The Christmas Card

by Dilly Court

  A shiver ran down Alice’s spine and the sunbeams that filtered through the small windowpanes were suddenly obscured by a bank of clouds. ‘Why bother?’ she said in an attempt to lighten the mood. ‘You seem to have everything you could possibly wish for.’

  ‘Respectability,’ Viola said briefly. ‘I’m lauded and fêted for my charitable acts, but people have long memories. The father of my child was a rake and a gambler, and my common-law husband is branded a cheat and a fraudster, both of which make me persona non grata.’

  ‘My mummy, don’t talk like that,’ Flora pleaded. ‘It makes me sad. You are kind and beautiful and I love you.’ She scrambled to her feet, flinging her arms around her mother.

  Viola abandoned her cigarillo and wrapped her arms around her daughter. She smiled at Alice over the top of Flora’s curly head. ‘Forgive me. I shouldn’t burden you with my woes. Now that I have my child restored to me I’m a very happy woman, and you are my brother’s child, Alice. I was fond of Clement, even though he always had his head in the clouds. Anyway, you must remain here with us and we’ll be a family again.’

  ‘But I have to return to London, Viola. My life is there and I hope to get my job back at Dearborns’. Besides which, I can’t let Rory down.’

  Viola’s expression hardened. ‘Your life is worth nothing to the Bishop gang. They want to bleed me dry and if they can’t get their hands on Flora again they’ll happily turn their attention to you. Molly knows my weak spots – I’ve already paid her a ransom for Flora, but I know she won’t want it to end there – and now we’re reunited you are my Achilles heel. You have to remain here where you are safe. I can’t allow you to leave.’

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  ‘I’ll be missed,’ Alice said hastily. ‘I’m not afraid of Molly Bishop or her gang. I must return to London. My friends will be looking for me.’

  Flora jumped to her feet. ‘I want to see Rory. I want him to know that I’ve found my real mama at last. He would love to meet you too.’ She shot her mother a cheeky sidelong glance. ‘He’s very handsome – you’d like him a lot.’

  ‘I’m afraid that won’t be possible, poppet.’ Viola’s smile faded. ‘You are safe here, but I can’t let you to return to London, or you, Alice. Hawkins will protect you and I’ll see to it that you girls have everything you could ever want, but you have to remain here indefinitely.’

  Alice stared at her in amazement. ‘You can’t mean that, Viola.’

  ‘Oh, but I do. I’m sorry, Alice, but by coming here you’ve inadvertently alerted my enemies to Flora’s whereabouts. Smithson will tell Bishop that she took you to my home in Hertford Street, and then it’s only a matter of time before they trace you here. I only recently bought this house and it’s supposed to be my secret hideaway, but they have ways of finding things out.’

  ‘This is ridiculous,’ Alice protested. ‘Molly Bishop received the ransom for Flora and she has nothing against me. I have to return to London, but I promise to visit you often.’

  Viola rose to her feet. ‘I’m afraid you don’t quite understand my position, Alice. Smithson and Molly Bishop work together. If I were a betting woman I’d wager that Smithson has gone straight to Frederick Dearborn, who is still Flora’s legal guardian, and told him that I was behind his ward’s abduction. She will then try to extort money in return for information as to Flora’s whereabouts.’ She paced the floor, wringing her hands.

  ‘But she doesn’t know about Hazelwood House.’ Alice watched her with a growing feeling of unease. ‘Why would Molly be a danger to me now?’

  ‘You don’t know her,’ Viola said urgently. ‘She will do anything and use anyone in order to get what she wants.’

  ‘Even if my pa found out that I’m with you, I know he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me,’ Flora said stoutly. ‘Mama Lydia didn’t like me, but he was always kind. He’d be happy that I’d found my real mummy.’

  Viola wrapped her arms around her daughter, fixing Alice with a pleading look. ‘I cannot let you leave this house, both for your own safety and that of my child. I’ll explain fully later, but I’m begging you to remain here with us.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Alice said doubtfully. ‘I’ll have to think it through.’

  Viola seized her by the wrist, her fingers cutting into Alice’s flesh. ‘Give me your word that you won’t try to leave. Please, Alice, I’m in deadly earnest.’

