Hope for Tomorrow (22 page)

“
I take it you have decided on a course of action?” he asked now that they were alone.

“
I have. I intend to pay him off.”

“
He'll just come running back when he's made his way through it,” Lucien pointed out. He didn't want to dissuade her but he wanted her plan to work.

“
I thought about that, which is why I'm also going to have him sign a letter giving complete care of and responsibility for the remaining children and my mother to me, essentially selling them to me. No court would honour his right to be a husband and father after he sold his family.”

“
Perhaps,” Lucien hesitated, not wanting to upset her. “You have to realise though, your position isn't that strong in the eyes of the law as you are an unwed mother.”

“
An unwed mother who supports her family single handedly whereas all he did was steal from them and run away.”

“
Martha, I'm not questioning the moral rights and wrongs, I'm on your side here, I just don't think that a court is going to see things the same way we do. I should also point out that if you did have to take him to court, your new and old lives will clash.”

“
I know,” she sighed. “I just don't see any other way.”

“
Have him sign his family over to my care. With me as legal guardian, no one would dream of returning children that he sold.”

He wondered if it might upset her, that he was the cause of her disgrace while he was still respectable. In truth though, no court was likely to put the rights of any woman over the rights of her husband or father.

“
Would you be willing to do that?” she sounded surprised.

“
Of course.”

“
Thank you.” She smiled warmly at him and let out a long breath.

She seemed so relieved that he knew she must have thought of that herself. He wondered why she hadn't asked Gus to help her, then realised that she must be more worried about his bouts of breathlessness than she had previously said. He thought Gus had looked fine this morning, if a little pale perhaps but then Martha had known him for over six years while Lucien had only met him once before.

They made small talk for the rest of the journey but Martha had relaxed since Lucien had made his offer. She was pleased to learn that John was still working for Lucien's steward but although he was a reluctant worker at the best of times, at least he was making an effort. Martha couldn't help but wonder what John made of their father's return.

They arrived at the house in the Woods Hole hamlet at about midday and Lucien offered his hand to help Martha down from the carriage. Unlike the last time she had visited, Martha had worn one of her finer day dresses today in silk, a deep blue colour with a full skirt which was completely inappropriate for such a dwelling. Her dresses were like a costume to her, something that she could hide within and today she needed all the confidence that she could muster.

Mary came out to see her looking both worried and relieved. Martha put her arms around the girl, who immediately burst into tears. Martha cooed softly to her as the other children came out as well. They all looked pleased to see her, other than John who looked mutinous. Martha continued to console Mary and was pleased to note that Alf picked Maggie up when she too started to cry. The twins looked forlorn and held each other but the youngest two were nowhere to be seen. 

Alf showed signs of cuts and bruises and they all seemed to have some abrasions but nothing that looked too serious.

“
It was 'orrible,” Mary said as her tears began to subside. She pulled away and wiped at her eyes.

“
Come on, I'll put the kettle on and you can tell me all about it,” she suggested. She didn't need to ask where her father was because she could hear his snores from outside.

Inside Martha could see the youngest boys sitting on the rug in front of the fire. She took her shawl off and folded it over the back of a chair, then set about boiling water for some tea. She noticed that the kitchen was spotlessly clean and praised the children for keeping it so.

“
Where's Mum?” she asked as she sat down at the table with them. Lucien was standing by the door, waiting for trouble. Martha offered him some tea but he refused. John was sitting on the stairs; he was the only one who looked unharmed although he did look a little ill.

“
She's next door,” Alf said. “She's been getting up a bit recently and sitting by the fire so when Pa went out I took her 'round to the Smith's. I told 'em what you'd told us the doctor said, about her not 'avin more babes. They said they'd take her in till Pa left.”

“
That was good thinking. So what happened?”

“
He got 'ome in t'afternoon, said one o'the fellas in town told 'im where we were,” Alf explained. “'E made us tell him what 'appened, how we came to be 'ere and made Mary give 'im the 'ousekeeping money you left us.”

Mary looked as though she was about to cry again so Martha reached out and took her hand.

