Maggie's Child by Glynis Smy Page B

third day, another glut of chestnuts changed the atmosphere and they laughed as they collected a half pail between them.
    ‘I am in favour with cook with the last batch. With this lot I have won my right to a larger slice of plum pie.’ Dukes rubbed his stomach and Maggie laughed.
    ‘Men. All they think about is their stomach. My husband claims I cannot cook yet eats everything I place in front of him. He ate a large apple pie to himself once and claimed it was only fit for pigs.’
    ‘Apple pie, plum pie, give them to me any day of the week.’ Dukes laughed with her. Maggie was relieved their friendship was back on track.
    Jacob had a full purse handed to him on the last day of the week, and he threw a few coins across the table.
    ‘Buy the shoes the missus instructed you to buy, and some ribbons for your hair. Tidy yourself up a bit. The money is good and you ain’t going to lose it for me.’ He put a few coins in the tin on the mantle. ‘The rest I will invest in the farm. There is more than plenty there to keep the house running, and a draft for me now and then.’
    Maggie knew the farm would not see a penny of her earnings. It would be handed over in cock fights or the tavern. She said nothing.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 9
    November 1856
                   
    The days had drifted into weeks. Maggie and Jacob rarely saw each other and it suited both parties. Jacob did attempt to claim his bedding rights one evening, but she reminded him if she became pregnant they would lose their extra money. This fed his greed and he willingly rolled off her body. Relief was great for Maggie she could not risk losing her time with Nathaniel.
    Maggie had been praised by the Arlington family, enjoyed the company of their servants, and now she had been invited to stay for an evening meal with Alice Summers. They had become good friends and enjoyed discussing many subjects while Maggie fed Nathaniel.
    She mentioned the invitation to Jacob and his only concern was his own evening meal.
    ‘Lizzie will take care of your needs,’ she reassured him.
    He stood with his back to her; spitting apple pips into the fire, one arm leant against the mantle. Maggie despised his slovenly ways.
    ‘She often does,’ he leered. ‘When you are lugging dead flesh around in that ugly body of yours, she takes care of my needs.’
    ‘There’s no need to be coarse, Jacob. I am fully aware of your relationship with Lizzie. You mind she doesn’t cast her eye elsewhere.’ Maggie was furious at his statement. Both Stephen and Dukes had shown her how a man should treat a woman. Maggie resented Jacob and his rough ways more and more.
    ‘Hold your tongue, woman. Forget my supper. I will find comfort with a decent meal at Cross Keys. You, good lady, will stay here and not go anywhere tonight. I will inform the house you are indisposed, and cannot join nanny- no- friends for a cosy supper. She was only asking you to look down on you. Her chance to play lady of the manor. Laugh at you behind your back, their sort do you know. I will save you from being fooled. Who would want you sitting at their table anyway? Think, idiot woman, your face is enough to turn the milk sour.’
    Maggie slammed down the pot she was holding. The tinny sound resonated around the kitchen. Jacob had gone too far. He was insulting, plus he was removing an opportunity for her to hold Nathaniel. For the first time in their marriage, she fought back with words.
    ‘How dare you. Alice Summers is my friend. We enjoy each other’s company and besides, I have to feed Nathaniel.’
    ‘Raise your voice at me, would you?’Jacob rushed to her side, and the atmosphere was tense. ‘Feed, Nathaniel? Listen to you. A bastard of a child, left under a bush and you are worried about him over me?’He grabbed her hair from behind and pulled her neck back. He spat in her face and twisted his ankle around hers. The action caused her to fall to the