by Mary Wood
‘Is someone trying to catch you, then?’
They giggled. ‘Just letting my future wife know where she will stand. Unless, of course, she brings riches with her.’
It was as if the proposal was accepted and acceptable; she hadn’t questioned it, and didn’t want to – her only need was to confirm it. ‘I’m afraid I don’t, so we will just have to manage as best we can.’
Cyrus reached for her hand again, and for the first time showed his own surprise at how quickly everything was happening to them. ‘So you feel the same way? Really? Truly? You would marry me, after not knowing me for a day yet?’
‘I would. I know you are the one for me, Cyrus. I know very little about you, and yet I feel I have known you forever. It is as if you are the other half of me.’
His smile melted her. She wished so much they weren’t in a public place and that she could go into his arms and have him kiss her lips.
The waiter brought them back to reality, as he began to prepare the table.
‘Oh, I forgot to say. Besides the lamb, we are having a warming broth to start with. It’s made with beetroot and beef; it is delicious, but not filling.’
‘Thank you. It sounds lovely.’
‘So, Flora. What about you? I know something troubles you. Time to unburden yourself, if you think you know me well enough now.’
‘My story is difficult to understand. I can only tell you it exactly as it is. I hope it doesn’t put you off. I’m the daughter of a very wealthy man and a well-bred mother, and have two brothers who went to the same school as you. But I am an outcast, and I live with my half-brother and his mother, who is the most wonderful woman in the world, but at this moment stands accused of murder.’
Cyrus’s expression went from astonishment to bewilderment. She knew what she’d said was an extreme test for him, as it probably shattered the illusion he had of her being a girl of gentle birth, loved and cosseted, who had enough guts to go to war, but remained feminine and protected from the real world.
She waited for him to say something. Her heart clenched in a vice of uncertainty as to whether the happiness that had flooded it would seep away into a swamp of dissolution.
‘My God! Poor darling, that sounds horrific.’
The endearment helped. As did his tone of deep concern. ‘It is. But my aunt’s plight is the worst part of it all. Aunt Pru isn’t my real aunt.’ She explained their relationship. ‘It is a long story, but best told from the beginning. Are you ready to hear it? It isn’t easy telling, and it won’t be easy for you to feel the same about me, once you have heard it all.’
‘Nothing could make me feel differently about you, Flora. You have hit me like a bolt of lightning. You are me, and whatever you come wrapped up in, I will accept.’
They were eating their third course, of ‘berried pears’ – a lovely dish of poached pears topped with fresh berry compote – by the time Flora had finished telling her story and answering his questions. Throughout, Cyrus had shown his hurt at what she had been through, and now he reached for her hand. With the comfort it gave, she opened her heart to him. ‘I once visited the Trevi Fountain, Cyrus. It was at the end of my time studying music in Italy, and I wished to be loved and said that I was only seeking happiness. In you, I think I have found both. I know I still have to deal with Aunt Pru’s and my half-brother’s situation, but I feel strong enough now to do that. And as far as my family is concerned, I have given up seeking their love. And you have filled any remaining void inside me.’
‘My darling.’
The words sealed his loyalty to her and made them as one, as once more Cyrus kissed her hand. ‘So that is us, knowing the ins and outs of each other’s life, and now there is “us”, going forward from here. And we will make that future around music and the theatre. Do you like the theatre?’
‘Oh, I do. I love it. And Freddy, the half-brother I mentioned, does too. He plays the violin, like you, and we both love to compose music. I write pieces for the stage, too – musicals. No one has ever seen them, but when I can, I play the music from them and dream of the production.’
‘I do that, too! Darling, we were meant for each other, and I can’t wait to meet Freddy. We will keep our shared dream alive, and one day we will work towards it happening. But in the meantime, I have my posting orders. I’m to be second-in-command of our army in Artois, northern France. We are pushing the Germans back, but have suffered heavy losses.’
‘Oh no, I can’t bear it. I’ve only just found you.’ Neither of them had said the words, but they came to her now. ‘I love you, Cyrus. I can’t be without you.’
