Joshua had awoken Jim and Jenny, taking them to the water closet to show them how to work the chamber pot and the tub so Jenny could help Demelza. After they assured Joshua that they could handle it he left for Jenny to help Demelza get cleaned up. Jenny picked out a frock and under garments for Demelza. She then helped her up out of bed and up the stairs. Demelza asked "Jenny where are you taking me?" "You will be the first to use the new water closet, it is wonderous and will save time in emptying the tub and slop buckets." Jim had the fire going and was heating the water for the tub. He had already added two buckets atop the tub and was heating two more. Jenny told him to add the other bucket and half of the last. She felt the tub water Jim had done a good job at keeping the water from getting too hot. Jim left and Jenny explained how she could use the chamber pot, Jenny put water into the empty bucket and dumped it into the pot, Jenny told her Mister Joshua said that doing that helps push the waste to the underground cave. Helping Demelza to get undressed she noticed how bruised her body was, her heart hurt for her Mistress, how anyone could do that to a person was beyond her. What made it even worse was that Demelza was the least deserving. Jenny helped Demelza to wash her hair and back. She combed her hair while Demelza finished bathing. She helped Demelza out of the tub then showed her how to release the water, so they no longer had to drain it bucket by bucket. She helped Demelza to dress.
When they exited the water closet, once in the hall she asked Demelza which room would be hers. Demelza said, "you should ask Mister Joshua," Jenny replied, "No Mistress, Mister Joshua told me to ask you which one you wanted?" Demelza looked at them all and decided she wanted the one that looked out over the ocean. Jenny then told her that the farm workers and herself was to move her room up there for tonight. Demelza stood in the hallway she could look down to the large dining room much like Twenwith. She realized she could look across and see Ross's and the master bedroom. It was really going to be a grand house when it was finished. Mistress Elizabeth will be sorry she didn't wait it out for Ross! Mister Ross came out of his room and saw Demelza standing there. Ross smiled "Demelza are you ready for some breakfast?" Demelza shrugged her shoulders and turned to let Jenny help her down the stairs," Ross frowned, he had no idea how he was going to get her to talk to him again. Jenny helped her into the kitchen and Joshua grabbed her hand and said, "I am so glad you are up but are you sure you are well enough to take this trip?" Demelza told him, "I think I need to be there for my brothers they need me now more then ever, now that father be in jail." Joshua nodded and told her, "We will do all we can to help them after all they are Graces step nephews!"
They heard hooves outside and a knock at the door. Ross and Dwight came into the kitchen while Jenny was making eggs. Demelza got up and went to the cupboard and got items to make porridge, knowing she wouldn't be able to chew. Jenny told her to sit that she would make it, but Demelza told her to continue what she was doing. Demelza made enough for all of them knowing any left would go to the farmworkers coming in to move her room. She got some oranges out and cut some into slices and then squeezed some for juice. Soon everyone was sitting eating their meal. Dwight said "Demelza how are you feeling, do you think you will be able to stand sitting that long." Demelza smiled and said, "like I told Mister Joshua, I don't have a choice. If the boys need me, I will have to stay with them," Joshua and Ross both exclaimed at the same time "NO". Demelza let it drop she didn't want to get into it now she would have enough to argue about once they were there.
They had just finished when they heard the coach. Demelza was distressed because Jenny had so much work to do by herself. Joshua assured her that if Jenny did not get everything done it wouldn't be the end of the world and she could always finish it after. The three men and Demelza went out to the carriage, Dwight taking the seat beside Demelza. Joshua sat across from Demelza and Ross was across form Dwight. Ross glared a Dwight and Dwight smirked at Ross. Joshua smiled and thought to himself, his son is only fooling himself.
The ride was taxing for Demelza she was still very sore from the beating. After about an hour she fell asleep. When she woke up her head was leaning on Dwight's shoulder, and he smiled down at her. "How are you feeling" he questioned? She told him "Sore." He then looked at Joshua and said, "could we stop and let her stretch her legs?" Demelza didn't notice the black mood Ross was in until he said, "maybe she would not be so stiff if you didn't have her neck bent while she slept!" Joshua gave Ross a side glance and said "Demelza would you like to stop?" Demelza looked out the window "how much longer until we are there?" Joshua said, "about another hour." "Let's continue on, getting in and out does not do me any favors," she said. Ross was watching Demelza for any signs that the trip was causing her pain. There was a couple of times the coach jerk and shook as it hit holes in the dirt track. Dwight was also watching for any signs of distress. Finally, Demelza said, "would you two quit watching my every move, I am having a hard enough time trying to calm my nerves without you two," Joshua laugh roared, "well it is nice to know that Dwight is concerned for your well-being, as he asked me if after May, he could possibly court you, if you are willing." Ross gasped and then glared at Dwight who just shrugged his shoulders at Ross.
