Legacy of Van Diemen's Land: Third in the 'Heart of Stone' Saga

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LIST OF CHARACTERS

THE DRYER FAMILY

ALVINGTON MANOR

LORD JOSHUA DRYER (1832)

LADY LOUISA DRYER (1833)

AURORA DRYER (1851)

GABRIEL DRYER (1855)

ALVINGTON MANOR STAFF

GARETH WILLIAMS (1798) Butler/House steward

MICHAEL PORTER (1800) Footman

JOHN MOORE (1827) Groom

BILLY RIDDICK (1832) Stable boy

PERCY SANDFORD (1810) Gardener

THOMAS HAWKINS (1831) Gardener

HENRY HODINOTT (1820) Handyman

JOHN BOUCHER (1809) Gamekeeper

RAYMOND HAWKINS (1832) Gamekeeper

MRS ABBOTT (1802) Housekeeper

FLORA BOUCHER (1810) Cook

ROSA WARREN (1825) Lady’s maid

LETTIE BOUCHER (1838) Chambermaid

EMILY POTTS (1837) Housemaid

RUTH PROCTOR (1820) Assistant cook

ELSIE HALL (1833) Kitchen maid

HARRIETT PROCTOR (1844) Scullery maid

CHARLOTTE HODINOTT (1827) Laundress

BETH PUDDY (1835) Nanny

GRACE TWEEDY (1821) Governess

THE WARREN FAMILY

HAMLET COTTAGE

MALACHI (1825) & ROSA (1825) WARREN

SIBLINGS: RUBY (1856), ELI (1858) & DAISY (1861)

THE WARREN FAMILY

HOME FARM

GRANNY WARREN (1768)

ISAAC (1792) & ELIZABETH (1795) WARREN

SIBLINGS: JACOB (1830),

LUCY (1836) & BEATRICE (BUNNY) (1844)

PORTLANDERS FEATURED IN BRANDY ROW

MATTHEW STONE (1811) Joshua’s stepfather

VIOLET STONE (1814) Joshua’s mother

REBECCA STONE (1838) Joshua’s sister

BENJAMIN STONE (1832) Joshua’s cousin

ANNIE STONE ne SHADDICK (1810) Ben’s mother

CAMP ROAD FAMILIES – ESTATE WORKERS

BERT (1773) & ROSE (1783) SMITH (Retired)

MICHAEL (1800) & MAUD (1802) PORTER

HENRY (1820) & CHARLOTTE (1827) HODINOTT

JOHN (1827) & SUSAN (1831) MOORE

SIBLINGS: LUKE (1851) & LILLY (1853)

PERCY (1810) & MARY (1812) SANDFORD

SIBLINGS: ROBERT (1830) & HARRY (1833)

JACK (1805) & MOLLY (1802) HAWKINS

SIBLINGS: FRANK (1823) & THOMAS (1831)

THE BOUCHER FAMILY

KEEPER’S COTTAGE, POUND LANE

JOHN (1809) & FLORA (1810) BOUCHER

SIBLINGS: LETTIE (1838) & TOBY (1846)

THE BONFIELD FAMILY

KNAPP COTTAGE, PRESTON PLUCKNET

ARTHUR (1808) & MARTHA (1813) BONFIELD

THE TOMPKINS FAMILY

MR & MRS TOMPKINS

SIBLINGS: BOBBY (1835) & HARRY (1834)

THE HAWKINS FAMILY

COBB COTTAGE, DRAY ROAD, ODCOMBE

MRS ESTHER (1805) HAWKINS

SIBLINGS: JEAN (1831) & RAYMOND (1832)

THE MEAKINS FAMILY

SUMMERVILLE HOUSE

SIR OLIVER (1793) & LADY ANNABEL (1797) MEAKINS

SIBLINGS: OLIVIA (1813) & NATHAN (1818)

AGNES (1860)

SUMMERVILLE HOUSE STAFF

ALISTAIR MCNAB (1802) Scottish steward

MORTON (1813) Butler

WADMAN (1818) First footman

MRS FAVERSHAM (1799) Housekeeper

APSEY (1823) Olivia Meakins’ Lady’s maid

MRS CHUBB (1807) Cook

THE BRIDEWELL FAMILY

CLIFTON MAYBANK MANOR

SAMUEL (1791) & EDITH (1795) BRIDEWELL

SIBLINGS: SERENA (1820), KEZIAH (1822)

