One Snowy Night by Amanda Grange
‘Now, why don’t you tell me what you were doing, putting yourself in danger like that,’ he said, glaring at her as he closed the door.
‘Thank you,’ retorted Rebecca, annoyed by his high-handed attitude. ‘I would like some refreshment. How kind of you to offer it.’
She glared right back at him.
‘What were you doing in the back streets of Manchester on your own?’ demanded Joshua, ignoring her remarks and going straight to the heart of the matter.
‘I might well ask you the same question,’ she returned.
‘I was looking at a number of properties. There are some houses there for sale at a reasonable price, and although squalid at the moment they could be made clean and comfortable for the mill workers. I was going to tell you about them later, and ask if you thought we should invest in them.’
‘Ah! I see,’ said Rebecca.
‘I have answered your question, now you answer mine. You know how dangerous the back streets are, Rebecca, you are not a fool. Even in ordinary times it is dangerous to go too far from the main streets, and when there has already been an unexplained attack on the mill it is madness.’
‘I didn’t go into the back streets on my own,’ returned Rebecca. ‘I went with one of the footmen you gave me.’
‘If that’s the case, then how is it he wasn’t with you when I found you?’ he demanded.
‘Because he couldn’t keep up with me. I had to leave the carriage in a hurry,’ she explained. ‘It was stuck behind an overturned cart, and as I passed the time by looking out of the windows I saw a man I recognized loping through the back streets. It was the man who daubed LONG LIVE NED LUDD on the wall at the mill.’
Joshua’s eyebrows shot up.
‘I assumed he was just a common thug intent on stealing your reticule,’ he said. ‘But now I begin to understand. Are you sure? You didn’t get a good look at him, and you can only have seen him from a distance when you were in the carriage.’
‘I am. It wasn’t his looks I recognized, but the way he moved. He has a curious loping gait, as I told you at the time. I jumped out of the carriage in order to follow him and called to the footman to accompany me. I looked over my shoulder to make sure he had done so, but he must have lost me shortly afterwards. I had to keep Dunn in sight, and it entailed making a number of quick turns.’
Joshua’s face relaxed.
‘So you see, I wasn’t putting myself in danger,’ explained Rebecca.
‘Of course you were,’ said Joshua, not so easily mollified. ‘As soon as you got out of the carriage you were in danger. And when I think of you following a man you knew to be a criminal . . . ’ His face darkened and his eyes became turbulent.
‘How else was I going to catch him?’ she demanded. ‘At least now we have something to go on. As soon as we’ve questioned him —’
‘We?’
‘You seem to forget that I’m involved in this just as much as you are,’ she returned.
‘No. I don’t forget. But if you think I’m going to let you anywhere near a man like that you’re mistaken,’ he said.
‘It isn’t up to you to tell me what to do,’ she returned.
He glared at her. Then said, apparently reasonably, ‘You’re right. It isn’t.’ His reasonableness suddenly vanished. ‘But I’m going to do it anyway.’
Rebecca gave a sigh. It was no use arguing with him. He could be extremely stubborn when he chose – as stubborn as she was. Besides, she had to admit, if only to herself, that she was actually relieved. She did not relish the idea of seeing any more of Dunn than she had to.
‘Very well.’
His eyebrows lifted in surprise. Then he said, with a disarming smile, ‘Thank you.’
‘For what?’ She was surprised.
‘For letting me have my own way.’
She smiled, too. ‘As long as you don’t have it too often, I can’t see that it will do you any harm!’ she teased him.
He laughed.
‘Then for once we are in agreement. And luckily so, for there is no saying who would win otherwise! But now that we have sorted that out, let me offer you some refreshments. You’re right, I should have done so straight away. You must be cold and tired.’
‘Thank you, but I can’t stay. I have already been longer than I intended to be, and I don’t want Louisa to worry. I only went out to buy her a fan,’ she explained. ‘I should have been back by now. I dread to think what has happened to my carriage.’
‘Don’t worry. I sent Odgers to find it.’
