A Loving Family Read online

  ‘What will you do, miss?’

  ‘I don’t know yet, but I’ll think of something. Get some sleep, Spike. We’ll need all our wits about us in the morning when Rivenhall’s men come looking for us.’

  ‘I saved you some bread and cheese,’ Spike said, eyeing the food hopefully.

  ‘I’m not hungry. You’d better finish it up.’

  When they settled down to sleep she lay beside her mother staring at the undulating shadows on the roughly hewn roof of the cavern. The fire had all but gone out and she was tempted to get up and riddle the embers, but suddenly an idea came to her. She closed her eyes. She must sleep and wake early to put the plan that was forming in her brain into action.

  ‘The chimney is wide enough,’ Stella said as she knelt before the empty grate, peering upwards into the circle of blue sky. ‘This must have been a ventilation shaft when the caves were excavated hundreds of years ago.’

  ‘I ain’t a sweep’s boy,’ Spike said nervously. ‘Me crooked legs won’t take me up there, miss.’

  She sat back on her haunches. ‘No, I know that, Spike. Take off your breeches. We’re going to swop clothes and I’m going to try and climb up the chimney to get help.’

  ‘Take off me trousers? Never.’

  She scrambled to her feet. ‘You can wrap a blanket round you or wear my skirt. I don’t care which, but I can’t climb in petticoats and we’re about the same size.’

  He backed away from her. ‘I can’t wear a skirt, miss. Don’t make me.’

  ‘Do you want to get out of here alive, or do you want those bad men to roast you on a spit like a suckling pig?’

  His green eyes widened in horror. ‘They’d never do that.’

  ‘We’re not going to wait to find out.’ She held out her hand. ‘Are you going to take them off, or do I have to undress you like a baby?’

  The jagged flints cut into her hands and knees as she edged upwards, coughing as the dislodged soot burned her eyes and throat, but she was determined to escape. She had left Spike hunched up on the end of her mother’s bed with a blanket wrapped around his lower limbs. She might have laughed at his tragic expression had she not been so scared of climbing the near vertical shaft. She wedged herself with her feet and stopped to draw a breath. The patch of blue was considerably larger now and all she wanted was to escape from the chimney and feel solid ground beneath her feet. She dared not look down in case she lost her nerve and her foothold. She braced herself to continue the ascent, grimacing at the razor-like cuts on her fingers and legs, but there was no turning back. She had no idea of the time but she had to reach the top before Rivenhall’s men arrived to find her missing. It would not take them long to ascertain her escape route, and if they lit the fire beneath her she would suffocate in the smoke and fumes.

  Minutes later she lay on the soft mossy ground, sobbing with relief, but there was no time to waste and she forced herself to ignore the pain from the cuts and grazes. She struggled to her feet and stood for a moment trying to get her bearings, but she was completely disorientated. She decided to follow her instincts and she broke into a run, stumbling over fallen branches in her haste to reach the perimeter wall.

  Luck must have been on her side as she emerged into brilliant sunlight. In the distance she could see the tree-lined carriage sweep and the great house. Even better, there was no sign of movement apart from the deer grazing in the distance. She took a chance and headed across open ground to the shrubbery. After battling through a tangle of rhododendron and laurel, she found the place in the brick wall where they had entered the grounds the previous day.

  It was only when she neared the village that she realised what an odd sight she must present. Spike’s breeches fitted her like a second skin and were several inches too short, exposing her calves and ankles above his down-at-heel boots, which were two sizes too large. Not only was she dressed as a boy but she was covered from head to toe in soot, and the neckerchief she had used to tie back her hair had come off soon after she started her climb. Her long dark hair hung loose about her shoulders and was a sure giveaway. She stopped, taking her purse from her pocket and counting out the coins. She had enough money to pay her fare back to London, but she needed to clean herself up before she attempted to board an omnibus. It was still early morning and the farmers and their labourers were up and about but the village green was empty apart from a couple of small boys who were playing tag. They stood watching her while she washed off the worst of the soot beneath the village pump. One of them was wearing a cloth cap that must have belonged to an elder brother as it came down over his eyes, and she offered him a penny for it. The boy stared at her blankly. Twopence then,’ she said in desperation. ‘You won’t get a better offer than that, sonny.’

