The Country Bride

‘Is that you, Judy?’

The sound of her mother’s voice brought Judy back to her senses and she hurried into the kitchen. ‘Yes, Ma.’

‘I wasn’t expecting you until later.’

‘I’d done everything that needed doing, so I decided to finish early.’

‘I’ve saved you some supper, Judy.’

‘Thanks, but I’m not hungry.’ The moment the words left her lips, Judy knew she had made a tactical error. Her mother’s eyebrows shot up and her smile faded into a worried frown.

‘Are you sickening for something? I’d better make you up a tonic.’

‘No, thank you. I’m just tired, but I’ll be fine in the morning.’ Judy gave her mother a hug. ‘I love you, Ma. Good night.’

For the next few days Judy was kept busy. Ida Ralston was still in charge of the household, but she had allowed Judy to take over some of her duties, which included organising the linen cupboard and making sure that the servants’ uniforms were laundered and kept in pristine order. It was a peaceful task and Judy was painstaking in her attempts to list each and every item, and to ensure that mending was sent to the sewing room, where sheets were turned sides to middle if they had worn thin, and any garment that was torn was either darned or patched, as necessary. Mrs Ralston clearly intended that Judy would take over from her when she retired, but Judy was having ever more serious doubts as to her position in the house. Her relationship with Jack had been doomed from the start, even though it had begun innocently a year ago, but they were adults now and Jack seemed to think that they could simply carry on as before. Judy had managed to avoid him so far, and he had been kept busy with the constant flow of family visitors. His sister Dove, who was married to Dr Neville, brought her three children, two rowdy boys and her much quieter four-year-old daughter, to see their uncle. His other sister, Linnet, and her husband, Elliot Massey, the village schoolmaster, arrived with their eight-year-old son and their newborn baby girl, but Judy kept herself to herself and avoided close contact with the family.

It was late afternoon, a week after Jack’s return home, and Judy was on her way to the sewing room with a pile of mending. Having climbed the stairs from the basement, she decided to take a shortcut through the great hall in order to use the servants’ staircase on the far side of the house. It had been a particularly quiet day and there was no one about, not even James. Mrs Tattersall and Jack had left soon after breakfast when Fuller brought the carriage to the front entrance, and they set off for Colneyhurst to celebrate Daisy’s eldest son’s eighth birthday. They were not expected back until late evening, and with no family meals to prepare there had been a holiday atmosphere in the kitchen and servants’ hall. Judy suspected that James had taken the opportunity to visit his current ladylove, who worked in the laundry room, and she smiled to herself. Tall and good-looking, and well aware of his physical attributes, James was a heartbreaker. Mrs Ralston warned each new female servant from the outset, but few of them took notice, and it never ended happily. Judy was of the opinion that it was James who ought to be sacked, but he was very clever at talking himself out of a difficult situation, and Mrs Tattersall was not immune to his charm.

Judy crossed the hall but the sound of horses’ hoofs on the drive made her run to the window and she saw the carriage come to a halt outside. With her arms full of linen and no sign of the footman, she was at a loss until Molesworth appeared suddenly at her side.

‘Put that down and be ready to take Madam’s cape and bonnet. I’ll have words with James when I find the lazy layabout.’ Molesworth went to open the door and Judy placed the linen on a nearby chair.

Mary Tattersall was first to enter and she was clearly upset. She allowed Judy to take her outdoor things without seeming to notice that her footman and housemaid were not on duty.

‘Poor little Timmy has gone down with chickenpox. We stayed long enough to cut the birthday cake, but the boys were all out of sorts, so I decided it would be best if we came home.’ Mary shrugged off her cape and handed it to Judy. ‘You must tell Cook that there are two for dinner this evening, Judy. I’m going to the drawing room for a rest. It’s been a very trying day.’

‘Yes, madam.’ Judy was about to do as she was asked when Jack strode into the hall.

‘Judy. Where’ve you been hiding? I’ve been looking for you.’

She glanced anxiously at Molesworth, but he was otherwise occupied. ‘You’ve been busy, sir.’

Jack caught her by the arm. ‘Stop calling me “sir”. I won’t allow this offhand treatment to continue a minute longer. Put my mother’s things down and come into the morning parlour. We’ll sort this out for once and all.’

‘Really, Jack! Why won’t you listen to me?’ Judy protested as he closed the parlour door with unnecessary force.

