From Cornwall with Love

Chapter Thirty One - Secret Cache

Men arrived at Nampara to work on the secret cache in the library. I leant against the doorframe eating an apple as I watched, only to be joined by Ross.

"Nothing will happen till night fall." he told me

"Cause that will make the blindest bit of difference." I threw my apple away and made my way upstairs. Nightfall came and they started digging. I could hear them as I sat in the kitchen with Demelza and Prudie.

"What can I do? It will be another week or so before my inheritance is released. I can't beg for it or earn enough. I can't dig for it or tell him not to dig not that he'd listen. What use am I?" I downed another glass of rum.

"I've know Cap'n Ross since he were a whelp. Since his mother died. She was a good soul, an' a wise, an' I know what she'd say" she took my hand in hers

"What?"

"She said he'd met his match." she told me sternly

"That was true once, but now I'm to tired and it feels like I'm his torment." I sigh leaning back in my chair

"And she'd say serve him right. "

"I could crown him, and he scarcely knows I'm here. Let alone the children." There was a knock at the door and Prudie stood up "Prudie don't answer it." I sent her back and opened the door.

"Charlie. You scared me I thought you were the gaugers." I breath a sigh of relief

"Why would they suspect a gentleman's house, Ma'am. I've come with a message for Captain Ross." I nodded

"Stay here I'll go get him." I head into the libabry

"Ross you have a visitor." I tell him and he looks back seeing Charlie.

"Charlie!" he comes out and I close the door "What is it?"

"Mr Trencrom says if you wish to write a letter to Mark Daniel in France, do so. I'll see it gets aboard when the one and all sails" he relayed. Ross wrote a letter and sent it away with Charlie biro terming into the library. I went up to bed and fell asleep but was awoken by Ross' return. I turned over and let out a small sigh running my hand up and down his arm but he never moved.

------

I brought in the turkey and sat it down on the table. I kissed Henry's and Rebekah Grace's head. It was small but would feed the household in this somber time of year.

"It seems war is inevitable." Ross commented

"Merry Christmas to you too Ross."  I grumbled sitting down between our children

"Pitt's called out the military. The French are in Antwerp." he placed up

"Gravy." I pushed the jug forward

"What?" I gave him an exasperated look "Oh yes thank you." he cut the turkey

"I invited Dwight to join us?" he stated

"Oh." I replied as he gave the children their slices of turkey first.

"He declined."

"Probably for the best. A family meal is what is needed I think."  I try to make conversation.

"I expect he's meeting Caroline."

"I expect he is." Prudie and Demelza enter.

"A letter from Mr Trencrom." Prudie handed it over as I helped Rebekah Grace by cutting her food into smaller pieces

"And Miss Caroline sent you and the children these." Demelza set the boxes down

"How nice. We will have to thank her later, won't we?" I chime. Henry tucks into his as I help his sister. Demelza and Prudie leave us