‘No!'
‘But yes,' said Phineas, and Ross's fists clenched at his smug tone. ‘And just to make sure she does not change her mind, she will sign a contract to that effect. I am sure that will be time enough for me to teach my errant daughter the ways of the Lord.'
‘I'll be damned if I let that happen,' declared Ross. He held out his hand. ‘Charity, come with me now. Let me take you back to Allingford-'
Phineas snarled. ‘My daughter may leave this house, Durden, but if you try to accompany her I will have you shot as an escaped felon.'
‘He will leave here alone.' Charity spoke softly, but with conviction, her words falling into the tense silence. ‘I have given you my word, Phineas, and I will adhere to it, as long as you keep to your side of the bargain. Perhaps...' She rose. ‘Perhaps you will allow me a few moments alone with Mr Durden.'
Hannah gave an exasperated cry. ‘Ungrateful hussy, how much more do you expect your father to grant you?'
Charity turned on her. ‘You will have seven years of my gratitude, madam. Is that not enough?'
‘Still so proud, still so insolent,' declared Phineas, shaking his head. ‘Say your goodbyes here and now, madam, or not at all.'
Ross watched them in silence, afraid that whatever he might say would only make things worse for Charity. He was still raging inside. Quickly he assessed the situation, wanting to sweep her up and carry her out of the house. Phineas and Hannah would have to be overcome, then there were at least two men in the hall. High odds against a successful escape, but not impossible.
Charity came towards him and he reached for her hands, pulling her close as he lifted them to his mouth.
‘Come with me,' he whispered.
She gave a slight shake of her head, moving closer so that only he would hear her whisper.
‘I am giving you time to find the evidence against Phineas. Pray God it will not take long-'
Phineas came towards them, saying angrily, ‘Enough of that. What are you saying to him?'
He dragged her away. Ross's fists came up, but a word and a look from Charity kept him from attacking the magistrate.
‘Your horse is at the back gate,' said Hannah, glancing out of the window. ‘Go now, while you still can.'
‘Yes, go, and quickly,' begged Charity. She gave him a last, wavering smile and her lips moved silently over her final words.
I love you.
Phineas opened the door. ‘Rigg shall escort you to the yard.'
The constable and his assistant came in and grabbed Ross by his arms.
‘I will be back for you, Charity,' he said as they marched him out of the door.
Phineas laughed. ‘An empty promise. If you show your face in Beringham again, sir, I will have you arrested for highway robbery. Oh, and, Durden-my offer to buy Wheelston still stands. Perhaps you would like to sign it over to me now. That will give you a little money to take away with you.'
From the doorway Ross stared at him, his lip lifting in contempt.
‘I would rather it was forfeit to the Crown.'
‘And so it will be, now that you are an outlaw. No matter, I think I have sufficient standing with my fellows to make sure I can get it eventually. Take him away!'
* * *
Phineas closed the door and as silence fell over the room, Charity moved to the window. It was a moment before Ross appeared, but then all too soon he had crossed the yard, mounted his horse and was gone.
There was a rustle of papers behind her.
‘Time for you to carry out your part of the bargain,' declared Hannah. ‘Come here and sign this.' She added with evident satisfaction, ‘It is the indenture for seven years' employment.'
Charity came slowly towards the desk. She signed her name on the paper, and when the constable and his assistant came back Phineas called upon them to witness it before sending them on their way.
‘There, it is done,' declared Phineas. ‘You are mine now, daughter. This is the Lord's will. I had given up on your soul, but clearly He thinks you may still be saved.'
Charity ignored his gloating voice and glanced out of the window. The sun was still high and Ross would have plenty of time to get away. She knew Phineas would keep his word over this at least. His plans for her required her co-operation. She was to humble herself-nothing less than her total humiliation would appease her father.
Oh, Ross, please God your naval friends find damning evidence against Phineas and you can rescue me very soon!
‘And don't look for Durden to come back for you,' sneered Phineas, watching her. ‘His fine words count for nothing. He is a blaggard. He will most likely go off to sea and never be heard of again. But mark me, daughter, if he does come back then I shall make sure he hangs.'
‘Our bargain was that you would let him go free,' said Charity. ‘If you do anything to harm him, I shall make sure that everyone knows what has gone on here today-do not forget how popular I am, Phineas.'
‘But not for long. You are the audience's favourite at the moment, but how long do you think that will last, a year, two? Pah! They will have forgotten you by the winter. Then no one will give tuppence for your accusations.' He continued softly, ‘And I think it is time you started calling me Father, don't you?'
‘Never!'
He laughed. ‘No, perhaps it is a little late for that. Then it must be "sir". What think you, madam wife?'
‘She should call you "master",' declared Hannah. ‘After all, she is nothing more than a servant now and should be treated as such. I shall have an attic room prepared for her. With a lock on the door, in case she thinks to give us the slip in the night.'
‘I have given you my word,' said Charity coldly.
‘And you have signed yourself over to me,' added Phineas, holding up the paper. ‘I think now perhaps you should write a little note to Sir Mark, explaining that you have seen the error of your ways and decided to come home to your loving father and stepmama.'
She shuddered at the thought, but she sat down at the desk and pulled a sheet of paper towards her.
‘I should write to Hywel Jenkin, too,' she said. ‘He will need to cancel my benefit night at the end of the week.'
‘Benefit night?' said Hannah. ‘What is that?'
‘It was a special performance he was going to put on, where all the proceeds would come to me.'
‘Well, you are giving up the stage,' Phineas told her. ‘Your days as a symbol of lust and wantonness are over. From now on it will be a plain gown, and as for your hair-' He reached into a drawer and pulled out a large pair of scissors.
Charity's blood ran cold as he advanced towards her. Hannah laid a hand on his arm.
‘Wait, my dear, let us not be too hasty. This...benefit night, how much does it make?'
‘What?' Charity could not take her eyes from the shears clasped in her father's hand. ‘Oh, it varies. A full house could bring in several hundred pounds.'
‘Husband, I think we should let little Charity perform her benefit, do not you?'
Phineas shook her off.
‘The theatre is an abomination,' he raged. ‘It is a den of vice and iniquity. My daughter shall never again-'
‘Yes, that is all very well,' replied Hannah tartly, ‘But the proceeds would go some way to pay for the cost of keeping her here.' She paused. ‘She might also announce to the audience her retirement and repentance for her wicked life. Think of that, Phineas, a public admission of her sin. All of Allingford would know of it, and a goodly proportion of Beringham people would be there, too, I have no doubt.'
Charity felt sick at the very idea, but she was watching Phineas put the scissors back in the drawer.
‘Yes,' he said slowly. ‘A very public renunciation of the theatre, from its principal player. I shall write your farewell speech-'
‘You shall not!' retorted Charity angrily.
‘Very well, I shall oversee it,' he conceded, ‘but you will include a few lines of my choosing. And before you refuse, madam, reflect that it will give Durden more time before I levy hue and cry against him.'
Charity bit back a furious retort. A few extra days could make all the difference. At best it would give Ross's friends time to act upon the letter she had written out. At worst, Ross could be safely out of the country by then.
* * *
‘Well, my dear, this is it. Your final performance.'
The curtain had just gone up and Hywel was standing in the wings with Charity. The past few days had been agonising. Phineas had allowed her to return to Allingford to rehearse and put her affairs in order. There had been no news of Ross and, although she did not believe he would desert her, Phineas's declaration that he would save himself and leave her to her fate remained at the back of her mind. After all, even if Phineas was charged with treason, Ross would still have to stand trial for highway robbery, if he came back.