They sat in silence in the coach Joshua, Dwight and Ross noticed that Demelza didn't answer Joshua's question. Demelza didn't answer but she was deep in thought. She was enjoyed being friends with Dwight but to form an attachment to him she wasn't so sure. Not that he wasn't handsome, but he wasn't Ross. Then there is the fact that he and Ross was friends, she would not be like Elizabeth and marry a man she didn't love, that is not what she or her mother had wanted. Then what happens if they get to the boys and finds out she needs to stay there to take care of them. No matter what Joshua or Ross said she would stay if her brothers needed her. They reached the outskirts of Illugon. Joshua asked where her father's house was. She said if they go up to the next turn to the left then go down four rows of houses and then make a right the house sixth down is her fathers. Ross rapt on the roof of the coach and repeated the information for the driver. Demelza was worried about how she would be received because most of the people were related to each other her uncle's wives were on either side of her fathers and they never treated her mother as part of the family. The coach stopped, Ross got out first and then Dwight. They were gaining a lot of attention from people on the street, people came from their houses to stand outside and watch. Joshua touched Demelza's hand, "we are here for you child don't worry." She nodded and Joshua got out of the carriage. Then Demelza took a deep breath and descended beside Joshua. Her Aunts were the first to see her and ran up and started to scream at her "HOW DARE YOU SHOW YOU FACE HERE AFTER HAVING YOUR FATHER AND UNCLES BUT IN GOAL. YOU ARE THE MOST UNGRATEFUL THING THERE ..." he Ross stepped forward and said, "do you not see her face; she had broken ribs and bruises that no woman ever should endure, and it was your husbands and their brother that did that to her." The older aunt not to be deterred said "she deserved it leaving like she did. LOOK AT HER PUTTING ON AIRS ACTING LIKE A LADY, HER MOTHER WAS NO DIFFERENT." Joshua stepped forward and said "you will not speak of my dear wife's stepsister like that, she was a loving and caring woman! She brought Demelza to me to keep her safe from those who would do that to her. I can see now that she had more concerns then just her husband mistreating her." Demelza spoke for the first time, "where are my brothers, Sam came out of the house, "I am here sister." He looked at the people in the street and said "do you not have anything you could be doing instead of berating my sister? Come sister let us go inside." A constable had arrived and asked Joshua who they were and what their business was. Joshua said "I am the children's uncle whom their mother entrusted her daughter. We are here to see what is happening with the boys since Tom Carne beat his daughter within an inch of her life." The constable knew of Tom's temper and how he treated his wife and daughter. He told Joshua he would stay around in case any of the citizens gave them trouble. Then he told everyone to go home.
Demelza and her escorts went into the house. As the boys came to her, she introduced them and told their ages. Drake almost five came running to Demelza, he didn't seem to mind her bruised face, the men wondered why but did not question her at that time. Then William or Willie came to her and hugged her tightly. Demelza told them he was seven, she pointed to Luke who was fifteen and Sam who was fourteen. The middle two boys Bobby thirteen and James who eleven were at work in the mines. They were led into the kitchen and was seated at table. Demelza asked "Sam is there any tea?" Sam shook his head. We don't have much here sister. Dad spent his last check at the kiddley you know how it was. Demelza nodded. Joshua touched her hand. He looked at Sam and said, "we are here to discuss what would be best for you boys?" Luke said "what would be best is if they would hang that no good father of ours. I am sorry to see what he did to you sister." Demelza reached over and touched his hand.