“
It's all right, you didn't have a choice.” Martha nodded for Alf to continue.

“
He searched everywhere for booze but when he didn't find none 'e made us feed 'im and waited till John got 'ome, then they took the money and went into town. That's when I took Ma next door. When 'e got back 'e were steamin' drunk, started shouting and yelling for Ma. We wouldn't tell 'im where she was so 'e hit us.” Alf shot a glare at John which Martha  took to mean that he had been on their father's side.

“
We wouldn't tell 'im,” Mary said. “You said she could die if it 'appened again so I didn't tell 'im. Not even...”

Martha felt a cold dread settle over her.

“
He took Mary upstairs instead,” Alf said for her, still glaring daggers at John. “I tried to stop 'im but John held me down.”

Alf was a good boy but he was still thin, not to mention at least two years younger than John so she didn't blame him for not being able to save his sister. She smiled at him, letting him know that she was grateful for his attempt, while putting her arm around Mary, who turned into her and began crying quietly into her shoulder.

She shot John a look of pure hatred and for the first time, he looked down, ashamed.

“
Alf, be a dear and get my bag from the carriage, please?”

Alf ran out to do as she asked and came back moments later with a large alligator skin bag which she opened and took out some paper, an ink pot and pen. She began composing the contract, complete with an admission that he had violated one of his daughters. When she was finished she passed it to Lucien to look over and he nodded his agreement. It also included a promise to stay away from all the children, even those who had left home, for the rest of his life under forfeit of a one hundred pound fine. That would enable Martha to have him sent to debtors prison for the rest of his life because she was certain that he couldn't pay such a fine.

She began composing a second letter for John, stating how he had helped his father to rape his sister and also agreeing to stay away from all his siblings for the rest of his life, with a similar penalty of one hundred pounds should he break the contract.

When Lucien couldn't see any fault with either letter, he signed both and Martha turned to John.

“
Go and wake your father up,” she said.

“
No.”

Martha took her purse out and counted out one hundred pounds onto the kitchen table. John's eyes grew as wide as saucers. He couldn't read how much the notes were for but he knew it was a lot of money.

“
Go and wake him up,” she stated again and this time he scrambled to do her bidding.

Chapter Twenty

Jim Dawley dragged himself downstairs a few minutes later and laughed when he saw his eldest daughter.

“
Shame you weren't 'ere last night.”

Martha looked at him and saw a shadow of the man she knew as a child. Maybe being young he had seemed more imposing but either way, he was a wreck of a man now, thin, gaunt and his skin had a yellowish tinge.

“
I have a proposition for you,” Martha said. “I will pay you and John one hundred pounds but in return both of you must agree to never contact any member of this family again.”

Jim laughed as though all his Christmases had come at once.

“
Sounds all right to me!”

He stepped forward to swipe the notes off the table but Martha was faster.

“
First of all, you both sign a contract agreeing to my terms.”

Jim looked at her, then the notes in her hand.

“
I can't sign me name,” he said, looking bitter.

“
You don't have to, just put an X where I tell you.”

Jim smiled. “All right!”

Martha dipped the pen nib in the ink well and passed it to him. He duly placed an X where she pointed. John came up behind him, eager to do the same and he signed the letter where she indicated.

Martha then witnessed the signatures, blew on the ink to dry it and handed the contracts to Lucien, who folded them and put them in his pocket.

“
Just so you know, you both just agreed to pay a fine of one hundred pounds should you break the terms of this contract and contact
any
member of our family except each other. The moment you do, Lord Beaumont will have you thrown in debtors prison for non-payment of the fine, where you will most likely die.”

“
What's 'e got to do with anythin'?” Jim asked.

“
Because the contract you signed and I witnessed was with him, not me.” She handed Jim the money. “Don't come back because before we have you thrown in jail, I will personally horse whip both of you to within an inch of your lives.”

Jim grabbed the money and cackled.

“
Whatever you say, darlin'! Come on, John, let's go have some fun!”

They left then; Jim not even stopping to put a coat on, if he'd even come with one.

