Retribution Read online

  ‘Get out, woman,’ he snapped.

  I held on to Mrs. Thomas tightly and reassured her calmly as Dr. Grieve gently, but firmly, manipulated the child’s position inside the womb. At length, we women were exhausted by the concentration involved, even though the movement was tiny. Our patient sank into her pillows, looking pale and frail but a little calmer than when we had arrived. I thought it wonderful to see such skill and desperately wanted to understand it. The doctor had allowed me to feel the baby’s movement for a few moments.

  Sarah brought more water and clean towels for the doctor and me as he explained what to expect in the coming days until the baby was ready to be born.

  ‘Where do you think Mr. Thomas is staying?’ he demanded of Sarah as we went out to the trap. ‘He belongs here with his wife. I will seek him out.’

  ‘Oh, don’t do that, Sir. He’ll be awful mad if he thinks I blabbed.’

  ‘He won’t think you gossiped, girl. I have eyes in my head.’

  Poor Sarah didn’t look convinced as she described the house where Mr. Thomas might be found.

  ‘Man’s a brute, leaving his wife alone like that. Did she say if there is family nearby?’ he asked me.

  ‘She has a sister near Rodmell. I suggested that she send for her. Is the birth going to be difficult?’

  ‘Mrs. Thomas is not one of those women who can churn out their babies one after another. She is delicately formed, and her pelvis is small for what appears to be a big baby. She needs to be kept calm and if her husband cannot oblige, then we need someone other than a servant to help her.’ He was concentrating on the rutted ground as we started off before turning to me and saying, ‘I might have to call on you, Esther, to step in as soon as things get underway. The baby’s head is now better positioned to drop into its rightful place for a normal birth. In the meantime, I will seek out this husband of hers and he will be made to recognise his responsibilities to his wife and child.’

  I didn’t doubt it for a moment. Dr. Grieve was an important man in Lewes and he would soon send the father scuttling back.

  Chapter Two

  To be sold to the best Bidders about seventeen puncheons of RUM saved out of the Pretty Hersey bound from Antigua to London and lately stranded near Dungeness. So much to be sold Duty Free as will pay the salvage, and the Remainder to pay the Duties before the delivery.

  Sussex Weekly Advertiser and Lewes Journal 1750/1806

  As I travelled around and about Lewes in the next few days I became aware of sullen looks and muttered words thrown in my direction. I had faced down the disapproval and animosity of Lewes people before when I had been wrongly charged with Becca’s murder, but this time I had no idea what I had done that would cause such malice. I mentioned it to Cecilia, but she couldn’t enlighten me, so I sought some answers from my old friend Billy-alone.

  ‘Nobody ’urt you, did they, Miss? I’ll sort ’em if they ’ave.’

  ‘No, Billy, I just seem to see a lot of whispering and muttering when I pass by and one man shouted at me yesterday.’

  ‘What do ’e say?’

  I couldn’t bring myself to repeat it but gave Billy the gist without using the hateful words.

  ‘Thing is, Miss, after the smugglers’ gang was broke up, a lot of the people who had an understanding with they found themselves out of pocket, like.’

  ‘Understanding, what do you mean?’

  ‘There be lots of people involved,’ he replied. ‘Not just the smugglers themselves but ordinary folk who made a penny or two greasing their path, like. There be lookouts, carriers, buyers - and pretty well everyone comes under that group. Some’ll be missing their brandy and tea, as well.’

  Thinking back, I remembered Mrs. Makepiece getting salt to cure the meat and there was always a drop of brandy for special occasions, as well as tea, every time I visited.

  ‘So, people blame me for breaking up the gang?’ I asked, dreading the answer.

  Billy nodded. ‘A lot of they relied on the extra pennies to feed their family and themselves.’

  It all fell into place: the huge demand for drink, as well as luxuries, without taxes being levied on them. The smugglers had a secret network of workers who helped them transport the goods. I had seen a lot of them that dreadful time when I was moved from the barn where my wounded cousin had lain as I had tried to heal his terrible injuries. These carriers and lookouts would make their way by stealth or just turn a blind eye, and all would be rewarded in cash or kind. My part in the whole sorry affair was small but well known locally after the trial; and I could see it was easier to blame me than the excise men and the soldiers who had gone back to their camps.

