[CENTER]Chapter 3 Part 1[/CENTER]
Millie’s heart was racing as Master Philip sat beside her under the stairs, pulled her to him, pressed her head on his shoulder and gently stroked her hair.
On the landing Amanda Prentice stifled a sob. She had been sweet on Philip Marsden for years, and he knew it. She had told him so moments after he had revealed his plans to go away to college for three years. He would be twenty-one by the time he finished, an eligible bachelor, and she was convinced he would come back engaged or worse still, married to someone else.
He had told her gently that whilst he had no plans to do so, he agreed that it was always possible. He had said she was too young for him, had called her a child, but that eventually she would find someone her own age.
Waving him off to college at the station, she had quietly wept. The problem was that she knew he was right, at least about being too young. She doubted though that any other young man for miles around could ever turn her head.
Millie of all people had put an arm around her just as Philip was doing to Millie now. For a week after Philip left, Amanda had moped around her home to the annoyance of her parents, although they knew what the problem was. Her father had told her not to fall for Philip but she had ignored the warning.
Then the first letter arrived. In it, Philip mentioned he had also written to his family, his friend Lady Charlotte, and his friends William and Millie. He’d deliberately sent one letter to the last two in the hope that they would read it together. They were sweet on each other, or so everyone thought at the time.
Oh poor William; what would he do when he found out about Philip and Millie?
“Dear Miss ’Manda,” the letter had begun. “I hope you are well. After a pleasant but otherwise uneventful journey, I arrived safely at my lodgings.”
“I thought you might like to know that on the way here I did not meet, nor fall in love with any young ladies, nor become engaged.”
He then told of being greeted by his landlady with tea and cakes, as well as a description of his room with a promise to include a sketch of it next time he wrote.
Philip’s mother had offered Amanda a job as a maid not long after she turned fourteen. She would be working with her friends William and Millie, and would get to see more of her friend Philip whenever he came home from college.
For nearly two and a half years, Philip wrote to his friends and family at least twice a month. Every letter to Amanda repeated the line about not meeting or falling in love with anyone, and had become a standing joke between them.
As she approached her sixteenth birthday, she expected any day to get an envelope written in Philip’s untidy script, but it never arrived.
By seven o’clock on the day itself, she had become quite despondent, then came the clatter of hooves outside followed by a knock on the cottage door. It had taken Philip two and a half hours to get there straight from college, and he had to leave after only half an hour later to ensure he caught the last train back, but Amanda thought it was the best present she had ever had.
Five months later she had begun to think that her worst fears might not come true after all. Philip would turn twenty-one in a month’s time, and a month after that he would finish college and be home for good.
She had thought that perhaps she might have a chance to turn his head her way after all once she was a little older, but not now.
She had kept every letter he had written but after seeing the couple below she decided that she would burn them in the morning, in his own fireplace! That would teach him.
She slept fitfully that night, and was very short with everyone when she arrived in the kitchen before starting work.
As she turned the corner into the family hallway on the first floor, she almost bumped into Philip.
“Oh Miss ’Manda, I’m so clumsy, I do apologise. How are you today?” All said, she thought to herself, as if everything was perfectly normal.
© December 2020
[CENTER]Chapter 3 Part 2[/CENTER]
When she didn’t reply he became concerned. “Oh ’Manda, is there something wrong? Are you ill? I have to say you don’t look well.” It was true. She hadn’t slept properly and really didn’t feel like being in this house today. She wanted to burn his letters, hand in her notice, and then go home. She had been such a fool and couldn’t bear to spend another day under the same roof as him.
“I’m alright; there’s nothing wrong, I just need to get on with my work.”
After a brief pause Philip said, “No, there is definitely something wrong. You’re clenching your fists, you have your eyes screwed up and you are biting your lip just like you do when you are upset or in pain.”
“I know it’s not your time of the month because that was last week, so unless you are injured or ill, I must assume you are upset.”
“How can he know such intimate things about me yet not care for my feelings?” she thought.
“You’re my best friend,” he said. “I care about you, so please, what is wrong?”
Suddenly she blurted out, “I saw you with Millie last night!”
“Ah yes,” he said, far too casually for her liking. Then he stunned her with his next comment
“She was in a fair old state when I found her, and it took me ages to calm her down.”
Suddenly doubt shot through her mind. Philip would help anyone without thinking, especially a friend. “Help? Why, what was wrong with Millie”
“She’s terrified of thunderstorms. I was awakened around midnight by the noise so I decided to take a look around the house to make sure the windows and shutters were all secure when I heard sobbing coming from under the stairs.”
“Millie was there, crying and hugging her knees, rocking to and fro. I asked her what was wrong, then there was a sudden clap of thunder and she burst into tears, so I sat with her and put my arm round her, trying to comfort her but it didn’t work. I wish you would have come down to help. Why didn’t you?”
Then he noticed his letters in Amanda’s hand. Um, why do you have them, and a box of Lucifers? It’s June and surely we don’t need any fires lit today?”
Then Philip realised she was red from the neck up, shaking, and looked like she was about to burst into tears herself.
“When I saw you last night under the stairs with your arm around her I, I thought you and Millie were … were, oh I was so wrong, you, you must hate me for thinking such a terrible thing.”
Philip took the letters and placed them carefully on one of the small tables alongside the balustrade that overlooked the main entrance hall, then took the matches and put them in his pocket before saying, “Hopefully, you won’t be needing these now.”
“Oh no,” she thought. “He knows what I was going to do.”
Feeling foolish and ashamed she squeezed her eyes shut waiting for ridicule and rebuke, but it never came. Instead, she found that he was hugging her and saying quietly,
“Oh Miss ’Manda; what am I to do with you?”