& ALICIA (1824)

THE PROCTOR FAMILY

RUTH PROCTOR (1820)

SIBLINGS: AMY (1838), EDWIN (1841)

HATTIE (1844) & ELLIE (1848)

RESIDENTS OF SANDHURST

MR & MRS BRUNSVOLD Emporium

FREYJA BRUNSVOLD (1837) Emporium

JETHRO TULLY Landlord Eureka Hotel

RAY CLARK & BRUCE MADDEN Ranchers

ZHANG WEI Chinese headman

TIAN Chinaman

TRANSPORTS

NATHAN MEAKINS (1818)

SAMUEL KELLY (1836)

JOSIAH JONES (1800)

HUGH DAVIES (1808)

BRYN THOMAS (1812)

REG LEWIS (1814)

ANGELICA PITMAN (1834)

THE FAIRWAY FAMILY

CHURCH COTTAGE, STAIRS HILL, YEOVIL

AMBROSE FAIRWAY (1804) Solicitor’s clerk

DAUGHTER: CLARA (1834)

THE DAVIES FAMILY

HUGH (1808) & SARAH (1811) DAVIES

SIBLINGS: LEWYS (1836) & GWYNETH (1839)

THE THOMAS FAMILY

BRYN (1812) & NELL (1814) THOMAS

SIBLINGS: OWEN (1837) & RHYS (1839)

ABORIGINES

MATARI

PINDARI

KAORA

CAMIRA

AMAROO

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

SERGEANT GUNDRY

DR GILLINGHAM

DR JESSOP

LORD AND LADY HELYAR of Coker Court

COL AND MRS SEYMOUR of Sutton Bingham Manor

SIBLINGS: RUPERT (1823) & ASHLEIGH (1827)

MR & MRS WIGGLESWORTH Coker Poor House

ALBERT TATTERSHALL Workhouse inmate

WILLIAM BELL Owner of Catkin Mill

FRED BURNS Prison warder

MR & MRS STACE Angelica’s Employers

AUNTIE SARAH GIBBS Midwife and herbalist

MENAGERIE

Hercules, Perseus – Shire horses (brown)

Capricorn – Josh’s horse (black stallion)

Andromeda (brown), Cassiopeia (grey) & Capella (bay)

Honey – John Boucher’s Springer Spaniel

Paddy and O’Malley – Irish Wolfhounds

THE PROLOGUE (September 1854)

Nathan Meakins is being led up the wooden stairs and onto the platform of the gallows. His hands are tied behind his back and his leg-irons are chafing his ankles. He is halted below the gibbet and feels the material of the black hood placed over his head. He trembles as the darkness enfolds him. The perspiration runs down his face beneath the black cloth. The weight of the coarse thick rope being placed around his neck is numbing. He is petrified. How could his life of leisure and privilege end up like this? A religious man is mumbling text from the Bible and finally he hears the mechanism of the trap opening. Suddenly his stomach turns as he is falling… falling.

He awakes with a jolt. Drenched in perspiration, his heart is leaping wildly. The pungent smell of the bodies packed tightly around him and the lack of fresh air, reminds him that he did in fact escape the noose and he is now lying in the hold of the transportation ship; relief washes over him. His situation is barely an improvement, but at least there is a slim chance he will survive this indignity.

Many of the prisoners are yet to get their sea legs and the lingering smell of vomit is evident and turns his stomach. The regular sound of men snoring and the loud creaking of the fabric of the ship are interrupted by the bugle call at 5.30 a.m. Meakins eases his ankles where the shackles have been rubbing him raw. They were only struck off once they were well out at sea and he is acutely aware that any insubordination will result in them being replaced. He dresses in his raven duck overalls, his jacket and woollen hat.

