The River Maid. Dilly Court

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      Essie had just tied the sash about her waist when Sadie burst into the room, pink-cheeked and smiling.

      ‘Oh, my,’ she said, coming to a sudden halt. ‘You do look pretty, Essie. That dress really suits you.’ Her eyes lit up as she spotted the garment left on her bed. ‘And there’s one for me, too. I ain’t had a new frock since I started working in Hill Street.’ She allowed the towel to drop to the floor, exposing her skinny body still dripping wetly after her bath, which Essie was certain must have been cold and scummy. Such details did not seem to bother Sadie and she slipped the simple shift over her head. ‘Ain’t this just the prettiest thing you ever did see?’

      Essie nodded wordlessly. The summery garment suited Sadie’s childish form, and with her damp golden hair curling wildly around her shoulders she looked like a water sprite who had risen from the deep to dance and twirl in the sunlight. For the first time Essie saw a hint of beauty yet to make its stamp on a young face and figure, and more importantly, Sadie was happy and excited. Essie gave her a hug. ‘You look very nice.’

      ‘I feel good,’ Sadie said, beaming. ‘I almost forgot – Lady Alice wants you.’

      Essie left Sadie combing the tangles from her hair, and she went knock on Lady Alice’s door, entering when she heard a muffled response. ‘You wanted me, my lady?’

      ‘Look at me. Who does he think I am?’ Lady Alice stood stiffly to attention, holding her arms out like a scarecrow. ‘This is the ugliest gown I have ever seen and the material is cheap. I wouldn’t dress a servant in this.’ She looked Essie up and down. ‘Your gown isn’t much better, but then you’re a—’ she broke off, blushing. ‘I mean, you don’t have a position to keep up.’

      ‘It’s all right,’ Essie said, shrugging. ‘You don’t have to explain, but it’s not too bad. At least it’s clean and tidy.’

      Lady Alice held out the skimpy skirt. ‘It’s a peasant’s dress. I expect Captain Falco thinks it’s funny – well, it isn’t. I won’t leave this room looking like a serving wench.’

      ‘I dare say these garments were hard to come by.’ Essie eyed Lady Alice critically. ‘Our own clothes should be ready soon. They’ll dry quickly in this heat and you’ve sent for a dressmaker, so it’s just a matter of time and you’ll feel like yourself again.’

      ‘Stop being sensible, Esther.’ Lady Alice threw up her hands. ‘I can’t face Falco looking like this, and I’m hungry. I need food, so you’ll have to go downstairs and order something to be sent to my room. I intend to remain here until my clothes are dry.’

      ‘Of course I’ll do that, but first I need to know what is to become of me. I’m here by accident, as are you, I suppose. But I want to return to London. My pa will be frantic with worry.’

      ‘Neither of us intended to travel to Italy, but now I’m here I want to make sure that Freddie is all right. At least I’ll see that he gets the money that Raven intended him to have.’

      ‘Where does that leave me, my lady? I haven’t a penny to my name.’

      Lady Alice sat down suddenly. She reached for her hairbrush and began using it with a faraway expression on her face. ‘I should be in my home in Devonshire, walking my dogs on the cliff top and meeting up with old friends. Dinner parties, soirées, card games, dancing and listening to beautiful music with like-minded people. Instead of which I am here in a poky little room with a bath full of disgusting dirty water, and I’m wearing a gown that is unfit for the lowest menial in my employ.’

      Essie’s patience was stretched to its limit. ‘Yes, my lady, but that doesn’t answer my question. If you intend to remain in Italy will you pay my passage home, and Sadie’s, too? Assuming that there is a ship in the harbour that might be sailing for England.’

      ‘You can’t abandon me,’ Lady Alice protested. ‘I cannot travel in the company of gentlemen without a female companion.’

      ‘But Raven is your cousin. Isn’t that respectable enough?’

      ‘No, it is not. You must see this through with me, and Sadie is my maid, so naturally she will remain with me.’ Lady Alice narrowed her eyes, gazing speculatively at Essie. ‘I will make it worth your while, but only if you promise not to leave me in the lurch.’

      Essie thought quickly. She did not relish the thought of travelling home on her own, and it was not every day that a girl from Limehouse was given the opportunity to see a bit of the world. ‘All right,’ she said slowly. ‘But I need to send a message to my father, letting him know that I am safe.’

      ‘I’m sure Raven could organise that. Do I have your word that you won’t abandon me?’

      ‘I promise to stay with you until we return home.’

      Lady Alice uttered a sigh of relief. ‘Thank you. Now, please, do as I asked and fetch me something to eat or I might faint from lack of nourishment.’

      Essie collected Sadie on her way downstairs and they found Raven and Falco seated at one of the large pine tables, which was spread with a selection of foreign-looking cheeses, sliced sausage, bowls of glistening black olives and crusty loaves. Green and black grapes spilled over the side of a terracotta platter, which was filled with oranges, lemons and purple figs.

      ‘Come and join us,’ Raven said, raising a glass of red wine to them. ‘Where is my cousin?’

      ‘Lady Alice would like to eat in her room,’ Essie said tactfully. She turned to Captain Falco. ‘Maybe you could ask the maid to take her something?’

      ‘Why won’t she leave her room? She was not so shy on board my ship.’

      Essie could see that he already knew the answer and was enjoying Lady Alice’s dilemma. Perhaps he had deliberately chosen the ugly gown, although Essie could not think why he would want to humiliate Lady Alice. ‘I think you know why, Captain.’

      He rose to his feet. ‘We can’t have the beautiful lady eating on her own. Leave it to me.’

      ‘Can’t you do something?’ Essie demanded, glaring at Raven, who was refilling his glass from a carafe.

      ‘Alice can look after herself. It’s time she met someone who could get the better of her in an argument. Sit down, both of you, and eat. The food is very good indeed.’

      Sadie had been eyeing the food hungrily and she threw herself down on the bench, making a grab for a chunk of sausage and a slice of bread. Essie hesitated, wondering if she ought to go to Lady Alice’s aid, but she decided against it and took a seat beside Sadie.

      Minutes later Falco reappeared, rubbing the side of his face. ‘That lady is a wild cat.’

      ‘I warned you,’ Raven said smugly. ‘You’re lucky to have escaped with a slapped face. Alice has claws and she’s not afraid to use them when she’s really angry.’

      Falco resumed his place at table. ‘I’ve sent Filomena upstairs with a tray of food. Perhaps her ladyship will be in a better humour when she’s had something to eat.’

      Raven shook his head. ‘You’ll learn, my friend.’

      ‘I am ready to take on the challenge. There isn’t a woman alive СКАЧАТЬ