  I said, ‘What can I do? I don’t want children to go hungry because I helped break up the gang.’

  ‘Naught, Esther,’ said Billy. ‘The gang is already regrouping, just not in Southease no more. When a person disappears there alus be someone to take ’is place. The Hawkhurst lot in Kent will be looking to take over this patch. Lewes be rich pickings. Just ignore them, Miss, it will soon be blowed o’er and everything back to normal.’

  Billy’s advice made sense and though I didn’t want to remember that my mother’s relations, her sister no less, were the leaders of the smuggling gang who had taken me and Beth, I couldn’t forget the horror of our captivity and eventual rescue, when so many had died or suffered injury. No mercy had been given by the Revenue. They had been made fools of too many times, and both my cousins died on that fateful day, the day I was to be forceput in marriage to my cousin Sam with the connivance of a corrupt priest who was terrified of the family. My aunt, the leader of it all, had escaped death but had been imprisoned and sentenced to transportation. The past was still the present in my dreams but by keeping myself busy and hopeful of a better future, I had to keep reminding myself that I had not been the cause of all the trouble but someone who was just caught up in it.

  What truly horrified me was that all my wider family had gone to the bad and only my mother had escaped their clutches and turned her life around once she took up with my father.

  Dr. Grieve and I settled back into our routine and it was some days later that we called upon Mrs. Thomas again. Her husband had been encouraged to return to the family home by a short, I imagine, caustic visit from the doctor when Mr. Thomas would have been left in no doubt of his family responsibilities. Very few men, no matter how high and mighty, would ignore the town’s coroner. The doctor wasn’t a majestic man. In fact, he was a little portly and had some grey hair, as well as piercingly blue eyes, but it was his manner and powerful voice that made you notice and listen to him. He was very much a gentleman.

  We were again admitted to the house by Sarah who looked a lot tidier and happier. She showed us upstairs to our patient who was sitting at a small desk by the window. Apart from a high colour she seemed remarkably well considering the distress of our previous visit. Once again Dr. Grieve examined her and pronounced all to be satisfactory, with the baby’s head now in the birth position. I asked Mrs. Thomas if her sister would be coming to stay and was very happy to hear that she was due any day now and would be on hand for as long as she was needed. I told her that I would be available to help with the birth and to make her as comfortable as possible. She looked greatly relieved.

  As we were about to leave, Dr. Grieve commented on the likelihood of Mrs. Thomas feeding her own baby rather than adhering to the fashion of employing a wet nurse.

  She replied, ‘I don’t see the point of having a child if one is not to look after it in every way. Besides, I am not a fashionable sort of person. My husband, however, would prefer the services of a wet nurse so we can get back to ‘normal’ as quickly as possible.’ She reddened as she looked up and asked, ‘What do you think, Doctor?’

  ‘I should disregard your husband if I were you, Mrs. Thomas,’ was the curt reply.

  I heard Sarah swallow a giggle whic
h she barely covered with a cough and we all left the room. Mr. Thomas did not show his face, neither did Dr. Grieve send his compliments.

  On our way home to Lewes I told the doctor what Billy had said about the smugglers reforming.

  ‘Billy is right, Esther,’ he said, after a pause. ‘I too have heard that the smugglers are regrouping but no-one is saying where they are based, nor who is calling the shots. The Hawkhurst gang are probably behind it but they will need locals to restart the network, someone who knows the routes, the people to trust and those they can put pressure on.’

  ‘Am I safe from them or will they be looking for revenge?’ I couldn’t help asking.

  ‘You should take sensible precautions Esther. Always take Billy with you when you are likely to be alone. Don’t go out at night - or even in the afternoon - unless you know you can return in daylight, even with Billy. He might be wiry and energetic but both you and he could easily be overpowered, particularly as …’ he pulled up the horse and looked at me intently. ‘I am sorry to have to tell you this, Esther, but your aunt, she has escaped Newgate Prison, and no-one knows where she is or who enabled her to get away.’

