by Dilly Court
‘That was unkind, Susannah.’ Angel found her voice, although Susannah’s spiteful remark had made her feel physically sick. ‘We don’t know exactly why Hector had to leave so suddenly, and I wasn’t even here.’
Susannah tossed her head. ‘Who knows what went on between you? Do you deny that you are sweet on my brother?’
‘I say, Sukey, that’s not fair.’ Humphrey slipped his arm around Angel’s shoulders. ‘This girl has saved Grantley. It’s her brother who is paying for Uncle Dolph’s mistakes, and I think that’s a gallant gesture.’
‘Yes, you’ve gone too far this time,’ Toby added angrily. ‘What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you were living in luxury at Westwood.’
‘This is my home.’ Susannah rose to her feet, her face contorted with rage. ‘Uncle Dolph should have left the London house to me, and not this street urchin.’ She pointed a shaking finger at Angel. ‘Look at her, sitting there as if she owns the place. You’d think that butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but she’s devious. Can’t you see what she’s doing? Her brother will be Grantley’s owner and we’ll be thrown out of our own home.’
Angel stared at her dumbfounded by such a vitriolic attack. ‘That’s not true,’ she protested. ‘Why are you being like this?’
‘She’s jealous.’ Humphrey said angrily. ‘Don’t take any notice.’
‘She’s got you wrapped round her little finger already.’ Susannah’s eyes narrowed and her pretty lips contorted with fury. ‘Well, I’m the head of the household in Hector’s absence, and I’m telling you to go back to your coven, you witch. You might have cast a spell on my brothers, but I can see right through you. Get out of my house and take your common friend with you.’
Angel stood up, clenching her hands at her sides. Susannah’s attack was uncalled for and had come as a shock. She had known that resentment was simmering beneath the surface, but something had triggered it into a malicious volcanic explosion.
‘This is as much my home as yours, Susannah,’ Angel said with as much dignity as she could muster, although she was trembling with pent-up emotion.
Humphrey and Toby both rose to their feet, but Susannah was beyond reason. She made a move towards Angel, clawing her fingers as if she was about to attack. ‘I’ve had just about enough of you. You’re nobody. You were found in the gutter and that’s where you belong. You’ll leave now and Dolly goes with you, and that uncouth creature who follows you wherever you go. I don’t want to see any of you again, and I know that Mama would agree with me.’
Toby stepped between them. ‘Hold on, Sukey. I’m the man of the house when Hector is absent and I say they stay.’
‘So do I,’ Humphrey said, nodding. ‘You should apologise to Angel.’
Susannah ignored him, concentrating her attention on Toby. ‘You know nothing of the way we’ve been living these past few weeks. You live a life of luxury at Oxford while we have to fetch and carry and look after ourselves.’
Toby faced up to her, his jaw set and his fingers twitching as if he would like to revert to childhood and slap his sister or pull her hair. ‘You always were a bully, Susannah. I say that Angel and Dolly are part of the family and I want them to stay.’
‘Me too,’ Humphrey said eagerly. ‘Why don’t you go back to Westwood, Sukey? We’ll look after Grantley and Angel will help us.’
‘You are still a child, Humpty Dumpty,’ Susannah said icily. ‘You and Toby are little more than schoolboys and have no say in the matter.’ She fixed Angel with a hard stare. ‘I’m going to speak to Mama and she’ll make Sir Eugene responsible for the mortgage on Grantley. You’ll never get your hands on the estate, Angel Winter, and you’ll never see Hector again. I’ll make sure of that.’
‘Stop this, Susannah.’ Toby took a step towards her. ‘You’re hysterical.’
‘I won’t let you throw Angel out,’ Humphrey said tearfully. ‘She’s like a sister to me and I love her more than I love you.’
Angel held her breath. For a moment she thought that Susannah was going to lose control altogether and strike her younger brother. ‘Stop this now.’ Angel forced herself to sound calm although she was inwardly quaking. ‘I will leave, if that’s what you really want, Susannah. I won’t allow you to tear this family to shreds simply because you dislike me.’
‘Dislike?’ Susannah’s eyes narrowed to slits. ‘I’ve always hated you, Angel Winter. You were Uncle Dolph’s favourite and you turned my brothers against me. I want you to pack your things and get out. Russell will take you to London.’
