The Guinea Thief - Chapter 8 - Rosie and John Get Married

On the morning of the wedding the sun sparkled on the sea. A flock of geese wheeled in the sky, preparing for their long journey south. As Delphine stepped into the street she felt the warmth of the rays on her skin.
George was sulking at the front of the gig with Robert. Neither was bothering to speak. Delphine was in the back with Eliza, two kegs of brandy and a pound of tea, which Eliza had insisted on bringing as a present.
“It’s a lovely day for a wedding.” Said Eliza
“Yes it is.” Said Delphine.
“At last you’ll get to meet the rest of my family. My brother John and his wife Eve, their boys and Jack of course.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone.”
“It’s going to be quite a do you know. John and Albert both run taverns, so there’ll be plenty to drink tonight. And dancing too. You make sure you enjoy yourself.”
Delphine smiled. “It is long time since I dance. It was not possible in our town.”
Eliza tutted. “Not possible? Well that’s not right. How are young people supposed to get together if you don’t dance. It makes no sense to me, none at all.”
“The Revolution has many rules that makes little sense.”
“Ah the Revolution, I don’t know much about why it happened, and I can’t say I understand what it was all about, but I do know all these years at war have been bad for us. It’s just not safe for Jack to come home right now. The Impress have been desperate for men all Summer. They’ve been stopping boats as they come into harbour and taken the men before they even land.”
“The Empress?”
“They take our boys and force them to join the Navy.”
“Oh. C’est terrible.”
Indeed it is quite terrible, we nearly lost him last year, that’s why he’s over there on the island, it’s a place the Impress don’t dare to go.
When they got to the quayside at Langstone, Robert jumped down and went into the Royal Oak. A few moments later he came out, followed by Jack.
“We can leave the gig here. Jack’s got a boat ready to take us across, if we waited for the tide we’d be here all day. Jack give the ladies a hand to get down while Georges and I sort out the parcels.”
“Hello.” Jack held out his hand and grinned.
Delphine turned and smiled. “Jack.”
“How are you?”
“I am pleased to see you.”
“Are you now? Well it’s lovely to see you. Here take my hand and jump down, we need to take a boat across to the island.”
As she held out her hand she noticed it was trembling slightly.
“Your turn Aunt Liza.”
“Off you go and help Robert unload. I don’t need you to help me get down, I’m not as old as all that yet.”
Jack smiled. “But it’s not because you’re old, it’s because the stones here are so uneven I don’t want you tripping and falling off the wall and into the sea. It’ll spoil the dress.”
Eliza smiled back, chuckling. “Is it now. Hmm, well I don’t know you seem to have an answer for everything.”
While Jack pointed out the landmarks to Delphine – the black water mill, the Castle and the Church at Warblington, Robert and Georges loaded the boat with the presents and their bags. Soon they were ready to make way. Pulling together Jack and Robert rowed the boat swiftly across the half mile stretch of water to the island. Tethered to a post was Star and a cart. Soon this too was loaded up and they made their way the two miles down leafy lanes to the Maypole.
The tavern was buzzing when they arrived. The Cooper boys were all splendid in their Sunday best, teasing Jack that he had five minutes to change or he’d miss the whole thing. Maggie was already waiting in the church and Rosie and Albert were driving the long way round to the Church past the Manor House in order to kill some time.
Jack excused himself and ran upstairs, moments later Eve joined them.
“Eliza, Robert, so good to see you. John’s just finishing off the laying out of the straw in the barn. He’ll be riding to church with John Junior. Do you mind if I come with you in the cart and the boys can take the gig down. It’s all a bit of a rush at the last.”
“Luke come here and take these bags so we can make some space for your mother. And get Matthew to take these presents and put them in the barn for later.”
“Yes Aunt Eliza.”
Soon the jobs were all done, Jack was back in his best coat and breeches and a splendid red waistcoat.
“This is new?” said Eliza as Jack got on the cart.
“Eve made it me. For the wedding. John’s asked me to be his best man. She said that meant I got to have something a bit special. John’s got one too.”
Eliza nodded, she looked pleased. It’s very nice. She reached over and took Eve’s hand.
“Thank-you, you’ve really looked after him.”
“Aunt Eve, this is Delphine the French girl I told you about.”
Eve turned to Delphine.
“Hello, I’ve heard lots about you. You’ll have to promise to come and talk to me properly later when we have a moment.”
Delphine nodded, finding herself unable to speak.

