by Anna King
The minutes passed slowly, and the only sound came from the marble clock, the soft ticking sounding to Ruby’s strained nerves like gunshots. Then an extraordinary thing happened. Lady Caldworthy slapped her knee soundly, her loud earthy laughter cutting into the silence like a knife.
‘You’ll do, girl! You’ll do!’ she roared, her face crinkled up in merriment. ‘Pull up that chair beside you and sit down before you fall.’
Ruby felt the tension seep from her taut body as she quickly complied. When she was seated, she carefully placed her trembling hands in her lap in an effort to bury them in the folds of her skirt. Lady Caldworthy waited a minute longer before she spoke, and in doing so gave Ruby precious moments to compose herself. She felt dangerously close to tears, and prayed fervently that she would be able to contain her overwrought emotions until she was alone.
‘Well, now, girl, you have spirit, I’ll say that for you. As for addressing you as “Ruby”, you’ll have to wait for that privilege. I don’t feel comfortable with Christian names unless I know the person well. But that’s a minor point, so we’ll forget it for now. I have a few pertinent questions I wish to ask. Is that agreeable to you?’ Dumbly Ruby nodded, knowing the questions would be asked with or without her permission. ‘Good, good. Are stairs a problem? Because your duties will entail you having to use them frequently during the course of the day.’
Ruby considered the question carefully, then with a wry smile she said, ‘I can’t run up and down as I used to, but I can manage them well enough.’
‘Excellent! That was one of my main concerns. As to the rest, you know what is expected of you; let us take one day at a time.’ Lady Caldworthy leaned back in her chair, a satisfied look on her face. ‘You will no doubt be wanting to see your room and settle yourself in, but before you do I may as well tell you now what your salary will be, and the arrangements for your time off. You will be paid one pound five shillings per week, to include your food and board. You will be allowed one whole day a month free from any duties, and also one half-day fortnightly. These arrangements will, of course, vary, and you may have to alter your day, or half-day, if I happen to need you. Have you anything you wish to ask before you leave?’
Ruby shook her head. ‘No, ma’am.’
‘Very well, you may leave me. If I need you, I shall ring the bell. Take the rest of the day to acclimatise yourself to your new surroundings. Tomorrow will be time enough to acquaint yourself with the rest of the staff.’ Waving her hand imperiously as a dismissal, she once again closed her eyes and fell almost immediately into a light sleep.
Ruby waited a few minutes before rising from her chair, then, picking up her case, she walked heavily over to the door Lady Caldworthy had mentioned. Twisting the brass knob, she pushed gently and found herself in a room much the same as Lily occupied at home. Dropping her case on the thinly carpeted floor, she walked over to the single bed and sat down. Then, staring sightlessly at the large dark brown wardrobe that seemed to take up the entire wall, she thought wildly, ‘What have I let myself in for?’ before dropping her face in her hands and releasing her pent-up emotions in a flood of tears.
* * *
It was nearly two months before Ruby had her first day’s leave. Despite Dr Benson’s indignant efforts on Ruby’s behalf, Lady Caldworthy had steadfastly refused to allow her new companion to return home, insisting that her health was waning and that Ruby’s presence was essential to her wellbeing. Dr Benson had stoutly refuted this statement, declaring that she was as strong as a horse and would in all probability outlive them all, upon which the autocratic lady had told him, if that were the case, she would dispense with his services and save herself the guinea a week for his visits. The plain truth was simply that she didn’t want to let Ruby visit her parents for fear she wouldn’t return. The speed at which Ruby had become so dear to her had surprised Mabel Caldworthy, for she had seldom formed any lasting friendship with any of her own sex, always preferring the company of men. But this young crippled girl had found a way into her cynical heart, and it was with deep foreboding that she had reluctantly agreed to grant Ruby her Sunday off.