The warders enter and the men shuffle off to their assignments. Some of them are set to scrubbing and swabbing the decks, some to dry holy-stoning, but Meakins is tasked with his mess group of eight men to picking oakum and they remain below. He hates the smell of the tar-soaked cordage, his fingers become coated in the amber-coloured pitch and increasingly sore from unravelling the fibrous threads. Eventually he hears the eight-bells and joins the men queuing for their breakfast. It is gruel and biscuits and half a pint of cocoa. Beggars can’t be choosers and he swallows the unappetising food, rather than go without.

After their meagre meal they are given different assignments and this time Meakins’ group is taken above and tasked with polishing ring bolts and dry holy-stoning the more inaccessible areas about the masts and guns. The pensioner guards keep vigil, with the cat-o’-nine-tails handy, lest any gang should take it into their heads to mutiny. They are down on their hands and knees like dogs, using the smaller, flat stones called prayer-books, sliding them about to and fro over the wet and sanded decks.

Not used to any form of manual work he suffers more than most with aches and pains. His back is hurting, his knees are red and inflamed and his fingers are still sore from the oakum. This is galley-slave work! A taunting image of the pompous Lord Joshua Dryer sitting in comfort at his mahogany desk, surrounded by his damned legal books, enters his mind. I swear to God I will make sure that he pays, one way or another, for his dogged persecution of me!

CHAPTER ONE (September1854)

THE NEW BRIDE AND THE BRIDEWELLS

When Lord Joshua Dryer and his new wife Louisa return from their honeymoon, both looking very stylish in the latest Paris fashion, their employees are assembled outside to welcome them home. Louisa lowers her head slightly as she descends from the carriage, to avoid disturbing the artificial flowers decorating her new bonnet; she smoothes her matching purple gown and adjusts the flounced cape jacket, decorated with a printed border of pale lilac daisies. Joshua takes her arm and she looks up, appreciatively, into his warm, dark eyes. She is very proud of her handsome husband dressed so fashionably in his tall black hat; smart dark-blue, cut-away morning coat; grey trousers, sky-blue necktie and multihued blue waistcoat, that she chose for him herself.

They are greeted warmly by Gareth the head butler, Mrs Abbott the housekeeper, and the remainder of the staff, all lined up in the September sunshine; the male servants bowing and the females dipping their curtseys. Louisa is delighted to see that Mrs Abbott has Aurora held tightly by the hand, but she calls out Mama!, pulls loose, and rushes forward to hug her, excitedly.

Joshua then picks her up and throws her into the air and she squeals with pleasure. Again, Papa! Again!

Mrs Abbott makes a short welcoming speech and afterwards the members of domestic staff, all smiling happily, disperse back to their chores. Louisa joins her husband, who has Aurora held safely in his arms, as they follow the staff into their home.

There is a huge arrangement of fresh flowers on the round table in the centre of the hall and the room is full of the distinctive, spicy scent of the chrysanthemums. On the side table, Louisa spots a pile of calling cards in the silver salver, but decides to go through them later, after taking tea in the oak with Joshua and Aurora.

*

That evening, whilst seated in the drawing room, Louisa sifts through the pile of cards. There is one from Serena Bridewell inviting her to attend afternoon tea at Clifton Maybank Manor and she is pleased to see that all the other cards have their top right-hand corner folded over, thankfully meaning that local folk are happy to offer their congratulations on her marriage.

Look Josh, all these cards are congratulating us. I’m so relieved. I was afraid that being a lowly chambermaid before you proposed to me, I would be shunned. I had convinced myself that I would never be accepted as Lady Louisa Dryer.

Have no fear, my love; I always knew that because you are modest and genteel they would accept you very quickly. If you were bold and brazen it might have been a different matter.

He laughs at her indignant expression at this notion. I do know how you feel, for, was I not in the same position when I first came to Alvington? I well remember feeling very uneasy and out of my depth, but I soon got used to it and so shall you. Fate has decreed that we’re meant to be together, my darling, and so we shall always be. He kisses her head affectionately.

As he sits down beside her, she looks up from the pile of cards. Joshua, I have a mind to ask Rosa to be my lady’s maid. What do you think? She watches his expression as he considers for a moment.

I think that is a very good plan, for you need to have someone with whom you are relaxed and happy to share your most private moments. Shall I ring for her, so that you can ask her immediately?

Yes, please do.

Joshua stands up and goes to tug on the bell-pull.