Soon everyone was assembled in St Mary’s, as Rosie and Albert stepped inside the murmuring ceased and the organ swelled to fill the rafters with music. Rosie’s beautiful hair tumbled down around her shoulders, with a dainty ring of flowers weaved around the crown. She looked so pretty the congregation could not help but smile and nod as she made her way to the altar, where John stood looking as pleased as punch to be here on this day, with this girl.
Delphine was disappointed that she could only see the back of Jack’s head as he was in the front pew and Delphine was a few rows behind. But she consoled herself with the thought that she would be with him the rest of the day, and it promised to be a good one.
The wedding feast was held in John and Eve’s barn on the farm and the barn had been festooned with white ribbons in celebration. Lanterns were hung around the sides of the barn, in preparation for the evening ahead. Three rows of trestle tables were set across the width of the far wall, jugs of beer and cider were strategically placed on them so no-one was ever more than a yard from a drink. The older members of the families settled down to feast, gossip and reminisce. The younger ones raced around outside the barn unable to sit still until thirst drove them to a stop. Eve, Maggie and Eliza had found a comfortable spot and were deep in conversation liberally oiled with Geneva. Robert, Albert and John were putting the world to rights at the opposite end of the table. Albert had not stopped smiling all day.
“It’s really good to see you at last. Would you like to dance?”
Delphine curtsied. “Thank you.”
Jack took her by the hand and led her into the centre of the room. The fiddler was playing a jig.
“You look lovely.”
She laughed kindly, “Merci, you are most charmant.”
Jack held her hands and together they danced. The music was too fast for them to say much. Up in the rafters two little girls faces peered out looking at the dancers below. Jack waved at them.

Jack and Delphine stopped dancing and made their way back to the table to join Eliza.
“Robert is teaching me English. It was very hard when I was first in England. It is so different here. “
“Robert says you are learning very fast. And you’ve taught Eliza to use garlic. That’s a first.”
She laughed.
“Robert bought it for me. Eliza had never used it before. She didn’t know what I was talking about.”
“I’m so glad you came to England. Since I came to Hayling I have worried about Eliza. She likes to keep busy, but there’s not much for her to do. She needs company.”
“Really? She seems so set in her routine, to be honest I have felt in the way. Before I started working I never really knew what to do with myself. When we get back after the Wedding I’m be the new Rosie at the Red Lion. Albert says he will make a fine serving girl of me!”
Albert looked up from the other end of the table.
“What’s that you say?”
“She says you are going to make a fine serving girl of her.”
“Indeed I am young master Jack. So don’t you get any ideas about distracting her. I don’t need anyone else to be dragged over to this god forsaken island. John tells me that the whole island is here at the wedding, it doesn’t look that many people to me. Lad I have no idea how you stand all the peace and quiet. You’re a city boy, don’t you miss the hustle? The Point never sleeps, but it looks like this place has never been awake. You can’t possibly spend the rest of your life milking cows, surely?”
Jack laughed. “Don’t worry Albert, I haven’t grown roots yet. But to be honest I do like it here. More than I ever thought I would. I don’t really miss the Point, if truth be told. The air is not the only thing that’s a bit purer here.”
Albert nodded. “Aye lad. But don’t you be getting no ideas now for this young lady. She’s a real asset to my establishment already, so don’t you be stealing her away.”
Delphine blushed and sat down to hide her embarrassment. Amused Jack went to join Albert for a moment.
Eliza placed an arm around Maggie.
“You’re really going to miss Rosie, aren’t you?”
“I can’t quite believe she’s not going to be coming home with us to be honest. I know it sounds terrible but there’s a part of me that wishes she wasn’t ever going to leave me.”

