Tide of Fortune by Jane Jackson

Author:Jane Jackson [Jackson, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780709074335
Google: yE4EPgAACAAJ
Amazon: B009AW26WE
Publisher: Accent Press
Published: 2012-09-12T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Kerenza crawled up from the oblivion that had eventually engulfed her after some unpleasant dreams during which she was either fleeing from unidentifiable terrors, or desperately searching for something she couldn’t name, something that remained always just out of reach.

She was dimly aware of a sound that wasn’t the usual creaks, bells, thuds, squeals, footsteps, and shouts that went on day and night: a sound that was rhythmic, demanding, and growing louder.

She forced her eyelids open and saw, in the light through the gap above the door, surroundings she didn’t recognise. Where was she? Then memory flooded back. She was in Nick’s cabin, in Nick’s cot. But there was no time to dwell on the fact, for what had woken her was an urgent knocking on the door.

‘Yes?’ Her throat was dry, voice husky. ‘Who is it?’

The door opened a couple of inches. ‘It’s Broad, miss,’ the steward said through the gap. ‘I’m some sorry to wake you, but the baby been crying this past half-hour and Mrs Woodrow says that if someone don’t do something, then she’ll have to because ’tis never right.’

Kerenza propped herself up on one elbow and rubbed her face to banish sleep and bring herself fully awake. ‘Has Lady Russell called for help?’

‘No, miss. And I didn’t like to take it on myself to go in. But –’

‘I’ll come at once. How long have I slept?’

‘’Bout four hours, miss. ’Tis almost dinner time. I’m some sorry to have woke you, but –’

‘No, it’s all right. I’ll be just a minute or two. Would you ask Billy to bring hot water to Lady Russell’s cabin?’

‘Billy’s doing the slops, miss. I’ll bring it myself.’ There was a note of relief in the steward’s voice as he closed the door.

Kerenza pushed back the blanket and swung her legs over the edge of the cot. Splashing her face with the last night’s cold water, she put on her green muslin. Quickly unbraiding her hair, she brushed it out then pinned it up in a neat coil. Then, rummaging in her trunk, she found a high-waisted jacket of dark green wool with long, close-fitting sleeves and a standing collar. Blessing Minnie for packing it, she put it on and buttoned it up.

The circumstances of the previous night had been exceptional, so had her dishevelled appearance. There would be no excuse today, and no allowance made, especially by Betsy Woodrow. But what really frightened her was that Nick had seen her at her most vulnerable. She could not allow that to happen again. Control over her appearance signalled control over her emotions. If she were neat, tidy, and properly dressed, there would be no hint, no clue to betray the seething turmoil inside.

As she left the small cabin, Billy staggered down the passage carrying the slop bucket.

‘All right if I do yours, miss?’ he piped, tugging the hank of fair hair that flopped over his forehead.

‘Yes. Then come to Lady Russell’s cabin.’ Kerenza knocked on Judith’s door. ‘It’s Kerenza,’ she said as she opened it and went in.

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