Louisa ponders, This does mean, though, that if she agrees we’ll have to think of someone to replace her as our parlour maid.

Yes, that’s true… perhaps Jean Hawkins would like the position? says Joshua considering. I believe that was her post at the Meakins’ residence.

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, Please don’t remind me of that obnoxious fellow, Josh; besides I had heard that Jean is now working in one of the glove factories.

I’m sorry, my darling, I didn’t mean to upset you. He is at her side in a moment, kissing her gently on her forehead. I assure you, my dear, you don’t have to worry about Meakins anymore, for he is well on his way to the Antipodes by now.

Thank the Lord.

She is relieved when her husband quickly changes the subject, Well then, how about Lettie? I think that Toby is now going to school and Lettie would fit in here very well, with her mama being the cook, and her papa the gamekeeper.

She nods in agreement, That’s a good suggestion, my dear.

In that case I’ll go and ask Flora if she thinks Lettie would be interested, while you talk to Rosa. Joshua goes off purposefully towards the kitchen.

Moments later, Rosa knocks and enters. You rang, milady. As she dips in a curtsey she is smiling. It is the first time she has called Louisa that.

Louisa smiles back, I did, Rosa. I have something I would like you to consider. Please, take a seat a moment.

Rosa sits down in the chair indicated. After working all this time together, Rosa, I feel that you and I have become true friends. I wouldn’t wish to do anything that may jeopardise our friendship, but I would like you to consider becoming my lady’s maid.

Oh! Milady, I’d be delighted. Why should it spoil our friendship, it is after all an advancement?

Oh! Rosa, I hoped you’d say that. I’m so pleased. It will be less hard work for you and you’ll be able to put your artistic talents to good use, when attending to my hair and my costumes. You always appear immaculate and I know that you read well and you can sew beautifully. In addition it will mean a further ten pounds a year, on top of your current salary.

That will certainly be much appreciated now that I too am a married woman. I will love it, milady. When do I start?

Tomorrow morning would be good for me, Rosa. You can come and help me retrieve all my personal possessions from the Dower House.

Very well, milady.

Next Wednesday I would like you to accompany me on a visit to Clifton Maybank Manor where I’m to take tea with Serena and Alicia Bridewell. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the ride out. John Moore will take us and you’ll be able to join their staff downstairs, for they will provide tea for you too.

Thank you, milady, I’ll look forward to that.

Another thing, Rosa; I thought you might prefer it if, when we’re alone together, you continue to call me Louisa? You only need to say ‘milady’ when there are others around, to observe the formalities.

I’m afraid I may get confused if I do that, milady. I believe it would be better for me to think of it as your new name.

As you wish, my friend, but I don’t want you to feel that I’m lording it over you.

I know you better than that, milady. She smiles affectionately.

That’s settled then.

May I just say, milady, that I’m very pleased to have you and His Lordship back home again. The house has not been the same without you. We’ve all missed you very much and Miss Aurora has been quite desolate.

"Well, a month is a long time in the life of a three-year-old, but it hasn’t stopped her asking us, ‘when will we be going again?’ when we gave her the little Paris outfits that we purchased for her at Le’ Bon Marché!"

They both laugh.

Louisa says, Right then, Rosa, I’ll look forward to seeing you first thing tomorrow when we will sort out the Dower House together.

Rosa gets up to leave. She dips a curtsey, Very well, milady. Thank you again for my promotion. I can’t wait to tell Malachi; he’ll be so proud.

*

The following morning Rosa brings up a breakfast tray for her at eight o’clock. She draws back the curtains and plumps her pillows.

This looks very tasty, Rosa. Please thank Flora for me.

I will, milady.

They chat whilst Rosa prepares her mistress’s clothes for the day, and Louisa enjoys her breakfast. Was Malachi pleased when you told him of your new position?

Of course, milady, he was delighted; an extra ten pounds a year will make a big difference to us, and he’s glad to know how much I’m appreciated.

Joshua and I know you both to be hard-working, indispensable members of the estate staff, but to us you are even more valuable as our friends.

Rosa smiles, Thank you, milady, you’re very kind.

I mean it, Rosa, Malachi is the closest Joshua has to a brother around here, and I would be lost without you.