Leading her gently to one of the upright chairs by the table, he told her, “I think you should sit here before you collapse,” both of them remembering the first time he had advised her to do the same after she had been attacked when she was eleven.
Meanwhile Travis, Albert Marsden’s newly hired footman, slithered out of his hiding position across the landing. Last night he had seen the young master having a secret assignation with the very attractive blond maid, and now here he was with his arms around the short, dumpy, brown-haired one.
It wasn’t fair, but he was intent on having his sport with one or other of the two girls, and decided he could probably persuade his employer’s son to part with money if he wished to avoid a scandal, and avoid each of the girls from finding out about his affairs with the other.
© December 2020
[CENTER]Chapter 3 Part 3[/CENTER]
Sitting on the other chair, Philip began to explain what had happened the night before, and how he had finally managed to calm their friend down.
“First, I taught her how to work out whether the storm was approaching or receding by counting the time between the flash of lightening and the crash of thunder. If it is getting shorter, then the storm is approaching, but if it is taking longer each time, as it was doing when I found her, it means the storm is moving further away.”
“After that she was calmer. I then asked her what was her happiest moment.”
“I told her that when I am hurt, or sad, or upset, I think of my happiest time.” With a huge grin on his face he said, “I told her mine was stuffing a pasty into your mouth." Before Amanda could say anything, Philip carried on.
“Millie told me her happiest memory was one Christmas a few years ago with all her family round the tree at her home. Did you know she sends most of her wages home every week and leaves very little for herself?”
“I told her in future that whenever she is unhappy, hurt, or upset, to think about that happiest time, and go and find her friends as well.”
“After that I escorted her back to her room before retiring again to mine. It’s up to you if you decide to tell anyone about this morning, but I shalln’t say anything myself.”
“Now, unless you have a different idea, I suggest you put these in your room and then go back to work before anyone starts asking questions.”
With that he handed his letters to his friend, gave her a gentle squeeze of her arm, and headed down to the library to do some studying for his college exams.
The following evening, Master Philip was intercepted by Travis whilst on his way back to the manor library after tea.
In an oily voice, the footman began to speak.
“I saw you with your arms around pretty Millie the other night, and again when you were doing the same to that brunette girl yesterday as well. It seems hardly fair that you should be carrying on with both, especially when you will no doubt one day be marrying some titled lady or other”
“I can understand you wanting to have a bit of fun with one of them, but both? That’s just greedy
“I tell you what; I won’t tell anyone about what I saw as long as you pay me five pounds, and don’t interfere when I take one of them to my bed. I’m sure you don’t want either girl to know about your, how shall I put it, indiscretions with the other, and you certainly wouldn’t want this to impair your chances of a suitable marriage to some rich girl now would you? It would be most unfortunate if someone’s father were to find out the sort of thing you had been getting up to with the common maids here.”
Travis was undoubtedly handsome, getting his good looks from his mother and his olive skin and black hair from his Italian father, but his sly nature was all his own doing.
He had left devastation as he had moved from one position to another across the country. A pregnant maid dismissed in disgrace here, a daughter suddenly absent for nine months there and a secret payment to keep his mouth shut were all part of his methods.
Having seen the young master here in action he assumed the manor house would be no different.
Albert Marsden was not a gullible man, but had taken at face value Travis’s letters of recommendation little realising they were bought as part of his promise of silence from previous employees.
Philip was angry and told the footman he had no intention of giving in to blackmail. He also warned the footman not to approach any member of the female staff, especially the two youngest women.
With a smirk, Travis said, “As you wish … sir,” and slid out of the room.
© December 2020
[CENTER]Chapter 3 Part 4[/CENTER]
Philip tried to read but the encounter with Travis kept running around inside his head. He didn’t trust Travis and fully expected him to cause more trouble at some point, but he didn’t expect it come so soon.
Twenty minutes after the footman had parted, Molly Ferguson the Housekeeper burst into the library in a very agitated state.
“Oh Master Philip, you must come straight away, William and Travis are fighting in the scullery.”
By the time he got there it was all over. Travis was on his knees holding his side with one hand and a bloodied kerchief to his nose with the other whilst William stood over him, his eyes blazing in fury.
Millie was sitting on a chair holding Amanda’s arm who in turn was holding a heavy cast iron frying pan, and in front of them stood the short figure of Harold Ferguson, the head butler and Molly’s husband, arms spread protecting the two young women behind him.
Pointing at Travis, Harold said, “He tried to force himself on Millie. I heard her call out and came in here from the kitchen and tried to get him off her but he was too strong for me. William came in and, well, I had to pull him off Travis after the first few punches lest he kill the man.”
Nobody would doubt the veracity of Harold’s statement. He was a good worker, loyal employee, and as honest as they come.
Philip then surprised everyone by walking over to the two young women before kissing each one lightly on the cheek whilst pointedly looking at the disgraced footman.
“You have mistaken friendship for lust and have show your true colours. Turning to the room in general he continued, “Travis thought I was having affairs at the same time with both these young ladies in secret.” This resulted in disgusted glares towards the injured man on the floor, and snorts of disbelief from others.
“He also threatened to ruin my chances of engagement, should it ever occur, by telling any prospective bride’s father about my perceived crimes unless I paid him five pounds.”
This brought a gasp from the assembled staff who had been steadily entering the scullery to find out what was going on.
Stepping in front of Travis, Philip said calmly to his friend, “Would you mind helping me to throw this … this man out, then go and throw his chattels out the window.
