The Little Angel

by Rosie Goodwin

  Maggie couldn’t argue with that, although she had her own thoughts on the matter. Kitty was now doing at least three performances a week in various big music halls all over London as well as posing and modelling for Richard, who also paid her fee to Ruby.

  Even so, as Kitty had pointed out, it was a beautiful day so Maggie suggested, ‘Why don’t we go for a walk in the park today so you can get some fresh air? It’s far too nice to be stuck indoors.’

  ‘I’m afraid I’ve arranged to visit Richard later this morning and I doubt I’ll be back before dinner this evening.’ Kitty peeped at Maggie over the rim of her delicate china tea cup. ‘He told me last night that he has a whole new range of clothes he wants me to model.’

  ‘Oh.’ Maggie tried to hide her disappointment. She’d been hoping they might be able to spend some time together today. ‘And what range would that be?’

  Kitty shrugged. ‘I have no idea. He said it was to be a surprise.’

  ‘And would you like me to come with you to help you change?’

  ‘No, not at all, I shall be fine,’ Kitty assured her hastily. She was quite at ease with Richard helping her to get changed now, although she couldn’t tell Maggie that, of course. Maggie was a little bit of a prude and wouldn’t have approved at all had she known that the man had seen her in a state of semi-undress.

  ‘In that case I shall go and help Arthur in the garden. He can give me all the news about the family.’ Maggie began to select the clothes that Kitty would wear that day. Much as she disliked Richard, she would have preferred to go along to the studio with Kitty. At least that way, Kitty would be safe. There was just something about the man that gave her the creeps – not that she’d had much to do with men. In fact, the way she saw it, the only man she had associated with, her adoptive father, had almost ruined her life. And now the same gut instinct made her feel uneasy whenever she was in Richard’s presence.

  Kitty instantly felt guilty for leaving her alone again and reaching for her bag she delved into it and said, ‘Why don’t you go out and treat yourself instead? I’m sure you could find yourself a nice dress or perhaps a length of material to make one.’ She held out her hand with five shiny shillings lying in the palm of it but Maggie shook her head. She was fiercely proud, as Kitty was discovering.

  ‘Thank you, but there’s no need for you to do that. I have more than enough clothes for my needs and I’m not paid to go gadding about.’

  Kitty’s straight white teeth nipped at her lower lip. It was still hard to think of Maggie as her maid. After all, they had been brought up together during the early part of their lives. But then the need to see Richard was strong so she didn’t push the point but headed for the bathroom instead.

  In Treetops at that moment Sunday and Cissie were sitting in the kitchen enjoying a glass of lemonade with the back door wide open as they tried to cool off. The younger children were all in the downstairs room that had been adapted as a classroom with their tutor, Mrs Lockett, and the older ones were at school so they were snatching a few peaceful minutes.

  ‘Phew, I reckon I’m goin’ to melt at this rate if it don’t cool down soon,’ Cissie commented as she fanned her face with her hand.

  As usual lately, Sunday seemed a million miles away but she jerked her thoughts back to the present with a start as she asked, ‘Sorry – what were you saying?’

  ‘Oh, nothin’ much.’ Cissie eyed her critically. Sunday had lost weight recently and there were dark circles beneath her eyes. Cissie was aware that it was partly because her dear friend was still missing Kitty and partly because there now seemed to be a deep rift between Sunday and her husband. Treetops had always been such a happy place to live until recently but now Cissie felt as if a big black cloud was hanging over them all. The only bit of sunshine on the horizon was Lavinia’s forthcoming marriage to Mr Dewhurst, although Sunday didn’t even seem to be getting excited about that as yet. And now Cissie was worried that she might be about to add to her concerns when she told her what she had a mind to do – but it had been plaguing her for far too long as it was for her to put it off again, so taking a deep breath she said, ‘I’ve been thinking that it’s time I tracked down the baby that was taken away from me when I was locked away in Hatter’s Hall.’

  Sunday’s eyes almost popped out of her head. Cissie certainly had her full attention now.

  ‘What? But that was years ago. He’d be a full-grown man now. And what if he doesn’t want to be found? Or he might not even know that he had another mother. He might not want to know you.’ Then Sunday regretted her harsh words.

  ‘I’m aware of that,’ Cissie said miserably. Even now, after being married to George and having a family whom she adored, the child that had been wrenched away from her still haunted her sleep and she thought about him constantly. The staff at the asylum had told her that he had died at birth, but Cissie knew better. She had heard him cry and watched his tiny arms flailing in the air as they rushed him out of the room. It was common knowledge that the former manager there had sold illegitimate babies to childless couples and Cissie had always felt in her heart that this was what had happened to her son.

  Sunday stared in shock at her old friend’s bent head. She had thought that Cissie had managed to put the past behind her, but now it appeared that she was wrong.

  ‘Are you really sure that this is what you want to do?’ she said more gently. ‘And have you spoken to George about it?’

  Cissie sniffed as she swiped a tear from her cheek. ‘Yes to both questions. It is what I want and George says if it will bring me peace of mind then I should go ahead with his blessing.’