We indeed feel very fortunate to have you as our employers, milady. But if you’ll excuse me, I’ll just go now to fetch some hot water for you to wash.

Her breakfast finished, Louisa lies back and stretches languidly, enjoying her surroundings, revelling in her new luxurious life as mistress of Alvington Manor. The large mahogany four-poster bed is festooned with burgundy drapes and the plump, swansdown mattress is pure indulgence, as it softly moulds to her body. Opposite the bed is the fireplace. The fire that was lit by Emily Potts at seven o’clock, before Joshua arose to go about his business, is flickering cosily. Her hairbrush and French perfume and other personal creams and lotions are set out on the mahogany duchess dressing table, but the commode, washstand and bowl are cleverly concealed behind a Japanese six-leaf, hand-painted silk screen.

Rosa returns with the ewer of hot water and fills the bowl in the washstand for Louisa to wash herself. Thank you, Rosa. While I wash, would you mind taking away the breakfast things?

Of course, milady.

As soon as Rosa has left the room, Louisa is out of bed and attending to her ablutions. She would prefer to be alone and intends to have her undergarments on before Rosa returns, to save herself, or Rosa, any embarrassment. On Rosa’s return she helps Louisa on with her gown and dresses her hair, ready for the day.

It is ten o’clock by the time they are entering the Dower House. So much has happened since she last slept there. Her maid’s attire is still hanging in the closet and she turns to Rosa, Would you like a couple of spare outfits, Rosa?

Yes, that would be very useful, milady. Thank you.

They remove the costumes and fold them up on the bed, ready for Rosa to take away with her. Then they collect the rest of Louisa’s belongings. Things like her hairbrush, her rouge and hair combs, she had already taken with her when she left for her honeymoon, but there is some underwear and bottom-drawer items and they are soon busy bundling it all together to go back to the house. As they work, Louisa discovers the long white lace gloves and her dancing slippers that Joshua bought for her, for their first ball at Alvington Manor. She smiles, remembering how Becky had joked with her, ‘You have the gloves and the dancing shoes, now all you need is a gown to go with them!’ Well, thanks to my generous husband, I now have many wonderful, colourful, gowns to go with these, in silks and satins, decorated with lace and ribbons, all fit for a queen.

She shows her find to Rosa, Look at these Rosa, remember how we had to borrow Clara’s gowns? She smiles at her friend, So much has happened to us since then, we’re both married for one thing, and I feel so blessed to have found such happiness.

Me too, milady. Our lives have certainly changed for the better.

How are you and Malachi getting along? You’ve been married for four months now; is it all that you hoped it would be?

Oh yes, milady. I truly couldn’t want for a better husband. You wouldn’t think that such a big, strong, bare-knuckle boxer could be so gentle and thoughtful. We really are very happy, milady.

I’m so pleased for you, Rosa.

How about you, milady, was Paris all you hoped it would be?

Much more so, Rosa; Joshua too is very gentle and caring, but he has obviously learned a lot from his travels and from the talk of the sailors on the missionary ship, for he has enlightened me with the most ardent loving and I have learnt that there is far more to making love than the missionary position!

Rosa looks aghast at her friend at this intimacy and then suddenly they are both laughing like in the old days, holding their stomachs, their sides aching and Louisa knows that she has chosen her lady’s maid well.

*

That evening, Joshua is sitting at his desk penning a letter to his mother, when Louisa comes looking for him. Ah, there you are! What’s keeping you? Rosa tells me that supper is served.

I’m just letting Mama know that we’re home safely. I’ve nearly finished, would you like me to read it to you?

Yes, I would. She looks over his shoulder as he puts down his quill.

"Dearest Mama,

We are home at last after our marvellous Paris honeymoon. We had a wonderful time, strolling along wide, tree-lined avenues and admiring the French architecture. We ate superb meals in small, intimate Parisian cafés and meandered along the Seine looking at the work of the artisans. The Louvre and the Tuileries Palace were magnificent to behold and we spent hours looking at Renaissance artwork right up to modern times. We saw there the marble statue of the Venus de Milo and Leonardo da Vinci’s, Mona Lisa.