For a moment Philip thought William was going to ignore him, but eventually his face calmed, saying, “Twill be my pleasure.”
Harold unbolted and opened the scullery door leading to the yard, whilst the two young men dragged the protesting footman outside. Pointing a finger at the man, Philip warned him, “I am not a violent man, but if you come anywhere near the Knowl estate, or any of the people that work or live here, wherever they might be, I shall drag you here and lock you in the barn with William.”
Pointing at one of the windows he continued. “As soon as you have your belongings, get you gone,” deliberately making as much noise as he could as he banged the door shut and shot home the bolt.
“Mrs Pearson, hot sweet tea for the girls if you please. I’m off to tell my father why he needs to hire a new footman.”
Philip was accompanied by his parents when he returned ten minutes later. His mother immediately went to Millie and embraced her whilst his father first clapped his hand on Harold’s shoulder, then looked William in the eye and shook his hand, telling him he disliked violence, but protecting a lady’s honour would not be frowned upon.
He then apologised profusely to all the staff for allowing such a monster into his home. He had been duped and would see to it that as many well to do families as possible knew about Travis, and also the two agencies in the next town that provided staff to local households would be warned as well.
At Albert’s insistence, glasses and a decanter were produced, and a measure of fine Andalusian Sherry was poured for all the staff and family alike.
© December 2020
I’m glad that had a happy ending, Fruitcake, is there more?
Yes there is more in my head and a few sub-plots with some additional characters to come.
I also intend to include the original long version of “Charlotte’s story”.
The main problem I have at the moment is that I don’t have an ending in my head, happy or otherwise, for the main story.
What would you like to see happen? 
I’m no good at stories, I think you will do it better as it’s your story, Fruitcake.
[CENTER]Chapter 4 Part 1[/CENTER]
Two days after Millie had been attacked, Master Philip knocked on the Davis family door which was answered by the girl’s mother. After introducing himself, Philip stood to one side to reveal Millie who was stepping down from a four-wheeled open carriage driven by William, and accompanied by Amanda who had been sitting opposite her friend during the journey from Knowl Park.
Mrs Davis was thrilled to see her eldest daughter and hugged her tightly before calling for her husband. He worked at the local lime kiln, but despite his rough appearance, he was a very gentle man and obviously adored his children.
Like many modern Victorian streets, there were alleyways every half a dozen houses leading to stables, so Mr Davis helped William unhitch the horses and walked them round the back where they would be safe until it was time to leave.
Once they were all inside the family home, Philip suggested Millie take her siblings to play in another room while he told their parents about the unpleasant events of the last few days.
He began by describing how he had found Millie, distraught and weeping because of a thunder-storm, and how he had eventually managed to calm her down.
Then he told of the nasty affair with the footman who had assaulted Millie. He didn’t go into detail because he didn’t want to distress the girl’s parents any more than necessary. He did however tell them of the head butler who first confronted the footman, how William had broken the man’s nose, how Millie had kicked him where it hurts a man most, and how Amanda had probably broken his ribs by hitting him edgewise with a heavy frying pan.
Millie’s parents were both horrified, yet gratified that so many people had come to her daughter’s aid, and how she herself had fought back.
Once Millie returned, her three friends spent the afternoon getting to know Millie’s family better.
There was some confusion at first when Mrs Davis asked if there were ever any problems with two people in the manor house both being called Philip. Millie’s parents were surprised to hear that actually there was only one.
“Oh,” Mrs Davis began, “but Millie often mentions her friend Philip in her letters as well as Master Philip, the son of the Knowl Park landowners."
“Yes, they are both me,” Philip replied with a smile. “I’m Philip Marsden. Millie and Amanda both work for my mother, and William works for my father, but the three of them are also my friends.”
“I’ve known Amanda the longest, ever since she was three, William since he was thirteen, and your Millie since she was fourteen.”
“My family and I grew up in a house like this one before my father inherited the Knowl Estate. I used to play alongside the canal, or in the street just like your youngest two do.
Master Philip somehow ended up spending the remaining time on the floor giving rides to Millie’s younger brother and sister on his back. Sometimes James and Amelia took turns, but most of the time it was both together. The two children were most upset when Philip eventually declared that it was time to for the four friends to go.
Whilst Millie and her siblings went to watch William and Millie’s father hitch the horses, Mrs Davis put her hand on Philip’s arm and said, “I’m so glad our Millie has such good friends.”
“She obviously misses you all,” he replied. I think it would do her good to see her family more often. I’m due to finish college in two months-time, and a month after that the annual summer fayre is due to take place on the common. I think it would nice if we could meet up then, what do you think?
“Oh yes, that would be lovely. I’ll make sure Millie writes to me to arrange it.”
“I’ll make sure she does as well,” replied Philip as he helped the two young ladies into the carriage before climbing nimbly onto the seat next to William, all of them waving to Millie’s family as the horses trotted down the street until they turned the corner and were finally out of sight.
© December 2021
[CENTER]Chapter 4 Part 2[/CENTER]
Philip’s twenty-first birthday was a remarkably unremarkable affair. His final exams were due to start two days hence and he decided he could spare neither the time nor afford the distraction to celebrate it, so spent the time studying in his lodgings instead.
Four weeks later, college was over and he packed his bags to go home. His final gesture to Mrs Phillips who had been his landlady for three years was to buy her flowers as well as a vase, having noted some months earlier that she had broken one whilst cleaning.
William met him at the town station, saying the girls were busy at the manor and couldn’t be spared.
His father was out when the two young men got home, but Philip’s mother was there on the manor house steps to welcome him as the Jaunting Car the household used for light transport came round the final curve of the driveway.
