‘See!’ Orpha yelled. ‘It’s supposed to be that way, but with Ashley and me… it wasn’t!’
‘Right then,’ Abel said simply, ‘tomorrow you’d better cancel the church.’
‘I cancelled everything last week,’ Orpha said.
‘But you got your dress!’ Peg was confused.
‘I had ordered it, so I paid for it, I couldn’t let the dressmaker down regarding the sale,’ Orpha replied.
Suddenly she burst into floods of tears and was immediately wrapped in her father’s arms.
The staff quietly retreated to the kitchen to discuss what they’d heard said amongst the family members. Simmons felt happy enough to do a little jig but restrained himself. Instead he retired to bed later, safe in the knowledge Orpha would not be tying herself to the gold digger who was Ashley Rochester.
*
Orpha, feeling immensely relieved, walked up St. George’s Parade to attend a meeting with Jonathon Peasbody, her accountant. The audit of her accounts had been completed and she wanted to know if her business could stand to open another factory. The discussions ended positively and she walked happily to see Mr Belcher once more.
The summer sun was warm on her shoulders as she thought it would have been nice to be married on such a day. Pushing the thought aside, she stepped into the estate agent’s office. Explaining her requirement, Mr Belcher sought through his papers before showing her what he thought would be an ideal building. Looking at the diagram of the structural plan, Orpha agreed it looked promising. The premises stood on the corner of Navigation Street and Commercial Road – right opposite her shop! Orpha couldn’t believe her luck.
Hailing a cabbie, Orpha gave him the address and settled back in the carriage to enjoy the sounds of the horse’s hooves on the cobbled streets.
As it happened, Lottie Spence was in the shop as Orpha walked in. She asked, ‘Lottie, would you accompany me to see the new building and give your opinion?’
Lottie gushed, ‘Ooh yes, I’d love to.’
As they walked around the dusty structure, the two women formulated a plan between them.
Agreed the building would be an asset to the business, the women parted company; Lottie going back to the shop and Orpha asking the cabbie to return her to Belcher’s where she began negotiations for the purchase of the premises.
Once again the cleaning and painting took place while Orpha and Peg scoured the town for utensils, pots and pans, trays and any other accoutrements they might need.
It was on one of these jaunts into town, that Peg said, ‘Orpha, did you realise you would have been married tomorrow?’
‘Bloody hell!’ Orpha said, causing Peg to spill her coffee. They had rested in their coffee shop before tackling yet another shopping trip.
‘You know, I wouldn’t have thought Ashley would have given you up so easily,’ Peg went on.
‘Well it just goes to prove what he was after all along!’ Orpha said quietly. Her statement closed the conversation about Ashley Rochester.
*
‘Well,’ Beulah Jukes said as she stirred the broth, ‘you going to tell Miss Orpha now?’
‘Tell her what?’ Simmons asked.
Beulah sat at the table and exhaled through her nose. ‘Tell her about that bugger’s activities in Birmingham!’
‘Oh, the delightful Mr Rochester you mean?’ Simmons asked with a grin. ‘No, I don’t think there is any need now, do you?’
‘I suppose not. There’s no reason to rake over old coals,’ the cook answered.
‘Precisely, and she’s busy with the new factory at the moment too.’ Simmons smiled indulgently.
‘True. It’s fair amazing what that girl has achieved over the years, and no mistake!’ The cook was back to stirring the broth, the old edict coming to mind: a broth boiled was a broth spoiled. Looking at Simmons, she asked, ‘You still carrying a candle for her?’
The butler nodded, ‘Like you wouldn’t believe, Beulah!’
‘Bloody shame that, you know, that it can’t be between you two… you’d make a good pair.’ Beulah shook her head in dismay.
Simmons felt the pang sting his heart as he heard her words. He had loved Orpha for what seemed like forever and each day that love grew stronger. He tried his best to love her from afar, but the memory of her lips on his cheek was always with him. She plagued his days and haunted his nights; his dreams were full of her. Again he thought of leaving the household and again he dismissed it. He knew he would stay near her always or die trying.
