‘And you are mistaken. He is utterly respectable,’ she said blandly. ‘He and his troupe. Is there any ham?’
‘No, I ate the last of it at midday,’ murmured Jane, frowning as she watched her. ‘Where is your wedding ring?’
Rebecca had given no thought to what to tell Jane about giving away that precious piece of jewellery and knew that she had to be careful how she answered because Jane had dearly loved her brother, Giles, and she had it fixed in her mind that Rebecca had felt the same and would never want another man. ‘What would you do, Jane, if you met a young married woman with a child whose husband could not afford to buy her a wedding ring?’
Jane fixed her with a stare. ‘You haven’t!’
‘I thought it was what Giles would want me to do. He so wanted a child, as did I, but we were not as fortunate as you,’ said Rebecca, her voice uneven.
Jane’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I prayed earnestly that God would grant you the gift of a child, but it was not to be. Yet my brother loved all children and would want what was best for them.’
‘I so agree,’ said Rebecca. ‘How well you knew your brother’s generous spirit.’
‘So who is this woman you have gifted his ring to?’
‘Her name is Tabitha and I would like you to meet her,’ said Rebecca. ‘She is married to Ned, one of the travelling players.’
‘A travelling player’s wife!’
‘I know exactly what you think about travelling players. I felt the same when Phillip Hurst first told me that was his dream. I thought he was quite mad wanting to write and act when he could earn a good living shipbuilding in his father’s yard. But now I have seen him disguised and acting out several parts, I admit I was wrong. I can assure you, Jane, his troupe is well worth watching.’ She bit into the bread and butter, chewed and swallowed. ‘Phillip has also performed before the king.’
Jane sighed. ‘I am not sure Giles would have approved of his ring being worn by a player’s wife. Did Simon know Master Hurst was a player and not a shipwright?’
Rebecca did not immediately reply, but took a larger bite out of the bread and chewed in a manner that suggested that she was thinking deeply about the question. In a way she was vexed that Jane should still refer to the ring as belonging to Giles when it was hers to do with as she wished. Yet she knew how difficult her sister-in-law had found it, accepting the loss of her beloved brother. ‘She is a mother just like you, Jane. Is that not more important? Phillip spoke to Simon and so it is likely that he mentioned his way of life whilst I was taking care of the children. They appeared quite easy in each other’s company.’ She dropped her voice. ‘So much so that your husband told Phillip that he had seen a ghost. Of my father, would you believe?’ Her throat felt suddenly tight, remembering her father’s bouts of anger when he would tell her to get out of his sight.
The children glanced up at her. ‘Papa didn’t mentioned a ghost to us,’ said Elizabeth, her eyes widening.
‘You weren’t supposed to hear, Big Ears!’ said Rebecca, having forgotten the children were there. ‘I deem your father is working too hard and his mind played tricks on him.’
Jane looked worried. ‘I’m sure you’re right. He won’t listen when I tell him that he should be taking life more easily now. I suppose having a young family makes him feel he must work as though he was in the first flush of youth. Still, it’s very odd that it should be at Minster Draymore that he sees a ghost of your father. I remember your brother telling me that your father was born there.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Anyway, we’ve digressed. Your wedding ring—’
‘You say Father was born there?’ interrupted Rebecca. ‘Davy never mentioned that to me. I wonder what else he hasn’t told me,’ she added crossly.
‘I think you would like Master Hurst, Mama,’ interrupted Margaret as she licked butter from her fingers. ‘He has a face like one of the statues that Papa sculptured and placed in the garden.’
Jane said sternly, ‘Are you saying he looks like a Greek god? I’ll never understand why your father should wish to sculpture such images. Anyway, you obviously believe I am impressed by outer appearances. Let me tell you both that too many young ladies have been misled by handsome men, believing they are as good on the inside as they are on the outside. I hope you are listening to this, too, Rebecca!’
Rebecca cut herself another slice of bread. ‘I’d have trouble not listening, Jane. But don’t you consider it a mistake to judge a man purely by his appearance? Anyway, you have yet to meet him. Why don’t you go and see him in the play this evening?’ she suggested as if this was a sudden thought.
‘Certainly not!’ said Jane, shaking her head.
‘Mama, you should go,’ said Margaret, resting an arm on her stepmother’s chair. ‘He was kind to us and so were the rest of the troupe, especially Tabitha. They don’t have much money and you could give them some for their performance.’
Jane looked surprised. ‘So you like this Tabitha?’
‘She takes care of the troupe, washing, cooking, sewing,’ said Rebecca, glad that her niece by marriage had brought up the subject. ‘But now that winter will soon be here, a wagon is hardly the best place for a baby; besides, there will be less work for the troupe. I was wondering…’ She paused and bit her lip.
Jane stared at her. ‘You wondered whether I would hire her in place of Maud?’
Rebecca smiled. ‘How clever of you to read my mind. I’m certain you would find her more than satisfactory. She’s good with children and you know how they tire you out at the moment.’
‘That might be so, Rebecca, but why should I have need of someone to look after the children when I have you living here? I thought you enjoyed their company.’
Rebecca knew that she shouldn’t feel annoyed by that comment. After all, she had a roof over her head and food in her belly and it wasn’t costing her a penny to live here. But she worked hard for that privilege and although she was thanked for what she did and received several gifts a year, there were times when she felt put upon and wanted to kick over the traces. Regardless of these feelings, she knew that she had to be careful how she worded her response to Jane’s question if she were to help Tabitha. ‘I was thinking that Tabitha could step into my shoes if I wanted to spend some time with my brother. Giles was truly dear to both of us, I know, so I am sure you understand my need to see Davy now and then.’
Jane’s brown eyes filled with tears again and she reached out and touched Rebecca’s arm. ‘Of course, I understand. I suppose the least I can do is to go and take a look at these players and Tabitha. But how will I recognise which one is Master Hurst when I have never met him?’
‘I could go with you,’ said Elizabeth eagerly.
Jane glanced at Rebecca. ‘Well, what do you say to that?’
‘It is not a play for children.’
‘I see. Then you’d have to come with me and as there is no one to care for the children in your absence, it seems that is out of the question.’
Rebecca so wanted to see Phillip in the play again that she said swiftly, ‘I shall go and fetch Maud and I will pay her myself if necessary with the money that is over from that which Simon gave me.’ She did not wait for Jane to agree, but hurried from the house.
When Rebecca returned, she told Jane that Maud would be with them within the hour. ‘Just enough time to allow me to change out of my travelling clothes and wash away the dust of the journey,’ she said.
‘I can see you’re determined to have your way!’ Jane pushed herself up from the table. ‘You will have to carry a stool for me to sit upon, Becky,’ she warned. ‘And we will come away if there is aught of which I disapprove.’
‘Of course,’ said Rebecca, smiling warmly. ‘I would not expect you to stand