Page 16 of The Seaside Homecoming
Claire asked, “Have you any money? You would need to purchase coach fare. I cannot pay for us both and still have enough left to invest in the partnership.”
“Da’ takes most of my wages, but I have a bit put by. How much would I need?”
“I went to the Crown this afternoon. The fare to London will be at least ten pounds inside and seven outside, not including baggage fees and meals along the way. And then there’s the fare from London to Devonshire.”
“So much! I can ride outside. And we could pack a hamper of food to save money. I’m sure Mrs. Kerr will oblige us.”
“She left this morning.”
“Oh.” Mary hesitated. “Well, Mr. Campbell is a good sort. He won’t mind.”
Claire nodded. “That will help, although food shan’t be our greatest expense. You go and fetch every farthing you have, and I will do the same. Bring it to my room and we shall count it all and pray for a loaves-and-fishes miracle.”
They met again a few minutes later. Setting aside the fifty pounds for the partnership, Claire counted what remained of the money she’d brought with her, the interest Mr. Dumfries had given her, and Mary’s meager pile of coins. Her heart sank. Even with their funds combined, there was not enough.
“Please, miss. If I havena enough, I’ll pay ye back. I promise. Don’t leave me behind, I beg of ye. I need to get away.”
The tears pooling in the girl’s eyes dissolved Claire’s reserve. She patted Mary’s hand. “Let me see what I can do. I have one more idea.”
Would God forgive her for what she was contemplating? Aunt Mercer certainly would not.
Claire had never stepped foot inside a pawnbroker’s shop before, although she had certainly passed them on occasion. Following directions from Fergus, Claire approached the nearest such establishment, identified by three golden balls dangling from a wrought-iron bar over its door. The sign beneath readDuncanson and Edwards, Pawnbroker.
When she entered, the smell of dust and disuse met her. The proprietor looked up from a display case filled with jewelry and watches, silver spoons, shaving mugs, silk stockings, and more.
“Good day, madam. I am Mr. Duncanson. How may I be of service?”
Embarrassment heated her face, but Claire forced herself to set aside her pride and approach the counter. “I find myself in need of funds. It’s something of an emergency or I would not part with it.” She laid the cross pendant and chain on the man’s counter.
He raised a glass to his eye and studied it, then asked, “Loan or outright sale?”
“I would dearly love to retrieve it one day. What are your terms for such an arrangement?”
“Ten percent interest per month. After the first month, the interest rate doubles. If you return for it, pay back the loan plus interest, it’s yours. If you don’t return within a year and week, it’s mine to sell as I please.”
Claire pressed dry lips together. “I understand.”
“I canna give you what it’s worth, but I could lend you fifteen pounds.”
“Is that all?” Incredulity flared. “That’s a real ruby!”
“Afraid so.”
She was tempted to refuse until an image of Mary’s distraught face appeared in her mind’s eye. She swallowed, then asked, “And you will keep it safe?”
“That I will, madam. Store it proper and all.”
“Very well.”
He wrote out a ticket and handed it to her.
She did not tell him she needed the money for a journey, nor how far she intended to go. He might assume she’d never return for the necklace and sell it tomorrow. She had no idea whether or how she would ever be able to claim it, but at least this arrangement meant it was possible. To sell it outright so soon after inheriting the gift would seem even more wrong. Either way, Aunt Mercer would not be pleased.
The woman had told her the cross was her way to heaven, but at the moment, Claire would settle for Sidmouth.
The next morning, Claire and Mary rose early and hurried to the Crown. From there, they traveled by Royal Mail from Edinburgh to London. The fast, sleek mail coach carried four inside passengers and a few more on top. For safety and propriety, she had purchased inside fare for Mary as well.
Claire wore her only carriage outfit, the same one she had worn upon her arrival in Edinburgh two years before. Meanwhile, Mary wore Sunday best and a shabby straw bonnet, and helped Claire with the baggage and food hamper.
