Whistling, running, jumping, laughing too boisterously – all were out. I had to school myself to sit quietly, keep my back straight and my deportment correct. Miss Miller also said I was to keep my thoughts godly, but she agreed that this might be a step beyond my capabilities for the present.
I had started by liking the Miss Millers for their kindness, but as the days passed, I grew to admire them too. I had imagined that they were quiet, retiring sorts, but I was proved wrong. They were running an empire every bit as big as Billy Shepherd’s, though with a far different purpose. Miss Miller corresponded with Quakers in every corner of the country and even abroad as she spread the word about the abolition movement. The cottage was a hive of political activity. The post boy came to the gate every day bearing letters. He and I were soon on first name terms. From what he told me, I was surprised the Miss Millers had any money left, for so much went paying the carrier’s charges.
Their lives had so much more purpose than my own shiftless existence. If only they would allow themselves a little more fun . . .
ACT V
SCENE 1 – CARGO ON THE MOVE
Snow was falling thick and fast as four demure Quaker women descended from a hackney carriage and mounted the steps to a very fine house in Grosvenor Square, whose windows blazed with candlelight. The door opened immediately.
Word had reached Mr Equiano that Hawkins showed signs of leaving England; none of us doubted that he’d try to take Pedro with him. Having decided that I was unlikely to be spotted among so many visitors, it had been agreed that I could risk attending the meeting that night. To be doubly sure, only Joseph was on duty as the most trustworthy of all the staff.
‘Ladies, if you will follow me to the library,’ he said without even pausing to take our street clothes.
As we entered the book-filled room, I saw at once that there were no children playing on the ladders today. My heart ached for the boy who’d taken the trip with me along the shelves. But, though there were some here who might have been game on another occasion, at this emergency meeting of the abolitionists, we all felt far too serious to indulge in horseplay.
The duchess moved between her guests, greeting rich and poor alike with her inimitable brand of good humour. Among the other abolitionists already gathered, I recognized Elias Jones.
‘Pleased to see you in better company, Miss Fence-Jumper,’ he said after bowing to the sisters.
‘Very much better, thanks to you.’ I looked around the gathering – all sections of society were present from peers to paupers, the latter represented in my own person. ‘Talking of company, our cause seems to have quite a levelling effect, wouldn’t you say, Mr Jones?’
‘Aye, miss, that it does,’ he agreed, following my thought. ‘We don’t need a revolution like them Frenchies to bring us together in fellowship. But still, I found it very strange coming to the front door, being used to delivering round the back of houses like this.’
I liked him for his honesty. ‘Me too. It was only Pedro who had the nerve to ring the front door bell when we came for the first time.’
‘Poor lad,’ murmured Mr Jones. ‘I hope we can save him but I fear we’d better pray for a miracle.’
‘Amen,’ said Miss Miller.
Seeing us standing in a corner, the duchess sallied over.
‘I’ve come to thank you for taking in our little stray,’ she addressed the sisters. ‘You’re perfect saints, all three of you.’
‘They have to be to put up with me,’ I said, receiving her hearty kiss on both cheeks.
Lizzie followed her mother, bringing with her someone I didn’t want to see again.
‘Cat, I don’t think you’ve met my very dear friend Milly Hengrave, have you?’ said Lizzie mischievously.
I blushed and curtsied clumsily to Charlie’s sister. ‘Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Hengrave.’
Milly looked straight at me. ‘Good gracious! Do you know you bear a stunning resemblance to my brother’s old room mate? You don’t have a twin by any chance?’
I coughed. ‘Er, no, Miss Hengrave.’
There was an awkward pause, then Milly, Lizzie and the duchess all burst into laughter.
‘I know all about it,’ said Milly, wiping her eyes. ‘Little brother, I’m delighted to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from Charlie. My, how you’ve . . . shrunk since I last saw you in Ireland.’
I relaxed and returned her friendly smile. ‘The real Thomas is going to have trouble when he gets to school if he’s as big as Charlie says. The Latin teacher has him earmarked for all the female roles in classical drama.’
‘And how are you, Cat?’ Lizzie asked. ‘Frank and I were so worried until we received your note.’
‘I’m fine. Only scared for Pedro.’
Lizzie’s smile faded. ‘I know. Syd’s been keeping an eye on the river. He’s got boys posted on all the landing places. When Hawkins does make his move, the key will be to act swiftly to get the habeas corpus from a magistrate.’
‘Where is Syd? Is he coming?’
‘He’s sorry he can’t be here, Cat. He’s got a match. He’s sending one of his boys along.’
The abolitionists began to take their places in the circle of chairs prepared for them. As the crowd thinned, Charlie and Frank came over to greet me.
‘Miss Bennington-Smythe, a pleasure as always,’ said Frank, bending over my hand a little stiffly.
‘How are the scars?’ I asked.
‘A trifle compared to what your persecutors got. I am pleased to report that the planters were soundly beaten.’
‘The Prince of Wales was most displeased,’ chipped in Charlie.
‘Oh? I thought he rather relished the sport.’
‘He did. But when he found out what it was about, he placed a wager on the planters with Mr Sheridan.’
Mr Equiano appeared at my shoulder and placed a welcoming hand on my arm. ‘His Royal Highness favours the pro-slavery cause, you know, like the rest of the royal family,’ he said levelly.