon the point of fraternising with the enemy? Hal stopped her nevertheless.

      “One moment. Just where is this vegetable patch, if you please?”

      He had not far to look. From the back entrance to End Cottage, one could go two ways. To the garden situated to one side where he had first encountered Annabel yesterday. Or, in the opposite direction, to a much larger area, fenced off high with hedging all around and entirely given over to planting.

      Hal could see several fruit trees, a collection of climbing peas or beans supported by a cane fretwork, СКАЧАТЬ