  Deep down, Sunday could understand it. Her bitterest regret was that she and Tom had never been blessed with a child of their own, but she could imagine how horrendous it would have been to have that little one snatched away from her. However, she wondered if Cissie had any idea how difficult the path she was about to take might become. For a start-off, many staff would have come and gone at the asylum by now and she doubted there would be anyone still at Hatter’s Hall who remembered Cissie Burns. That would mean there were only the patients’ records to go by, and it was highly unlikely the superintendent would have recorded where the baby went, even if it had survived at birth as Cissie believed.

  ‘I suppose you think I’m mad, don’t yer?’ Cissie said, grieving. ‘An’ I know I should be grateful for the lovely childer me an’ George have had … but I still feel as if a part o’ me is missin’ even after all this time. If only I could find him, even if he didn’t want to know me. If I could just see him from a distance and know that he’s all right, I reckon I could find a kind of peace. Do you understand?’

  ‘I think I do.’ Sunday reached out and gripped her hand. ‘But truthfully, I have no idea where you should even start. Let’s talk to my mother when she gets home, shall we? Perhaps she can suggest something.’

  Cissie smiled and her face was transformed. She owed her freedom to Lavinia, and would do anything for her. At last she felt ready to begin her search, as she had longed to do for years, and even if that search proved to be unsuccessful, at least she would go to her maker with an easier heart knowing that she had tried to find the dear little soul she had never been able to forget. Back then, she had had no one to call her own, and so from the second she had felt the child quicken inside her she had dreamed of holding him or her in her arms. But it was not meant to be, and from the moment they had torn the little boy away from her, she had felt as if part of her was missing. Now she was ready to try to find him – because the way she saw it, nothing could be worse than not knowing what had become of her son, her firstborn child.

  Seeing the conflicting emotions scud across Cissie’s face, Sunday embraced her, saying, ‘Don’t worry, Cissie. If this is what you want, I promise we’ll do all we can to help you,’ and loving her as she did, Cissie knew she could believe every single word that Sunday said.

  It was almost two hours later when Lavinia returned and Cissie, who
had been waiting, almost pounced on her the second she set foot through the door. Seeing the agitated state the woman was in, Lavinia raised an eyebrow.

  ‘Is something wrong, dear?’ she asked as she took the hat pin from her hat and laid it on the hall table.

  Lavinia Huntley had endured so many heartaches over the years but lately there was a glow about her and she was always smiling, no doubt because of the love her husband-to-be bestowed on her. William Dewhurst was the first man who had ever been truly kind to her and now everyone was hoping that from now on she would find the happiness she deserved.

  By now, the younger children had finished their lessons and were scuttling about the place so Cissie whispered, ‘Not wrong exactly, but I would like a private word if you could spare the time.’

  ‘Of course I could.’ Lavinia smiled apologetically at William who was close behind her and he instantly set off for the kitchen in search of a cool drink as Lavinia ushered Cissie into the drawing room.

  ‘Out with it then,’ she said with a smile. ‘There’s clearly something on your mind.’

  And so Cissie tentatively told her of what she was hoping to do and Lavinia listened closely.

  ‘Well, I can quite understand your reasons for wanting to do this,’ she said. ‘But you must realise that it’s not going to be easy. It all happened such a long time ago and so much has changed since then.’

  Cissie screwed her apron into a ball. ‘I know that, but I don’t think I’ll ever rest easy if I don’t at least find out if my baby lived to be adopted, and if so, where he went.’

  Lavinia tapped her lip as she gazed thoughtfully from the window. ‘Then we must do something about it. Will you give me a little time to think on it?’

  ‘Of course – and thank you. You can have no idea how much this means to me.’

  And with that, Cissie turned and left the room with a wide smile on her face. Suddenly it was as if she could finally see a tiny little ray of hope at the end of a very long dark tunnel.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  ‘Do you know what, Maggie, I think I might go early and surprise Richard. We agreed on three o’clock this afternoon but if I go now I might be able to persuade him to take me out to lunch.’

  Maggie frowned to herself as she finished tidying Kitty’s bed. ‘Are you sure that’s wise? He may be working and not wish to be interrupted.’

  ‘Oh, he won’t mind if it’s me disturbing him,’ Kitty answered airily as she began to hunt about for her bag. She had never been the tidiest of people and since she’d had Maggie to tidy up after her she’d become even worse.

  Maggie stared at her enviously. Kitty had always been pretty as a child but now she was stunning. Her dark hair shone and her figure, as far as Maggie was concerned, was perfect, unlike her own big-boned frame. She only had to look at food to gain a pound in weight whereas Kitty could eat like a horse when she had a mind to and she never put on a single ounce. Kitty’s waist was tiny and although she was only petite her legs were long and slender. She had developed pert breasts and her hands were tiny and delicate. But it was her face that stole everyone’s heart. When she smiled, two charming little dimples appeared in her cheeks making her look incredibly young and vulnerable, which in Maggie’s opinion she was. Her skin was flawless and her eyes, depending on her mood, could change from the colour of warm toffee to almost black. The problem was, since making her debut performance onstage, Kitty had become even more aware of the effect that she had on the male sex and she was enjoying being the centre of attention, which Maggie considered to be extremely dangerous. There were so many unscrupulous men who might turn her head and take advantage of her, although thankfully at present she seemed to have eyes only for Richard and did nothing more than a little harmless flirting with the others.