  The child took off his cap and snatched the coins. He threw the headgear at her and ran off as if afraid she might change her mind. Stella tucked her hair into the hat and set off for town. After walking part of the way she caught an omnibus and settled herself on the top deck in the hope that her odd appearance would pass unnoticed. No one seemed keen to take the seat next to her but nothing was said, and if people thought she looked odd they confined their remarks to low mutters. When they arrived at the bus terminus she leapt from the vehicle and ran all the way to Fleur-de-Lis Street. She hammered on the door and Rosa let her in, but it was obvious that all was not well. Rosa was pale and her eyes were red-rimmed from crying and underlined by bruise-like shadows from lack of sleep.

  ‘Why are you dressed like a sweep’s boy, Stella? And those are Spike’s clothes. Heaven above, what happened to you?’

  ‘I’ll explain later, but I need to speak to Kit.’

  ‘You can’t.’ Rosa’s lips trembled and tears welled in her eyes. ‘The police came late last night to arrest him on suspicion of murder, but he wasn’t here. They left but they’re still looking for him. They think he killed Ronald.’

  ‘Do you know where Kit is now?’

  ‘Kit came home earlier in the evening, and when I told him that you’d gone to Heron Park he was sick with worry. He went chasing off after you.’

  Stella leaned against the wall as her knees threatened to give way beneath her. ‘I’ve just come from there.’

  ‘You poor thing, you look awful. What am I thinking of?’ Rosa grabbed her by the arm and propelled her towards the kitchen. ‘You must tell me everything.’

  Rosa sat at the kitchen table with her chin cupped in her hands as she listened to Stella’s account of the happenings at Heron Park. ‘Well,’ she said when Stella stopped to catch her breath. ‘It’s wonderful that you’ve found your mother, but if she’s married to Uncle Gervase it complicates matters.’

  ‘You don’t seem surprised, Rosa.’

  ‘Nothing that man does ever surprises me. There doesn’t seem to be anything he wouldn’t stoop to in order to get his own way. He manipulated Papa into changing his will and he coerced your mother into marrying him so that he could get away with murder. Gervase Rivenhall is a truly dangerous man.’

  ‘I’m not leaving Ma there.’ Stella rose to her feet. ‘I’m going to change my clothes and then I’m going to the police and tell him everything I know about your uncle.’

  Rosa’s face paled to ashen. She stood up. ‘Don’t do that, Stella. They’ll go to Heron Park but it’s Kit they’ll arrest. They’ll take Uncle Gervase’s word against ours and they won’t lift a finger to help your mother. She’s his wife and he could beat her black and blue and they wouldn’t interfere.’

  ‘But she’s a prisoner, kept in a cave below ground.’

  ‘He’d probably tell them that she’s mad and locked up for her own safety. There’s no limit to his wickedness. We have to think of another way to get her out of there, and Spike too. The poor boy will be terrified.’

  ‘Just give me time to change into my own clothes and then I’ll go to Heron Park and face Mr Rivenhall myself. I’ll take the archangel with me as a witness.’

  ‘I’m coming with you. H
e can’t imprison all of us.’

  ‘They can’t keep the boy here.’ Perry grasped the wrought-iron gates at Heron Park with both hands and shook them until the chains rattled. ‘I got a soft spot for Spike. He reminds me of meself when young, and he’s got a sharp brain beneath that mass of fuzzy ginger hair. I can mould the youngster into being me right-hand man, given a chance.’

  ‘We’ve got to get him and my ma released from the caves before we start making plans.’ Stella tugged at the brass chain attached to the bell and its peal rang out across the park.

  Rosa stepped forward to address Masters, who emerged from his lodge, looking askance at Stella and the archangel. He tipped his cap. ‘Good morning, Miss Rivenhall.’

  ‘Let us in, Masters. I want to see my uncle.’

  ‘He’s not at home, Miss Rosa.’

  ‘Of course he is. Open the gates at once.’

  Reluctantly he produced a key and slid it into the lock. ‘I got me orders, miss.’

  ‘And I’m giving you mine. Has my brother arrived yet?’ Rosa spoke as if they were about to attend a family reunion and Stella was impressed by her quick thinking.

  ‘Mr Kit came last evening, miss.’