After washing and changing, Philip headed down to the kitchen, having missed lunch due to his travels. At first, the place looked deserted, but suddenly all the staff were there to greet him. Mrs Pearson had made and iced a cake especially for him, but apologised for the poor writing on it that said, Welcome Home.
With a huge grin, Amanda quipped, “Well at least it is readable, unlike Philip’s handwriting.”
This earned her a filthy look from Philip and a mock dig in the ribs, then everyone laughed when he admitted that actually, it was all true.
Albert Marsden was delighted to see his son when he got home, and they spent the rest of the afternoon discussing all manner of things in the comfortable study that faced the park at the front of the manor.
For the next few days, Philip caught up on both private and estate correspondence that had been received but not opened whilst he was away. Most of it simply required a short apology that he had missed letters because he had not been there at the time due to attending college.
Some letters were invitations for events in the near future, but Philip decided he needed to concentrate on taking over the estate management as his priority before he could attend purely social occasions.
There was however one date on his social calendar the following month that he had no intention of missing, which was the summer fayre that would take place over five days on the common in the adjacent town.
After discussions with his parents and the current estate manager, Albert and Sarah declared a holiday for all the staff that allowed everyone to attend the fayre in small groups and still enable the household and estate to function.
Millie was tasked with writing to her family to find out when they would be going to the fayre, and Amanda spoke to her family for the same reason. Eventually a date was set when they could all go together and arranged a specific place and time where they would meet.
On the day itself, the four friends took the one horse Jaunting Car and left it at one of the temporary stables that had been set up specifically for the fayre.
There were booths for one man shows and group performances, open areas for people to act or sing, stalls selling all sorts of food and drink, and showman engines driving fairground rides as well as carousels large and small. In the centre of the fairground was a roped off area and next to it was a Ferris Wheel that had taken several days to erect.
This was where the friends had arranged to meet the rest of Millie’s family as well as Philip’s friend Charlotte. As the friends threaded their way through the crowds, they sometimes walked four abreast, or in pairs, or in a chain holding hands in no particular order to ensure they didn’t become separated. None of them thought it the slightest bit unusual at one point for Philip to be holding William’s hand who was holding Amanda’s hand who was holding Millie’s.
Suddenly, Millie gave a squeal of delight as she saw the stocky figure of her father and then moments later the whole family was with Philip and his friends. Whilst they were talking, Charlotte and Daisy Dickens arrived as well. Daisy was about forty but thrilled to be at the fayre with her charge whom she was chaperoning. She liked Charlotte and no matter what, she would be telling her master as little as possible about the day’s events lest he did not approve.
As they moved around the fairground, they took part in trials of strength and skill, watched jugglers, and knife throwers, and sword swallowers, and fire eaters, and much more.
They went on many of the rides before stopping at the central area to watch a tug of war between two mighty traction engines. Because of their size, the two youngest members of the party couldn’t see very well, so Philip hoisted little Amelia onto his shoulders, and William did the same with James.
Afterwards it was decided they would ride the Ferris Wheel. Philip had a furtive discussion with Millie’s parents, then slipped a shilling to the Showman operating the wheel, pointing at William and Millie as he did so whilst they weren’t looking.
© December 2021
[CENTER]Chapter 4 Part 3[/CENTER]
Herbert Davis got in the first chair with Amelia, William held out his hand to help Millie into the next one, Mary Davis and James got in the one after that, with Philip and Amanda climbing into the fourth, and Charlotte and Daisy taking up the fifth.
Once the wheel was nearly full, the Showman set it slowly spinning. Each time they neared the top, everyone on the wheel would wave to each other, or complete strangers in the crowd, or pointed at landmarks in and around the town, especially the Folly on the Mendip Hills beyond.
All to soon the showman slowed the wheel to a stop, with Millie and William right at the top.
After a few moments there came a buzz of conversation. The couple at the bottom had got off but the wheel hadn’t moved.
Then the operator called out, “Hoy, William!” Everyone looked at the man except Millie’s friends and family, who instead looked at the young couple at the top of the wheel.
“I ain’t letting you off ‘til you ‘ave kissed your lady fair.” The Showman shouted up.
Millie blushed and William was frozen in his seat. From just behind and below, the gruff voice of Millie’s father said, “Go on lad. It’s now or never.”
Then the gentle voice of Millie’s mother called out, “Go on love, it’s all right.”
The noise of the fairground barkers, shouts and catcalls from various shows, and shrill steam whistles all seemed to fade for a few seconds as those on or near the wheel appeared to be holding their breaths.
Then there were shouts mixed with the sounds of laughter and applause. They had kissed, and once more the wheel began to move in stages to let people off, but Amanda was confused. Amongst all the commotion she could still hear, “Like this” echoing inside her head.
Philip was looking at their friends now, but she was sure that a few seconds ago he had been looking at her as he spoke the words still fading in her mind, and that just for a moment his lips had brushed hers.
Had it happened? Had he kissed her? If so, was it just to encourage their friends to do the same, or did it mean something else? He was acting as if nothing had happened but she was quite sure it had.
Then they were all down and in a group. William had his arm around Millie, both looking somewhat shocked and embarrassed, but also smiling at the same time. Philip, with a huge grin on his face was shaking the Showman’s hand, slipping another shilling to him as he did so.
“Right,” said Mr Davis, “Let’s go and get something to eat afore we head home.”
Seated on benches at a long trestle table, they tucked into freshly made hot pies. Nobody said much, but there were many smiles and looks both happy and conspiratorial, with the odd wink thrown in.
