LITMIR.BIZ

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area, ending up in the kitchen where Cook was busy preparing luncheon. Through the open door Caroline could see a young skivvy, who was standing on an upturned wooden box in order to reach the sink as she struggled to cope with the never-ending supply of dirty pots and pans. The smell of washing soda and grease wafted out in damp steamy clouds, but Mrs Bury hurried Caroline out of the kitchen and led her down a long dark corridor to a cupboard containing uniforms. She brought out a faded grey poplin gown with white collar and cuffs.

      ‘Mrs Colville wants you to wear this, although in my experience ladies’ companions usually wear their own clothes. This was last worn by Miss Maria’s governess and it’s quite serviceable, although it might be a bit large for you.’

      ‘I would prefer to wear my own clothes,’ Caroline said firmly. ‘As you say, Mrs Bury, it’s not the custom for a lady’s companion to wear a uniform, let alone one that has seen better days. I will tell Mrs Colville so.’

      A fleeting look of admiration crossed Mrs Bury’s face. ‘Very well, Miss Manley. I’m sure you would like to see your room. Gilroy has taken your luggage upstairs for you.’

      Mrs Bury took the back stairs, which were steep and narrow, winding their way through the house in a discreet manner to enable the servants to do their work without disrupting the lives of the family. Caroline’s room was on the third floor at the side of the building overlooking the entrance to Wapping Basin. It was small and crowded with unmatched furniture, but the single bed looked reasonably comfortable and the room was spotlessly clean.

      ‘Luncheon is at noon,’ Mrs Bury said as she prepared to leave. ‘You will take your meals in the dining room, of course.’

      The door closed on her, leaving Caroline to unpack her valise. She was just putting the last of her clothes in a deal chest of drawers when there was a knock on the door.

      ‘Come in.’ Caroline knew it was Maria even before she burst into the room.

      ‘I’m sorry they put you in here,’ Maria said breathlessly. ‘I wanted Mrs Bury to give you the room next to mine, but she said that you were to be put in here, and I suspect that was Grandmama’s doing.’

      ‘It’s perfectly fine,’ Caroline said, closing the top drawer. ‘I’m done now, so what would you like to do, Maria? Shall we go for a walk?’

      Maria’s cheeks paled. ‘I can’t – I mean I have to ask Grandmama first.’

      ‘Well, go and ask her, or shall I do it for you?’

      ‘I have to wait until she sends for me. She doesn’t like it if I do otherwise.’

      Caroline stared at her, hardly able to believe her ears. ‘But she’s your flesh and blood. She’s not the Queen of England.’

      ‘You’d think she was sometimes. I think Her Majesty would be easier to approach. Anyway, it’s half-past eleven and we have to be at table on the dot of midday.’

      ‘I suppose that’s another of your grandmother’s rules.’

      ‘Yes, of course. We have to be punctual for meals.’

      ‘Does your cousin obey the rules at all times?’

      A slow smile curved Maria’s lips. ‘Phin does as he pleases because he’s a man, and he’s also the head of Colville Shipping. I expect you’ve heard of us.’

      ‘Oh, yes. Everyone has heard of Colville Shipping.’

      ‘Phin was quite young when Grandpapa passed away, leaving him in sole charge of the business,’ Maria said proudly.

      ‘Does your cousin live here?’

      ‘He stays sometimes to keep Grandmama happy, but he has a house in Princes Square.’ Maria lowered her voice in a conspiratorial whisper. ‘Grandmama doesn’t know about it.’

      ‘Doesn’t she wonder where he goes when he’s not here?’

      ‘He lets her think that he’s away on business, and she doesn’t think to question him. Phin is her darling and I’m just an embarrassment.’

      Caroline patted the bed. ‘Sit down, Maria, and tell me why your grandmother treats you this way. I really need to know or I might not be able to help you.’

      ‘Well, it’s a sad story really. My mother was only fifteen when she fell in love with someone. I don’t know who he was, or why he couldn’t marry her. Maybe he was already married – I don’t know – but I was born out of wedlock and my mama was sent away. I’ve never met her, but I have a picture of her.’ Maria tugged at a gold chain hanging around her neck and drew out a gold locket, which she flicked open to reveal the portrait of a young girl.

      ‘That could be you,’ Caroline said slowly. ‘She is very pretty, Maria. Just like you.’

      ‘I’m not pretty. Grandmama always said I was behind the door when looks were given out. I’m very plain.’

      ‘Indeed you are not,’ Caroline said angrily. ‘Your grandmama is a cruel woman. She should have taken care of her daughter, and she should have been kind to you.’

      ‘But my birth disgraced the Colville family,’ Maria protested tearfully. ‘My mother was only sixteen when I was born, and I’m living proof of her wickedness.’

      ‘Nonsense. It’s not wicked to give love freely, even if it is ill-advised. Where was the father in all this? Why didn’t he stand up to Mrs Colville and spirit your mother away and marry her?’

      ‘I’ll probably never discover the truth. I wish I could meet my mother and get to know her, but that’s impossible.’

      ‘Have you told your cousin Phineas how you feel?’

      ‘Phin is quite sympathetic, but he told me that I should forget about her.’

      ‘And you can’t do that.’

      ‘No, of course not.’ Maria reached out to grasp Caroline’s hands. ‘I knew that you would understand. My dearest wish is to find my mother, but there’s no chance of that when I am never allowed to go anywhere unaccompanied.’

      ‘And you have no idea where she is?’ Caroline gave Maria’s fingers a gentle squeeze and withdrew her hands. ‘She might be living abroad.’

      ‘That’s true.’ Maria’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I’m never going to find her, am I?’

      ‘Don’t say that. There must be a way. After all, she’ll still be a relatively young woman. She must be somewhere, and I’ll do everything I can to help you.’ Caroline jumped to her feet at the sound of a bell clanging somewhere in the depths of the house. ‘What was that?’

      ‘That’s the first bell for luncheon. We have five minutes to tidy ourselves and go down to the dining room.’

      Caroline stifled a chuckle. ‘A five-minute bell – that’s ridiculous. This isn’t the army.’

      ‘I wouldn’t know about that, but Grandmama is very fussy about punctuality. There is always a bell five minutes before each meal, and that means there’s no excuse to be late.’

      ‘I see. I’ll try to remember that.’ Caroline glanced at her reflection in the dressing-table mirror. ‘Am I presentable enough to grace the dining table, Maria?’

      ‘It’s no laughing matter. Grandmama takes it very seriously.’ Maria rose from the bed and peered in the mirror, patting her already immaculate dark hair into place.

      ‘So what happens if you are late?’

      ‘No food,’ she said tersely. ‘I get sent to my room and I have to remain there until the bell for the next meal. We’d better hurry.’

      The midday meal was eaten in silence and, to Caroline’s intense relief, it was over quickly. Mrs Colville favoured small helpings of plain food, which left Caroline feeling almost as hungry as when she had taken her seat

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