  That evening, when Flora was safely tucked up in bed, Alice and Viola were seated by the fire in the drawing room. The tapestry curtains were drawn, shutting out a blustery February evening, and the light of many candles added a warm glow to the oak-panelling. They had enjoyed an excellent meal accompanied by a fine claret, and Alice was beginning to feel sleepy, but she was still wrestling with the problem Viola had set her. She sipped her after-dinner coffee, regarding her aunt with a puzzled frown.

  ‘How did Aidan make his money, Viola? Was he a gambler too?’

  Viola relaxed in the wing-back chair, a cut-crystal glass of brandy cupped in her hands. ‘In property, mainly, and yes, he was a gambler but not at the gaming tables or the racecourse. He played the stock market and for the most part he came out on top, which was how he managed to purchase run-down properties in the East End. He had them refurbished as cheaply as possible and then let them out at extortionate rents.’

  Alice stared at her in horror. ‘I’ve heard of landlords like that. In fact, I’ve been a victim of sorts, and I’ve seen whole families condemned to sharing dank basements with dozens of others. Is that what keeps you in luxury, Viola?’

  ‘It was,’ Viola said casually. ‘I admit it freely, but I’ve been doing my best to make amends. I want you to believe that, Alice. I’ve spent a fortune improving the properties and making them habitable. I’ve had the worst cases razed to the ground and constructed new buildings to replace them, but it takes time and eats into my capital. I don’t want Aidan to be released from prison only to find that we’re bankrupt.’

  ‘I think you’re better off without him.’ Alice gazed into the flames as they licked round the glowing coals.

  ‘Maybe, maybe not.’ Viola sipped her drink. ‘I do love him, in my way. It’s not like the passion I felt for Eddie, but Aidan saved my life and he was good to me. I think you understand how I feel. I saw the look in your eye when you mentioned Rory Dearborn. I don’t know him, but he’s obviously made a great impression on you.’

  ‘He’s just a friend,’ Alice said quickly. ‘It was he who persuaded his brother to give me a job. I owe him a lot.’

  ‘And he’s very handsome. Flora said so.’

  ‘Yes, he’s good-looking and funny too, although he can be very annoying at times, but I don’t want him to think that I’m ungrateful.’

  ‘He’ll get over it,’ Viola said with a cynical curve of her lips. ‘Forget him, Alice. We could build a good life here. You were Flora’s tutor, you could see that she continues her studies and I’ll show her how to run a profitable business.’ She angled her head, eyeing Alice with a knowing smile. ‘I might consider going into the printing business – greetings cards and Christmas cards, designed by you. We could make a fortune.’

  ‘That sounds very tempting, but that doesn’t alter the fact that my friends will be anxious. They might even go to the police and report me as missing.’

  ‘I think the Metropolitan Police have better things to do than to search for one of the hundreds who disappear daily in the capital.’ Viola held out her hand. ‘Please, consider what I’ve proposed. I don’t want to keep you against your will, but there is real danger for you if you return to London.’

  Alice did not reply immediately: she was certain that Viola was keeping something from her. ‘Tell me one thing,’ she said slowly. ‘Why is Molly Bishop so intent on destroying you and your daughter?’

  Viola blinked and recoiled as if she had been slapped across the face. She tossed back the last of her drink. ‘Edmond’s surname was Bishop. Molly is his sister and she blames me for
his downfall and sudden death.’

  ‘She’s Flora’s aunt?’ Alice stared at her in horror. ‘But that makes it even worse.’

  ‘The Bishop family head one of the toughest gangs in the East End and after their father was killed in a fight Molly became their leader. Edmond wanted nothing to do with their criminal activities.’

  ‘I still don’t understand why she would want to harm Flora. Surely she would want the best for her brother’s child?’

  ‘When Flora was born Molly wanted to take her and bring her up as her own, but Eddie wouldn’t have any of it. He wanted Flora to be brought up to be a lady.’

  ‘That explains a lot, but how did Smithson become involved?’

  ‘Jessie Smithson is Molly’s cousin, but they were always at loggerheads, or so I believed. Eddie was fond of Jessie, which is why he called on her to help me at the birth.’