  Strangely enough, although Maggie was envious of Kitty she was also fiercely protective of her now, no doubt because Kitty had saved her from the streets. There was nothing that Maggie wouldn’t do for her and she had come to love Kittie like a sister – which was why she was so worried about Kitty’s obsession with Richard Fitzherbert. Not that there was anything she could do about it, she told herself now, apart from be there for Kitty if – or rather, when – he broke her heart. Kitty might think she was very grown up now in her fancy gowns, but in reality she was still very naïve.

  ‘In that case I think I might go to see Clemency for an hour or two,’ Maggie said resignedly. She often went over to see Mrs Partridge when she had a little spare time and the two had become friends. Maggie usually arrived with a few groceries for her and treats for the children, although the kindly woman always strongly objected. Maggie didn’t mind spending a little of her wages on them at all. After all, she had everything she needed and she felt sorry for the family. Until she had met them she hadn’t even been aware that such poverty existed. Even so, she envied the children for having such a warm-hearted woman for a mother. Mrs Dawes had always been cold and distant to her while her so-called father … She stopped her thoughts from going any further. She still had recurring nightmares about what Victor Dawes had done to her, and doubted that she would ever fall in love and get married now, in case the man she chose turned out to be like him!

  ‘Ah, here it is!’ Kitty’s triumphant shout brought Maggie’s thoughts snapping back to the present as Kitty plucked her bag from beneath the bed then raced over to her friend and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.

  ‘Have a lovely afternoon, and don’t worry. I shall be back in plenty of time to get ready for this evening’s performance.’

  Maggie sighed and shook her head as Kitty charged from the room then went back to what she had been doing.

  Once the cab pulled up outside Richard’s house, Kitty gracefully hopped out of it onto the pavement feeling as if she might melt right away. The air was stifling with no breeze whatsoever, and the smells that were issuing from the gutters were making her stomach churn. Even so, after paying the driver her steps were light as she went up the steps to Richard’s front door and rang the bell.

  It was answered by a little maid who looked slightly flummoxed when Kitty hurried past her into the hallway without waiting to be invited in.

  ‘Hello, Millie. Is Richard in his studio?’ she asked cheerily.

  ‘Well, err … yes, miss, he is – but he has someone with him. Was he expecting you?’ Millie closed the front door as Kitty giggled.

  ‘Oh, don’t worry. I am a little early as it happens. Quite a bit actually, but I’m sure he won’t mind me waiting until he’s finished with his client. I’ll just go and let him know that I’m here.’

  ‘But, miss …’ Millie’s voice trailed away as Kitty skipped off in the direction of the studio. Once outside the door, she straightened her skirt and patted her hair into place before turning the handle but to her surprise she found that it was locked.

  ‘Richard!’ she called out, and gave the door a gentle tap. ‘It’s me – Kitty. I thought I’d come a little earlier than planned. Are you dreadfully busy?’

  For a few minutes, there was nothing to be heard but then Richard suddenly flung the door open, his face flushed and looking slightly annoyed.

  ‘Are you almost finished?’ she asked in her innocent way. ‘If not, I can always wait out here.’

  ‘No, I’m finished now. My client is just getting changed behind the screen. Come in.’

  As he turned she noticed that his shirt-tails were hanging out of the back of his trousers and she also saw when she glanced towards the chaise longue that the cushions were in disarray. She could hear someone behind the screen and as Richard straightened the cushions a young woman appeared, also looking very pink in the face.

  Kitty flashed her a smile but the woman stared back at her straight-faced. She was very pretty in a brash sort of way with blonde hair and big blue eyes and she put Kitty in mind of a china doll.

  ‘This is Miss Melissa Hawkins. I was commissioned by her parents to take some portrait photographs of her,’ Richard told her
.

  ‘Oh, I see. Then I’m sure they’ll be wonderful,’ Kitty said, wondering why the woman had had to change. The clothes she was wearing looked as if they would have been quite suitable for her to be photographed in.

  ‘I’ll just see Miss Hawkins to the door then. Do take a seat,’ Richard said, as he took the young woman’s elbow and hurriedly drew her out of the room. Once the door had closed behind them, Kitty grinned. Miss Hawkins obviously didn’t like having her photograph taken if the look on her face had been anything to go by. Curious then, she crossed to the screen to see what was behind it but there were no garments in sight. That’s strange, Kitty thought as Richard came back into the room but then she forgot all about it when he took her into his arms.

  ‘As it happens, I think you’re ready to move on to the next stage of your modelling career now,’ he whispered huskily when he had kissed her until her head was reeling. ‘And I have the clothes here all ready to show you.’ He moved across the room to a large trunk and when he lifted the lid Kitty gasped with shock and dismay.

  ‘B-but they are all undergarments,’ she said hoarsely.

  Richard threw back his head and laughed aloud. ‘Oh, my innocent little darling. They are still items of clothing and someone has to model them, don’t they? There are magazines that advertise lingerie exclusively for ladies.’