The Cornish Dressmaker by Nicola Pryce

Author:Nicola Pryce
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Books

Chapter Twenty-five

Fosse Monday

4th July 1796, 6:00 a.m.

Gwen was waiting for me on the top step. As we hung up our cloaks, I showed her the bruise on my wrist. She looked horrified, tears springing to her eyes. ‘Ye made him that angry, Elly. Nathan’s a good friend to Tom and Tom knows how much he loves ye.’

‘Or was it because he’ll lose the yard?’ I never wanted to quarrel with Gwen. I loved her and I loved Tom, or rather, I loved the brother I had known.

She was clearly distraught. ‘Course not. It’s because he saw ye kissing that man. Why, Elly? Why go kissin’ one man when you’re as good as engaged to another?’

‘I’m not engaged to Nathan and never shall be. I can’t marry him no matter how good he is or how much he loves me – anyway, he won’t want me now.’

‘Oh, but he does, Elly, he’s forgivin’ ye. He says the beer was too strong an’ William Cotterell forced himself on you. He still loves ye.’

I stared at her in horror. ‘Gwen, he can’t…I don’t want him to. I’ve written and told him…I made it quite clear.’ She turned, biting her bottom lip and the same icy hand gripped my heart. ‘Tom did give Nathan my letter, didn’t he? He did deliver it? Gwen, answer me!’ By her silence, I knew the truth and fury filled me. ‘William Cotterell did not force himself on me. I’m in love with him – I wanted him to kiss me.’

She gripped the side of the chair, sitting quickly down. ‘No, Elly, no! Ye don’t know what ye’re saying. The man’s trouble – he’s hated. How can you love him when he fights an’ brawls? Elly, ye must stop this. It’s not the yard – I don’t give tuppence fer the yard – it’s the man himself.’ She took hold of my hand, kissing the deep purple bruise as if to make amends.

‘Tom had no right to open my letter. It’s hateful…How dare he not deliver it? William’s intelligent and kind. He’s got high morals and he’s honourable. I love him, Gwen. I love him more than I can tell – more than anyone.’ My cheeks were burning, tears of anger filling my eyes.

‘You can’t mean that! He’s blinded ye, Elly…ye need to see him as he really is. It’s like he’s bewitched ye – closed yer eyes to his real self.’

How could she speak like that of a man she had not met? ‘I know I’ve hurt Nathan…but William’s not how you think. He’s polite and charming – he’s kind and generous…He wrestles…but he doesn’t fight. You just don’t know him – when you know him, you’ll see him as I do.’

The colour drained from her face; she looked haunted, her hands trembling. ‘Tom hates William…Nathan says William’s not to be trusted…Elly…it’s like I’m losing ye and I don’t like it. We can’t quarrel…we must never quarrel…I want ye there with me…’ She clasped her walnut birthing charm tightly in her hands.

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