On the third day we took a ride with other sightseers in a horse-drawn charabanc and stood, hand in hand, underneath the Arc de Triomphe. Later, with our tour guide, we admired the beautiful architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral with its amazingly vivid blue, purple and red stained-glass windows.

I took Louisa shopping in the most fashionable part of the city and she has come home with some delightful costumes. I tell you, Mama, I could not be happier. I do believe I am a very fortunate man to have found myself such a wonderful companion in Louisa.

Aurora has been a perfect little darling, according to Mrs Abbott, but she was so pleased to see us on our return, she nearly bowled us over in her haste to greet us.

I hope that all is well with you and Pa, and Ben and Becky.

Your affectionate son,

Joshua."

That’s a very nice letter, darling. We did have a wonderful time, didn’t we? Louisa kisses her husband on the top of his head.

He turns swiftly and pulls her onto his lap. It was more magical than I imagined in all my wildest dreams, my love, he says, squeezing her affectionately. He wraps her in his arms and kisses her passionately.

She feels her body responding to his ardour and for a moment she is lost in the magic, but now is not the time. With regret, she gently draws away. I suppose we had better hurry down for our supper, otherwise we will be in trouble with Flora.

You are, of course, right my dear. Besides, it’s not long until I have you all to myself.

*

Both Rosa and Louisa are excited to be visiting the Bridewells at Clifton Maybank. Louisa is wearing an attractive peacock-blue watered-silk costume that Joshua purchased for her in Paris, which he said at the time looked marvellous with her rich red hair; however, she is a little tense, anxious that she will not do anything to let her husband down.

On their arrival Rosa is taken downstairs with their parlour maid and Louisa is shown into the drawing room. It is a warm, well-lit room with tall transom windows overlooking well-tended gardens, and a stream and meadows beyond. As she enters, Mrs Bridewell is sewing a tapestry in the light from one of the windows, Serena is playing the spinet and Alicia is singing.

Mrs Bridewell quickly casts aside her work. The ladies all stand and curtsey.

How lovely to see you, Louisa; did you have a wonderful time in Paris? she asks. Her two daughters join her to sit cosily with Louisa around the lively, flickering fire.

Louisa feels self-conscious, aware of her hands fidgeting in her lap, but she thinks of Joshua and speaks up confidently. "We did, Mrs Bridewell. What a beautiful city it is. There was so much to see and do and Joshua was so generous and attentive. He took me to the Louvre and we saw many amazing paintings. My favourites were the deeply colourful Renaissance paintings by Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci including The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and the Mona Lisa. She smiles at the ladies, reliving the wonderful experience she had shared with her husband. We went to Notre Dame Cathedral, took a boat trip on the Seine and saw much of Paris from an open-top charabanc."

It sounds very exciting, Louisa, says Alicia with her usual enthusiasm. Are the ladies really as fashionable as they say?

She does not consider herself to be an experienced judge in this matter, but she replies diplomatically, Well, I believe like everywhere, there are fashionable areas and poorer ones, but they certainly are very stylish.

Have you caught up with all the news since your return? asks Serena.

Probably not, this is my first social engagement so I’m quite ready for your best parlour gossip. She smiles at the three women expectantly.

Alicia then volunteers, Well, I suppose you know that my ex-fiancé has been transported to Van Diemen’s Land for life.

The smile fades. Yes, Lord Dryer told me on the day after our return.

Serves him right, the villain! Everyone is glad to see the back of the rogue, says Serena vehemently.

Apart from his family, of course, says Mrs Bridewell sagely.

Serena’s face softens, That is true. It must have been a dreadful shock for his parents and poor Olivia.

Although aware that she has to be diplomatic in all her social engagements, Louisa cannot suppress her indignation that Serena should be concerned for Olivia, who did nothing to stop her brother committing such a heinous crime. "I don’t know about ‘poor Olivia’, she was just as involved as he was! Despite her plea of post-natal insanity," she says, rather indignantly.

I understand what you’re saying, Louisa, says Mrs Bridewell, politely. Nevertheless, his whole family must be very hurt by his behaviour. She smiles at her, adding, We tend to live for our children, don’t we?

Louisa feels a wave of nausea and heat coming over her, Normal folk do, Mrs Bridewell, but unfortunately he is the exception. He was, after all, actually capable of murdering his own baby son!