  Rosa marched past him, followed by Stella and Perry. ‘That will be all, Masters.’ She walked on.

  Stella had to hurry in order to keep up. ‘As soon as we’re out of sight I’ll take Perry to the cave. He tells me he can pick any lock.’

  ‘An attribute learned when I was a lad living rough on the streets, miss,’ Perry said, grinning. ‘But even though I’m a reformed character I find it comes in useful at times.’

  ‘Very well.’ Rosa headed for the main entrance. ‘I’ll see if I can find Kit and I’ll keep my uncle busy, but you haven’t got long. I doubt if he’ll have much to say to me.’

  ‘Come on, Perry. There’s no time to lose.’ Stella hurried off in the direction of the wood, praying silently that they could reach the shelter of the trees before they were spotted from the house.

  He jogged along at her side. ‘There’s something up, miss. It’s too easy,’ he said when they reached the caves. ‘It’s almost like they want us to break in.’

  ‘Never mind that,’ Stella said nervously. ‘Open the door and let’s get away from this place as soon as possible.’

  He produced a piece of bent metal from his pocket and knelt on the ground, turning it in the lock until there was a click and as if by a miracle the door creaked open. Stella took a lantern from its hook and picked up a match from a pile left on a stone ledge.

  ‘Like I said, it’s too easy,’ Perry said gloomily.

  ‘They come here at least twice a day with food for my mother. Of course they have to have light and they wouldn’t be expecting strangers to find the caves.’

  ‘I hope you’re right, miss. Lead on. The quicker we get out of here the better.’

  Stella’s heart was beating a tattoo against her ribs and she was finding it difficult to breathe as she made her way to the far end of the tunnel. The door to Jacinta’s room was unlocked and suddenly she was nervous. She thrust it open and held the lamp high, but the chamber was deserted.

  ‘They knew we was coming,’ Perry muttered.

  ‘That’s right, cully.’

  Stella spun round to find Hinckley standing behind them brandishing a shotgun. ‘How did you know?’

  ‘Because we’re cleverer than you, miss.’ He poked Perry in the back with the muzzle. ‘You’ll come with me. Walk on.’

  There was nothing they could do other than obey Hinckley’s barked commands. Stella had no doubts that he would love to pepper them with shot should they decide to attempt an escape, besides which she was desperate to discover what had become of her mother and Spike. They made their way to the house at gunpoint and Hinckley directed them to the study.

  Jacinta was seated in a chair by the fire with the vacant look of someone under the influence of opium. In the corner of the room, slumped against the wall, Spike was bundled up in Stella’s discarded skirt with his wrists and ankles bound. Gervase stopped pacing the floor when they entered and his expression was not welcoming. Stella would have rushed over to her mother but he barred her way. ‘Sit down and keep quiet, girl.’

  She did not choose to anger him further and she took a seat opposite her mother, giving her a shadow of a smile but receiving none in response. ‘Are you all right, Ma?’

  Jacinta nodded dully.

  ‘He’s given her something to keep her quiet,’ Spike volunteered.

  ‘Shut up, guttersnipe.’ Gervase shot him a darkling look. ‘You’ll keep quiet or I’ll get Hinckley to take you outside.’

  ‘You leave him alone, guv,’ Perry said, sticking out his jaw. ‘You can’t treat people like this.’

  ‘Hold your tongue.’ Gervase looked him up and down with a curl to his lip. ‘You’re a nobody and I’m master here, so don’t speak unless spoken to.’

  ‘Where is Rosa?’ Stella demanded. ‘And Kit too. I know he came here last evening.’

  ‘They’re bad children and they’re locked in the nursery where they belong. I’m the head of the family and they had better get used to the fact.’ He turned to Perry. ‘And if I catch you trespassing on my land again I’ll have you shot.’

  Perry struck a pose. ‘That’s illegal, guv. I’m a man of the law and I don’t take kindly to threats.’

  ‘You’re nothing but a hustler. Be silent or you’ll find I don’t make idle threats.’

  ‘I want to see Rosa and Kit,’ Stella said, sending a warning look to Perry. ‘Let me speak to them and then we’ll take my mother and leave.’

  ‘This woman is my lawfully wedded wife.’ Gervase encompassed Jacinta with a vague sweep of his hand. ‘She remains here.’