‘But —’
‘Dunn is being safely held in the kitchen by a couple of Odgers’s colleagues - men who, incidentally, will not let Odgers forget that he lost his charge,’ said Joshua with a wry smile.
‘It wasn’t his fault,’ said Rebecca.
‘Yes, it was. He was employed to look after you and he failed. But if you want to make his life easier in future, don’t go jumping out of any more carriages!’
‘I’ll try not to,’ she returned with a lift at the corner of her mouth. Then she became more serious. ‘You will let me know, Joshua? What you find out?’
‘Of course. You’re going to the ball tonight?’
‘Yes. Louisa and I will both be there.’
‘Meet me in the library at twelve o’clock. The ball should be in full swing by then and no one will notice if we absent ourselves for a while. Then I can tell you what I have discovered.’
‘What do you think? Now?’
Joshua ran his hand through his thick hair. ‘I think Dunn will be able to tell us very little. He was probably paid to paint a Luddite slogan on the wall of the mill, but I will be surprised if he can tell us who paid him. He was most probably approached in a tavern and offered money to do it, no questions asked.’
Rebecca nodded. It seemed only too likely.
‘But I’ll have him followed - when I let him go,’ said Joshua.
‘You’re not going to hand him over to the authorities, then?’ asked Rebecca in surprise.
‘No. If we press charges against him for attacking you then you will be dragged into it, and that isn’t something I want to see. And if we charge him with defacing property, again you are the witness, and again you would be dragged in - and again, that isn’t something I’m going to allow. Besides, he may be more use to us if we turn him loose. There’s just a chance that whoever has been paying him may decide to use him again.’
‘So that if we have him watched, we can see where he goes and what he does?’ asked Rebecca.
Joshua nodded. ‘Exactly.’
‘It makes sense.’
A carriage rattled to a halt outside. Glancing out of the window Rebecca saw that it was hers.
‘Until this evening, then,’ she said, taking her leave of Joshua.
‘Until this evening. Once I join you at the ball I will tell you everything I learn.’
‘Oh! There you are! I was just beginning to worry,’ said Louisa, as Rebecca returned to the house.
‘I’m sorry I was so long,’ said Rebecca.
‘Never mind, my dear. You are here now.’
Rebecca smiled at the look of suppressed anticipation on Louisa’s face. Too sweet to ask if Rebecca had managed to find her a fan in case she should seem demanding, Louisa was clearly wondering if Rebecca’s shopping trip had been a success.
Rebecca opened her reticule and took out a small package, which she gave to Louisa.
Louisa took it and opened it to reveal the lace and ivory fan. Her face lit up. ‘Oh! Rebecca! It’s beautiful! So delicate! And so stylish!’ She opened the fan with a flick of her wrist and delightedly wafted it to and fro.
‘It will look lovely against your gown,’ said Rebecca. ‘The lace is so delicate the orange shade will shine through.’
‘Yes, it will. Oh, thank you, my dear. It’s perfect. Truly perfect.’ Louisa fluttered her fan once more, until the chiming of the clock called her back to the present. ‘But I must not keep you. You will be wantin
Louisa hurried upstairs.
More slowly, Rebecca followed. She was glad to be able to retire to her room after her exciting afternoon.
The bedroom was welcoming. The heavy damask drapes had been drawn across the windows. A warming fire was burning in the grate, and the candles were shedding pools of light into every corner of the room.
Rebecca glanced towards the mantelpiece where an ormolu clock stood. She wanted to see if she had enough time to read a little more of her book in the bath, before she had to get dressed.
Yes, she had.
She took her book into the small dressing-room that led off from her bedroom, where Susan had filled her hip bath, and undressing she slipped into the rose-scented water. She breathed a sigh of relief. It had been an eventful few hours, and she was looking forward to some peace and quiet before she dressed to go out again.
She sank back into the water and luxuriated in the soothing warmth. Then, feeling pleasantly relaxed, she dried her hands on the towel she had draped over the edge of the bath and picked up The Italian, which she had left within reach. She indulged in a portion of the entertaining novel before washing herself and then stepping out of the hip bath, where she dried herself in front of the fire. Then she began to dress.