‘I feel the same, darling. I love you. I can’t understand it, or put any sense to it at all, but I love you so deeply it hurts. Will you marry me before I go? I only have ten days left of my leave. Please say you will marry me, Flora, my love.’
‘I will. I will, Cyrus. But when . . . where, and how?’
‘A lot of my fellow men have obtained special licences to marry. They only take forty-eight hours to arrange. We can do it on our own, or ask your aunt and half-brother. Do you know, I feel as though I know Freddy. I think I’ll ask him to be my best man, as all my friends are serving abroad.’
‘Oh, he’d love that. And Aunt Pru can be my maid-of-honour. It will give her something to look forward to. And they can both be our witnesses.’
‘From what I’ve heard, your Aunt Pru needs some good news, but will she be well enough, as I’m planning on applying first thing in the morning for the licence? If all goes well, we can be married in two days’ time! Ha. I can’t believe it, and yet I can believe it, as it is so right that we seal our love in this way, as quickly as it came to us.’
Happiness flooded not just Flora’s heart, but her whole body, and with it came a trickle of excited anticipation. What would it be like to lie with Cyrus, to feel his arms around her, his hands touching her body, and to have him make her completely his? As if guessing her thoughts, his hand tightened on hers. ‘I think I will ask for the bill. I need to hold you, and I can’t do that here.’
Outside the cold air bit Flora’s cheeks, but couldn’t make a mark on her warm, glowing body. Gently pulling her into the shadows of the building, Cyrus took her in his arms. Had she ever thought herself at home anywhere in this world? Well, she knew now that she was mistaken, because here, close to Cyrus’s body, was her true home. She clung to him, and thrilled when his hand lifted her head and his breath touched her cheeks, like a light, warm breeze. As his lips touched hers, it was as if she was given life for the first time ever. And yet she couldn’t say that she was complete, as there was more that she needed from him. Her body cried out for him.
His whisper told her he felt the same. ‘Only two nights to wait, my darling.’
It seemed like a lifetime. ‘I wish it was now.’
He held her tightly, his groan telling her that he was fighting against making it so. But she didn’t want him to fight it. She wanted him to go against what she knew was his honourable nature, and take her to his room and make love to her.
Cyrus resisted. Taking control, he stepped back from her. ‘I’ll call a cab to take you home, darling. We must wait. We would regret it forever if we didn’t. Can I call for you tomorrow?’
‘We’ll meet somewhere – it will be easier. In the afternoon, as I have to look for a place to rent tomorrow. I have to get Freddy settled somewhere, and bring Aunt Pru back to it.’
‘Oh, yes, I forgot. You never said that Aunt Pru was in agreement with that – are you sure she wants to move?’
‘Yes, I’m sure. Initially we may have to go to a hotel. Rowena, who I told you about, is going to Pru’s house again, to pack up all our personal things. And then I’ll engage a removal firm to do the rest.’
‘Why not this hotel? That would be so convenient for our plans, too. We could arrange our wedding breakfast here. Then, my darling, you can move into my room on our wedding night.’ His arms enclosed her once more, and the flame that had bec
ome a burning ember relit inside her.
‘Yes.’ The word came out as a hoarse whisper, and could have meant so many things. She wanted to say yes to all that his body demanded of her.
‘Oh, Flora, you must go. You must. I’ll book you all in here from tomorrow.’
‘Thank you, darling. I’ll bring them along tomorrow afternoon. By then you should have our licence. Oh, Cyrus, I can’t believe all this is happening, but I know it is right that it should.’
He pecked her on the nose. ‘That’s my goodnight kiss. I dare not give you another proper one.’ He laughed as he pulled her out of the shadows and hailed a cab. ‘See you tomorrow, darling.’
What had been difficult to believe while she had been with Cyrus now became impossible, as the horse gave a snort and the cab moved away. The rush of traffic had slowed, and the streets had quietened of people, giving Flora a more relaxing ride home. During it she said over and over to herself: How can this be? What! No. Me – a married woman in two days . . . A giggle escaped her and she pulled her coat around her, as if to hug herself, as excitement zinged through her. Not one jot of doubt entered her, only the realization that the happiness she’d sought was about to be hers.
