That he could turn on his own family never ceased to amaze her. But Fenton was equally ruthless. ‘What happened?’
‘Tomas showed Fenton the iron toothless saw and explained it was the rubbing action of all the sixteen blades that cut the stone into flat pieces ready to pass through to the polishing frame. He offered to give him a demonstration but even Fenton could see it was a process that couldn’t be hurried. Gave your father a right bol … telling off for wasting his time.’
‘Good. Perhaps he’ll stop interfering in all our lives now, though I doubt it.’
‘Me too, I’m afraid,’ he sighed. ‘But what about you, Cali? How will you spend your time while I’m away?’ he asked.
‘I’ve got to sew those bloomin’ curtains and covers for Fenton’s house. There’s loads of them,’ she sighed. ‘I was trying to work out the costings earlier,’ she told him, gesturing to the paper on the corner of the table.
‘Want some help?’ he asked, picking up on her mood.
‘Thanks, but I can’t get any further until I have the measurements.’
‘Is Emily supplying the material then?’ he frowned.
‘No, Fenton insists on buying some from his merchant in Falmouth. Said it would cut out the middleman. I wanted to hand the costings to the driver when he delivers it, but until I know how much material there is, I can’t, can I?’
‘But Cali, if Fenton is buying the material you can’t charge him for it, can you? Just let him know your rate and then tell him how long it’s taken you to finish the job.’
‘Yes, of course,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘I should have known that.’
‘Pleased to be of service, my lady. Now regrettably, I really must go,’ he said, pulling her close and kissing the top of her head.
‘How long will you be away?’ she frowned.
‘Don’t fret yourself. I shall be back in time for the Cuckoo Fest.’
‘Fest?’
‘Colenso Carne, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten the fair. Why, last year you had me in fits the way you insisted on riding them dobbies. Round and round you went till I thought you’d be sick.’
‘I didn’t realize you’d noticed,’ she smiled, remembering how she and her friend had spent all their money on riding the painted horses. Jenna was working up at the manor now and Colenso really missed her.
‘’Twer the night I really noticed you for the first time. “Kitto,” I says to myself, “that’s the girl for you.”’
‘Get away with you,’ she protested, a warm glow belying her words.
‘Be good while I’m away and I’ll treat you to as many rides as you want,’ he promised, his lips grazing hers. ‘I’ll meet you by the dobbies at 5pm,’ he grinned. Then, with a rueful grin, he turned and left.
‘Was that someone wanting me?’ her mamm asked, peering down the stairs.
‘No, Mamm,’ she replied truthfully. ‘I’m just about to take the bread out of the oven if you’re hungry,’ she added, hurrying over to the range. While the loaf was cooling, she folded the sheet of paper with her costings on and put it in the dresser. She would be sure to mark down every hour she worked and charge the Ferret accordingly.
What was the man up to, sending Kitto all the way to London? Important order or not, it seemed strange for a turner to be delivering finished items. And did he really need to visit the showrooms? Surely it would be more worthwhile for Kitto to spend his time turning the items to be exhibited there. The more she thought about it, the more she was certain Fenton had engineered the trip to get Kitto out of the way. The now-familiar stabbing at her chest only served to reinforce her suspicions.
Colenso and her mamm had just finished their late luncheon when a fierce pounding on the door startled them.
‘Who’s that?’ Caja squeaked, still jumpy after her earlier ordeal.
‘Soon find out,’ Colenso said, snatching up the poker and opening the door a crack. To her surprise, she saw Fenton’s driver standing on the step, and behind him a large carriage almost blocking the lane.
‘Afternoon,’ he greeted, tipping his hand to his cap. ‘Delivery for Miss Carne.’
‘But I wasn’t expecting it until midweek, and then I thought you’d be delivering it in the trap,’ she replied.
‘Well, I ain’t taking it back. Got sent to Falmouth last night so as to collect all this fabric first thing. It needed keeping dry, else there’s no way on this earth I’d risk bringing the carriage down these rutted tracks. Now, I’ll start fetching everything in, if that’s all right with you?’
‘Yes, of course,’ she replied, opening the door wider. Incredulously, she watched as he carried bolts of rich burgundy velvet into the cottage. ‘I had no idea there would be so much,’ she gasped.
‘Ain’t finished yet, Miss,’ he puffed, throwing down another bundle and going back outside. As he began unloading yet more material and boxes, Colenso noticed neighbours had gathered outside and were speculating as to the meaning of the delivery.
‘Started up in competition to Miss Tucker, have yer?’ Mrs Buller called.
‘Won’t be happy if yer poaching her business,’ her companion added.
‘It’s nothing like that,’ she assured them, standing aside to let the driver pass with another box.
‘Think that’s it,’ he puffed, throwing it down on top of the rest.
‘Just as well,’ Colenso muttered, frowning at the bales and boxes that now took up their entire living room.
‘Oh yes, and there’s a note from Mr Fenton,’ he added, pulling a crumpled sheaf of papers from his pocket. ‘You’re to sign this copy for me to give back to him, confirming receipt of …’ he paused and squinted, ‘three bales of burgundy velvet, two of emerald green and one gold, plus two large boxes of fringing. The other copy is for you to keep, along with the measurements.’
‘But that’s six bolts of material,’ Colenso cried.
‘Well, if it’s for drapes, the ’ouse do have lots of windows,’ Dobson shrugged.
‘And you’ve to do the seat covers in the dining hall,’ Caja reminded her. And the bed coverings, she thought, shuddering at the idea.
‘Now, if you could just sign them papers, it’s been a long day.’ Quickly she did as he asked then closed the door behind him and stared helplessly at her mamm.
‘It’ll take weeks if not months to sew all this. How am I going to manage?’ she wailed.
‘More to the point, where are we going to store it before your father gets back?’ Caja replied. ‘He’ll go berserk
