Maggie's Child (9 page)

Maggie knew what he said was true, but could not stand by and let the man run her husband down. His forthright manner shocked her.

‘You have said too much, sir. The job I am carrying out is one I consider an honour.’ Her voice lost the indignant tone when she said: ‘Holding Nathaniel will never be a hardship.’

Dukes caught the tone change, and he pulled on his pipe and slowly blew the smoke from his mouth.

‘Nathaniel, is it? They gave him a name then, or is it one you have chosen?’

‘If you must know it was a name I had chosen for my first born. My only son. He died. Absentmindedly I said the name out loud. Nanny mentioned it in passing and the Arlington’s chose it for their ward.’ She went to walk out of the gate, when Duke’s words stopped her in her tracks.

‘Ward? He is their son, lock, stock and barrel. That child will want for nothing, not even his real mother. He is there to stay I can tell you.’

It was time to put an end to the conversation. Maggie was tired and was on the verge of snipping back with words. They were on dangerous ground and she knew it. The indignant tone returned to her voice.

‘Well, I haven’t got all evening to stand gossiping with you. Thank you for the lift this afternoon. It was most kind of you.’

‘Well, you are in luck. I have been informed I am to collect and return you. Morning and evening. Master’s orders. So if you are willing to get off your high horse and onto my cart, we can be on our way. On rainy days it will be the carriage but I prefer the cart for daily journeys.’ He strode over to the other side of the barn as he spoke. Maggie had no time to reply or refuse. She was grateful, but was concerned he would tease her too much and she would let her guard down.

‘It’s very good of the master, but I will make my own way home, thank you.’

She walked out of the yard and along the narrow road. She heard the clip of the horse’s hooves behind her.

‘Do you want me to lose my job?’ Dukes called down to her from the cart. Maggie kept walking.

‘If I offended you, I apologise. I promise I will not speak ill of Jacob Sawbury, or of babies, of which I know nothing. Now if you want me to go hungry and penniless, keep walking. If not, please clamber up so I can get you home.’

Maggie agreed to the ride home, but she barely spoke. Dukes gave a whistle or and instruction to his horse on the odd occasion, but aside from that, there was little conversation between them. At the end of the lane, she relented. Manners were something she prided herself upon.

‘Thank you kindly for seeing me home. My legs appreciate the ride.’

‘Welcome. I will wait in this spot each morning at the seventh hour. Goodnight, Mrs Sawbury.’ Dukes spoke in a stilted manner and Maggie regretted being off hand with him earlier.

‘Again, thank you.’ She walked away, hoping the ride in the morning would be less tense.

Snores greeted her when she entered the farmhouse. Jacob drunk and asleep could not have been a better end to what Maggie considered one of the best days of her life. Rather than ruin the feeling, she slept in the kitchen and rose early.

Chapter 8

Refreshed and ready for the new day, Maggie ate before her husband rose and raced through her chores. When she returned from egg collecting, Jacob could be heard grunting his way around the room.

‘Where the ruddy hell have you been? Been out all night, have you?’

‘Morning, husband. You were sleeping well last night and I didn’t want to disturb you. I slept down here. My chores are done. It is uncomfortable sleeping by the fire but you sounded peaceful after your hard working day. You deserved to be left in peace.’ Maggie made it sound as if she was put out. That way, she knew he would not continue the conversation. If he felt for one moment she had suffered in any way, he would be content.

Without looking up at her, he slopped creamed oats into a bowl and sat at the table.

‘Did your job properly, did you? They want you back?’ He slurped his way through his breakfast.

‘Yes. It all went very well. I see you have found your breakfast.’ Maggie had no time for Jacob and his manners, and did not want to enter into a lengthy conversation with him. ‘If you will excuse me, I do not wish to be late with my last chore, nor the Arlington’s. I ate earlier. There is a lunch pail prepared for you by the door. Have a good day, husband.’

‘You are running a bit late. Half past the hour of seven was agreed for you to start. It will take you past that if you are walking and I’ll be darned if I am taking your sorry carcass. I will give you a hiding however if you lose that job. So get out now.’ His voice rose and Maggie gave a shake of her head.

