The Mistletoe Seller
Page 23
Angel was seated next to her and she reached out to pat Susannah’s hand. ‘We’re in a fix, Sukey. Toby didn’t want to worry you, but it’s possible we might lose Grantley even though we’ve been repaying the mortgage.’
‘I don’t know why you include yourself,’ Susannah said spitefully. ‘Grantley doesn’t belong to you.’
‘It’s not yours either.’ Toby slammed his empty glass down on a drum table at his side. ‘The estate belongs to Uncle Dolph and if anything happened to him it will go to Hector, but it’s Angel’s home just as much as it’s ours. This is why we don’t tell you things, Susie. You only think of yourself.’
Percy held up his hands. ‘Wait a minute, Toby. Susannah has a point in that the present situation affects all of you. Angel told me everything and, in my opinion, for what it’s worth, I doubt if simply getting a power of attorney is going to save Grantley from grasping creditors. It seems to me that this man Galloway is in league with the people who want to get their hands on the estate, for what reason I’ve no idea, but it smacks of collusion and dirty dealing.’
Toby glared at him with a belligerent set to his jaw. ‘Then what would you advise? Do we just sit back and allow it to happen?’
‘We can’t do that,’ Angel cried passionately. ‘We’ve fought so hard, we can’t just give up.’
‘I think I’m going to cry,’ Belinda said tearfully. ‘It’s so sad.’
‘Well, I’m not giving in so easily.’ Toby rose to his feet. ‘I’m tired and dusty after a long ride, so I’ll go and change before dinner, but this isn’t over, Percy. I’m not going to let Grantley go without a fight.’ He stormed out of the room, leaving the door to slam of its own accord.
‘I’m going to tell Mama and Sir Eugene,’ Susannah said, pouting. ‘If he’s going to marry her the least he can do is save Grantley for her children.’
Angel was about to say something soothing when the door opened and Lil stomped into the drawing room, wiping her reddened hands on her apron. ‘Dinner’s served.’
‘Toby has just gone upstairs to change,’ Angel said tactfully. ‘We’ll have to wait until he comes down.’
Lil stood, arms akimbo. ‘You try telling that to Cook. She’s worked herself into a state and been throwing knives around – one of them almost sliced Flossie’s ear off. We’ve all had enough of trying to make proper meals out of what Master Toby brings down with his gun and what’s left in the vegetable garden.’ She glared at Percy and Belinda. ‘You started this daft business of running the house like a hotel. Well, you should try doing it with a handful of servants and nuppence in the bank.’ She turned to point her finger at Susannah. ‘If you peach on me and tell your ma what I just said, you’ll find yourself without any servants. We’re all looking for other positions and if I go I take Angel with me. I ain’t leaving my baby girl in a sinking ship.’ She flounced out of the room leaving everyone in stunned silence.
‘You’re her daughter?’ Belinda said dazedly.
‘No, I’m not.’ Angel rose to her feet. ‘But I’d be proud to have someone as kind and loving as her for a mother.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Belinda said hastily. ‘I did know you were a foundling – I didn’t mean to upset you. It must be awful having nothing to connect you to your real family.’
‘I doubt if I’ll ever find out who my mother was, but I’m sure she had a good reason for abandoning me.’ Angel traced the outline of the ring beneath the ruched silk of her pale-blue gown. She was tempted to show it to them, but it was her secret and hers alone – the only thing that linked her with the woman who had given her up, for whatever reason.
Percy cleared his throat noisily. ‘You shouldn’t make personal remarks, Belle. It’s not done.’
‘I’ve said I’m sorry.’ Belinda was on the verge of tears but the door flew open and this time it was Humphrey who rushed into the room.
‘A messenger arrived with this. It’s for Toby and I think it’s from the War Office.’
Susannah was first on her feet and she snatched it from him. ‘It must be about Uncle Dolph. Maybe he’s coming home.’
‘It’s addressed to Toby,’ Angel said hastily. ‘You should wait until he comes down.’
‘It’ll be for all of us,’ Susannah said, breaking the seal. ‘Oh, no!’ she murmured, and sank to the floor in a dead faint.