“I know it’s hard to let her go. But she won’t be far.”
“I know, but I’ve always dreaded the day I come home and find that she’s not there. Don’t you still miss Jack?”
“Every day. You spend all those years worrying about them and suddenly they’re gone. I don’t think you are ever really ready.”
The two women smiled sadly and nodded. It was a fact of life, but that didn’t make it easier to bear.
Jack returned with two glasses brimming with home-made cider. “Drink this up and then I think it’s time for another dance don’t you?” Jack said.
As they danced Delphine felt more free than she had done in years. The Revolution, the Terror and the War melted away, until all that was left was the feeling of being in Jack’s ams moving to the music. She could not remember ever being this happy and wished this moment would last forever.
Jack too had waited a long time for this moment. When he had heard that Delphine was living in his old home he had wanted to jump on a horse and see her immediately. It had taken more than a little of Eve’s gentle common sense to persuade him that being dragged off into the Navy would be the only sure outcome. On the day of the Midsummer fair, the one day he was able to go to Portsmouth and be sure he was safe, he was bitterly disappointed to find she had already gone out with her brother and some French Count. All day he had hoped to bump into her, but she was nowhere to be seen and he had gone home with a very sore head and knuckles from a fight he had managed to get himself into with a man who looked like a count, but who turned out to be a butcher from Basingstoke.
At last now she was here and he could hardly believe his luck. She was even prettier than he remembered her long blonde hair flecked with gold, a delicate blue muslin gown which showed off her figure to perfection and matched her periwinkle blue eyes.
“Tell me, what do you remember of the first time you saw me?”
Delphine laughed. “Your stomach growling like a dog!”
“Oh.”
“It’s true, it was so loud, I thought perhaps you hadn’t eaten for a long time. But Papa told me it was just the sea air.”
“Oh yes, I remember your soup smelled so good, that’s when I realised how hungry I was. But I forgot about the growling stomach. I remember your smile, your eyes and the way you move. The way you swish your skirts. Eliza doesn’t move like that.”
“She doesn’t?”
“No. Don’t worry it’s good, I like it. I came to see you on the day of the Fair, did Eliza tell you?”
“Yes, she did. I was with Georges. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I was planning to surprise you both. But I guess it didn’t work. She said you were with some Count?”
“Ah yes, the Comte de Bercy. He is a friend of my brother.”
Delphine looked at Jack and smiled gently.
“He is also un idiote. He thinks I am stupid and will fall for his charmes like some silly girl. Don’t worry I’m not a silly girl.”
Jack smiled, “Good. And I’m not worried I already know you’re not, your reputation precedes you I’m afraid. Rosie has told me all about you!” The music stopped, “Let’s go outside. I need to cool down a little.” Jack held out his hand, Delphine took it and followed him outside. Jack led her towards the orchard to the south of the tavern.

Delphine leant against the bark of the nearest tree, she could feel beads of perspiration running down the back of her neck. Delphine lifted her hair to cool off a little, Jack raised his hand to hers and led her further into the trees. Fallen apples lay scattered in the grass, their shining red skins bruised and spoilt.
Jack reached into the branches and plucked an apple from the tree, “This is one of my favourites. It’s a Pondew Platt, I know it looks a funny shape, but it tastes delicious. Those over there are our Redstreaks - cider apples, great for cider making, but they don’t taste so good. The ones over by the house are Eve’s cookers – Blenheim Orange’s. She makes a wonderful Eve’s Pudding with them.”
“Eve’s Pudding? What’s that?”
“It’s like a cake with apples baked inside. I thought it was named after my aunt, but she says it’s named Eve because it’s made from apples.”
Delphine looked blank.
“You know, Adam and Eve and the tree of good and evil? Eve is tempted by the serpent with an apple from the tree of knowledge? One bite and all the sins of the world were unleashed.”
“Ah, oui, l’arbe de bon et diablolique. Je le connais.”

Jack reached up and plucked an apple from the tree.
“Here try one.”
“Are you tempte me?”
“No, it’s just an apple. Here, I’ll have one too.
Delphine took the apple, Jack bit into his and Delphine did too.
The firm crisp flesh gave way to an intense sweetness. Juice dribbled down her chin, before she could wipe it away Jack reached out and did it for her. His touch was electrifying. Delphine looked into his blue eyes, his blond curls framing his face, taking his hand she brought it to her lips and kissed the fingertips. Jack’s hand rested there, unable to move for a moment.
He stepped closer, dropped his apple to the ground, buried his hands in her hair and pulled her towards him.
“I was beginning to think it was all a dream and I would never see you again.”
Jack’s left hand brushed her face, “but now you seem very real to me.” The velvety softness of her cheek was so inviting he leant in towards her and kissed her lips, tenderly and softly at first then more urgently. The kiss seemed to last for hours.