‘The family have arranged daily transport for me. It means I can leave later and spend more time preparing your food for the day. There is a nice bacon and egg pie for you today. I know you enjoy them.’ Again Maggie resented having to pacify the man she married but needs must to keep his temper at bay.

‘Uh? Yes, go and earn your keep, you lazy mare.’

Maggie left him belching and she sent up a silent prayer of thanks for her job at the Arlington home.

During the week, her routine had improved with the assistance of Dukes and his ride home. For two days, they travelled in each other’s company with only a few words spoken. The words they had spoken on her first night had added a tension between them. On the third day, another glut of chestnuts changed the atmosphere and they laughed as they collected a half pail between them.

‘I am in favour with cook with the last batch. With this lot I have won my right to a larger slice of plum pie.’ Dukes rubbed his stomach and Maggie laughed.

‘Men. All they think about is their stomach. My husband claims I cannot cook yet eats everything I place in front of him. He ate a large apple pie to himself once and claimed it was only fit for pigs.’

‘Apple pie, plum pie, give them to me any day of the week.’ Dukes laughed with her. Maggie was relieved their friendship was back on track.

Jacob had a full purse handed to him on the last day of the week, and he threw a few coins across the table.

‘Buy the shoes the missus instructed you to buy, and some ribbons for your hair. Tidy yourself up a bit. The money is good and you ain’t going to lose it for me.’ He put a few coins in the tin on the mantle. ‘The rest I will invest in the farm. There is more than plenty there to keep the house running, and a draft for me now and then.’

Maggie knew the farm would not see a penny of her earnings. It would be handed over in cock fights or the tavern. She said nothing.

Chapter 9

November 1856

The days had drifted into weeks. Maggie and Jacob rarely saw each other and it suited both parties. Jacob did attempt to claim his bedding rights one evening, but she reminded him if she became pregnant they would lose their extra money. This fed his greed and he willingly rolled off her body. Relief was great for Maggie she could not risk losing her time with Nathaniel.

Maggie had been praised by the Arlington family, enjoyed the company of their servants, and now she had been invited to stay for an evening meal with Alice Summers. They had become good friends and enjoyed discussing many subjects while Maggie fed Nathaniel.

She mentioned the invitation to Jacob and his only concern was his own evening meal.

‘Lizzie will take care of your needs,’ she reassured him.

He stood with his back to her; spitting apple pips into the fire, one arm leant against the mantle. Maggie despised his slovenly ways.

‘She often does,’ he leered. ‘When you are lugging dead flesh around in that ugly body of yours, she takes care of my needs.’

‘There’s no need to be coarse, Jacob. I am fully aware of your relationship with Lizzie. You mind she doesn’t cast her eye elsewhere.’ Maggie was furious at his statement. Both Stephen and Dukes had shown her how a man should treat a woman. Maggie resented Jacob and his rough ways more and more.

‘Hold your tongue, woman. Forget my supper. I will find comfort with a decent meal at Cross Keys. You, good lady, will stay here and not go anywhere tonight. I will inform the house you are indisposed, and cannot join nanny- no- friends for a cosy supper. She was only asking you to look down on you. Her chance to play lady of the manor. Laugh at you behind your back, their sort do you know. I will save you from being fooled. Who would want you sitting at their table anyway? Think, idiot woman, your face is enough to turn the milk sour.’

Maggie slammed down the pot she was holding. The tinny sound resonated around the kitchen. Jacob had gone too far. He was insulting, plus he was removing an opportunity for her to hold Nathaniel. For the first time in their marriage, she fought back with words.

‘How dare you. Alice Summers is my friend. We enjoy each other’s company and besides, I have to feed Nathaniel.’

‘Raise your voice at me, would you?’Jacob rushed to her side, and the atmosphere was tense. ‘Feed, Nathaniel? Listen to you. A bastard of a child, left under a bush and you are worried about him over me?’He grabbed her hair from behind and pulled her neck back. He spat in her face and twisted his ankle around hers. The action caused her to fall to the floor. Her arms flailed around her and she grabbed the back of a chair. It was not strong enough to support her and fell with her. She screamed out when her face hit the cold tiles.

‘Think I am without eyes? Do you think I am blind to what is going on? You and that driver. Using a baby as an excuse to play around behind my back. I tell you this, whore; he will not want you after I have finished with you.’