In her room Ruby was busily making her bed, her eyes anxiously darting to the small clock she kept by her bedside. Dr Benson was due to visit Lady Caldworthy at nine o’clock, after which he had promised to drive her back to Brixton. Pumping up her solitary pillow, she sent up a silent plea that Lady Caldworthy wouldn’t suddenly get another attack of the vapours, for Ruby was missing her family more than she would have thought possible, and if she were prevented from seeing them for much longer she wouldn’t be accountable for her actions. The bed made, she sat down and waited for Dr Benson to arrive. She had already attended to Lady Caldworthy some 40 minutes earlier, and had purposefully turned a deaf ear to the old lady’s complaints.
Despite Ruby’s efforts to make sure her employer could find no reason to cancel her day off again, the old lady had found fault with everything. Her bed hadn’t been made properly, causing her a sleepless night. The egg Ruby had boiled, timing it to perfection, had been too hard, the bacon under-cooked and the toast soggy. In spite of these gastronomical disasters she had managed to clear her plate, after which she had lain back on her pillows, declaring that she would probably suffer from indigestion all day. Ruby had escaped from the room as soon as was decently possible, expecting at any moment to be summoned back on some pretext or other, but the room next door remained blissfully quiet.
At five minutes to nine Dr Benson arrived, and without stopping to be divested of his overcoat and hat he mounted the circular staircase, wondering as he always did if Ruby was continuing to manage the steps. He had kept a close eye on her progress over the weeks, and had been amazed but not unduly surprised at the speed with which she had adapted to her new life. He had worried that the work would prove too much for her, and had secretly asked Mrs Rodgers, a grand old lady who had worked in the house for over 30 years as cook and substitute housekeeper, to keep an eye on his young friend. She had been wary at first, for being aware of Ruby’s background she had expected the young woman to try to lord it over the staff. When Ruby had first appeared in her kitchen, she had viewed her with a mixture of distrust and grudging respect due to her class, and had been immensely relieved to find the girl pleasant and eager to please, and completely free from any airs and pretensions. From that moment Mrs Rodgers had taken the young girl under her wing, endeavouring to lighten her load whenever possible. Dr Benson had been delighted that Ruby had endeared herself to the staff so quickly, for without their help, the work would indeed have proved too much for her. What he hadn’t expected was the irrational possessive effect she would have on his old friend Mabel Caldworthy, a proud woman who had always scorned close friendships, declaring that she had no need for the troubles they invariably brought with them.
Upon entering the familiar bedroom, he suppressed a smile at the sight of his patient lying back on the mountain of pillows, one hand placed dramatically across her heart. ‘Now, then, Mabel,’ he cried heartily. ‘All’s well with you, I trust?’
Lady Caldworthy opened one eye, saying tersely, ‘Not planning on stopping, I see.’
Paying no heed to the waspish tone, Dr Benson pulled up a chair and sat down, then, taking hold of her liver-spotted hand, he said gently, ‘I hope you’re not intending to renege on your promise, Mabel. Ruby is entitled to her time ofT, as is any servant. She would have been perfectly within her rights to demand her leave over the past weeks, and another young woman in her circumstances almost certainly would have. To my mind, it is a testament to her character and loyalty to you that she has kept by your side when she could have been with her family. But don’t push her too far, Mabel. That same strength of character could work against you, and result in Ruby leaving for good.’ When the hand was snatched away from his grasp, Dr Benson sighed heavily before rising to his feet. Looking down at the figure feigning sleep he added firmly, ‘We’ve known each other for many years, Mabel, so I feel I
can say freely that you are without doubt the most cantankerous, insufferable and downright aggravating woman I have ever met! But, for all that, I’m fond of you, though heaven only knows why.’
Opening her eyes, Lady Caldworthy looked at him intently before saying, ‘There was a time, William, when you were more than just fond of me.’
Dr Benson looked at the now grinning face and smiled back fondly. ‘You’re a wicked old lady, Mabel, and what happened between us was a long time ago and best forgotten!’
‘At my age, William, memories are all I have left.’ Then, waving her hand at him, she said irritably, ‘Oh, go away, you old fool! Ruby will be waiting for you, and I want her back here at six o’clock sharp! Not a minute later.’
