The Guinea Thief - Chapter 11 part 2 The New Moon at the Half Moon
By Netty Allen
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Jack was halfway through his meal when he heard the door open and turned to see who it was. He was surprised to see it was a familiar face.
“Matthew!”
Matthew’s face didn’t change, he looked grim.
“Jack. Good to see you.”
He went to the bar and fetched a beer, then came and sat down with Jack.
“Delphine? Is she with you? Is she safe?”
“Yes, we got here about an hour ago. It wasn’t the easiest of journeys. Are you here for the horse?”
“Yes.” Matthew took a sip of his beer. “It is good to see you. “
“You just said that.”
“Sorry. I’m just relieved that at least you are okay.”
“What’s happened?”
Delphine stepped out of the bath and slipped the robe over her shoulders. A fire burned brightly in the grate and she lay down on the bed, stretched her limbs out languorously out and dozed in the warmth like a cat in the sunshine.
A knock at the door roused her from her slumber. She had no idea how long she had slept. She sat up and and pulled the robe tightly around her, it must have fallen open in her sleep.
“Entree!”
Nothing happened. Delphine stirred herself, aggrieved that she would have to move from her comfortable position on the bed. She opened the door just enough to see who was on the other side. It was Queenie.
“Sorry I didn’t know whether I could disturb you but I’ve got those clothes for you. “
“Oh merci madame. Thank-you.”
Delphine took the bundle of clothes with both hands and prayed that the cord around her waist would ensure that the robe would not fall open again. She expertly closed the door behind her with one foot and dropped the clothes onto the bed. Queenie had provided clean undergarments, old but not yet worn out; a heavy winter petticoat and a simple grey woollen dress. Delphine put on the undergarments, carefully tying the ribbons tightly together as the corset was a little larger than her own. Next she tied the petticoat firmly in place, it had been a long time since she had worn such old fashioned clothes. Even in Brittany fashion had moved on to much simpler and lighter empire line dresses. Delphine pulled the dress over her head and the coarse wool scratched her skin. She wished she could have just one of the lovely dresses that Eliza had made for her. But she knew that she should be grateful as anything was better than the foul smelling clothes that lay discarded on the floor. Sighing resignedly and trying not to itch, Delphine hoped that her freshly washed soft pink skin would soon get used to the rough fabric. When she had finished dressing she realised that one crucial item was missing. Queenie had not given her any shoes. Looking over at the mud encrusted boots she had been wearing the past two days Delphine felt crushed. She hadn’t thought to ask if she could have a pair of shoes, of course it was lot to ask,. She had assumed that there would be some, but not many people would have a spare pair of shoes that they could just give away. She considered pulling on the thick woollen stockings but the coarseness of the thread and the warmth of the fire and the weight of the petticoat convinced her she would manage without for a while. So dressed, but barefoot, she stepped out into the corridor to find Jack. She knocked on his door but there was no answer and guessed he must still be in the bar. Unlike her room the flagstones here were cold to the touch and she quickly moved on to the door that led to the bar.
At the far end she saw Jack deep in conversation with another man whose back was turned towards her. She was not certain who it was, but he seemed familiar. She padded silently across the floor and reached the two men without either of them hearing her. Delphine took the empty seat opposite Jack and the two men glanced up. Delphine curled her feet underneath her, to stop them feeling cold. Now she recognised Jack’s companion, it was his cousin Matthew.
Jack took in the old fashioned dress, her natural beauty radiating through the dowdiness of her clothes.
“How do you feel?” he asked.
“Much, much better.”
“Good.”
“Hello Matthew.” said Delphine.
“Hello Delphine.”
“Matthew’s just been telling me what happened after we left.”
“And?” Delphine glanced down at the floor and asked the question that was boring a hole in her head. “Captain Davy. How is he?”
Matthew looked at Delphine, his face spoke volumes. He sucked in his breath and tipped his head slightly to the right.
“It’s not good news I’m afraid.”
“No, I didn’t think it would be. I was just hoping it might. Was he in much pain?”
“No I don’t think he was. He told Fred that he couldn’t feel anything.”
Unable to contain himself Jack interrupted them.
“Robert’s been arrested.” he said.
“What!?”
“The excise found him with Davy in the church. Fred had gone to get the priest from the rectory to give him the last rites, but the excise got there first. Fred saw the soldiers and sent the priest on alone and waited to see what happened. A while later Fred saw Robert led out of the church his hands bound and two excise men were carrying Davy’s body. Fred gave no sign he was there, and as soon as he could he went back to the mill to find us.” Said Jack.
“Attends. Slow, slow. I cannot understand.”
“Robert was found with Davy in the church and they think he shot him.”
“Mon Dieu. Where is he now? What will they do with him?”
“Luke was down by the shore keeping watch on the Antigone, he told us that Robert and Davy were loaded onto the boat and they slipped the mooring and headed west towards Portsmouth. What happened after that we aren’t sure. He might be in Portsmouth gaol, he might be on one of the hulks, he might be locked up in the dockyard. They may even have taken him up to Winchester. We just don’t know yet. John and Albert are trying to find out. Being found with a dead excise man covered in blood is hard to explain away. They'll be charging him with murder, you'll see.”
“But he didn’t kill Davy, Georges did.” Said Jack.
“Georges did it?”
“Yes. “
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Delphine was there. She saw Georges do it.”
“I didn't know that. Delphine tell me what happened?”
“We were riding along the beach to warn you that the Antigone was coming back. A man on horseback came riding towards us. I saw it was Georges and I shouted out to him but it was too late, he pulled out his gun and shot Davy and then he tried to shoot me too. I have to tell everyone what really happened. I have to tell them that Robert didn’t do it, that they’ve made a mistake.”
“Delphine right now the excise have no idea that Georges or you were there. If you tell them Robert didn’t do it, they will want to know how you know. You’ll have to explain why you and Georges were there and that it was your brother who killed Davy. But if you do tell them this, we could all hang.”
“But this is not fair. Robert didn’t kill him. We have to stop it somehow.”
“How?”
“I will tell them that Georges and I were meeting our father. That it was dark and he did it thinking he was protecting my honour. That it was a mistake. I don’t have to tell anyone you were there.”
“And they will believe you; a French girl, a French outlaw and a smuggler. Quite a pretty party. Do you really think they will just say, oh sorry we were wrong and let Robert go?” asked Matthew.
Delphine looked at Jack, pained by his lack of support.
“I don’t know. He is good at disappearing, perhaps they will never find him.”
“The only thing that will save Robert is if Georges confesses. He would have to give himself up. Otherwise they will hang Robert. I don’t even think they will care much that they have the wrong man, as long as someone is at the end of a rope for this.” said Matthew
“Georges will have to tell them he did it. He is cleverer than us, he will be able to think of a plan. He must.”
Matthew regarded Delphine and she squirmed under his steady gaze.
Delphine tried to appeal to Jack.
“I will go to Georges and tell him what has happened. I am sure he will help. He must.”
“You really think Georges would do that? I know he is your brother, but he doesn’t seem the sort of person who would put his neck on the block for anyone. “
“The revolution changed him, he became a soldier. He had to change. But he has not always been the man you know. “
“And you really think you can persuade him to come back and save Robert’s life?”
Delphine put her head in hands, slowly shaking her head she said, “Vraiment. I don’t know if I can persuade him. But I have to try. I cannot just accept that Robert must die for something my brother has done.”
“But if Georges does as you ask, he will hang.”
Delphine looked up and drew her fingers away from her face.
“Oui. Je le sais.” She sighed. “But if he doesn’t..............so will Robert.”
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