But then a group of soldiers came into view, heading for the station, and the thought of Cyrus going off to war hit Flora, and her heart seemed to deflate. How was she to bear it? Only one idea occurred, and that was to return to nursing. Only it must be here in London, as she needed to be able to care for Freddy and Pru. Dear Aunt Pru, what will the outcome be for you?
As her mind turned to the awful recent happenings, she wasn’t without hope. Henry Chamberlain had told them that he was going to work on bringing the charge down from murder to one of manslaughter, but then he hoped to go further and plead self-defence. ‘But,’ he’d warned, ‘the circumstances of the relationship between Abe Manning and your aunt will be a hindrance to whatever case I bring, as she will already be perceived as a sinner by the righteous lot that sit in judgement and usually make up a jury.’ He’d shaken his head and said that although he would do his best, Pru was to prepare herself for a prison term.
The thought of that marred Flora’s happiness, as it was a bitter pill, and one that was so undeserved.
Chapter Seventeen
The two days passed much quicker than Flora thought they would. Having so much to do helped. Her one fear – that she might have to ask the consent of her father – hadn’t materialized. Having turned twenty-one years of age, she was able to give her own consent to the marriage. She had never made a decision so easily and so readily, and this surprised her. She’d never had a boyfriend to compare the feelings that she had for Cyrus. She just knew he was the right one for her. She knew that her life would be empty without him in it. She knew she was in love.
Rowena had come into her own, on hearing the news. Rummaging through her stack of materials, she had made a gown so beautiful that tears had run down Flora’s cheeks at the sight of it. Its simplicity gave it its beauty, with an Empire line, and the dress flowing to her ankles in the palest pink silk.
Flora already had a perfect, sheer silver-grey over-jacket from another outfit that lifted the gown from simple and elegant to a thing of beauty. Rowena made it even more so, by adorning it with tiny pink flowers that she’d made from the same silk as the gown. The frock had tiny straps over the shoulders, but the jacket had three-quarter sleeves, with layers of frills at the cuffs. The effect was stunning and was enhanced when Aunt Pru, now feeling much better, had dressed Flora’s long hair in a swooped-back style that hung in a bunch of ringlets falling from her crown to her neck.
‘Sommat blue and sommat borrowed is the order, lass. Wear these pearls. I bought them out of me first wage. They were on a market stall, and I knew they were good ’uns, but the market trader hadn’t seen their value; she had a secondhand stall and sold everything for a penny. Me best buy ever!’
‘Oh, Aunt Pru, they were! They’re beautiful.’
‘I had to clean them up. They looked as if a coal miner had worn them on his shift, but one rub of me finger, as they lay there amongst the rubbish she had, and I knew. Someone had thrown the baby out with the bath water – as we up north say about such a find.’
Flora laughed. It was good to see Aunt Pru looking relaxed and happy. ‘I’ll take great care of them.’
‘Eeh, lass, I canna get over it. My Flora – a bride. I’ll say one thing. No grass nor weeds grow under your feet, lass. But I don’t blame you. If I’d seen Cyrus first, I’d have grabbed him.’
‘Oh, Aunt Pru!’
Their laughter died down as Pru’s tears overflowed.
‘It’ll be all right – we’ll get through. I’ll always be here for you and Freddy, Aunt Pru. Always. And you can be nanny and grandmother to our children. We’ll be a happy family. We will.’
Rowena finished fussing over the gown and stood up. ‘My, ain’t you the pretty one, Flora, girl?’
‘That’s down to you, dear Rowena, and Aunt Pru – thank you. You’ve worked so hard for me.’
‘Been a pleasure. Now you all have a lovely day, and don’t forget old Rowena; come and visit often – me door’s always open.’
‘But you’re staying, aren’t you?’