Chapter Sixteen
The news that Sir Adolphus had died of a fever in camp had come as a shock and had left the family in deep mourning. Even though they had never been close, Angel felt his loss deeply. Sir Adolphus had been her saviour and her mentor, but Eloise was his sister and she had taken the news badly, retiring to her room and refusing to come out, even though Susannah, perhaps surprisingly for someone so self-centred, was in no fit state to be of any practical use. Their inability to do anything constructive made it necessary for Angel to accompany Toby to the solicitor’s office in an attempt to sort out the late colonel’s affairs.
It was the third time she had been to see Galloway, and although he pretended to be sympathetic it was obvious that he was far from sincere in his condolences, and Angel had difficulty in containing her anger.
‘Your brother is the heir to the estate.’ Galloway addressed himself to Toby. ‘I have your uncle’s will here and he leaves everything to Hector Devane, with a few minor bequests, which sadly will not be fulfilled because there are insufficient funds.’
‘What are you saying, sir?’ Toby demanded.
Angel could see that Galloway was enjoying their discomfort. His beady eyes glittered with malice and she felt a shiver run down her spine. This was not going to end well.
‘The mortgage agreement is null and void now that your uncle is deceased. It will be up to Captain Devane to renegotiate the terms.’
‘But Hector is in Natal Province,’ Angel protested. ‘You know that well enough.’
Grinning broadly, Galloway sat back in his throne-like chair. ‘Indeed I do, and if the creditors are not prepared to await his return, they will demand immediate repayment of the entire sum.’ He scribbled some figures on a sheet of paper and slid it across the table. ‘Can you find this amount of money quickly?’
Toby gulped and swallowed. ‘But this is more than my uncle borrowed in the first place.’
‘Naturally interest has been added, which is only to be expected.’
‘You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?’ Angel said angrily. ‘Who are these creditors, and why are you taking their side. What’s in it for you?’
Galloway laid his hand on his heart. ‘I’m hurt that you think so little of me. I abide by the rules of the society that governs my profession.’
‘I don’t believe you, Galloway.’ Toby thumped his fist on the desk, sending the inkwell skittering across the tooled-leather surface. ‘What do you gain from our misfortune?’
Galloway rose to his feet and leaned across the desk, glaring at Toby. ‘You can’t pay, can you? I know your family finances and you haven’t got two ha’pennies to rub together.’
‘So what happens if we can’t get my brother home in time to sign a new contract, even supposing the creditors agree to such a thing?’ Toby faced him angrily and his voice shook with emotion.
‘The creditors will foreclose and take possession of the estate.’ Galloway resumed his seat, a triumphant smile replacing his belligerent scowl. ‘You might not have noticed, but the area where you live is rapidly becoming a dormitory for the City of London. The railway makes it possible for workers to travel into town each day, and quite soon Grantley and the surrounding land will be criss-crossed with streets crammed with yellow-brick two-storey terraced houses. Hundreds of families will form communities where once only the rich and privileged lived, and you and your kind will be forced to earn your money like the rest of us.’
Angel glanced anxiously at Toby and for a moment she thought he was going to punch Galloway’s smug face, but the touch of her hand on his arm restrained him.
‘What do you get out
of this?’ Toby growled.
‘A handsome bonus, enough to allow me to retire to the country where I already own a decent-sized property.’
‘You, sir, are a dishonest man and a disgrace to your profession.’ Toby made a move towards the door. ‘Don’t think you can get away with this. We’re not done for yet.’
Angel followed him out of the office and along the now-familiar dark passage. The clerk glanced anxiously at them but they passed him without saying a word. It was only when they reached the street outside that Toby vented his feelings. He uttered a loud yell that sent pigeons and sparrows flying for the safety of the trees.
‘If I was qualified now I’d sue him for client conflict and own-interest conflict and anything else that I could get him for, the thieving b—’ He broke off, grimacing. ‘Sorry, Angel, but I’m so bloody angry.’
‘I know, I feel the same, but we need to think clearly. Let’s go home.’ She waved to the Montgomeries’ coachman, who was waiting for them on the far side of the gardens. ‘Maybe Percy has some ideas, or we could ask Sir Eugene.’
‘This is Devane business now. I’m not going cap in hand to Sir Eugene. He’ll take care of Mama, which is one worry less, but the rest of us will have to find our own way out of the mess Uncle Dolph foisted upon us.’