‘It will be dark in less than an hour,’ Toby protested. ‘Why not leave it until tomorrow, Sukey. Maybe when you’ve calmed down …’
Susannah picked up the milk jug and hurled it at him. ‘If you don’t like it, you can go, too.’
‘That’s enough,’ Angel said furiously. ‘I wouldn’t stay here if you begged me, Susannah Devane. You are mean and spoiled, and heaven help the man who is fool enough to marry you.’
She stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her, but it opened almost immediately and Humphrey rushed out. ‘Angel, wait, please wait. Don’t go like this …’
Chapter Twenty-Four
Christmas was drawing nearer, but the house in Naked Boy Court was far from festive. Baines had insisted on returning to London with Angel, Lil and Dolly. He grumbled about the disruption and claimed to miss his hunting expeditions, but Angel suspected that he was secretly glad to be back in the city. He continued to spar with Lil, although their arguments invariably ended with them sharing a pipe of baccy and enjoying a glass of ale by the fire.
Susannah had insisted that Cook must remain at Grantley, leaving Lil to take over kitchen duties in London. She lacked Eudora’s delicate touch with pastry, but when it came to kneading bread dough her strength and energy produced tasty loaves that were so light in texture they almost floated off the table, and her cakes were a delight. Dolly moved silently among them, pale as a ghost and uncomplaining, but Angel was concerned about her friend’s welfare. It was clear that separation from Rupert was bringing Dolly to a low ebb and Angel decided to enlist her sister’s help.
Belinda was only too pleased to offer the use of the Montgomerie barouche for a trip to the private clinic, but she insisted on accompanying them.
‘I must say I’m glad you’re back in London,’ she said as the luxuriously appointed carriage tooled along the streets in the direction of Highgate. ‘Of course, I’m sorry that Susannah behaved so badly when you were trying to help, but I never really liked her.’
‘She’s jealous of Angel.’ Dolly looked from one to the other. ‘Well, that’s the truth, isn’t it?’
Angel shook her head. ‘I think you’re wrong. Susannah is everything I am not.’
‘Thank goodness for that.’ Dolly leaned back against the velvet squabs, a rare smile playing on her lips. ‘I don’t think the world is big enough to take two Susannah Devanes. She’s spoiled rotten, Angel. Anyone can see that. She’s selfish and she’s eaten up with jealousy because she knows that her brothers love you more than her.’
Angel let this pass. She knew that Dolly was teasing her, which was infinitely better than Susannah’s malicious barbs.
‘I think we’ve arrived,’ she said as the carriage came to a halt outside the gates of a building half-hidden behind a high brick wall. The gatekeeper emerged from his lodge and after a brief conversation with the coachman the gates were unlocked and opened. Angel heaved a sigh of relief. ‘I was afraid we wouldn’t be allowed in.’
An impish smiled curved Belinda’s lips. ‘I took the liberty of sending a letter to Dr Sellers, delivered by hand this morning, suggesting that my brother and I were interested in his work and might be persuaded to make a donation.’
‘You naughty girl,’ Angel said, chuckling. ‘I couldn’t have done better myself.’
Dolly’s smile faded. ‘But what will he do when he finds out that he’s been tricked? I won’t be allowed to see Rupert.’
&n
bsp; Belinda leaned over to pat Dolly’s hand. ‘It’s not entirely false. Percy does subscribe to worthy causes, and if Dr Sellers is genuine and he’s actually helping cripples to walk again, I think Percy would be very happy to support his work.’
‘I’m impressed.’ Angel looked out of the window. ‘And it’s an imposing building. Someone has invested heavily in Dr Sellers’ project. Let’s hope that it’s benefiting Rupert.’
The carriage drew to a halt outside the front entrance and the footman climbed off the box to open the door and put the step down.
Belinda was first to alight and was greeted by Dr Sellers himself. He did not appear to recognise Angel and Dolly and they hung back to give Belinda a chance to impress. Whatever she said obviously worked, and Dr Sellers invited them into the building. He showed them round, giving them detailed accounts of the treatments available, ending the tour in a waiting room that was strictly functional. The grey walls were unadorned and added to the cold, clinical atmosphere. The furniture was upholstered in black leather that might have looked smart in a gentleman’s study, but the austere setting did not show it off to advantage, and the seats were hard and slippery. A few shiny copies of the Illustrated London News were set out on a side table, and were as pristine as the day they had come off the printing press.