“Delphine! C’est toi?” a voice rang out in the darkness.
Delphine froze. “C’est Georges.” She whispered.
“Don’t answer, it’s too dark for him to see us for sure. Go back as quietly as you can. If he asks where you’ve been say you were in the kitchen with my Aunt. Over there is a path that leads past the stables to the back of the tavern, he shouldn’t see you. I’ll go over and distract him. Go, go now.”
Delphine nodded. “I’ll see you inside?”
“Yes, I won’t be long. Trust me, you’re brother doesn’t scare me.”
“Jack. Be careful, you may not be afraid of Georges, but I know him, and after some of the stories he has told me, he scares me.”

Delphine sat down quickly next to Eliza, trying to appear calm. A trickle of perspiration prickled the back of her neck. Luckily she had to chosen to wear the light muslin gown, so it felt almost as if she was wearing nothing at all compared to the heavy silks she had worn in France.
Eliza handed her a glass of cider which she gratefully accepted.
“Everything alright?” asked Eliza.
“Yes, I’m fine, I just needed to get my breath back after all that dancing.”
“You’ll wear yourself out if you keep up at that pace. Have you tried any of the sweetmeats? Maggie and Eve have been baking for days.”
“No, I haven’t eaten a thing. Too busy dancing!”
“Here let me get you a little something, or you’ll waste away. And don’t leave that chair, you look as if you’re about to faint. I think Jack will keep you dancing till dawn if you let him.” Eliza patted Delphine’s hand and went to fetch the sweetmeats. Soon she was back with a plate piled high with goodies. Delicate pastries glistening with sugar, nestled against great hunks of bread and cheese, and jostled parcels wrapped in bacon for space on the plate.
“Try these, they’re my favourite. Angels on horseback.”
“What’s that?”
“Oysters wrapped in smoky bacon. The oysters are my brothers own. When I was a girl I lived on oysters. So delicious.”
“You were lucky.”
“Weren’t I just. That first year of living in the city was hard I can tell you. So what do you think?”
“Pardon?”
“Of the angels.”
“Ah, delicieuse.” Delphine savoured the taste it ahd left in her mouth. The smokiness of the bacon and the tangy saltiness of the oyster combined explosively in her mouth.
“It is like the sea and the land, together in one mouthful.”
Eliza laughed. “And mind you not an ounce of garlic in sight tonight!”
“Now try some of the cheese, it’s been smoked with wood from the cider apple trees. We make it every year after the cider harvest is in.”
Delphine bit into the cheese, it’s creaminess gave way to a more subtle smokiness than the bacon had.
“Have some bread and butter with it, it brings out the creaminess. Eve is very proud of her cows. They’re from Guernsey you know, extra creamy milk.”
“It’s really good isn’t it?”
Delphine looked up, it was Jack speaking. Delphine used her eyes to ask if everything was okay. He nodded and she smiled in relief.
“Jack’s been living like this for the past year, no wonder he’s filled out. In fact I’m surprised you recognized him at all.”
“Liza, I haven’t filled out. I’m just the same.” Jack looked at Delphine.
“Do you think I’ve changed?”
“Well, vraiment it is hard to say. Your face it looks the same. But your body, well I think it has changed a little.
Delphine pointed to his arms and chest. “Especially ere.”
Jsck grinned. Delphine smiled back. “But you smile, that is definitely the same.”
“Well to be sure I think it’s less the food, as you are also an amazing cook Liza. It’s the work. I’m out in the fields all day long. It’s hard labour really it is. I hadn’t realized how easy a life I had at home, until I came here. Here everyone has to muck in on the farm, catch the fish, collect the crabs, milk the cows. It never stops. Not that I’m complaining, I do really love it. And the work doesn’t stop in the winter either. Robert has kept us busy all winter long.”
At that moment Robert appeared at his side.
“I haven’t seen you all night. It’s about time you stopped bothering delightful Delphine, and came over with me and the boys. We’ve a little business that needs taking care.
“Excuse us ladies.”