She had bought some lovely underclothes in the fashionable shops in Manchester and, with Susan’s help, she proceeded to put them on: a cotton chemise and new-fangled drawers; silk stockings, fashionably embroidered at the ankles and held up by lace garters; and a light pair of stays.
Susan fastened her stays to a comfortable tightness, then it was time to put on her gown.
‘How is Miss Louisa getting on?’ asked Rebecca.
‘She’s finished dressing,’ said Susan, who had gone to help Betsy with Louisa whilst Rebecca took her bath. ‘She looks lovely,’ said the young girl.
Rebecca was glad. She herself might be unlucky in love, but she hoped with all her heart that the same would not be true for her cousin.
She turned her attention to her new ball gown, which Susan was lifting off the bed. It was truly exquisite. Madame Dupont had excelled herself.
At that moment Betsy entered the room.
‘Miss Louisa’s compliments, and do you need any more help?’ asked Betsy.
‘No, thank you, Betsy,’ said Rebecca.
Betsy eyed her dubiously. ‘I don’t know about these short sleeves,’ she said, with the freedom of an old retainer. ‘Pretty they may be, and fashionable as well, but a good pair of long sleeves would have been more sensible in the winter time, Miss Rebecca.’
‘Perhaps,’ remarked Rebecca. ‘But long sleeves are too hot for dancing in.’
‘You just make sure you take your shawl,’ said Betsy. ‘It won’t do to go catching a cold. You’ll miss all the coming parties and dinners, and you wouldn’t want that.’
Rebecca’s mouth quirked, but she dutifully promised to wear her shawl, and Betsy was mollified.
‘There,’ said Susan, standing back once the dress was fastened.
The gown was truly lovely. The gold silk glimmered in the candlelight and the short sleeves, trimmed with a row of the most delicate gold tassels, were exquisite. The high waist lent Rebecca height, and the demi-train added an air of elegance and style.
‘I hope I can remember how the friseur said to do your hair,’ said Susan somewhat nervously.
‘I’m sure you will,’ said Rebecca as Betsy departed.
She sat in front of her dressing-table and Susan proceeded to arrange her hair. Monsieur Toulouse had cut and shaped it, so that the maid had no difficulty in styling it.
Once it was done Rebecca examined the high chignon critically to make sure it was tidy. She fluffed the ringlets round her face, then thanking Susan she stood up.
‘Your gloves, Miss Rebecca,’ said Susan, handing Rebecca her long white evening gloves. ‘And don’t forget your shawl.’
Rebecca took up the beautiful spider-silk shawl and draped it elegantly over her shoulders. There would be time enough later, when she had reached Mrs Renwick’s house and had warmed right through, to let it slip elegantly and fashionably down into the crook of her arms.
And then Rebecca was ready. Going downstairs she found Louisa already waiting for her. Louisa’s eyes were sparkling, and in her new gown she looked lovely. Edward would be a fool if he did not want to marry her, Rebecca thought.
The clock chimed the hour. ‘I believe we should be going,’ said Rebecca.
‘Yes,’ agreed Louisa.
They went out to the carriage.
As they did so Rebecca felt a shiver of presentiment; as though something momentous was going to happen that very evening.
Then, dismissing the presentiment as nothing more than foolishness, she turned her attention to the evening to come.
Chapter Ten
As soon as Rebecca entered Mrs Renwick’s house she looked round for Joshua. She was eager to see him and discover what he had learnt from Dunn. She could see no sign of him in the hall, however, and moved on to the impromptu ballroom, but here she fared no better. After scanning the brilliantly-dressed people for any sign of him, she realized he had not yet arrived.
‘Oh, my, doesn’t it look lovely,’ said Louisa.
The ballroom did indeed look lovely. It was brightly decorated with such greenery as could be found so early in the year, all displayed in delightful porcelain vases. Together with the highly-polished mirrors, the glittering chandeliers, and the silk-and-satin clad guests, it was a splendid sight.
