Kingdom's Dream (12 page)

‘Very good.' Morton-Edwards looked at Cookson. ‘Well, I'm satisfied that the cost of training Mr Beynon would be well worthwhile, but I'd like to know what the other board members have to say about it. We'll be in touch, Beynon, and thank you for your time.'

Bull got to his feet. ‘Thank you, sir,' he nodded to Morton-Edwards, ‘and thank you for your faith in me, Mr Cookson.'

Outside, the air was cold on his face. He turned to look at the large building, grand and imposing in the fading light. Men like Eynon Morton-Edwards were used to such finery, and one day, Bull vowed, he would be too.

He mounted the horse lent to him by Mr Cookson and turned it towards home, which was still just a shanty on the edge of the muddy workings. One day, home would mean something very different.

‘He's a fine young man,' Eynon said later, at his house. ‘I liked the cut of his jib, though he's an independent sod.'

‘The thing about Bull Beynon,' Cookson said, ‘is that he's his own man, not open to coercion or bribery, a man of intelligence and a man to trust.'

‘So, perhaps we should look to getting him trained properly.'

‘I'm glad you agree, but I would prefer to wait until the line to Swansea is opened. At the moment he's too useful to part with.'

‘I'll leave it with you, then, but in the meantime I'll bring it up with the other governors. I don't anticipate any problems there.' Eynon was more than happy to propose the young man and with Cookson seconding him, Bull would have his promotion. ‘Now, will you take a glass of my new Madeira?' Eynon liked Cookson: the man was talented – honest into the bargain. ‘It's not everyone I'd share my wine with,' he said, ‘but I think we both deserve a drink in celebration of setting a young man on the road to better things. Apart from that, the Madeira is rich and fruity and slides down a dry throat like silk.'

‘Just what the doctor ordered.' Cookson loosened his waistcoat buttons and settled more comfortably in his chair. ‘Do you mind if I smoke my pipe?' He held it up.

‘Please do and I think I'll join you.' Not having a woman about the place certainly had its advantages, Eynon reflected. ‘My house has been a haven of peace since my daughter married,' he mused. ‘I never thought I'd say it but I'm glad to be on my own again.'

‘And I'd give anything to have a good woman around,' Cookson sounded wistful, ‘but being an engineer's wife is no life for a woman. She either travels with her husband or waits at home alone. No, I'm better off as a bachelor, at least for now.'

‘Don't say that! A young man like you needs a wife and children. You've a great deal to offer so don't sell yourself short, Cookson.' He rang the bell, and shortly afterwards he heard a light tap at the door. ‘Ah, Katie.' He smiled. The girl had fitted into his household again with little trouble – relieved, it seemed, to be away from Jayne's iron rule. ‘Will you fetch me my best Madeira, Katie, and two glasses?'

She bobbed a curtsey and hurried away to do his bidding.

‘I think my daughter was too strict with the girl,' Eynon observed. ‘Jayne gave her quite a time of it before she dispensed with Katie's services because she caught her gossiping when she was supposed to be at market. Women! Will we ever understand them?'

Cookson smiled. ‘Well, if you, a twice married man, can't, I have no chance!'

‘Aye, twice married and none the wiser.' Eynon shook his head. ‘Give me plain honest business and I know where I am – and I'm more than happy to help Beynon.' He smiled wryly. ‘But he'll have to dress in respectable clothes before I introduce him to the rest of the board. It's surprising how men of education and wealth will judge a man by his dress not his intelligence.' There was another tap at the door and Katie appeared with a tray, the glasses and a decanter of the rich brown wine. Eynon poured it and handed Cookson a glass. They sipped silently for a few moments. Then Eynon took out his pocket watch and stared down at it, screwing up his eyes in an effort to see the hands. ‘Got the time, Cookson? My eyes are not what they were.'

‘It's sixteen minutes past six and I really should be going.'

Eynon nodded. ‘Thank you for introducing me to your prodigy. He's a fine young man and worthy of your interest.' He stood up and opened the door to let Cookson into the hall. Katie was there at once with the man's coat and hat. She bobbed another curtsey and waited in silence until Cookson had gone and the front door was closed behind him.