  ‘So how did she know that the Dearborns wanted a child?’

  ‘I found out later that she was employed by them, working in the sewing room as and when they needed her services. She knew that they were desperate for a child and I think she saw an easy way to make money for herself, even though she knew that Molly wanted to take my baby from me. Perhaps they had had a falling-out – that’s something I’ll never know – but Smithson took Flora while I was too ill to do anything to stop her.’

  ‘Why didn’t you try to get her back? You married a rich man.’

  Viola’s eyes misted with tears. ‘Aidan wouldn’t hear of it. He didn’t want children and he certainly didn’t want to raise another man’s child. I had to accept that I would never see my baby again.’ Her voice broke on a sob. ‘It wasn’t easy. I might appear to be a hard-headed businesswoman, but inside my heart was breaking.’

  ‘I’m beginning to understand, but what I can’t work out is why Molly returned Flora to you, and it seems that Jessie is now on her side. Do you know why things are changed so dramatically?’

  ‘Money, Alice. It’s always down to money. Molly must have been desperate for funds and she wanted revenge.’

  ‘That’s terrible, Viola. What you say makes sense, but where does Jessie Smithson fit in to this now?’

  ‘I imagine that Molly bought Jessie’s loyalty, such as it is. Jessie always had a fondness for strong drink and she’ll do anything providing the price is right. Taking you to Hertford Street was a deliberate ploy, and if you return to London now they won’t stop until they’ve dragged the information as to our whereabouts from you. Molly knows how to make people talk.’

  ‘I’m so sorry. By coming here I’ve put Flora in danger, and that’s the last thing I’d want.’

  ‘It wasn’t your fault. Jessie would have found out about Hazelwood House eventually. I paid the ransom without question, but I know very well that Molly won’t give up. She has no affection for Flora, and I think it amuses her to allow me to get to know and love my child, and then she will strike again. She will bleed me dry and get her revenge for Eddie’s death by ruining me and breaking my heart all over again. Flora is just a pawn.’ She reached out once more and this time Alice held her hand in a firm grasp.

  ‘I’m not afraid of Molly and her roughs, but Flora is my flesh and blood too. As to my remaining here, I’ve brought nothing with me. I have only the clothes I stand up in.’

  ‘You may have the pick of the garments you brought with you from my London home. We’re about the same height and size, so take what you want.’

  ‘That very generous of you, Viola. I’ll remain here for a while on one condition.’

  ‘You’re learning, my dear. We all have to fight for what we want. What is it you require?’

  ‘I need to write to Carrie and let her know that I’m all right and will return soon. The Youngs will be worried about me.’

  ‘What about your mother, Alice? Won’t she be concerned?’

  ‘I’ll ask Carrie to call on her and put her mind at rest, but I think Mama will be too busy trying to cope with her new husband to give any thought to me,’ Alice said, chuckling. ‘Did you ever meet Horace?’

  Viola pulled a face. ‘My dear, I spent most of my time avoiding him. Whenever he came to the house I hid in my room until he had gone, which was a test of will in the depths of winter. Aunt Jane refused to allow fires in bedrooms and the ones in the main reception rooms were not lit until midday. I think your mother is either very brave or extremely foolish to take such a creature on for life.’

  ‘My feelings exactly,’ Alice laughed and some of the tension leached from her. ‘But I must send word to my friends.’

  ‘Very well. Write your letter and give it to me. I have to return to London tomorrow and I’ll post it in town.’

  ‘You’re going back to Hertford Street?’

  ‘I would far rather stay here with you and Flora, but I have businesses to run and I can’t leave matters entirely to Philip. Eddie’s sister won’t try to harm me physically; she’s too clever for that. I must act as if nothing has happened and continue as I would normally, but I will return at every possible opportunity.’ She reached for the decanter and poured two tots of brandy, handing one to Alice. ‘Here’s to us, the Radcliffe girls, and to hell with the Bishop gang.’