  Stella leapt to her feet. ‘She was forced into marriage with you. You can’t keep her against her will.’

  Gervase moved swiftly to Jacinta’s side and seized her by the neck. ‘Tell this girl who you are, my pet.’

  ‘I am your wife.’ Jacinta twisted her head away. ‘I must atone for my sins for the rest of my days.’

  ‘No, Ma. He’s trapped you into this. You don’t have to stay here. Come with us and we’ll take you home.’

  Jacinta gave her a dazed glance and then looked away. ‘I live here. This is my home.’

  Spike struggled against his bonds. ‘I’ll save you, lady. Just let me get loose and I’ll teach the brute a lesson.’

  ‘Hush, boy.’ Perry strode over to Spike and lifted him to his feet. Taking a pocket knife from inside his jacket he cut the ropes that bound Spike’s twisted limbs. ‘What sort of man does this to a poor crippled boy?’

  ‘Take the deformed creature and leave my house,’ Gervase said angrily. ‘Take the girl too. I have no use for her.’

  ‘No, master.’ Jacinta tried to stand but fell back in the chair. ‘Don’t separate me from my child.’

  He raised his hand and slapped her across the cheek. ‘Don’t speak to me in that tone of voice, woman. You need to be reminded of your place.’

  Stella flew at him, catching him off balance so that he stumbled and fell to the floor. ‘Touch my mother again and I’ll kill you.’ She helped Jacinta to stand. ‘You’re coming with us. He can’t prevent you from leaving.’

  ‘Hinckley. Come here this instant.’ Gervase raised himself to a standing position as the door burst open and Hinckley stood on the threshold. ‘Shoot anyone who tries to leave.’

  Hinckley raised the gun but Perry was too quick for him and he twisted it from his hands. ‘Not so brave now, are you, cully? I can handle a shotgun and don’t think I wouldn’t pull the trigger because nothing would give me greater pleasure.’ He aimed the gun at Gervase. ‘Get behind the desk and keep your monkey with you.’ He gave Hinckley a shove, sending him crashing to the floor at his master’s feet. He turned to Stella. ‘Get your ma out of here, miss. You too, Spike.’ He waited until they were safely out of the room before following them. ‘Lock the door,
Spike. We’re leaving.’

  Hampered by the long skirt, Spike managed to turn the key. He leaned against the door, wiping his brow. ‘I feel like a twerp in this blooming skirt. What if anyone sees me?’

  ‘Don’t worry, son, they won’t know you don’t always look like that,’ Perry said, chuckling. ‘But you make a bloody ugly girl.’ He shot a sideways look at Stella and her mother. ‘Begging your pardon, ladies.’

  ‘Never mind that. I’m not going without Rosa and Kit,’ Stella said in a whisper. She put her arm around her mother’s shoulders. ‘Where is the nursery, Ma? Can you show me the way?’

  Jacinta swayed on her feet, pointing to the grand staircase. ‘It’s at the very top of the house. I’ve never been up there.’

  ‘We should go, miss,’ Perry said, frowning. ‘He’ll be tugging on that bell pull to summon help.’

  Stella thrust her mother into his arms. ‘Take Ma and get out of this place as quickly as you can. I’ll let Kit and Rosa out.’

  ‘What if him in there’s got the key?’ Spike backed away from the door as someone began hammering on it. ‘They’ll all be here in a minute.’

  ‘Then go now, but I’m not leaving without Kit and Rosa.’ Stella hurried off without waiting for a response. She raced up two flights of stairs and another smaller, narrower staircase that led to a series of attic rooms. She ran down the corridor, calling out, ‘Kit? Rosa? Where are you?’

  She found the old nursery tucked away at the far end of the passage as if it had been designed to keep the children as far away as possible from the rest of the household. The key was still in the lock and she breathed a sigh of relief as she opened the door. Rosa rushed out and enveloped her in a hug. ‘Thank God you came. I was beginning to panic.’

  Kit wrapped his arms around Stella in an embrace that took her breath away. ‘You’re a wonder, Stella. I don’t know how you did it but let’s get out of here. We’ll take the back stairs.’ He released her abruptly and strode off in the direction of the servants’ staircase with Stella and Rosa following in his wake.