Chapter 52
Ashley Rochester walked along Derry Street in an effort to remember the house where he’d exchanged those fateful words with that woman. There, it was the house which stood alone. Walking up to the door, he banged hard. Receiving no answer, he banged again.
‘All right, all right… I’m not deaf!’ The shout echoed through the house. As the door opened, the voice said, ‘Ah Mr Ashley Rochester, I wondered how long it would be before I saw you again!’
‘Madam, we need words!’ Ashley snapped.
‘Best come in then,’ Hortense said as she closed the door behind him. ‘Sit down, lad, and tell me what’s on your mind.’
‘What’s…? What’s on my mind?!’ Ashley said aghast. ‘The words you and I exchanged at your garden gate have put paid to my wedding!’
‘Yes, I heard something of the sort,’ Hortense said nonchalantly.
‘Do you not realise what you’ve done?’ Ashley asked sharply.
‘What I’ve done?’ Hortense’s voice mimicked the cadence. ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’
‘I don’t believe what I’m hearing!’ Ashley rasped. ‘You either gossiped and it got back to my fiancé or you told her yourself! Now, I ask myself, how would you know my fiancé?’
‘Not that it’s any of your business… but I will tell you nevertheless. I know that you were engaged to Orpha Buchanan… am I right?’ Hortense watched his face intently; she was enjoying playing with this young man’s emotions. Seeing his nod, she continued, ‘Well you could never have married her despite me passing on your words to her.’
‘What? I don’t understand.’ Ashley said, shaking his head.
Hortense sighed again as though she were speaking to a five-year-old.
‘Why not?’ Ashley’s voice rose in anger.
‘Because…’ Hortense drew the word out, ‘she’s my daughter.’
Ashley’s anger was now at boiling point. ‘And that would matter precisely how?’
Hortense gave him an evil grin. ‘That, young man, is something I do not intend to divulge. Now I’ll thank you to leave my house. Oh… and please do not think to return.’
Ashley stormed away from the house decidedly rattled.
*
Dinner was pleasant at Buchanan Mansion with the business of the day being discussed. Ezzie was busy brokering deals for his boat line and Edna was in her element taking care of baby Ralph. Abel and Zach’s business was thriving and Peg was enjoying helping out where she could with Orpha’s shops.
*
Then a banging on the front door interrupted conversation.
Orpha could hear raised voices and went to investigate. Ashley was yelling to be let in and Simmons was quietly refusing him entry.
‘It’s all right, Simmons, let him in,’ Orpha said.
‘Orpha… I’m sorry you misunderstood what had been said when I was drunk…’ Ashley said in a rush as he stood in the hallway. Simmons was standing to the side still holding the door open.
‘Oh I see!’ Orpha snapped. ‘Now it’s that I misunderstood, is that what you’re saying? That all this is now my fault?’
‘No… no, I was telling that woman, your mother, that I was marrying the owner of “The Choc’s Box”… not that I was going to be the owner!’ Ashley held out his hands in supplication.
‘How did you know she is my mother?’ Orpha demanded.
‘I went to see her,’ Ashley was all innocence now, ‘and she told me, but Orpha… she
said I could never marry you despite this misunderstanding. What did she mean by that?’
‘I have no idea, Ashley,’ Orpha replied, ‘but she was right in a sense.’
‘What sense? What the hell do you mean?’ Ashley’s temper rose and he saw Simmons take a step towards Orpha in a protective gesture.
‘Ashley, I know too much about you… you lied to me and… I know about Birmingham,’ Orpha said, her voice laced with disgust.
Simmons bit his lip as he heard the words Orpha was unaware he understood. How did Orpha find out? He certainly hadn’t told her!
‘No, Orpha… you don’t understand…’ Ashley tried again.
‘Ah, I don’t understand again eh? Well, Ashley Rochester, let me tell you something, I understand perfectly!’ Orpha was in full swing as her tirade assaulted his ears. ‘You have lied to me about the warehouses. You have told others that you intended to own my business. You have no money of your own, save that given you by the lady in Birmingham in exchange for your… your… amour!’