  My stomach lurched at this terrible and unwelcome news.

  ‘I can’t believe it,’ I said. ‘Is she likely to be near here?’ I felt sick with terror at the thought of her approaching me, let alone wishing me and Beth ill.

  ‘She is being sought and, as yet, there are no clues as to where she is hiding but such as she are masters of melting into the background. She will have many who will aid and keep her sordid secrets. However, there is a large reward and it is possible someone will give her up. Money talks in that world.’

  We rode the rest of the way in silence. I worried at the vengeance she might seek on me and knew I would always have to look over my shoulder. In my mind, often in the depths of night, I constantly relived the day when her sons - my cousins - had been killed along with other members of her smuggling gang. Many had been taken prisoner and their families surely hated me as the instigator of the chain of events. Before I came into the district, they were secure in the knowledge that bribery and corruption could smooth over their dishonesty. I often wondered if I should have just let things be. If only I hadn’t sought my family out. None of us would have been any the wiser and there would have been no deaths.

  Over the next few days I told all my good friends and anyone who might look out for me about my aunt’s likely return to the district and the possible resumption of trade under her direction. Having told my tale a number of times, her power over me seemed to lose its bite and though I took precautions and sought never to be alone, I did not feel quite as fearful as when the doctor first informed me of her escape.

  Fortunately, my work days were fulfilling and I was able to be present to help Mrs. Thomas give birth to a beautiful baby boy. On one of our visits to the house before the birth, Mr. Thomas was surprised in his library where he tried to ingratiate himself with the doctor, though he ignored my presence entirely, not even acknowledging me. His manner seemed to irritate Dr. Grieve and at one point he turned sharply to him, saying, ‘This is my nurse, Esther Coad. She will be with your wife for the birth and I want you to ensure that every civility is extended to her whilst she performs her duties. I will, of course, attend when I am called by Miss Coad. You have a boy who can ride to Lewes with a message?’ he questioned.

  Mr. Thomas did not look pleased to have to acknowledge a lowly creature like me nor to be lectured on behaviour, but the doctor stared him out and forced him to show civility and accept my part in the proceedings. It was very satisfying, and I couldn’t help smiling to myself.

  Mrs. Thomas’ delivery was long and very hard on her but between us we managed a happy outcome. Even Mr. Thomas unbent a little, offering the doctor a tot of brandy to celebrate, and he did manage a wave in my direction as he gave his thanks. The child was to be named Charles and he was a fine bonny lad.

  Chapter Three

  On Thursday last the wife of James Piercy an industrious labouring man at old Brentford, was brought to bed of three boys; who were christened by the names Matthew, Mark, & Luke who are likely to live. It is remarkable that that day eleven months before the above woman had three boys and one girl at a birth.

  Sussex Weekly Advertiser and Lewes Journal 1750/1806

  Wilf did not sulk for too long after our sharp words and thankfully no further obstacles were put in my way, so, apart from the worry of my aunt and whether Mary-Jane could cope with Freddie and Beth on the days when I went out to work, it was a happy time for us.

  One day, Beth and I went to visit Mrs. Makepiece and Beth’s maternal grandfather, as well as the Jenkins. It was overcast with layers of banked clouds threatening rain so we all met at Keere Street and I spent a lovely afternoon telling them my news, Beth’s achievements and hearing their doings as well. I had fallen behind in the hemming of linens for our new home, but both the good ladies gave me some of their own. I resolved to try and embroider our initials on the fine materials.

  Beth’s grandfather, though he never mentioned Becca, clearly saw his daughter’s likeness in the child and I thought I detected a tear as he stooped down to play or simply hug her. He seemed so proud as she called out to him in a piping but demanding voice, ‘Gwanda, Gwanda, stop talking and play with Beth,’ she would say, and he did.