‘Do you allow the patients to have visitors?’ Angel asked innocently. It seemed obvious from the state of the waiting room that very few people passed this way, but she could tell that Dolly was becoming agitated, and at any moment might demand to see her husband.
‘No, it’s not our policy,’ Dr Sellers said gravely. ‘We find that it upsets the strict routines that the patients need, and sometimes the mere sight of a family member is enough to unsettle the more sensitive souls. They become homesick and might even go into a decline.’ He smiled benevolently. ‘May I offer you ladies some tea and cake? We have an excellent cook, and patients are fed on the best of everything.’
Dolly opened her mouth to speak but Angel forestalled her. ‘Thank you, Doctor. That would be most acceptable.’
He nodded. ‘If you’ll excuse me for a moment I’ll get one of my staff to organise it.’ He disappeared into the corridor, leaving the door ajar.
‘I must see Rupert,’ Dolly whispered urgently. ‘He’s not going to agree to it, is he?’
Belinda glanced round the waiting room. ‘No clues here, but I thought I saw a list at the foot of the stairs. Perhaps it tells you which rooms the patients occupy.’
‘Leave it to me,’ Angel said in a low voice. ‘Keep him talking, Belle. Mention money and he’ll be your slave. I’ll say that Dolly is feeling faint and needs fresh air—’ She broke off as Dr Sellers entered the room, smiling benevolently.
‘Make yourselves comfortable, ladies. Refreshments will be with us shortly.’
‘My friend is feeling a little unwell,’ Angel said urgently. ‘If you don’t mind, I’ll take her outside for a breath of fresh air.’
‘Of course, but perhaps a young lady in her condition ought to be at home, resting?’ Dr Sellers peered at Dolly over the top of his silver-rimmed spectacles. ‘I speak as a physician, you understand.’
‘I’ll be perfectly all right. I’m just rather hot.’ Dolly fanned herself with her hand, and Angel slipped her arm around her waist.
‘Come, my dear. I’ll look after you.’ She led Dolly from the room, leaving Belinda to keep the doctor occupied with even more questions about his work.
The list that Dolly had mentioned not only contained patients’ names but also included the room numbers, and a plan of the building.
‘Obviously they don’t expect people to break the rules and come here,’ Angel said in a whisper as they made their way to Rupert’s room. She stood aside as Dolly walked in, and the look on Rupert’s face made all their efforts worthwhile. Angel stood guard at the door, tactfully turning her back on the young couple. It all seemed too easy, but then she heard footsteps and a nurse appeared at the far end of the passage. Angel stepped back into the room, peering round the door and praying silently that the woman would not come this far. It seemed as though her prayers were answered as the nurse was apparently doing her rounds and checking on each patient in turn.
‘We have to go now, Dolly,’ Angel said reluctantly. ‘I’m sorry, Rupert, but a nurse is heading this way and she’ll be here any minute now.’
He raised Dolly’s hand to his lips. ‘It was wonderful to see you, my darling, but you mustn’t come again. I’m doing well, but you must look after yourself and the baby.’
‘But I hate leaving you all alone,’ Dolly said tearfully. ‘I’ll get in somehow.’
He shook his head. ‘My father came to see me yesterday. I don’t know if it’s because of the season, or if his conscience is troubling him, but he’s arranging to have me moved back to Westwood. Dr Sellers has agreed to supply a nurse to take care of me, and I can continue my treatment at home.’
‘That’s wonderful. I’ll see you there.’
He shook his head. ‘I’m afraid not. I tried to persuade Papa to allow you to live with me at Westwood, but he’s a stubborn man.’
‘Why can’t you have your treatment in London?’ Dolly whispered. ‘I’m sure Angel wouldn’t mind if you stayed with us.’
‘It’s not practical, darling. You must be patient and leave it to me. I will win my father round, and I promise you that we’ll have Christmas together.’
‘The nurse is coming,’ Angel whispered urgently. ‘She’s in the next room now. Hurry up, Dolly or we’ll be caught and thrown out.’