His boot hit home. Her knees drew up as it hit her abdomen. He grabbed her hair again and slammed her face down hard. Then he used the ponytail as a pulley and lifted her to her feet. She was winded, disorientated and couldn’t scream for help. His strength was overpowering. He had won many illegal bare fist fights, enough for Maggie to know her life was in danger. Each kick and punch burned her skin. Each crunching sound brought about a bout of nausea. Her words came out in short breaths, she burned with pain. Her jaw felt bruised, and her insides were on fire.

‘P-p-please, Jacob. Husband. There is nothing going on between me and the driver. Nothing.’ She knew if she used Duke’s name it would earn her another kick. ‘I will not go. I will stay and cook you a nice supper. Let us stay and enjoy the evening together. We haven’t had time together lately. Please Jacob.’

‘Shut your mouth, woman. I am sick of your constant whining.
Nath-an-iel
will have to do without these tonight.’ She screamed as he squeezed and bit into one of her breasts.

He laughed, and slapped her face.

‘Good for hysterics, a good slap of the face.’

The room was spinning, and Maggie feared the worse. Her head slumped forward and she saw only blackness.

‘Wake up, wench. I’ve not finished with you yet.’ Jacob wrenched her head back again.

Maggie kept her eyes closed. She felt every punch that landed on her face, arms and legs. She tried to fight back, but he held her down. Again the blackness took hold. She focused on memories. Of an illicit New Year kiss. The warmth of a man’s arms. Despite his deceptive ways Stephen had shown her tenderness. Something Maggie yearned for at that precise moment. Unable to focus any longer she sunk into the depths of the darkness. Jacob’s cursing grew dim. All she could hear were whispers. Soft gentle whispers.

Chapter 10

‘Is she alive?’

‘I’m not sure. Give me a hand to move her head.’

‘Oh, it’s dreadful. Maggie gal. Just look at her poor face.’

Maggie could hear Lizzie and Jack, a farm hand, talking. Their voices were faint and in the distance. She tried to call out to them but the blackness came back and stopped her voice.

‘Go and get help, Jack. I’ll tend to Maggie. Go to the Arlington house. Tell the nanny what has happened. She’s to know, mainly ‘cause Maggie will not be feeding that baby for a while yet.’

Maggie tried to move again, she wanted to tell Lizzie things were not as bad as they looked. Nathaniel would get his feed. Yet again, darkness filled her mind. She couldn’t focus, her eyes felt heavy. She heard footsteps and the door click shut.

Jack, come back. Do not tell them. I will be fine, come back.

‘Oh my gal. Dear Maggie. What has he done to you?’Maggie could feel something cool on her forehead but tried to scream out when Lizzie wiped her mouth. Intense pain radiated along her jaw and up one side of her face. Whatever Lizzie was putting on her cuts and grazes stung. Poor Lizzie, she did not know she was inflicting more pain upon her friend despite all attempts by Maggie to tell her.

When she came round from another faint, Maggie heard Jack, Lizzie and another voice. She could hear furniture being moved around, and then she felt her body floating.

The sound of another heartbeat thudded in her ears. The echo of a voice vibrated from within their chest. She recognised the voice of Dukes.

‘Mr Arlington has sent his men to The Keys. Sawbury will be handed over to the constable for this crime. Evil blood that man carries. You got her things, Lizzie?’

Nausea overwhelmed Maggie as he carried her. Lizzie’s voice was a high-pitched constant chatter; a trait Maggie knew meant her friend was anxious and upset.

‘I’ve put them on the cart. Jack, help Dukes get her comfy, I’ll hold the lamp and shut the farmhouse. I reckon Jacob will be held over, so there’s no point in waiting up for him. Carry her out Dukes, careful, mind her head. Oh, look at the blood. Bless her. I’ll deal with that. Go. Get her safe.’

Maggie was in no position to call out she wanted to stay in her home. Her head throbbed with every step and she drifted in and out of consciousness. When she was awake, the nausea took over and she found drifting in and out of sleep more of a comfort.

The wheels of the transport jogged at a rapid pace. She felt every jolt penetrate her body. If someone held a candle to her flesh, it could not be as painful. She was powerless and eventually gave into the darkness. It was a safe place; warm and inviting.