  I took the opportunity to invite everyone to our wedding breakfast to be held at Cecilia and Farmer Elwood’s home after the service at Southover Church on the 24th day of the next month, June. I had been greatly touched when Cecilia offered her home and hospitality as a wedding gift to me and Wilf, and although we wouldn’t have large numbers of guests, it would have been too many for our little cottage. Wilf and I both commented on the fact that many of our guests would be the Elwoods’ employees and I couldn’t help thinking that Cecilia’s mother would greatly disapprove of all this mixing with the ‘lower orders’; and there were probably many in Lewes who would be equally disapproving. Our wedding would take place during the late afternoon, allowing everyone to do their work and then come to South Farm for the celebration.

  ‘And what be your gown like, Esther?’ asked Mrs. Makepiece, knowing full well that I hadn’t got one. ‘Reckon you should be concentrating on getting something suitable. You want your Wilf to be proud of his bride - and your best dress is not going to cut the mustard.’

  ‘Cecilia and I are going to visit her dressmaker this week with a picture she saw in her periodical,’ I replied. ‘I have some money put by and she has given me some lace for a collar and cuffs.’

  She nodded mysteriously, ‘Aye, and you can rely on me to find you something special as well, though I won’t say just yet what that be.’ Beth’s grandfather wasn’t to be outdone and wanted to provide some flowers for me and Beth to carry as we walked down the aisle.

  May slipped away and the month of our wedding was upon us before I was ready, but the dress was ordered and mostly made up. My poor worn boots would have to do with a bit of blacking. Cecilia had offered me some dainty slippers to wear but I wanted to walk as straight as possible and I could only do that with my boots on. Over the months previous, Dr. Grieve and I had worked on strengthening my weak leg muscles. The wood and sheepskin insert he had fashioned for me to fit into my boot was a boon, and my once obvious deformity was all but disguised. If I was on my feet for too long, it could still be painful and I had to keep up the exercises he had developed for me. Flossy helped in her way by giving me full and long mobility and the strengthening of my lower leg muscles and knees was helped by my having to use them to direct her. We were a fine team and there wasn’t a day went by when I didn’t remember how awkward I used to be and I thanked heaven, Dr. Grieve and Flossy in equal measure for my new appearance and comfort. It brought joy to my heart.

  Chapter Four

  On Monday four young girls were examined before Justice Laniard, for breeching a Gent
leman’s windows, though oldest of them is not above twelve years of age yet it appeared that they had been noted Street Walkers upwards of two years; which serves to shew how early young Girls are introduced into Prostitution by the machination of old Bawds. At the solicitation of the Gentleman they were set at liberty

  Sussex Weekly Advertiser and Lewes Journal 1750/1806

  Sometimes when you wake up in the morning you have no thoughts or cares as to how things will be by the time the sun sets, and today was to be one such day. I had awoken to a cloudless sky, a warm breeze and no known fear or challenge to my happiness other than Aunt Tilly and where she might be.

  I was working from Dr. Grieve’s house and his early consultations had finished in good time, so when he called me into his room, I went with a cheerful smile.

  ‘Esther, it is not long now to your wedding,’ he began, ‘and I want to talk to you about your prospects.’

  ‘Prospects?’ I said. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t take your meaning, Doctor?’

  ‘Perhaps that is not the right word, my dear, but I feel I must speak - before it is too late.’

  I sat down. A nub of anxiety had crept into my mind and suddenly I was fearful. ‘Too late for what?’ I asked.

  ‘This alliance you are about to make with John Elwood’s agent, or whatever it is he calls himself, his farm hand…’ His tone was disparaging and for a minute I wondered who he meant and why would he have that tone of voice.

  ‘Wilf, you mean Wilf?’ I said, trying to bring some sense to this strange conversation.

  ‘Yes, him. This young man cannot offer what you deserve, Esther, and I can’t continue without speaking my mind.’ He pulled up a chair near me and sat down. ‘You are a clever, resourceful young woman and, with the right care and tuition, you could have great opportunity and certain fulfilment.’

  I didn’t understand what he was trying to say but it all became clear as he continued in this forthright fashion.