‘Very well, if that is what you’d prefer,’ she said stiffly.
‘Shame on you, Ruby!’ Miss Fox suddenly scolded. ‘This poor girl’s just found her mother and already you’re asking her to call you by another title!’
‘Oh, Foxy, don’t be angry with me,’ Ruby implored with tears sparkling becomingly on her lashes and instantly Miss Fox softened.
‘Oh very well. If you’re going to turn on the tears …’ she said grumpily. ‘But now I’m heading off to the kitchen to see what’s for supper. Would you like me to show you to your room, young Kitty, while I’m at it? You’ll probably want to have a bit of a wash and brush up after your journey before we sit down to eat.’
Kitty glanced at her mother for permission and when the woman gave an almost imperceptible nod she rose and followed Miss Fox from the room. When they’d gone, Ruby reached for the box of fine chocolates she had been enjoying before they arrived.
As Kitty followed Miss Fox up a wide curving staircase she couldn’t help but feel a little flat. Her mother was every bit as beautiful as she had always imagined she would be, but her greeting had lacked real affection. Kitty had always dreamed that when they finally met, there would be tears and hugs – and the fact that her mother had asked her to call her Ruby or ‘Aunt’ had also hurt, although she supposed she could understand the reasons behind it. It would be very difficult for Ruby to present everyone she knew with a daughter they had never even known existed, whereas presenting them with a niece was far more believable.
They reached a long landing and turning to the left, Miss Fox threw open a door and said, ‘This will be your room, dear. I hope you will find it comfortable.’
Kitty’s eyes shone with pleasure as she looked around. This was truly a room fit for a princess. The wallpaper was pink and white, the heavily fringed curtains were a deep pink, even the rugs on the floor were pink – but the bedspread on the magnificent four-poster bed was patterned with roses. There was a dressing table boasting a large mirror with a dainty little stool in front of it, and also an armoire and two chests of drawers in the same wood. Kitty thought it might be rosewood but wasn’t sure. She loved it nonetheless. The same pink curtains that hung at the window framed the bed and it was just the prettiest room she had ever seen.
‘I think you’ll find Mabel has unpacked your things and put everything away for you,’ Miss Fox told her.
Kitty looked shocked. ‘But I could have done that myself.’
‘No need to while you’re here, young lady. That’s what we have maids for,’ Miss Fox told her with a grin.
Kitty shook her head. She had received the best of care back at Treetops but was used to helping out. All of the children had been given little jobs to do when they reached a certain age, since Sunday and Tom always believed it was a good lesson towards their independence. Now being waited on was going to take some getting used to. What was she going to do with her time?
‘Right, well, I’ll leave you to settle in. I’ll come and call you when dinner is ready,’ Miss Fox told her. ‘Then after dinner I’ll show you round so you know where each room is. The bathroom is next door but one along the corridor, and you’ll find fresh towels and everything you need in there.’ She added: ‘I know it’s a lot to take in, dear, but you’ll soon get used to our ways.’
‘Thank you.’ Kitty watched the kindly little woman flit away then sank down onto the end of her bed feeling totally overwhelmed. She had an idea that this new life was going to take quite a bit of getting used to.
At that moment, back at Treetops, Sunday was standing in the middle of Kitty’s room crying quietly. It was the only place she could come where she felt close to her now. Both Kitty and Ben had always been special to her, but since the revelation that Ben was Tom’s son she hadn’t been able to come to terms with it. She knew that she should, but her emotions were still all over the place. It wasn’t Ben’s fault that her husband had fathered him, of course, and the young man was still as caring towards her as ever, but for some reason now she found herself holding him at arm’s length. She was doing exactly the same to Tom. They hadn’t lain together since the letter informing them of Ben’s natural mother had arrived, although Tom had tried to love her on numerous occasions. Somehow the closeness they had shared was gone and she feared it might never return. Now on top of that she had lost Kitty too, the little girl she had adored since the second she saw her, and she felt as if her world was falling apart.