Simmons stifled a laugh at Orpha’s search for a polite explanation before he said impudently in an effort to goad the man. ‘And he lives in a hovel… ma’am.’
‘Mind your business, servant!’ Ashley snapped at the butler.
Orpha repeated, ‘And you live in a hovel! How on earth do you suppose I would want to marry you knowing all this?’
‘Orpha, please… hear me out, let me explain…’ Ashley was begging.
‘Ashley… just get out! It is finished. I never want to see you again! Go back to your whore!’ Orpha spat venomously.
‘Whores… ma’am,’ Simmons put in politely.
Ashley had had enough and took a swing at the butler who deftly sidestepped and Ashley tottered forward a few steps. Grabbing the man’s arm, Simmons twisted it up Ashley’s back and steered him out of the front door. With a mighty push, he watched Ashley fall on his face. Closing the door, Simmons brushed his hands as though they were dirty and said, ‘Would ma’am like more tea?’
The whole family and staff who had gathered to watch the debacle fell about laughing.
*
Ashley was angrier than he had ever been in his life as he strode down the driveway and headed for his ruin of a home. He had lost her – moreover he had lost her money!
Finally sitting before the empty fireplace, his mind tried to make sense of what had happened. He felt a headache begin to bang in his head again.
Orpha knew about the empty warehouses… how? She knew about his women in Birmingham… and that butler knew too… how? Had the butler found out and reported it to Orpha? Had Simmons followed him? No, he would have seen him, surely.
Ashley rubbed his hands over his face. How could he have been so stupid? He’d got drunk and boasted his good fortune. What were the odds the person he bragged to would be Orpha’s mother? It was rotten luck and there was no way now he could retrieve the situation. His acquisitive nature told him he had to rethink his strategy if he wanted to become rich.
All his father had left him was a tumbledown house and a string of useless warehouses. He could at least sell those, they wouldn’t bring him a fortune, but some money was better than none. He could still see the ‘older ladies’ in Birmingham; their money would keep him from starving.
He made his decision, he would have to try again to sell the warehouses, but first he would visit Orpha’s mother again. This time she would tell him what he wanted to know!
Chapter 53
Answering the new telephone that Orpha had installed, Simmons informed her a Mr Belcher wished to speak with her. As she made her greeting, the voice she knew so well said, ‘Ah, Orpha my dear, I have something here you may be interested in. I wonder if your busy schedule might be interrupted so that you could call in and see me?’
Orpha said, ‘I will come straight after breakfast.’ Looking out at the beautiful day, she decided she would walk to Belcher & Son.
‘Hello… hello…’ Mr Belcher said as the doorbell tinkled her arrival. ‘Please, do sit down. Now then, I have just acquired on my books six warehouses in St. Matthew’s Street and I wondered if they might be of use to your good self?’
Orpha’s attention was grabbed immediately as she asked, ‘May I ask who is selling them?’
Riffling through his papers in a constant mess on his desk, Belcher said, ‘Yes, here it is… a Mr Ashley Rochester.’
So Ashley was selling the only things left to him. Orpha’s feelings oscillated between feeling sad at how low her once-intended had sunk, and her relief at being able to keep her business. She was not surprised at having heard nothing from Ashley since the wedding had been abandoned.
‘Mr Belcher,’ Orpha said, ‘I am indeed interested. However, I would only buy them at the lowest possible price naturally…’
‘But of course!’ Mr Belcher agreed.
‘I also have a proviso… Mr Rochester is not to know who the buyer is. Under no circumstances must he find out that I am interested in his properties until contracts and money are exchanged. After that it will not matter. Mr Belcher, I must have your word on this.’
The estate agent saw Orpha was adamant and he agreed, saying, ‘You have my word, my dear. I will negotiate the lowest price I can for you and be assured you will remain anonymous until after the fact.’