Serena interjects diplomatically, I’m afraid Mama has someone else playing on her mind at present, Louisa, for we have had some disturbing news of Keziah.

Mrs Bridewell looks upset and tearful, Yes, my dear, we have had the most dreadful tidings, for next month Florence Nightingale is planning to take a number of her nurses, including our dear Keziah, with her to Sebastopol to help nurse the soldiers in the Crimean War. Apparently they are not only dying from their wounds, but also from mortal diseases such as typhus, cholera and dysentery. Miss Nightingale believes that with good nursing practice they will be able to make a difference. Her voice breaks, Unhappily, we’re left behind worrying about Keziah and the terrible danger in which she has placed herself. She takes a handkerchief from her reticule and dabs at her eyes.

Serena attempts to console her, Please don’t distress yourself, Mama, you know it is what she wanted; all we can do is pray for her safety, the same for all of them and, of course, our poor soldiers.

Louisa says gently, She’s a very brave person, Mrs Bridewell, you must be very proud of her?

Mrs Bridewell appears mollified, Oh, we are, my dear. If only it wasn’t such a worry.

Louisa tries to allay her fears, I’m quite sure, Mrs Bridewell, that Florence Nightingale will not put her nurses into any military danger. They’ll be in a field hospital far away from the battlefields, and as far as these appalling diseases are concerned, I’m quite sure they’re all used to caring for the sick at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where these horrible illnesses are quite common.

"That’s true, Louisa. Keziah was telling us how the death rate is higher in the towns and cities compared to here, due to the unsanitary conditions and overcrowded slum areas. Apparently Miss Nightingale has been complaining bitterly that the Public Health Act of 1848 is still yet to be acted upon and here we are six years later! There are, apparently, some houses that even have cesspools immediately below their wooden floors in London, with ghastly effluent running through open drains in the streets."

Alicia joins in, Mama is right, the last time we saw her, Keziah was bemoaning to us the fact that there has only been half-hearted talk of sanitary reform, but little has been accomplished. Cholera, dysentery and typhus are common and it’s the poorer classes who are suffering the most.

Sadly, it isn’t only in the cities, Alicia. Lord Dryer was asking me only yesterday to stay away from town for a while, as there’s been an outbreak of cholera again in Brunswick Street.

Oh dear, not again! I think that all the disgustingly smelly glove factories have a lot to do with that though, says Alicia. I heard Papa saying it’s something to do with the leather tanning process contaminating the water supplies.

Mrs Bridewell appears thoughtful and then she speaks. Well, like you say, Louisa, it is true the nurses will be experienced in dealing with those diseases and we must simply pray that our dear Keziah remains in good health during her sojourn there. She turns to her eldest daughter, I think we ought to ring now for Parsons to bring in our tea, Serena.

*

Rosa is supping tea at a large, scrubbed wooden table below stairs in the kitchen when Parsons returns after serving the afternoon refreshments. She glances down at Rosa, before her nose is disdainfully up in the air again. Your mistress certainly looks the part, all dressed up in her finery. You don’t get coloured silks like that in these parts!

Rosa smiles good-naturedly, No, Lord Dryer bought her some lovely costumes when they were on their honeymoon in Paris.

One of the other girls then says wistfully, He came here once, your Lord Dryer. We all thought he was courting Serena, but then we heard he upped and married his chambermaid!

Their chambermaid scoffs, Such an ’andsome man ’ee was too and he ends up with someone no better ’un me!

Rosa replies defensively, My Lord Dryer is a kind, compassionate, intelligent man and he genuinely fell in love with my mistress. She also has the same attributes and she is a beautiful woman… my friend, as well as my employer. I wouldn’t wish to work for anyone else in the whole world.

Well, I think you’d have to go a long way to find any woman more accomplished and attractive than our three young ladies upstairs, but there is no accounting for taste, says Parsons pointedly.

Rosa sighs and looks at the clock on the wall, wondering how much longer she will be obliged to be entertained by these foolishly prejudiced females.

CHAPTER TWO (September – December 1854)

ABOARD THE ADELAIDE

Nathan Meakins, bored with the slowly passing days, enduring monotonous tasks of physical activity,