Martha visibly sagged with relief once he was gone until she saw Mary quietly crying. Alf and Maggie were looking oddly at her as well.

“
Sweetheart, he's gone now,” she said, sitting next to Mary and trying to hug her.

Mary pushed her off.

“
Go away!” she said, crying harder.

“
Mary?”

“
Why'd you pay 'im!” Mary cried.

“
Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry. I can see how it must look but I wasn't rewarding him for what he did, I was buying your freedom. I gave him so much because you all mean so much to me and the more he has, the longer he'll stay away from you but in all honesty, I think that within a year he will be dead. To some people money is a blessing but to others it's actually a curse and I fully expect that money to be the death of him. ”

She tried again to put her arms around Mary and this time the girl accepted and cuddled into her.

“
I'm sorry,” Mary sobbed.

“
Don't be, I should have explained before he came down but I didn't want to say anything in front of John. I'm so sorry, Mary, for everything he did and for not being here to stop him. I'm so, so sorry.”

She held Mary until her tears dried then poured her some more tea with lots of sugar.

“
Now there's something else I want to talk to you about.” Martha took a deep breath. “I think we can all agree that what happened to Mary was wrong and there's no doubt about that in my mind but people are cruel. I want a promise from everyone who's old enough to understand what happened to Mary that they will never speak of it with anyone outside of this room, got it? I will not have her name ruined for something that wasn't her fault. And that includes Mum as she'll only blame herself.”

“
You 'ave my word,” Alf said.

“
I swear,” Lucien said.

The twins nodded, though Martha thought that they were too young to understand what had happened. She looked to Maggie who to her surprise, rather than nodding, got up and came around the table to Martha. She leaned in close.

“
I promise,” she whispered.

“
Thank you.” Martha smiled warmly at her. “You'll look after your sister, won't you?”

Maggie nodded.

“
Good girl. Now, why don't you all go and bring Mum back while Mary and I have a little walk and a chat.”

“
What should I do?” Lucien asked.

“
Oh, um...” She hadn't actually thought much past getting here. He was her transportation but she couldn't just ask him to wait for her indefinitely. “Why don't you go back to the Hall, I'll walk over when I'm done.”

“
Can I meet your mother?”

“
Uh, I suppose. If you'd like to.”

“
I would.”

“
I don't know how long I'll be,” she warned.

“
I know.” Lucien smiled. “I have plenty of time and if I do need to leave for any reason, I'll leave the carriage for you to come to the house when you're finished.”

“
Are you sure?”

“
Positive. Go, I'll make some tea for your mother.” He stood up and went to the stove. “Can someone teach me how to make tea?”

Maggie took the job, showing him how one boiled water and made tea while Alf and the twins went next door and Martha took Mary out for a walk. Lucien couldn't imagine the horror of what that girl had endured, and she
was
just a girl.

Maggie didn't speak as she showed him what to do but she did nod or shake her head when he asked a question.

“
Have you eaten today?” he asked when the tea was made.

Maggie nodded.

“
What kind of food do you like?”

Maggie shrugged but before their one-sided conversation could become too awkward, Alf and the twins returned with Lizzy. She was being supported by her son but she was walking under her own steam. She had filled out a lot since he had carried her into this house just a few weeks ago but clearly she was still weak. She smiled and looked flustered when she saw him, so he bowed to her and introduced himself.

“
We made you some tea,” he said. “Why don't you sit down and I'll pour.”

Alf helped her to a chair by the fire and Lucien handed her a cup of sweet tea.

“
Thank you,” she said. “Alf told me there was some excitement last night but that Jim's gone for good now.”

“
He has,” Lucien agreed, taking the other seat. “How do you like the house?”

“
Oh, it's lovely,” she said. “Our Martha's been so good to us over the years.”

“
She's a special girl,” he agreed.

“
'Ow do you know her?” Lizzy asked.

“
We're friends,” he said. “Martha has done very well for herself recently.”

“
So they tell me. Is she here?”

“
She's out walking with Mary.”

“
Is Mary okay? I thought I heard her crying out last night.”