Joshua saw how attached the younger to brothers were to Demelza they clung to her. Drake had not moved from her lap and Willie hung on to her side. Demelza looked at Sam "if I stay here to take care of you is there enough to survive on?" Luke spoke up "I have moved in with a family that daughter has promised herself to me. I do give some money to Sam, but it is very little and as you know even with Bobby and James it isn't enough for Sam to care for all. You would just be an added burden. Demelza gasped! Sam said "Sister, he doesn't mean it way it sounded, it is hard to meet the needs." Joshua said "We have various employment opportunities. We have a mine we can employ you at. We have a boatyard in Falmouth that I can give you employment at. Come live with us or you can live in a cottage that is on the estate." Luke spoke up "I am not leaving." Joshua nodded you are old enough to make your own decision you are making your own money. Joshua said "we can take the younger ones to live with us? In fact, any of those that want to come with us is welcome. Sam said it would be up to the middle two if they want to go, I will take that job in the mine. Bobby has shown and interest with working with his hands, but I don't know if he could live on his own. Joshua said don't worry about that the other partners there I am sure would let him live there and guide him. "That leaves James," said Sam, "he is more of a farmer type he takes after you sister he loves working out in the open and taking care of animals." Joshua said, "could use someone like him on the farm. Joshua says, "Sam, take my son Ross to the mine and see if you can bring the boys home so we can get this settled. When Sam and Ross leaves Demelza gets up and starts to clean the kitchen after wiping the table down, when she stands next to the pail the dishes are in, she starts to faint Dwight jumps up and grabs her. He asks Luke where the nearest bed is. While Dwight is laying her on a mat of straw. Luke asks, "what is wrong with her is she with child?" Joshua yells "WHAT" scaring the two youngest. Dwight tells Luke she is still weak from the beating your father and uncles gave her. Luke shook his head "father never did treat her or Mam right, is she going to be, okay?" Dwight kindly said to the boy "she will be." Luke went out and finished cleaning the kitchen. Then he got the slop buckets, dumped and cleaned. It made the house smell a little less. When Demelza woke she went to get up and Joshua told her to stay put she should rest before they return. He looked at Luke and said can you go and get us something to eat and drink or is there somewhere we can all go she needs to eat. Luke takes the money and tells him he will be back shortly. Drake and Willie seeing their sister resting lay down beside her holding her hair.
When Ross comes, he sees Demelza laying on the palette, he shouted "what happened?" Dwight said, 'she is still weak from the beating she took; she should be in bed." Sam asked, "Where is Luke?" Joshua said we sent him to get food," Sam said, "I better go and help him, pardon me for asking but how much you gave him?" Joshua said "why?" Sam sighed "even though he dislikes our father he is the most like him he would take food out of those twos mouth if he could. Joshua told him to go. Demelza woke up as Sam was leaving and saw her middle two brothers James and Bobby while Bobby hugged her James held back. Demelza ask "what is the matter James are you upset with me?" James shook his head tears came to his eyes and he said, "did father do that to you?" Demelza nodded and James broke down in sobs, Mam told us not to tell Pa anything about you, because she was afraid, he would hurt you. I am so sorry." "Why", said Demelza? "I was the one who told him about the wedding at Twenwith," James said. Demelza motioned for her brother to come to her, "James it is not your fault please don't be upset it will be okay.' Ross thought to himself her heart is so good, she is so generous with her forgiveness.
Sam and Luke came back, Luke went to give Joshua the leftover money and Joshua told him to keep it, after all he was his nephew. They ate and it was decided that Bobby wanted a chance to work in a boat yard, James said he would like it very much to work at Nampara, Drake and Willie would move into the house with Demelza, and Sam said he would like to work at Wheal Leisure. Sam asked if he could live in a cottage since he didn't want to live in the big house since he had lived this long by himself, he said he would pay rent. James said if it was all the same to Sam, he would like to live with him and he would help pay the rent. Joshua said they would talk about the rent later. Sam, James, and Bobby were sent to gather their and the youngest clothes which wasn't much just a change if that of I'll fitted clothing. Joshua told Luke to go and get his aunts, once he was out the door, he turned to Demelza and said, "do not say a word, I am making the decisions for these boys it is obvious to me that they have not been helping and they have no say now." Demelza nodded. When her aunts came in Joshua told them, "I will be taking the boys except for Luke who tells me he has a fiancée that he is staying with, to Nampara. They will be given positions if various area of employment. The younger two will stay with their sister in our home," The sisters said, "in the house of sin." Ross said "There is no sin in the house, but they will be given plenty of care and love as my mother would have wanted for her stepsister's children. Now you can leave!
YOU ARE READING
True Love
Roman d'amourWhat if Grace and Demelza's mother were step sister. Ross still is betrayed by Elizabeth and and Francis but the story is different for Demelza and her brothers. Joshua lives. Winston Grahams characters but a different story.