‘Because you’re talking nonsense. I refuse to allow my mother to rule my life. I need you and I always have. We’re cut from the same cloth, Judy.’

She shook her head. ‘Oh, Jack! You know that’s not true. You’ve managed without me all the time you were at boarding school and university, and I doubt if you missed me at all.’

He grasped both her hands. ‘That’s not true. Your letters brightened up the most miserable days when I was first sent away and homesick, even if you can’t spell.’

‘That’s not fair. I was just a child,’ she said, chuckling. Jack always had the power to make her laugh, and it weakened her defences.

‘That’s better. That’s the Judy I know and love.’

She met his gaze with a startled gasp. ‘You’re fond of me. It’s not love.’

‘How do you know? Can you read my mind?’

‘I used to, especially when you were planning some mischief with Alfie and Danny.’

‘Don’t push me away. I can’t stand it.’

‘Your mother won’t allow us to be together in any way, friends or not. If I get the sack my mother will lose her cottage, and the boys will have to leave, too. I can’t put their future in jeopardy. You must understand that.’

Jack gazed into her eyes, and then he pulled her roughly into his arms and kissed her long and hard on the lips. ‘What’s your answer now, Judy? I’m not joking. I want you with me always.’

Chapter Two

Judy moved away, giving herself time to think. The embrace had left her shaken, but wanting more, and that was even more disturbing.

‘Answer me, please.’ There was a note of desperation in Jack’s voice, quite alien to his normal tone.

‘I don’t know what you want of me.’ Judy met his intense gaze with a searching look.

‘What is there to know, other than the fact that we were always together. I want that to continue. I’m not the type of man to be lord of the manor, any more than my brother, Jay. I won’t renege on my responsibilities, but I need you to help me through all this.’

‘Are you asking me to marry you?’

‘Marriage? Of course I want that, but not just now. In a few years, maybe.’

‘Oh, Jack. You know that’s not good enough. I don’t want you to feel obliged to do anything. You either want us to be together always, or you don’t.’

‘That’s exactly what I’m saying. I want you here with me.’

Judy shook her head. ‘It wouldn’t work. Life isn’t a game of chance, Jack. You should listen to your mother. She has plenty to say on the subject, and I hate to admit it, but I think she’s right.’

‘What does my mother know about how I feel?’ Jack demanded angrily. ‘She has no right to interfere.’

‘She loves you,’ Judy said simply. ‘From what I was told, your mother suffered greatly at the hands of the old squire, and her marriage to your father wasn’t a particularly happy one.’

‘That has nothing to do with us. I want things to be as they were.’

‘That’s not possible, and you know it.’

‘I’m not asking anything of you other than to be here for me. I need you to keep me from doing stupid things, and I want to hear you laugh again.’

He looked so downcast that Judy was deeply touched and she moved closer, taking his hands in a warm grasp. ‘You were always impatient.’

Jack drew her closer, but the door flew open and Hilda burst into the room. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Nothing,’ Judy said firmly. ‘We were just talking.’

‘Your mother wants a word with you, Master Jack.’

‘Stop calling me that,’ Jack said crossly. ‘It makes me sound like a ten-year-old. Who told you we were in here, anyway?’

‘It was Molesworth, if you must know. I was sent to fetch you and that’s what I’m doing.’ Hilda gave Judy a warning look. ‘We’ll talk about this later, my girl.’

‘We’ve done nothing wrong,’ Judy said tiredly.

Hilda turned to Jack and he held up his hands. ‘All right, Hilda. I’ll go and placate my mother, but only if you promise to leave Judy alone. This was my fault, not hers.’

Hilda opened her mouth to answer, but Judy laid her hand on her mother’s arm. ‘No, Ma. That’s enough.’ She sent Jack a warning glance and with obvious reluctance he left the room.

‘You’ll find yourself in trouble if you go on this way,’ Hilda said warily. ‘I don’t want to interfere, Judy, but someone must tell you how things are.’

‘What are you trying to say, Ma?’

‘Remember what happened to Mary at the hands of the old squire,’ Hilda said darkly. ‘Times haven’t changed that much. Jack is a man now, with a man’s needs, and you are a servant in his house. Do you understand?’

‘I think you insult both of us.’ Judy walked to the door and opened it. ‘I have things to do, but you can tell Mrs Tattersall that she need not worry about us. I won’t fall into the same trap that she did.’