For some long time now Sunday had resigned herself to the fact that she would never bear any children of her own, but having Ben and Kitty to pour her love into had been a huge consolation. And now in different ways they were both gone. She knew that Ben was feeling Kitty’s going too. Ever since they had arrived back from the station the light seemed to have gone from his eyes and he had found any job he could to keep himself occupied. A noise behind her made her whirl about to find Tom watching her with a worried expression on his face.
‘Come away out of here, pet,’ he encouraged, feeling her pain. ‘We’ll go down an’ see what the children are up to, eh?’ He held his hand out to her but ignoring it, she swiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand and straightened up.
‘I’m quite all right,’ she said coldly and with that she stalked past him, leaving him there to stare after her wondering, as she herself had, if they would ever be the same again.
True to her word an hour or so later, Miss Fox tapped on Kitty’s bedroom door and on entering the room she smiled at her approvingly.
Kitty had only brought three outfits and an assortment of underclothes with her as Miss Fox had advised her. There was the outfit she had travelled in, plus another blouse and skirt that was suitable for daytime wear, and the dress she was wearing now, which was one of her newer ones. It was made of a fine ivory silk. Sunday had always felt that young ladies looked their best in pastel colours and this dress certainly set off Kitty’s dark beauty to perfection. It had a modestly low lace-trimmed neckline and short lace sleeves, with a tight waist that flared into a slightly wider skirt at the front with a small train at the back. Other than the lace it had no adornments whatsoever but it was the simplicity of it set against Kitty’s dark hair and flawless skin that made it so stunning.
‘Why you look a perfect treat.’ Miss Fox beamed at her then confided, ‘Your mother has informed the staff that you’ve come to live with us and told them all that you are her niece – so from now on you’re to address her as Aunt or Ruby. Can you remember to do that?’
Kitty felt a slight flush rise to her cheeks. ‘Yes, I think so,’ she said.
‘Good, then we’ll go down now.’
Kitty followed her back downstairs and into a beautiful dining room where a long, highly polished mahogany table was set for three people. A silver candelabra was placed in the centre of it and the candles made the silver cutlery and the cut-glass wine goblets sparkle. It all looked very grand just for three people and Kitty wondered if the staff went to all this trouble every day.
They had only been in the room for a matter of minutes when Ruby made her entrance. She looked as if she was about to go out to the theatre rather than have dinner at home. Her gown in a pale sea-green satin made a pleasing swishing noise every time she walked, and the bodice of it was heavily embroidered with sequins and pearls. Her hair had been swept up onto her head and fell in loose curls about her shoulders, and there were diamond earrings dangling from her ears and a matching necklace clasped about her neck. Her fingers were covered in rings fashioned from different gems that flashed all the colours of the rainbow, and Kitty was in awe of her. Even more so now she could see why she had acquired the male following that Miss Fox had told her about. Her mother might well be approaching middle age, but she was still a remarkably attractive woman.
‘Why, you look quite charming,’ she told Kitty in her beautiful musical voice. ‘Do sit here next to me and I’ll ring the bell for the maid to begin serving us.’
Somewhat self
-consciously Kitty took a seat at the side of her, gazing with alarm at the array of cutlery laid out at her place-setting. There were so many different knives and forks. Which ones was she supposed to use? She decided to wait and see which ones her mother and Miss Fox picked up first. That would be the safest way.
‘Now I’m trying to think what I ordered for this evening,’ Ruby said, spreading the starched white napkin across her lap. Then smiling at Kitty, she explained, ‘I give my menu to the cook at the beginning of each week. I believe I ordered wild mushroom soup finished with cream to start with, this evening.’
Again, Kitty was shocked. She had assumed that all this pomp and ceremony was in honour of her arrival – but it sounded as if they dined this way every day. It was a far cry from Treetops where the food was plain but wholesome.
Just then, a maid bustled in dressed in a pretty lace-trimmed apron and mob-cap and placed a large silver tureen in the centre of the table. After a nod from Ruby she removed the lid and began to ladle the soup into their dishes. It certainly smelled lovely and the bread rolls that were served with it were still warm from the oven. Kitty suddenly realised how hungry she was. It had been a long time since she had shared Miss Fox’s sandwiches on the train and after watching which spoon to use she tucked in with relish.