Then Dr Benson did a surprising thing: he leaned over the large body and planted a kiss on her wrinkled forehead. ‘Six o’clock, Mabel; never fear,’ he said gently before crossing the room to Ruby’s door.
* * *
Ruby stood on the doorstep under the front porch, tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for Dr Benson to rejoin her. They had already left the house when he had suddenly clapped his hand to his forehead and exclaimed he’d forgotten to give Lady Caldworthy her new bottle of medicine, before disappearing back indoors. Ruby stared in dismay at the torrential rain that was beating down on the pavement. She had taken great care with her appearance and was wearing the new dark green coat and matching bonnet her mother had bought her as an extra birthday present, but now, even walking the few feet to where the carriage was waiting would soak the hem of her coat. Forgetting her own troubles for a moment, she looked with pity upon the coachman who sat outside the carriage, the relentless rain beating on his unprotected head, and the men and women who scurried past the house. The women especially were suffering the worst from the unexpected downpour as they struggled to walk, hampered as they were by their mud-soaked skirts.
Tearing her eyes from the depressing spectacle, she looked anxiously past the open doorway into the long, wide hall and then up to the curving stairway, scanning the deep red carpeted stairs, willing the small, slim grey-haired figure to come into view, but to no avail. He had only been gone a few minutes, but, to Ruby, her nerves tingling with anxiety, it seemed like hours. A sudden gust of wind blew a stream of rain into the porch and she hurriedly stepped back further into the doorway. Common sense told her to wait inside the house, but she had an irrational fear that if she so much as stepped back over the threshold, something would happen to make her stay. As another gust of wind and rain swept over her she muttered angrily, ‘Oh, hurry up, Dr Benson, please!’
Such was her preoccupation that she failed to see the tall figure of the man, his head bent low against the rain, jumping up the stone steps leading to the house. As his heavy body cannoned into her, she cried out in alarm, grabbing at the man’s sodden sleeve to stop herself from falling.
‘Bejasus, sweetheart, I didn’t see you standing there! It’s a clumsy oaf I am and no mistake! Are ye all right?’
About to make a sharp retort, Ruby stopped as she found herself looking into a pair of the bluest eyes she had ever seen. A strange lethargic feeling came over her body, and the desire to step further into the circle of the stranger’s arms was so strong that she stepped back awkwardly. Trying to overcome her confusion, she made a great play of adjusting her already secure bonnet and mumbled, ‘I’m all right, but thank you for your concern.’ When the man made no move to leave, she wetted her lips nervously before saying, ‘I hope you won’t take offence, but it would be better if you moved on. The lady of the house is a bit of a tartar, and, well… Here her words trailed off miserably. How could she tell this nice, shabbily dressed man that tradesmen and people of the lower classes were not welcome at the front of the house? Not knowing what else to say, she stared fixedly at the driving rain, willing the stranger to leave her side before Dr Benson came back.
Her hopes were dashed as the man moved nearer to her, and in a voice filled with laughter said gaily, ‘Ah, now, don’t you be worrying about hurting me feelings. Me skin’s as thick as me skull, so me dear sainted mother was forever telling me! Tell me now, are you waiting for somebody, or is it just sheltering from the rain you are?’
‘The young lady is waiting for me, sir, and kindly remove yourself from these premises. This is private property.’ Both Ruby and the man turned their heads as Dr Benson appeared in the open doorway.
The smile slid from the man’s face as he answered coolly, ‘I have an appointment to see Mr Masters, the butler of the house, concerning the post of gardener and odd-job man… sir.’
Although the man had addressed him as ‘sir’, Dr Benson was quick to note that the word held no respect for this man standing before him. In fact his whole demeanour smacked of insolence. Placing his arm protectively round Ruby’s shoulders he said stiffly, ‘Tradesmen’s entrance is down below. If you go down the stairs at the side of the house, you will be seen to. Come along, Ruby, your parents and brothers are anxious to see you.’