‘Why are you hovering, Katie? Did you want to speak to me?'

‘I did, sir. I wondered if I may have a few hours off this evening.' She smiled, and Eynon's face softened: she really was a pleasant child.

‘What's the occasion?' he asked. ‘It looks as though you might have found a sweetheart – you seem excited.'

The lace on the edge of her cap cast shadows over her eyes so that he could not read her expression as she said, ‘I've been invited to supper, sir, with Shanni Morgan. I hope you don't mind, sir.'

‘Why should I mind?' Eynon asked. ‘If you've made friends with the girl, that's your business and no one else's. Go with my blessing.'

He returned to the sitting room, amazed at how easy it was to make some people happy. Little Katie was thrilled with such simple treats – her choir practice and now her new friends. Poor child, she must have had such a sheltered background. It was to be hoped that her innocence was not spoiled by some unscrupulous young man. Still, that was none of his business.

He poured himself another glass of Madeira and sat in his favourite chair. The fire glowed in the hearth, and outside the rain had begun to fall. He would be content if only Llinos were seated opposite him as his wife. But that would never be. Llinos was his friend, and that was all she could ever be so he might as well accept the situation.

Katie hesitated before she knocked at the door of the cottage. She could see a lamp burning inside and the sound of voices made her heart flutter. It was childish to be so excited by an invitation to supper with her new friends, but she couldn't help it. In any case, Shanni had invited Bull too, and that was enough to bring the colour to Katie's cheeks.

The door opened and Shanni was there smiling. Her red hair was swept up in curls at each side of her face, she was dressed in a good gown of heavy velvet and she looked every inch the grand lady. Katie felt dowdy in her heavy dark skirt and plain turnover.

‘Come in and sit by the fire, Katie, love. You must be frozen, but at least the rain has stopped.' Shanni drew her into the room and closed the door on the misty night. ‘Come and meet my husband, Pedr. You already know his friend, Bull Beynon, don't you?' She linked arms with Katie and drew her into the warmth of the parlour, where the fire blazed brightly. ‘Peck, come and meet Katie.'

Pedr was dark and well built but when Bull Beynon came to stand beside him he towered a full six inches over him.

‘Nice to meet you, Mr Morgan,' Katie said. She glanced up at Bull, who smiled encouragingly.

‘Hello, Katie,' he said. ‘It's lovely to see you again and I didn't think it would be so soon.' He grinned wickedly. ‘I think this is some sort of matchmaking plan, don't you?' His look was meaningful and Katie smiled: she could hardly have expected Shanni to know that she and Bull were already walking out together.

‘What do you mean by “so soon”?' Shanni asked. ‘What have you two been up to? Come, sit down and tell us all about it.' She nudged Katie's arm. ‘Are you a bit of a dark horse, then?'

‘Well, Bull and me have been out together a few times now, haven't we, Bull?'

‘Well,' Shanni put her hands on her hips, ‘and there's me thinking you a shy little girl! You do surprise me.' She laughed. ‘I'm only teasing – don't look so worried.'

Bull took a seat near Katie and she felt his magnetism. So did Shanni.

‘Saints alive,' Shanni said, ‘I think you're the luckiest girl alive, walking out with a man like Bull Beynon.' She touched her husband's arm. ‘If I wasn't married to this one here I'd be setting my cap at Bull and no mistake.' She got to her feet. ‘Well, supper won't make itself so I'll go and see if the meat is done.'

‘I'll come and help you, love.' Pedr paused in the doorway and looked back. ‘Be good now, you two, because I'll be keeping an eye on you.' He winked to show he was just joking but the colour rose to Katie's cheeks.

‘They mean well,' Bull said easily. ‘It's just their way of throwing us together. Have you noticed that married folk can't wait for the rest of us to tie the knot?'

Katie wondered if he was annoyed. ‘Shanni and I have met in town a few times and I never told her anything about us, I promise.'

‘Don't worry, I'm proud and happy that you're my girl. I want the whole world to know so talk away and I won't mind one bit.' He put his hand over hers. ‘Perhaps I haven't told you this but I do love you very much indeed, Katie Cullen.'