Master Philip had written a letter to Millie’s mother explaining how her daughter would glance at William when she thought nobody was looking, and how she would turn away with a smile when William eventually looked at her.
Philip described how William did exactly the same, how he was a kind and hard-working young man, how the two had become friends and grown sweet on each other over the years, but were both too shy to make the first move. William needed a nudge so Philip had come up with the idea of stopping the Ferris Wheel. Luckily it had worked, but it was only the sight of Philip kissing his long-time friend in public that finally gave William the courage to kiss Millie.
© December 2021
[CENTER]Chapter 4 Part 4[/CENTER]
Master Philip never did understand why Morning Calls always took place in the afternoon, but two afternoons later whilst working in his father’s study, he observed Mrs Higson alight from her carriage and climb the steps to the manor house.
She was a fussy, sour-faced woman who looked down on almost everyone simply because her husband was a rich merchant, and they lived in a fine town house with more servants than they needed, just for show.
They had a daughter “of marriageable age” called Esme. Philip had met her a few times and thought she was pleasant enough, but there was no spark between them. Their union would have been a suitable marriage as far as her parents were concerned, but Philip was adamant that he would only marry for love.
A murmur of voices came from the entrance hall. “I shall go and see if Mrs Marsden is in,” said the butler. He knew that she was, but this was proper etiquette. If the homeowner did not want to meet the caller, the message that she/he was out would be returned, and the caller would be sent on their way.
Philip’s mother never refused a visitor, even if she did not like the caller, so Mrs Higson was admitted to the parlour where Sarah Marsden joined her. Tea was called for, and then it began. Mrs Higson was unhappy, and her shrill voice was raised, but Philip couldn’t make out his mother’s replies.
Philip wanted to work, needed to work, but he couldn’t concentrate with the annoying tones of the woman in the next room rattling around his head. He was about to leave when he heard the woman say his name. He would not normally eavesdrop, but his curiosity was piqued, so he quietly opened the door between the two rooms, bringing him out unnoticed, directly behind Mrs Higson.
Putting a finger to his lips and giving a slight shake of his head, his mother immediately got the message and leaned forward as if interested in what the woman had to say.
“ … Well, as you can imagine, I was shocked. Your son, cavorting with not one, but two common maidservants, without a chaperone!”
Lowering her voice slightly, but not very much, she continued. “Now I’m not one to tell tales,” which nearly made Philip snort, “but if it got out that Master Philip was carrying on with women from the lower classes, it could have a disastrous effect on his chances of a suitable marriage. Quite disastrous.”
“How so?” At the sudden sound of Philip’s voice, Mrs Higson gave a cry of alarm and spilled her tea.
“You used the word cavorting. Tell me prey, what exactly did you see,” Philip continued as he walked round from behind the visitor.
Initially spooked by Philip’s unexpected appearance, she began, “I, I, well, I was told you were seen, um, kissing and cuddling with serving girls, in public.” Philip could almost see her climb onto her high horse as she continued in a haughty tone, “Do you not see how that could damage your chances of a suitable marriage to a lady?”
“Told? You mean you did not actually see what happened? Am I to be tried and convicted upon pure hearsay? How monstrous!”
“I am a grown man and have come of age. If you wish to discuss my personal life, though it is none of your business, then you should have the good grace to do so to my face, not come and tell tales to my mother behind my back.”
“As far as I am concerned, a suitable marriage is one where both people love, respect, and trust each other no matter what their status.”
“I pity any woman who has been taught from an early age that their only purpose in life is to marry someone with money, or power, or a title, and must then spend the rest of their lives in tedium with someone they do not love.
“If I am one day lucky enough to marry, I will choose my own wife as she will have chosen me. It won’t matter if I fall for a Princess or a beggar, a Viscount’s daughter or a tavern maid. I will only marry for love.”
“Your comment about a lack of chaperone is quite insulting. A chaperone is only needed where someone cannot be trusted.”
“Saying that I will have reduced my chances of a suitable marriage is absolute poppycock. How can spending a day in the company of several intelligent, interesting, attractive young ladies possibly do anything of the sort?
“As for cavorting, I do not see how holding hands, walking arm in arm, escorting ladies in a gentlemanly manner, or kissing three of my closest friends could be considered anything of the sort.”
“Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do. Good day to you.”
Worried that Philip might see them if he came through the door into the corridor, Millie and Amanda rushed off in different directions to make sure they didn’t get caught because they had been listening outside the parlour as their friend gave the horrible woman a telling off.
Up until then, Amanda still hadn’t been sure if she had been kissed by Philip. It had happened so fast, if at all, and she didn’t want to make a fool of herself by asking Millie or William what they had seen, especially if she had imagined it.
Now she knew it was true. She had seen Philip kiss his friend Charlotte, whom she knew was in love with someone else, and she had been right next to Millie when Philip had kissed her lightly on the cheek after paying off the showman.
Just a few seconds ago she had heard Philip say that he had kissed his three closest friends at the fayre. It was true then, Philip had kissed her atop the Ferris Wheel. She hadn’t imagined it.
Whether he had done it for any reason other than to encourage William to kiss Millie was another matter though. Still, that coupled with the comments about choosing his own wife, and only marrying for love, irrespective of their status had given her hope.
Perhaps one day they could be together.
© December 2021
If anyone is still interested, I have three more chapters in my head, and one on my hard drive that needs to mature for a day or two before a final proof read.
The last chapter is just that, the end of the story (I think) although I have the germ of an idea for another chapter I could possibly expand and slip in between one of the others.
I’m up for reading it Fruitcake 
Thank you for your kind words.