Taking hold of her arm, Dr Benson steered her quickly down the stone-flagged steps, leaving her just long enough to open the carriage door.
‘Quickly, Ruby,’ he called out urgently as the rain continued to fall, the large drops of water hitting the top of his high hat and trickling down the back of his neck.
Conscious of the stranger’s stare, Ruby endeavoured to walk as normally as possible. As she put her right foot onto the carriage step, she quickly lifted her left leg so that her dress covered the tip of her wooden leg. For some unknown reason she didn’t want the stranger to be aware of her deformity. Once seated inside the carriage, she stole a last look at the bedraggled figure still standing resolutely in the porch, flanked by the two stone pillars. As the coachman whipped up the horses, she saw the man doff his sodden cap to her and felt a ridiculous surge of pleasure before the carriage moved away from the house.
* * *
Michael O’Brien watched the carriage drive away, his eyes narrowed in anger. ‘Jumped-up English bastard!’ he muttered furiously, his teeth clenched with rage. ‘Talking to me as if I were the dirt beneath his feet. We’ll see who’s the better man, me foine Englishman! Maybe the little colleen will be more appreciative of me charms than you were. Now wouldn’t that make your stiff upper lip tremble?’ This pleasing thought had the desired effect, and running lightly down the steps leading to the servants’ quarters, he whistled happily.
Chapter Fifteen
Lily knocked once on the parlour door, then, without waiting for the command to enter as she normally did, she pushed it open and announced in a high excited voice, ‘Miss Ruby’s just arrived with Dr Benson, Mrs Chadwick. Shall I answer the door, or would you prefer to do the honours?’
Daisy laid down her embroidery, her face alight with happiness and relief. ‘Oh, thank heavens! Have they just driven up? I was afraid that dreadful woman would change her mind again at the last moment.’ As she rose to her feet, Bernard, who was sitting in his favourite armchair pretending to read his Sunday Times, said sharply, ‘Sit down, Daisy. I’m sure Lily can open the door by herself, she’s done it often enough. Besides, it’s not seemly for the mistress of the house to admit visitors.’
‘Stuff and nonsense, Bernard! You can hardly consider our daughter a visitor!’ She was already walking towards the door. Looking over her shoulder, she saw him shake the newspaper outwards and his solemn expression, and burst into laughter. ‘Really, Bernard, you know you’re as excited as I am at the prospect of seeing Ruby. Why do you have to pretend indifference? It doesn’t fool anyone, least of all me!’ The resounding of the heavy brass knocker against the front door cut off Daisy’s remonstrances, and before Bernard could answer, she had already left the room.
Ruby was about to knock again when the door was flung open wide to reveal her mother and Lily standing side by side, their faces stretched into wide smiles.
‘Come in, dear, and let me look at you. Oh, it’s lovely to see you again!’ Daisy was al
ready trying to pull off Ruby’s coat before she was properly into the hall.
‘Mum, give me a chance to get in the door!’ Ruby laughed happily as she shook her arms free. Then, noticing Lily dressed in her grey and white housekeeper’s uniform, she exclaimed, ‘Why, Lily, you didn’t have to dress up for me! I may have left home, but I don’t consider myself a guest.’
Lily took Ruby’s coat and bonnet, forcing herself to stem the torrent of words she longed to say, in deference to Daisy’s presence. It wasn’t her place to ask any questions. She might feel like part of the family, but she was still a servant, and it would pay her to remember that fact.
‘Didn’t Dr Benson tell you, Ruby? Lily is our full-time housekeeper now, I told you she was too valuable to lose, and I must say she is doing an excellent job.’
At the sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs, Ruby’s face broke into a wide smile at the sight of her two brothers bounding down the stairs. Bertie was the first to reach her, and, placing his hands under her armpits, he swung her off the ground, shouting with delight, ‘Welcome home, little sister! The house has been dead without your lively chatter, and although I never thought I’d admit it, I missed you. We all have. How long can you stay?’