She felt a flutter of her heart as he spoke her name – she had always thought it plain but it wasn't when he said it. His words thrilled her and she looked up at him shyly, wanting to kiss him.

He leaned forward. ‘Isn't it nice being together like this? I could almost imagine we were sitting together in our own little house. Once I'm manager, Katie, we can start to make plans.' He was so in charge of himself, so at ease with the situation that Katie felt like a lost little girl. Why couldn't she think of something clever to say or, better still, make a tender remark? Her mouth was suddenly dry.

‘In the meantime, you're well placed working for Mr Morton-Edwards, aren't you?' Bull went on.

‘Yes, I'm happy up at the Big House,' Katie said. ‘Mrs Buchan could be very difficult.'

That, she thought, was putting it mildly. Strange that a nice man like Mr Morton-Edwards had fathered a girl like her.

Bull sat back in his chair. ‘I'm hoping Mr Morton-Edwards will speak soon to the board of governors of the railway. I want to know if I've got the job.'

Katie would have liked to ask Bull about his plans for the future. Would he have to go away once the line was finished?

He glanced at her and smiled. ‘I'll have to travel wherever the work takes me,' he seemed to know what she was thinking, ‘but I won't be going away until the line into Swansea is open and by then I hope we'll be . . .' His words trailed away as Shanni came back into the room. ‘Come on, you two turtle-doves,' she said playfully. ‘I've been slaving over the fire making a good meal for you so come and eat it and don't dare to leave a morsel.'

Katie got to her feet, her heart fluttering. Had Bull been about to mention marriage?

‘We'll talk more when I walk you home afterwards.'

Bull had spoken quietly but Shanni heard him. ‘Of course you must walk her home. An innocent like Katie needs a strong man at her side.' She laughed as Katie blushed. ‘Don't be shy, girl, and don't be slow! You've got a catch there that any girl in Swansea would give a month's wages to have.'

Katie walked into the kitchen beside Bull, her heart full of happiness. She was in love and it was the most wonderful feeling on earth.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

‘Oh, but darling, you know how much I was looking forward to this evening. Do you have to work tonight?' Jayne was aware that she sounded pettish but this was the third time Dafydd had gone back on his promise to be in for supper with her father.

‘I'm sorry, my dear, but it's something I can't put off.'

‘Well, you do realize that Papa will be upset, don't you? He'll think you're doing this on purpose, that you're afraid to face him.'

Dafydd frowned. ‘I've never hidden from anything or anyone in my life and I don't intend to start now, but I have a business to run, or have you forgotten? Your father has the luxury of being retired – oh, I know he dabbles in the railway but otherwise he has all the time in the world, which I do not.'

Jayne tried a different tack. ‘Please, darling, just for me, just this once.' She put her arms round him. ‘Please, Dafydd, I don't ask much, do I?'

‘Jayne, be told, I can't come tonight.' Clearly he was in no mood to be coaxed.

‘Oh, go to your stupid meeting or whatever it is,' she snapped, and drew away from him. She wondered why he was avoiding her eyes. ‘You wouldn't be seeing Llinos Mainwaring by any chance, would you?'

A strange expression flitted across his face, and suddenly she was frightened. ‘You surely haven't taken up with that old woman again?' Her voice was shrill, and fear clawed at her – fear and jealousy that her husband had made love to another woman. ‘You're still in love with her, aren't you?'

‘Don't be silly, Jayne!' His voice was sharp. ‘You don't know what you're talking about.'

Jayne clenched her hands, feeling her nails cut into the palms. ‘I've hit on the truth, haven't I? You don't love me, you love her.' Her anger dissolved and she sank into a chair, her hands over her face.

Dafydd's silence spelt out his guilt. Jayne raised her head and studied his face for any sign of tenderness, but all she saw was discomfort.

‘Why did you marry me if you didn't love me?' Tears welled in her eyes and ran down her face. ‘Am I to be a brood mare to give you legitimate sons? Why are you torturing me like this when I love you as I never loved anyone in my life?'

He sighed. ‘Come here.' He drew her to her feet and put his arms round her. ‘Hush, now. Of course I love you, you are my wife. I made my vows to you and I mean to keep them.'