[CENTER]Chapter 5 Part 1[/CENTER]
Cries, shouts, and the crack of a whip striking flesh were so commonplace around the town that Master Philip thought nothing of what he had just heard until Mrs Jacobs recoiled in horror, and pointed behind him.
Mrs Jacobs had been a neighbour and friend of his parents when they all lived in the same terraced street near the canal.
The two families had kept in touch after Albert Marsden had inherited the Knowl Park estate, and they still met up a few times a year. Philip’s friends William and Millie were shopping in the town centre with Mrs Pearson the cook, whilst he was helping Amanda carry a few items she had been tasked to buy as well.
On their way back to meet the others, Mrs Jacobs had called out to Philip when she saw him from across the road, so he and his friend had stopped to talk. Mrs Jacob’s two young daughters, who were eight and ten, were standing politely by their mother as she brought Philip up to date on things in his old neighbourhood.
At the sudden change in the woman’s demeanour, Philip and his friend turned round to be greeted by the sight of a man in his mid-twenties standing over a skinny girl of around eleven who was cowering on the ground at his feet. The man was enraged and shouting incoherently whilst brandishing a riding crop, the girl crying and flinching every time it came near her face.
Philip immediately began to run towards the pair, shouting over his shoulder for his friend to get the girl away as soon as it was safe.
“You will do as I say or you will be out on the street,” bellowed the man.
“Please, no!” cried the girl. “I have nowhere else to go. Please don’t make me”
“You should have thought of that before you chose to defy me,” and brought the crop down onto the girls face in a vicious arc.
The girl shrieked, her eyes screwed tight shut, and held up a hand in supplication attempting to ward off yet another blow … but it never came.
She opened her eyes to see a stranger holding her attacker by the wrist, forcing him to his knees before wrenching the hated riding crop from the man’s hand and throwing it into the street.
The man was bigger and stronger than Philip, but the element of surprised had enabled him to subdue the girl’s attacker.
Nodding first to her, then over towards his friend he said, “Go to her now, she’ll keep you safe.” Then to Amanda, “Get over by Mrs Jacobs, quick as you can”.
The man was cursing and writhing, but Philip had him in a firm grip and had twisted his arm behind his neck, forcing his face into the grass at the same time.
Now it was Philip’s turn to be enraged. He was normally a placid, peaceful young man, but would not tolerate violence against someone who could not protect themselves. In a cold, hard voice, Philip spoke into the man’s ear, “The girl is now under my protection. Do you understand me?
Before the man could reply, another voice began shouting. “What the devil are you doing with my son?
“He attacked me father, without provocation!” lied the younger man.
Philip let go of the son and turned to face the newcomer who was puce with rage, and was trying to angrily strike him with a silver-topped cane.
Philip was swift and easily dodged the middle-aged pot-bellied man’s stick. At the man’s third attempt Philip took the cane, and shattered it against a wall.
“Your son attacked a defenceless child. You should be ashamed of him.”
“She refused to do as she was told so I punished her,” whined the son. She refused to do her work and ran outside, but then this man attacked me.”
Pointing at the younger man, Philip spoke in a barely controlled low voice to the father. “He struck the child with a riding crop as if she was an animal. Her employment is terminated. She no longer works for you, and you will pay her any wages due up until this moment, d’you hear!”
The older man flustered and blustered, saying, “I’ll do no such thing. She chose to leave my employ and I have no intention of paying her another penny.”
“We’ll see about that sir. We’ll see about that.”
Turning on his heel, Philip walked back to where a small crowd had gathered. The young girl could barely stand, even with Mrs Jacobs supporting her.
Amanda spoke quietly to Philip so nobody else could hear what was said. Nodding to the two men, she informed her friend that between sobs, the young girl had told her the son had ordered her to attend him in his room, alone. He had touched her inappropriately a few times when he had been in his cups, and she was terrified about what he would do to her this time.
She had refused to go, saying it would not be right for her to be there with only him present, but he had been insistent and tried to drag her there. She got away and ran outside but was caught and struck in the face by the riding crop.
From where he was standing, Philip could see a nasty red wheal forming on the girl’s cheek, and felt immediate sorrow and pity for her, as well as anger towards her attacker.
© January 2021
[CENTER]Chapter 5 Part 2[/CENTER]
“She can’t go back” Amanda continued, “but what can we do to help?
Walking towards the girl, but stopping a few paces away lest she was afeared of all men, he began to speak in a gentle voice. “My name is Philip, this is my best friend Amanda, this is Mrs Jacobs and these are her daughters Alice and Helen. You are safe now and I give you my word that no one will harm you. What’s your name? Do you have family you can go to?”
“I, I’m Clara Shergold sir. My family live two towns over. My Da can’t work and my Ma takes in washing, but I’m the oldest of six and they can’t afford another mouth to feed. That’s why they sent me away to work.”
When Philip asked how old she was, she replied, “I’m thirteen, sir.”
Everyone in the group was shocked. The girl was skin and bones, short for her age, stunted even, and obviously malnourished. This was not unusual in these times, but it was unusual to see someone working in service so thin.
“Did your employer not feed you?” Philip asked.
“Only whatever was left after they had eaten sir.”
“Good grief, that’s horrible.”
“What will happen to me now sir?” she pleaded.
“Can you walk a little? There is a tea room just around the corner run by a Mrs Beasley.” Gesturing to Amanda he continued, “We were on our way there to meet our friends and our cook for something to eat and drink. You should join us whilst we decide what is to be done.”
“I have no money sir.” The girl said dejectedly. “They made me pay for my food, my uniform, and cleaning things. I never made enough to have any money left over. They even made me pay for the coal I used to keep me warm in Winter.”