As soon as they were finished the dishes were efficiently whisked away and yet more silver salvers were laid down the centre of the table.
‘Mm, one of my favourites,’ Ruby trilled, clapping her hands together much as a child might have done at the sight of a treat. ‘Roast beef with all the trimmings. Crushed potatoes and a selection of vegetables.’
She began to load her plate and soon they were all eating. And silence reigned save for the sound of the cutlery on the plates. Kitty noticed that her mother had quite a voracious appetite but when she began to load her plate yet again with seconds, Miss Fox frowned at her.
‘Now, Ruby, what have I told you? You’re pleasantly plump at present, but carry on like this and you’ll turn to fat.’
Ruby pouted. ‘Oh, Foxy, you can be so cutting,’ she whined. ‘You know how I enjoy my food. Would you begrudge me a little pleasure?’
‘All I’m saying is, you have a booking at the Prince of Wales Theatre next week, and you want to fit into that expensive gown you’ve bought, don’t you?’
Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Kitty kept her eyes fixed on her plate. No one would have believed to hear the two of them that Miss Fox was Ruby’s employee. She spoke to her as a mother would to an errant child, but then Miss Fox had told her that she had been with her for many years so that probably explained it. However, Kitty did wonder what kind of a world she had stumbled into. Her life at Treetops seemed very far away.
When dessert was served Kitty already felt as if she was about to burst – but it looked so delicious that she knew she would have to try some.
‘Sugar-glazed lemon tart with champagne sorbet,’ her mother purred. Her eyes glinted greedily and heedless of what Miss Fox had said she again had second helpings.
By the time they had finished the rich dessert Kitty realised guiltily that she had probably eaten more at this one meal than she would have in a whole day back at home. She felt slightly queasy, so when the maid then carried in a huge board with an enormous selection of cheeses on it, many of which Kitty had never seen before, she said, ‘Just a cup of coffee for me, please.’
‘Nonsense,’ Ruby giggled girlishly. ‘There’s nothing wrong with a healthy appetite,’ although as she said it she was eyeing Kitty’s slim figure enviously. By now the girl was eager for the meal to be over. She really wanted to spend some time with her mother and get to know her.
But that hope was dashed when Miss Fox asked, ‘What time is your visitor expected, Ruby?’
The way she emphasised the word visitor made Kitty think that she was less than pleased about whoever it was that would be calling.
Glancing at the clock, Ruby gasped, ‘Oh my goodness, he will be here in less than an hour! I must go and get ready. Do excuse me, dear Kitty. We’ll go shopping tomorrow and we’ll have such fun. I can hardly wait! Meantime I’m sure Foxy will entertain you. Good night.’ And with that she daintily wiped the crumbs from her mouth and hurried from the room in a swish of silken skirts.
Kitty felt decidedly cheated. It should have been their first evening together but instead she would have to spend it with her mother’s companion because Ruby had chosen to make other plans. Homesickness swept through her and she had to stifle the urge to cry. All in all, her mother’s welcome had been nothing like she had hoped and dreamed it would be … but then Kitty told herself that it must be just as strange for her mother as it was for her, so things would surely improve as they became better acquainted? Even so, it was hard to swallow her disappointment.
Chapter Fifteen
The sound of traffic on the street outside her bedroom window the next morning woke Kitty and for a second she lay there feeling disorientated. And then as the events of the day before came back to her and she realised where she was, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and hurried across to the window. Drawing aside the curtains, she stared out at a sea of rooftops. London was nowhere near as glamorous by day as it was by night, and compared to the vast open spaces she was used to she felt quite hemmed in. Below, a stream of vehicles moved to and fro, and she watched as one of the cab horses deposited a pile of dung on the road. A scruffy little urchin boy carrying a bucket and shovel hastily scooped it up and set off along the road like a greyhound as she wrinkled her nose in disgust. Whatever could he want that for? She would ask Miss Fox over breakfast, although it wasn’t really a topic to discuss at a mealtime. She was still standing there when there was a tap on the door. Mabel appeared and smiled at her brightly.