  Later in her own room, seated at the burr walnut escritoire beneath one of the tall windows, Alice penned a letter to Carrie, explaining her absence. She was not to worry, Alice wrote in bold capitals, adding a postscript asking Carrie to visit Beth in Islington. In the morning she would ask Viola to seal the envelope, but now it was time for bed. It was not until she sank into the depths of the feather mattress that exhaustion overcame her, and despite the worries that lingered in her mind she slipped into a deep and dreamless sleep.

  Hazelwood House, as Alice soon discovered, was run by a small staff. Hawkins was in overall charge and a much-trusted servant, having been with Viola for many years. He was a dour soul, not over given to conversation, but Alice knew that she could rely on him as Viola had done. His large stature and lantern jaw would deter all but the most desperate intruders, and he patrolled the grounds with his bullmastiff, Duke, at his heels. In the kitchen Mrs Abbott was queen and ruled over two kitchen maids and a daily woman who came in to do the cleaning. Viola had deliberately kept the staffing to a minimum in order to avoid the risk of gossip being passed on in the village, but the house was not overly large and therefore easy to maintain.

  In Viola’s absence Alice and Flora settled down to a daily routine. The book-lined study was transformed into a schoolroom, where Alice tutored Flora in English, mathematics and geography, with a nod to history. While Flora pored over her books, Alice used the time to work on her designs for Christmas cards. They worked in amicable silence, with Duke wandering in to sit at Flora’s feet, resting his great head on her lap.

  Walks in the grounds on frosty mornings supplied Alice with fresh ideas for her artwork. There was a particularly magnificent holly bush in the shrubbery, together with laurel and a fine old yew tree. Milky white snowdrops carpeted the ground at the edge of woods, interspersed with starry golden celandines, and beneath the hedgerow pools of yellow primroses opened their sunny petals in a salute to spring. Alice never went out without her drawing materials, and while Flora played with Duke, who had taken it into his furry head to protect her from everything including squirrels and bold pigeons, Alice would perch on a fallen tree trunk and sketch.

  In some ways it was an idyllic existence, free from fear and worry, but Alice could not forget the friends she had left in London. She wondered how George was getting on in the office, and if Frederick had found a replacement for her. Was a stranger seated at her desk beneath the window, taking over the job that had been hers? There was nothing she could do about it, but she worked compulsively, spending her evenings refining her drawings and painting them in delicate watercolours. Viola, at her request, had purchased everything that she needed from Cornelissen’s art supplies shop in Great Russell Street. In the past Alice had often gazed at their window displays, but
had never had enough money to indulge her passion, but her aunt was more than generous and Alice wanted for nothing in the way of materials.

  Viola returned as often as possible and she was extravagant in her praise for Alice’s designs. ‘These are too good to be hidden away,’ she said, holding up a watercolour that had caught her eye. ‘I love this one, Alice. You must have drawn this from life. I feel I could step into the picture and gather an armful of snowdrops.’ She put it down and picked up another. ‘And this fat little robin redbreast is so cheeky. I love the twinkle in his beady eye.’

  Alice brushed a stray lock of hair back from her forehead. ‘There is so much inspiration in the country, Viola. I miss London, but it’s lovely here.’

  Viola perched on the edge of the desk, swinging her booted foot. ‘I’m seriously thinking of going into the printing business, but I know nothing about the process or what would be needed to start up.’

  ‘Rory spent some time in Ireland studying the new process of chromolithography, but I haven’t seen him since his return.’

  Viola stared at her, frowning. ‘You’d like to see him again, wouldn’t you?’

  ‘I expect he’s forgotten all about me.’

  ‘It’s springtime, Alice. You’ve been here six weeks without a word of complaint; although I know you miss your life in London. I really appreciate what you’ve done for Flora. She’s changed into a happy, normal child. Just look at her.’ Viola stood up and walked over to the window. ‘She’s racing around with that huge dog and she’s a picture of health. I can’t begin to express what that means to me.’

  ‘I do miss my friends.’ Alice abandoned her work to stand beside Viola. She smiled. ‘You’re right, Flora looks wonderful, and she’s a bright child and so eager to learn. It’s a pleasure to teach her, but I’m afraid she’ll soon outstrip me. What she needs is proper schooling amongst girls of her own age.’