“That’s monstrous” Mrs Jacobs said, barely containing her fury.
“You’ll not need any money today,” Philip said kindly, “and I’ll make sure you’ll not be put out on the streets either.”
Turning to Mrs Jacobs and her daughters Philip asked, “Ladies, would you care to join us for afternoon tea?”
“Thank-you Philip, but I need to take the girls home now. I’ll walk with you though if it will help to calm the poor mite.”
“I must say I like your young lady by the way. How long have you been stepping out together?
“Oh, um, we aren’t courting. She is my best friend, strange as that may seem, but we are not romantically involved.”
“Oh, what a shame; I think you would make a lovely couple.”
Once they all had arrived at the tea room, Philip bade farewell to Mrs Jacobs and her daughters before opening the door for the other two girls to enter.
Suddenly it went quiet, then there were hushed whispers as several pairs of eyes swivelled across to the young man in country wear, the maid, and the ragged child in torn and dirty clothes.
The young woman that greeted them was not unkind, but did wonder about the three young people who had just entered. This was once a place for the monied middle classes to be seen in public whilst flaunting their wealth.
Mrs Beasley had for some time made way for the lower classes to eat here, having created a platter of sandwiches and simple cakes with a pot of tea that a group of servants would find affordable. The place had become popular with nannies and servants to the rich as a result.
Master Philip enquired if Mrs Beasley might be available. The young woman went to find her employer, and was somewhat surprised a moment later to see her hugging the young man before directing the small group to a table.
The Marsden family had been customers of the tea rooms for over twenty years and still visited to this day. Mrs Beasley had known Philip since he was a child.
After a brief conversation, toasted tea cakes, a mound of bread, butter, and a large pot of tea with sugar was ordered to be brought out to the trio.
At first the tiny girl was wary, confused, and unsure. Philip picked up a slice of bread and began to butter it. His friend Amanda did the same with the top half of a tea cake. The two friends pointed to the food on the table then to young girl, and began to eat, pretending not to notice what else was happening.
The girl tentatively took a slice of bread. When nobody shouted at her, she picked up a knife and tore the bread as she inexpertly plastered it with a thick layer of butter, before furtively putting it in her mouth and biting off a chunk lest someone take it away from her.
When nobody did, she chewed and swallowed, and did the same again. In seconds she had consumed the whole slice, at which point Amanda passed her the bottom half of her tea cake. The young girl’s face lit up in amazement as she tasted it, and began to wolf down the rest of the treat.
Master Philip leaned towards her and said in a friendly but warning tone, “Don’t try to eat it all so quickly else you will be sick. Nobody is going to take it away, so just slow down a little,” Picking up the teapot he continued, “You should have some hot sweet tea as well”.
© January 2021
[CENTER]Chapter 5 Part 3[/CENTER]
The girl crumpled in a heap and began to sob, drawing disapproving looks from others in the tea-room.
“Oh sir, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what you want from me although I thank you for the food.” With eyes red and an imploring look, she continued, “You appear kind sir but I fear you want something from me that I do not want to give. I am thankful yet terrified.”
At that point Amanda put her arm round young girl, held her tight, and whispered in her ear.
“Philip is my best friend and he wants nothing from you. He saved me once when I was attacked without any thought for reward, and he did the same for you today.”
“He will not harm you, nor will he allow anyone else to harm you. I trust him with my life and my honour. Now eat. Lord only knows, you need to.”
When the girl looked up, she saw the young man talking to the tea-room owner. When he returned, he asked, “Have you ever tasted hot chocolate Clara?”
“I have heard of it sir, but never had it.”
As Philip opened his mouth to speak, the door opened and Mrs Pearson entered followed by William and Millie.
Philip met them just inside the door to explain what was happening, then introduced them to Clara.
She thought the older woman was very motherly, and immediately took a liking to her. The young man was handsome, but seemed only interested in the young woman by his side whom Clara thought was quite beautiful.
The newcomers tucked into the bread and tea cakes, indicating Clara should do as well. It all felt unreal. She hadn’t experienced this feeling of kindness for months since she had left home.
Soon afterwards, mugs of thick, brown, steaming, sweet smelling liquid were placed in front of everyone. The group all picked up their drinks and took a sip, encouraging Clara to do the same.
She almost swooned. It was delicious and she had never tasted anything like it in her life.
Once they had all had their fill of hot chocolate drink and food, Philip asked William to fetch the landaulette in order to take them all home.
Clara decided she had no choice but to go with these people. They had saved her and fed her, yet she knew not what else would befall her, knowing only that it would probably worse if she tried to survive on the streets on her own.
She sat opposite Mrs Pearson, between Millie and Amanda on the journey back, and fell asleep to the gentle clip-clop of the horses as they trotted along for the half hour it took to reach the village next to the Knowl Park estate.
When the carriage stopped, Clara awoke, unsure of her surroundings or what would happen to her now. The girl called Amanda pointed to the Smithy and adjacent cottage, telling her that was her home. A woman came out and greeted everyone before briefly embracing the girl sitting next to her. She smiled at Clara, but said nothing as if it was quite normal for these people to be travelling with a ragged child.
After a short conversation, the carriage was on its way again, passing through a pair of imposing stone gate-posts before curving round a gravelled drive and then stopping in a yard behind a large manor house. Clara was awestruck.
The young man called Philip immediately went inside. The three women stepped down and helped Clara through a door and into a large kitchen, carrying all the things they had bought as they went, while the handsome young man walked off, leading the horses and carriage.