‘I wish Hector were here,’ Angel said wholeheartedly. ‘It’s bad enough having lost Uncle Dolph, without Hector risking his life thousands of miles away.’
‘My brother can’t help us out of this hole. He has only his army pay, and you heard Galloway: there’s no money for him to inherit.’ Toby stepped forward as the carriage drew to a halt, and he opened the door. ‘It doesn’t look good for any of us, Angel.’ He handed her into the vehicle and leaped in after her.
They arrived home to be greeted by Humphrey.
‘They’ve been waiting for you for hours, Toby. I had to come outside because I couldn’t stand it any longer.’ He took the steps two at a time and opened the front door. ‘Sir Eugene wants us to sell Grantley, and Mama agrees with him. You’ve got to stop them.’
‘I’m not sure there’s anything I can do.’ Toby strode into the hall, tossing his hat and gloves onto a chair. ‘Come on, Angel, this concerns you as much as it does the Devanes.’
‘I feel somewhat to blame for all this,’ Angel said guiltily. ‘I’m sure Galloway bears a grudge against me, although I don’t know why he should. I’ve done nothing to him.’
Humphrey grasped her hand. ‘Don’t say things like that. You’re one of us and it’s not your fault.’
‘Thank you, Humpty Dumpty. If only that were true.’
They entered the drawing room to find Sir Eugene and Eloise waiting for them, with Percy, Belinda, Blanche and Susannah looking as though they were about to witness a trial by jury where the accused was a serial killer.
‘What news, Toby?’ Sir Eugene demanded sharply. ‘I can tell by your expression that it didn’t go well.’
Toby glanced round at their expectant faces and he shook his head. ‘No, it’s not good, sir.’
Angel went to sit beside Susannah, listening quietly while Toby repeated what Galloway had told them. She loved Grantley, but she realised that the feeling went even deeper with Eloise, who had been born in the old house and whose entire way of life was under threat. Her heart ached for the family that had adopted her, and for Hector, who was too far away to do anything to save his home and protect those he loved.
Eloise clutched Sir Eugene’s arm. ‘What will happen now? I can’t bear the thought of Grantley being razed to the ground, and the beautiful gardens torn up to be covered in brick and concrete.’
He patted her hand. ‘I’m not sure that there’s anything to be done, my dear. I’m afraid your brother left his affairs in such a parlous state that losing Grantley is more or less inevitable.’
Percy nodded. ‘I know it’s nothing to do with me, but I was going to offer financial help until Toby informed us of the facts. Even if this man Galloway is in collusion with the creditors, that would appear to be a separate matter. The family could take him to court for misconduct, but the costs incurred would be prohibitive and the outcome uncertain.’
‘I could have run it as a hotel,’ Angel said passionately. ‘I’m sure I could have made it pay.’
‘I don’t doubt it,’ Sir Eugene said kindly. ‘I’ll consult my solicitor to see if there’s anything we can do to save the estate, but the real reason I came here today was to tell you that Eloise and I have named the day. We’re to be married by special licence in three days’ time.’
A murmur of congratulations rippled round the room, although it was hardly a joyous chorus. ‘That’s wonderful news.’ Angel nudged Susannah, who nodded and murmured something unintelligible.
Eloise blushed and smiled. ‘Of course we want you all to come to the wedding, including Percy and Belinda. You might have come into our lives through an accident on the highway, but you are now valued friends.’
‘Thank you,’ Belinda said, smiling.
‘Of course we would be delighted to attend,’ Percy added, nodding.
‘Congratulations, sir,’ Toby said stiffly. ‘I hope you will both be very happy.’
‘You will be welcome to reside with us at Westwood Hall,’ Sir Eugene said, encompassing the brothers and Susannah with a wave of his hand. ‘That includes you too, Angel. We will be one family.’
Angel could tell that Susannah was not delighted by the generous offer, and Blanche did not look too pleased either. Humphrey and Toby retreated to the window seat, saying nothing, but it was clear that the Devane siblings did not take too kindly to the idea.
‘Might I make a suggestion?’ Percy rose from his seat and went to stand in front of the fireplace. ‘I agree with Sir Eugene that independent legal advice should be sought in the hope of delaying the repossession of Grantley. Maybe an application to the War Office on compassionate grounds might be enough to bring Hector home so that he can challenge the agreement signed by his uncle. It’s a slim hope, but there may be by-laws that would prevent the land being used for housing, and local authorities would have to approve the plans for new buildings.’