“
She was a little unwell, that's why she's getting some air.” Lucien wondered if she really didn't know or if she would rather not know. She had a sort of detached air about her, as though she wasn't quite all there. Perhaps that was a defence mechanism (he certainly wouldn't choose to know what he did) or perhaps her near-starvation really had addled her brain a little.

One thing about being upper class was that you learned very early on how to make small talk so although he and Lizzy Dawley had nothing in common, they chatted amiably for over half an hour until Martha and Mary returned. Martha looked surprised to see them talking but she smiled warmly at them both.

“
Mum.” She kissed her mother's cheek. “You're looking well.”

“
So are you!” her mother said noticing her dress.

“
Well, this is my version of Dutch courage,” she smiled.

“
Better for you,” Lizzy said.

“
I'd love to stop and chat, Mum, but Lucien's driver has been out there for ages and I can't  hold him up any longer.”

“
No, no, of course not, love.”

“
We can wait,” Lucien assured her.

“
Please, I've put you out enough already.” Martha turned back to her mother. “I will come and see you before I leave, I promise.”

“
I know you will.”

Martha kissed her mother on the cheek, then did the same to each of the children before she picked up her shawl and bag and left with Lucien. She would have liked to tell them when she'd be back but she didn't know even where she was staying yet and she doubted a hansom cab would be happy to wait out here for a few hours while she chatted with her family. She would figure out a way though, even if she had to walk to and from town.

“
How's Mary?” Lucien asked once they were back in the carriage.

Martha looked away, feeling the shame that her father should have felt.

“
She'll recover. Thankfully her figure hasn't filled out and her monthly friends haven't started to visit so I don't think she's at risk of having a child. Not that that is something one should ever have to be thankful for.”

“
This is not your doing,” he assured her. “The man is evil personified.”

“
I used to think that sometimes,” she risked looking over at him. “Today though? I don't know, all I could see was a cruel and embittered old man. He causes all that misery and suffering and for what? So that he can end up that wizened, pathetic creature? Because that's what he is really, not evil, just pathetic. He probably hits women and children because he can only beat those who are smaller than he is.”

“
You'd be happier if he enjoyed the misery he creates?”

“
Not happier but I think I could understand it better. As it is, he's doing himself as much harm as he is those around him.”

Lucien reached forward and took her hand.

“
Is there anything that I can do for her?”

“
I don't know, actually. I told her that if she needed to talk, she could ask Mrs Lassiter to write to me and I would come as soon as I could but then she expressed a desire to learn to read and write so that she could she could write to me. Is there a local school or anyone who would be willing to teach her?”

“
There is a Sunday school in town but I don't think that will help her quickly enough.”

Martha opened her mouth to speak but then hesitated for a moment.

“
I wondered about taking her back with me,” she confessed.

“
But you're worried about your lives connecting?”

“
Well yes, but my biggest worry is how she would fit in. Gus and I lived very much like hermits for two years and he slowly taught me the rules of society but even so, I never feel that I fit in. I want Mary to feel safe right now, not out of place.”

Lucien nodded.

“
Plus,” Martha continued, “she's the eldest girl. You saw how weak Mum still is, I can't leave Maggie alone to do all the housework.”

“
You had no luck finding help?”

“
I even took an advert in the local paper but no decent replies.”

“
What would be involved?” Lucien asked.

“
As much or as little as they would like,” Martha confessed. “I'm not in a position to be choosy.”

“
I'm not certain that I can find a governess,” he said. “But someone who can teach reading should be within my power.”

“
Thank you.” She smiled. “I appreciate it.”

“
Will you stay at the Hall?” he asked her.

“
What?” She looked shocked. “No, I'll take the carriage back to town, if you don't mind.”

“
Mother and father are in Blackpool; stay with me. You can take the gig to visit your family in the morning then I'll take you to the station in the afternoon.”

Martha hesitated. She wasn't so much worried about what people would say, she was used to that and if they were gossiping about her, they would be less likely to gossip about Mary. What worried her was her growing feelings for Lucien.