It took Clara three days before she began to believe that she was safe. She had been told by a Mrs Marsden that she wouldn’t be paid, but that she would be fed and kept safe until employment could be found for her.
This was no different than her last ten months of employment, except that she had enough to eat, was never accosted, and never beaten.
A week later, Millie entered the dining room carrying several plates before setting them down in front of the assembled Marsden family.
“Mrs Pearson says to try these with honey, pointing to the pot on the table.”
All three declared afterwards that they were the best pancakes they had ever tasted.
“They are called drop-scones apparently, and Clara made them, Mrs Marsden”
“Well then she is to be congratulated” replied Philip’s mother.
“I have to go to the bank in the next few days,” began Philip, “so I’ll enquire at the two agencies in town if they can place Clara in suitable employ.”
Albert added that he wanted to go to the bank as well to look up some information, but didn’t say what.
He had given up his post as bank manager when he inherited Knowl Park, but to keep himself occupied he had become a trustee and director of the bank, so still had significant influence there.
© January 2021
[CENTER]Chapter 5 Part 4[/CENTER]
Without being asked, Clara had helped out around the large house, feeling that it was the least she could do. When asked if she could cook, she said that she could, but only certain things. “I’m quite good at drop-scones though.”
Mrs Pearson had never heard of them, but watched with interest as the girl made the smoothest batter she had ever seen, skilfully pouring it swiftly into separate thick pools around a large, very hot frying pan, the same one that Amanda had previously used as a weapon against the footman who had attacked Millie.
“At home we sometimes add whatever we can spare to make it go further such as potatoes and swede, or bits of bacon fat, or some scrag end. My favourite though is something sweet like a spoonful of honey if we can afford it.”
Everyone in the kitchen tried the hot, flat pancake-like scones as soon as they were made, and then again with honey, a sprinkling of sugar, marmalade, jam, and anything else sweet Mrs Pearson could think of.
Everyone agreed that honey was the best accompaniment, and Clara was tasked with making a batch the following morning for their employer’s breakfast.
When compliments came back from the dining room, Clara was at first pleased but then quickly became morose. When questioned why she was unhappy, she said that she wished she could stay at the manor, because everyone was so kind.
Two weeks later Master Philip sat down at the kitchen table next to his friend Amanda, and asked Clara to sit opposite, before passing the girl two envelopes.
“Open this one first” Philip began, indicating the thinner one of the two.
With shaking hands, Clara began to read the letter inside, but seemed to be struggling with the content.
“I’m sorry sir, I don’t read too well”.
Passing the letter to his friend, Philip said, “Perhaps Amanda could read it out loud for you.”
After she had finished, the girl asked, “I don’t understand. What does it mean sir?”
“It means you are to start work for Mrs Beasley at her tea rooms next week, helping in the kitchen and serving customers”
“She came here last week to see how you were faring. You were asked to make drop-scones for afternoon tea that day and she tried them. She was very impressed.”
“She lives above the shop and has a spare room where you can stay. The amount written on the back of the letter is how much you will be paid to start with, and if you do well there is the possibility of an increase at a later date.”
“A uniform will be provided at no cost to you. You will be fed, and given half a day off in the week, as well as all day Sunday.”
“If you like, I will help you write a reply. I assume you will want to accept the position,” causing Clara to nod enthusiastically whilst trying to wipe her eyes at the same time.
Whilst Philip had been speaking, the girl had started to cry. She couldn’t believe it. A job, wages, clothes, a room of her own. Everything she wanted, and the possibility that she might be able to give some of her money to her parents.
“Now you need to open this” Philip continued as he slid the bigger envelope across to her. Inside were a number of coins including a few silver ones. It was more money than she had ever seen in her life.
“What is it sir? What do I do with it?”
“My father is a director of a bank, and remembered when he was the manger there that he had arranged to lend a lot of money to your former employer so he could buy his house.”
“Father wrote a letter to the old man demanding payment for your work there, listing the things you were made to pay for, saying this should not have happened and that you should have been paid in full.”
“He then said that if payment was not made, the bank would assume the man was not capable of paying his debts and they would take the house back to ensure they received the money he had borrowed.”
“M’father got a solicitor from the bank to write another letter, a bill, for all the money you are owed plus extra for the cost of replacing your torn clothes.”
Pointing to the money on the table Philip continued. “This is it. The man paid up after a visit from the current bank manager, the chief clerk, and bailiffs.”
“It’s your money. You can keep it, put it in a bank, buy new clothes with it, give some or all of it to your family; anything you like. It isn’t a huge amount, but it is all yours to do with as you will.”
With tears running down her cheeks she rushed round the table and threw her arms round Philip. “How can I ever thank you” Breaking away she continued, “All of you. You’ve all been so kind”
“Just do the best you can at your new job, and above all, be happy. Now, if Miss Prentice isn’t too busy, perhaps she will accompany us to my father’s study so we can write this letter to Mrs Beasley.”
“I’ll get one of the ladies to accompany us tomorrow over to the tea rooms to drop your letter off, and I’ll arrange with my mother for my friends and me to take you to see your family at the weekend so they will know you have a new job and a home where you will be safe.”
As they walked through the house, Philip put his arm around Amanda’s waist and pulled her to him before kissing her on the top of her head.
“What was that for?” she asked.
Philip just smiled and gave her an inscrutable look before opening the study door and ushering the two girls inside.
© January 2021
If anyone is still reading this thread, I have another chapter ready to post as soon as I have proof read it.
I have two more chapters part written, and I have an idea for another one for the ending in my head, plus an Epilogue to tidy up loose ends already completed.