Her mother’s words echoed in Judy’s head as she went about her daily tasks, and when she went to bed that night she found it impossible to sleep. Eventually, having tossed and turned for more than an hour, she went downstairs to make herself a cup of cocoa, using the remaining heat from the range to warm a pan of milk. As she sat at the kitchen table, sipping the comforting drink, Judy came to the inevitable conclusion: the time had come for her to leave Creek Manor. It would break her heart to be parted from all those she loved, especially Jack, but she could see no future for herself if she stayed at the manor house. It had been different when Jack was away at university, and she had looked forward eagerly to his return at the end of each term, but he had come home to take up his responsibilities as lord of the manor, he was now at home for good and the relationship he wanted would prove difficult, if not impossible.

Judy finished the cocoa and washed the cup and saucer before returning to her room. Her thoughts had clarified and she knew now what she must do.

At first light Judy was on the road to Colneyhurst and in less than an hour she was seated in the breakfast parlour, drinking coffee with Daisy, who was still wearing a silk wrapper over her lacy nightgown.

‘So you see my problem,’ Judy said, sighing. ‘I love Jack, and I suppose I always have. I think he loves me, but there’s no question of marriage and I don’t trust myself to stay strong, if you know what I mean.’

Daisy nodded and her dark curls flopped over her brow, only to be brushed away with an impatient hand. ‘Of course I do. I think anyone who has ever been in love would understand, but I’m sure Jack wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.’

‘Not intentionally, but his mother wants him to marry someone much more suitable than I. No matter how much Jack pretends it’s of no matter, he is the lord of the manor in his brother’s absence.’

‘If you’re worried that Jack is like his half-brother, then don’t be. Jay takes after the old squire and Jack’s father was a good man at heart, even if he was a bully. Jack wouldn’t chase after other women if you and he were to wed.’

‘He doesn’t want to commit himself to something so permanent, but if I stay at Creek Manor under his terms I would be living on a knife edge. Mrs Tattersall would sack me instantly if she discovered we were having a secret liaison.’

Daisy was silent for a moment as if considering the situation. ‘Then you have no alternative,’ she said slowly. ‘I think you’re right, Judy. You need to go away for a while. It will give you both time to think.’

‘I was wondering if your brother, Dr Marshall, might need a servant,’ Judy said hopefully. ‘He was always so nice to me whenever I saw him, and so was his wife.’

‘Minnie is the kindest person I know, and with boisterous five-year-old twins she might very well need help.’ Daisy frowned thoughtfully. ‘I tell you what, Judy. I’ll write a letter to my brother and sister-in-law, and even if they don’t need anyone, I’m sure they will help you find a suitable position. It’s not as if you are a stranger to London. You were born there, after all.’

‘And I lived there until I was nine,’ Judy added, smiling ruefully. ‘Although I wouldn’t want to go back to Green Dragon Yard.’

‘There’s no question of that. I have a much better idea. I’ll send a telegram to say that you’re coming, and I’ll write a note to Minnie, asking her to help you to find accommodation in London.’ Daisy rose from her seat and went over to the sideboard where she took pen and paper from one of the drawers. She sat back at the table and began to write, while Judy sipped her coffee, feeling more positive than she had done since Jack’s return home. She knew now what she must do, even though leaving Creek Manor and those she loved would break her heart.

Sidney Square was close to the London Hospital and not far from Mrs Wood’s boarding house in Fieldgate Street. Daisy had told her amusing stories of the time she lodged there, although these were not uppermost in Judy’s mind as she stepped down from the hansom cab outside the Marshalls’ residence. She paid the cabby, picked up her carpet bag and crossed the pavement to knock on the door.

It was opened by a young maidservant, who stared at her blankly.

‘Mrs Marshall is expecting me,’ Judy said firmly.

The maid, who could not have been a day older than twelve, blinked, nodded and closed the door. Judy was left standing on the step, not knowing whether to knock again or to wait, but a couple of minutes later the door opened and Minnie Marshall greeted her with a smile.

‘Come in, Judy. I’m sorry about that, but you’ll have to forgive Sukey as she’s only been with us for a few days.’ Minnie stepped aside and ushered Judy into the narrow hallway. ‘Come into the parlour and Sukey will bring us some refreshments. That’s if she doesn’t trip over the mat and drop the tray as she did earlier this morning.’

Judy placed her bag at the foot of the stairs, not knowing what else to do. The house was much smaller than she had imagined it to be, and she could hear children’s voice coming from a room upstairs, followed by the deeper tones of their nanny.