‘I’ve brought you a jug of hot water, miss,’ she said chirpily. ‘And your aunt said to ask you if you needed any help with dressing or with your hair?’
Kitty giggled. ‘Thank you, Mabel, but no, I shan’t need any help. I’m very capable of dressing myself.’
‘Right you are, miss. Miss Fox said to tell you that breakfast will be in half an hour in the dining room. It’ll be just you and her. Your aunt is having her breakfast in bed on a tray.’
Once again, Kitty felt slightly downcast. Surely her mother could have made an effort just this once? It was to have been the first breakfast they had ever shared together, after all! Even so she smiled politely and Mabel hurried away after asking, ‘Will you find your own way down, miss?’
‘Yes, I’m sure I can remember the way,’ Kitty told her. The evening before, Miss Fox had taken her on a tour of the whole house, and Kitty had been amazed to discover how large it was. There was a huge garden at the back of it too, but it had been too dark to see much of it by the time they got around to that, so Kitty determined that after breakfast she would go outside and explore. As she washed and dressed, her spirits lifted again and she found herself singing. She was feeling a little like a fish out of water at present but her mother had promised that they would go on a shopping trip today so things were bound to improve.
She found her way down to the dining room with no trouble, amused to note that any of the staff she met bobbed their knee to her as she passed. It was almost like being royalty and Kitty quite enjoyed it.
Miss Fox was already in the dining room when she entered and on her second cup of tea, and she greeted Kitty with a warm smile. ‘Ah, here you are, pet. Did you sleep all right with that racket going on outside? Must be a far cry from what you’re used to.’
‘I did eventually,’ Kitty told her. ‘Once I’d got used to the noise of the traffic. You’re right – it was so quiet at Treetops. I’m going to have to get used to being in London.’
Miss Fox nodded in understanding. ‘Help yourself to a cup of tea and anything you fancy,’ she instructed. ‘The breakfast is laid out on the sideboard.’
Kitty was dazed by the amount of food that had been set out just for the two of t
hem. She was sure there was almost enough there to feed everyone back at home. There was crispy bacon and juicy sausages, fried whole tomatoes, mushrooms, devilled kidneys, a platter of freshly fried eggs, slices of toast and dishes of various jams and marmalade as well as orange juice, a jug of coffee and a pot of tea.
‘Phew!’ Kitty was over-faced with so much food. ‘I only usually have some toast at breakfast-time.’
Miss Fox grinned. ‘You have whatever you want. The staff will polish that lot off no doubt when it goes back to the kitchen. I’ve told Ruby time and time again to cut down – but will she listen? All this waste wasn’t a problem when she had a string of admirers to pay the bills, but now …’ Realising she had said too much she promptly changed the subject as Kitty helped herself to some toast and a cup of tea. In truth, she still felt full up from the night before and could never imagine being hungry again.
‘So you’re off out shopping today, are you, young lady?’
Kitty nodded enthusiastically. ‘I believe so. What time do you think my moth … I mean my aunt will be ready?’
‘Huh!’ Miss Fox snorted. ‘I doubt you’ll set off till after lunch at the earliest. She was entertaining till all hours so she’s having a lie-in this morning. Mind you, she has a lie-in most days. Then when she does get up there’s her beauty regime to be gone through. She won’t set foot outside the door till she’s looking her best. And then she may be rehearsing her songs.’
Kitty nibbled at her toast. ‘I see, and does she go out often?’
‘As often as someone will take her, but the gentlemen callers are getting a bit thinner on the ground now. As I said, I keep telling her we need to start cutting back a bit. Making some economies. I mean, look at this place.’ She spread her hands and tutted loudly. ‘What do the two of us – well, the three of us now – want all this space for? And so many staff! We don’t need half of them to my way of thinking – but will she have it? No, she won’t. “We need to keep up our standards” is all I get when I suggest it so I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut now. Mind you, she does have a lot of good points,’ she added hastily. ‘She’s generous to a fault, is Ruby, I can’t deny that. But anyway, that’s not for you to concern yourself over. Now I’m off upstairs to see if she needs a hand with dressing. Enjoy your breakfast, dear, and there’s some magazines over there.’
The Little Angel Page 12