‘Well said, Percy.’ Toby sprang to his feet. ‘I remember studying the Local Government Act of 1858 in one of my law classes, although I’m blowed if I can recall any details.’
Blanche clapped her hands. ‘I think that’s a wonderful idea, Percy. You are so clever.’
Susannah gave her a withering look. ‘And you are so obvious.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Blanche said, blushing. ‘I know how I’d feel if Westwood was about to be sold.’
‘There is one thing I insist upon,’ Sir Eugene said firmly. ‘Eloise and I have talked it over at length. Toby must return to Oxford to complete his studies, and Humphrey will continue at Rugby.’ He fixed Toby with a stern stare. ‘As your stepfather I will be willing to foot the bill and it would make your mother very happy.’
‘That’s very generous of you, sir.’ Toby nudged Humphrey, who nodded dutifully, although Angel suspected that he was far from pleased. She knew that he still hankered after a life on the stage, but would not dare admit it to his elder brother or his mother, let alone his prospective stepfather. Sir Eugene was not the sort of man who would take kindly to a son of his treading the boards.
‘And Susannah and Blanche will be sisters,’ Eloise continued happily. ‘I’ll be devastated if we lose Grantley, but life must go on and I’m sure we’ll all be very happy at Westwood Hall.’
Angel could see that Susannah had her doubts and she squeezed her hand. ‘There’s always the house in London if you are desperate,’ she whispered.
‘What did you say, Angel?’ Toby came to life, leaping to his feet.
‘Galloway didn’t say anything about the house in Naked Boy Court. Maybe Uncle Dolph didn’t mention it in his will.’
‘I always hated that house,’ Eloise said, shuddering. ‘I’m sure it’s haunted.’
‘I can’t say, Eugene. Anyway, it would be up to Hector to make that decision. He must come home to sort out his affairs. You’ll have to tell the War Office in the strongest terms that we need him, my dear.’
‘You mustn’t worry, Eloise. I’ll put my solicitor to work and you must concentrate on our wedding. You and the girls have only a few days in which to make ready.’
‘That means a shopping trip to the West End,’ she said excitedly. ‘We will all go, Susannah, Blanche and Angel.’ She turned to Belinda with a persuasive smile. ‘I’d be delighted if you would accompany us.’
Angel glanced at the clock on the mantelshelf and realised with a start that it was almost four o’clock. Lil and Cook would be working frantically below stairs in an attempt to make a meal fit for their guests, and she would be needed to help. ‘If you’ll excuse me, Aunt Eloise. I must go and change.’
‘It’s too early to dress for dinner,’ Susannah said pointedly.
‘There won’t be any dinner if I don’t give them a hand in the kitchen. You might be living in the past, Sukey, but some of us have to get on with things, no matter what.’ Angel stood up, flashed an apologetic smile in her aunt’s direction and hurried from the room.
The shopping trip went well, but the amount of money that Eloise spent at the House of Worth in Regent Street both surprised and shocked Angel. The cost of one dress alone would have been enough to pay the servants’ wages for the last quarter. Sir Eugene might be funding everything, but given the choice, Angel would have chosen to wear an old gown and put the princely cost of the new outfit to better use. As it happened she had no choice in the matter and somewhat reluctantly, and under pressure from Susannah, she chose a raw-silk polonaise dress in turquoise with a ruffled neckline and beaded embroidery. It was the simplest of all the gowns modelled for them and paled into insignificance when compared with Eloise’s blush-pink silk wedding dress, embellished with crystals and frills trimmed with lace. Susannah and Blanche chose equally extravagant gowns and, not to be outdone, Belinda picked a striking outfit in French ultramarine tussore with a dashing feathered hat that threatened to put everyone in the shade. The gowns, all of which fitted without the need for alteration, were to be delivered by carrier, but Angel returned to Grantley feeling depressed and guilty. Hector might soon be risking his life, fighting for his country, and it seemed wrong to fritter away Sir Eugene’s fortune on garments that might be worn once or twice, and then consigned to a trunk in the attic for the moths to feast on. She had no idea of the total cost, but surely it would have gone a long way to pay off the debt on Grantley. It was frustrating, but it was out of her hands.