The most important people in Manchester were all gathered together, Rebecca noted with interest, turning her attention to the other guests. Mill owners, politicians, and a smattering of titled and other fashionable young men, together with their wives and sisters. There were also a number of eligible young ladies, fluttering around in their white muslin gowns.
Louisa’s attention was soon claimed by Edward, and Rebecca was quickly accosted likewise.
‘Miss Foster.’
Rebecca’s relief vanished as she turned to see Mr Willingham. Ah, well, she would have to greet him politely.
‘May I say you are looking truly exquisite this evening?’ he went on, bowing over her hand.
She was made slightly uneasy by the way his eyes ran over her as he straightened up. There was something cold about him, and she had the feeling that he was looking at her in the way he would look at a beautiful painting or a fine piece of china - as though he was calculating her worth. However, she was a guest at the ball, and he was a respected gentleman, and so she ignored her distaste and thanked him politely for his compliment.
‘And may I also say you are looking remarkably composed.’
Rebecca’s eyebrows raised in surprise.
‘It cannot be easy to be so calm after what happened this afternoon,’ he said.
Her eyebrows raised still further.
‘News travels fast,’ he explained. ‘Particularly among the mill owners. My mill is in Stockport, but I still get to hear of things that might be likely to affect business, and the unfortunate attack on you this afternoon is one of them.’
‘I hardly think it is likely to affect your business,’ she remarked.
‘Forgive me, but if the Luddites are active again, it will affect everyone’s business.’
‘I don’t believe — ‘ Rebecca started to say, before stopping herself.
‘You don’t believe?’ prompted Mr Willingham, looking at her with a deceptively bland expression.
Rebecca remembered Joshua’s warning, that Mr Willingham was a skilled conversationalist, and that he was used to getting information from people without them even realizing it. She did not know why, but she felt the less she told Mr Willingham about what she and Joshua suspected, the better. So instead of saying, “I don’t believe it was the Luddites who attacked me”, she said instead, ‘I don’t believe it was anyth
‘You will forgive me if I disagree. When so much beauty is attacked, it must worry the heart of each and every gentleman.’ He made her a bow as he said it. ‘But you must not take the Luddite threat lightly, Miss Foster. The Luddites are desperate people, and after the daubing on your mill wall, you must take care.’
‘You know about that?’
‘As I say, Miss Foster, there is little I don’t know about what goes on in and around Manchester. It pays me to know. If you are sensible, you will not ignore them.’
‘I assure you, you need have no concern on my account,’ said Rebecca coolly. ‘The whole matter was trivial, and not worth worrying about.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. Even so, the Luddites are no respecters of persons and although this attack may have been trivial, the next one may be more serious.’ He stopped himself, and then said, ‘Not that there will be a next one, I’m sure. But it is perhaps worth remembering that the streets of Manchester are not always safe, particularly if one ventures off the major thoroughfares.’
How does he know I ventured off the major thoroughfares? wondered Rebecca. Was it really, as he said, that the local mill owners came to hear of anything unusual that happened to one of their number? Or could he be having her followed?
No, of course not. The idea was nonsensical. It was true he seemed to have an interest in her, but as she was an eligible young lady with a handsome dowry, to say nothing of owning half a mill, that in itself was perhaps not so surprising. But not even the most ardent suitor would have a young lady followed, and on so short an acquaintance.
A new and even more unwelcome thought occurred to her. Was it possible that he was in some way responsible for the attacks, both on Joshua and the mill?
But no. She dismissed the idea. Mr Willingham may have something to gain by paying court to her, if that court was successful, but he could have nothing to gain by setting fire to the mill, or by killing Joshua. On the contrary, he would have something to lose. Marsden mill provided his mill with the cotton it needed for weaving and dyeing, and if anything happened to disrupt Marsden mill, it would also disrupt the supply of the cotton. And Mr Willingham needed the cotton if his own business was to be run profitably.