‘I hope I’m not inconveniencing you, Mrs Marshall,’ Judy said anxiously.

‘Not at all, my dear.’ Minnie opened a door to her right and led the way into a small, but well-proportioned living room, which was furnished for comfort rather than elegance. Minnie sat down in a chair by the empty hearth, motioning Judy to follow suit. ‘Daisy’s telegram said you would be arriving today, and that you needed help to find a suitable position in London.’

Judy retrieved a wooden doll from the chair before taking a seat. She clutched it in her hands, holding on to it like a good luck charm. ‘I’m afraid it was very short notice, but I had to get away. It was a rather difficult situation. Mrs Walters has written you a note.’ Judy put the doll down and took the sealed letter from her reticule. She handed it to Minnie, who opened it and studied it intently.

‘I understand, Judy. I expect we’ve all experienced times like that at one point or another in our lives. Would this have anything to do with Jack’s return from university?’

Judy stared at her open-mouthed. ‘How did you know that?’

‘I didn’t, but from the urgency of your departure I guessed it must be something of the sort, and it was always obvious that you two were close. Anyone could see that, even when you were just children.’

‘I suppose I should have stayed where I was, but I couldn’t make him understand my position.’

Minnie smiled and nodded. ‘He’s a man, my dear. They believe what they want to believe, and I suppose Jack wants to keep his freedom, but he needs you to be there for him every step of the way.’

‘Yes, that’s about it, Mrs Marshall. I had to come away or who knows what might have happened? Jack is master of the house now, and I’m just a servant, or rather I was.’

‘And you didn’t tell him you were leaving?’

‘I couldn’t,’ Judy said simply. ‘He would have persuaded me to stay.’

‘Then I think you did the right thing, and I would mploy you if it were possible, but, as you can see, this is a very small house. We’ll be moving to a much larger residence in the near future, but that doesn’t help you now.’

‘I was just hoping you might know of someone who would employ me. I can cook and Mrs Ralston has taught me household management. I’m honest and hard working.’

‘I know all that, Judy. Mrs Tattersall was always singing your praises when we visited the manor house.’ Minnie jumped to her feet at the sound of crockery rattling together in the hallway. She wrenched the door open in time to rescue the tea tray as Sukey tripped over her feet and stumbled. ‘Thank you, Sukey. That will be all for now.’

Sukey gazed up at her with red-rimmed eyes. ‘You won’t tell Cook, will you, miss?’

‘It’s “madam” or “Mrs Marshall”, Sukey. I won’t say a word.’

‘Ta, ever so, miss. I mean, madam.’ Sukey scuttled off towards the back stairs and Minnie closed the door before placing the tray on a table in the window. ‘If only you’d arrived two weeks ago I could have taken you on with pleasure, but I haven’t the heart to send young Sukey back to the orphanage.’

‘No, of course not,’ Judy said earnestly. ‘I wouldn’t want that either.’

Minnie poured the tea and handed a cup to Judy. ‘Would you like a slice of cake?’

‘Thank you, Mrs Marshall.’

‘What will you do now? I’m afraid I don’t know of anyone looking for servants at the present.’

‘Daisy – I mean, Mrs Walters – gave me the address of the boarding house where you both lived when you were younger. I thought I might try there.’

‘Did she also tell you that Mrs Wood is a tyrant and that her daughter, Gladys, is a spiteful cat? Although I believe she is married now and lives above the saddler’s shop in Whitechapel, which oddly enough was where my husband and Daisy grew up. Gladys married the man who took over from Mr Marshall senior.’

‘Would that be Jonah Sawkins?’ Judy accepted a large slice of chocolate cake, and bit into it hungrily.

‘Yes. How did you know that?’

‘Daisy used to tell us stories about her time in London when Molly and I were much younger.’

‘Well, yes. Jonah was always hanging around Daisy, no matter how many times she snubbed him. Our friend Ivy, who later married Clem Guppy, went out with Jonah until she realised what sort of man he was, but Gladys didn’t seem to see his faults. They say that love is blind.’ Minnie helped herself to cake and returned to her seat. ‘On a more practical level, Judy, have you got enough money to support yourself until you find a suitable position?’

Judy nodded, chewed and swallowed, licking the delicious crumbs from her lips. ‘Yes, I have. Mrs Tattersall was very generous. She gave me enough money to pay rent for a week or two, if I choose somewhere cheap. I think she was glad to see the back of me.’