Dolly leaned over to kiss her husband on the lips. ‘It would be the best Christmas present in the world, Rupert. I’ll live for that day.’
‘Come on, Dolly,’ Angel urged. ‘You’ll ruin everything if you linger.’
Dolly obeyed reluctantly, pausing in the doorway to blow a kiss to Rupert. Angel had to drag her away, and they only narrowly missed being caught.
Belinda rose to her feet when they entered the waiting room. ‘You look a little better, Dolly. However, the doctor is right. I think we should get you home as soon as possible.’ She extended her hand to Dr Sellers, smiling graciously. ‘Thank you so much, for the tour of your clinic. I’ll speak to my brother when he returns from his honeymoon.’
Dr Sellers bowed over her hand. ‘Might I enquire who put you in touch with me, Miss Montgomerie?’
‘I forget now,’ Belinda said vaguely. ‘But your fame is spreading.’ She swept out of the waiting room, leaving Angel and Dolly to follow more slowly.
When they were safely ensconced in the carriage, they burst into fits of the giggles.
‘I don’t know why I’m laughing,’ Dolly said, wiping her eyes with her hanky. ‘Sir Eugene will never accept me as his daughter-in-law.’
Belinda was suddenly serious. She put her head on one side, giving Dolly a searching look. ‘You’re a very pretty girl, but you lack polish, and that gown doesn’t do you justice.’
‘What are you saying, Belle?’ Angel was suddenly alert. ‘You’re planning something, I can tell.’
‘Would you like to spend a few days with me, Dolly?’ Belinda leaned forward to grasp Dolly’s hand. ‘I’m all alone in that huge house while Percy is away. We would keep each other company and I could give you a few tips on dress, and how to deal with difficult people like Sir Eugene. You lack confidence, that’s all.’
‘Are you trying to make a lady of me?’ Dolly stared at her in amazement. ‘Can you make me like you and Angel? You was always a toff, Angel, even when we was selling flowers on street corners.’
‘Even when we were selling flowers on street corners,’ Belinda said, smiling. ‘It’s the little things that give you away. You’ve already lost most of your cockney accent, and you only need a little polish to make you shine like a bright star. Sir Eugene will forget his prejudices and welcome you into his home.’
Dolly turned to Angel. ‘What do you think?’
‘Anything is worth a try,
and you couldn’t have a better mentor than my sister.’ Angel squeezed Dolly’s gloved hand. ‘Think of the baby. He or she should be born in the family home. It will be Rupert’s one day, and Blanche is your sister-in-law. You have a rightful place at Westwood, Dolly. If I were you I’d grab it with both hands.’
Dolly moved in with Belinda, and, although Angel was sad to lose her companionship, she knew that it was the best thing for her friend. As Belinda had pointed out, all Dolly needed was a little town polish, some elegant clothes and a boost to her confidence, and she could take her place in society. Her humble origin was nobody’s business but her own.
Dolly’s move to the house in Mayfair left Angel in a difficult financial position. Without Dolly’s contribution to the housekeeping, Angel was finding it even harder to make ends meet. Christmas was a week away and she had only a few coppers in her purse. She could have asked Belinda for money, but she knew from previous conversations that her sister had a generous allowance, and that she spent it lavishly. Percy held the purse strings and there was no word as to when he and his bride would arrive home.
After a sleepless night, Angel was in the kitchen trying to coax the fire back to life when she heard someone hammering on the front door. She grabbed the lantern and hurried along the passage, wiping her hands on her apron.
‘Hold on,’ she called. ‘Don’t be so impatient.’ She drew back the bolts, turned the key in the lock and dragged the heavy door open. ‘Good heavens! Danny. You’re the last person I was expecting to see.’
‘That’s a nice welcome. Can I come in?’
‘Of course.’ She stepped aside, holding up the lantern to light his way. ‘What’s in those sacks?’ she asked, staring at the dark shapes stacked against the wall.
He stamped his feet on the mat as she closed the door. ‘What do we sell this close to Christmas?’
‘Mistletoe?’ She led the way to the kitchen and was relieved to see flames licking round the coal. ‘Where did you get it from?’
‘I’ll give you two guesses.’ He unwound his muffler and took off his cap, laying them carefully on the table.