Shaking hands on the deal, Orpha left the office. What on earth would she do with six warehouses? Why had she said she would buy them? Was it to help Ashley out in his hour of need? Or, had it been out of spite; revenge for hurting her so badly? Whatever the reason, she knew Mr Belcher would have those warehouses for her very soon; within the week if she knew anything about Ashley Rochester.
*
Enjoying the last of the good weather, Orpha walked over to visit her mother in Derry Street.
‘So how are you bearing up considering you’re not a bride?’ Hortense sneered.
‘I’m fine, Mother, and you don’t have to be so nasty all the time!’ Orpha was in a good mood and didn’t want Hortense to spoil it for her. She debated whether to divulge the information about Ashley’s properties but thought better of it. Thought of Ashley sparked a memory and she asked, ‘Why did you tell Ashley he couldn’t marry me?’
‘Because he asked!’ Hortense’s answer was caustic.
‘Why did he ask?’ Orpha said in frustration.
‘Because he wanted to know!’ Hortense loved playing mind games with people and her daughter was no exception.
‘Mother! For God’s sake!’ Orpha’s frustration turned to anger.
Hortense smiled, she’d got the girl rattled now. ‘It’s not your business what I said to Mr Rochester, so keep your nose out!’
Orpha let it go, she would get no answers from her mother on this matter. Instead, her anger boiling over, she left.
Simmons joined Orpha in the gardens of Buchanan Mansion as he carried out a tea tray. ‘Penny for your thoughts, ma’am?’
‘Ah Simmons,’ she said, ‘I tried to find out what Mother had told Ashley about why we could not be married, but she wouldn’t tell me.’
‘I wouldn’t dwell on it, ma’am, I’m sure she was only thinking of your welfare.’ Both knowing Hortense as they did, they burst out laughing. Simmons spoke again, ‘I’m certain it will all come to light in time.’
‘Perhaps you’re right,’ Orpha said, then in a conspiratorial whisper she explained about buying the warehouses, and how it should remain a secret for now.
Simmons touched his index finger to the side of his nose as he left her to her tea.
*
Hortense opened the door at the knock and a sonorous voice said, ‘Excuse me, madam, but I’m looking for Hortense Buchanan.’
‘Well you’ve found her,’ she said taking in the police uniform.
‘I am Sergeant Jack from the Birmingham Constabulary and I’m making enquiries about one Ashley Rochester. I believe you know the young man?’
‘Best come in,’ Hortense urged the man into the house.<
br />
Both seated before the fire, the man said, ‘Now then, what can you tell me about Mr Rochester?’ The sergeant pulled out a small notebook and pencil. Licking the pencil lead, he prepared to take notes.
Hortense told the policeman everything she knew about Ashley and then the man asked, ‘And why is it you told him he could not marry your daughter, madam?’
Hortense had dreaded the question but knew it would be asked.
The sergeant waited then said, ‘I’m sorry to have to ask, but it could be important to our investigations.’
‘Exactly what are you investigating him for?’ Hortense asked, trying to change the subject.
‘I’m not at liberty to say, madam. Now about the reason for the couple not marrying?’
Hortense realised the sergeant was not going to give up. She really didn’t want to say, but this was a policeman in her house. She couldn’t withhold information from the police, could she? She looked carefully at the man, there was something vaguely familiar about him, but she couldn’t put her finger on quite what it was.
‘Madam…’ the sergeant prompted, ‘we can always do this interview down at the station…’
‘No!’ Hortense had been in a police station before and she didn’t want to go back. ‘They couldn’t marry because…’
Chapter 54
Orpha’s half-brother, Zachariah, accompanied her to look at her new warehouses. They were massive structures, each standing one wedged against the next with no light passing between them. Orpha wondered if they had, in fact, once been one building… or could be used as one building. Each one was dry and of sound construction and as they looked around Orpha’s mind worked in pictures. She could use them as storage for her products, although her factories provided sufficient storage areas. She could turn them into more shops and coffee shops, but thinking sensibly she realised the expenditure would be too great at the present time.
The Lost Sisters Page 33