‘I’m sure that’s not true, but I expect she was concerned. She might have been afraid that Jack would take after Jay, who, like his namesake, flew away, or should I say he sailed away to the Antipodes? Anyway, I’m sure that Jack isn’t like his brother in that respect.’

‘No, he isn’t,’ Judy said firmly. ‘Jack is an excellent person and I …’ she hesitated, ‘I am truly fond of him, but he needs to marry a well-bred lady with a sizeable dowry.’

‘I don’t think those are your words, Judy. It sounds more like Mary Tattersall speaking.’ Minnie leaned forward, lowering her voice. ‘Let me tell you that what Jack wants, and what his mother wants for him are almost certainly two different things. Do you understand me?’

Judy’s throat ached with unshed tears. Minnie’s kindness was disarming, and she obviously understood. It was a relief, and yet it made the pain in Judy’s heart even more acute. She inclined her head. ‘Yes, ma’am.’

Minnie leaned over to pat Judy’s hand. ‘I’ll come with you to Fieldgate Street and introduce you to Mrs Wood as a prospective tenant. I wouldn’t want you to work for her, but if you stay there it’s reasonably cheap and quite central, and you can look for a position elsewhere. What do you say?’

‘Thank you. I’d be very grateful.’

Minnie pulled a face. ‘I can’t say that she runs the best lodging house in the East End, but at least it’s clean and respectable. You’ll be safe there.’

‘Thank you, Mrs Marshall.’ Judy tried to smile, but she felt as though she was about to jump off the top of a cliff into the swirling sea of the unknown. London seemed so much bigger, noisier and dirtier than she remembered, and Little Creek was a haven of peace and tranquillity in comparison. Her first instinct was to rush back to the station and catch the next train home, but she knew that she must be strong and face whatever the city had in store for her.

Minnie rose to her feet. ‘I’ll go and fetch my bonnet and shawl and we’ll set off.’

The maid who let them into the house ushered them into Mrs Wood’s parlour.

‘Thank you, Aggie,’ Minnie said, smiling.

The maid bobbed a curtsey and backed out of the room. Judy eyed Mrs Wood warily – her first impressions were not favourable. Years of bullying servants and lodgers alike had left a network of lines on Mrs Wood’s face. Twin furrows between her brows gave her a permanent frown and her mouth was dragged down at the corners, stamping an expression of disapproval on her face, which lingered even as she attempted to smile.

‘Mrs Marshall, how nice to see you again.’

‘And you, Mrs Wood. You’re looking well.’

‘I might look good, my dear, but my rheumatics play me up something awful, particularly in winter. A life of hard work and service to others has told on my poor aching body.’

Judy shot a sideways glance at Minnie, who remained outwardly calm and smiling.

‘Your lodging house has always been deemed one of the best, Mrs Wood,’ Minnie said with a persuasive smile. ‘And for that reason I’ve brought my friend Miss Begg to see you. She’s in need of accommodation while she looks for work.’

Mrs Wood looked Judy up and down with a critical eye. ‘And what line of work is that, may I ask?’

‘I’m trained in all household matters,’ Judy said with a determined lift of her chin. ‘I was assistant housekeeper in my last position.’

‘So you’re looking for a job in service?’

Judy nodded. ‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘Might I ask why you left your previous employer?’ Mrs Wood’s eyes narrowed and her lips tightened. ‘I have to ask these questions, you must understand. I can’t afford to take in tenants who have left under a cloud, if you get my meaning.’

‘I can vouch for Miss Begg,’ Minnie said firmly. ‘I’ve known her since she was a child, and she is above reproach.’

‘It so happens that I have a small attic room vacant at the moment, but I want a week’s rent in advance.’

‘I’ll take it.’ Judy opened her reticule and took out her purse. ‘I’d like to move in right away.’

‘Like that, is it?’ Mrs Wood held out her hand. ‘Two and tuppence, but if you want meals it’s ninepence a day.’

Judy counted out two shillings and two pennies and laid them in Mrs Wood’s palm. ‘I’m not sure about meals, ma’am.’

Minnie laid her hand on Judy’s arm. ‘You must dine with us tonight, dear. I want to catch up on all the news from home.’ She turned to Mrs Wood. ‘I seem to remember that we used to have a choice of dining in or out, depending upon the demands of the workplace.’