‘No, thank you kindly, but I’m not comfortable in a place like this. Them’s all right with me while they think I’m a serving woman, but they won’t accept me as a guest.’
Flora was shocked at this. ‘Whatever do you mean?’
‘I’m black. It’s as simple as that. As long as I don’t overstep the mark in this country, then them’s happy, but if I step over the line drawn, them’s not happy. And I don’t want that on your wedding day, darling girl.’
‘But . . .’
‘Leave it, Flora, lass. We can’t change things. We would only make Rowena unhappy by insisting.’
Aunt Pru’s reaction shocked Flora, but deep down she knew that Pru would never say such a thing if she could help it.
Holding Rowena as if she would never let her go, Flora wallowed in her big arms and the soft hug of her body, fighting the tears. ‘I love you, Rowena. You are one of the nicest people I know.’
‘I know that, honey – well, the bit about you loving me. And I love you. Now, have a happy day. I’ll see you at the church, but that’s as far as I can go. You’ll be telling me all about it when I see you. Well, not all . . .’ Rowena’s happy laughter followed her from the room.
‘I’m sorry, lass, I wanted so much to stand by you and insist, but I know there is a strong possibility that the management would refuse to serve Rowena, and I didn’t want that embarrassment for her – or for you. Now, put it out of your mind. Rowena has long since accepted her lot, so you can an’ all.’
Although Flora was blissfully happy throughout the proceedings at the church – a cold, huge but beautiful place that seemed to swallow up the four of them – and at the wedding breakfast around the same table that she and Cyrus had first eaten at together, the incident stayed with her. It was one she couldn’t understand, and she would do all she could to change it. But what that could be, she didn’t yet know. There was a war raging, and people were more concerned with that than with social justice. But maybe after the war . . . Maybe then she could try to right the injustice of the way in which black people were treated.
‘Well, Flora, I must say, you look stunning. A prettier bride I couldn’t wish for. I only wish my mother was here to see you. I’ve written to her and hope she understands. I told her that once the war is over, we will have a proper affair, so that she can invite all her friends to it and introduce you to the rest of our family.’
‘That would be lovely, and thank you for the compliment, darling.’
‘Shall we raise our glasses? To my new family, and to us – and to absent friends.’
Flora giggled, and happiness glowed from her as they clinked their glasses.
Aunt Pru spoke next. ‘And me and Freddy raise our glasses to you both, and welcome you
, Cyrus. By, lad, you’re a lovely addition to our lot.’
They all laughed.
‘I don’t even know what your mother looks like, Cyrus. Are you sure she won’t be cross, and blame me for us marrying so quickly?’
‘No, Mother’s a bit of a bohemian; anything is acceptable. I have a picture of her.’
Dressed in a flowing, many-layered frock, Olivia – as Cyrus told them his mother was called – looked like someone Flora would like very much. Her pose was impish, and her face held a cheeky smile that spoke of someone who loved a lot of what life had to offer.
Olivia looked so much younger than Flora’s own mother, whose beauty had faded under the pinched-up sourness that had taken root in her. Cyrus’s mother was graceful, like a ballet dancer. Any fear of meeting her, or of how she would accept what had happened, left Flora as she gazed at her new mother-in-law.
‘I’ll send her some photos of today. I know she will love you, darling. All of you.’
For a moment Flora thought of all that was going on and wondered if Olivia would be accepting of her son’s involvement with her and Aunt Pru. But the feel of Cyrus’s hand taking hold of hers, and of him leaning close to her, stopped these thoughts. ‘Won’t be long now, darling.’ These words, whispered into her neck, sent a shiver of anticipation and a little fear through her. But no, she was being silly. Not knowing what to do didn’t mean it would go wrong. Cyrus would guide her, and she was sure it would all come naturally, as she wanted nothing more than to give herself fully to him.
‘Well, it’s time me and Freddy got on our way. Eeh, I’m that excited, going to the theatre. That were thoughtful of you, Cyrus, getting them tickets. It would have been a let-down to us, after such an exciting day, to have nothing to follow it.’
